Christmas Thoughts

Christmastime affects everyone differently. Some rejoice with the thought of being reunited with family, while others might be filled with dread. Still others celebrate by giving gifts, while others are reminded that they can't afford to buy any. Christmas can seem magical with shops decorated to the nines, while streets sparkle with all of the lights, especially here in Germany. But recently, due to events in the world, many people are given the stark reminder that true evil does exist in this world. It seems impossible to escape the headlines advertising more deaths, computer hacking, conspiracy, kidnapping, etc, making it hard to have faith in anything this time of year.  In church this morning, the pastor noted how life seems to be mirroring the words penned by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in "Christmas Bells." One of the verses goes as follows:

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!" 

We must not despair, though, in light of all that's going on in the world. It's easy to get caught up in world news and try to drown our sorrows with the hype of Christmas, but don't lose its true meaning, which is the birth of Jesus. His birth was prophesied in Isaiah 9:6, where it is written, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Jesus is the Messiah that the Jewish people yearned for while ruled by the Roman Empire, but in their minds, they contrived a rescuer from physical, not spiritual oppression, neglecting to realize that they needed the sin within them and the whole world to be defeated. In Matthew 1:21, an angel came and spoke to Joseph and stated that as the exact purpose of Jesus' birth. It is written, "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins."

At Christmas, we are called to remember that we are all sinners in need of rescuing. We cannot save ourselves from this wicked world, but there is a Savior whose name we can call on and be saved. He was born in a manger over 2000 years ago in order to walk alongside humanity, feel every sorrow known to man, resist temptation, set an example for the disciples by walking daily in God's will, and demonstrate how to love sacrificially by dying for our sins on the Cross at Calvary. 

So this year, I urge you all to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. His birth truly is a cause for celebration because without Him, we'd be destined for an awful, miserable eternity. My hope is that you'll yearn to learn more about His birth, life, and death by reading the Bible, which is God's love letter to the world. By doing so, I hope that you'll become enlightened about the true meaning of Christmas and desire to entrust Jesus with your life because your eternity depends on it.

Life Lessons

I've had a lot of time to think today, and there are two ideas that struck me today. Two near perfect metaphors for life and how it should be lived. Each idea came when I was doing mundane and relaxing tasks, which served as a reminder that sometimes the best thing to do is take a break from the hustle and bustle of life. Too much time is spent trying to either dress to impress or prove our worth by making a name for ourselves in this world. No longer are we satisfied with everyday life; we crave to be immersed in party or cut throat atmospheres. Except that never gets us anywhere, and we miss out on life lessons that God wants to teach us. We're just too darn busy trying to be awesome during our short stay on Earth, that we never truly kick back and listen to guidance from our Creator.
Today was my first official day of work during my stay at Concordia Eco-Resort. I was assigned to housekeeping as a way of easing me into things. Given the heat and humidity, it typically takes volunteers a few days to adjust to the climate, so the volunteer manager makes sure not to overexert the newbies. Part of my job in housekeeping was to find stained towels and linens, spray them with peroxy, and try to scrub them out. This didn't sound too difficult until I actually attempted it. For the life of me, I just couldn't get some of the stubborn set-in stains to come out, and then it hit me. Too often, we are too stubborn to admit our sins in life and they become like these set-in stains. They're impossible to blot out or scrub away on our own. It is only when we are forthcoming with God about our sin that He can bless us with a clean slate and forgiveness. This is demonstrated in Isaiah 1:18, which states, "Come now let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Only God can cleanse us from our misguided ventures here in this life. We will remain crimson until that moment we trust Jesus to be our Savior and then we become clothed in his righteousness in God's eyes, no longer covered in stubborn set-in stains from sin.
Another revelation that came to me today was that life is like doing the backstroke. Though I was being propelled forward through the water, I couldn't actually see where I was going, forcing me to rely on other senses in order to not run into the wall. On top of that, when doing the backstroke, the only place to look is up towards the heavens. Putting it all together in my mind, I realized that this was exactly how I needed to live my life: constantly looking up to God for guidance and trusting Him to move me forward in life, even if I can't see where I'm going. God created us to be complex beings, but too often, we're too focused on the future and the unknown that we neglect to use all of our senses and, which would help us completely enjoy the journey. It's time to start relinquishing control and asking God for guidance, who spoke us into being in the first place. We must finally take to heart and live out the words written in Proverbs 2:1-8 ~ "...if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding, yes if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints." God will provide all that we need, if only we just ask and seek His insight for our lives, and we cant do that without first looking up.

