sub-3 or blow-up trying

Great run this morning on the fun Treadmill. Double runs are really good to build endurance and strength in your running ability. It also helps the body from not being sore after long runs.

Curious, what's the size of your church? Our church is less thean 50 people.

Kory, thanks. The double workouts are new to me, so I'm still getting a feel for the new schedule. At first I was getting a little wired in the evening, yet I'm definitely starting to adjust.

Our church venture has been a real leap of faith for our family. We spent 10 years at a large, evangelical church in Southern CA (4,000 members). There were tons of programs, Bible studies, small groups, youth activities, etc. Before being in CA, I spent my seminary years in New England where most of the churches are very small and "reserved". My wife and I felt convicted to some day return to New England and either "plant" or step into a "mainline" church and preach the Gospel. So here we are now in CT (just finishing 3rd year). Our average attendance is probably 140 + 40-50 children in Sunday school. It's a different culture up here, yet we feel confident that this is where God wants us for now.

So you've done some preaching?

Yes, I had a Lay Minister License through our Church (Living Waters Christian Fellowship) which is under the Church Of God of Prophecy. I've let my Lay Minister License expire about a year and a half ago, and haven't preached since.

I really let the word of God slip out of my life for the past year not really studying and that really affected me at church.

God has called me to preach, and that's what I want to get back into slowly. I'm in no hurry. I really let God down by not studying. I didn't backslide or anything and have kept going to church, but my heart wasn't into it. My spiritual walk really wasn't the best.

I really believe running took a lot of my life and I made that too much of a priority, and in some ways destroyed me.

But I have a new fire for God and have been studying quite a bit, and with God's help I'll be only where he wants me to be. I'm trusting the Lord and will take it day by day.

Sorry so long.

Sorry this is so long.

I think you're wise not to rush into things. Also, I relate with your struggle with priorities. Sports used to consume my life (still can if I'm not on guard). Now I still enjoy staying active, and definitely have a competitive streak, but have learned to used sports as an outlet to glorify God. Did you see the article in Runner's World on Ryan Hall? He spoke of his transition from a runner who happened to be a Christian to a Christian who happened to be a runner. His identity no longer depends on "winning gold".

I wouldn't beat yourself up for disappointing God. He's amazingly patient with us. You must have a gift for preaching and He will still use you in perhaps small (maybe even big), but mighty ways.

No need to apologize for length. I've appreciated the dialogue. Your faith is admirable.

Kory, Dave, don't mean to jump in on your conversation but Kory I saw that you go to the Church of God of Prophecy and that is the church that my wife was raised in and we went to when we first got married. I know it is not a large denomination so it caught my eye when you mentioned it. When we moved we started going to an Assembly of God church but my wife still knows a lot of people from the COGOP. I will second what Dave said. You seem to have a great heart and I am sure that the Lord will use you in a great way!

Wow Jim! What a small world. I've gone to COGOP my whole life. I've gone to the Assembly of God several times for special speaker events, and we've even held events together.

Thanks for the encouraging words. I don't have to preach to make me happy. In fact I don't really want to preach, but if that what God puts in my heart I will do that. But this is a long way off because I'm patient and only want what God wants.

By the way i love the Assembly Of God church. In fact that's where my 9 year old daughter goes for Youth on Wednesday nights.

Jim

I am Kory Wheatleys wife Where did your wife attend COGOP.

She grew up in Somerset, KY and went to Southside COGOP. We were married in Indianapolis at the Hoyt Ave COGOP and attended there for about 4 or 5 years before we moved to the Assemblies of God church that we go to now. She had several friends that went to Tomlinson College and attended a lot of the General Counsels. I grew up Methodist so it was quite a change for me when I started going with her but really loved the people at these churches and we have a lot of good memories from there. I'm sure she could tell you a lot more because she knew most everyone and was very involved. If you want I can pass along her email.