Category Archives: Run the Race

Memorial Day 2017 – Uncle Fred

I have been blessed with an incredible family…great parents and lots of wonderful Aunts and Uncles, all who were caring, funny, and supportive as far back as I can remember. One such person was my Uncle Fred. He always had time for me…for my questions and my inquisitive nature. As for the impact of a man upon my life, Uncle Fred was second only to my Dad.

I remember growing up as a kid and would spend time with Uncle Fred and Aunt Maude…they lived up in South Carolina, so it was a bit of a drive to get there from Georgia. He would show me and my brother around his property, and would especially linger in and around his shop. And what a shop it was! You see, Uncle Fred was a machinist (and maybe a Mechanical Engineer…not sure how accurate my memory is). And he NEVER threw anything away…never!

I remember one time when Uncle Fred was trying to explain to me how a differential worked. He made hand gestures and drawings on paper..but I still wasn’t getting it. He disappeared to his shop for a bit, and came back carrying a real differential…in his hands!! He then showed me how the gearing worked and the light bulb finally turned on!!

Uncle Fred was part of The Greatest Generation. He served in the Marines as part of the Seabees in World War II. The Seabees were USMC-trained soldiers who were also trained engineers and construction tradesmen. Talk about a one-two punch!! They could both fight and build…all in the same day if needed.

Another example Uncle Fred gave me was in marriage…he and my Aunt Maude were inseparable. They always held hands and joked with each other. They lived life to the fullest, trusted God, and were ready to help anyone in need.

Uncle Fred was 95 years old when he passed away a few weeks ago (on May 17th)…had he lived just one more week, he would have celebrated his 73 anniversary.

Thank you Uncle Fred for living a life that can be an example to us all. You will be missed always…

Run the Race – Resurrection is a Fact (Charles Colson)

Came across this incredible quote…

“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”  (Charles W. Colson)

A powerful statement if there ever was one!! If you are not familiar with Charles Colson, he was one of several powerful men in President Nixon’s administration, and he was the only one to serve prison time for the Watergate scandal. During this time, he became a Christian and spent the rest of his life ministering to prison populations and their families. His work has touched hundreds of thousand lives.

And then there is little ole’ me. It is difficult to look at my life thus far, and try to measure it against Charles Colson. Come on Brad, get it in gear…

Run the Race – See Others as God Does

We had our first performance of our Easter program at church this evening…it was a wonderful time of worship and remembering Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It got me thinking…there are so many things wrong in this world…politics, race, religion, just to name a few. If the Christian church could just move past all of that and see people as God sees them, and then act accordingly, the changed lives as a result would be incredible!!

So can we all do that? Please?

I’m going to really try…

Run the Race – Living a Life of Generosity

In this world of always wanting more (especially here in America), I found this article to be an inspiration to my soul…

Alan Barnhart Limits His Salary

It seems that no matter how much you make, you always need a bit more. And a lot of us Christians are in the same boat as the general public. Just think what our impact on the world around us could be if we lived within our means, and used the surplus to bless those in need…the impact would be earth shattering!

Not sure where to start? Take a look at the materials available from Dave Ramsey…it’s a good starting point if you really want to live within your means and to use your finances wisely.

Easter Celebration 2015 – He is Risen!

It has been a busy weekend, but yet an awesome weekend all at the same time. I’ve been playing my French horn in the orchestra at church as part of the Easter celebration, and had a wonderful time doing it….Easter_Celebration_2015

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   John 3:16 (NIV)

Run the Race – Don’t Live as the World Lives

Over the last several months, I have really noticed how easy it is to live as the world lives. I’m not talking about the big things, like buying lots of stuff, having an affair, abusing drugs and alcohol…things like that. I’m talking about the little things that are easy to slip into…things like…

  • Lack of empathy – It’s way too easy to not see those that are in need around you. And it’s not just the homeless. With the current economy, there are many people that are just barely making ends meet. One flat tire or broken refrigerator could turn their lives upside down.
  • Lack of respect – I see this in the way we all drive. People become practically robots, focused on just getting to their destination. We cut people off, flip people the “bird”, and are just plain rude to everyone in our path.

As Christians, we need to reflect Christ to the world around us. And this means in all of the little things too. If you have a little extra cash, help someone fix their tire or change their oil. In the middle of the afternoon traffic, give them the extra space to pull in. Be courteous and respectful in everything you do. And just smile.

Romans 12:2  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think… (NLT)

You know, if all of us Christians just smiled and said a heartfelt “hello” to everyone we meet…the world would sit up and notice! And they would want to know why we are so nice…and we could tell them about Christ and his love for them. Just think of the lives that would be changed!

As for me, I’m going to try and do a better job of reflecting Christ to the world.