Pastor Shawn Thornton recently gave a wonderful sermon about the prideful heart, and he used King Nebuchadnezzar as an example. Loretta and I couldn't take notes fast enough. Our church has a simple mission statement; to be a church that lives and loves like Jesus. Well, as far as King Nebuchadnezzar, he let his pride get the better of him. As he walked along the roof of the palace in Babylon he boasted, "Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” Notice a theme in his words? Which I have built...by my might...for my glory...of my majesty.

It's easy for us in our industry to go wandering out onto the roof of our palaces, isn't it? Oh we may not be tyrants, but we forget where our gifts come from, and we tell the world that hard work justifies pride, vanity and arrogance. But Nebuchadnezzar - one of the most powerful rulers the world has ever known - said it best. After 7 years of living like a beast, walking on all fours and eating grass, this once self-praising and prideful king proclaimed, "I praise the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just, and those who walk in pride He is able to humble."

Guys, this week, let every meal, every rep and set, every run and lap, let each element of training help us as temples - God's church on earth - live and love like Jesus. If that's not our mission statement - if that's not the purpose of our effort - we might be walking on the roof.

- Jimmy Peña