Another day...another race

What an absolutely gorgeous, and truly perfect, day fo r running a race. There are several factors in life that are out of one's control, and weather is just one of them. When the Lord just seems to pause for a moment, in the midst of all creation, and hand-picks a day made especially for you, you can't help but he completely grateful for his love.

Aaron, Jeff, Tom, Gordon, Matt, and Jeff's friend (don't you just fret you can't remember someone's name!) all gathered this morning at 6:30 am and headed to Tuttle Mall for the start of a 13.1 mile race. Doesn't that sound just so appealing? I have to tell you, I didn't even mind being in the estrogen minority, it was such a ball to hang out, joke, and stretch together before the 7:30 buzzer set us off in motion. And that it did, the beginning where legs are still fresh, goal time are in your grasp, and your heart is pumpin. Just wanted to share a few highlights from today.

1. Gordon, I can't thank you enough for the conversation those first few miles, it really helped push me along, more than you know.
2. Aaron, I'm so thankful for the time we ran together. You helped me set my sites back on Jesus in the midst of my human desire to focus on the pain. My heart melted to pieces when you handed me your water because I missed mine in the fly by, THEN ran back to retrieve some for yourself. I love you more each and every day. Thanks for the song, "He carries me..."
3. Lord I thank you for confirming your presence to me over and over today - answering my prayers for strength, filling me with your living water, sending an "eagle" overhead at mile 7, allowing me to drop some baggage at mile 9, then giving me an amazing spilt time, reaching through the cheers of the crowd, bringing me to the finish line - in my fastest time yet - ONLY YOU!
4. To all the men - congratulations first timers! Congratulations on many PRs! You inspire all those around you. Kuddos to your healthy hearts.

Thanks so much for spending a few moments reliving the memories of today. In my humble opinion, we all have "marathons" that we run, some daily. All the races look a bit different, but we're all in a race to make our lives count. What do you want to do with yours? Are you currently doing it? "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but who gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24

I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Pictures to come. Have a wonderful Sunday in and with Him!

The desires of your heart

Last evening and this morning, I got to spend some time with God. I was ushered into his presence by worship leader Travis Cottrell and spoken to by His servant Beth Moore, all through the miracles of technology. I was able to take part in an event hosted in Green Bay by simply traveling 10 minutes away and paying a minimal cost. They were such precious moments with Him. I thank my husband for simply being the best father and most supportive teammate. The kids were bursting with stories of what they "did" together when I returned.

Just wanted to share with you today a few points to ponder as we took a deeper look at Psalm 37, more specifically verse 4. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

1. Nothing dictates our lives like our desires.

2. Beneath the desires of our heart, is the heart of our desires.

3. Delighting in God adapts our desires into inevitabilities.

4. Nothing external can steal our right to delight.

5. To make room for delight, we've got to commit.

6. Nothing is passive about patiently waiting for desire to turn into delight.

7. Till faith becomes sight, trust God and do good (good, not right).

Under point number 4, Beth asked us, "What's taking a bite out of your personal delight?" She offered an acrostic - our JAW - jealously, anger, worry. Wow, lots to chew on there, no pun intended.

Basically, God gave me time to meet with Him today, in many unexpected ways. I went by myself (all in His plan), I came with some "issues" (all in my doing), and I sat with eyes-wide open, coming face to face with some of my uglies. I had a choice to make, face it or run. I think I'll leave the runnin for tomorrow. Because of his abundant grace and his overflowing mercy, I became unglued. My prayer lately: Lord, unsettle me. He answered. In fact, he prodded me to scooch over in the pew and reach out to the stranger next to me. I must have said no at least five times, and before I knew it, I had physically moved and my mouth was moving. Through this precious woman, I stepped out of my selfish, self-centered state to reach out for a moment, and I met Him right there, through the bluest, most honest eyes I've ever seen. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Carol.

For more information about Living Proof Ministries, check out the link to the right (Beth Moore), it's chock-full of great stuff, including a Texas sheetcake recipe that's been all the rave. Have a fabulous Sunday with Him tomorrow, I can't wait to run along the river and drink in his goodness tomorrow morning alongside my life partner. Until next time...

All things new

Been doing a little bit of reading lately, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share in my gratitude to Max. Yes, I fell like I can address him as such being as how we have a family picture with he and his beautiful wife Denalyn. Well, in reality, we stood in line at Sam's Club, and they were gracious enough to allow a Sam's Club worker to snap a shot for us :) He is one of Aaron's all-time fav's! And I must admit, this newest release does not disappoint. He is able to take a subject that affects each and every one of us, and use his gift of words to bring God's truth to life, sprinkled with hope and encouragement. He writes,

Fear will always knock on your door. Just don't invite it in for dinner. And for heaven's sake, don't offer it a bed for the night.

