The Great Adventure with Bill Berg

"On Hold"

2008-11-05T17:27:00.002-06:00

We live in a world where we have to be "on hold." I have been trying to work out some tax details with the government and have never gotten a real person but have only ever been on hold. I recently have been helping a person switch their SSI information to Minnesota along with applying for medical assistance. I have been on hold in every situation for, "like ever." You know the business because we have all been on hold more than we would like. Well, have you ever felt like you have been on hold with God? If your honest, like me (maybe a little lie there), you have.

There has been many times in my life when I have felt like God has put me on hold. There I wait to get through in hopes of any kind of response. I was talking with a friend earlier and he said it seems God likes to wait till the last moment before our request gets through and he comes through. Is God a procrastinator? If so I could relate a lot better to Him but I don't think procrastination is in His character. What is in His character is a desire for me to be more like Him; patient, calm, trusting and still. I have a long way to go but this is an area of my life I want to see God transform and never "put on hold." With God this life is always a great adventure, without him it's just one big Advil.

What a Day of Transformation

2008-09-25T16:01:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is a day of new birth and transformation for our family. We are adding another girl to the mix and it isn't by natural birth but through adoption. Adoption means, "To take up and make ones own." After tomorrow we will officially have taken up and made our own another girl; her name Katelyn. It is a day we have been waiting for since last November. It's a day when she will use her full name with "Berg" at the end. It will be a day when she is truly one of us.

As Christ-followers we all have a day like this as well. It was the day we decided to allow ourselves to be adopted into God's family through a relationship with God's Son, Jesus. We were on that day "taken up and made God's own." Tomorrow Katelyn will receive all the privileges of being a "Berg." On the day we were adopted by God we received as well all the privileges of God's family. Each of these adoptions brings transformation to individuals and families, whether our physical family or spiritual family. What a day and what a great adventure!

The Difference Two Minutes Makes

2008-09-17T07:52:00.002-05:00

We all know how our work days can become so hectic and full. Not only do we have the planned routine meetings but we end up juggling the unexpected situations that need troubleshooting. I have plenty of days like this and the other day was one of them. My schedule was tight all day and my goal was to leave the office in plenty of time to drive an hour away to see my daughter swim in St. Michael-Albertville. Well, I had more hiccups in my day than I planned or imagined and I was already late leaving town. The swim meet was at 6 p.m. and I was leaving town at rush hour which meant even the country side roads would be busier with traffic. To be late to a swim meet could mean missing one of my daughters events. This particular meet was all relays and she was swimming two events. Each event is no longer than a few minutes.

I raced (literally, I'll admit it) out of the office, through the never ending Main Street construction and toward St. Michael-Albertville when I realized I had the wrong directions. I had mapquested directions to the high school and remembered (of course while driving) my wife telling me it was at the middle school. I called home, had them mapquest it and pulled over twice while writing down the new directions. I felt like a good citizen because I actually pulled over to write down the new directions but it did nothing in saving me time. I got of town late, rush hour, construction, bad directions and completely frustrated.

Everything in me wanted to bag the swim meet and turn around and just go home. I was driving one hour to the meet, one hour back for what, to watch my daughter swim for two minutes! Two minutes! All the stress of getting out the office, construction, rush hour and directions almost made me miss an important part of my daughter's life. I pushed through the temptation to meet my own whiny needs and kept driving. To my surprise I arrived on time; (let me remind you again that I was racing).

I settled in my seat, took a big breath and tried to calm down. When my daughter climbed the swim block, scanned the audience and found me she waved with a huge smile. I waved and smiled back. Right then and there all the stress of the day spilled out of my body as I realized how important it was for a daughter to see her Dad in the stands, even for only two minutes of participation in a meet. She got the message that she was valued, that I loved her and am a big fan of hers, that I would drive a total of two hours for two minutes. After the meet there was great satisfaction for both of us as we embraced to celebrate her accomplishments.

As children of God, aren't we fortunate that we have a Father in the stands always cheering for us, available and our biggest fan? No matter what is happening in His world (a lot) He is always mindful of our world for he states in Joshua 1:9, "I will be with you wherever you go." When it comes to living this great adventure called 'life" it is valuable to realize the investment we make in our children and a reminder of the investment our Father in Heaven makes in us.

