One song I include on each and every half marathon playlist I create is the song “Healer” which was originally recorded by Hillsong and written by Mike Guglielmucci. I will never forget my disappointment to learn that Mike faked his cancer and the story behind the song. However it didn’t take long for me to remember that God used some rather amazing characters to accomplish his purpose throughout scripture. I still believe that the song “Healer” was inspired by God and that Mike Guglielmucci was the vessel by which God delivered the song. Period.

I will never forget completing the Cleveland Marathon last May with that song playing through my iPod. Ever since then, I have included it as a reminder that, indeed, “NOTHING is impossible”. It reaches me in every race and reminds me that:

¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. ¹⁶Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  -Hebrews 4:15

An internet “rabbit trail” of sorts led me to this video today. I had to share it. It was created by Christian Artist Kari Jobe and the background vocals are her remake of the song “Healer”. I have been listening to her CD all day and it is a wonderful praise and worship CD. I am thankful that another artist has remade the song Healer so that it continues to find its way into peoples lives. It is amazing description of the hope we have. May this story inspire you today:

I am sitting here tonight reflecting on what turned out to be a pretty good race this morning. To be honest I have been dreading this one for a few weeks now. Originally I put this on the schedule knowing that my good friend Jeff was running in it too. Initially I forgot that he was running the 10K version so I signed up for the half marathon. What made this one unique is that it is a 1 mile course. Depending on your race, you ran the appropriate amount of laps to complete your goal. In Jeff’s case, that meant 6 laps. In my case…it was 13!

Who knew that it would turn out to be such a blessing. I can’t talk about this race without mentioning the fact that Jeff finished the race and stood in 30 degree temperatures, sweaty, waiting while I pounded out another 7 laps. I didn’t realize until we were standing around afterwards how much of a sacrifice that was. It was cold and the wet clothes did nothing to make it warmer. That’s a friend. Not only did he stand there, he encouraged and energized me each lap. When I saw him standing there with 1/4 mile left to go, I got the energy I needed to finish as strong as I could. Can’t say enough about the friendship and the encouragement. I won’t soon forget that.

I also would be remiss if I did not thank another friend, Darren Carter for the shirt which I wore for the race. Darren and I went to high school together back in Cleveland and connected through facebook and twitter. He was kind enough to send me a shirt a few months ago and I wanted to wear it to support him today. I wasn’t sure the temperatures were going to make it possible, but it actually worked out well. Thanks Darren. I appreciate you my friend.

Now the race. As I said, I have not been looking forward to this one. With the massive amounts of snow that have been pounding Columbus, training has been pretty much limited to the “dreadmill” with an occasional run outside. I had no idea how I would do today. I didn’t set any expectations, but was hoping to post something in the upper 1:40’s. I finished with a 1:51. I was feeling good until around mile 9. At that point it was like someone took the battery out of my energy source. My iPod, Jeff and some great music got me through to the end. I missed not having my running partner (my wife) next to me as well.

It was also great to briefly catch up with an old fried at the start and finish, Chris Bean. His prayer with some other friends to start the race set the tone for the first several miles. Music memories were “Tonight” by TobyMac and “How He Loves” by David Crowder Band. I had some great worship time around mile 13 with the Crowder song. It was a great way to finish the race. Best signs I read were “Trust Your Trianing” and “You Guys Are Like Toyota – UNstoppable”!

Next Up:

Country Music Half Marathon – Nashville, Tennessee (can’t WAIT ) – April 24th, 2010

Capital City Half Marathon – Columbus, Ohio (possibly) – May 1st, 2010

Mini-Marathon – Indianapolis, Indiana – May 8th, 2010

Even though there are several inches of snow on the ground outside, travel baseball has already begun for 2010. “The Boy” and his team began indoor practice about a week ago and are making plans for the season ahead. We are very fortunate to have an outstanding baseball program in the city where we live. While it is not cheap, it provides “The Boy” the opportunity to compete with some of the best players in the city while making lasting friendships.

I don’t usually do stuff like this on this site, but I figured I’ve got some raffle tickets to move so I might as well utilize every avenue that is available to sell them (that’s a nice way of saying I’m a sell-out). On March 14, 2010 the Hilliard Colts Travel Baseball team will hold a raffle. Below are the items that are available through the raffle. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, you can drop me an email. There are some great items available. Thanks if advance for supporting your Colts and “The Boy”.

