Salt of the earth

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.
Matthew 5:13

Salt does three things:

• Salt preserves--As a Christian I am to maintain and continue to grow in my faith in Christ.
• Salt creates--Through my words and actions, I strive to make people want to know God.
• Salt cleanses--I fail sometimes, and through Jesus Christ, I am purified and refined. I must admit that I am wrong, and seek help. God is always gracious and merciful!

How are you maintaining and growing your faith in Christ? How do you make people want to know God in a more and real way? Are you confessing your sins to God and returning to Him, when you fail?

Fail!

¹¹And He said, "A man had two sons.¹²"The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me ' So he divided his wealth between them.¹³"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living ¹⁴"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.

¹⁵"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶"And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

¹⁷"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ¹⁸'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'

²⁰"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.²¹"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

²²"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; ²³and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.

²⁵"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶"And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. ²⁷"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.' ²⁸"But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

²⁹"But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; ³⁰but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.' ³¹"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³²'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"

Luke 15: 11-32

Sometimes I fail, and that's why I love Luke 5:11-32, and the book of Mark. In terms of math...
Failure ≠ Lack of usefulness
You can fail and still be useful!

What particularly sticks out to me is in vs 18--the man admits that he has sinned, he failed, he wants to be better, and needs help. The response to this mans humbleness is overwhelmingly gracious and merciful.

I love David's prayer in Psalm 25:16-18.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses.
Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.

David gets it! :) He is admitting that he's failed, and is asking for help! When you fail, are you going back and asking for help, admitting that you were wrong, or do you try to hide it and cover it up?

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Race for the Least of These and King Williams Parade

Race: Race for the Least of These

Distance: 10K (6.2138 mi)
Goal Time: 58 minutes (9:20 min/mi)
Actual Time: 00:57:42 (09:17 min/mi)
5K Split: 00:27:42 (08:54 min/mi)
19/29 racers total
06/11 women
2nd finisher in my bracket

I had a long run Friday morning--a nice 10 mile jaunt. And then Saturday, was this 10K race. I enjoyed Race for the Least of These, as it was small, and a nice stroll through McAllister Park. We had hail Friday night/Saturday morning, therefore, I was extra tired, and the ground was wet. I'm not a fan of running through mud, but that's okay. In fact, I had washed the car Friday, so I was bummed that it dirtied so fast! Ah well.

• Mile 1ish: I was surprised how good I felt.
• Mile 2ish: I wonder how I'll feel at the end of this!?
• Mile 2 1/2 ish: I saw Coach and he cheered me on, that was fabulous! I felt good, no, make that I felt great!
• Mile 3ish: Whoa, I'm almost done with the first 5K!
• 5K Split: I cannot believe I finished the 5K in 27:42. That's better than my last 5K. Maybe that's not so good, I have another 5K to go. I sure am happy with that 5K split time. I'm thirsty. So...just ahead I stopped and drank that water that was available to me.
• Mile 4: I need to slow down my pace a tad, it ended up being from from 8:54/mi to 9:39/mi...oh well. Over time I will learn how to pace myself properly.
  
• Mile 5: I'm almost done. This is nice.
  
• Mile 5 1/2: I passed a 5K runner and cheered her on! I was excited that she made the choice to do this fun run and finish! She did not give up. After I cheered her on, she in turn cheered me on. I was pleasantly surprised.
  
• Mile 6: Whoa, this is practically over.
  
• Finish line: Yay! I finished in under 58 minutes...my goal time.
  

Overall the six miles went by relatively fast, and there wasn't too much going through my head. I was kind of surprised when I was finished. The 10k'ers simply ran the 5k loop twice.

After the race, I went home, so that I could meet up with some friends and drive down to King William area, to celebrate one of the 2010 Fiesta events--King William Parade and Fair. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, watching the parade, browsing the vendors arts and crafts, listening to music, and spending time with great people from church!

Sara and myself.

Steven and myself.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. ¹³Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

This here is an example of the icing on the cake! (See previous entry!) I thank Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He has considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I am a sinner and I am wet! I have found mercy, because Jesus came into the world to save sinners. God's grace is more than abundant, amidst the faith and love, which are found in Christ Jesus alone.

Lessons learned

Why?

• Why do I want to go back to Ukraine?
  
• Why do I continue to speak of the greatness of God?
  
• Why do I continue to tell you of the faithfulness of God?
  
• Why am I excited for what God has in store next?
  
• Why do I have hope, during this challenging time?
• Why do I continue to share how Christ has been gracious?
  
