hlengkeek's blog

Sixteen years later, still running! After all these years, each day I get up, sit with My LORD, and then go for a run. It is closing on 6000 consecutive days running. I confess that the streak drives me more than I drive the streak. Why do it? Sixteen years ago I was involved in a transition moving from California to Michigan to pursue the honor of a degree. There are many times when I wonder about this pursuit as my soul has never fully healed.  But I try to continue in the ministry of being a wounded healer.Back to the streak! I had been running since college days and enjoyed 4 days a week out on the road. When we moved to California, it became a necessity as we had only one vehicle so I ran home from school-5 miles as the crow flies which led me through pomegranate and walnut groves. I gradually increased the miles to 1000 miles per year but realized that this was just a foothill. So I started marathoning eventually garnering a PR of 2:59 in Sacramento in 1991 which led to running Boston in 1992. But this again was just a foothill to the streak.We moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1994 and after an arduous trip, I was grumpy. On Tuesday, June 8, I recall my prayer- Lord, I don't like where I am. I know that you are the great I AM and i am not so here's the deal- you give me the strength to get me through this and I'll run every day till you stop me. Although the seminary experience was a desert, the running kept my sanity and revived my soul. The Michigan countryside was an oasis coming from Visalia's flatness. I could run trails for 50 miles and the start was at my back door. It was not hard to find 7 different 5 mile loops past a lake or stream or through a forest, or down quaint streets. The Fall was resplendent with its colors and smells. Even the winters were not so bad. Keep your head, hands, and feet warm and be careful on the ice and you're all set. Spring was more difficult because of its flirting nature which would disappoint. Yet it was during this season that the drive to run peaked as annually the Kent River Bank Run was held in May to kindle the spirits of those despairing of winter. I was able to run it 9 times with a PR of 1:45 over the 15.5 mile run. There were other enjoyable runs including a lung burner and calf screamer in Saugatuck over 9 miles and much of it on sand dunes but I even medaled a couple times. We eventually moved to Zeeland just 20 minutes away and I found a couple great runs. One run brought me through a nature reserve which gave me treats of seeing deer, fox, and plenty of birds. I enjoyed the Sabbath run which was around 4 lakes and included much wildlife. I also enjoyed a drive out to the dunes or to the Holland Beach and run the trail along the lake to Grand Haven. I had different names for the runs-The Lament Loop, The Anger Management Run, The Meditation Trail, The Wild Goose Chase, Creations Cruise, The screaming Six, The Rooster run which was a 15 miler through woods running trails.There were challenges like the weather or traveling. I can recall some 2:30 AM 'get er' done runs in order to catch a plane. Sickness brought its unique challenges as well as  some injuries. One January morning I slipped and tore my meniscus which led to a specialist who recommended surgery but I pleaded 'let me run it off'. While riding a motorcycle, I was run over and again the doctor advised me to rest but I pleaded,' running is the best therapy'. So after a 12 mile run, there was no pain. There were plenty of sprains, strains, dislocated toes, a tweaked back but it has not stopped the streak. Post marathon days are a joke as I stagger my 3 miles.Since moving west, the running is rather boring. However, I have been able to do a yearly Mammoth trip which has always been a running junkie's paradise. Other memorable runs occurred on beautiful trails in Vermont and Oregon, as well as running the trails of Southern Utah or the Colorado mountains.Thanks To Grace for giving me permission and washing the clothes. Thanks be to God for this daily adventure running with Him.Some streak trivia: 27 thousand miles, 24 pairs of shoes, 15 marathons (plus a dozen half-marathons). I'm getting tired!Running Thoughts,Pastor Henry

Remember the Springsteen classic, 'Glory Days'. The song paints the picture of foks caught in the prison of the past. Their only antidote for dealing with the pain of the present and the loss of hope in the future was to look back. "Glory days, yeah great going back, glory draws out he ain't never had, glory days, glory days" . A great song that keeps replaying the past but points out the hopelessness  I can't help but hear these lyrics being sung throughout this land these days as the heavy wet blankets of apathy and despair wear down the soul, and  fear has gripped folks like a pit bull refusing to let go. I hear some singing 'glory days'. But were they really so glorious? Sadly, the message has been preached that young folks today will never experience glory days. A whole generation has been told since 9/11/01, that it will never be the same. I appreciate the discernment of the artist, John Mayer ,who noted that we have raised a generation to live in fear. Go down to the airport, take off your shoes because you must live in fear.Live in distrust of your neighbor.

Now, with the financial meltdown, there is a double portion added to the fear reaching a level of panic. Why? We have worshiped ourselves! American National Religion based on individualism, narcissism, and greed has come crashing down. I wonder if Tom Brokaw could write a sequel to the Greatest Generation and call it a Generation of Greed.

I know that this sounds like a downer...but there is hope! There is one in whom we can put our trust. One whose glory days are not in the past only also in the future. As we come to the watershed moment of a change in a calendar as well as an administration, there is hope. This hope is not found in the market, or a new leader, or the idolatry of technology. Rather this hope is found in a people who seek to take their shoes off because of a reverent fear of a great and gracious Creator and Redeemer and Restorer of this world who longs for a people to partner with in the pursuit of justice and mercy for a global world.  I'm hopefilled about a new generation who refuse to live in fear and who have grown nauseous of American religion and are pursing the Christ and His Kingdom with their lives.

Is there hope? Absolutely! As I look back this year and consider the happenings in our world, I also am reminded of the prophets that God is raising to dream of His kingdom. Particularly, I am thankful for those who are raising the prophetic vision through their books. I am firmly convinced that leaders need to be readers. Readers of culture and trends but also readers of God's vision for this world that He loves. As I think about the top 5 that I recommend, they include, The Shack, Jesus for President, Colossians Remixed, Surprised by Hope and at the top of the list, I recommend Hope in Trouble Times: A new Vision for Confronting the global Crisis. I encourage you to read it, live it, and take off your shoes and get on your tiptoes in the presence of the Holy One whose glory has come and is coming with all the power and beauty that one can imagine.  Glory days are on their way.

I had run this course hundreds of times in my life. It was one of my favorites. At nights, when I couldn’t sleep, I would imagine the run and it had a way of settling my mind and soul. It was only 4.1 miles in length composed of a rutted, graveled road. Yet it had grueling roller coaster hills, fast stretches for speed work, tree shrouded curves, plus there was always something to see as its concourse followed the outskirts of a glacial lake. For this reason, there were always sights, sounds, and smells of this region called the Great Plains.