The Best of What's Around

I will be filled with joy because of you.  I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:2

As a Christian, it is easy sometimes to view aspects of life with their appropriate seriousness-sin and its consequences, fighting against evil, loving others into a relationship with Christ, etc., but sometimes we overlook some of the great delights of being a follower of Jesus.

I have enjoyed running for several years now.  With this time of the year being considered "race season" for most runners, I have decided to run more shorter distant events and participated in this year's Knoxville-Covenant Marathon on a co-ed relay team.  Just over two years ago, I suffered from ITBS, which is very painful and a common ailment for many runners. Three years ago, I developed plantar fasciitis while training for the Half-Marathon. Four years ago, I was sidelined due to a stress fracture from wearing those minimalist shoes.

While I enjoy running the 13.1 miles and have a time that I would eventually like to beat, I have really enjoyed running the shorter races this year and have done pretty well (our co-ed relay team finished first place out of 77 other teams with a time of 3:00:42!)  

The point I am trying to make is that life sometimes makes an unexpected turn, or things don’t always happen the way we would like for them to.  

God, however, is constant in His love for each of us and regardless of our circumstances, has a plan for us.   He made this wonderful world for us to live in and enjoy and wants us to serve Him enthusiastically and filled with joy.

Let us not lose our perspective on being able to enjoy the journey that God has planned for us, even if it is not the way we would necessarily have it.

The Best of What's Around

I will be filled with joy because of you.  I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:2

As a Christian, it is easy sometimes to view aspects of life with their appropriate seriousness-sin and its consequences, fighting against evil, loving others into a relationship with Christ, etc., but sometimes we overlook some of the great delights of being a follower of Jesus.

I have enjoyed running for several years now.  With this time of the year being considered "race season" for most runners, I have decided to run more shorter distant events and participated in this year's Knoxville-Covenant Marathon on a co-ed relay team.  Just over two years ago, I suffered from ITBS, which is very painful and a common ailment for many runners. Three years ago, I developed plantar fasciitis while training for the Half-Marathon. Four years ago, I was sidelined due to a stress fracture from wearing those minimalist shoes.

While I enjoy running the 13.1 miles and have a time that I would eventually like to beat, I have really enjoyed running the shorter races this year and have done pretty well (our co-ed relay team finished first place out of 77 other teams with a time of 3:00:42!)  

The point I am trying to make is that life sometimes makes an unexpected turn, or things don’t always happen the way we would like for them to.  

God, however, is constant in His love for each of us and regardless of our circumstances, has a plan for us.   He made this wonderful world for us to live in and enjoy and wants us to serve Him enthusiastically and filled with joy.

Let us not lose our perspective on being able to enjoy the journey that God has planned for us, even if it is not the way we would necessarily have it.

Go Your Own Way

Go your way...and be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

It's taken me most of my adulthood to finally enjoy "my life" rather than coveting someone else's. It sounds a bit corny, but I was looking at all of the photos of my family and friends that came scrolling by on Apple TV the other night and couldn't help but feel blessed and overwhelmed.  There are lots of smiles, great times, and lots of love captured by each photograph.

God wants each of us to enjoy the life He has given us here on this earth. Enjoying life does not mean that something exciting is happening at all times, it just means you enjoy the simple, everyday things. Too many people wish their days away until their next vacation and miss out on the many blessings that God has in store for them in the process.

Let's face it, most of life is rather ordinary, but each of us is equipped supernaturally to enjoy life in an extraordinary way.  We should enjoy our lives to the fullest and be a witness to the power and joy from God that is available to everybody.

The Best of What's Around

I will be filled with joy because of you.  I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:2

As a Christian, it is easy sometimes to view aspects of life with their appropriate seriousness-sin and its consequences, fighting against evil, loving others into a relationship with Christ, etc., but sometimes we overlook some of the great delights of being a follower of Jesus.

I have enjoyed running for several years now.  With this time of the year being considered "race season" for most runners, I have decided to run more 5ks this year and did not participate in this year's Knoxville-Covenant Half-Marathon.  Just last year, I suffered from ITBS, which is very painful and a common ailment for many runners. Two years ago, I developed plantar fasciitis while training for the Half-Marathon.  Three years ago, I was sidelined due to a stress fracture.

While I enjoy running the 13.1 miles and have a time that I would eventually like to beat, I have really enjoyed running the shorter races and have done pretty well.  

The point I am trying to make is that life sometimes makes an unexpected turn, or things don’t always happen the way we would like for them to.  

God, however, is constant in His love for each of us and regardless of our circumstances, has a plan for us.   He made this wonderful world for us to live in and enjoy and wants us to serve Him enthusiastically and filled with joy.

Let us not lose our perspective on being able to enjoy the journey that God has planned for us, even if it is not the way we would necessarily have it.