Pray for Boston and the Running Community

Photo courtesy of Linda Brain Beck

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~Isaiah 40:31

I'm sure most of you have heard the news by now, but two bombs went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon today. This saddened me deeply on many levels. The fact that a senseless tragedy took place that injured and killed innocent people is almost unfathomable. My heart breaks for those impacted by this act of terror in Boston. There are no words to heal the physical and emotional wounds, but I would suggest reading Psalm 34:18, which says, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." God is the only one who can bring any sort of comfort after such an event as this.
Another reason this tragedy saddens me is the fact that it happened at a running event.  I understand the immense effort needed to qualify for the prestigious Boston marathon and the numerous amount of miles and hours necessary to train. This should have been a day of celebration for everybody, but instead it was marred by tragedy. Running is a peaceful sport, not one full of any type of violence. Sure there are fierce rivalries, but at the end of the day, we're all friends. Comradery is the essence of running. Just look at Mo Farah and Galen Rupp, or Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan; two fierce rivals who train together and have become friends. (The greatest moment out of today's marathon involved Kara crossing the finish line and immediately asking how Shalane finished). Those of us who are runners understand that the running community is more like a big family than anything else. If something bad happens to one runner, it's almost like it happened to us. Runners stick by each other through good and bad times, helping out when others are in need. Although many consider running an individual endeavor, it truly transcends boundaries and every runner looks out for another during races. I have so many fond memories from running and have built friendships along the way. I remember back in the 8th grade I was the only girl who would be running the mile at the local Hershey track & field meet and numerous members of the high school distance team decided to band together and join me for my mile run on the track, some of whom might have been wearing jeans if my memory serves me correctly. I also befriended members of other teams and although we were fierce rivals on the track or cross country course, we would laugh together and warmup together when we weren't racing. After high school, I have encountered many friendly runners who enjoyed my running outfits by telling me that I looked like an Easter egg and who helped me conquer obstacles during the Tough Mudder.
All that we can do now is pray. Pray for the runners. Pray for the spectators. Pray for the first responders. Pray for the doctors. We should even pray for those who are responsible, as difficult as that is to fathom. Everybody was created by God, and unfortunately sin has twisted the way people function in this world. It makes me long for my heavenly home because I don't belong here on this Earth. Philippians 3:20 states, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Events like the tragedy in Boston make it even more apparent that this world is slowly going to hell in a handbasket. I can't wait for the return of Jesus and life is what's described in Revelation 21:4 ~ "'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"
For now, us runners must band together and persevere. We can't allow this tragedy to impact our love of running or our desire to run the prestigious race in Boston. If we alter our thinking, we let the terrorists win. As runners, we must remember that what we do best is endure. We endure pain and suffering to achieve our dreams of finishing 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, marathons, ultras, trail races, and any race in between. We know what it's like to not know if we can take another step, but then we do because we refuse to give up on our dreams. So whether you're in shape or not, if you consider yourself a runner, I urge you to get outside and run tomorrow. Run for those who were impacted in Boston. Run for those who can no longer run. Run for those who may never be able to run the same way ever again. Whatever you do, make sure you run, whether it's 100 yards or 100 miles. Once a runner, always a runner!

