Repost: More Lessons from the Peloton

Part 2:  This is a post I wrote in 2009.  It came to mind this week as the Giro d'Italia (another three week cycling race) wrapped up.  There has been some controversy in pro cycling since I wrote this post (the disgrace of Lance Armstrong and others for doping) but there are still lessons that can be learned. 
 
The fun in France continues, so here are a few more thoughts...


An Isolated Rider Cannot Compete

Last week I wrote about the strength of the peloton, how riding in the pack brings amazing strength and speed. Just the opposite is also true. Isolation usually occurs in the mountain stages. The teams for general classification (the yellow jersey) really have to work to get their guy to the top. Yes, the leader is pedaling, but he needs the strength of his teammates. Other teams will "attack" hoping to drop their competition. Isolation occurs when the teammates of a GC contender can't keep up with the peloton and their leader is left on his own. The rider will do his best to hang on to the pack, but the opposing teams will be doing their best to drop him.


I admit, I've been on both sides of cliques. I think teenage girls can be some of the cruelest people on the planet - attacking with words and looks and turned backs. Unfortunately, some people never grow out of that habit and go through life cutting others with their words and actions. I've seen people (young and old) trying to fit in and hang on, but often the pressure is more than they can handle going it alone.

A True Teammate Waits

During one stage Andy Schleck had a flat tire with 4 km left in the stage. There is a rule in the Tour de France that if a rider crashes or has a mechanical problem in the final 3 km of a stage, they will receive the same time as the riders they are currently riding with. But Andy was 4 km out and had to get his bike fixed and back to the peloton, who of course was not waiting. When Andy's teammate, Jens Voigt, found out what happened, he slowed his pace and returned to where Andy was. By the time Jens met up with Andy, Andy's bike was fixed and Jens "towed" Andy back to the peloton.


There are times when life trips up our brother or sister. It seems they're doing everything they can to win when Bam! out of nowhere a trial comes their way. This is not the time to ride away, this is the time for us to go back and add our strength to theirs.

New Champions Arise

Many were curious to see what Lance Armstrong would do during this Tour after being retired for 3 years. He is currently in fourth place overall, with his teammate Alberto Contador in first. There have been several stages that Alberto showed his superior strength and left everyone in the dust. On Sunday, Alberto took the yellow jersey and it appears he will win his second Tour. Lance had this to say, “Now you know who’s the best rider in the world and the best rider in the race. In the past I was the best, now he’s the best. As far as I’m concerned, I’m happy to be his domestique. I’m proud of him.”


There is always room in the kingdom of God for more workers. How do you respond when someone else gets that choir solo you wanted? Can you still sing in the soprano section and worship your heart out or are you silently pouting with your arms crossed. Can you step out of the spotlight with grace to make room for someone else?

The Penultimate Stage

This Saturday is the next to last stage of the race. The route of the Tour changes each year, and this year the penultimate stage takes place on the famed Mont Ventoux. This is one of the most grueling climbs in Tour history. It is also a place of tragedy - Tour rider, Tom Simpson, died on this climb in 1967. Usually the final stage is more celebration than racing, so the penultimate stage is the last chance for riders to make Tour history.


We don't know when it will happen, but each of us will have a penultimate stage in our lives. That final climb. I was recalling Rod's final months. It was April, 1994, when Les and I visited Fresno. Rod was getting sicker and weaker. Les and I came home from that visit with an increased burden for Rod. We prayed daily, went on an extended fast, believing God for Rod's healing. Rod got his eternal healing on June 22, 1994 and I learned a lot about the penultimate stage in a person's life. We didn't know it at the time, but the burden God gave us was for Rod's faith, that it would fail not. It was Rod's final climb, one that he had to ride to the end. Our role was that of a teammate, riding beside him, encouraging him and praying for him.

The Grand Celebration

This Sunday, July 26th, the riders who completed the 2009 Tour de France will ride in Paris on the cobbled streets of the Champs Elysées. The Eifel Tower and the Arch de Triumph will be in sight. The leader of the race with his entire team will lead the first lap past the cheering crowd.


Last Sunday we sang an old song from the hymnal - "When the Redeemed Are Gathering In" with a verse that included the words, "there will be a great procession over on the streets of gold." What a grand day that will be! Among that crowd for you I'll be watching, so look for me in front of the throne!

The Winner

We have one big difference with the Tour. There is only one Tour de France winner. Only one man will wear the treasured yellow jersey on that final day. The history books will only list that one name.



But Paul tells us, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8)

Ride on!

