bierkergaard

Yesterday, I went for a five mile run around Valley Forge Park. It is about 5 miles to do the circuit. Today, my body really smarts. Not sure why it was so strenuous. Age is cruel and irrevocable. I think my exercise regiment helps keep me young but also inflicts some collateral damage. I don't just bounce back. A day off tends to get me back into a healed zone. I listen to my body but also know that it lies. It tries to persuade me that I don't need to work out and I have to treat it like a truculent child and force it out of the house. Boy, I love the word truculent. One day I won't be able to run any more, or walk. So, I try to keep this in mind and be thankful as my knee aches. It could be worse and soon will be. The resurrection is a remarkable idea and reality, physical and spiritual restoration. Jesus going through walls and eating fish on the sea shore. The run seemed like a fitting thing to do on July 4th. Independence is not easy and in a real way exercisin

My buddy and I are back into the swing of our mountain-biking. This is not rail trail stuff. Real mountains, rocks, danger. Fun, true fun. Where the ride is real, not some video game where you can get blown to bits and then eat corn chips. If you fall, it hurts. Yet, as your ride, it is a rush of exhilaration. Constantly assessing the path and making adjustments. Last year, as we wound down because of the encroaching cold, it was a good thing since I had taken several bad wipe outs, each worse that the one before. My helmet got cracked, I got another concussion, and it was best to put the bike away for the season. Not bad though for a couple of post-50 dudes. To switch gears for a bit, I know my last couple of blog posts about alcohol and the use of violence don't fit the Left or Right Faith paradigm. With the abstention of alcohol issue, I came down hard on that teetotaler position because it is Legalism underneath. And, Legalism is deadly. We do no favors if we abstain in a