Wednesday, March 30, 2011
My Running
Well, I finally broke my 40min. 5k. It was just on my own run and not at a official race...but I feel good about achieving that BEFORE my next birthday. I ran 5k in 38:44 so it wasn't even a squeak by. Next race is in 16 days, the Lamont 5k. It's just a little local race and will not be chipped. Which just means the official time might not be real accurate. My new goal now is to get down to a 12min mile pace, which is a whooping 5mph. Since I've been using my Nike + GPS (one month) I have tracked over 36 miles. That's kind of cool. I'm actually getting to the place where I enjoy the run (well, at least most of the way). But sharing this experience with my husband and with friends (especially Jen) has been the biggest blessing of all.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Breathe
Today was our last session for Morning bible study. We have been studying the life of Jonah, with a study written by Priscilla Shirer. This has been a fabulous study. But that's not what is on my heart right now...
We have mostly young mothers of small children and infants that attend this morning study. For the most part, they are home all day with their little ones. This study is vitally important to their emotional well-being! Some moms come in dressed like they are going out on a date. The reason being, it's the first time all week that they are out of the house. Some moms come in looking bedraggled, tired and barely put together. We've all been there. But the one thing they all have in common? They drop those beautiful-loves-of-their-lives into the nursery, collapse into the chair in the bible study room and breathe. For two entire hours no one is asking for anything, they sit soaking it all in. They laugh and cry with their girlfriends around them. They learn more about Jesus Christ and more about their relationship with Him. What makes this time even possible?
Nursery Caregivers.
Finding people to help in the Nursery has been the biggest burden of anything that God has put in front of me. When it's time to begin the planning of each Bible Study, I cry out to God. Is this really what you want? I can't do this again. I can't get the nursery filled. I don't know what else to do.
Today, one of the young moms said to me, "this is the first 2 hours that I've had without my kids all week.". I could see how exhausted she was. At that moment I felt God confirm in me all over again. "Yes Karen, I want you to do this again, and again, and again."
I have to believe that God will make a way. I also have to realize, that way may not be easy. I will probably always have a hard time finding childcare, that doesn't mean that God is not in the middle of it all. It just means that I have to completely depend on Him and "roll with the punches". We can be quick to nix something God wants us to do. We think, if this is God ordained, it will be smooth and easy. I think that is rarely the case. I am a lot like Jonah, I throw my little temper tantrum. I want people to just line up to serve in nursery, I want them to enthusiastically call me on the phone and say "YES, I would LOVE to serve in this way." When it's tough and no one can help, I get angry, I whine, I say "forget it, this is my last one." Thanks be to God, he doesn't leave me alone! Sometimes he gives me a fish to rescue me, sometimes he gives me shade to take a rest. When I seek Him, I find Him - giving me everything I need to do it one more time, and one more time, and one more time...
We have mostly young mothers of small children and infants that attend this morning study. For the most part, they are home all day with their little ones. This study is vitally important to their emotional well-being! Some moms come in dressed like they are going out on a date. The reason being, it's the first time all week that they are out of the house. Some moms come in looking bedraggled, tired and barely put together. We've all been there. But the one thing they all have in common? They drop those beautiful-loves-of-their-lives into the nursery, collapse into the chair in the bible study room and breathe. For two entire hours no one is asking for anything, they sit soaking it all in. They laugh and cry with their girlfriends around them. They learn more about Jesus Christ and more about their relationship with Him. What makes this time even possible?
Nursery Caregivers.
Finding people to help in the Nursery has been the biggest burden of anything that God has put in front of me. When it's time to begin the planning of each Bible Study, I cry out to God. Is this really what you want? I can't do this again. I can't get the nursery filled. I don't know what else to do.
Today, one of the young moms said to me, "this is the first 2 hours that I've had without my kids all week.". I could see how exhausted she was. At that moment I felt God confirm in me all over again. "Yes Karen, I want you to do this again, and again, and again."
