Gaining Momentum

Know No Boundaries is gaining momentum in that I am searching for a recipient for me to help break through their boundary. I think as a first "live" attempt at taking my ministry to the world, I am going to try to find a person who has a physical boundary in that they cannot achieve or do something due to a lack of a wheelchair, prosthesis or some other physical device. Maybe they cannot afford it or they do not feel that it will help.

Through much prayer & contemplation, I devided that I am going to work through our local Catholic Charities to find that recipient. I may even try to align Know No Boundaries with Catholic Charities due to the similar nature of the missions of both organizations & the God centered love for those in need.

Catalyst

I had the most amazing experience running my last marathon of 2007; Run for the Ranch; in Springfield, MO. Prior to the run (which started at 2:20 PM), runners were just mulling around waiting for the run to start. We were talking about how it was going to be getting dark before all of us finished. An older gentlemen with a big smile, a southern accent & wearing a white marathon hat, a red, white & blue tank top and matching running shorts. We spoke a bit before the run & kidded each other about who would be behind who. AS the race progressed (& it got dark), I yelled words of encouragement to my southern friend.

After the race, I sat down inside for a hot bowl of chili & some water (like I hadn't had enough of it by now). My southern friend sat down next to me & we began chatting about the race, the temperature (It had dropped to near 40 degrees). He said to me that he ran this race for Jesus. The fact that He suffered & died for us, suffering through a marathon was nothing compared to this & that he offered it up for Christ. I told him that that was a wonderful & self-less thought to offer it up for the Lord. I often think of this very thing during long runs. I actually pray my rosary quite often.

At this point, I shared with him my calling for Know No Boundaries. That I have had the thoughts for many years & after much prayer & contemplation, I realized that God was calling me to do something. To somehow provide ways for people who feel that they have " reached their boundaries", to help them with God's guidance, to break out of these self limiting boundaries. Be it helping them get a wheelchair or a pair of crutches, a prosthetic limb or just listening to them & sharing how God loves them & help them to "break out".

After our brief talk, he asked me to come out to his car before heading home. While we sat there, he told me he was a retired firefighter from Georgia (near Atlanta) & had just completed 13 marathons that year (2007). He then proceeded to had me a crisp $100 bill & said it was for my ministry. I did not know what to say besides "Thank You" & "Are you sure?" Before leaving, I asked for his mailing address & promised to keep him informed on how things progress.

I could not think of anything else the whole way home except that there are angels amongst us.

Route 66 Marathon Completion

Well, the Route 66 Marathon is now history. Weather was beautiful - overcast most of the morning, slightly misty & in the 60's. Having run the Spirit of Survival Marathon 3 weeks prior, I was not sure what I was going to do or expect. The redone course was beautiful however some the hills were saved until the latter part of the race. Oh well.

I had a quick recovery afterwards which is a good sign in my preparation for my Chisohlm Trail Challenge in 2009. I am trying to focus all of my effort on knowing that we truly do not have boundaries except for those that are physically impossibilities. Sometimes through our suffering, we feel that we have reached our limits & just quit. Time & time again, history has shown that people have endured tremendous physical & mental hardships; often beyond what the average person would deem impossible. But ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE TO THOSE WHO LOVE AND SERVE THE LORD.

I will be starting my fund raising campaign in 2008 in efforts to raise money for wheelchairs, prosthetics & canes fro those who need them but cannot afford them. It will bring about an awareness that we can all overcome our self-limiting boundaries if we only have faith & are of strong will.

- Until next time -

Way Outside the Boundaries

Well, I finally decided what to do to celebrate my 50th birthday in 2009. I plan on running the Oklahoma portion of the Chisholm Trail!

The Chisholm Trail was used to move Texas Longhorn cattle from Texas up through Oklahoma (Indian Territory back then) up to Kansas where they could have access to the railway & ship cattle to the east. Back in 1867, the first herd of longhorn cattle were driven up the trail.

Although the original trail goes through a lot of provetly owned land, the trail roughly follows Hwy 81. The distance is approximately 150 miles & if I run a marathon distance (26.2 miles) per day, it should take approximately 10 days!

Is there a point to this madness? The point is that we can accomplish impossible tasks with our mind focused on God. We have all read the parable of the mustard seed. It just takes faith, unwaivering faith that all things are possible to those who trust in the Lord.

I will be looking for help from many friends & local entities. From support on the road, to running gear (shoes, socks, etc.), to food & lodging. I will be raising money for the purchase of wheelchairs or prosthetics for those who cannot afford them.

As plans begin to come together, I will continue updating my blog.

God Bless you. And may your faith give you the understanding that you can overcome unsurmountable odds with God on your side.

Know No Boundaries

Know No Boundaries


Hmmmm, what are boundaries anyway? To some they are what we tell our children not to color out of, to others they are what divides states and countries while to still others, they stand for our current physical limits. Through God's grace, we can overcome many (if not all) of these self-set boundaries.

Several years ago (or more), my physical boundaries were how far I had to move to get the TV remote. The thought of people actually running 5km seemed ludicrous. After finally getting off my duff and actually running a 5km, I was elated that I broke through a boundary that I thought was impenetrable. Since that first glorious day, countless 5km runs have been completed. This first boundary was just a faint memory.

When one truely loves God & desires to serve Him through all of what He guides us into, many of life's boundaries fall away; some physical boundaries included. Running a marathon was another of those self limiting boundaries. I could not imagine the insanity of running further than 5km let alone an actual MARATHON! Time passed & through much prayer, I decided to give it a try. I can say that I am now one of those insane marathoners (8 times over). The more you are ;iving in God's grace & doing His will, the easier breaking through your boundaries is.

As I got more marathons under my belt, I realized that I could over come this boundary too & to encourage others to know that they can as well with the help & guidance of God. I began to get thoughts of running beyond the marathon distance. Was that possible; I thought? How could anyone actually run 50km, 50 miles, 100 miles or more? or was this just one more self limiting boundary? I have since completed (8) marathons, (3) 50 km trail runs, (1) 40 miler & (1) 50 miler.

Now what is this all about? It is about abandoning yourself to what God has in store for you in your life. When you abandon yourself to God's will, there are no boundaries. It is about knowing no boundaries in how much you help your family & loved ones, your neighbor, your community. It is about having nop boundaries in what we choose to do for God & for God's people.

Whatsoever you do to the least of those in God's kingdom, it is done also to Jesus Christ Himself. God will never let us down & will help us overcome, physical, spiritual, emotional & financial boundaries as long as we abide in His love & do His will.

Know No Boundaries is a Catholic Christian Ministry formed to help those who feel that they have reached a boundary in their lives & to share God's love for them in their lives.

I will be 50 years old soon and so I have started thinking about what other boundaries need breaking through. I desire to reach out to as many people as I can to help them find their self-limiting boundaries & with God's help, to help them break through them. As for my next physical boundary, I am running my 2nd 50 miler in August 2007 & may shoot for my first 100 miler in 2008. After that, only God knows!