YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO JOIN THE RACE

TIME:  Today, right now.  PLACE: You are already on the starting line.   COST:  Commitment  to serving God and humbly acknowledging His FORGIVENESS and FAITHFULNESS.

March 30, 2011

Good Morning,

I have been in training now for three weeks, no, all my life, to more realistic.  I began this year’s spring training on Ash Wednesday (March 9) when I invited you to sign up for the “Lenten decathlon” with me.  I say “training” because I feel as if I am in intense training, feeling at times tired, discouraged, in pain and weary, but still maintaining the will to finish the race and win the prize.  (“Train yourself in Godliness,” (1Timothy 4:7), the Bible says.  I am here to tell you that the “obstacle course” and the “training table” leave a lot to be desired.  Nonetheless, I am learning a lot about self discipline and self denial.  Remember Christ’s journey to the Cross?  I thank God, however, that there are “pit stops” along the way so I can relieve myself (of some “stuff”), clinch my thirst (with a fresh sip from “the fountain”) and curb my hunger (with a bite or two of “bread”).  Although the race is very grueling the pit stops allow me to quickly satisfy all my needs at once so I can continue the race without getting too far behind.  I just run to my built-in ATM and enter my PIN and make a quick from  my “bank account” empty and refuel. You know, that savings account I told you that yields such tremendous dividends for times like these?  The dividends alone, however, produce just the right amount of strength and stamina I need to re-energize and refocus on “All things new.”  So, I pick myself up, dust myself off and start all over again.  Try it the next time you need a “pit stop” because it is quick and easy and there is no long line to stand in.  You don’t even have to tear open a wrapper and worry about littering and you are on your way again before you know it.  These little breaks really help “when the going gets tough”, to get the “tough going” again.

To survive I have a survival kit which consists of my Bible (I call it my Bankbook/ATM card and road map) and Our Daily Bread and The Upper Room Lenten Guide and devotionals.  So far the workouts have consisted of a daily regimen of: 1) Practicing believing and expecting that God changes me by preparing me to live a “new life” through tests and trials, based on His promises,  so that His purposes in my life might be fulfilled; 2)  Practicing recognizing that God works in my life to bring others, as well as myself, closer to Him (even when I am not aware of His presence) to fulfill His promises (giving of my resources and myself to others, even when I don’t think I can) and 3) Practicing understanding that Christian living must be my top priority because this is how God expects me to respond to His promises if I am to draw closer to Him (even when I make bad decisions or I am disappointed, mistreated or otherwise challenged).

Here’s the thing.  I keep on running, no matter what happens along the way.  Remember how in the movie Forrest Gump, he just kept on running?  When he didn’t know what else to do he just started running.  He physically ran clear across the country and back while others began to follow him.  Many did not know why nor where they were running.  They just joined the race.  Many of his followers found ways to capitalize on their running experience following him, but that is a conversation for another time. 

Why do I run?  I run because God is the NAVIGATOR of my life and I want to live a “new life with Him.  If I don’t keep up I might, no, I will get lost.  I dare not stop or take any detours for fear of getting lost (unless for “pit stops” of course.)  He has brought me too far now.  We have covered some pretty rough terrain, and still encounter stormy weather at times, but we keep on running, TOGETHER.  I really don’t know another route to take to get me where I need to be.  

·       I run because of the HOPE I have in a God who is FAITHFUL to His promises so I want to please Him.  Remember how when we were children we were so anxious to please the adults in our lives and anyone who made promises to us?  I believe God to be a PROMISE KEEPER so I want to learn to praise Him for all and in all that He has in store for me, the good and the bad.  See I know that in my weakness His power is made strong. 

·       I run because I want OTHERS TO BELIEVE His promises.  I cannot hide my light.  I can only see my way if lights are turned on.  The same is true for others.  The hope is that by seeing my light others may also come to glorify God.

What are God’s promises? 

(Jeremiah 31:1-2)  “At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they will be my people.”  ² This is what the LORD says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the wilderness; I will come to give rest to Israel…”  (v1,2)

 “…⁷ This is what the LORD says: “Sing with joy for Jacob; shout for the foremost of the nations. Make your praises heard, and say, ‘LORD, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’  ⁸ See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. ⁹ They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, …” (v7-9);

^“This is what the LORD says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD. “They will return from the land of the enemy. ¹⁷ So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the LORD…” (v16, 17)

 “…. ²⁵ I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”  (v25)

“… For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”  (v34).

Where will my run lead me?  I believe that by running the race that is set before me I will inherit eternal life, the “new life” that He has promised all who repent and turn to Him.  I believer that if I run my race successfully, if I just persevere and get across the finish line then my living shall not have been in vain because I will have helped make the world a better place where everyone can live together as ONE, with God right in the center and has permanent residence. 

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16  It’s hard to imagine that He loved me just that much every time I think of that Old Rugged Cross, but HE DID! And we were all there, remember?  Remember His last “pit stop?”  It’s so ironic.  Many thought it was His last “pit stop,” but it wasn’t!  He is still running, hoping that we will join the race with Him.  There is so much to be gained.

