Memorizing scripture used to be one of those things that I thought I ought to do. When I realized that, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….and the word became flesh.” Well, somehow that just moved it up the priority list for me. Bread of life, God was the Word, God’s word. A sharpened perspective, wisdom waiting on every page to be discerned, taught by the Holy Spirit. Disobedience is one thing but ignorance – well how much sin could we avoid in our life if we only knew!
I’m a kinesthetic learner, which is a fancy way to say I gotta do it to get it. I have to connect physical with mental to get it to sink in deep, carve it long into my aged brain cells. So when it comes to memorizing scripture, I could write it out a hundred times like writing sentences in the 3rd grade, but who has time for that?
So when it came to the task of memorizing scripture I needed to find a way to connect physical, spiritual and mental for it to soak in deep and saturate my heart. Again He calls me to the running trails to show me, teach me, remind me. Heart, mind and soul unified - Faithfully Fit.
A verse, a phrase, a word with each heel strike on the trail… Step towards Him. Breathe Him in deep. “Love is patient.” Step closer. Breathe Him in deeper. “Love is kind.” Step into His presence. Breathe in the Word. “… It is not proud.” Step. Breathe in healing, comfort and peace. “… It keeps no record of wrongs.” Steps become easier. And His words become the air in my lungs as I inhale the goodness of Christ and exhale the misery He rescued me from. Breathing in Yahweh, the Word, breathing Him in when I am gasping for air in desperation as the world tries to take hold of me, has me in its clutches. Breathe in truth, power, freedom. Wrestle with the flesh through the lungs and breathe in the victory. “Love never fails.” Never.
Will you join me? I'm memorizing 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Maybe your verse is different. Maybe your methods are too... I'd love to hear your approach to memorizing Scripture.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Praying for Japan
Earthquake after earthquake, tsunami waves and warnings, nuclear explosions, terror, destruction, uncertainty, the most desperate of conditions. The island of Japan is not what it once was and I'm sure the people have had little time between searching for food and loved ones to stop and try to make sense of it all. And what sense can really be made of it? I mean, sometimes there is no explanation other than God is God and we just don't see what He sees. It is in the midst of these times of complete chaos and uncertainty that He invites us to seek refuge in His throne room, to fall to our knees, to enter His presence, with thanksgiving and praise. They call this the hard thanksgiving. When everything you see is falling apart, being thankful that what you don’t see is still standing - firm and steadfast, unshakeable, good. It is times like these we stand to find the purest of blessings, our way to the only true and good place– real safety in His arms, at the center of His will, a shelter from any storm, certainty beyond circumstances.
My heart breaks for the circumstances in Japan, and my heart leaps at the hope and opportunity to be found by the Japanese people, by us all. Hope in a God that is good, all the time, even in 10 feet of debris and destruction with fires raging on and loved ones buried alive. Even in these circumstances, His message is the same.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” – Isaiah 43:1-3
Believing that He still has a plan for you, even after the shattered pieces fall to the water-soaked, debris littered, hopeless looking earth, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, He can put all the pieces back together more beautifully than they started? That’s faith. That’s a hope that is secure.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Let’s pray for the Japanese people and those God has called to serve in this crisis…
Abba Father, thank you for your goodness. Thank you for seeing what we can’t and loving us in the middle of our unbelief and doubt. Thank you that you get our attention, that you love us enough to remove scales and show us a little more of your glory every day. We know that you are in the middle of this disaster, calling brothers and sisters out of darkness, reminding us all that there is no other God apart from you. We lift up a nation that as a whole does not know you and we pray that your message will be heard in the midst of the debris, despite the destruction, for the glory of your kingdom. We pray for the ones you have called to serve and minister to these people, as well as the nation of Japan. Lord, we ask for your hedge of protection around the physical land, around the nuclear power plants, around the hearts of the people there. Lord, thank you for your sovereignty and for meeting us right where we are today and waiting for us in tomorrow. We ask that you rain down your mercy and peace on the island and people of Japan. Reveal yourself to them, God, so they will know real safety, certainty, peace. Lord, we pray that you bless the efforts of those you have sent to clean up, minister, serve. Lord, we praise you and honor you, the only one worthy of it. In Jesus’ precious, powerful, holy name. Amen.
My heart breaks for the circumstances in Japan, and my heart leaps at the hope and opportunity to be found by the Japanese people, by us all. Hope in a God that is good, all the time, even in 10 feet of debris and destruction with fires raging on and loved ones buried alive. Even in these circumstances, His message is the same.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
“Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” – Isaiah 43:1-3
Believing that He still has a plan for you, even after the shattered pieces fall to the water-soaked, debris littered, hopeless looking earth, and hoping that maybe, just maybe, He can put all the pieces back together more beautifully than they started? That’s faith. That’s a hope that is secure.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6
Let’s pray for the Japanese people and those God has called to serve in this crisis…
Abba Father, thank you for your goodness. Thank you for seeing what we can’t and loving us in the middle of our unbelief and doubt. Thank you that you get our attention, that you love us enough to remove scales and show us a little more of your glory every day. We know that you are in the middle of this disaster, calling brothers and sisters out of darkness, reminding us all that there is no other God apart from you. We lift up a nation that as a whole does not know you and we pray that your message will be heard in the midst of the debris, despite the destruction, for the glory of your kingdom. We pray for the ones you have called to serve and minister to these people, as well as the nation of Japan. Lord, we ask for your hedge of protection around the physical land, around the nuclear power plants, around the hearts of the people there. Lord, thank you for your sovereignty and for meeting us right where we are today and waiting for us in tomorrow. We ask that you rain down your mercy and peace on the island and people of Japan. Reveal yourself to them, God, so they will know real safety, certainty, peace. Lord, we pray that you bless the efforts of those you have sent to clean up, minister, serve. Lord, we praise you and honor you, the only one worthy of it. In Jesus’ precious, powerful, holy name. Amen.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Run the Race Marked Out for You
For those of you interested in running a road race or two, I thought I would compile a list of some of the most popular local races. But please! See below for resources on how to find races that will suit your interests.