Several chapters challenged my current perspectives and left me to ponder, while others simply gave me words to put to thoughts that have been rolling around in my brain for quite some time. In a chapter entitled, "The Shadow of Doubt", Max cuts to the heart of the matter by looking at our doubts of the basic foundations of who and even if God is. In discussing the resurrection of Jesus, he zooms in on Jesus visiting both men on the way to Emmaus as well as the disciples. When asked the question, what would Christ have us do with our doubts. His answer can be summed up - touch my body and ponder my story.

He goes on to further state, "We can still touch the body of Christ. When we brush up against the church, we do just that." The church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself" (Eph. 1:23 NLT).

Max continues to say, "Christ distributes courage through community; he dissipates doubts through fellowship. He never deposits all knowledge in one person but distributes pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to many. When you interlock your understanding with mine, and we share our discoveries.... When we mix, mingle, confess, and pray, Christ speaks."

I just love that view of the church body, the community unto which we long for, were created for, are called to.

Yet another awesome read was placed in my hand at the She Speaks conference. Mary Demuth is the author and she writes a fiction story about a picture-perfect small town that "hides more secrets than the curved petals of a blood red rose." To read more about it, go to She Reads, an amazing new ministry that desires to place great Christian fiction into the hands of those who might be apt to pick up a story that will lead them to the true story of Christ. In fact, because it was simply placed in my hands as a gift, I would to pass this along. If you are interested, let me know and I will be more than willing to hook you up. Next up is a book titled, The Shape of Mercy, by Susan Meissner. Review to come and anther to give away!

Lastly, I just wanted to mention another "all things new" before closing. This Sunday, Aaron and I will rise early and hit the street, Riverside Drive that is, for another half-marathon race together. The amazing newness of this one is that we will be surrounded my friends as well. Our neighbor Tom, our friend and long-time runner, Gordon, Aaron's college buddy Jeff, and yet another long-time runner and friend, Matt will be amongst the thousands pursuing their journey with Jesus for a brief two hours of an achy-leg battle. I covet your prayers for strength and endurance as the Lord allows this amazing opportunity in our lives. Oh, and by the way, Aaron will be wearing a Fearless T-shirt, as he's been sending tweets back and forth with the Lucado crew! Have a fabulous weekend!

P.S. Brynn's funny statement of the day: "Mom, when you brush my hair, can you give me a brain?" (Still workin on the word braiD).

The last HU-RAH!

Twas the week before school, and all through the house, all creatures were stirring, even our "mouse". As we filled up our time with last minute summer fun, my camera fearlessly snapped, attempting the catch all the moments in the sun.

We began with a trip to Cleveland, Ohio. Back to our roots, down the red-brick road to Lamson Ave. where my parents have lived for the past 26 years of their life. We love visiting Grandma and Papa. She always has the best treats ready to consume, plans to fill up our fun days, and beds made where her little ones once lay. We had bee-utiful weather this week, in fact, we had the best day for the beach. Yes, the beach of Mentor Headlands, one I frequented growing up, and lo and behold, there were even waves that day! As I tucked the kids in at night, I couldn't help but reflect on the changes that time brings. Many things in Bedford have changed over the years, but some have not, and those struck me the most. The same ladies who serve at a co-op nursery school, the same lady who lives at the end of the street, the same parents who loved my siblings and I with all their hearts, now pour forth the same love into their grandkids. Jesus, you have blessed us beyond words.

Next we planned a family day at King's Island. Another amazing day with perfect weather, definitely a highlight of our summer. We were so proud of them, they walked, waited, and rode rides for 12 straight hours. All this complete with some cash in our pocket and a camera in the other - no strollers, diaper bags, sippy cups, or A bag for that matter - ushering in a new season of our lives. They are STILL talking about it :)

We joined the Heart Walk in Columbus in support of our friends and in honor of Great-Grandpa Anderson, yet another beautiful day. We continued to add a baby shower, a birthday party, a visit to the hospital for the birth of another baby, a baptism, and at the end of the day, sat by the fire in amazement of the summer. God is good, all the time, all the time, God is good.

So here's to another amazing summer, looking forward to another year of learning. For all of these, I sit in awe.