• Why do I continue to share how Christ has been merciful?
• Why do I say that God is good?
  

I came across this blog, when looking for something else...and I'm hooked! This is a great lesson, and so true. In fact, I've read the entry five or six times.

WHY?

Lately, I have found myself questioning the marathon. Why do I bother? I may be getting faster but I have still not broken four hours and even after I finally I do, I still have ten minutes to cut in order to qualify for Boston. Boston has always been my aim and if that isn’t going to happen, maybe I should just hang up my shoes. Why should I keep putting myself through the stress of training?

This weekend, I found my answer. For three years my daughter and I have made an hour long drive to Olympic Development soccer tryouts. Over the years, Meg has put every ounce of herself into the tryouts only to be cut on the third day. This year as tryouts approached, I found myself dragging my feet. I knew the registration was open and I was well aware that she would want to tryout. But personally I dreaded it. It wasn’t the two hours spent in the car each day or the hour and a half spent standing in the cold watching my daughter play her heart out. It was the disappointment I have witnessed as she looked carefully through the call back numbers and didn’t see hers. It was the look on her face the next time she was on a soccer pitch. A look that told me she wondered whether she was good enough to play at all. There was a part of me that hoped she would change her mind. She would decide not to go. She would not have to face the disappointment again.

Still, as the day approached, she made her way to the computer and found the tryout times. She told her club coach she wouldn’t be at practices because she would be at ODP tryouts. And she made it clear to me that it was important to her. As in years past, everyone showed their confidence in her. “This is the year, girl. This is the year you make the team.” And I cringed as I wondered how high up they would push her and how much harder that would make the fall at the end.

But this is her dream. She believes she will play on the US Women’s Soccer team. It is all she wants. If you ask a hundred people who know her what her favorite thing in the world is, you will get only one answer, “Soccer.” The walls of her room are covered in soccer posters. She dresses for soccer every day, whether she has practice or not, just in case the opportunity to play should arise. She spends hours of her week thinking of new plays for her team or new moves she might try.

I sat in my warm car on Sunday afternoon and watched out the windshield as Meg ran across the field in pouring rain and thirty five degree temperatures. I watched as she hopped up and down before the scrimmages began, trying to stay warm, as she used every move she has ever been taught on the soccer pitch, as she offered a hand to the player who fell in the middle of play and even as she stayed on the pitch juggling the ball and practicing her moves during the water breaks. I watched her playing and realized that that is what it is that she loves – the playing. When she arrived back in my car every layer of clothing was soaked through, but she had a smile bigger than the Cheshire cat’s. She had had a blast. I asked how she played. She didn’t answer with her thoughts on her chances. Instead, she told me about the rain and the girls, the coaches and the goals.

Today was the last day of open tryouts. The cut sheet will go up later this evening and my heart is in my throat as I wait. Megan keeps checking the computer screen in hopes that this will be her year. I hope beyond hope that she will make it but tonight I know that it doesn’t matter. If she doesn’t make it she will be back next year and the one after that, if that is what it takes. I realized while watching this beautiful girl playing in the freezing rain that it isn’t just about a dream to make the Olympic Team. It isn’t just about the chance to see if she is good enough. It is about the moments on the field, every moment on the field. It is about the joy of the game.

As a mom, there are hundreds of lessons I try to teach my children. Once in a while though, the shoe is on the other foot. Seeing Meg’s love for the game, with or without the outcome she hopes for, reminds me of why it is I go out there. Why it is that after twelve marathons without qualifying for Boston, I still find myself at the starting line each year. Watching Meg has helped me to recognize the love I hold for my sport. So, yes, I will sign up for the next marathon. Maybe I will qualify for Boston this time, maybe I won’t, but now I know, it really doesn’t matter. I love to run. That is why I do it. The rest is just icing on the cake.

The answer is simple. I love Jesus. That is why I write this blog and why I want to go back to Ukraine. It is why I am excited for what He has in store for me next, and why I continue to speak of God's faithfulness and goodness, grace and mercy. My hope is in Christ, and I love Him. The rest is just icing on the cake.

Chosen: Marathon for Adoption

I'm excited to be training for my first marathon--Chosen: Marathon for Adoption. All proceeds will benefit adoptive families and directly care for the needs of 250 children in a Ukrainian orphanage. I will be running 26.2 miles on the 23 October 2010 in Gruene, Texas. To see the course map, click here. I have been wanting to run a marathon since HS, and have decided that now is the time! :)

On a side note...I have two awesome friends who have both adopted children--Erika and Margo. You should check out their work.

