The Third Day: My Funeral...

I stumbled out of bed as the sun was starting to rise. I successfully avoided collisions with doorframes and got dressed for my daily run. As I headed out into the cold I awoke enough to realize that every article of chothing on my body was black. Hat, gloves, fleece, pants... "Am I going to my own funeral?"

(Suspensful pause...)

I didn't die... Whew! What a cliffhanger!

Denise joined me this morning and her company was very refreshing. So much so that after we went around once and I went around again! (Going around twice means that I don't have to exaggerate quite as much about how big the circle is...)

Here were the moments of insight:

Barking Dogs
The problems and challenges that we face in life are like barking dogs. If we compare the hundreds of times that we have been barked at with the times that we have been chased or bitten we find that the former is common and the later is rare. (That means lots of barking... Not much biting.)

Our fear of getting bitten has more negative effects on us than actually getting bitten. Our fear influences our decisions much more often than there actually is danger to be dealt with. Wanna bet?

As we came jogging down a certain hill we saw a big black dog. He was not tied up and his body was tense... focusing intently on us. As we continued down the road he quickly intercepted us, hackles raised and eyes wide open, he was not looking friendly.

We dealt calmly with the situation and did not get bitten. As I came around on my second trip he began wagging his tail and I was even able the read the tag on his collar. My new friend "Max" accompanied for a quarter mile.

There are many passages in the Bible when God says "do not fear." Jesus said, "do not fear, I have overcome the world." That is not a suggestion, it is an imperitive.

Don't let what you fear keep you from living the life that God has for you. "Perfect love casts out all fear."

Polarized sunglasses
When we were at the mall a few weeks ago we stopped at one of those little kiosks that sell sunglasses. I tried on a few pairs and found one pair that looked really cool. Then the attendant asked if I had ever tried "polarized."

It was true. They reduce the glare.

While running today I had another insight:

Theology is like polarized glasses. It reduces the glare of the sun allowing you to see details that would have gone unnoticed. Theology is man's attempt to understand God. It filters out some of the brilliance of God's glory in order to bring a bit more understanding but it doesn't actually change God's glory.

We are created to reflect His glory.

"Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven."

Running is okay, I guess.
DWB
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"BRICKS"

Yesterday a British friend told me that I am a “brick.” Apparently, being a “brick” means that I can be counted to be helpful and reliable. I know so many “bricks” whose helpful and reliable efforts are part of an enormous, disorganized pile of human goodness. They do wonderful things but their impact could be multiplied with better connections. Our project is intended to provide the blueprints, the mortar and the bricklayers to help piles of bricks become solid bridges, strong pillars and useful buildings.

Each person can be a “brick.” Our goal is to release this untapped, positive potential and help each person to fulfill the purposes for which they were created. We can change the world by connecting people with opportunities and resources. You might ask, “How?”

The blueprints represent understanding and direction we gain through research. The mortar represents relational, organizational and infrastructural networking that connects and unifies. The bricklayers build. They represent the relationships that coordinate and empower people through servant leadership development.

Would you like to know more? Visit us at: www.dustinbarrington.com

DWB

My Daily Run...

After having postponed my New Year's resolution for two months (so that I would not fall into my typical habit of giving up before January 15th) At the beginning of March I had the added complication of receiving two house guests, each for one week. During the first week I felt that postponing another week was very reasonable and hospitable. During the second week, however, our second house guest unintentionally brought out of me all of the guilt, shame and remorse I should have been feeling since December 31st when I decided that postponing the inevitable fitness push was a good idea.

With a bouncy disposition our guest would bound out the door, into the cold, for an hour long morning run only to show up at the end even happier than before. Disciplined portions of fruits and vegetables only added insult to injury (of my pride).

I determined by the middle of the visit that I was going to get serious about getting back in shape (a different shape than the currently rounded one). I politely declined the invitations to join in my friend's joyful routine knowing full well that, although it is exactly what I need, in my current state the experience would not produce quite the same sort happy feelings.

While weighing bags in preparation for our friend's journey back home, I stepped on to the scale and saw a number that was frighteningly close to double digits past the 200 pound mark (which I have sworn for ages that I would never pass). To ease my conscience I switched the digital scale from pounds to kilos (94) so that the number was less intimidating. Within hours I was able to shed about 5 pounds (in the form of clothing items and some VERY heavy shoes).

As soon as our friend was safely on an airplane to the other side of the planet (Africa) I decided to start. My first "daily morning run" actually only amounted to a brisk walk around our rural neighborhood's mile and a half long circle drive. Even so, the ball was rolling (walking briskly to be more accurate).

Today was the infamous second day...
I donned my body armor (which makes me sound like a valiant knight preparing for battle, but in reality is spandex that keeps my fat legs from chaffing) and some old running shoes.

I was able to start off with a strong pace (at least until the neighbors who were walking their dog were out of view). I ran all the way to the bottom of the hill, setting a pattern I would follow for the rest of my "daily morning run" (running downhill and walking uphill).

The quiet, uninterrupted moments of running are an excellent time to pray (in my case, for grace and mercy). I was praying this morning and as I was nearing the midway point I had a very cool insight (it seemed quite spiritual but that could have been compounded by the almost hallucinogenic effects of not getting enough oxygen).

As I rounded the corner and started heading East I was virtually blinded by the rising morning sun. I was hit by a moment of insight (it was impressive enough to me that this exercise thing might even be repeated tomorrow...).

God, in His glory, shines brighter than the sun. As we orient ourselves directly towards Him, our vision of the dusty road we are traveling on is absorbed in the brilliance of His glory.

As we walk through the shade of things that get between us and God we naturally perceive much more of the dusty road. If we go so far as to turn around and head away from God we can see the details of the road so clearly that we can be tempted to focus so much on the road itself that we forget about what is illuminating it.

Life is like a dusty old road. As we walk down our dusty roads sometimes the rough spots do affect the way that we walk. However, if we focus our attention on the God, the splendor of His glory makes the bumps and irregularities of the road less noticeable.

My advice is: Run your dusty road gloriously (even if you aren't in the shape you wish you were) and set your sights on things above. Everything else is dirt...

Do me a favor, please. Ask me if I ran...
(I need all the help I can get.)

DWB

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Can't wait to be cool!

I am so excited about the work we are going to be doing with NINE70 at Timberline Church in Fort Collins.

With the help of a few hundred college students is there a chance that I can be COOL? I am so looking forward to the attempt...

We were up there last week and met dozens of cool people. It feels like an instant fit. Veronica the graphics girl, James the aspiring political science guy, the set up guys, the worship band... One guy had been hit by a car and is a walking miracle, another wacked a tree while snowboarding and had to have brain surgery. We met a young lady that wants to return to Africa as a missionary who also speaks a pigeon form of Portuguese. They are a wild crowd!

There is a palpable hunger for God and for making a difference.

I know that our ministry at NINE70 is going to be an amazing experience.

DWB
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New Website configuration

There is a lot of new information about our next steps on our website. We will be working with Timberline Church and opening a new YWAM entity. If you would like to know what is up please go to www.dustinbarrington.com

See you there!
DWB
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YWAM entity

Yesterday we got our final approval to become a new YWAM entity! We will be part of the International Communications Network and we will be moving to Fort Collins around May.
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Busy month!

I totally fell off the blog wagon. So many great things have happened in the last month and I haven't blogged a bit.
DWB
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