Taste and see that the Lord is good... Psalm 34:8

The Beautiful Struggle

Just wanted to give a shout out to my Creator this evening! He orchestrated such a beautiful day for our family. It began with a morning run. I awoke a bit early, actually refreshed, grabbed my Nano, and hit the streets. I witnessed the most gorgeous sunrise today, colors strewn across the sky due to the thick haze. As I rounded a bend, a monologue by Kirk Franklin rang in my ears. He mentioned two words that really struck me - beautiful struggle.

It wasn't so much the two words individually, but the two put together that got me pondering... How often do we avoid struggle, run from the thought of pain, discomfort or inconvenience? My three children are at a point in the year where siblings arguments flair up easily and frequently. After numerous (and I do mean numerous) discussions and problem solving sessions have taken place, I've reached the point of avoidance. Anything to quickly correct the issue or even avoid it all together are my first thoughts. It's a natural reaction, it's human, it's flesh. In my discussion with Jesus this morning, I thought, perhaps, I needed to ask for a perspective change. The struggle, can it be a beautiful thing? We all know the answer, we've experienced it before... the good that comes from the testing.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5

I've noticed a bit of an inward struggle myself this week. For me, a struggle lies dormant inside, yet manifests itself in an outward fashion. I find myself short, snippy, impatient with the ones I love the most. I recognize it, let it go a few times, even ask for forgiveness, yet it shows up again and again. In my heart to heart this morning, I had an opportunity to process. As it mentions in James, I simply asked for wisdom. He simply answered me so beautifully, so personally. I returned with such a renewing in my heart. Am I "fixed"? Nope. I screwed up again nearing bedtime. Yet, it doesn't discount the beauty of this morning, and any other "morning" for that matter. As a child myself, I've crawled into his lap, asked for forgiveness, and received peace.

The day continued with some great family time walking in his creation at Hocking Hills, a beautiful cave, and almost-waterfall, not too far from home. What a joy to be able to "show" our children and talk about our Creator. After a great dinner and some evening hoops in the backyard (of which I was able to beat both "boys" at 3-point shoot-out :), we cooled off and settled down for a little r-n-r. As I cuddled with the kids, flippin from gymnastics to little-league games, I reveled in the beauty that he affords us in each and every day. Do we look for it? Do we listen? Do we watch? Do we talk?

Jesus, I'm looking forward to another gift in the form of tomorrow. Good-night.

Change

Change. How does one little word invite such a broad spectrum of emotions to rise up from the pit of our stomachs to the fore-front of our brains? We don't like it, yet in some strange way, we crave it at the same time. Change brings about fear of the unknown, and also the thrill of a new adventure. Our hearts want to hang on, yet our minds are ready to plunge forward... or is it the other way around? This is where I found myself today - in a quandary of moving my head knowledge down to my heart, and in essence my soul. We're praying about a "change" in our family, and much like this picture, we're nearing decision time.

I got to pondering this topic as I took off for a run with Jesus today, my favorite way to spend some alone time with Him. It was a very hot and humid afternoon today, and I started to feel a little woozy, so I decided to cool down my temp. by walking for a bit. Not sure if you have experienced any type of dehydration before, but one tends to become a little loopy. In this state of backwards euphoria, my relaxed state of mind recognized the gentle whispers of my Jesus ask, "What is it about change?" Why he asks me a question when He already knows the answer still baffles me, yet, I picture him humoring me with a gentle, know-it-all smile, as the question is more for me than Him. Most often a question gets me thinkin. For me, change involves a different path, a different routine, or a change of thinking. I'm attempting more and more to look for the good in change. In fact, I'm actually learning to ask for change because it's in those steps of change that I grow closer and closer to the heart of my Jesus. How does this happen? I ask to grow in knowledge and depth of insight. I'm learning to ask for wisdom. I'm learning that this comes by living, breathing, and walking by faith, not necessarily by sight.

Hebrews 11 :1 ¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

So, for example, when a tree expert visits my house and gives us an estimate on the removal of a dead tree in my backyard, I/we have a choice to make. I can, hang on to the tree in hope and prayer for it to regain it's life so I can "love me some green leaves and shade" again, or I can let go and realize that it, in fact, is dead. As indicated by the picture to my left, our dead 30 foot tree was gone in 20 secs. with a quick chop and a slight force. Upon closer investigation, a brown spot dead center indicated that it had been struck by lightening, yikes! Sometimes you never know what's happening on the outside until you check the inside. AND, what once gave us shade and nestled baby birds within it's branches, now provides wood, and even seats for some fun backyard campfires in the fall season to come. We envision gatherings, stories, and songs being sung around this new use of his creation - that all came about from some change.