Repost: Lessons from the Peloton

This is a post I wrote in 2009.  It came to mind this week as the Giro d'Italia (another three week cycling race) wrapped up.  There has been some controversy in pro cycling since I wrote this post (the disgrace of Lance Armstrong and others for doping) but there are still lessons that can be learned.  I'll post part 2 tomorrow.


You may be aware that there is a little bicycle race going on in France this month. Well... it's not really little! It's the oldest and "grandest" of all bike races - The Tour de France. Begun in 1903, the race currently covers more that 2200 miles in the span of three weeks. A Texan named Lance Armstrong made the race pretty interesting to Americans for quite a few years, winning an unmatched 7 times in a row before retiring. Lance came out of retirement and is in this years' race once again.

Since I am married to a cyclist, I've learned quite a bit about bicycle racing. There is a lot more strategy involved than just getting on a bicycle and riding everyday! I thought I'd share some definitions and how they relate to us as individuals and as a church body. I may have more in the next few days, but here are some of my thoughts:

The Peloton
The most simple definition of a peloton is "the main body of riders in a bicycle race." It takes great skill to ride "in the pack." But there is also great benefit to staying with the group.

When a rider falls, he rarely goes down alone. Just the tiniest slip can cause "argie bargie" (confusion, chaos, etc.) in the peloton. At times the rider who caused the crash will not even go down, but when riders are averaging 20-25 mph and reaching speeds over 40 mph, road rash, broken bones, and ruined bicycles can happen in seconds. Crashes have also been caused by fans standing on the side of the road.
 
We all know about the harm that comes when a spouse leaves a marriage, but it can be just the slip of a tongue that brings harm to a family or an entire youth group. It is often when the church is on the move that the devil does his best to cause a crash. Vigilance on every turn is key to staying upright.

The power that the peloton creates as they pedal together is an incredible thing. We were at race one time and you could feel the cyclists as they went by. When the church is united, sinners are drawn to what is going on - they can feel it!


Teamwork Makes the Difference
There are nine members on each team. Each team has a leader. Other riders specialize in sprinting or going fast up the mountains or individual time trials.
 

A rider earns the sprinter's jersey by being the one to win sprinter's points during stages and sprints at the end of stages. This is rarely accomplished as a solo endeavor. In general, with about 20 kilometers to go, the sprinter's team will make its way to the front of the peloton and begin riding faster and faster. First one rider then another will pedal as fast and as hard as he can until he can't go anymore. The team will blow itself up for the sprinter. With precision timing, the sprinter will be at the front of the pack at the perfect time and will cross the line in first place.
  
I've been thinking about how the musicians, praise singers, worship leader, soloists, and the choir all act as the lead out team for the preaching of the word. Ever notice when the organist is in a bad mood, or the keyboardist had a fight with her husband, or the drummer is distracted by the pretty girl on the front row, or the worship leader walked in just 3 minutes before service, or the choir is flat, or all the above, how difficult it is for the preacher?

When the leadout team has given their all - pre-service prayer was hot, the music was annointed, the choir jammed, often those people will walk off the platform rung out - but the preaching of the word can go forth unfettered!


Every rider, every day
The race is long and grueling, and there are no timeouts. If you were Lance Armstrong's teammate in 2005, the year he won his seventh Tour de France, you still had to ride every day. No matter how great the other riders on the team, every rider must ride every day. There are two rest days, but riders still ride on those days to keep their legs strong. If a rider wakes up one morning and decides he'd rather go shopping (okay, probably not - maybe golfing) he has a decision to make - ride or leave the race entirely. The standings at the end of each stage list each rider and their times. At the end of the list will be riders with DNF next to their names. Did Not Finish.
  
It doesn't matter who your dad is, who your pastor is, if your dad IS your pastor - YOU are responsible for continuing on. We can't think we can make it to heaven on someone else's coattails. I don't want a DNF next to my name in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Happy Anniversary, Les!

There's a saying, "Marriage is finding that special someone you want to annoy for the rest of your life."  I say, "Marriage is a great adventure when you're having fun with your one and only!"  Do we look annoyed here?

We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again (Not true!!)
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear

You're still the one -- I want to talk to in bed
Still the one -- that turns my head
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

I looked at your face every day
But I never saw it 'til I went away
When winter came, I just wanted to go (wanted to go)
Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You're still the one -- that makes me laugh
Still the one -- that's my better half
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- that makes me strong
 Still the one -- I want to take along
We're still having fun, and you're still the one (yes you are)

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new

You're still the one -- that I love to touch
Still the one -- and I can't get enough
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- who can scratch my itch
Still the one -- and I wouldn't switch
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You are still the one -- that makes me shout
Still the one -- that I dream about
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
You're still the one, yeah still the one
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

Les, there's no one I'd rather travel through life with than you!  I love you!

