Running

Listening to:http://youtu.be/TCunuL58odQ

I am such a terrible runner.  I think maybe the world's very worst runner.  I started running 8 years ago after a miserable breakup and failed relationship.  Every run I would blast music in and attempt to escape the soul numbing pain that coursed through my body and spirit.  The hilarious thing about choosing this type of workout goes back to the bleachy, florescent halls of Mission Middle school. 

 It was seventh grade.  It was gym class.  I was a bit chubby and totally awkward.  Lucky me it also happened to be presidential fitness testing and it was time to run "The Mile".

It didn't exactly go well.  

I was the last one running.  Red faced, winded and beyond horrified my sweet gym teacher decided everyone should follow beside me and cheer me on. To encourage me ensure complete and utter humiliation.  I did finish the mile, but a pure hatred for running and any type of group sport that required coordination or hustle was forever banned from my wheel house.  

That's why 10 years later when I laced up a brand new pair of tennis shoes (my very first pair that weren't cheerleading shoes) it was rather a bizarre choice.  That day in an effort to cauterize my heart and move forward, I developed a very dangerous habit, fleeing.  Soon running became my modus operandi and it wasn't long before I even was evading God and anyone that dared near my very tattered, barely beating heart.  

Recently I have had a change of heart, a total shift in direction.  I find myself running full force towards the Lord and his communion table.  I mean actually running, at church, through a crowd of people.  Don't let your grandma get in front of me!  I find myself running towards the communion table because I am craving the remembrance, the acceptance, the passion, the remembrance of Jesus' joyful acceptance of suffering for me.  What a beautiful gift to have a physical reminder of the love and sacrifice which he so freely gave to us.  He is literally the only one who ever has, and ever will love you to death.    Because of his great love.  I am finally responding to His jealousy and I feel Him whipping around me, His soul hurricane breaking my branches.  And my heart is yet again turning violently inside of my chest, but for once my reaction is different.  Rather that hide, I pursue, rather than flee I run towards him.  Eyes fully fixed on the prize and the glory.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1 & 2 (NIV)

And because your body needs a little nourishment too, a hearty comforting (but healthy) recipe

Sagey Butternut squash

1 cubed butternut squash ( I bought one precut because it was actually cheaper and I was feeling actually lazy)

1 bag or stalk of brussel sprouts

1 handful fresh sage

1/2 handful fresh rosemary

olive oil

maple syrup

S&P

optional: pomegranate seeds

So SIMPLE.  In a large baker place the squash, brussel sprouts and roughly chopped herbs.  Drizzle with olive oil, maple syrup and S& P.  Bake in preheated 400 oven for 20 min or until brussel sprouts just begin to brown.  Serve immediately, topped with pomegranate seeds.  

Also makes a delicious lunch and starter for pasta sauce.  Add some mushrooms, finish with greek yogurt and serve over soba or udon noodles.

If…then

In logic, a conditional is a compound statement formed by combining two sentences (or facts) using the words "if ... then."   A conditional can also be called an implication.

If God is real…then 

WHAT?

What is the implication of the very existence of God in your life?  If you were able to open your eyes every morning and place your bare feet on the cold hard floor with certainty in your heart that God was as real as your morning breath, how would that change your life?  The bible says that Faith is the belief in that which we cannot see, but what if you were able to take faith to the next step?  What IF you opened your mind to the reality that you are dirt that has been kissed by heaven, a handiwork woven by the divine himself in your mother's womb?  How would that impact your story?  Maybe it would become your story.

When I was little just 5 or 6 years old I would tell everyone I met about Jesus.  I would tell them of his great love.  How he welcomes the little children to his lap offering a loving embrace.  I would proclaim the importance of salvation and urge all of them to join me in following His ways.  My mom literally couldn't keep a bible in our house because I would give them all away.  I distinctly remember one of these interactions with a little boy that lived next door to us.  Our little chubby child hands holding each other swinging on my backyard play-set  hearts open and spirit willing.  

How life has gotten in the way.  How satan's lies and whispers have stopped my open heart and willing spirit.  Louder and louder I hear, WHO ARE YOU?  So much that those lies have drowned out the message of love and welcoming embrace found in Jesus. Somewhere along the way satan tricked me into believing that I needed to hide and most importantly I needed to take my message of Jesus with me.  WHO ARE YOU?  

I will tell you.  I am a sinner.  I am broken.  I fail often and I fail BIG.  When I stumble I flat out fall.  Collide.  Collapse.  

But that is the shadow.  That is the lie.  The very broken nature of this gorgeous earth we all share.  The truth is that through the craziest plan ever I am chosen.  I am redeemed.  I am beautiful.  I am perfectly whole.  I am welcomed.  I am embraced. I am God's personal messenger.  I am the selected method to share that salvation.  

Why is that so scary to say?  How hard it seems to do the very thing that I was made to do.  Love God, Love others.  Receive, Share.  Gather, give.  Tonight I encourage all of you to challenge your beliefs to really see if this God thing is something?  If God is real nothing will ever be the same.