SO, as I talk with my Jesus, and again submit my plans to Him, I choose this day to surrender what my feeble eyes can see, and lay it at his feet. A gesture of my ultimate trust in Him, and belief that he has good plans for us, even, and most importantly, when I don't fully understand. I trust you Lord, and I thank you for the peace that helps me to know that I know that you are with me, confirming my thoughts, and answering my prayers. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief (Mark 9:24).

He Speaks

He went (with me), He saw (the plans he had in store for me), He spoke (in such a personal way). I'm just now able to formulate a sentence after an amazing weekend spent with 600 of my sisters in Christ from all over the country and a few from the world. Words fail to describe the atmosphere that surrounded us, like one speaker said, we are all gathered by the same man, we're in love with the same man, and we cannot wait to share this man with all the world - THAT is a miracle. Everyone arrives with hopes, dreams, expectations, and anxiety packed in amongst their clothing attire, and all leave just a little bit lighter in one sense, and a little bit more full in another.

This weekend, ladies from age 12 to infinity :), simply came. Some came to join the speakers tract, some for the writers tract, some for womens' ministry leadership, and some for the next generation (teenagers), many not knowing exactly why they came, but all with the desire to obey their Savior in taking the next step. This year, I felt the Lord ask me to focus on speaking. As you can see from the picture, we just had the most fabulous group there! Honesty, these ladies just blessed my socks off! We had a time of speaking on Friday in which we shared our testimonies, and time on Saturday in which we shared a short message based from a scripture verse. These ladies simply put themselves out there - transparency, hurt, joy, and peace, all spoken so elequently, uniquely, and honestly wrapped up in 3 minute segments - captivating. In fact, in our group of 11, the Lord saw fit to place a fellow sister who teaches at a Deaf residential school in another state! Two fist bumps up sister! We serve a big GOD!

My traveling companion was none other than my fabulous friend and neighbor, Robyn, who came to present a fabulous bible study all about our journey toward contentment. God has tremendous plans for her. She may seem small in stature, but she is a mighty warrior for the King! Look for her blog coming soon! I honesty can't think of a more enjoyable 8 hour drive in my life than my precious time spent at the feet of this wise lady. The Lord is using her as such a model of strength, and I'm not sure she even knows it. Her humble spirit would shrug this off, but my heart just longs to brag on the One who lives within her soul, obvious to anyone around her.

THESE fabulous ladies the Lord brought to me in the hall, actually. We spent some time together early in the morning... running around the parking lot. Yes in deed, we had us some church, and testimony time sweatin in the humidity and burning some calories for Him! Really, it was such an honor to meet these girls, Susan (lady on the right) has a fabulous blog called Running Mom and she offered this get together on line, so our hearts connected even before we arrived - technology CAN be used for some great things! Ladies, I look forward to praying for one another as the Lord walks with each step.


And speaking of technology... this is beautiful Chrystie. As you have a moment, you need to click on her link to the right, the light of Christ just jumps off the screen through her words, I'm serious. We had a chance to simply connect on-line just before the conference, and this sweet girl came right up and tapped by shoulder. I just love the way God works. Just spend a few moments with this girl, and watch the love of Christ shine as she's more interested in knowing you than in talking about herself. God has gifted her in writing His story in her life in a powerful way. Keep taking those steps of faith, he is with you always girl!

As for me, God never ceases to amaze. As I prayed for an encounter with Him, I could see it and hear it all around. I saw it in the faces of those he brought my way, I heard it through the team members of Proverbs 31 as they spoke, I felt his arms of peace and comfort in a room constructed for prayer. He met me as he spoke words of gentle reminders, words that ground me in my position with him, words and scriptures specifically chosen by him, given through human hands, words just meant for little me. He spoke, "Heather, I am here. I love you not because of your works, but simply because I AM. I have a plan for you. I have a purpose for you today, I have a purpose for you tomorrow. Trust me with the today. Don't forget to come to me and I will give you rest."

Lord, I thank you for being my ALL in ALL. As my name was placed next to your name as you reminded me of how you are my banner, that you are the one who gives me victory over the flesh and the evil schemes, I DO choose to rest in you. As Satan spoke words of doubt and failure over me Saturday night, you came in and spoke words of love and forgiveness. Jesus, I pledge to you my life with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).