[Pastor, this self-deprecating introduction is for a non-runner. If you are a runner, you will want to introduce the sermon in a different way.]

This morning our theme is "Running for Joy." Most of you don't know that I'm a runner. [Pause.] Of course I don't run five miles any more. [Pause.] Not that I ever ran five miles at any one time. [Pause.] Actually, five miles is the aggregate of a life time of running. [Pause.]

Running looks like hard work to me---especially marathons. I read recently a statement by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. He is a fifty-nine-year-old man who recently ran the New York City Marathon. Nothing special about that--except this was his seventh marathon in seven days on six continents. Here is what he had to say about this experience: "This has been enjoyable throughout," …