Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:13-14 ESV)
Perfect...been studying this verse during the past week, dwelling on it...
In one of our recent week's study, the analogy was made to a runner, having to look just in front to the next marker. Obviously, looking back will only slow me and trip me up; looking too far ahead can be overwhelming and appear out of reach - impossible. Looking just ahead to the next "short" goal is manageable. There are victories along the way to celebrate. I can walk - or run - in step with my Savior until I reach the goal! Good practice for "half marathon" training, for weight loss work, and for life.
Lord, Help me to forget my past - ...the failures that make me fearful to try ...the successes that make me complacent and stagnant. Help me to live in the present, ...seeing the work you have for me now. Help me to welcome the future plans you have for me and my family and trust you as I wait and watch.
The past few weeks have literally flown by. I'm thankful for our Ladies' Bible Study, because it is keeping me focused on what I need to do today. It is a bit redundant and slow compared to others we've done, but God knew this would be exactly what I would need at this time. He is AWESOME!
Monday Memory Verses - A command with certain comfort for me and for my family, knowing God is always with us - that he even goes before us and leads the way in the adventure and the work He has called us to:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9 ESV)
"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV)
Training Tuesdays - It's getting easier - not easy, but easier - to run the 5Ks I have mapped out around my house. The most difficult is the Ramsey route which has a steep hill, just shy of the 1 mile mark. Yesterday, I ran the entire "Race for the Cure" 5 K route on my treadmill. It was so fun to virtually see the road and buildings as my treadmill has a "street view" option. I remembered some of the buildings and turns from two years ago, and cheered when Tiger Stadium came into view. I forgot that once we got to the stadium, we had to run AROUND it. LOL! I made it! YAY! That is the first milestone.
Weight Watch Wednesday - All I can say is - the slope is still negative, which is positive. I would like it to be more negative. Being on the road traveling a lot, makes eating right, difficult. I am getting better at making good choices, though.
Thankful Thursday - WOW! How do I begin?
- Thankful for the flexibility of my job that allows me to work from any location, at flexible hours.
- Thankful for the two fun days road-tripping with Cristin to her job interviews in Ft. Wayne, IN.
- Thankful for God's clear answer to Cristin accepting her first job offer.
- Thankful for God's provision of the perfect apartment for Cristin - the least expensive, with open spaces, and tenants her age in a great location with lots of stores nearby and easy access to the expressway!
- Thankful for an e-mail from a supplier in Germany I have never met and the instant connection we made as a brother/sister in Christ. It made my day, and my response made his. :) (He had typed "Read John 3:16" at the very bottom of his e-mail. I replied "John 10:10 - Living the abundant life! :)" Subsequent e-mails indicated that he is no longer allowed to include Bible verses at the bottom of his e-mails, but we can still Praise God together, through our correspondence with the knowledge we already have of our common bond.
Songspiration Saturday & Sunday - One of my favorite albums to run to is Jeremy Camp's "Live Unplugged". This week, these two songs kept playing in my head - they kinda go together:
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Lord - Empty me - I want less of me (literally and figuratively speaking) and more of You! Empty me of any desire that's not of you. My desire is to be used by you...
