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What is it like to be called by God?

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Do you hear a voice? Is there thunder and lightning? A burning bush? Something dramatic like in the movies? Or, a whisper? I don’t think everybody’s experience is the same. The following is the experience I had, when I was at my rock bottom and I believe I was Called by God.   I was middle-aged; 44 to be exact. Had only been a Believer for a few years and a true neophyte in my Faith journey. I was a regular church-goer and had participated in a mission trip to Central Mexico. Other things were taking place in my life which made this a less than optimal time to have an encounter with the Almighty One. I have a degenerative eye condition, and it had deteriorated to a point where I had to make the difficult decision to stop driving. Actually, the decision was made for me as I almost had an accident with some pedestrians, and I couldn’t be sure whether it was as a result of my deteriorated eyesight. I felt a duty to assume my lack of eyesight was the culprit of the “almost accident”, and I
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Another book?

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  You should write a book! How many times have you uttered or heard these words? It is estimated that less than one-percent of the population will endeavor to publish a book; and of the people who actually start writing a manuscript, only 3% will actually publish their work. I'm not a writer. I'm blind. I don't know how to publish a book. Nobody is going to care about my book, let alone pay good money to buy it. Despite the self-deprecating thoughts I have, I've been fortunate and crazy enough to successfully publish a book ( Running into the Dark ) four years ago. It was a 400-page memoir that included the detailed story of my 3,063 mile run across the US. I was warned by authors and publishing houses to not write a memoir. "Readers only care about memoirs of the President, celebrities and famous people," they would say. Despite being warned, I wrote night and day for 9 months until the manuscript was complete. Then, I found a few editors, an assisted self pu
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Please don't stop the grind: DNF @ Mace's Hideout

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  My friend and trusted guide, Camilo, was just steps ahead of me climbing up a steep pitch on a mountain in Southwestern Colorado. We had been moving on foot for more than 80 miles and almost 30-hours, climbing and descending mountains, crossing creeks, post-holing through snow banks and sloshing in muddied single-track that tried to suck the shoes right off our feet. We heard a voice. You made it?! Where's your buddy? Camilo responded, "He's right here." As we breached a wooded area the trail opened up to the voice, and before us stood the Mace's Hideout 100 Race Director. He seemed surprised to see us. As we passed him, he thanked me for coming to the race and participating in the event. He pointed us to the trail which continued climbing up what seemed like a never ending mountain. We continued upward and onward. You'll never make the next aid station before the cut-off! I was startled by these words which erupted from behind me. After processing the state
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#100MILETRIAL

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  THE GOAL - So this year I turned 50, and a lot of things happened - some good, some bad - like you can always expect from life. I wanted to do something for me during this year of life - I had thought about some independent long distance adventures to really get "out there" and push myself. This year of life did not permit that for me. I settled on trying to better my 100 mile run time, and establish a new world record for my blind/visually impaired peeps to chase.  I ran three 100 mile races and failed to better my 100 Mile Road run time of 18 hour 49 minutes. Earlier this year I learned about an American visually impaired runner who is fast and is probably going to take sown several utlta-distance running records - Benjamin Simanski. He is strong, in his late-30s and only getting better. I also learned of 30-something year old visually impaired Irish-Beast, Sinead Kane. She recently sued the International Association of Ultrarunning and won - her beef was that she qualifi
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MAN UP & love your daughters!

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With my daughters, Sierra & Sofia I wrote this note to my two daughters a couple weeks ago:   I have been thinking a lot about you two. I just wrote myself something that I take very seriously about how I treat each of you girls. I want you to read what my heart feels and the responsibility I assume for you young ladies ---- I hope you’ll keep these words and read them long after I am worm food. Love, Dad   -----     It is not my daughter’s job to work to earn or win my love as their Father.   It is my job as their Father to give love freely and joyfully, to protect my daughters, to love my daughters, to dedicate my time and energy to make them feel loved and safe.    This is my job as a man and leader of my family.   I am a single parent, and I have come to realize that a parent’s relation with the opposite sex child is critical for developmental purposes, understanding self-worth, confidence and love.   Men – I challenge and charge you to step up your game. You need to learn to p
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#BEVULNERABLE

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James & I (new friends), honoring a friend   Today, I had one of the most amazing experiences - I made a new friend and truly connected with a person.  I was out for a 20-mile run and ended up at Washington Park in Denver, Colorado. As I started my first lap around the park I began greeting all the people I encountered, as is customary for me. As I passed one gentleman and greeted him, I heard him call out "Jason!" I had met an Englishman last Saturday as I ran a marathon around the park with a young man. I suspected this gentleman was the Englishman, based on his accent and body structure. I stopped running, and said "James?" He responded, "Yes! it's me!" I walked over to James and began an hour long walk that would make me hope, laugh, cry, tremble and yearn.  From an e-mail I received from James, I knew he was involved with a non-profit organization called Jiminy Wicket. And, the first question I asked James as we began our walk was, "What&
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5 Ways to Stay Young at Heart

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Jackson (aka Stavros), my neighbor Have you ever been told "You need to grow up" or "Act your age"? What is the orator trying to tell you?  Be old & crumudgioned. Well I disagree with the notion that getting older necessarily means we become mellow, serious, structured and boring.  I am surrounded by neighbors with young children and grand-children. And, as I witness these children experience life I witness Magic and Living! The kids chase each other, scream with exhilaration, carefully inspect a fallen leaf or stone, care for a ladybug, worm or rollie-pollie, and marvel at the sky filled with clouds, birds and colors. Everything is new to them. Everything is special to them. This inspired me to share some thoughts about how to stay young at heart, as Father Time works on our bodies.  1. PLAY - How often do you play? As a child, we played all the time. Our parents would constantly tell us "stop playing around." Play is extremely important to all peopl
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