The Secret of Being Content

This morning our Sunday school lesson was on the secrets of being content.  For the past 3 months we have been going through Philippians and today we ended our study on Philippians covering chapter 4, verses10-23.  As we come to the end of Paul's letter, it is good to take a step book and look at what Paul says in Philippians 4:9.  Paul says that we are do what we have learned, received, heard and seen in him.  So the question becomes what has Paul taught us in this letter?  There are several things we have learned and here are some of those things:

• Rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4)
• Put the past behind and look forward (Phil 3:13)
• Stand firm in the Lord (Phil 4:1)
• Do everything without grumbling and arguing (Phil 2:14)
• Look out for the interests of others (Phil 2:4)
• Do nothing out of rivalry (Phil 2:3)
• Watch out for evil workers (Phil 3:2)
• Boast in Christ and do not put confidence in the flesh (Phil 3:3)

Paul learned to be content in whatever circumstance he was in.  As Paul says in 4:11-12 "I have learned to content in whatever circumstance I am.  I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content - whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need."  Do you find yourself being content when you have little or you have a lot?

Being content is nothing that just comes to you at the snap of the fingers.  This is learned over time.  Just as Paul learned, we too are learning and with learning comes wisdom, knowledge and understanding

Paul follows up his secret he has learned of being content with a verse that has a huge impact in my life.  Paul says in Philippians 4:13..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  He did not say some things....Paul says ALL things.  We all have hardships and trials we go through everyday.  Paul also had hardships and trials.  Even while in prison he learned to be content, rejoice in the Lord and know that it is the strength of Christ that is above all else and got him through these times.

The same is true in my life.  The ministry of Team 413 has changed me from the inside out.  It is a transformation that all goes back to one.  It is not about me, it is about glorifying God in all I do.  Christ is the vine and I am one of the branches using His word to help proclaim the Gospel.  In all of the running events I have been a part of since January 2009, I have worn a Team 413 shirt.  It is amazing to see how God breathed a single verse that is such an encouragement to many.  I hear comments of gratitude from fellow runners how that verse helped them finish the race set before them.  Just like there is a finish line at the end of a marathon, there is also a finish line in our spiritual life and that is Jesus Christ.

God blessed me with the opportunity to spend a few minutes in front of my Sunday school class today to talk about the impact Philippians 4:13 has had on my life and how I am running for Christ with Team 413.  I knew God would provide by giving me the words to say.  I told the class how the strength of Christ gave me the courage and ability to stand up in front of the class and speak.  It was such a blessing to see the response of everyone as I stood up there.  I know it was truly God at work.

Seeds have been planted and I pray that God will continue to use me to help in planting more seeds in order to see His fruit flourish.

Thousands compete in Krispy Kreme challenge

In my previous post about the Krispy Kreme Challenge, I mentioned that I was interviewed by ABC 11 and News Channel 14.

I made the news for ABC 11 and I wanted to share a link to the video.

Thousands compete in Krispy Kreme challenge

Enjoy the video!

Krispy Kreme Challenge

Today was the 7th annual Krispy Kremem Challenge in Raleigh, NC.  This event has grown each year and this year there were 7,500 runners brave or maybe more appropriate...crazy enough to take the challenge.  I was challenged by a friend to sign-up for the race.  I figured, why not.  I couldn't back down to a challenge.

Looking at the weather forecast, I knew it was going to be cold and wet as we have been getting soaked the past 2 days.  In watching previous years video on this event, I knew to expect all kinds of outfits.  So I figured with the rain, this would be the perfect the event to wear an umbrella hat.  Figured I would fit right in.

The rain at times was coming down pretty hard.  I am glad I had this umbrella hat.  As I was standing with a friend under a tree, a cameraman from the local ABC TV station came up to me.  He introduced himself and said my hat was the best one he has seen today and asked if he could interview me.  I said absolutely. I ended up being interviewed by two TV stations at the same time  (ABC 11 and News Channel 14).  It was a lot of fun as they asked if this was my first time running the event, what my strategy was for eating the donuts and of course where I got this umbrella hat.   My friend Mark was taking pictures of the interview.

Now it was time to head to the starting line.  It felt like you were in Times Square on New Year's Eve with the wacky outfits and especially when with 10 seconds until the start, everyone did the countdown.  It was time to run for donuts.  The race started at the NC State Bell Tower and worked its way to the Krispy Kreme 2.25 miles away.  I ran a faster pace than normal in order to run with my friend Mark.  As we approached the Krispy Kreme, he pulled ahead of me by about 20-30 seconds.  I picked up my box of donuts and found Mark.  When I got to him he had already eaten 6 donuts!  I was not surprised as he can eat 20 pancakes at IHOP when they have all you can eat pancakes.  He proceeded to finish and head on the way back.  I in-turn had a ways still to go.

My strategy for donuts was to smash the donuts together.  I started with 1 donut and then I smashed 2 together and for the remaining donuts I smashed 3 at a time.  I had a cup of water to help.  It probably took me about 15 minutes to get through the dozen.  So, the first challenge was accomplished.  Now it was time for the second challenge.  Could I make the 2.25 miles back without depositing the donuts on the route???  I figured I would take my normal pace for the run back.  I felt really good and I was able to make it back with no problems.  I could see some people struggling, but for the most part everyone was able to make it back.

This was also a first time event for Team 413.  I had a few people speak to me that were encouraged by the verse "I can do all through Christ who strengthens me".  One gentleman spoke with me while we were eating the donuts.  He had Philippians 4:13 on a dogtag he wears.  Another gentleman on the run back to the finish came up along side me and said he was praying for me.  Great to see God at work even during such a challenge as this.

Overall it was a fun event.  I've had a lot of people today ask me how it went, but the number 1 question everyone waht to know was if I threw up.  I can say that I did not throw up.  I was able to eat the dozen and keep them down.  So I consider that a success.

As I said to my friend Mark as we were walking back to the car when talking about doing it again.  I said that I think I will pass....been there, done that and got the t-shirt!

Here are some pictures from the race today.