“In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”   Isaiah 25:9

Be blessed today and always and know that I love you as you join “THE TRAINER” me in the TRAINING ROOM, at THE TRAINING TABLE or out on THE TRACK.  Either way, it’s all good.  Remember all of our prayer concerns.  Be sure to bring these with you.  abp

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March 23, 2011

Good morning,

As I said yesterday, each day we are surrounded by people, things and situations that make it hard to stay focused on God.  As I strive to fast during this season I am often tempted by the distractions of mouth watering aromas or television advertisements of delicious and delectable foods that I so dearly love.  Also, during times of fasting we may feel weak and nervous and our anxiety level is elevated just at the thought of being empty.  The writer of the Upper Room devotional helps to put things into proper perspective this way when we are able to say “no” to these distractions.  “…But this emptiness pleases God. When we empty ourselves for his sake, he can fill us in ways nothing else can. When we make ourselves weak, he is able to make us strong. ... This emptying also reminds us of how Jesus emptied himself of his divine rights and humbled himself when he came to walk with us, and to die on the cross in our place.

There is so much to praise God for in emptiness.  There is such great comfort and joy, especially during stressful times, as I see God working so mightily in and through me and in the lives of others whose lives I touch, as well as those He is allowing to touch my life.  If we as Christians are to grow into the "new life," we must shoulder the weight He keeps adding, whether we like or not, to build strong spiritual muscles, even though we just don't want to strain of carrying any more weight. At times my back just plain hurts. And I know yours does too. But, carry the weight WE CAN, RIGHT?  Why? Because we know what the end results will be for those who persevere. We just have to continue to feed ourselves the wholesome stuff so that we are spiritually nourished with all the essentials we need as we empty ourselves to be ready to lift whatever weights God decides we need to persevere. 

How then do we show our gratitude to God?  We do so by diligently and consistently praising Him.  This is how we demonstrate, yes, even in the midst of distractions, how thankful we are to Him for filling our emptiness not only with Humility and self denial, but also with praise.   “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

 Let us pray the following prayer as we find a way to empty ourselves for those in need of sympathy, healing and comfort, as well as their caregivers are:  The family of Ida Louise Hill, in Jasper, Alabama, Clara Osborne, Joseph M. Peck, Lucy Brabson, Mary K. Haynes, Inez Dunwoody, Billy Parker, Marie McIntyre, James and Betty Toney, Tom and Jean Sheets, Michael and Charlotte Tate, Pat Crippens and others who may be on your hearts.  Prayerfully remember all families in crisis and distress.

Our Father in Heaven, We thank you and we praise you for giving us strength to persevere, for we are weak.  Open our eyes and help us to see this world as you see it.  Help us to look to you when we are tempted to fear emptiness and stand before you expecting your comfort, instead of running from that which we fear, or returning to old habits.

Help us to remember that we can find our strength and fulfillment in you by becoming empty vessels to receive the comfort that only you can give.  Help us reject distractions of messages we hear every day about the fulfillment found in food, riches, sex, and power.  God, be our strength and comfort! We need your peace.  We need you Lord.  We are making space for you in our lives today so that you may meet us in the empty places we have made.  Lord, draw near to us, and fill us until we overflow. Amen

Be blessed today as you offer praise for whatever your circumstance or opportunity for service awaits you today.  Always know that I love you.  abp

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Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the 

word of their testimony…

16 years ago I was hit by a car- of course there was a person driving it who said she wanted to “teach us young girls a lesson”.

Over 2000 years ago Jesus healed me (even before I needed healing! What an amazing God!)

4^th week of January 2011 the Lord took me to a chiropractor (I have been seeing one and other docs over the years) but GOD placed my healing in his hands. And it manifested!!!

Now the Lord is “teaching me lessons” from this.

Genesis 50:20 (New American Standard Bible)

²⁰"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.  

  I had been to docs that wanted to do all sorts of weird things. Like cut tendons, put someone else’s bones in me, reconstruct my feet. But no one thought anything about checking my hips.

  38 years with all sorts of problems and limitations, dislocated joints, pinched nerves, and swelling joints, joints freezing up, torn cartilage  and not being able to do a lot of things with my family.

This was bondage. This is why Jesus came. To set us free!!

The lessons I am learning now are not ones of bitterness, anger, un-forgiveness or regret but ones of life, love, forgiveness, restoration, and “pro-vision” of my future and it is a grand plan of hope. 

Jeremiah 29:11 (New American Standard Bible)

¹¹'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

Today I am walking and don’t even have to wear my shoes all the time and I don’t limp. I am experiencing things I have not been able to do most of my adult life. I am now 1 1/4” shorter then I have been these past 38 years.

The Lord is having me strengthen my feeble knees and joints, lengthening my muscles and tendons. He is showing me new things about my future.

I now look to the cross, to Jesus for making a way for me; the pro-vision was there at Calvary!

Thank you Jesus

Thank you Father

Thank you Holy Spirit

Praise the Lord His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 107:1
[ Thanksgiving to the LORD for His Great Works of Deliverance ] Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Please know that God made away for all of us.

My prayer is now that you have read my story in-part you would not be discouraged in what ever situation you find yourself. Maybe you don’t think God would do the same for you...But I hope that you would take it personal. God thinks the best of you. You are a treasure to Him. He sent His son Jesus to die in your place, His most precious gift. So you can have a good life, a life of freedom. That is Love and sacrifice. I pray God would give you a revelation of His love for you. Because when you get the revelation of how much He really cares for you, you get a greater respect for yourself and a greater respect for your destiny.

What an honor to be used by God.

So if you are looking to your past go further back and look to and focus on the cross it will lead you to your future full of hope!

Praise the Lord His mercy endures forever!!

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Here is a quick way to go to the next level in your life!

Grab a journal, notebook  or use the form from below, and jot down the things that God has been speaking to you that you know you have to change at some point. Note: While you may not know everything yet,  there are a few things that you can do that just might crack the code and catapult you to your next phase in life. When you have written those items down, keep it handy, pray over it daily and watch what happens in your life!

Items:                                           What may be hindering it from coming to pass         What's the next step

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