Hidden Purpose; Day375-121121/4731; Crossroads

Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death).  And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. [Isa. 25:8.] 1Co 15:51-54

Many of you are wondering about what those numbers are for. The first one is a countdown to the age that I need to surpass. Why? I don’t really know, it just popped in my head.  So on this day, I have 12 years 11 months and 21 days left (`4731 days).  Get it!  I am particular with days because something happened to me last year.  The 375 days count is the number of days after my heart attack.  I am not proud of that number because it does not really represents anything, it is just a number of days I survived.  Ever wondered what I was thinking last January 1, 2009, read my entry here.  That day, it was only my Day008 and there were so many questions in my mind at that time.  I did not even know if I am able to survive cardiac rehab.  Some questions I asked: Will I wake up again the next day? Will I be able to drive safely? Will I be able to work? Will I be able to swim, bike and run again?  Will I be able to live a normal life?  Will I be able to function again as a normal person?  Will my heart fully recover? So many questions flashed to my mind that day and I can’t even imagine how to survive the next day.  I don’t want to put more drama on this but I want you to realize that those events that happened to me were just tiny little crossroads that I have to endure – to bring a change into my life, to take me to another level in my faith and to send a message to those close to me that the events that they witnessed are the workings from Someone above us. Seek Him.

Recently, I had a short conversation with a close friend and he told me about his recent life changes (again).  There were so many “unfortunate events”/”undesirable effects” (UE) in his life and most of them were really out of the normal that most of us might not even experience in a lifetime. I know that I am more blessed than anyone else in the world, I am not bragging, I count my blessings even if it is an unfortunate event, I will still call it a blessing (therefore-more blessings). Unfortunate events are crossroads and it has to be handled carefully or else we will end up way off course in our life. I bike a lot and most of the time, I know all the routes even when I go out to those small county roads in Georgetown, Texas with no road signs because I’ve been there already plus I know the general location/markers of the county and if I ever get lost, I will just have to rely on my land navigation skills using the position of the sun and the wind and I am pretty sure I can get back to my home within hours.  But how do I handle crossroads in my life.  How can I tell that my decision is the right one for me?  How can I discern if the person I am relating to or doing business with is genuine?  How can I know that when I dive into something, the result will be to my favor. 

Here’s my measuring cup when dealing with crossroads. (Phil 4.8) (Then Phil 4.9)
1. Is it true?
2. Is it noble?
3. Is it just?
4. Is it pure?
5. Is it lovely?
6. Is it of good report?
7. Is it of virtue?
8. Is it praiseworthy?
Then the promise: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you”. Phil 4.9

2009 Summary: (Excel Spreadsheet Here)
Swim=99 miles
Bike=2001 miles
Run=139 miles
On Clif bar and Bagel Diet=333 days
On 2 liters/day water=5 (just started)
Migrated to Windows 2008 Hyper-V
Migrated to Sharepoint 3.0
Learned about Log Parser 2.2
Facebook Friends=181
Real Friends=<10
Best Friend=1 (Fructose)
Taught my daughter how to drive
Purchased a car for my daughter
Improved my relationship with my wife

2010 Plans:
More Swimming
More Biking
More Running
Stay on Bagel and Clif Bar diet for 365 days and go riceless
Drink water – 2 liters/day (without fail for 365 days)
Increase real friends to 20
Stick with 1 best friend (no change)
March 2010-65Miles Rosedale Ride
March 2010-Austin Statesman 10K Run
May 2010-Austin 5K Swim
October 2010-100 Miles Outlaw 100
Improve message on Daily Journal
Spread 8th Habit-“Inspire Others to do the same”

MIT (Most Important Task)
1. Write 2009 Year End summary
2.

0000, Sleep
0100, Sleep
0200, Sleep
0300, Sleep
0400, Sleep
0500, Sleep
0600, Sleep
0700, Breakfast; journal;
0800,
0900,
1000, 2009 Year End Summary
1100, 2009 Year End Summary
1200,
1300,
1400, Nap
1500, Nap
1600, Nap
1700,
1800, 12Mile Bike; Level4 Living Sermon
1900,
2000,
2100, Living4 Living Sermon Replay +Notes
2200,
2300,
2400, Sleep