Running the Race with Endurance and Perseverance

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated at the place of honor beside God's throne." Hebrews 12:1-2, NLT

Do you see what all this means- all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running - and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilirating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honour, right alongside God."

Hebrews 12:1-2, The Message

Last Sunday was the first time I would cross a finish line. As I rounded the corner towards the final stretch, I could hear the crowd, the runners and the announcer cheering me on. I should have been tired, just about out of steam...but I felt a surge of energy that defies description. There was nothing holding me back - I sprinted toward the finish line, and jumped for joy at having accomplished my goal. My friends had high fives and congratulations for me, a medal was placed around my neck, and I was on a natural high that lasted for some time! I am not sure I have ever been so proud of myself...

If you had asked me if I ran a few months ago, or a few years ago, I would have laughed out loud. It is not something I ever envisioned doing. Yet it was part of God's plan for me, and He has been teaching me about my life and myself as I learned to run. I learned there were things I had to

strip off and leave behind - negative thinking, a lack of faith in myself, a tendency to give up. I learned that running was all about slowing down to my own unique pace, and being persistent and consistent in my training. It was also about relying on support, encouragement and help from those who had run before. All of these are parallels to living the life of faith that Paul describes so well in Hebrews 12:1-2.

I also noticed something after my race: it was much, much easier to "witness" about my running, and my experience at the race, than it is to witness about my life in faith. The natural high helped of course, and reminded me of how I felt after completing a Challenge or Cursillo weekend. But others seemed genuinely interested in my experience, and I was not afraid to tell them about it.
However, I seem to hesitate, or falter, in telling others about my faith. With a chosen few, I am open. But with many others, my fear of offending, my fear of rejection, these things hold me back. I am silent when I could say so much about Christ and what His love has done in my life.

Lord Jesus, help me to continue on the race of faith so that I may cross the finish line with exhiliration and joy in Your presence. Give me the courage to try to be an effective witness for You, telling others of the love, healing and peace you have brought to my life. Let me keep my eyes always on You. Make me bold, energetic and full of life as I share Your message. Help me to overcome whatever obstacles or fears are in my way, knowing that the prize You have promised is worth it all. Amen

A Little Low on Gas: Refilling & Recharging Emotionally

"Take the time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit." 1Timothy 4:8 (Phillips)

"So many people were coming and going. Jesus said to them,"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31 NIV


I have a six year old tiny little car. When it gets low on gas, it voices it's displeasure, chugging up hills, lacking the power to drive at the speed of life. Sometimes I forget to check the gas tank gauge to see how it's doing, but it will remind me in these not-so-subtle ways. If it could speak it would be shouting "Go get your gas tank filled already!"

Sometimes I wish I came with a gas gauge. I find it difficult to judge when I am running on empty. I have started to notice that lack of energy and enthusiasm, difficulty sleeping, and dreaming all night might be signs of my own gas tank running on empty. Good to know before my life stalls in the middle of the fast lane!

I finally took a day off this week to pray and see what I needed to do to recharge emotionally. As I sat down to pray, I picked up an old half-filled prayer journal and out dropped a series of devotionals on"Recharging Emotionally". Coincidence? I think not. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for listening to my unspoken prayers.

How can I keep myself spiritually fit? 1) daily quiet and prayer time
2) belonging to a small group where the focus is faith
3) worship and praise
4) solitude
5) recreation
6) laughter
7) rest
8) balanced diet
9) regular exercise

I know these things, yet I need reminders and also time to consider, how well am I doing? Where could I improve? If I am going to fulfill my mission of being a blessing to others, I need to be recharged and refilled. The Holy Spirit will come and fill me with Christ's love and presence, but I have to create a space where He can work in me.

Lord Jesus, thank you for hearing my pleas and prayers to you. I want to be filled with your presence, so that I can go out and be a blessing to others. Bring me to a quiet place regularly, so that I can rest with You and be renewed with energy and enthusiasm, to accomplish the plans you have for me. Help me to find ways to keep spiritually fit and emotionally recharged, ready to do your work! Amen

More Healing Word of God: Matthew 11:19; Proverbs 17:22; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 6:20

Listening for God's Voice

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding."
Job 37:5 NIV

"So, as the Holy Spirit says,"Today, if you hear God's voice, do not harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:7-8

"Drop everything and listen, listen as He speaks: don't turn a deaf ear..."
Psalm 95:7 The Message

Listening for God's voice does not seem to be an easy thing to do. There are so many noises and distractions in my world, that quiet seems to be an unattainable luxury. I hear conversation, the television, music, shouts of "Mo-o-o-m", the background noise of everyday life. How can I hear God through all of that?

