SIMPLE TRUTHS ARE OFTEN THE BEST. Take for example this truth about running; it’s difficult to move if you’re standing still. Duh!
Too often I am content to run by standing still. I read books and magazines about running. I check out articles online. I even spend time digesting the records of my past training runs or races, but none of these things are running. I do learn a lot about running, but I am not going anywhere. Let’s face it, is not the whole idea about running, getting somewhere different than where you are, whether that different place is geographic, emotional, spiritual, or physical?
The downside about really running is that it can be tiring and sweaty, not to mention, for a slow plodder like me, time-consuming. Yet, the benefits far outweigh the costs; better health, a clearer outlook on life, and hey, even the opportunity to put your training to the test in the crucible of “the race.” Yep, the moving part of running truly trumps the standing still part.
In our lives as followers of Jesus (runners in the race) we are expected to move. We are expected to put all the running knowledge to work on the track of life. Sure it’s tiring and sweaty at times, but moving forward has its benefits, even if the moving might be scary and tough at times. Moving is for what we were created, it’s where faith is built. And, if we’re not moving, it will not be possible to see the new and exciting things around the bend.
With all this moving in mind, it is with a lot of sorrow I say “see ya later” to Derek, Colly, Kallen and Forest Klein. God is leading them to a different spot on the track, I’m going to miss them, but I know we’ll meet from time to time as our paths cross in the race we are all running for Jesus.
God bless them as the move, and may God give us all strength for the Race.

IT WAS A SUNNY LATE WINTER MORNING on the Santa Cruz Wharf and there, taking full advantage of the weather, was a group of seals sunning themselves on a boat dock attached to the wharf. Every so often there would be a snort or a belch or a scratching of an itch, but for the most part things were pretty quite and peaceful…until…
Until, a newcomer to the crowd ascended the ladder (yes, came up the ladder) and proceeded to climb over a seal who had placed himself squarely in front of the ladder. Needless to say, the once sleeping, sunning seal was not happy. There was a lot of barking and biting going on until everyone found a new place to settle down. As Linda and I watched this little skirmish, we both said, “Well, that’s what you get for sleeping in front of the ladder, ya silly seal.”
As I have thought about this over the past few weeks, yes I know I think about pretty amazing things from time to time, I pondered how often people find themselves napping in the wrong spot, only to get their toga-in-a-knot when somebody wants to climb up the ladder. This often takes place when we are feeling pretty comfortable, sleepy even, because we are happy where we are. Everybody is in their assigned place, we all have room, and the deck is silently floating on a calm sea and the sun is warmly shining. When all of a sudden somebody has to rock the boat, disturbing our comfortable slumber…well the nerve of some people!
Well, what can I say? If you are just seeking for some place to slumber, I suggest not sleeping by the ladder.

I’M NOT RUNNING FOR MYSELF, at least not at this present juncture of my life. I am running for 4 other people right now, not that their not running too, but they are in some fashion dependant upon my training, as I am of theirs.
There are five of us who are training to run in the Big Sur International Marathon Relay. We are running under the team name of “Hebrews 12.” Take a look at the passage and you’ll see our “motivation.” Anyway, these teammates are dependant upon my training. If we are going to compete as a team, and finish as a team (winning is most definitely not the issue), then I must train with due diligence. They need me to run my best, if I give in, or give up, they suffer, the team suffers, and in fact we become disqualified.
This past week, while running, I was listening to a preacher talk about the Apostle Peter’s words to the young men seeking to lead the church. He says that we are to “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9) What rang in my ears was a new understanding regarding the reason I am to resist Satan and to stand strong; it is not because fellow believers throughout the world are in just as bad situations, but because my standing firm, in some way helps them to stand firm. I run for them. When I resist it helps them to resist. I don’t know how all this works out, for it is truly a spiritual battle that we wage, but I do know what I do, that is how I run this race set before me (Hebrews 12) matters.
Train well. Run well. Race well. For we run not for ourselves alone.

THIS PAST WEEK MARKED AMERICA SAVES WEEK, but according to an article in US News and World Report, we are not doing very well at saving. The article states that the Federal government has reported “that the nation’s personal savings rate fell to negative 1 percent last year. In other words, for every $100 in disposable income workers enjoyed in 2006, they spent about $101.” The article goes on to state that “this marks the lowest household savings rate since the Great Depression.” Ouch!
Now, if we were all a little honest, we have to admit that if it were not for those generous employers who take some of our pay and “sock it away for us” for that proverbial rainy day, it would be increasingly difficult for most of us to save anything. Day-to-day living costs so much more than ever, and pile upon that the constant barrage of our consumer-driven culture, and it’s no wonder that so many find themselves only a paycheck away from living on the street.
But my purpose in writing this edition of the Shepherd’s Staff is not about opening a savings account at Bay Federal, but about the increasing our savings accounts in regards to our spiritual life. As I read the article in US News and World Report, I began to wonder how they would report the “savings rate” of the Christian church in America? Of the blessings that we have each received from the Lord this past year how is your saving rate? How have we done at turning the blessings we have been given into blessings for God and His kingdom? The Lord told Israel they were blessed in order to be a blessing, and that through them all the world would be blessed. It was through them that the saving One came.
I think it’s time for some investment in saving souls. Care to make a desposit?