Revitalize Your Church

In honor of the 43rd Birkie today, I am re-posting this delightful story from my first book, Filled Up, Poured Out: Hayward is home of the American Birkebeiner , North America’s largest cross country ski race. 10,500 skiers come from almost every state and many nations to compete in this world-class event. Spectators line snow-covered Main Street, ringing cowbells and cheering weary skiers across the finish line. For two decades, I've been a Birkie cowbell ringer. A day or two before the Birkebeiner, I always pine a little, wishing I had pulled the skis from the rafters and joined the throng of brave souls testing the limits of their endurance. But, as Birkie day arrives, I find myself content to ring cowbells. After all, if everybody skied the Birkie, there wouldn't be anybody left to cheer. Normally, we ring in the elite skiers who finish first. Usually the winner is some Olympic European who hardly broke a sweat. I’m always impressed. The best part of the race, t...

"In my opinion, any day you find yourself at the starting line for the Birkie, it’s going to be a great day indeed!" ~ Scott Smith Today's "half-a-Birkie" provided a rare opportunity for American skiers. After almost a decade of dominance, the Italians didn't get to the finish line first. The fact that they didn't show up helped substantially. Zack Simons of Utah was the first guy across the line (only the fifth American male to win since the inception of the race in 1973.) Kate Whitcomb, of Idaho was the winner in the women's field.