Lifetime Free Kingdom Membership; Day631; Rosedale Ride-62 Miles

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name–[Isa. 56:5.] John 1:12

Lifetime Free Kingdom Membership
A few years ago, I signed up for a lifetime membership to God’s Kingdom – I personally gave my life to Christ. At that time my life was not that bad but I know I needed something but every time I tried “a thing” my life just did not go anywhere close to what I want to attain which is peace of mind. I‘m a fan of self help books, I read psychology books, I read leadership books,  I studied Aikido, meditate, swim, bike, sword training, I read and study successful people … but all those were still not enough to give me satisfaction and contentment.  In my previous Aikido training, our Sensei taught us that the ultimate purpose of Aikido training is the unification of the body, mind and spirit – I never really understood this theory until a few years later in my life in Christ.  All I was doing previously was in the physical realm – the Body and Mind and my spirit starved as I trained and concentrated in the physical and the mental aspect of my life. God has a mysterious way of calling His people and it comes in many form.  Unfortunately my awakening started a few months after my bike accident in 1989. I started a project called “bike to work” in 1989 and I was doing great until one day a car hit me from behind while I was riding my bike. I was thrown forward and landed at the right front tire of the car. The car’s front tire dragged me for 9 feet as I struggled to hold on the tire.  It was a horrible accident and  I thought that was the end of my life but with God’s blessing, I never thought that it was the beginning of the new life.  I survived that day with minor injuries only and no broken bones except for a two big 5” scar in my butt cheeks and a deep bruises in both of my knees. I hit rock bottom during the recovery.  I did not have my faith in Christ to encourage me during my recovery.  The suffering from the accident was far more severe in the mental realm than in the physical. During the suffering phase of the accident, something was drawing me towards the Kingdom of God and a few week later, I did something that I have not done before – I received Christ and gave up my life.  I did not know anything about it.  Many people mentioned it on TV, “Hey, the solution to you problems is receive Christ as your personal savior”.  Many people are skeptics about “receiving Christ”. Me too, I did not know what it can do then until I look back through the years after my accident in 1989 and all I can say is – something great happened after the 1989 incident and the peace, the joy is still unfolding every day.

The verse today seems so simple yet it has a profound effect in my life.  A simple step that I took many years ago had a lasting effect that changed the way I lived my life from then on.  You too can have it if you let Him.  It’s all up to you.

2012 Rosedale Ride [more pictures]
Rosedale Ride was a success today.  I think my heart is recovering well.  It’s been 631 days after my stent#2 and I was able to sustain great effort during the ride.  It took us more than 5 hours to complete but the goal today was  the “journey”.  I had to slow down due to my teammate at 11mph compared to my average speed of 14-15mph on the training ride.  I have nothing to prove to anyone except myself.  I’m just glad that today I can check off another action item in my list.  Next step is training for the 100mile bike ride in October.  I’m switching to my Specialized Time Trial Bike starting tomorrow as a kick off for the summer time training. 

 

Quadrant I-Urgent and Important
Rosedale Ride-62Miles

Reading List
Sharepoint 2010 Search Pro, p150

24Hour Report
2000, Big Pasta dinner
2200, Start of sleep
0500, End of Sleep,
0510, Small Pasta breakfast +coffee
0545, Study John 1:12 [read more]

Barnes on John 1:12 –
To as many as received him – The great mass; the people; the scribes and Pharisees rejected him. A few in his lifetime received him, and many more after his death. “To receive him,” here, means to “believe” on him. This is expressed at the end of the verse.
Gave he power – This is more appropriately rendered in the margin by the word “right” or “privilege.” Compare Act_1:7; Act_5:4; Rom_9:21; 1Co_7:37; 1Co_8:9; 1Co_9:4-5.
Sons of God – Children of God by adoption. See the notes at Mat_1:1. Christians are called sons of God:
1.    Because they are “adopted” by Him, 1Jo_3:1.
2.    Because they are “like Him;” they resemble Him and have His spirit.
3.    They are united to the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, are regarded by Him as his brethren Mat_25:40, and are therefore regarded as the children of the Most High.
On his name – This is another way of saying believeth in “him.” The “name” of a person is often put for the person himself, Joh_2:23; Joh_3:18; 1Jo_5:13. From this verse we learn:
1.    That to be a child of God is a privilege – far more so than to be the child of any human being, though in the highest degree rich, or learned, or honored. Christians are therefore more honored than any other persons.
2.    God gave them this privilege. It is not by their own works or deserts; it is because God chose to impart this blessing to them, Eph_2:8; Joh_15:16.
3.    This favor is given only to those who believe on him. All others are the children of the wicked one, and no one who has not “confidence in God” can be regarded as his child. No parent would acknowledge one for his child, or approve of him, who had no confidence in him, who doubted or denied all he said, and who despised his character. Yet the sinner constantly does this toward God, and he cannot, therefore, be called his Son.