"A Good Cup of Grace"

2008-09-10T08:46:00.002-05:00

How often do we get together with a friend for a "good cup of coffee?" Today in America quite often. We take our coffee seriously and daily! Try to change the coffee intake of a person who's car doesn't need a Tom, Tom or Garman to get to the local coffee shop. It's tires are worn in that direction and it naturally goes there. Wouldn't it be great if our non-apologetic, natural enjoyment for coffee paralleled our non-apologetic, natural enjoyment for God's grace? God loves us so much that he gave his greatest, top shelf gift to us. He wanted us to know without a doubt that his love is to the greatest extreme, it can't go any greater or get any less.

I remember when I was in Junior High and was "sorta dating" because that's what you did at that age. I was at the county fair with my "sorta date" and she wanted me to win a prize for her at one of the games. This was my opportunity to prove I was a man at age 13 but what I realized was it would only prove how much I cared for her! I was on the spot! Was I going to pay big bucks (were talking JH here) to win her a stuffed animal off the top shelf or would I go with the middle shelf or low end? I was stuck and of course to prove my manhood and feelings for her I had to go top shelf. I didn't come through, I burned my cash flow and we spent the rest of the day drinking water and just watching others have fun on the rides. Point is, God went top shelf for us not because he had to but because he wanted to reveal to us how extreme his love is. By sending Jesus to pay for our sins he not only went top shelf, he had the means to provide us the prize. It cost him dearly and this is all the more reason why he desires us to enjoy the grace he provides.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says, "His grace is sufficient for us." This means that in every circumstance of life from sin to situations God's grace is going to do the job. It always delivers like a good cup of coffee or winning the stuffed animal on the top shelf.

Lamentations 3:22-23 states a beautiful truth, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is his faithfulness." I am learning this truth in a fresh way these days and realizing regardless of life stuff God is a big fan of Bill Berg. He always looks forward to coffee with me and going top shelf.

LEADER------SHIP

2008-07-30T08:31:00.003-05:00

Leadership is a hard concept to get your hands around. I know I am a leader, I am viewed as a leader, yet at times I feel I have no clue on leadership. I have read all kinds of books on leadership, articles, been to the "leadership summit" conference year after year, but there are days, even weeks when I am unsure of my leadership. In my title I intentionally divided out the word "leader" and "ship." If we take the word "leader" alone we get the idea of "one who gives direction, hope and clarity of future to those around them." The word "ship" is "a vessel that sails the open waters." When we bring these two words together we get a picture of a leadership that moves toward the future even through tough and dry seasons. Yes, ships sit still at times due to harbor needs or lack of wind but they are designed to sail forward. Those of us who are leaders are designed the same way, to move forward toward a determined direction.

As I have looked back over a tough leadership season this past year I have recognized three essential aspects of leadership every leader in the church needs in order to push through tough and dry leadership seasons. The first is to stay connected to Jesus the Vine. In John 15 Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branch, apart from me you can do nothing. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." Even in tough dry times of leadership, staying connected to Jesus is a guarantee to produce fruit, to keep the leader--ship sailing. The second essential aspect of leadership is to draw other strong leaders around you. During a tough time in leadership David had his "mighty men" around him. These men put their life on the line for David, broke through enemy lines just to capture a cup of water to quench his thirst. They kept his leader--ship sailing forward. The third essential aspect of leadership is to keep moving. As Erwin McManus says, "Don't be paralyzed by the need of a perfect opportunity." In leader--ship we are designed to keep sailing forward even though at times it may not appear flashy or fast. Slow and steady defines movement just as much as flashy and fast does. Paul stated often that his goal was to maintain what God had called him to and "to run with perseverance the race set before him."

As I reflect on the great adventure of leadership within the church I know there are times when I question the tar out of my leadership, yet at the end of the day resolve to wake up the next as a leader. At times my leadership may look flashy and fast or slow and steady butI am confident for I am connected to Jesus my vine, have great leaders around me, and am still a "leader" with his "ship" running forward to the glory of God.