I have to believe that God will make a way. I also have to realize, that way may not be easy. I will probably always have a hard time finding childcare, that doesn't mean that God is not in the middle of it all. It just means that I have to completely depend on Him and "roll with the punches". We can be quick to nix something God wants us to do. We think, if this is God ordained, it will be smooth and easy. I think that is rarely the case. I am a lot like Jonah, I throw my little temper tantrum. I want people to just line up to serve in nursery, I want them to enthusiastically call me on the phone and say "YES, I would LOVE to serve in this way." When it's tough and no one can help, I get angry, I whine, I say "forget it, this is my last one." Thanks be to God, he doesn't leave me alone! Sometimes he gives me a fish to rescue me, sometimes he gives me shade to take a rest. When I seek Him, I find Him - giving me everything I need to do it one more time, and one more time, and one more time...
Monday, March 14, 2011
Monkey on My Back
I was thinking that I wanted to change the name of this blog...but...I guess it still fits me well. Maybe I will put the effort into making this blog look fancy too.
So, I ran my second 5K as a 41 yr old (my first 5k I was 26). Since I turn 42 in less than a month, I guess that will be my record haha. BUT I still cannot complete the distance in less than 40min. I ran today it took 40:56. I may not have an opportunity to race before I turn 42, but I WILL run a 5k under 40 minutes before April 6th.
So, I ran my second 5K as a 41 yr old (my first 5k I was 26). Since I turn 42 in less than a month, I guess that will be my record haha. BUT I still cannot complete the distance in less than 40min. I ran today it took 40:56. I may not have an opportunity to race before I turn 42, but I WILL run a 5k under 40 minutes before April 6th.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
One of the many things I love about following Christ is how He speaks to me. I love that he speaks to me the way that's just right for me. I'm a processor. I need to think on things for a while. Because God knows me so intimately, he gives me insights a little at a time until they all merge together in terrific understanding.
I've had a few thoughts bouncing around inside my head over the last week. Today during the service they all snapped into place. What if you gave everything to God? What if... Growing up a Pastor's daughter, this idea isn't new to me. I've heard it a thousand times. Today however, it was like a strong magnet drawing all the scattered thoughts together. I looked at that phrase in a new way. What if...I gave Him my fear? The fear of failure, the fear of looking stupid, the fear of rejection, the fear of embarrassment, the fear of needing to be liked. What would my ministry look like if I let go? Let go of control, let go of doing everything perfect, let go of needing praise. What if I TRULY gave everything to God?
Place Your Life Before God
God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1a
I want to give it all to God! I want His passion daily! I want to live my life on fire. I don't want to look to the world. I don't want to look at my ministry as being defined by a title, I want my everyday, ordinary life to be a ministry.
I've had a few thoughts bouncing around inside my head over the last week. Today during the service they all snapped into place. What if you gave everything to God? What if... Growing up a Pastor's daughter, this idea isn't new to me. I've heard it a thousand times. Today however, it was like a strong magnet drawing all the scattered thoughts together. I looked at that phrase in a new way. What if...I gave Him my fear? The fear of failure, the fear of looking stupid, the fear of rejection, the fear of embarrassment, the fear of needing to be liked. What would my ministry look like if I let go? Let go of control, let go of doing everything perfect, let go of needing praise. What if I TRULY gave everything to God?
Place Your Life Before God
God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1a
I want to give it all to God! I want His passion daily! I want to live my life on fire. I don't want to look to the world. I don't want to look at my ministry as being defined by a title, I want my everyday, ordinary life to be a ministry.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Keeping my eyes on Jesus
Well, I think most of you that read my blog know that I am currently a part of LCC Biggest loser. I took my eyes off the prize for a while. I started letting some old habits creep in. For me, this weight challenge is more than losing weight. It is a struggle with self/flesh. The struggle lies deep in the grey matter of my brain, the memories, learned behavior, hurt. Someday I will try to put into words the hurt and negative thinking that comes with my body image, but for now I wanted to blog about Pastor Steve's sermon and how God used it today as a reminder.
On Sunday Pastor Steve talked about Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. We all know the story well. But Steve talked about how Jesus chastised Peter for not believing in Him.
Here is the text: Matthew 14:27-32 Amplified
27But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!
28And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
29He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.
