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Thursday, August 22, 2013

Mental Training for Running



One of the hardest things for me (or anyone?) about long distance running is staying mentally focused and not becoming bored. There are a lot of ways to keep from getting bored and to make the time go by quickly. Running on scenic trails, listening to something on an ipod, running with a friend you can chat with, etc, are all helpful. However, scenic trails are not always available, nor is a friend who is willing to run long distances always available. When it comes to the ipod, it can provide some entertainment, but passively listening to something does not fully engage your mind in the way a conversation with a friend does.

I have found that by far the best method of making time go by quickly and enjoyably on a long run is quoting chapters of the Bible from memory. I find that quoting chapters that I know very well works best because if I try to quote chapters that I am a little shaky on, the mental strain tires me out and leaves me with less energy for running. Quoting chapters from the Bible that are well known to me provides the perfect balance of engaging my mind enough to keep me from getting bored without overly straining my mind and making running difficult.

Plus, let's face it - it's hard to justify spending hours per week running when life is already so busy with church, work, family, etc. However, when running time also doubles as a time to meditate on God's word and sharpen up memorized passages, it becomes easier to stay motivated and carve out the time necessary to go running. When I go running, I am also working on Bible memory which is important to me as a preacher and as a Christian in general. When I sit down to memorize the Bible or review a chapter, I am also training my mind for future runs. The more chapters I have down pat, the further I will be able to run, and the less I will have to keep repeating the same chapters over and over again which would eventually become boring.

Why run? Because in my opinion running is the single best and easiest way to improve your health and fitness. It requires little or no equipment and can be done virtually anytime, anywhere. Why memorize the Bible? Because God has promised us that if we meditate upon the word of God day and night, whatsoever we do shall prosper. Combining the two is the ultimate in mind-body-spirit exercise.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Monday, August 19, 2013

Free Piano Books!

Anyone who agrees to do a blog post about The Complete Church Piano Course will receive a copy of Book One mailed to them absolutely free! The blog post must include the following:

- A link to this site: http://www.sanderson1611.blogspot.com/p/the-complete-church-piano-course.html

- A link to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrZonzV_lv8

To get your free book, leave a comment in the comment section (I will not publish your comment, so your information will not be public). In your comment, please include:

- The web address of your blog
- Your name and mailing address so I can ship you the book

Once you receive the book, you will do a blog post about what you like or do not like about the book.

  36 pages, soft cover 
The Complete Church Piano Course: Book One
by Pastor Steven L Anderson

This piano course is designed to teach the absolute beginner the skills necessary to become a church pianist.

 In Book One, the basics of piano and chord playing are introduced. Right from the beginning, the student will be playing bona fide hymns in their proper keys which will enable him/her to begin playing in church immediately. All the songs in Book One are either in the key of “G” or the key of “C.”

In subsequent books, the student will learn how to play more elaborate chord patterns in the left hand, how to play in additional keys, how to play directly from the hymnal, the art of improvisation, and much more. Each book will build upon the concepts laid down in the previous book(s).


Songs included in Book One:
All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Am I a Soldier of the Cross
At Calvary
Grace Greater Than Our Sin
How Beautiful Heaven Must Be
Jesus Loves Me
Nothing But the Blood
Our Great Saviour
Revive Us Again
There is a Fountain
We Three Kings
When the Battle’s Over

This book can only be purchased by US residents who live outside the state of Arizona. Arizona residents can pick up a FREE copy at Faithful Word Baptist Church. No international shipping available.