When Truth is No Longer Accepted

Currently, there are numerous debates in the news between what is right and wrong. Many of these discussions focus on the "rights" of Americans and what should be regulated by the government. Everybody seems to have an opinion, and those with opposing viewpoints call their opponents narrow-minded or insensitive and immediately "lose respect" for anybody who refuses to be openminded enough to share their opponent's viewpoint or beliefs. I wish people would take a second to actually sit down and listen to one another, rather than hurling insults and opting to shutdown to alternative thoughts on matters. Accusations won't get people anywhere, and closing off lines of communication just because somebody has a different opinion is childish.
Part of the problem is that the modern world has lax discipline, which makes it difficult to convey definitive rights and wrongs to people. Sure, I could sit down with somebody and explain why they need a Savior, but if they don't believe they have ever done anything wrong and believe they are generally a "good" person, they will never accept Jesus into their hearts or believe in the teachings of Christianity. This is what happens when relativism seeps into the belief system of the majority. The defined lines between right and wrong get lost in the murky mire of personal beliefs. Along with that, too often Christians don't want to offend others, so they sway away from the definitive truths outlined by God in the Bible. Rather than accept God's authority on all matters, some opt to just let people be happy as long as it doesn't impact them. When this happens, it reflects what was expressed in Isaiah 26:10, which says, "If favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness he deals corruptly and does not see the majesty of the Lord." This is why discipline and teaching ones children is so important. If parents opt to be friends with their kids instead of having authority and disciplining them for their actions when necessary, they will never learn that certain actions are in fact wrong. Proverbs 22:6 expresses the importance of discipline by stating, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
What's unfortunate is that the typical response to a Christian trying to convey biblical truth is calling them hateful bigots who don't love their fellow man and are trying to shove their beliefs down other's throats. It's often misconstrued as Bible-thumping because nonbelievers do not understand that Christians answer to God, not our fellow man. In Matthew 28:20, God calls us to "teach them all that I have commanded you." Not all of humanity acknowledges the authority of God and the truth He speaks, which causes friction. I understand that, but if we show favor to those who are in the wrong, they will never understand or accept the truth. Allowing someone to continue on in their sin without acknowledging the eternal consequences in the opposite of love. I know it is not my job to judge those outside the church (1 Corinthians 5:12), but it is my duty to expose the darkness in the world, as per Ephesians 5:11, which says, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." I myself struggle with ways to do this in a loving manner, but I know in my heart that speaking the truth in love is more important than gaining favor with man. I must pray for courage to talk to people and ask the Holy Spirit for the words to express my concerns to people in my life. I doubt this will happen overnight, but my hope is that I will be emboldened by the Spirit to speak the truth in love.
I must remember that there are only two options after death: eternal life and eternal condemnation. Reading Galatians 6:8, which states, "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life," illuminates that fact, which should serve as my motivator to sow seeds to be watered in the hopes that Christ will pluck them out of the darkness. I cannot just sit back and rest on my laurels, not expressing my concern to those living lives contrary to truth just because they feel it is right. I must be willing to take a chance and express the truth in love. It may cause some riffs and I might lose favor with some, but it's a chance I must be willing to take. You never know who just needs to hear the Gospel in a new light. God can soften hearts in those you least expect it, so trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. I will do my best to do the same. The least we can do is try in these dark times so that as many people as possible have the opportunity to accept Christ in their hearts and have eternal life.

If you have any interest in reading another post based on relativism's impact, feel free to read The Prevailing Age of Skepticism and Moral Degradation

