Ultratrax

My daughter found this hiking challenge called Ultratrax. They have events all around the country. This weekend we went to the one at the Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It was quite beautiful!

The hiking challenge is to complete 1, 2, 3, or 4 loops of 7 miles each. There were two courses - one loop was a more challenging course (rated 7) and one was a moderate course (rated 4). Both had lots of up and down as we were in the mountains. The more challenging course had more wooded trails with side slopes, rocks, and uneven footing, and a few areas of pretty challenging rock scrambling. 

When we signed up, we decided to stay at the resort, which, with the discount we got for participating, wasn't really more than a hotel would have been. The great thing about that was that our rooms were literally right by the start/finish line, which made it super easy for us! (Especially important at the end when we limped back to our rooms!)

The temps were in the 40s starting out and went into the 50s - perfect weather! They also had a photographer taking pictures all day, so we were able to download some pictures.

At the starting line, waiting to be waved out.

And some pictures out on the trail . . .

My daughter getting ready to start another loop.

I am smiling in these pictures, but don't let that fool you! The challenging course was indeed just that! My daughter and I both signed up to try to complete four loops. She did! I did not! I managed to stay with her for almost two full laps on the challenging course, but I knew I wasn't going to be able to do all four, so I sent her on to go faster without me. I did manage to complete a third loop on the moderate course, qualifying me for a medal at the end. It wasn't easy, but I'm glad I powered through the pain!

My wife came out to walk with me the last little bit at the completion of my third, and last, loop. (She completed one loop on the challenging course - that's what she signed up for and was enough for her!) At the end of each loop was a really long and steep hill - tough way to end each loop!

My daughter, much younger and in much better shape that I, did all four loops! Very proud of her! This is her finishing up:

And here we are at the end with our medals . . . 

(And yes, that's snow-making equipment you can see in the background! This is a ski resort in the winter, so there were lots of hills for us to hike!

There were 702 folks on the finishers list. There were two in my age group (60-69) who finished four loops - both female! I finished 9th in my age group for those who completed three laps - 6 male and 2 female ahead of me. (Around 125th overall.) Not bad! Especially for the first time I've ever tried this. My daughter finished 25th overall! Only 37 competed four loops. So that's quite an accomplishment. Also, some of the people only did the moderate course - the results didn't keep track of who did what loops. My daughter did 2.5 loops on the challenging course (which definitely had less people on it!) so her accomplishment was even better, I think.

And REAL cudos to the people who rucked extra weight! That was part of this challenge as well. You could carry extra weight for extra recognition at the end - 10, 20, or 35 pounds. We saw this man carrying a wooden cross:

I'm not sure, but I want to say that was one of the 35 pounders! Even on the moderate course, you got to hand it to those folks!

Would I do another one of these events? Maybe. I didn't really prepare for this one (though I had plans to that never came to fruition!) - just my usual biking and cardio. We'll see. I'm getting old. I have to keep reminding myself of that! Hard to keep up with the youngsters!

The Votes Are In

A bit of a longer post today . . .

You may have seen my previous posts encouraging a NO vote to VA Constitutional Amendment ballot questions. Below is my meditation after the voting yesterday approving all the amendments. Kyrie Eleison!

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Reading: Philippians 3:17-21

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Meditation:

Yesterday, a majority of Virginians voted to glory in their shame by enshrining no-limit abortion and same-sex marriage in the Virginia constitution. With minds set on earthly things they have approved the destruction of our children and families. Perhaps some were deceived by good sounding words. Others believing these amendments to be a matter of fairness, or a matter of rights. And still others insisting that these things are, in fact, good. 

The apostle Paul faced similar challenges in his day and age. Abortion and same-sex activity is nothing new. And what was his response to this? Tears. For as he wrote to the Philippian Christians, For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Strong words. But true. For the cross of Christ is not about taking life, but giving life. It is Jesus laying down His life for the life of the world. But in a world where the fleshly desires of belly and heart are not only king but god, self-preservation, self-satisfaction, self-justification, self-righteousness, self-approval, and self-gratification are going to win the day.