Luckily God is creative at catching my attention: His voice thunders in marvelous ways. He may bring a piece of Scripture to mind, or point it out in a reading I am doing: today it was the phrase "if today you hear God's voice, harden not your hearts". I ask myself: how is my heart hardened? with busyness, tiredness, a focus on self, attention paid to the distractions rather than the priorities...just to name a few!

Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to me...when I hear that still small voice, or notice a pattern or lesson that keeps coming up in my life. I think the Holy Spirit has been using the new-to-me challenge of learning to run, as a way to teach me. Lately, the message has been : SLOW DOWN and STAY CONSISTENT. Only when I slowed my pace (I am starting to question whether I am related to the turtle!) was I able to run as far and as long as I wanted to. And if I skip a day or two or a few of exercising, it is easy to get off track and lose a lot of the progress I've made. How do you think this might apply to my life in faith? I can see quite a few similarities....

God's voice is also heard through my Christian friends. They encourage me, uplift me, give me food for thought, and help me to "slow down and stay consistent" in my life of faith. A lunch date, a comment on Facebook, a telephone chat, who knows what means God may be using to catch your attention and help you to hear His voice....

Lord, help me to drop everything, and listen as You speak. Help me to notice the big and small ways You are trying to get my attention and to teach me. Soften my heart, open my mind and unplug my ears so that your message will stay and take root in my heart. I know and believe that You are doing great things beyond my understanding. I give thanks to You and praise Your holy name. Amen

More Healing Word of God: Isaiah 28:23; John 10:27

Weakness Turned Into Strength

"Then (God) told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become."
2 Corinthians 12:9-12 The Message

"I'll refresh tired bodies;I'll restore tired souls." Jeremiah 31:25 The Message

I am tired and feeling it these days: physically but especially mentally. I get frustrated with myself when this happens, especially when there is "no good reason" (or so my warped thinking tries to have me believe). "It's just life, deal with it!", I hear myself saying inside my head.

Yes, it's just life, but it has been tiring. The death of a dear neighbor, the busyness of the end of school year, the never-ending daily to-do's, the flurry of too many clients' stories, and who knows what else are floating around in my tired brain.

Luckily for me, God will refresh tired bodies and restore tired souls. I am counting on Him to do it, for I certainly can not do it on my own, and I have no desire to crash and burn. I am still on a sharp learning curve when it comes to the message in 2Corinthians 12:9-12.

Weakness is so often seen as a negative, and I certainly can get down on myself when I think I am weak (like this week!) But Jesus reminds me that weakness is a strength, when I rely on Him to get me through and fill me up with His strength: for then I can accomplish what alone would be impossible.

Jesus, help me to remember that whether I am tired, feeling my limitations, have been cut down to size or have run into unexpected obstacles, that You and your grace are all I need. You will turn my weakness into your supernatural strength, if only I can humble myself long enough to admit I need your help. Jesus, please take over my life: restore me, refresh me, turn my weakness into Your strength. Amen

More Healing Word of God: Mark 6:31; Psalm 119:114

Sift Before You Take Things To Heart

"For it is God's will that by doing good, you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1Peter 2:15 NIV

"A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11 NIV

"Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." James 3:17 The Message

Have you ever been to Frenchy's or a similar type of used clothing store? As a girl who loved to play dress up from the time I could barely dress myself, Frenchy's was a wonderful discovery. I could sift through bins and bins of clothing, looking for treasures that fit me and my personality, at dollar store prices. It is a challenge, as there are lots of things that don`t fit or aren`t my style or have some flaws. But for those few pieces that are diamonds in the rough, it`s so worth it!

Lately I have been working on sifting and sorting through my thoughts, as well as the comments that come my way from others. There are certainly lots of things running through my mind that are far from wise and loving. And I struggle with how to deal with the negativity and hurtfulness that I run into listening to others. It has occurred to me that often, it`s like I`m taking home the entire bin from Frenchy`s...good, bad, fit or misfit, ugly and spectacular. Why I am taking all those thoughts home to my heart...when there may only be one or two that truly fit me ?

Rather than taking it all to heart, I want to sift and sort until I know what fits and was made for me. Are the comments and thoughts gentle and reasonable, do they encourage getting along with others, are they merciful and a blessing to those who hear them ? Are they consistent with God`s Word and considerate of others ? If so, they fit me well, and I can take them home and show them off proudly. If not, God says they don`t belong in my heart and I can leave them behind.