The Benefit of Close Proximity

For those who are unaware, I'm currently living in an RV in the Vanguard Trailer Park in Moonachie, NJ, so I'm learning about the numerous facets of close proximity. For instance, right now, I happen to be laying on my bunk and my head is literally about six inches from the ceiling, so I will be refraining from any sudden movements. I'm staying in this RV with my "adopted" parents (Jim and Jeni), which allows for some wonderful fellowship time when we aren't busy working on installing insulation, walking the dogs, or ministering to others in the park. Across the street lives Scooby, who has been kind enough to open his trailer for Bob to bunk there for a couple weeks as we all work together in Vanguard doing what we feel God has called us to do. On top of that, the first job we are working on, which will involve re-insulation, new drywall, and new floors, is literally right around the corner from where we are currently living. This all outlines the physical benefits of close proximity, but we learned tonight about the spiritual benefits of close proximity.
After dinner this evening we hosted our first Bible study. A handful of people had been invited, but we weren't quite sure how many to expect. Right before it was supposed to begin, though, it began to rain. With the coming of rain, we were skeptical about whether anybody would show up. A little after 7pm, though, there came a knock on our door. It was A (I'm choosing to use initials rather than names) who lives right next to Scooby. He said he had heard about the Bible study from Scooby and would be right back with his wife D. About five minutes later they came over and introduced themselves, but prefaced it with, "We can't stay long because we haven't eaten dinner." We were understanding of that fact, but wanted to get to know our new neighbors and a bit of their story. D was very excited about us being here and immediately launched into a story about how earlier in the week she had been praying to God to reveal some type of service to her, much like the past fifteen years. She shared that she felt God was listening because the bus driver that day was singing Gospel songs as she drove her route. On top of that, today on the walk home from the bus stop with A, they apparently launched into a discussion about whether they were first seeking God's kingdom (Matthew 6:33), and low and behold, when they got home, Scooby told them about the Bible study we were hosting. D has a strong desire to be on fire for Christ again, and I believe A does too, but is more low key about it. This evolved into an hour and a half discussion about how we need to have a personal relationship with Christ and imitate His ways in order to serve Him. They both have a desire to serve, which is a blessing to us because we are in need of people with drywall and painting skills, which is something A and D have experience with. I really like how D phrased it when she said, "Being a Christian and being able to serve God is the greatest honor and calling." Her favorite verse happens to be Isaiah 6:8, which states, "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me,'" and she is absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to live it out. She doesn't want to be sitting around waiting for help, but wants to be one to go out and help others.
Another take home point from the evening was the fact that there needs to be a catalyst to bring a community together and that sometimes we all need another Christian brother or sister to reach out to us and guide us. The reason that we all returned to Vanguard is because we sense the need in this community for salt and light. We need to illuminate this darkness and do as Jesus told Peter in John 21:17 and "feed His sheep." Many accepted Christ into their hearts back in November, but had no clear direction afterwards, and many probably need more indepth teachings as to why they truly need a Savior. Our purpose in the next month is to not only help provide the physical needs of re-insulating and rebuilding, but also to provide spiritual nourishment for those who are lost and searching for hope.
One more interesting twist to this proximity discussion is who A and D are good friends with. Back in November, there was a woman that we interacted with almost daily during our last week who had some troubles with alcohol. She was staying with another woman who was struggling and her boyfriend, G. A and D happen to be good friends with G and want to invite him to tomorrow's Bible study. We were all amazed and astonished at the intricacies of God's plan and how we are finally seeing some of it unfold. We all can't wait to see what He has in store for us and how he might use us in the coming weeks. One thing is for sure, we are definitely benefiting from our proximity within this community.

Outlook 2013

Well it's a new year finally. Some might approach it with apprehension, while others might be excited for new prospects. No matter how you feel about the coming of 2013, a piece of Scripture to keep in mind as you tackle the new year is Isaiah 41:10, which states, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." It is a good reminder to know that whatever the year brings, God will be with us every step of the way.
Personally, I'm not sure how this year will go. I hope that full time employment is in the cards for me. I do know that I am trying to be faithful to God and taking advantage of opportunities that have presented themselves. Some friends of mine that I met through my volunteer work with Samaritan's Purse have invited me down to North Carolina so that I can check out their area to see if I would be willing to move if a job presents itself. At this point, it can't hurt, and the fellowship will be an added benefit to the roadtrip.
Another hope of mine for this year is that I'll recapture my love of running and exercise. I have a degree in exercise physiology and I used to run a lot in high school and college, but I've had my moments of being frustrated with the sport and with exercise in general. Recently, though, I wrote out a program for a friend of mine and I have also tried to provide her with motivation and encouragement. My goal is to utilize my own motivation and encouragement to bring back my desire to run. I'm trying to remember to start slow, though. Today I ran a half mile, just down to the end of my road and back. Enough to get my heart rate up and feel like I accomplished something, but not too far that I exhausted myself and refuse to try again tomorrow. I figure by slowly building up my mileage, I will be able to once again enjoy running the long distances I tackled in the past.
No matter what your fears or goals are for this year, remember that God is with you every step of the way. There won't be a single situation in your life that He isn't in control of. That should bring comfort and confidence as you make your way through 2013. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, trust that God is right there next to you and completely understands what you're going through.

