2008 Fireball Run Trans-Continental Race

Today's entry is not quite as spiritual as the others, however I received some awesome news. I was asked to participate as a driver for the 2008 Fireball Run. If you're not familiar with this race, it is similar to the Bull Run, Great American Race, and Gumball Rally. Last year the race went East to West from Orlando to Beverly Hills. This year its running from South to North with the locations TBD.

Unlike the other trans-continental runs, this race is for the Child Rescue Network www.childrescuenetwork.com/ . The racer's vehicles are virtual rolling milk cartons. Additionally, this race is for a very few. Entrants must be invited, and that doesn't even guarantee spot. So it is truly an honor to have the opportunity to participate. I will try to get some links put on my blog. In the meantime, visit http://www.fireballrun.com/ to check it out for yourself.

Severity...Sovereignty...Sanity

Daniel 4:34-37 "But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my sanity returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom {endures} from generation to generation. 35"All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And {among} the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What have You done?' 36"At that time my sanity returned to me. And my majesty and splendor were restored to me for the glory of my kingdom, and my counselors and my nobles began seeking me out; so I was reestablished in my sovereignty, and surpassing greatness was added to me. 37"Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride."

It's been a while since I posted an entry. Courtney has asked me several times when I was going to update my blog. The truth is, I really didn't want to. You see, my very intentions and motivations were to establish thought provoking conversations and especially debate. I rather enjoy arguing, theologically speaking, for it strengthens my positions, or changes them altogether when I find myself in the wrong. For me, these conversations present themselves as apologetics. They provide insight and give me opportunities to share the applications of God's Word in my life with you. As you can read some of the past comments, I have found very little conversation. So why should I continue using the time and energy to study topics and write about them if it seems that nobody really cares? Take a walk with me, will you?

As December is usually chaotic for everyone else, I was no different. Time seemed to accelerate at break-neck speed and nothing seemed to be getting accomplished. Before we knew it, Christmas had arrived. With zero comments on the previous entry, Naivety of the Nativity, I found little motivation to continue the blog. So what does this have to do with me? Nebuchadnezzar? or maybe something you're going through right now? Naturally I can only compare myself to old Neb, however the applications that I have encountered can easily be both multiple and universal.

Severity

Nebuchadnezzar was incredibly powerful and arrogant. He attributed all he had to himself and not God, despite warnings from his friend Daniel. Neb ended up losing his mind for a period of seven years - roaming the countryside acting like an animal. Once the seven year period ended, he found himself in the passage you are reading today. For me, perhaps my pride and ego has taken precedence over the true reasons why this blog should be published - to spread the truth of God's Word and not my own ability regarding scholarship.

Sovereignty

Nebuchadnezzar recognized that the circumstances were God's doing. It doesn't matter if it was just. It doesn't matter if it was unjust. What matters is that it was His doing whether we like it or not. Does it sometimes hurt? You bet it does. Do we always agree with it or understand it? No. Since the new year, I have taken some time away from the church. My time away hasn't been easy, but it has been extremely therapeutic. I have become closer to God through His Word. I have become closer to my family by His love and grace through me. This leads us to the final point.

Sanity

After his period of isolation, Nebuchadnezzar regained his sanity. More importantly, he received a better understanding of God's sovereignty. The key word is receive. We may get a crash-course in sovereignty, but we do not always willfully receive the education of it. We may become bitter. We may become resilient and callous. Neb learned. He learned and then he praised.In closing, the question arises, "Can I be like Nebuchadnezzar? Can I continue this blog in a way that glorifies God in its wake?" For me, I have to continue this. I may never have another comment returned, but human circumstances will not and should not get in the way of a relationship with the Father. The only comment I look forward to is, "Well done, good and faithful servant (Luke 19)."

The points one needs to understand are these:

• [It is] His dominion (v. 34)
• [It is] His kingdom (v. 34)
• He does what He wants (v. 35)
• [It is] His hand (v. 35)
• [It is] His works (v. 37)
• [It is] His ways (v. 37)

Nothing is said about what we want, what we wish, or what we desire. It is not about us. It's about Him. My intentions/motivations for this blog are no longer about me. They're about glorifying my king. I will write about topics and Scripture He has laid on my heart. He will guide the people He wishes to this blog. Should conversation arise about certain entries, well that's just an added bonus or gift from Him to me.

grace and peace to you all