A Lesson from Running

SO, I decided to run this route yesterday that I don't usually do. I always have to be careful with my routes, because if I run over a given length or I run too many hills, my knees are not happy with me the following day. Actually, they scream at me all day (thanks to all my years of sports and the crazy training at LSU :) ) It seems as though when I run it's either a really hard run or an easy run, no in between. The other day when I was running, I noticed something. As I run, if I look down every step, it seems to be an easy run. I am just focused on the step I am taking at the moment; when I finish the step it's a success. However, when I look ahead while running, it seems to be a really hard run. I think this is because I can see how far I still have to run, or what hills I will have to conquer, or what intersections I am going to have to stop at and interrupt my run; basically I am focused on the obstacle.

I was reminded during one of my last runs of the scripture 2 Cor. 4:18. It states, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." In other words, if we focus on what is in front of us, whatever your obstacle may be, whether a positive obstacle or a negative obstacle, it is temporary. When we fix our eyes, however, on what is unseen, Jesus Christ and the goodness that is Him and goes along with Him, we reap eternal benefits. I know, much easier said than done. It seems as though whenever I blog about truly walking in what Jesus has called us to walk in, everything is easier said than done. Jesus never promised it would be easy. In fact, he stated the exact opposite in John 16:33. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I want to encourage everyone, including myself, to fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us all reap eternal benefits, rather than focus on the temporary.

Love Deeply

Perfect Blood

Please check this out . . . it is humbling.

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9ccb7027cbbed56bb72e84a0b&id=fcecd270eb

I believe this post speaks volumes going into the Easter weekend. Yesterday, 2000+ years ago, Jesus washed each one of His disciples feet at the Last Supper, all the while knowing that one of those disciples, Judas, was going to betray Him. Today, 2000+ years ago, our King was crucified. And three days later, He will have been raised from the dead. As we walk through this weekend, I pray that my thoughts and heart, as well as yours would be fixed upon Him, marveling with thanksgiving at that "Perfect Blood" He shed for us. Blessed be His name.

Love Deeply

Another Brother . . .

So, this evening I found myself sitting in one room, while in the other room my sister and brother in-law were helping lead my 5 year old nephew to Christ. This morning Alex was asking my sister questions about how people get to Heaven. Alex has learned and has soaked in so much truth from the program he attends during the week, along with the many conversations he has had with the family. It is quite humbling to hear him speak about Jesus. Listening to a child talk about our King is so pure and so real. Through the Holy Spirit's leading I now have another brother in Christ. What pleasure. What joy. What peace. The saints are rejoicing tonight because of a 5 year old child. "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. The whole earth is full of His glory." Blessed be His name. Love Deeply Preparing for Africa . . .

A Little Here, A Little There

Last week I went and visited my friend, who has two young children. The oldest boy is four years old and his name is Rylan. When I came in the door, he ran upstairs real quick and yelled he had to get me something. I had no idea what it would be. When he came back downstairs Rylan gave me a hand full of change, consisting of a couple quarters, dimes, nickles, and some pennies. Rylan proceeded to tell me he wanted me to give it to the church. I of course said yes.

Yesterday, Rylan and the rest of his family came over to my house to play. Once again, he said, "I have something for you." He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a single quarter. I stuck out my hand and he gently placed the quarter in it. This melted my heart. I have no idea why Rylan likes giving me the little money that he has. A part of me thinks it is just the innocence and sweet soul of a four year old. A bigger part of me thinks, and knows, that this is the Lord's way of saying, "I will take care of you."

Later that night, my mom and I were trying to figure out my taxes. It's never good when you see in the right hand corner that you OWE rather than seeing REFUND. Let's just say I almost broke down in tears. Literally. I actually did on the way back home to my house; but it was during that little meltdown where the Lord reminded me of Rylan placing that quarter in my hand. "I will take care of you," He whispered.

The Lord has always provided for me. He has never let me down. I actually have a tattoo on my back with two little yellow butterflies. The words "Jehovah Jireh" are written in between the butterflies. It is Hebrew for "The Lord will Provide." I am thankful for a God that cares so much about his sons and daughters. I am thankful for a God that will use the very unexpected moments to teach us about His grace and compassionate heart. And I am thankful for a God that will use the little children to make such powerful promises. Blessed be His name.


Love Deeply

The Biggest Loser, The Biggest Winner

First of all, yes, I am talking about the television show. The Biggest Loser, if there is anyone out there who has been living in a cave for the last 5+ years or so, is a show that challenges overweight individuals to lose weight. The contestants train hours upon hours a day in order to accomplish this mission. On the show, the person who loses the least amount of weight or who is voted off, leaves. From what I understand, this difference in this year's show is that there are parent/child teams; a mother/father teamed up with a daughter/son. This week was a pivotal week for contestants, in that two of the individuals were being sent home. Throughout the show, there were a couple clips displaying the team's strategies in case of a loss. On the "black team," there was a discussion of parents giving up there spot, in order for their kids to stay on the show. They felt this opportunity was an opportunity of a lifetime for their children, one that is crucial and life changing. During the weigh in contestant after contestant would walk up to the scale to see their weight loss for the week; a weight gain would be unheard of, except in a situation where someone was giving up a spot in order for another to stay. The first mother stepped on the scale, + 1. The father stepped on the scale, +3. The last mother stepped on the scale, +8. Unheard of, yes. A sacrifice, INTENTIONAL.