So what do we do? Paul had good advice for us today, when he said, Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Paul could write those words because he was imitating and walking according to the example of Christ Jesus. And what example was that? When He was reviled, He did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten. No deceit was found in His mouth. He bore our sins in His body on the tree. And to what end? By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:21-25).

You see, Paul knows what it means to walk as an enemy of the cross of Christ. He did in spades! Persecuting, imprisoning, and probably also responsible for the killing of Christians. And we, too, were not only born dead in our trespasses and sins, but have walked those well-worn roads as well, following the destructive desires of our bellies and hearts instead of the life-giving Word of God. But instead of hating Paul, Jesus loved Paul, appeared to Paul, took Paul to be His own, and used him to proclaim His Word of life! And He was done the same for us. Washing us clean in baptism and making us citizens of heaven. And from there we await the Day when Jesus comes again in glory and we and our world are transformed. A new heaven, a new earth, and a new you and me.

So until that day, we will imitate Paul who imitated Christ. We will shed tears at the destruction of our world by sin and those who glory in their shame, but we will also proclaim and live the Gospel of life. We will be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). We will love and forgive, we will care for and lay down our lives for others - whether they are in the womb or near the tomb. We will pray for those who persecute us and revile us (Matthew 4:55). Not because we have to, but because the Christ who did so for us now lives in us and through us; because His love controls us (2 Corinthians 5:14).

It won’t be easy. Those who won the vote yesterday are rejoicing and most certainly will not stop trying to advance their agenda even farther. But the victory will not come by legislation or vote or Law - for the victory has already been won by Christ risen from the dead! It may not look it, but in the end we will see and we will know. So we will not despair or lose hope. Sin might have its day, but eternity belongs to Christ. And we belong to Him. 

Reasons to Vote NO on Ballot Question #1

Here are some reasons to vote NO on Ballot Question #1 - the unlimited, no guardrails access to abortion Virginia constitutional amendment:

I will vote NO on amendment #1 because . . . 

. . . I don't want Virginia parents to lose the right to protect their pregnant daughters from a risky abortion decision. 

. . . I want to make sure that the women of Virginia only receive care from Licensed Doctors and medical professionals.

. . . the state of Virginia should not allow unregulated abortions up to birth. 

. . . I believe that Virginia must be able to prosecute anyone who harms a woman during an abortion or coerces her to have one. 

. . . Virginia must be able to pass a law that ensures that Babies Born alive after an abortion get medical care. 

. . . making Virginia a place where predators and traffickers cannot be held accountable is dangerous. 

. . . unlimited abortion doesn’t help women or protect their babies, it only serves abortion promoters. 

. . . the ballot question is deceptive and doesn’t tell us how risky this amendment really is. It’s vague and removes legitimate regulations that keep women safe. 

VOTE NO!

A Good Read

Luther Classical College publishes a little tract called Ad Fontes once a month, usually worth taking the time to read. Here is the link to the October publication, on what the Reformation is all about, and what it means that the church is always reforming. Well said.
Check it out.

What Happened?

So I uploaded a video yesterday about voting NO to ballot question #1 in Virginia. This video has been taken down, it says, "by the uploader." Who is "the uploader?" It wasn't me. The people who made the video want it shared widely. So . . . ? Anyway, to view the video, click here. And STILL VOTE NO to ballot question #1!

Vote NO on Ballot Question #1

 

Florida

Seems like all I've been posting about are travels . . . but so be it! I had a trip to Florida this week for a Pastors Conference and a Board meeting. I flew down a day early to visit with my brother who lives just south of Jacksonville. It's been a while since we've been together, so we had a nice visit. Short, but nice. A few pictures . . .

Having breakfast by the ocean at the Funky Pelican. (What a great name!)

He has two dogs. This is Willow (Great Dane) on her favorite couch.

And this is Weston, a little Westie.

Willow enjoying some pets!

No pictures from the conference, but glad to be home, AND no travel for the next five weeks! Yay!