7 years- 7 miles

Sebastian and I ran 7 miles this morning to celebrate 7 years of running (which was actually on the 29th).  It was cold and windy!

Total miles this month is the most milege in a month I've had in quite awhile= 114!!!

Unfailing

As I look back on my life I have come to the KNOW this for sure....God has never, not once, failed me.

I have Him, though. The fact is I can choose (because He created me that way) to sin, to fail Him, to go my way, make my own choices, to walk alone, to not believe Him, to not trust Him, to not abide in Him, to not have true intimacy with Him, to give in to myself- yes, I can choose all those things but I cannot choose the consequences of those choices.

As my friend Scott says, "You can choose to sin but you cannot choose the consequences of sin."

This God that I thought failed me. I lived for years angry with a God I didn't really know because I thought He failed me and ruined my life. I believed the lie that He didn't really care enough about me or think much about me.

Then this God, He, Jesus, began to relentllessly pursue my heart. He came after me with His heart and arms wide open to receive me. Yes, to RECEIVE ME.

He became real to me. He became truth to me. He became to my heart, all that He truly is- and began to untangle all the lies I had believed about Him, and my self...and others- and speak truth to me. Those lies I took to Him, and He put them to death on His cross. He crucified the lies.

This failing God, became to me- Unfailing Love.

"I will NEVER leave you or forsake you."
"I will always intercede for you."
 "I will work all things to your good because you love me."
"I am your Conqueror! I will defend you always."
"I will always protect you and provide for you. You are precious to me and I am proud of you."
"Nothing can separate you from my love. Not one thing."

Unfailing. Unfailing God. Unfailing Love.

I choose Him. I choose to believe. I choose to trust. Although I may not see...and may not always understand...I choose Him. Because as I look back, He has proven Himself unfailing toward me.

Lamentations 3:22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.

Beautiful Day

One

There's only one place to go-

when the world is falling apart when the bills are due and there's no money when sickness knocks at the door when death walks through the door when the kids are walking with the world when the cars keep breaking down when sleep walks out the door when trouble takes residence in your mind when your burdens crush  when grief overwhelms
when life is not what you wanted, or expected

it's not to the doctor to numb the pain, fear, heartache
it's not to a bottle, a pill, a needle
it's not to your best friend
it's not to the tv
it's not to the gym
it's not to the phone
it's not to a game station
it's not to facebook
it's not to a book
it's not to an imaginary world

There's only one place to go-

when all is right with your world
when there's just enough and more to pay the bills
when all your kids are walking with the Lord
when all the cars are drivable
when the electric bill is low
when the air is just the right tempature
when you get that great vacation
when your health is the best it's ever been
when work is a pleasure
when the pantry is full
when you sleep well

it's not to thinking, "Boy, I must be doing something right"
it's not to forgetting that good gifts come from above
it's not to becoming unmindful of the things of God
it's not to become ungrateful to Who gave those times of rest and respite

There's only One place to go...

And that place is a Person...

and that Person:

One Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.- 1 Corinthians 8:6

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Jesus, Matthew 11:28-29

There is NOTHING the nearness of Jesus cannot overcome, cure or heal. - Michael Wells

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.- Colossians 1:15-20

Loving

When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now.-

C.S. Lewis

Freedom!

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty! 2 Corinthians 3:17

1657 eleuthería: freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery.

Mercy

I love meaning of words. You know, we hear words ALL the time but how often do we really know what the meaning of a word is?

Take mercy for example. It's all in the Bible. I've heard the WORD all my life. But I've only truly heard it defined as- "God not giving you what you deserve" oh, wait...maybe it's "God giving you what you don't deserve"...no...wait is that grace? Do you see how confusing that is? And both explanations are so incomplete.

Mercy was the subject this morning in my "Grandmother's Prayers" devotional book...and I thought, "What really is mercy?"

"Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy," Jesus, (Matthew 5:7)

Mercy: 

1) compassion or forbearance (refraining from the enforcement of something (as a debt, right, or obligation) that is due) shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power 

2) a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion 

3) compassionate treatment of those in distress

(Merriam Webster)

Strongs:

Greek 1656 eleos: compassion, pity

Hebrew 2617 kataisxyno: lovingkindness

Blessed are those who choose to be compassionate and forbearing when owed, offended or harmed and in turn treat that one who owes, has offended or harmed with lovingkindess. For you, too, will be shown compassion, forbearance and lovingkindness.

The merciful receive exactly what they have been given. Mercy receivers show be mercy givers. The reverse is true as well. Those who offer mercy with an open heart and open hand enjoy the limitless mercy of God.- Kay Swatkowski

"Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" Matthew 18:33