It was interesting. While I was watching the show, I was also putting together an I-Tunes playlist. The song, "Jesus Paid It All" was playing. I couldn't help but think about our Heavenly Father sacrificing for us. With no hesitation, the parents on the show sacrificed for their children. "I would do anything for my child." "If I become half the man my Dad is for doing what he did this week..." " These are all my children, I love them dearly, and would do anything for them." Sound familiar? Maybe worded a little differently, but I believe these are the words Jesus spoke to us. Jesus knew the cross would be life changing, he knew it was crucial. With emotions high, BUT NO HESITATION, and love on display I saw parent after parent give up their spot for their child. How much more was the sacrifice of our King on the cross. Life for life. Love for love. "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." I owe my life to Jesus for what He did on the cross for me. He knew the life I was going to live, the mistakes I was going to make, all the while enduring the crucifixion of the cross. No one in my life can say they have done the same thing for me. No one. My family has sacrificed certain things for me and some of my friends have sacrificed things for me, but not one single person in my life, besides the Lord Almighty can claim they have intentionally died (and rose again) in order for me to live. I am forever thankful and forever humbled by a gesture so powerful. Blessed be your Name.

Love Deeply

His Treasured Possession

Deuteronomy 7:6-9:

"The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharoah king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."

God continues to bring me back to this scripture in my quiet times with Him. I feel that He wants me to read it and re-read it, and read it again, and again in order for me to claim His love over my life. He is beautiful. He is faithful. And I do, I do claim that love over my life. Blessed be His name. The thought of our Jesus calling me His treasured possession, and calling you His treasured possession penetrates my soul deeply. It gives me that feeling of just wanting to fall into His lap and rest in His goodness and mercy. It gives me that feeling of taking in a breath of His peace and letting out all the worries of the world. It gives me that feeling of precious security. My friends, we cannot run from His love. It is a covenant spoken over us and promised to us by a King that reigns supreme over this world. May we all receive this love and walk in the wholeness He has called us to walk in.

Trust

Where is your trust? Or should I say, who do you find your trust in? Has your trust been broken? Have you broken the trust of others? I think everyone can relate in some way to the failure of trust in their life. Some of you may have experienced this when you were younger, some may have experienced it a couple years ago, and some may be going through it right now. Trust is defined as, "reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety of a person or thing; confidence." Another definition of trust is, "something committed or entrusted to one's care for use or safekeeping."

Unfortunately, but fortunately, the Lord is teaching me greatly about trusting others. "It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man." Psalm 118:8. "Some trust in chariots, some trust in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7. In both of these scriptures, the emphasis is placing our trust in the Lord. I read recently that our deepest loyalty must be to the Father. This is obvious, right? You would think, but I don't know if it's that easy. We have to figure in our closest friends, we have to figure in family, we have to figure in spouses, we have to figure in those who we feel a true bond to. I believe our trust, consciously or subconsciously is given to people here on earth. In some ways, I think we put so much trust in others, where we feel as though they can do no wrong (again consciously or subconsciously). This swings open the door for heartache, brokenness, misunderstanding, frustration, hurt ect. I have been reminded recently that again the Word says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord, than to trust in man." As hard as it may be to read this and think about, man will always fail you. I have failed people, and people have failed me.

I am not trying to say that we cannot trust anyone here on earth, but what I want to encourage you with is that our deepest trust must remain in the One who will never fail us. Our God is faithful. Jesus continues to remind me these days of the difference between Him and "man." I am thankful that we serve a Father who is perfect, holy, righteous, pure, loving, and ever so worthy of our praise. Blessed be His name...

Love deeply

I Can't Wait

I was finishing reading 2 Peter yesterday. The words Peter spoke and wrote about really encouraged me so I thought I would share it with you. Two scriptures completely penetrated my soul. The first was in verse 9; it states "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Not wanting anyone to perish. This is something I know and have heard, but it is always so good to come across truth like this unexpectedly in His Word. This hits home to me, for the simple fact that I have people I love dearly in my life who do not have a relationship with the Lord yet. I have been faithful in prayer for them and will continue to be. My heart yearns for them to receive and live out the unconditional love of a Father that will never leave them nor forsake them. His love, His grace, His mercy, compassion, and presence screams out patience through this scripture. The Lord's number one desire of His heart is to bring all people to Him. He waits for His beautiful creation to bow at His feet, crying out for a King and a Savior. That day will come for the people in my life and the people in your life that you find yourself interceding for. The love our God has for these beautiful souls far outweigh our love for them.

The second scripture that really stuck out to me was found in verse 13: "But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." I CANNOT WAIT for this! The home of righteousness. No sickness. No broken relationships. No physical pain. No emotional hurt. No sin. No death. Jesus in His Glory. Man, what a day that will be. Can you imagine? My heart and mind go all over the place trying to visualize what this new heaven and this new earth will look like, feel like, and be like. Jesus in His Glory again is enough for me, but to have the honor and privilege to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ with people from different nation, tribes, and tongues. There is no other place I would rather be.

I pray that these scriptures encourage you as much as they did me. Our God is faithful.

Love Deeply