Lessons from the Feeding of 5000

In Mark 6:.30-44, a miraculous act of Jesus is recorded. From a few loaves of bread and fish, Jesus fed a crowd consisting of 5000 men, plus women and children. Obviously Jesus, having created all matter, also knew how to work with and within his creation (i.e. also walking on water, healing diseases, bring the spirit of life back to those who had died, etc.)

Beyond acknowledging his mastery of nature and the elements, we can draw personal lessons from this event:

Jesus wants us to impact the world using what we have

When he asked his disciples to feed the crowd, they responded "rationally" as we might. "That would take 8 months wages! Should we spend that much?" Jesus then asked them to bring what they already had...not what they could acquire over time or produce in a year, but what was currently at their disposal. The result: 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.

Our offerings and efforts are meager

We might consider it laughable to bring such a resource for such a big job. "What's the point?" we might ask. I have to imagine the disciples approached Jesus rather sheepishly as they brought the bread and fish to Jesus. "Will the Master ridicule us for bring him this?"

With his blessing, our offerings and efforts are more than adequate

Jesus has a different perspective on reality than man does. He wasn't concerned in the least by the puny resources at his disposal. He calmly directed the disciples to seat the crowd, gave thanks to God, the giver of good gifts, and sent the disciples to distribute the food. As we read, everyone was more than satisfied.

What about us?

Jesus' plan involves working through us in our ordinary, imperfect states ("jars of clay" Paul states in 2 Corinthians ch4) as his ambassadors to the world using talents already at our disposal. Waiting until we are "better prepared" or "more knowledgeable" isn't part of his plan.

In a real sense, it doesn't matter how proficient we think we are, we are still mere servants, parts of a spiritual body needing all members working together to properly function. Looked at another way, even our best individual efforts are rather pitiful when compared to the mission.

Yet, we're assured that we can "do all things through Christ." For his glory, He will make up anything that may be lacking in our faithful efforts. Continue planting seeds; God will bring the appropriate increase at appropriate times.

Hopeful for Saturday

Saturday will be the first time I have run a road race in almost a year. I know it's hard for most people to understand, including my own family, but I really look forward to the event of racing, including the pain of the effort. I guess it's like game day for a ball player. I don't know about every other runner, but I have a routine the night before and morning of races. It's no big deal, just an enjoyable part of the process.

Last year at the Shelby Bottoms Boogie 5k, I ran 27:36, far off my best 5k of 23:03 a few years earlier. I was once again racing for the first time after a long layoff. This year, I've been preparing carefully, running a little longer and slower, trying to stay somewhat injury free while still getting in decent running shape. I need to drop about 20 pounds to be at a good running weight; that's not happening anytime soon. I have a real addiction to this thing called food.

I ran some timed half mile intervals tonight for the first time, just to try to get a feel for a pace for Saturday. I hope to break 26 minutes (25:38 would be an 8:15 pace - pace calculator @ http://1kc2.sl.pt), so I decided to shoot for about 4 minute halves. I ran 3:59, 3:49, 3:50 and 3:51. Maintaining an 8 minute mile would get me under 25 minutes. I would be pumped to see a number under 25 minutes at the finish. Realistically, it should take 1 - 1.5 minutes more. We'll see on Saturday.

"The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed."
- Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ

FOLLOW UP: I ran 25:34 in a steady rain. I was very pleased with the effort and may have had a little left in the tank. I am currently nursing an unfamiliar pain in the upper shin / knee area, so the next race may have to wait a while. I hope to be running again by mid-October. KB

The Big Orange

Well, Tennessee lost a game they really should have won last Saturday (UCLA). We will likely lose a game we should lose this weekend (Florida). Hopefully, Tennessee fans will keep these and other games this season in their proper perspective.

We are, quite frankly, not as good as we once were. The gradual but very definite decline in the program is what led to a change in leadership. I hope fans will be patient; CLK & staff will get us there. I also hope folks will back off of the extreme criticism of J Crompton. I think he's doing what he can; it just hasn't been and may not be good enough. He is still a Vol; I don't think he wants to play poorly.

There are positive signs of a return to glory. Even last weekend after a bitter loss, UT received 3 more quality commitments from future Vols. We appear to have a QB for next season that will be an upgrade. We are signing more dynamic, athletic players. We will get back to where we want to be. We'll just have to endure a few more disappointing games to get there.

In spite of what this weekend, and others this season may hold, it's still great to be a Tennessean and a Vol fan.

Nashville: finally a modern city?

Many in the Metro Council congratulated themselves tonight for establishing local law solely written for those that practice homosexuality. Some leaders expressed a sense of relief that Nashville has "finally" shown itself to be a modern, cosmopolitan city as a result of this vote. I'm not sure how giving formal recognition and approval to homosexual practice makes a city modern. At least as far back as Sodom, cities have been known for having a contingent of citizens practicing homosexuality.

What our leaders actually did was start effectively discriminating against those that would speak for God. God does not hate homosexuals; neither should those that claim to follow His son, Jesus. However, God has spoken on the subject. Very clearly. So must Christians. Eventually, legislation such as that passed by the Metro Council must lead to laws against the expression of God's view. Hopefully, when that time comes, we will be able to say as Peter did, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God."