So much was lost.

And yet, even in the loss there was much to celebrate.  People came together to help each other.  It is still happening.  Neighbors gave of their time, talents and finances.  All to help others.  As we served in the local community there we had people stopping by to offer us cold drinks and snacks.  We shared a few stories with them, smiled, shook hands and hugged then went back to work.  Some were amazed that a group of 20 people would drive 21 hours to come and help them.  We just thought it was the right response.  I personally would hope that the same would be done for us if something tragic took place in our region.  But we didn’t go to get a pat on the back or receive praise from those we were helping.  We did it to show God’s love to them in tangible ways.

One man on our team felt as though he may actually end up getting in the way of the work that was needed to be done.  He prayed that God would use him to help the people who were most affected by the tornado.  It was mid-week when he sat on the porch of one family and shared that God had sent him to them to pray with them and share Jesus with them.  He couldn’t do much of the physical work but he knew just what he was there to do.  God answered is prayers and he found his purpose for being on our team.  He did what he could.  He trusted that God would fill in the gaps where he could not.  He was faithful to go even when he was unsure of what good he could possibly do.

A woman on our team went hesitantly because she was concerned that the work would be overwhelming.  She felt that she had to go.  She didn’t really want to.  During our time in Indiana she was a constant source of encouragement to our team and to the people we were working with.  She didn’t see her limited abilities as limiting factors to what she could do to strengthen our team.  She served faithfully wherever needed and blessed us all.  She knew she needed to be there and in that, God used her.

Sometimes we doubt our abilities and our calling.

We downplay who we are.

We deny ourselves opportunities to serve others.

Most times all you have to do is show up.  Just taking the physical steps of getting to where service is needed is all that is required.  God honors faithfulness.  When we are faithful to do our part He, in turn, meets us right where we are at.  Don’t doubt yourself.  Don’t doubt God.  The world is full of beautiful people who trust God and serve in their personal inadequacies and get things done.

You can be one of those people…

I know that others are similar to me.

I’m not alone.

We live in a broken world.  As you look around there is much that can be seen that would be viewed as ugly.

Selfishness and greed are rampant.  In this day and age when we have the technology to be constantly connected.  Too many people live isolated lives.  In homes where both parents still live, sons and daughters still live as orphans.  Extensive funding goes towards social services and yet many elderly are forced to make a choice.  Do I eat today?  Do I purchase the medications that I need?

Rather than losing hope.  Instead of giving up on humanity.  There is a choice we can make.  A life that is different.

There is a church in Ethiopia aspiring to be their community’s “beauty spot.”  This church cares for children in extreme poverty regardless of their faith background.  They are working for a better world.  One with flourishing “beauty spots.”

Where can you create a beauty spot in your world?  What is it that you can do?  Simple things.  Small things.  Beautiful things.

You don’t have to fly to another part of the world.  You don’t have to raise great financial resources.  It requires no social campaign on Facebook to gather others around you.  You may not even have to get in your car.  Look around you.  What is ugly that you can bring beauty to?

Get ticked off.  Riled up enough to respond.  Righteous anger would do a world of good.  Poverty is not the lack of charity ut the lack of justice…no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.  -Max Lucado

The world can be made beautiful.  We can do it.  It is possible.

Many times I worry about what I am called to because I don’t trust that what I need will be there when I need it.

I.  Don’t.  Trust.

Enough.

Enough doubt.  Enough fear.  Enough caution.  Enough hesitancy.

I have enough of the wrong things.  I must trust more.

I LACK nothing.  The journey begins.  No more “enough”.

I have more than enough.  I have an abundance.  My hands is never empty.

these are my confessions today.

When God calls us He only asks us to “go in the strength we have”, not worry about what we lack–He will take care of the rest (Judges 6:14)

Over the years I have turned away many opportunities that have come my way.

Tomorrow is World Water Day.  On March 22 people around the world work to raise awareness as well as finances to help provide safe, clean water to the millions of people who do not have access to it.  I believe in this cause.  I believe it so much that I personally have given hundreds of dollars to it as well as helped others to give over one hundred thousand dollars to it.  Having traveled to parts of Africa, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico and Haiti I have seen first hand the devastating effects of what a lifetime of foul water can do to a person.

I’m writing this post because I believe in clean water.  I believe we have the collective ability to provide clean water to EVERYONE who needs access to it.  We can “be the change that we want to see” in the world (plug to Ghandi for that quote)  What could you do without in order to help someone else?  What could you live without so that someone else could literally have something?  We can solve this problem.  People worldwide could have access to clean water.  No longer would people have to drink from the refuse (read – garbage) of the world.

What will you do.  Would you join me?  I ride my bike.  I ride it a lot.  I ride for Team Water.  You can do your part as well.  You don’t ride a bike?  SO WHAT!  You can do something.  Check out the WATER.ORG  Then do something.  Anything.  Everything Counts.

I’m one who lives for goals.  If I have some pre-stated goals set for myself I am much more apt to actually accomplish things each year.  With that in mind, when it comes to my cycling, I love to push myself.  This past year has been a great year of building my endurance, speed and stamina.  I feel very well conditioned.  Building upon that for 2012 I want to take myself beyond anything I have done before.  Here’s a few of my goals for cycling for 2012:

• 100-200 Ride.  This is a ride that takes place on June 23, 2012.  It starts at the Canadian border and travels Rt. 100 all the way down to the Massachusetts State Line.  It’s just over 200 miles and climbs over 9100 feet.
• Mt Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.  This day of craziness takes place on August 18, 2012.  The Mt. Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb is known as the toughest hillclimb in the world at 7.6 miles in length, has an average grade of 12% with extended sections of 18% and the last 50 yards is an amazing 22%!  I’ve got my work cut out for me…
• New Hampshire Motor Speedway Race Series.  I’ve put this one off.  Racing is something that I believe I can do well with but I have been procrastinating the start of it.  This year I am putting the goal in writing to add a level of accountability to my racing.  This race series takes place on Thursday evenings at the NHMS.  It should be a good time and a great chance to get my feet wet in the field of cycle racing.
• Cycle in a Foreign Country.  I’m thinking England or Germany.  We’ll see.  I hope to get more of the details nailed down in the coming month.
• Included within all of these goals is the desire to break 10,000 miles for the year.  I know I can do it.  It will just take a consistent effort through the entire year.  If I start out slow it will be very difficult to make up miles going into the end of the year.

So, these are my goals.  Do you have any?  Share them and let’s encourage each other!  If you would care to you can join me at Daily Mile and record your miles as well as find great encouragement there.

Knowing that I was traveling in April and July and had limited access to my bike I am all too aware that this year will allow me much more potential with miles.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22 NIV)