30But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
31Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I can just imagine Peter being excited and all gong ho, just like I was when I first started biggest loser and lost 3 pounds the first week. Then Peter "perceived and felt the strong wind." How many times have I let life around me take my focus off Jesus. In the context of weight loss I have often looked at what others were "able" to eat and felt like shouting "NOT FAIR!!" I love that Jesus not only reached out and saved him, he held him. Peter was scared and Christ calmed Peter as well as the sea. BUT, then Christ told Peter his faith was weak. Pastor Steve pointed out that Jesus did not say "good effort" or "you almost made it" or "at least you tried." It impacted me in the area of my fleshly struggle with food. When I'm remembering to keep my eyes on what God wants for me, his temple, I may trip a bit but I continue walking forward. When my eyes are on the world around me, I start to go down. Lack of confidence causes me to want to give up. So I say to myself. Have faith, Philippians 1:6 (New International Version) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. I need to do better than "good effort" I need to trust that through Christ I can do all things. That this flesh battle needs to be given to the Lord of my life. The great thing is, when I have days where I feel like I'm falling deep into the water, Christ is there to reach out to me and hold me.
One last verse. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (New Living Translation)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! I'm running to win. Not the race to be skinny, but to give my all to Christ. To turn to Him in weakness. To honor Him with my words and DEEDS. To be more like Christ. To watch Him make something beautiful out of my life.
On Sunday Pastor Steve talked about Peter walking on the water toward Jesus. We all know the story well. But Steve talked about how Jesus chastised Peter for not believing in Him.
Here is the text: Matthew 14:27-32 Amplified
27But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I AM! Stop being afraid!
28And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
29He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.
30But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]!
31Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
I can just imagine Peter being excited and all gong ho, just like I was when I first started biggest loser and lost 3 pounds the first week. Then Peter "perceived and felt the strong wind." How many times have I let life around me take my focus off Jesus. In the context of weight loss I have often looked at what others were "able" to eat and felt like shouting "NOT FAIR!!" I love that Jesus not only reached out and saved him, he held him. Peter was scared and Christ calmed Peter as well as the sea. BUT, then Christ told Peter his faith was weak. Pastor Steve pointed out that Jesus did not say "good effort" or "you almost made it" or "at least you tried." It impacted me in the area of my fleshly struggle with food. When I'm remembering to keep my eyes on what God wants for me, his temple, I may trip a bit but I continue walking forward. When my eyes are on the world around me, I start to go down. Lack of confidence causes me to want to give up. So I say to myself. Have faith, Philippians 1:6 (New International Version) being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ. I need to do better than "good effort" I need to trust that through Christ I can do all things. That this flesh battle needs to be given to the Lord of my life. The great thing is, when I have days where I feel like I'm falling deep into the water, Christ is there to reach out to me and hold me.
One last verse. 1 Corinthians 9:24 (New Living Translation)
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! I'm running to win. Not the race to be skinny, but to give my all to Christ. To turn to Him in weakness. To honor Him with my words and DEEDS. To be more like Christ. To watch Him make something beautiful out of my life.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
I am working on posting something worth my time of writing and your time of reading...but until then, I'm stealing something from my sister-in-laws blog. She always has something meaningful to say.
So, first let me preface this by sharing that I am a part of LCC's biggest looser, and I'm doing quite well actually. Well, that was until I began making baked goods for the Guatemala sale. How easily I turned into my old ways. The book that we are using for LCC Biggest Looser is the spiritual secrets of weight loss. In this book we are reminded that we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, therefore, we have self control! Among many other things. With this in mind, here is Val's post.
the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few 1 Samuel 14:6
I went back to read the whole story. Jonathan is given the victory because he watched for the signs from God....but more importantly he believed in God's power.
Trials are always...well....a trial. But there comes a moment right before we head over to the enemy's camp that we have to decide who's power we are going to have more confidence in. Am I more confident in the power of my God? Or do I put more stock into the power of my enemies?
Even if it's 2 against 20....I know that the Lord will act on our behalf.
So, for me, peanut butter cookies, turtle bars, fudge, and cake batter where the enemy. I let my armor down and now I have to try to get on track. But my God is a BIG God, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do.
Karen
whos power is in the Lord
So, first let me preface this by sharing that I am a part of LCC's biggest looser, and I'm doing quite well actually. Well, that was until I began making baked goods for the Guatemala sale. How easily I turned into my old ways. The book that we are using for LCC Biggest Looser is the spiritual secrets of weight loss. In this book we are reminded that we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, therefore, we have self control! Among many other things. With this in mind, here is Val's post.
the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few 1 Samuel 14:6
I went back to read the whole story. Jonathan is given the victory because he watched for the signs from God....but more importantly he believed in God's power.
