I took a deep breath and offered a prayer for help. It was no longer about my time (which was going to be terrible) or how many miles left, but how much life I could live and give in those next five miles. When you hang out in the back of the race, there are no shortage of struggling runners, and I determined to encourage and uplift as many as I could.

As I walked uphill giving my lungs a breather, a brother and sister in their 50′s passed me. The man, red-faced and huffing smiled and said, “I’ve only passed two people today!” My pride flared and I immediately cooled it by smiling and saying, “Congratulations!” I saw his chest puff with pride. When I reached the top of the hill I passed the pair again. When he saw me he groaned, “Oh man!” I laughed and replied, “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be passing me again.” Sure enough, a couple miles down the road the pair leap-frogged me again. His eyes lit up as he passed me again. I yelled, “See, I told you you’d pass me again!” He threw over his shoulder, “I feel so good!” I laughed and replied, “Hey, if my purpose for running this today was just to make you feel good, it was worth it!” A little while longer I caught up to them and walked with them for a little while chatting and learning a bit of their story. I wished them well one last time as they stopped at an aid station and I continued on.

Suddenly I realized how much better I felt. I was stronger and happier. It wasn’t that my physical problems were gone and I could suddenly run a nine minute mile again. But my spirit was lighter and  the race, though still not easy, was enjoyable. The more I reached out and offered kind words of encouragement – the more I ran the way of life – the more alive I felt. The way of death may feel good for a time, but the way of life is more meaningful and sustainable in the long run.

With two miles to go, I came upon a young girl who was crying with each step. A race official ran next to her for a minute asking, “Are you ok? Are you hurt? Is something wrong or are you just struggling?” The young man running with her answered, “She’s ok, just struggling.” The race official said, “You can do this! You are almost there. Only two more miles. This builds such good character and you will be so proud when you finish. Hang in there!” He headed to the sideline just as I caught up to the couple. I slowed my pace to match theirs for a minute. “You can do this. You are keeping a great pace. You are almost there! You’re a winner and you are going to make it! You will be so proud of yourself when they hang that medal around your neck.” Neither of the pair said anything. They may have thought I was a crazy person, but I saw the look on her face change from pain and panic to a familiar look of determination. I’ve been there. “Friend, you’re doing great. Keep it up!” I picked my pace back up, having no doubt that she was going to cross that finish line.

I think sometimes God forces us to slow down so we’ll walk with those who are struggling and wounded. So we’ll see them, understand their pain, and breathe life into them.

I determined I was going to run the last mile nonstop and finish strong. I picked it up for a half mile and then realized that if I wanted to cross on my feet and not puking on my hands and knees I needed another breather. I was disappointed, but unwilling to end up in an ambulance. I slowed for a minute as I approached the final turn and heard the band playing the final strands of “Don’t stop believing.”

Tears welled in my eyes for the second time in the race, but this time not out of selfish pride. Although it sounds cheesy to say I felt God speak to me through a Journey song, that’s what happened. As I approached that final corner of my 15.6 miles with “Don’t stop believing” blaring through speakers, I heard a small voice say, “Don’t stop believing in Me or in the dreams I’ve planted in you. You get it now. So go and run with humility.”

I let a tear slip down.  I’ve been frustrated with many areas of my life, feeling I should be farther along, doing more, making more of a difference, using my gifts more, that things should just be different, and that I’m a failure. But no matter what I do, I can’t seem to change it. Without realizing it, I had been running with death in those areas, resorting to jealousy, despair, and pride. As I rounded that corner and pushed my legs to fly up that last half mile, I prayed with each step for the wisdom to choose life every day, in every area.

I saw my family and friends waving their arms and cheering (and T-Rex playing a game on an iPhone!). I made a beeline to give each of my kids a kiss on the head and then sprinted to the finish line. Kedron said he was surprised at how good I looked at the finish. I smiled, telling him I’d explain the journey later.

Later that day, while resting my aching legs, I read this passage:

Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

-Psalm 147:1-13 (NRSV)

It was never about the race. But God used the race to change me.

How are you running? With life? Or with death? Will you slow down to help those who are struggling?

Two little girls, ages six and seven, were home watching a black and white TV movie about the life of Jesus in 1963.  They watched intently as they recognized stories from the Bible come to life before their very eyes.  Jesus turning water into wine, healing the sick, walking on water, feeding thousands with two fish and five loaves of bread all being acted out in this captivating movie about Jesus.

Sunday school favorites about Jesus kept the girls visual interest as they watched the events that were told in the Bible.  Then out of nowhere, the movie turned dark.  People began spitting upon Jesus, calling him names and shouting “Crucify him, crucify him.”  The girls could not believe what they were seeing.  Jesus the one who healed, walked on water and fed thousands of people was now being spit upon and called names.

“Mommy”, the little girls called out, “What are they doing to Jesus?  Why are they treating him that way?” they asked.

The mother replied, “Girls, it is okay, please finish watching the movie and I will answer your questions when the movie is over.”

Visually before their eyes the little girls watched Jesus carry a cross on his back, have a crown of thorns placed on his head and his body physically placed on a cross to die.  The girls sat on the floor in front of the TV, hugging each other for security, as they watched their beloved Jesus die on the cross.