The Right Part, Wrong Way

2008-06-18T09:18:00.002-05:00

Last year the steering cable on our old jet ski broke and we ordered a part through e-bay. In the meantime the jet ski was taken apart and by the time the new part came I was scratching my head in how to get it back together. I had help from a friend and between the two of us our shared knowledge didn't add up to much. Neither one of us would be classified as mechanically inclined. After many attempts the part was not fitting. Anyway, after much time and frustration I woke up one morning with the thought that the part could be in backwards. Why, I didn't have this thought right away befuddles me, but maybe God had a lesson for me in patience yet knew I would never pass so gave up and finally gave me the answer to the problem. I think in reality it was an answer to my kids prayers to please let my Dad get the jet ski going before November! Anyway, the part was in backwards and the jet ski is in the water and being used by many people. It feels good to have figured it out.

I relate this story to the big adventure called life. God has purposed each one of us specifically to glorify him with our life. In Jeremiah 1:5 it speaks of how God knew Jeremiah before he formed him in his mother's womb and that he set him apart to be a prophet to the nations. In Acts 17:26 Paul speaks of how God ordained when we would live and where! Our life is made for the right fit and at the right time in God's kingdom history, but at times I feel like I am in backwards. Things don't seem to be working right and I need to make sure my heart, soul, mind and strength are turned in the right direction toward God. I am the right part but can be in the wrong way which hinders my performance, pleasure and peace in life. The only way I can get myself in the right direction (God's direction) is to apply Psalm 139: 23-24, "Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." God made me to be the right part in his creation and he has designed me for a relationship with him. The more I maintain my relationship with him the better I fit and keep from getting turned backwards in life. A jet ski part backwards is harmless, my life backwards can become hopeless. I thank God that he as the master mechanic can always figure me out.

The Second Half

2008-05-23T15:17:00.002-05:00

Years ago I read a book about planning for the second half of your life. A lot of people tend to work towards moving their life toward idle during this time but the book challenges the status quo. Statistics show that most people by age 30 have stopped growing in all areas of life except their waistline. I am hoping to to go against the status quo as well. When you get to the back half of your life time becomes more valuable and you lose the idea that your present life is an eternity. You want to make the days, weeks, years count and not just count the days, weeks and years.

Over the last few months I have been doing a lot of study of myself. I have invited a variety of people to evaluate how I do life and to give me honest feedback of what they see. Why would I do this? I want to continue the transformation process God began in me years ago when I decided to follow him as Savior and Lord (Phil. 1:6). Matter of fact I invite God to reveal whatever in my life needs to change. Psalm 139:23-24 provides a great prayer for this, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thougths. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Self evaluation is not easy but it is rewarding. If we fail to do this we miss out on a big part of the this great adventure called life. Don't limit yourself, leap forward in who you can become. Don't doubt yourself, but double the view of yourself. Don't coast into the second half of your life but carve into it with welcomed change. May our second half of life trump the first in living large and not just around the waistline!

Blog Pressure

2008-05-13T09:57:00.003-05:00

It's seems as adults and especially as parents we talk a lot about peer pressure from the past and more so in the present with our kids. We all have a story of how peer pressure made use do something we didn't think we should do and after getting caught knew we shouldn't have done. Like smoking under the school steps in third grade.

Peer pressure can easily be seen in the negative but there is a positive side to most things. I have been influenced by positive peer pressure in a lot of ways that has helped transform my life. Back in 1979 I experienced peer pressure to attend a Bible Study for athletes. How uncool was that in '79, yet I went and my life was changed for eternity. Because of the positive peer pressure I am better off, my wife is better off, my children and those I come in contact with. If you knew me prior to '79 you would agree.

Well, due to positive peer pressure I have picked up writing in my blog. Because I am a boomer baby and just missed the '64 and beyond cut off for the tech generation, tech and blogging don't naturally flow in my blood stream. I often think as well, "What do I have to say that will compel a person to take time to click on my face on the New Hope web-site and read my thoughts?" There are many reasons I could come up with to push back the peer pressure yet I am seeing clearer these days why it is important for me to blog.