Tabitha Designs


Orchid Lane Designs

Check out the video from Great Day SA, here in San Antonio! I added this a couple days later. :)

From the Inside Out

A thousand times I've failed,
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again,
Still I'm caught in your grace.

Easter

As I was reading my bible this morning, I came across this verse and note I had in my bible:

He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My servant to Raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth."
Isaiah 49:6-7

God values me so much that doing a little is not enough; He wants me to do great things!


During my run this morning, God gave me a huge sense of peace. As I was running I was thinking about my past year, and He said to me, "Don't worry, your Easter is coming!" This gave me great encouragement, as I have felt beat down, over and over. Your Easter is coming! :)

Let us find our rest in Thee

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee. Dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart, now Thy gracious Kingdom bring...

I continue to have sleepless nights, filled with bad dreams. These are not nightmares, rather just dreams of terrible things happening to me, none of which I have control of/over. This morning I took great comfort in these words, "born to set Thy people free...let us find our rest in Thee." Are you expecting Jesus to come and set you free; to free you from your fears, release you from your sin, and give you rest in Him? If not, maybe we need to look at our expectations again.

If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Everyone Needs...

Today at church we sang the song, "Mighty to Save." These words are exactly why I believe so strongly in missions!

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The hope of nations.

Ukraine is forever in my heart; I do not know if/when I will be able to go back. Just like I need compassion, unfailing love, forgiveness, the grace only God can give, and hope...so do Ukrainians. My time in the USA, when I had planned on serving Christ overseas, continues to be a challenge. (Praise the Lord my health has stabilized!) It's not challenging because I have a particularly difficult life, rather it's challenging because my dreams have been shattered.

Today was youth Sunday, and the "Senior preahers" preached on! One of the girls made a very good point, "We should have full faith that where God is calling us/has placed us, will be/is a place of great joy!" I have failed to be an obedient servant, and serve Christ with great joy during this time, although, that is what He is calling me to do. Time for an attitude check? Yes, I think so. I am missing the GREAT JOY! Let mercy fall on me.

St. Mary's University Rattler 5K Run

Race: St. Mary's University Rattler 5K Run

Distance: 5K (3.1069 mi)
Goal Time: 30 minutes (10:00 min/mi approx)
Actual Time: 00:28:32 (09:11 min/mi)
55/148 racers total
20/76 women
4th finisher in my bracket

I chose this race, so that I could have a 5K race for training purposes. I have not run a 5K in a couple of years. I am pleased with my time, although frustrated, because I slowed down on the last mile. This race was fairly boring, and not very well organized. Hopefully next year they will do a better job!

My first thoughts were, "is this race ever going to start!?" Five or ten minutes after 8am, the organizer started the race. The race itself was short and sweet. I did not take the one water break offered. Upon completing the race, I took off my chip, and drove home--I was meeting some friends to drive up to Austin, TX, for the day. :)

Myself in ATX, on the UT Campus

State Capitol, Austin, Texas

The girls! We went to Juan in a Million...I had heard about it on NPR and was oober excited to go! The food was pretty good, huge servings, and cheap!

All four of us

Myself with my good friend, Kate. We were able to meet up with her for a little while!

Rise up, O men of God!

Yesterday, on the way home from jump roping with the kids, I tuned into the BBN and heard the hymn, Rise up, O men of God! I find that I am still pondering these words, and I want to share two of the verses with you, as well as give you a little history on the hymn.

Rise up, O men of God was written in 1911, by William P. Merrill. It was first published in the Presbyterian newspaper, The Continent. Merrill had been told by a collegue that there was an urgent need of a brotherhood hymn. Today we have an urgent need of men of God!

Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

I love the words: Rise up and make her great, Lift high the cross of Christ, Tread where His feet have trod. In Sunday school this past week we were talking about being humble and being another persons wing-man. People kept talking about different things you had to do to be a good wing-man, and I finally spoke up and said, to be a good wing-man, you have to know the person...not just know about them. You have to invest in them.

In the same way, we as disciples of Christ, are called to invest in our relationship with Him. We are to Rise up and make Jesus great! We are to lift high the cross of Christ and tread where His feet have trod. This is not always easy, as we learn from the Easter story, but Christ is victorious, and the battle is already won!

As a single woman, I am looking for a man that understands how to Lift high the cross of Christ. These are the men that I find most attractive, those that Rise up and make her great. Sadly, I know very few. Men--you are brothers of the Son of Man, you are brothers of Jesus Christ!