Sad and filled with sorrow, the girls began to cry.  They had never seen anything like this before.  Their hearts were broken that Jesus, the son of God, died on a cross.

As they continued to watch the end of the story, Jesus’ dead body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb.  On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb to visit the body.  When they arrived an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen just as he said.” Matthew 28: 5-6.

With the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ playing in the background and the risen Jesus standing before them on TV, with his arms open wide,  the girls gleefully rejoiced and danced around the room singing, “He’s alive, he’s alive.”

Filled with questions about why Jesus died on the cross, the little girls and their mother sat at the kitchen table and talked about the movie.  The mother took the time to explain that we are all sinners and God sent his son Jesus to this earth to die on the cross for everyone. (John 3:16)   (Romans 3:23) All they had to do was ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins and come into their hearts to live forever.  (Romans 10:13) (Revelation 3:20a) Without hesitation, both girls prayed to receive Christ as their Savior and forever became children of God.

Personally, this is how I came to know Christ and receive him as my Savior.  I am the seven year old girl in this story and I am so thankful God placed before my eyes, the life of Jesus on TV that day.

People come to know Christ through many different means but the most effective way is to personally share with someone how you yourself came to know Christ.  Boldly share your story with someone who is lost so they too can become a child of God forever.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins.  Give me the boldness to share the good news with someone else today.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

Marty Girardier

So, are you a fair fighter or a dirty fighter? Are you one who fights for resolution, or one who simply wants the victory? Are you one who truly wants to come up with an answer for the benefit of both side and the resolution of conflict, or do you just want to be right?

When I look in the mirror I see the reflection of one who wants resolution and yet I also see a person who has fought dirty along the way. I confess, when I have fought dirty I had self at the center of my universe.

A dirty fighter is typically thinking about themselves, call it selfish or self-centered, either will work. A dirty fighter wants to be in control; they want to be the one with the power to control the outcome and to choose the weapon that will benefit them the most. Whatever it takes.

If ignoring someone works then that will be the weapon of choice. If bending the truth (“bending the truth” sounds so much nicer than those nasty words “lying” or “deceiving”, dirty fighters are very good at manipulating words to justify their actions) is what it takes then so be it. If innuendo or manipulation is necessary in order to get the desired results then, in the mind of a dirty fighter, it is perfectly justifiable. Dirty fighting happens in all walks of life. It’s why we have the phrase “dirty politics”. You can bet there is a whole bunch of personal gain wrapped up in that dirty little package.

The gain may simply be bragging rights, or puffed up pride. The gain may be a possession that we could not get any other way (and by the way, we want it NOW!); the gain may be control of a situation or a person.

When we find ourselves resorting to dirty fighting tactics we can be pretty sure that there is someone cheering us on. The evil one loves it when all we care about is our gain. And he especially loves it if he can get someone who claims to follow Christ to fight dirty. It means that self has taken God’s place in the heart of the fighter.

Selfishness is the evil one’s playground.

Dirty fighting doesn’t just happen in marriages. It happens between siblings, between friends, between co-workers, it even happens between church members.

Dirty fighting never says “turn the other cheek”. “I’m sorry” is not in its vocabulary either. Dirty fighters don’t forgive what they see as past injustices, they hang on to them for ammunition, part of the arsenal of weapons that need to be kept on hand…just in case.

So, do you know any dirty fighters? Ever see a dirty fighter when you look into the mirror?

My guess is that nine out of ten people who are willing to fight dirty with one person are willing to fight dirty in any conflict they find themselves in. And here’s the thing, if you’re a dirty fighter, chances are you find yourself in a lot of conflict.

But there’s always that one out of ten – that one individual who can get along with anyone and everyone EXCEPT ___________ (fill in the blank: spouse, sibling, child, mother-in-law, co-worker, boss), that one person who makes the stomach twist and the brain smolder!

It doesn’t matter if it’s one person or 100. If we are willing to resort to dirty fighting to win the reflection always comes back on us.

As followers of Christ our goal is to reflect His glory in all situations.

Even in conflict.

Ephesians chapter 4 is a great reminder to us of how to live a life that reflects His glory. Verses 14-16 speaks of the deceitful scheming involved in dirty fighting and the weapons needed to fight fair: TRUTH and LOVE.

The Message says:  God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.  He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow thru us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

Anger isn’t a sin, neither is conflict, it’s what we do with it that testifies to our relationship with the One who died for us while we were yet sinners. He loved us enough to fight fair, even when everyone around Him was fighting dirty. He cared about the resolution, not about personal victory but about what was best for all.

John 16:33 reminds us that in this world there will be trouble, but Jesus came to overcome (defeat, conquer, prevail, rise above) the world and save us from our self-centered, self-seeking, self-destroying unhealthiness.

He has won the battle for us, for our good and for our eternity. He has given us the necessary weapons to fight the battles we will have in life, truth and love.

We just have to choose to use what He has given us.

