Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

March 19, 2010

March 20, 2010

Spiritual Prep

There are stories of earthquakes in the Bible.  In Acts 16: 25, Paul is in prison and the scripture say a violent earthquake shook the foundations.  The jailer who was accountable for the prisoners was about to take his life because he knew they had escaped and he would be blamed.  Can you imagine what it must be like to live in a society where life is so expendable and punishment so harsh.  A natural disaster occurs like an earthquake and people would be blamed and perhaps executed for the aftermath.  Where judgment would extract a punishment so bad that you would be willing to take your own life to escape the fate.  I can’t imaging the depth of despair people must face when they decide that taking their own life is the best  option.  Paul when he realizes what is about to happen, lets the jailer know they are still there and no need for him to take his life.  A reprieve–and somewhere it prompts the jailer to ask, what must I do to be saved?  When there is no hope, who among us would not ask the question, what must I do to be saved?   And who will answer?   At this time and this disaster, it is up to us to show His nature through our response.  To say, hold on we are here and we have good news!  The Lord’s message of good news will be accepted.  Are you there to help or have you escaped?

Training Prep

It was a rest day—yea—-Had to travel today and I am in a 3 hour different time zone out west.   Weather is great.  Night will be just above 55 and day just around 78.  Great running weather.  Fighting sleep but need to stay awake for another hour.  Will be up around 5 am to get in a quick run before the day.   I have a great toy.  It is a GPS heart rate monitor.  Tells me my pace, heart rate, time and distance.  Can’t work to long or short that way.  Neat thing is it will pick up wherever I am.  I can then down load the stastices and where ever I have been,  it will show it on a map.  Real cool.  Stores my workouts so I have a record of the details and a map of where all I have been.  Had the opportunity to be on the great wall of China and run to and around Tiananmen Square.  I wore it.  Sure enough, I have the map to prove it.  A great gadget that along with the ipod keeps me enterained while working on my health.

Keep passing on the web site, runmarkrun.net.  We are a long way off from our goal but if people tell people, it will spread.  If you want to help, contract all the media you can.  Send emails, call the radio stations and newspapers.   Just like the Lord’s plan for the Church, YOU are the plan.  In Him,  Mark

March 18, 2010

March 19, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Do you wonder if you will hear the voice of God?  I believe there is so much noise around us all the time, his voice may get crowded out.  Isaiah found himself in the presence of God in Isaiah chapter 6 verse 8 of the Old Testament.  It doesn’t seem as though God is talking directly to him but is inquiring in general, “who will go”  and give his message.  Isaiah hears him and says “Here am I. Send me”.  If we get still and quiet with God alone and heard his voice ask for  volunteers, I wonder if I would say “Here am I.  Send me.” or would I have to know what he wanted before I would raise my hand.  Guess it would be OK if while we are waiting to hear God speak specifically to us, we were content with the urges we get from the spirit that tells us what needs to be done and raise our hands and say, “Here am I. Use me”.

Training Prep

Big day, weighed and I have lost the weight I wanted and fell under 180 lbs.  I like the lower weight and can tell when I run it’s gone.  Cloths are looser as well.  Did quarter mile intervals today at lunch.  Did 1 quarter at a 10 min mile pace to warm up then did 4 quarters at a 8.34 min mile pace, then 4 quarters at a 8 min mile pace, then 4 quarters at a 7.30 minute mile pace, then 4 quarters at a8 min mile pace, and last 3 quarters at a 10 mile pace to cool down.   Good news, intervals on a treadmill are easier and it is softer on the legs so don’t hurt to bad.   What you eat on the days before the race and on race day is important.  Each year at the Mini, my bud and daughter Jenny always runs with me at a pace much slower than she usually runs but is kind to her aging dad.  This last year we were both treated as my son her brother Tanner (he is a police officer in Madison, Alabama) came up and ran with us.   This being his first long run, didn’t train, have the right shoes or shorts and didn’t fuel well the morning of the race.  So by the time we got half way (6.5 miles), he was really out of gas.  But there, there on the ground he found an unopened granola bar.  He was so thankful and confident it was a gift from God just for him.  It enabled him to finish the race.  Talked to him yesterday and he is coming again.  This time he is training, will have new good pair of running shoes, proper shorts and says he will carry extra energy bars.  Experience is sometimes the best teacher.  See you tomorrow.