I want people to know my heart, what makes me tick, my victories and defeats, and see Jesus in my words that they may not see in my life from a distance. Who knows where the blog will go from here, but I do know that life is a "great adventure" and if anybody has something to say, "profound or not" it is me. Just as my kids. So kudos to positive peer pressure and those who influence my life for good.

2008-05-13T09:57:00.000-05:00

Blog or Bust

2007-11-08T14:33:00.000-06:00

It amazes me those who blog at ease. I am seriously impressed not only with their writing but the time they take to blog. It seems I am surrounded by a host of closet English teachers or wannabe newspaper columnists. I like to write but it seems when I blog my mind gets foggy and my fingers misspell. It truly has nothing to do with the fact that I was class clown growing up.

Blogging is a way to share life experiences with one another and to keep in touch with those you respect and enjoy. Lately, my blog has been more bust than blog due to life stuff and priorities. If you are one who checks regularly to see if I have blogged, I apologize for the days and even weeks of waiting. What is interesting to me is that every morning I am blogging to God about all kinds of life stuff as I write in my prayer journal. These journals date all the way back to 1992 and contain expressions of every aspect of my life. I have that routine of blogging with God and hopefully someday I will get down my routine of blogging with you. So hopefully in the near future you will be seeing more blogging than bust! I guess even this is part of the great adventure called "life."

Out of Control

2007-10-16T16:42:00.000-05:00

When we hear someone is "out of control" it usually means they have lost it, have went nuts or need physical restraint. When we review our lives many of us if not all would never put ourselves in this category. We are reserved, mature and in control, but let me challenge the fact that any of us are in control! We may not be "out of control" as defined above but we are "out of control" with what can happen in our lives.

Two weeks ago I was driving home early from work in hopes of sneaking in for a quick hair cut. I am not a "wait for a hair cut kind a guy." As I was stopped waiting for traffic a car behind me rear ended my truck and sent me to the side of the road. I wasn't expecting this! Along with this mini crash came a sore neck and back and three days before I was to run the Twin Cities Marathon. When I went to the starting line of the marathon it was the hottest start ever with the highest humidity. I fried and died that day at the marathon. As Cherie and I headed south after the race we pulled into McDonald's to eat and when we came out our van wouldn't start. Fortunately, there was an auto parts store behind McDonald's and we got a replacement battery. Later that night I watched the worst ten minutes of the Bears-Packers game as the Bears won. All these scenarios reminded me that I am not in control!

I received a hard email today from a friend. One week ago my wife and I were rejoicing with them in the anticipation of another child. It was great to be around them as they talked of their excitement and I could see the anticipation of another child reflected in their eyes. Today, their expectant baby died in the womb and they are now waiting for the miscarriage to take place. It is times like these that bring me to the reality that I/We are "out of control."

God is the creator and owner of the universe and all that is in it. David states in Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Isaiah 48:17 says, "This is what the Lord says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." The more I ponder life the more I realize we are all "out of control," and God is the only one "in control." Hopefully there will come a day when I will not fight this but fully realize it, rest in it and rejoice in it for our God is a Great God and His love is sufficient to control our lives. Lamentations 3:22-24 says, "Because of the Lord's great love for us we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" The more I think about it, I am grateful for being "out of control" for my God is "in control."

The Speed of Life

2007-10-12T15:45:00.000-05:00

It's amazing how life can be cruising along at "cruise control" pace and with little warning feel like it's "pedal to the metal." Over the last year and a half my wife and I have been going through the adoption process. Prior to this we had a sense from God that He desired us to utilize His blessings in our life for another life. We have three children already but still have space in our home, plenty of food, smiles, laughter and love. Recently we just finished our adoption process and the waiting and searching for another child had begun. In our minds we were buckled in for a long back roads ride as we were warned it could be a year or so.