Look for the Helpers

While reading about the terrorist attack in Manchester, England yesterday, I found a story in USAToday about Fred Rogers.  "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was a children's show that aired from 1963-1976 and from 1978-2001.  What caught my attention was a quote from Mr. Rogers:

This advice is something Fred Rogers was offering at least as far back as 1986, when he wrote in a syndicated newspaper column that:

I was spared from any great disasters when I was little, but there was plenty of news of them in newspapers and on the radio, and there were graphic images of them in newsreels.
For me, as for all children, the world could have come to seem a scary place to live. But I felt secure with my parents, and they let me know that we were safely together whenever I showed concern about accounts of alarming events in the world.
There was something else my mother did that I’ve always remembered: “Always look for the helpers,” she’d tell me. “There’s always someone who is trying to help.” I did, and I came to see that the world is full of doctors and nurses, police and firemen, volunteers, neighbors and friends who are ready to jump in to help when things go wrong.

This is wonderful advice. In this troubled world, look for the helpers.  Whenever possible, join the helpers.  And if you can't find one - BE the helper!

Flash Back Friday

Ephesus

One year ago we embarked upon an amazing journey ~ our 25th Anniversary Trip to Italy, Greece and Turkey!  There is so much I could say about this trip, I'm not sure I have the vocabulary to adequately describe it all.  It took me about six weeks and over 30 posts to blog about it.  If you need some weekend reading, click on this link and you can travel with us!  Or go here to just look at the pictures.

Rome

 

Mars Hill

Mountain biking on Mt. Etna

The Great Theater of Ephesus

Santorini

The Colosseum

Mykonos

The Acropolis

If you could pack your bags and go anywhere in the world today, where would you go?

Call Her Blessed

Happy Mother' Day to all you wonderful moms!  I hope your day is amazing.  If your mom is still living, please spend time with her and at least call her today.  For those of you missing your mom, I hope you have some wonderful memories to bring a smile. 

Call Her Blessed
 
You knew me in my mother's womb, spoke my name before time
You placed me in my mother's arms knowing I would be fine
She saw my first step, she heard my first word
I'm fearfully and wonderfully made

As I grew she taught me to follow You
Showed me how to love the way You do
Every time I fell she was there to pick me up
She held me close and then she let me go

Bless the one who gave me life
Bless the one who held me in her arms
Bless the one who told me that Jesus loves me so
You have heard her prayers, You have seen her tears
We rise and call her blessed

A mother's love is precious, so faithful and pure
With tenderness she blesses much more than we deserve
When I look into her eyes I begin to realize
What a wonder her love has been to me

Bless the one who gave me life
Bless the one who held me in her arms
Bless the one who told me that Jesus loves me so
You have heard her prayers, You have seen her tears
We rise and call her blessed

Her faith lives on in us
We are walking miracles because she followed You

Bless the one who gave me life
Bless the one who held me in her arms
Bless the one who told me that Jesus loves me so
You have heard her prayers, You have seen her tears
We rise and call her blessed, we rise and call her blessed

~ Words and music by Stacey Noll

Friday Foodie ~ Mom's Goodies Repost

I've really got Mom on my mind this week!  This post originally appeared on August 13, 2008.

Every talent, strength, and compassion is a gift of God.

- Mom's Bible

Not every gift is one that can be used on the platform at church. The strength of men as they build a church, compassion to visit someone in the hospital, baking a cake or casserole for a family - all these are gifts that make the kingdom of God a better place.

Mom was not known in our family as a fabulous cook. She had a few things she liked to cook, but for the most part, cooking wasn't her thing. Now baking, that was a different story!

As far back as I can remember, Mom was a talented baker. Cookies, brownies, cakes, donuts. She learned to decorate cakes, so we had beautiful birthday cakes and she even made all of us kids' wedding cakes. At Christmas time she pulled out all the stops and made several kinds of candy. Teachers, pastors, neighbors, friends, and relatives were all recipients of Mom's goodies. She used her talent to bless others.

Mom's goodies always greeted us when got home from school. Hmm... maybe that's why I always get the munchies in the afternoon!

The first time Les came to visit, in typical Mom fashion, she withheld judgment when she first met him. Dad thought he was great (even if he did call him by another name), but Mom wasn't ready to comment. At some point I told Mom that Les liked brownies... and the second time he came to visit, what did she bake? Brownies! I knew he had won her over!

Whatever your gift... don't hide it. And if you feel like making me some brownies... ;)