Overlooking an offense is not easy, however with God`s help it can be done. In fact, in 1Peter 2:15 He challenges us to silence foolishness and ignorance by doing good ourselves. Maybe rather than taking home a thought that hurts or doesn`t fit, I can give that person a comment that is a blessing....sure sounds like an interesting way to end an argument! Jesus was a master at doing this very thing...I hope I can imitate Him some day.

Lord Jesus, help me to sift and sort through both my thoughts and the comments and actions of others. Rather than hanging onto everything I think or hear, help me to discard what is not from You. Teach me to hang onto only what fits into a holy life, and take that home to my heart. As I sort through others` comments, it would be easy to get offended. Help me to have Your patience, to overlook what might offend, and to offer something of a blessing in return. Amen

More Healing Word of God: 1Peter 2:23

WWJS: What Would Jesus SAY ?

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV

"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." Ephesians 4:29 The Message

"...for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." Matthew 12:34 NIV

I have been learning about, and practicing mindfulness meditation for the last few weeks at work. I have really enjoyed carving time out of my day to be still and silent, but it is not without it's challenges.

It is certainly a wake up call as to how many thoughts and feelings I have on a daily basis, many of them not useful or downright anxiety-provoking and negative. It is challenging to not be judgemental of these thoughts, and to accept them and treat them with kindness, then re-focus on my breath.

Mindfulness meditation is rooted in Buddhism, and our teacher, who is a Sister of Saint Martha, challenged us to practice our mindfulness this week with the concept of "right speech". She made reference to Ephesians 4:29 noting that speaking kindly and with a positive purpose is not easy, but a wonderful goal to aim for (and to pray for help with!).

Although I have made improvements in this area, I know there is much further to go. This week I challenged myself to pay attention to how I speak about a co-worker. Although I am not downright nasty, I have often found myself speaking less than positively about her. I have to ask myself: What Would Jesus Say?

My prayer this week is that I will catch myself sooner, say less, think about what I say before I say it, and pray for her rather than putting her down. I have not been entirely successful! but I can say that I am more mindful and am making "baby steps" progress.

Lord Jesus, I pray that each word out of my mouth will be a blessing and a gift to those who may receive it. Cleanse my heart, so that what flows out of my heart into my mouth will be positive, good, and helpful. Help me to pause before I say something; be my "editor" so that what my words will be Your words. Amen

Life Steps: Pick one baby step area where you could improve your "right speech". Is there one person you could be kinder to, or one area of your life you pay less attention to your speech (home, work, play), or even one aspect of your speech (tone, swearing, volume) that could use improvement?

More Healing Word of God: Psalm 141:3; Proverbs 21:23; Ecclesiastes 10:12

Shine Like Silver

"For you, God, tested us, you refined us like silver." Psalm 66:10 NIV

"And so, we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become more like Him."
2Corinthians 3:18 The Message

Bling. Jewelry. A bit of shine adds a lot to an outfit. It catches my attention and says "look at me". I feel more confident when I'm wearing something shiny that complements what I'm wearing. I'm not a flamboyant dresser but I often get compliments when I wear an eye-catching piece of jewelry.

I never gave much thought to how my bling was made. Some of my favorite pieces are silver, and I read a little story recently that made me pause and think. A silversmith makes silver beautiful by holding it in the fire and letting it heat up. In order to refine it (make it pure and beautiful) he has to hold it in the hottest part of the fire to burn away all the impurities. And the silversmith must keep his eye on the silver at all times, because if it is left in the fire just a moment too long, it will be destroyed. But how does the silversmith know when the silver is fully refined? When he sees his image in it!

Can you see God as the silversmith of your life? At times, we wonder why He is "holding us in the fire"...it's not fun to go through life's difficulties and challenges and we would often give anything to get out of the fire. But God knows what He's doing: he is trying to make us pure and beautiful, so we can shine like silver and show His reflection to the world. Just like a beautiful piece of bling, he wants others to notice our shiny presence and wonder how we got so beautiful - on the inside and out. When we allow Him into our lives, He will gradually make us more like Him: brighter, more beautiful, pure and holy. When you are feeling the heat of the fire, don't forget that He has His eye on you every moment: he knows how much is enough....just enough to make you shine like silver.

Lord Jesus, thank you for gradually making me shine like silver. Though the refining process is not always enjoyable, help me to remember you are keeping a careful eye on me while I walk through the fire, and you will not allow me to get burned. Help me to learn the lessons you have in mind, quickly and well, so that I may life a brighter and more beautiful life. May Your presence shine like silver through me, so that I may draw others closer to You. Amen.

More Healing Word of God: Malachi 3:3; Proverbs 17:3; Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 13:9