Trials are always...well....a trial. But there comes a moment right before we head over to the enemy's camp that we have to decide who's power we are going to have more confidence in. Am I more confident in the power of my God? Or do I put more stock into the power of my enemies?
Even if it's 2 against 20....I know that the Lord will act on our behalf.
So, for me, peanut butter cookies, turtle bars, fudge, and cake batter where the enemy. I let my armor down and now I have to try to get on track. But my God is a BIG God, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do.
Karen
whos power is in the Lord
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Kids
On Monday, Mike and I went to Parent/Teacher conferences. Both kids received glowing reports! Jessica's total grade averaged out as an A. Her teacher tells us that she is a great writer. She said that she is always ready to help and do the right thing. Jessica seems to be liked by all her classmates, and is a good friend. I'm very proud of her and it has been a joy to watch her grow and blossom.
As a parent you try hard to treat each child equally, and give each equal attention and glory, but today I want to brag just a little extra about Zeke. Zeke just has one of those personalities that draw you in. He is open and ready to love everyone. His teacher had such wonderful things to say about him that I found it hard not to cry. It wasn't only that he was doing great in school, or that he is reading 5 levels higher than expected. It was what she had to say about his character that was important. She told us that Zeke "has a big heart" and that he is a "safe friend." Every year before conference, she gives each child a survey to fill out. One of the questions on the survey is, "The part I don't like about school is____________." Zeke answered the question with, "when friends are sick." She said that she has been teaching for MANY years, and that is the first time a student answered in such a way. She just seemed so amazed by the way he loves people. All I could say was, "God has big plans for Zeke." Although I am beyond proud of Zeke and the man that he is becoming, I give all glory to God. He formed him and created him to be the person he is. It is a big responsibility for Mike and I to raise this boy to love Christ more than anything else, to continue to feed his spirit and give him safe and godly outlets to love people. To help him grow into manhood without loosing his tender heart. At the same time, to raise a lovely woman who is confident with herself, while her brother gets most of the attention. If you see us, or think of us, we covet your prayers. I know that all mothers who live their lives to serve Christ, feel that same desire for their children. We all look forward to seeing how God is going to use our children for His kingdom. That is way praying for our children is the most important thing we can do! That is way I am such an advocate for Moms in touch international. But, I digress, I will blog about Moms in Touch another day. Today, under piles of laundry, a dirty kitchen floor and no idea what I'll cook for dinner, I bask in the feeling of accomplishment and a job well done as a mother.
As a parent you try hard to treat each child equally, and give each equal attention and glory, but today I want to brag just a little extra about Zeke. Zeke just has one of those personalities that draw you in. He is open and ready to love everyone. His teacher had such wonderful things to say about him that I found it hard not to cry. It wasn't only that he was doing great in school, or that he is reading 5 levels higher than expected. It was what she had to say about his character that was important. She told us that Zeke "has a big heart" and that he is a "safe friend." Every year before conference, she gives each child a survey to fill out. One of the questions on the survey is, "The part I don't like about school is____________." Zeke answered the question with, "when friends are sick." She said that she has been teaching for MANY years, and that is the first time a student answered in such a way. She just seemed so amazed by the way he loves people. All I could say was, "God has big plans for Zeke." Although I am beyond proud of Zeke and the man that he is becoming, I give all glory to God. He formed him and created him to be the person he is. It is a big responsibility for Mike and I to raise this boy to love Christ more than anything else, to continue to feed his spirit and give him safe and godly outlets to love people. To help him grow into manhood without loosing his tender heart. At the same time, to raise a lovely woman who is confident with herself, while her brother gets most of the attention. If you see us, or think of us, we covet your prayers. I know that all mothers who live their lives to serve Christ, feel that same desire for their children. We all look forward to seeing how God is going to use our children for His kingdom. That is way praying for our children is the most important thing we can do! That is way I am such an advocate for Moms in touch international. But, I digress, I will blog about Moms in Touch another day. Today, under piles of laundry, a dirty kitchen floor and no idea what I'll cook for dinner, I bask in the feeling of accomplishment and a job well done as a mother.
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