Author: Dennis A. Gray

Conquering Cancer 200km at a Time

/ Dennis A. Gray / Leave a comment

Well, I finished.  Two days, 215 kilometers, 9.5 hrs of riding, my best time ever for the Ride to Conquer Cancer. I feel pretty good physically, and emotionally I’m still riding kinda high. It’s a great weekend and a great cause. I’m very proud of my involvement and with the involvement of the rest of Team Kortright.

Speaking of which, what a great group of people. Noah and Tyler finished well ahead of the rest of us, but that was expected. Denise rode over 170 km, much further than last year. I am very proud of her as I am of Brian who kept her company and encouraged her every step of the way even though he could easily have kept up with the boys and me. Two members of the team Bruce and JaneAnn tackled the challenge of the 200 mile route. Bruce was unable to ride on Sunday due to other obligations but Jane successfully completed the entire 200 mile route. Well Done!

The one shadow on the weekend however was the fact that two members of the team were unable to ride for health reasons. Darby, who rode last year, suffered a whiplash injury a few weeks ago and was advised to limit her bike riding by her therapists. Marika incurred a concussion injury while playing rugby and faced similar restrictions from her doctor. I really missed having them along for the Ride but they joined us at the finish line and participated in the celebrations.

I know I’ve already said this, but it was a great weekend. And next year should be even better. It’s the 5th running of the Ride to Conquer cancer next year and they are planning all kinds of extras. Not the least of which is the awarding of a commemorative Gold Bike Helmet to all those who have participated in all 5 rides. This year, out of almost 5000 riders, there were only 444 of us who had been there every year since the beginning.

I truly believe that all of us need to have a cause we believe in; something we do just because it feels good and does good for other people. The Ride to Conquer Cancer is mine; and likely will be for some time. I hope you are able to find a cause to which you too can commit and find hope.

I’ll likely have more to say on this later, but for now…

Shalom.

 

Seven Days to Go

/ Dennis A. Gray / Leave a comment

That’s right, seven days from now I will be on the road riding my Trek 7100 bicycle from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Well, actually, from the C.N.E. grounds to Mohawk College the first day, then off to Table Rock Park in Niagara on Sunday. Nevertheless, there’s only a week to go and the excitement is starting to build.

It will be strange this year; having been through cancer this past winter has altered my perspective.  I have a small concern about my energy levels, but I know I’ll make it though it may take longer. But I’m wondering what it will be like riding as a survivor. There are people I’ve met in previous years who will remember me if they see me and it will be interesting to see how they respond when they see the yellow flag and socks sported by survivors on the ride.

On the other hand seeing the hundreds of yellow flags sticking up from the crowd of 5000 riders at the starting line is a testament to the success of cancer research over the years. More and more people are surviving this terrible disease, and it’s because of research being done with dollars raised through events like the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

There is a small development on the side effects front. I was told that the radiation would kill off a bunch of the hair follicles in my face rendering my beard history. However, last week I noticed when I was saving that most of them are actually functioning again! The only ones that seem to be affected are lower down in an area I usually shave anyway when I trim my beard back. So, much to Roberta’s relief, I’m growing the beard back. She never has liked me clean shaven.

Getting back to the Ride to Conquer Cancer, I’m at the 80% mark in my fundraising and have such a short way to go to reach my goal of $2500 in donations. If everyone who sees clicks on the banner at right and contributes just $10 I’ll reach and surpass that goal with plenty to spare. So much in fact that if you go to my personal page and find I have reached my goal, please support one of the other members of Team Kortright is has not on my behalf.

I know, I’m really pushing the donation thing, but it is only Seven Days and counting!

Thanks everyone!

Shalom.

Why Christians Can’t Agree About Christian Fiction

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Let me begin by saying that for many years I was not a reader of Christian fiction. I usually found it incredibly bland with predictable plots, two dimensional charcters, and storylines that all ended with exactly the same result – bad/unsaved guy/girl gives his/her life to the Lord. I stayed away from it like the lactose intolerant avoid Dairy Queen.

Authors like Mike Duran are changing that. Smart, imaginative plots, characters and storylines with unpredictable endings. Problem is for some people they aren’t “Christian enough”. Mike is also a great blogger and the following article touches on the two camps he’s observed in Christian fiction. Check it out and then come back.

Why Christians Can’t Agree About Christian Fiction.

As someone who reads a fair bit and has even written about fiction here, I’m curious; which camp do you fall into? Holiness or Honesty? Or do you percive a third camp? Do you read Christian fiction at all?

Answer in the comments.

I’m Just so (Yawn) Offended

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I’ve been trying to get offended by Living With Lions latest album cover, but so far this is the only reaction I’ve been able to muster…

We so badaas punk we're making fun of a religion who'e credo is "Love Your Enenies."

With the church having faced everything from Chocolate Jesus to Piss-Christ to flexible Rature scheduling, taking on the Christian Church in North America, especially in terminally-polite Canada is just too easy; or at the very least is going to take a lot more edginess and/or imagination than a faux Bible cover. I mean there’s no risk involved whatsoever. We were doing ‘Holy Shit’ jokes when I was seven; mostly involving pictures of little brown piles with halos over them.

And if it wasn’t lame enough on it’s own, when you add the fact that they were embarrased into giving their gov’t grant money back, I imagine now punkers know how many Christians feel when the likes of Pat Robertson open their mouths.

Later….

Red Letter Christians » Actualizing the Kingdom on Earth

/ Dennis A. Gray / 1 Comment

The vision statement of my home church is “Jesus’ Kingdom Made Real- Every Person, Every Nation.” For this reason the following article by Tony Campolo really caught my attention.

Red Letter Christians » Actualizing the Kingdom on Earth.