Well, just as we were out of the city and pulling onto the country road to put our search into cruise we received a call. Within a week of the initial call we were given the go ahead to begin the adoption process of a precious four year old girl. We received the call on a Monday, interviewed on a Wednesday, received the okay on a Thursday and will now meet our new daughter on the following Monday. The cruise control is off and it is "pedal to the metal" in preparing our home and life for a four year old girl. It's been eight years since we last experienced this age in our home (on a live in basis). This sometimes is the speed of life and part of the great adventure God calls us to! If you see me pulled over, you'll know why!

A Love Story

2007-09-17T16:18:00.000-05:00

Today I did an amazing funeral. I celebrated with others the life and death of a 26 year old woman. The funeral was amazing because of the love reflected by the women's husband. You see, a few months back I was called to perform a wedding. The wedding took place with no music, no guests, flowers or candles. The setting was at the hospital, in room 315 of the ICU.

The woman who's life we celebrated had a rare lung disease and was very ill and unexpected to live. Her boyfriend and her desired to marry, but realized their chances were diminishing. One of their good friends knew me and asked if I would perform the ceremony in the ICU! What a privilege I thought.

The love and commitment these two showed for one another, especially the groom, made it tough to get through the vows. I couldn't help it, but in my mind I kept wondering why this guy was sticking around. Most guys would have been long gone with the first sign of a terminal illness. Some guys would stick it out and maintain the friendship, but how many guys would marry a girl knowing that death was certain?

That wedding day reflected to me the amazing depth of love people can have for one another and was reiterated again by a broken husband during the funeral celebration. There are not to many incidences that allow you a glimpse of what the love of God looks like for us, but the wedding and this funeral provided me a peek. Paul prays for us in Ephesians 3:17-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Today, I believe I have grasped a little deeper understanding of how wide, long, high and deep God's love is for us! I am glad love is a part of this great adventure called life.

Give it a Rest

2007-09-12T17:00:00.001-05:00

Do you ever have a day where it's challenging to think of anything creative. You want to get some details in life and job done but the mental capacity to think it through and be excited about the outcome never comes! There are times when I need to just give something a rest and pick it up later in hopes a new idea springs forth.

I question sometimes if this is procrastination from pushing through a tough moment. This is an important question, since many of us, me included dislike hard moments. But I don't see laying something down and picking it up within 24 hours as procrastination. At times it's being productive. I can sit and stare at the computer for a long time and not have anything happen. I could be getting some manual labor done which refreshes my mind and come back to the computer with rested and creative thinking.

In the great adventure called life there are times we need to "give something a rest" and pick it up later. For me this describes this day, so I am leaving the task of being creative and replacing it for now with manual labor...picking up props for senior high games! By doing this I expect new inspiration for carrying on and completing the creative part of my life.

Growing Pains

2007-09-11T14:20:00.000-05:00

Psychologists state that by their mid-thirties most people stop growing in every area of their life! Looking down at my waist line I can't agree with this statement 100% but I understand fully what they mean. We are creatures of comfort. Anything that is going to stretch us or take us out of our "worked hard to establish" comfort zones is likely going to be by-passed.

I deal with this in my own life as well. I have convinced myself of my weaknesses that I stay comfortably in them, and never try to raise the bar. Deep down I want to raise the bar but I have this psychological battle going on in my mind of whether I want to go through the pain or potential failure just to move a weakness towards a strength. Why not just highlight my strengths? I wish I could, but what I realize is my weaknesses affect my performance and affects the team around me. It's the old saying, "You can run but you can't hide." So with this truth I have set out on a continual mission to be open to growing in areas of weaknesses while still growing my strengths. Paul said in Philippians 1:6, "God who began a good work in me will bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus." I assume this work and the completion has to do with both my strengths and weaknesses. So bring on the growing pains, it's all part of the great adventure.

Three Services: Life is Never Static

2007-09-07T14:46:00.000-05:00

Whenever we think we've arrived, something changes. I have traveled enough to know that once you arrive at a flight gate you are not guaranteed the flight will leave on time. When transferring flights it is always a guessing game if your flight has arrived yet, is waiting, or has left. Recently, I went school shopping with my girls. Throughout the great day together they kept telling me I needed this particular shirt and those shoes and these jeans. In my mind I thought I had already arrived along with the new fashions, but then remembered that I was wearing last year's clothes! Still, to me I looked cool.