March 17, 2010

March 18, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Matt 25:14 begins the story of the owner who gives some talents to his servants.  A couple of the servants put the talents to work and one held on to what he had and didn’t try to do anything with what he was given.  Didn’t work out so well for the one who held on tight to what he had.   Maybe we should watch those who are producing a return to see how they put their talents to work and at least follow their lead.  In the kingdom, using our talents is not always about money.  I admire those who have little but seem to get everything and more from what they have been given.   The people who work for Northwest Haiti Christian Mission are putting their talents to work and what is being earned is a spiritual return beyond imagination.   Don’t hold on to your talents (money or gifts) in hopes that you can return just what the owner has given.  Seems there is an expectation we will put them to work.  If your at a loss of how to do that, Look to the examples of those who have put their talents to work and are getting a large return, and follow their lead.   All of us have talents.  Doesn’t seem from the story that the amount matters, just the use.  Take action and don’t let what you can’t do – keep you from doing what you can do!

I am very proud of my son in law, Franklin Baker.  Jenny (daughter) met Franklin while in college.  They did a mission trip to Haiti and later married.  It was that trip where Franklin decided to be in the medical field (after he fainted-go figure).  His purpose for that vocation was specifically to do mission work and make a difference.  He came back, went to school and graduated with honors as a Physicians Assistant.  He and Jenny have been true to their plan, making medical mission trips with another one planned to Africa at the same time we are in Haiti this April.   Franklin and Jenny’s hearts are large and Franklin is committed to using his talents for the benefit of others.  I  love and admire him.  He is in the circle of trust!

Training Prep

Weather was great so I decided to do my warm up outside.  A quick 2 miles on foot and then the bike.  Legs are worn out being on the hard surfaces without a break.  Did a total of 60 minutes of work.  Got up real early today so pretty tired and ran out of gas quick.  Work out hurt.  Tomorrow will really hurt–intervals.  Friday is a day of rest and travel to a meeting out west.  Next time I have a funny story to tell about one of my running buddies, Tanner.  Stay tuned.

Need to keep the pressure on to spread the word.  We have to keep building the pledges.  Thanks, In Him!  Mark

March 16, 2010

March 17, 2010

Spiritual Prep

Cups of cold water in His name.  Mark 9:41.   Mercy and cups of cold water go hand in hand.  I watched this weekend as CJ mercifully attended to her sister who is paralyzed and on a breathing tube working to recover from a terrible stroke.  I watch as CJ clipped her toenails, cleaned between her toes and rubbed lotion on her feet with tender care.  I watched  Carol’s  expression when CJ touched her with love and concern.  Carol longed for just a touch of concern.  CJ (she is awesome and my hero) demonstrated the love of a sister in flesh and the love of Christ in spirit.

People in Haiti long for just a touch, some food, medical help and a cup of cold water— mercy in His name.

Training Prep

We had a day.  Plane ride home was 5 hours late.  Had to do a run in the dark and late tonight.  Good news is it was about 55 degrees.  Went 4.5 miles tonight.  Pace was pretty good at 10.5 minute per mile.  Long bike ride tomorrow or interval, don’t know which yet.  Trouble with training is that when you are doing it, it must be done.   Plan on a time and amazing how that plan can change.  But–you must do the work.  Physical growth and conditioning is not only based upon the heart rate and time you exercise at that heart rate, it is really based on the consistency.  I find it best not to be a creature of the same time every day, just every day no matter what.

March 15

March 16, 2010

Spiritual Prep

James 2:26  “Faith without works is dead”.  I want to see things through God’s perspective.  I am never sure of my eyesight as it relates to God’s perspective.  I do know that reading the Word helps me gain understanding and as a result better eyesight.  There is a study called “Experiencing God” I recommend.   Some great precepts about how to experience the Lord is in this study.  One of the simple precepts is, where you see God at work go join in.  Seems that is a great perscription for good eyesight and putting faith into action.  My thanks to all who have joined to help this work through your faith.  In Him

Story from Haiti

Life in Haiti is precious!  We saw that after the earthquake when over 200,000 died in Port au Prince.  But, more importantly y you saw the babies born in the streets and tent cities just a few days after the earthquake.  Life was birthed in those places.  The birthing center at Northwest is where the action happens.  The birthing center averages between 60 and 80 babies born each month.  Mothers come to receive prenatal visits, deliver babies, and for post-partum appointments.  It is a busy place where literally mothers and babies lives are hanging in the balance.  A few weeks ago, we lost a mother!  In the middle of the night, you could hear the wailing and crying of the family members.  From Port au Prince to our birthing center, life is precious and we need your help to let the people have life and life to the fullest.—Cameron Mayhill, NWHCM Staffer

Training Prep

Ran 3.25 miles this morning.  Ran on concrete for the last 2 days.  If you run you can really tell the difference between asphalt and concrete.  I have been on the treadmill a lot due to weather.  But I must get outside on the hard surface as much as possible.  Concrete is a killer.  Enjoyed myself more as I thought about how over the weekend the viral aspect has started to work.  We went from 20 pennies pledged to over 70 in two days.  Keep it going and I will keep working to be sure I can finish the race.  Thanks for putting in your 2 cents worth.  Mark