Interview for Chaplains' Corner
by Patrick Nath
cc: When did you receive
Christ as your Savior?
ru: My acceptance of His
free gift of salvation occured in spring
of 1991 during recovery from a broken
neck.
cc: What types of church ministry
do you participate in?
ru: I believe in being a
servant to others and try to dump
the trash or whatever needs done. I
have filled in when needed in other
areas such as usher, church board, and
simple maintanence. I have been much
blessed by being allowed to participate
in missionary trips to Mexico, Ecuador,
and several times to Guatemala. I am
currently teaching Sunday School for the
junior high/high school aged jovenes*. [*Spanish
for teenagers]
cc: How long have you been
running?
ru: I began running in the
fall of 1983 at age 29 after beginning
to gain weight.
cc: What are your most memorable
experiences in running?
ru: A few are: running
through snow drifts at the cemetary at
night with friends during a blizzard;
running in the Andes mountains; running
on domestic and foreign beaches; Pikes
Peak Ascent on Barr Trail; descent from
the mountains in the Steamboat Springs
Marathon; an evening race in Dodge City
with the temperature 105; and running
toward home (rapidly) in the hail.
cc: How does your faith in
Christ affect your running?
ru: If you run, you know
that running improves your ability to
think and feel. My Creator and I
have had many memorable conversations during
the mental clarity of a run. Obviously,
I have a greater concern for fellow runners
and their eternal destiny.
cc: How does running affect
your faith in Christ?
ru: Paul uses running frequently
in his Biblical writings as an analogy
to living the Christian life. It is
easier to understand his comparison by
being a runner. I also believe that
as a person solidifies their personal
discipline in the physical world it directly
affects their ability to be disciplined
in their spiritual lives. As an example,
by running regularly I am more likely
to read my Bible and pray regularly.
cc: Are there any special things
you think or pray about while running?
ru: During a small percentage
of my runs my thoughts are "associative",
concentrating on form and pace and time.
Most of my running is "non-associative",
with my thoughts floating through a variety
of topics and feelings. I am calmed
during a run by the repetitive rhythyms
and become aware of the presence of
the One who is with me always.
It is natural when I am aware of
someone with me to talk to them;
especially someone I love more than anyone
else. My prayers are about issues of
the day; thanksgiving, people I'm concerned
about, and situations where I need help.
cc: Do you have a favorite
Bible verse?
ru: I have several, and
they change, sometimes daily. Today I
am thinking about Romans 5:3-4 "...rejoice
in our sufferings because we know that
suffering produces perseverence, perseverence, character,
and character, hope."
cc: Is there anything you would
like to say to a non-believer who runs?
ru: Open your mind and heart
to consider the truth of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. Consider accepting and
applying those truths personally.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Roger is currently
the President of SWFTR,
and directs the Son Rise
Half-marathon & 5K, as well as
the Run in the Son races in Garden
City.