When it comes to church life, it seems "static" can be applied. Research shows that the church is typically 20-40 years behind the current culture and has a very hard time with change. Honestly, the church does have a hard time with change but it's more because we as individuals have a hard time with change! You get a bunch of us together to make up a church and right away the church becomes "static." Because of this known challenge, it is critical for churches to keep the word "change" in daily conversations, reports, meetings, and mentioned behind the pulpit. It's more important to apply change. The slaying of sacred cows, the big "X" over the phrase "we always did it this way," needs to become a part of church culture.

Here at New Hope, we have gone through a lot of change and are heading towards more. Starting September 9th, 2007 we are going to three service options on Sunday morning. We believe God wants to keep expanding our territory and we are excited to see all He will do. Will it be easy, hard to tell, but it will be a great adventure and that is what life with Jesus is all about! "Carpe Diem"!

My First Drivers Test in 36 Years

2007-08-29T15:25:00.000-05:00

Today I relived my drivers test through my sixteen year old daughter. Today she passed her test test. By doing so she moved herself into the next phase of independence. When she arrived back with a big smile on her face and thumbs up I knew that I too was moved to another phase, the next phase of letting go.

As I look back on my life as a parent I can picture in my mind the times when I had to let my daughters "go" in order for them to develop the independence they would need to be a healthy toddler, tween, teen and adult. The simple acts of letting go by letting them walk on their own, releasing your hand from the back of the bike seat, the first day of school, having them sleep over at a friends, and learning to drive, are all mile markers to their independence. As a parent I realize this has been happening, but the realities of my daughter's drivers license reveals to me there are only three mile markers left until complete independence. I see these as graduation, college and career.

Her drivers licence test today has put a test before me. Am I going to continue to release my arm of control in her life or will I attempt to hold on? Today she took the test on her own, passed and became a driver. She's done well and I am proud of her. As she continues to drive forward toward independence, may I continue to pass the test of releasing my control. This is all part of the "great adventure" of life and parenting. One that I have passed through and one that my parents have tested out of! In the end, may I pass as well.

"Drafting" is Illegal for Triathlons, but Not for Life

2007-08-27T16:37:00.000-05:00

Last night I picked up my newest Triathlon Magazine for some light reading before bed. Psychologist say that there is greater probability of dreaming of the topics you just read, when read before bed. If this is the case, I figured if I dreamed about being in a triathlon I could count it toward my yearly goal. No such luck. As I flipped through the magazine I came across an article on the illegal practice of "drafting" in a triathlon. Drafting by triathlon definition is, "To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream." When another biker or runner are in front of you they disturb the air flow and provide less resistance which saves you energy. Obviously, this is an advantage!

A couple weeks back I rode in a local bike tour with a few other friends. As we cranked through about 40 miles of the 60 mile tour some of us were starting to feel the fatigue. Okay, I was. To save my legs for another 20 miles of cranking we took turns leading. The farther I was back in the pack the more slipstreamed it was. There were times when the rest of the line was pedaling like mad and I was just coasting, having a snack, checking my voicemail and taking in fluids. In a triathlon race this is illegal. The goal of a triathlon is to perform with your own ability without the aid of others or any outside influence. It's you against the swim, bike, run, weather and course.

In life as well, we often get it in our head that we have to perform alone against the daily elements of marriage, parenting, job, health, finances, and faith. We develop the mindset that the goal of life is to perform it on our own with little help from outsiders to slipstream areas where we feel resistence. It's illegal to get help.

When pedaling through this great adventure called "life," we need to remind ourselves that God did not intend for us to ride alone but to draft off each other so as to stay fresh for the journey. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states this drafting truth, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man or woman who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

I agree that in a triathlon race it should be a solo effort by the athlete to run the race, but in the race of life it is good practice to surround ourselves with others. By doing so, the resistance of day-to-day life stuff is streamlined and we will have continued strength to enjoy life to the full as Jesus intended in John 10:10. So if it's not a triathlon, draft away!