Until next time…
Beth

“Outward processor” that I am, my husband was a faithful sounding board as I worked through the options again…and again….and again. He just listened while I laid out our choices, picked them up and scrutinized them, and then repeatedly found myself at the same indisputable conclusion.  God was asking me to make a change.

Up until this point I had been comfortable where I was.  For months though, the Lord had been revealing to me, in the gentle way that He does, that it was time to move forward into the next thing.  Unwilling to deal with the brewing discontentment,  I shoved it into to the pile  labeled denial.  The inner nudge was confirmed however when that which once seemed easy, was easy no longer, and the satisfaction, joy and fulfillment that had once been now waned.  Each were replaced by an undeniable hunger for more and different.   Seeking Him to discern the lack of peace, it was found when I acknowledged the life transition He was leading me to walk in.

Transition

1. a:  passage from one state, stage, subject or place to another  : CHANGE

Because change is one of my least favorite things,  I struggle not to grimace at my change loving friends.  To them, change magnifies life as an adventure; and venture they do, diving boldly into the deep places of the unknown equipped with faith.  Me, I’m more of a stick my toe in the water kind of girl when it comes to transition; because we all know that, once you do a cannon ball into the pool of change, there are no takesy-backsys.

Change requires Faith.  Change requires Trust.  Change requires us to step out blindfolded into the unknown.  It demands our own willingness to allow the Spirit of God to lead and guide us into all truth, all the while trusting that He is making our path straight and will not allow us to fall.  Change, in my opinion, is hard and each time it knocks upon the door of my life, I quietly  peek out of the peephole of my heart, deciding whether I will let it in.

I know that God’s Word is complete, infallible and undeniably true.  When I read the account of Abram however something seems to be missing.  God told Abram to “go,” and Abram went. I would love to have been the fly upon that tent flap when he went home and shared this news with his wife Sarai.  Had I been her I’m sure I would have responded something like “So, let me get this straight; we are packing up everything we have, and leaving everyone we know, to go …and we don’t even know where we are going?!”

I might need to read it again because somehow I missed the part where they whined, cried, feared, questioned and doubted in response to God’s command before they were obedient.  It isn’t there; They heard, and they obeyed.  They trusted their God which told them to “go” so much that they knew if He was telling them to go, then where He was taking them had to be better  that where they now were.

That same God who told them to “go” is just as faithful within my own life, and yours too.  What is familiar always seems safer than the unknown.  The truth remains however that God loves us so much that if He is telling us to “go,” then we can be confident that where He is leading us is the best place for us to be.

Father, help me to have the courage to obey when you tell me to “go.” 

Tanya Glanzman

The dawn found me sitting alone in my morning room, having my devotional time, when I noticed a beautiful yellow hibiscus bud that began to bloom right before my eyes, literally. It was amazing and as I watched it, I heard the voice of the Father, speak to me, telling me that He was going to make my life like that beautiful bud, that it would bloom and the beauty of it would bring Him glory and I really believe that word is for each of you as well!

YOU are a planting of the Lord, He planted you as a seed within the womb of your mother, He fearfully and wonderfully made you. He brought the jubilant, soaking days of spring, the nourishing sunshine for summertime growth, He ushered in the cool breezes that brought with them the winds of change like autumn days and yes, He also allowed the bitter winds of winter to assault your unsuspecting life. But through it all, He is there; being ever watchful to allow only those circumstances that would bring eventual good to your life.

I know that there have been seasons of dormancy and pruning that have been dry and painful; times when your way felt solitary and His gentle voice seemed silent; but throw aside the temptation to question His dealings in your life. From His vantage point, He sees clearly all the brilliant vistas that are yet to come for you; things that you have not seen or even dreamed of, but they lay safely tucked in the heart of your Father and He is ever moving you toward them!

Oh trust in the sure hand of the Master Gardener, who brings exactly what you need! If you are wilted and suffering the effects of past choices, He can come in and bring a time of refreshing, if you are in need of a shot of fertilizer to boost your fruit production; He can bring the divine supplements found in His holy Word.

And if you are already bearing luscious fruit then He may indeed bring the pruning shears. Thankfully, He knows exactly when and how much to prune to bring the most prolific results! And since pruning is all about future growth and more fruit bearing capability; a bountiful harvest is surely coming!

And when our heart is reeling from the clip of the pruning shears, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the Gardener is never closer to the plant than when He is pruning it! You can water and even fertilize from a distance-but during a pruning season; His eye never shifts from us and His skilled hands never leave us and ALWAYS, He prunes in hope of the coming harvest and ever we abide under His shadow in those shearing moments!

And because He not only fully knows His plants; but loves and cherishes them, so He always brings exactly what they need at the very best moment. He is rarely early, but He’s never late either!

So know that no matter where you find yourself, no matter what the situations of your life look like; the Master Gardener has a plan! So the future is filled with tender promise and there are incredible buds on YOU; the beautiful plantings of the Lord!

 Papa, We long for our life’s journey to bring You honor, please help us make the right choices to do that better. We yield our lives afresh to the skilled hands of You; our Master Gardener. We choose to trust that You have a perfect plan for our lives and will with that plan, bring whatever we need to bloom profusely for You. Amen

Sandy Anderson