Tickets for the raffle are $5 each or 5 for $20. You need not be present to win.

HBA Hilliard Colts Annual Raffle

• (4) Columbus Clippers tickets, 1st base side behind home
• (4) Kings Island tickets
• (4) Club level passes and parking passes (Columbus Clippers)
• Cookie Lee Jewelry
• Pair of Columbus Blue Jackets tickets for April 3rd
• Continue Reading…

Here’s what I’ll be listening to on Sunday for 13.1 miles.

The guys over at Dad-Blogs.com do a very cool thing every Friday to coordinate posts from some of the many Dads that blog out there. This is my first entry on a Fatherhood Friday but hopefully something I will be able to do each week. I’m up to my ears in conference calls today so this post will be short and sweet…..literally.

Basically it was a conversation that took place with our youngest child a few weeks ago. Those that know our youngest daughter know that she is a bit of  a card. She keeps us in stitches and is the one at the dinner table that provides the evening entertainment. She is also 4 years old…

So a few weeks ago, I picked her up from school (which is one of my favorite Daddy moments and one I don’t get to do often enough). As we were leaving the school, the following exchange took place.

Her: “Dad, I am now part of the Zip-Zip Club”

Me: “That is great! What is the Zip-Zip Club?”

Her: “It’s for all of the kids that can zip up their own coat”

Me: “Hey, I can zip up my own coat. Can I be a part of the Zip-Zip Club?”

Her: “Um Dad…It’s a small club”

Maybe you had to be there, but her response was priceless. I guess it takes more than just being able to zip up your coat to hang in the Zip-Zip Club. I’m also sure it won’t be the last time I won’t be invited to hang with one of my kids in their exclusive clubs. So it begins….

I love books. I like books that make me feel good, inspire me and match my thought process. I like books that teach me new things, see things from a different perspective and strengthen my beliefs. Every now and then, a book comes a long that walks across the room and gets directly in your face. It grabs you around the collar, lifts you out of your seat and tells you like it really is. It calls you out. It challenges you. It makes you uncomfortable for all of the right reasons. Enter the book “Free Book*” by Brain Tome.

Brian Tome is the Senior Pastor of Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. While I don’t mean this to sound creepy or weird, I would like to meet this guy. I don’t want to meet him in a fanatical sort of way, I want to shake his hand. I want to personally thank him for writing the best book I have ever read. Period. Thanks to facebook, I was able to send him a note to thank him, but I’d really like to sit down and talk about this one. I can’t believe the timing and I can’t believe how this book hit me right where I needed to hear it…on many levels.

I am going to tell you right now that this isn’t your average, everyday “Jesus Loves You” kind of book. This is an in your face reminder that we are FREE in Christ. There are things that you will read that might make you a bit uncomfortable. Before you put the book down, ask yourself why this makes you uncomfortable. I’m not sure if I speak for you, but I know I don’t like someone being brutally honest with me. I certainly don’t like reading it in a book from a guy I have never met. I kept reading and realized that I need honest. I need someone reminding me of the freedom I have often missed while being in bondage to strongholds in my life. I’ve missed freedom by forgiving but not forgetting. I’ve allowed bitterness and a past I regret to be chains that hold me down.

I cannot say enough about the impact that “Free Book*” has had on me in the days since I began reading it. One night I read chapters regarding bitterness and strongholds. I took some time to identify the ones in my life and pray over each on specifically. I literally awoke the next morning with the hymn “Blessed Assurance” on my mind. You can ask my wife, I was singing it all morning. I’m not a guy that walks around singing hymns so this was not normal activity for me. It was, however, a reminder of the covenant I had made through prayer the night before.

Will you wake up singing hymns just because you read “Free Book*”? I doubt it. That’s not what I am going for in this review. What I will promise you is that you will be challenged. You will be asked to take a hard, tough look at your life and your journey. You will be reminded that we are FREE in Christ. For this and many other reasons, I say that “Free Book*” is the best book I have ever read. I encourage you to get a copy for yourself and see the freedom that you are missing.

I give “Free Book*” a 5 out of 5!

Note: Thomas Nelson sent me the above book for review purposes. It will allow me to keep the book. I have received no other compensation from Thomas Nelson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”