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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Milestones...

I don't think of myself as a runner, jogger, much less a walker. I really haven't enjoyed any form of exercise until quite recently. I accomplished something today that I didn't think I could quite do. I finished a 5K race in 44 minutes and 11 seconds. I was so happy that I did finish.

The people were so nice. One lady took me under her wing and coached me through the whole thing. Once the finishline was in sight, I took off in an all out sprint and those who had finished ahead of me were encouraging me every step of the way. It was awesome.

There is a sense of community there. The seasoned runners are there along with those who have never ran before, yet there is some sort of balance that knits them all together as they all strive to finish the race.

I will remember this for many days and years to come.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Back to Middle School...

I have this interesting attribute of not quite looking my age, but it wasn't until I got a job at a local middle school this year as to how young I was mistaken for. I am of average height for a woman maybe on the petite side of things.

The first few days of school, a few teachers thought I was a student even though I was not dressed in the required uniform as a student. One guy was particulary sorry and kept apologizing. I told him it was no big deal and not to worry about it.

I also took into account that I had to be the youngest on staff and the most of the others were at least ten years my senior. So it's an easy mistake really. But I also didn't realize until today that I also sound young as well .

When I called into work sick, the receptionist at the front desk asked me if there was an adult with me. Confused and slightly taken aback at the statement, I told her again who I was. We got the matter cleared up, and I drifted back to sleep smiling at the thought of being young again and trying my best to get well.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

"I'm in a hurry and don't know why"

I am rushing, rushing till life's no fun,
All I got to do is live and die,
But I'm in a hurry and don't know why."

This is the depiction of my week. I work fulltime and then I have plans everyday this week after work. Including the weekend. I have also made some trips to Wal-Mart and the library that were not originally planned. Then I was required to come back because my purchase could not be located. This gets frustrating, and other plans like going to the gym get thrown out the window. I then sit on the couch and before I know it two more hours fly by as I am fully engaged in the Biggest Loser Premiere. Two people are carted off to the hospital right off the bat. Now that is really encouraging me to get out there and pound the pavement.

I am trying to make a commitment to redeem the precious little time that I do have and spend it for an eternal purpose. The time is now and the choice is mine. How will I choose to spend it? I hope to use it wisely. So bye for now as I spend some quiet time with the Lord and curl up with a book before I enter into a land of sweet dreams.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Choosing to Remove the Camouflage

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. " ~Matthew 5:16

Don't be a Camouflaged Christian:
"Did I ever tell you what my roommate did last semester?" Katie asked.
"She was so funny. She made this fancy sign that said word and taped it to the foot of her bed. Then she went around telling everyone that she had spent six hours in the word that night." (Robin Jones Gunn, As You Wish)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by all of the "stuff" in your life? Have you been so busy that you could fall asleep standing up if you stood still long enough? Our lives are filled with so many things such as sports, skills, and smarts. We keep piling and piling everything on and before we know it, we can't function.
Christ is supposed to shine through us, but when we place our friends, talents, hobbies, jobs, and more in front of Christ. Those things tend to block out the rays of Jesus' glow. Once we put God first and remove the camouflage of misplaced priorities and sin in our life. Christ can use those things to reflect His Glory.
God uses us when we release control and allow Him to shine through us. All we must do is fear (reverence) him and keep His commandments.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Run with Patience

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:1, 2a)

Wow, I am attempting another "I never." I have entered a 5K and will be walking/jogging it in 2 weeks. I can't even wrap my mind around that one. I have never been one big into exercise or physical activity. Give me a book and a cozy chair or bed to curl up on, and I am set. Over time, I have aquired an appreciation of exercise and the benefits that occur when I am actively engaged in it. I am still not fond of running, but I am very goal oriented. My plan is just to complete it to say I can.

My pastor also likened our Christian life unto a race at the beginning of this year, so I took it one step further and made a personal goal to try a physical race. So like life, I am going to walk/jog/maybe run with patience two weeks from now. Who knows, I might like it.

So even if you don't physically run a race, run with patience looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Personal Pronoun HIS

Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


According to Biblegateway there are 5983 results for the personal pronoun HIS in the Bible. My pastor preached on the eight found in Psalm 100 tonight. It was a great reminder that we are welcome in HIS presence, we are HIS people, the sheep of HIS pasture. We must enter HIS gates with thanksgiving and HIS courts with praise. Thanksgiving and praise are our tickets in. We are to bless HIS name and HIS mercy and HIS truth are everlasting and endure forever.

Who knew the significance of such a small word. HIS has taken on new meaning for me, and I will try not to take for granted that I am HIS.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

The God of Nick of Time

Timing is important, and with God it is impeccable. I have been blessed to have tried my hand at my "dream job." I have also learned to never say never because I am now in process of doing two specific things I said I would never do. The first is to teach and the second is to go back to school for my master's degree.

God's timing is awesome due to the fact that he has given me a wonderful job (with benefits a few months before my health insurance runs out) as a library clerk for a local middle school where I live. This has given me the opportunity to observe and get my feet wet in a school setting. I love my job and the opportunities I have to impact the lives of those around me. Although I never thought I would be taking graduate level classes, the wheels have been turning that I should maybe go for my master's degree. I pray peace will come about my career path. As we all know God is always there in the nick of time.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Waiting to be Found...

This year has been interesting. It has had its moments of trials and frustrations as well as its moments of joy and gladness. I have observed through the course of this year several nuggets of truth:

  • The real meaning of love

  • The value of purity

  • The importance of God's timing

  • The blessed gift of singleness

I ran across this meaning of love in my prayer journal recently and I believe it is the truest definition for love the way God intended it to be.

Love (v) An act of the mind and the will that leads to the devoted care of something or someone. Emotion may or may NOT be involved.

Love is an action not a feeling or a buzz that one get's from being around that special someone. It is a conscious decision to care.

God opened up my eyes to the destruction of my generation's stand for purity. (It is in the local, Bible-believing churches.) True purity along with beauty have been diluted over time, and the world has been fed the watered down definitions or lies and it has destroyed many lives. I prize and protect my purity, but Satan still attacks through thoughts and other fiery darts.

God's timing is always perfect. There is no exception. He is the only one who knows what he is doing; we just have to be willing to listen and do what he wants when he wants us. I have learned the hard way that God's timing is always better than anything I could want no matter how long I wait.

Amidst it all, I found the amazing gift of singleness. Singleness to me is the flexibility to be totally available for whatever God may send your way or even send you to do. It is this freedom to be sold out for him and not have to answer back to anyone for the time being.

These are just a few things that God has shared with me this year. As I now embrace this season of singleness in my life, I will continue to reflect on love, purity, and share my experiences as I wait to be found in God's timing.