Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.

Vineman 70.3

July 22, 2007

Click on the Thumbnails for the full picture

This was Iron Prayer's debut at the Vineman 70.3.  It had been a long time dream of Iron Prayer to be there.  Thanks to the Lord and Suzy Mattish it all came together beautifully!  We held the service at the Keiser Park stage which is adjacent to T2 and the finish line.  Under the shade of beautiful old oaks we gathered to worship, share testimonies, give encouragement and pray for one another.

On his keyboard, Steve Merical and his worship team (Jared Soares - bass; Ken Minor - drums; Cory Colburn and Tim Swanson - vocals) led us in worship.  They did an excellent job of helping us take our focus off of the anxieties of the race and put our focus on Jesus.

After the worship, Robin Soares, Vineman participant and FCA Endurance Iron Prayer Co-director, spoke about the origins of Iron Prayer.  She introduced the group to Pro-triathlete Brad Seng.  Brad shared with the group how the the Lord has been working through him this season.  In April of this year, he had to make a decision at California 70.3.  He had been dealing with an injury that made running excruciating.  After the bike leg, and with his father having come all the way to watch his race, he chose stopping (his first DNF!).  Instead of the huge disappointment it surely was to be, the Lord helped him be content.  He later found out that it was a stress fracture and had to patiently spend the next few months rehabbing.   During this time, he trusted that the Lord would bring him through this set back and kept his eyes on Him.  By May, Brad was running and by June, Brad was competing again.  He finished an impressive 8th at the Buffalo Springs 70.3.  Tomorrow he's looking forward to seeing what he can do and enjoying the beautiful scenery

Robin introduced Pastor Scott Tolson of the Vine Church in Windsor.  He shared with the group the story of Derek Redmond from the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.  Derek Redmond's dream for Olympic gold in the 400 meters was shattered when he pulled his hamstring after the first curve.  Determined to finish, he got up and continued to finish the race hobbling down the track.  Derek's father ran down from the grandstand and by-passed the guards to run out to meet his son.  In our own races tomorrow and daily lives, we may face adversity and God will meet us there and help us to persevere and finish the race.
 

Pastor Steve introduced us to Lance Wallace of the First Baptist Church of Windsor.  Lance competed in the Vineman race for the first time last year.  He talked about how he learned to give encouragement.  It was easy to do so on the bike, his strongest discipline, while he was passing others.  When it came to the run it was more challenging because he was being passed and often by girls.  It took humility from the Lord to be able to encourage others and be happy for them.  He shared about the great transformation Christ made in his life which led him to be humble and obedient to Him in all ways.  He spoke of the 3 G's in his life before & after devoting his life to Christ: Glory, Gold and Girls.  Glory: Before Christ, he was focused on self glory mainly in sports.  After Christ, he is focused on God's glory.  Gold: Before Christ, he was wrapped up in money and even broke into cars to get more of it.  After Christ, he's wrapped up in the treasure of God's word and seeks to digest and know more of it.  Girls: Before Christ, it was about getting a girl.  After Christ, it's about cherishing the girls in his life - his wife and daughters.  God has allowed him break the cycle of divorce previously in his family and be faithful and loving to his wife and to also be the father that God desires him to be.

Then folks broke into small groups to pray for each other and the race.  Steve Merical and his worship team closed with more wonderful music.

Thanks to...