Back to Running My Race

It was 93 degrees and humid... sweat was dripping down my forehead and into my eyes... the kind of sweat that is salty - and it stung... but it was all good. Today was my first run in more than 6 weeks. In the last 40 years I can probably count on one hand the number of weeks that I have not gotten a run in. Six weeks seemed like a lifetime.

I was able to run because today I met with my Urologist for a 6-week-post surgery checkup and he cleared me for unrestricted exercise and physical activity. I am a runner at heart so I wanted to celebrate this news with a run right away. It didn't matter that when I arrived home it was the hottest part of the day and very humid. I am sure that you runners will be able to relate to this. When you are accustomed to regular exercise and it is taken away from you for any reason, it can be a challenge. I have been able to take brisk walks for the last month but it's not like going for a good run!

Recovery from the prostate surgery is going well all in all. The next medical checkup will be a PSA check in late August- 3 months post-surgery to ensure that it is a zero reading confirming that there is no remaining cancer.

Over the last week, when I talk with my family and friends they tell me that they can tell that my voice is stronger. The voice exercises for the paralyzed vocal cord seem to be making a difference. Praise God!!!

It is good to be back to "running my race!"

Confessions of Faith

Summer and more humid weather has arrived here in Charlotte. That makes it easier to spend just a little more time inside than outdoors. And this makes it easier to read and write more than normal.

Recently I have enjoyed reading and listening to CDs by Charles Capps, a noted faith teacher who lives in Arkansas. His material is based on the Spiritual Law of speaking/confessing God's Word out loud. He writes that there is power in this and that as one's mind is transformed and as our spirit mixes with God's spirit, that this releases the power of God to work in our life in a special way. I have spent time listening to his material on my Ipod on my walks and also reading his book, Faith and Confession-How to activate the Power of God in Your Life. This practice has helped me be even more mindful of my thoughts throughout my day and it has helped me look more positively into the future as I sense God providing direction. As I better appreciate this Spiritual Exercise of confessing God's Word and how it impacts my life I'll share this with you.

Stay Cool and drink plenty of water as you "run your race",

Dale