Spring Race Update

We just finished a full week of racing.  Saturday's event was a run-bike-run in Rochester that turned out to be a very fun event.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the course was a blast.  We had a team prayer prior to the start and enjoyed a terrific event with our friends and families.

Sunday's event was a half marathon in Rochester.  FCA Endurance had a great turnout and posted some new PR's for this distance.

Praise God for allowing us to race and enjoy this spring weather.  We look forward to more training and racing as the season progresses.  We have gotten several compliments on the FCA Gear, and hope that we can witness to some fellow athletes as the season progresses.

Ephesians 4:29 Challenge for our Huddle!

Challenge

Ephesians 4:29:  "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen".

For the next 7 days, my goal for our Huddle is to apply Ephesians 4:29 in our daily conversation and thought life.

Let's try to build others up instead of tearing them down.

Let's try to abstain from gossip and derogatory remarks.  Keep silent instead of speaking poorly of someone.

If you are admonishing someone, do it in love, and not in a critical spirit.

Reason

The purpose of the challenge is simple:  I feel that the Holy Spirit is holding me accountable in this area of my life.  It is difficult to master our speech, in fact the Bible tells us in James 3:8

"...no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison".

No MAN can tame the tongue, but the Holy Spirit can!

Let's try to support each other in prayer as we yearn to be more like Christ.

Disclaimer:  I am not issuing this challenge due to anyone else's actions or speech, but because of mine!  Again:  this is an area that I feel led to improve upon.  Please participate in the challenge only if you feel led.

Our Direction as a Ministry Team

We had a discussion about what things we'd like to accomplish as a team and here's what we came up with:

1. Wear our FCA Gear to as many practices, training sessions, and races as possible.
2. Start and end each of our group training sessions with a word of prayer for anyone interested
3. Ask if there are any prayer requests that we can bring before the Lord and pray for our teammates and competitors
4. Complete a "Service Day" as a team.  

The following ideas were presented as Team Service Day possibilities.  Please respond with your vote:

1. Ronald McDonald House
2. Camp Good Days and Special Times
3. Hillside Children's Center

We would like to set a date and post this team event on the RATs website to help encourage outside participation.

Please prayerfully consider these opportunities and where you feel the Lord leading.

Outreach - "For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost". Luke 19:10

The main purpose for forming this FCA Endurance Huddle is to help lead others to Christ.  It is a wonderful feeling to have a great performance in training or an event, but as we all know, one day those trophies and achievements will fade.  Only what's done for eternity truly matters.

The Bible tells us in Romans 3:10 that "There is none righteous, no, not one".  We are all sinners in need of salvation.  Despite our repeated attempts at perfection or sinlessness, we fall back into old habits and sinful ways, and are reminded of our need for a Savior.

Every person - male and female, every race, creed, religion...we are all guilty of sinning against a Perfect God.

Once we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ, it's time to spread the Good News and grow in our faith.  How does this fit into athletics, particularly triathlon and cycling?

I'm glad you asked.

I am making a pledge. Pardon the similarities between this statement and the movie "Facing the Giants" (a MUST SEE, by the way).

I have decided to give God MY BEST.  That means my best effort in my training, in my events, in my relationships with others.

I have decided to boldly proclaim the Gospel whenever possible.


I have decided to give God the glory when I've done well at an event or training session.

I have decided to honor God by involving myself in the lives of others and showing them the love of Christ.  My heart's desire is to lead the lost to Jesus Christ.

Let's honor God with the way we train.  Let's honor Him in the way we compete.  Let's honor Him by serving others and being there for others when they need us.

We'll praise Him when we win - we'll praise Him when we lose (or when we're injured).

Let's give God our VERY BEST and leave the results up to Him.

I want to know:  Are you with me?

I'd love to hear your ideas.  How can we reach out to the lost?  Can we minister to others by training as a group and offering encouragement?  Can we host a 5k run and give the money to a missions trip at one of our local Churches?  Should we just wear our FCA Gear and have a prayer before training sessions and races.  Let's hear your ideas!

Here is what Chris Anderson from FCA Endurance told me with regard to outreach:

1.  Start small - Don't over-commit and under-deliver.  Follow through on one project and see how it goes.  Time with family is a scarce commodity, so don't commit to a large project at the expense of time with loved ones.  Family first!

2.  Start with something you're already doing - We are already training as a group on Saturday mornings.  Perhaps this is a good time to make this "The Official FCA Workout Time".

I will be emailing you the time for our next meeting.  Please prayerfully consider your role as we seek to lead others to Jesus Christ!

FCA Endurance Huddle Upstate NY

The purpose of this blog is to keep all Upstate NY Huddle members informed of training activities, meetings, ministry opportunities, etc.

Our purpose is to honor God through our competition, training, and interaction with others and to help lead people to Jesus Christ!