Mark Wilkerson’s Blog

21 days to go

April 15, 2011

Wilkerson Here:  Ready?  That is a word that I am never sure I experience in the world.  But I can be ready for the next world.  The one Jesus will bring to those who truly trust and count on his sacrifice.  Adjusting to his grace and coping with the worlds expectations are at different ends of our lives.  Lord, place in me your word so that your faith will grow in me.  In your name I ask. 

Training:  Am I ready?  Re-read above.  Not in this world.  Have all my stuff ready and will get up and go at 4:30 AM.  Will all be over by 9:00 AM.  Then,  I will be ready–for  breakfast.   If you prayed for me, thanks.  If you didn’t, shame on you!  Thanks for caring enough to follow.

22.days to go

April 14, 2011

Wilkerson Here:  Tomorrow when I walk into the office, that sign will say the days and  minutes to go.  Seems so close, yet so far away.  As I think about the good news of Jesus, The Christ and his return it can seem so close, yet so far away.  Knowing that as a sinner I can do nothing to redeem myself and that He, God, gave the perfect sacrifice to atone for my sin; He gave Himself; and I am willing to accept that and embrace Jesus, not myself or anything else, only Jesus—–makes close or far away mean nothing.  How will he use me all the days I have?  How will he use you with the days you have?  For now he will use us both for Haiti.  Pray for our contributions to soar, to have good health and I’d be grateful if you prayed for warmer weather this year at race time.   In Him

Training:  No training today but can pass on something I learned last night.  You must shower after you swim in a pool.  Was tired so just went to bed last night after the swim and didn’t shower.  Woke up extra early with a headache.  Determined I was breathing clorine  from under the covers and pillow.  I am telling you in case you learn from others stupidity.  “When you are dumb, you suffer.”  author unknown

23 days to go

April 13, 2011

Wilkerson Here:  With all that is going on in the world, I am at a loss for what to say.  Find it best at times like these, to simply be grateful.  God is good!  All the time!  Can I get an AMEM?

Training:  Last swim and run tonight before the triathlon on Saturday.  Swam the 400 meters in 9 minutes and ran 3 at a 10 minute pace.  Weather doesn’t look to good for the race.  It has been fun cross training.  Exercise is vital to good health and variety helps to break it up.  Two days rest is welcomed!

24 days to go

April 12, 2011

Wilkerson Here:    2nd Cor 9:7-8    “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 

Heard a great commentary on this today.  Seems we sometimes equate our giving with our getting.  Wrong!   The test is to give what we want to give with out any reservations and not feeling as though we are being forced into giving,  Cheerfully.  Seems to me giving is a thoughtful decision, something we feel OK about without second guessing anything and not because we feel forced.  Giving that way only leaves a cheerful feeling.  I hope you feel that way about Run Mark Run.  Otherwise, don’t give, just read and enjoy all we are doing.  No reason to feel forced or guilty.  On the other hand, if you can give and feel really good for the Haitian people, be liberal and really cheerful.  God loves you that way and so do we!  Thanks  the pledges are really picking up.  Keep pushing it out to your friends.  Love hearing your comments.   

Training:  This weekend is my first triathlon at University of Miami.  Looked up the times in last years triathlon.  In my age group, I need to swim the quarter mile in no less than 10 minutes if I don’t want to  finish last.  This is assuming I can ride the bike and run at my usual pace.  Great night, went swimming and did it.  Not pretty but made it.  Miss swimming with my buddy.  My daughter Jenny, is my buddy and I love exercising with her.  That’s because she will go as slow as I need to go.  She can go faster, but she will go at my pace.  Hard to get a buddy like her.

25 days to go

April 11, 2011

Wilkerson Here:  Really big email went out today for the first time reminding everyone of the days left till the race and that we are here again this year.  This is the time when most everyone started to pledge last year.  I think we probably went over $10,000 today.  If you are just tapping into our site, thanks for checking it out.  I would encourage you to go back to the site and look around.  Read about us and about Haiti.  We are taking something we just do and we are trying to turn it into something that has meaning beyond ourselves.  Our hope is that you will find that encouraging and will want to be a part.  My daughter reminded me of the Steve Martin book, “How to be a millionaire”  His opening line is first, get a million dollars.  How to use your passion, first get some passion.  That is what we have for hundreds of thousands of Haitians in the northwest region of the country.  Working to get them clean water and purge the cholera, food and nutrition coupled with medical help so they are in a position to work and take care of their families.  NWHCM is dedicated to helping the Haitian people help themselves.  It is not just a handout.  Your contributions will enable them to be able to take care of each other.  The future has opportunities such as hydroponics, cow and chicken projects.  Micro businesses.  Good to be a part of helping people help people help themselves.  Thanks for fueling the passion. 

Training:  My first triathlon this Saturday.  Swimming tonight.  20 laps without the pull buoy.  Hard to do but can’t use one in the race.  Then a 3 mile run.  Actually felt better than I expected.  Cold temperature and possible rain this Saturday.  What happened to the great weather we had this past weekend?  O well, bad weather will probably help me and hurt the real competitors.  Slow is slow no matter the weather.  Good news is I have dropped a few pounds.  Was wanting to go down about 7 from where I was in January and I am about there.  Funny thing is the more you train, the more you eat.  Fuel is necessary.  When you can look at your food as fuel and not as satisfaction, it is easier to not over eat.  See you tomorrow.