Just in case anyone is not up on the lingo of racing, here is a mini-glossary:
1K - .62 miles
5K – 3.1 miles
7K – 4.35 miles
10K – 6.2 miles
½ Marathon (1/2M) – 13.1 miles
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Mile split – how fast you run each mile
Pace – this is your general speed which will vary depending on length of race. In training often times, there will be a call to run at your 5k pace or 10k pace.
Race for fun (listed in order of occurrence, I think):
Runnin’ of the Green Lucky 7K
Cherry Creek Sneak 5 Miler
Colorado Colfax Marathon
Mother's Day Title 9K+ (women and kids under 18 only! Race category for moms with strollers!)
Bolder Boulder 10K (hands down the funnest race I've ever run. You run into Folsom Field and a crowd cheering for the finish line... pretty cool for us mere mortals! I'll be there!!!!! Will you?)
Garden of the Gods 10 Miler (one day I will run this race. It's been on my list for years... the vistas, the challenge of elevation and distance mixed together, and it's in a place close to my heart... but not this year)
Slacker ½ Marathon, ½ Marathon Relay and 4 Miler (Most challenging race I've ever run, which may not be saying a lot as I'm not super experienced at racing. But I did lose 2 toenails in this one - just sayin...)
Boulder Marathon (same course as former Boulder Backroads Marathon and 1/2M, I believe) - hurry for this one as registration is capped. Backroads of Boulder are BEAUTIFUL!
Rock –n- Roll Marathon,1/2M, ING Marathon Relay
So Long to Summer 5K (usually in August though no info as of yet-this one may not be terribly popluar but it's in Parker)
Georgetown to Idaho Springs 1/2M
Run for the cause:
Denver Komen’s Race for the Cure 5K
Check http://www.active.com/ for the multitude of races benefiting a variety of causes.
Racing and training resources:
http://www.active.com/ (find your own races based on location, distance and level)
http://www.runnersworld.com/ (also a good resource for races as well as training)
Training programs:
The Couch to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml.
The Complete Book of Running for Women (5K, 10K, 1/2M, Marathon)
Also, keep in mind that entry fees vary for each race depending on size of race and the goody bag/t-shirt you receive with your entry fee. Most of the races I've listed are professionally timed, usually using a tag timing system, so it's pretty official and you don't really need to time it yourself. Be sure to check the race websites for up to date information on each race (including parking, race course, rules and limitations, etc.) before you register.
Seriously, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the racing world. Racing can be a fun way to stay motivated and remember the real race we all run everyday!
Just in case anyone is not up on the lingo of racing, here is a mini-glossary:
1K - .62 miles
5K – 3.1 miles
7K – 4.35 miles
10K – 6.2 miles
½ Marathon (1/2M) – 13.1 miles
Marathon – 26.2 miles
Mile split – how fast you run each mile
Pace – this is your general speed which will vary depending on length of race. In training often times, there will be a call to run at your 5k pace or 10k pace.
Race for fun (listed in order of occurrence, I think):
Runnin’ of the Green Lucky 7K
Cherry Creek Sneak 5 Miler
Colorado Colfax Marathon
Mother's Day Title 9K+ (women and kids under 18 only! Race category for moms with strollers!)
Bolder Boulder 10K (hands down the funnest race I've ever run. You run into Folsom Field and a crowd cheering for the finish line... pretty cool for us mere mortals! I'll be there!!!!! Will you?)
Garden of the Gods 10 Miler (one day I will run this race. It's been on my list for years... the vistas, the challenge of elevation and distance mixed together, and it's in a place close to my heart... but not this year)
Slacker ½ Marathon, ½ Marathon Relay and 4 Miler (Most challenging race I've ever run, which may not be saying a lot as I'm not super experienced at racing. But I did lose 2 toenails in this one - just sayin...)
Boulder Marathon (same course as former Boulder Backroads Marathon and 1/2M, I believe) - hurry for this one as registration is capped. Backroads of Boulder are BEAUTIFUL!
Rock –n- Roll Marathon,1/2M, ING Marathon Relay
So Long to Summer 5K (usually in August though no info as of yet-this one may not be terribly popluar but it's in Parker)
Georgetown to Idaho Springs 1/2M
Run for the cause:
Denver Komen’s Race for the Cure 5K
Check http://www.active.com/ for the multitude of races benefiting a variety of causes.
Racing and training resources:
http://www.active.com/ (find your own races based on location, distance and level)
http://www.runnersworld.com/ (also a good resource for races as well as training)
Training programs:
The Couch to 5K: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml.
The Complete Book of Running for Women (5K, 10K, 1/2M, Marathon)
Also, keep in mind that entry fees vary for each race depending on size of race and the goody bag/t-shirt you receive with your entry fee. Most of the races I've listed are professionally timed, usually using a tag timing system, so it's pretty official and you don't really need to time it yourself. Be sure to check the race websites for up to date information on each race (including parking, race course, rules and limitations, etc.) before you register.
Seriously, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the racing world. Racing can be a fun way to stay motivated and remember the real race we all run everyday!
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