Celebrate the Silent Night

For Sunday school at Saucon Bible Fellowship Church this month, we have been doing what's called hymnology for particular Christmas hymns. Hymnology is the scholarly study of religious hymns and songs, and I found it to be quite interesting because I love history and I'm a nerd at heart. My goal for this post is to examine the origin, historical significance, and Scripture behind Silent Night.
I'm currently sitting with my feet propped up on a coffee table and listening to my new favorite recording of the hymn by The Glass Child, who is a Swedish musician now residing in Bristol, in order to get in the right mindset for typing these words. The simplicity within the recording, along with the power of her vocals give me chills almost every time I listen to it, especially on the line, "Son of God, love's pure light." It's as if she is bringing the majesty of that moment to life out of the silence of that night so long ago.
Silent Night, or Stille Nacht, actually dates back to 1816. It was originally written in German by Joseph Mohr in 1816, but the music composition by Franz Gruber didn't develop until 1818. It was first sung at the 1818 Christmas Eve service in Oberndorf, Austria. It's popularity soon spread with the help of traveling musicians, being published as a hymn in 1838, and being translated into the English language in 1863. It has since become a Christmas staple for people around the world.
A surreal moment in history where Silent Night stands out took place during The Great War, specifically in 1914. It was a war that many thought would be over by Christmas, but alas, both sides were still heavily entrenched on the Western Front come Christmas eve of that year. Remarkably, on that evening, it is said that the Germans began lighting candles and make-shift tannenbaums while singing a stirring rendition of Stille Nacht. The British couldn't believe their eyes and ears, but soon both sides were singing, each in his own language. A truce was suggested, and leaders from both sides entered no-man's-land to shake hands. For that Christmas, enemies became friends, sharing pictures and gifts. Time was set aside for a soccer match, but more importantly, to bury the dead. Though it only lasted for that day, it's considered a miracle that such a truce was even possible during such a fiercely fought war. I would definitely recommend that you all watch the French film, Joyeux Noël, which depicts that miracle from 98 years ago and the moving rendition of Silent Night that took place that night.
Now I think it's time to begin a methodical dissection of the lyrics and the powerful meaning behind these carefully crafted words. The first verse goes as follows:

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and child

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

This verse mentions key points, such as the mother being a virgin and her child being a Holy infant. This clearly points to Luke 2:6-7, which states, "And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." Earlier in Luke 1:26-38, it is revealed that Mary is with child, even though she's a virgin, because she was blessed by the Holy Spirit to conceive the Savior of the world. Not only was this a miracle, but it fulfilled the prophecy revealed in Isaiah 7:14 that said, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Verse two continues with the following:

Silent night, holy night

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Hallelujah

Christ, the Savior is born

Christ, the Savior is born

Immediately, I take note of the fact that the shepherds were uneasy about what had been revealed to them from heaven. This imagery lines up perfectly with what is written in Luke 2:8-9, which reveals that, "And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear." The angel does reassure the shepherds to not be afraid and that they come bearing good news from heaven about a Savior being born in a manger. The angel and heavenly hosts were extremely exuberant, which is outlined in Luke 2:13-14 ~ "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"

The third and final verse goes as follows:

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

When analyzing this verse, one must first turn to John 1:9, which says, "The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world." This statement was describing Jesus as the true light, much like the "love's pure light" from the verse. Continuing through the verse, the "dawn of redeeming grace" clearly points to the words within Romans 3:24 that say, "And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." The light of the world is also our great Redeemer; through Him our grace is found. One must also not forget that Jesus was the Lord upon birth, which is depicted in Luke 2:11 ~ "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

In light of the link to Scripture, we should remember that God fulfilled His promises to the people of Israel on that silent night with the birth of Jesus in that lowly manger. God blessed us with His Son in order to save us. Upon the birth of Jesus, the world was blessed with a Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. The words of this simple hymn really drive this point home, and it is my hope that more people will examine the powerful meaning behind the lyrics as they sing them. They tell part of the most important and lifesaving story that exists.
This Christmas, be in the mindset of Relient K. In their song, I Celebrate the Day, they ponder the true meaning behind the birth of Jesus. They question whether He felt the impact from His own birth into this fallen world. It's profound that they say the following:

And the first time

That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior?

And the first breath that left Your lips

Did You know that it would change this world forever?

Even more profound is how the song ends with these lyrics:

And I, I celebrate the day

That You were born to die

So I could one day pray for You to save my life

During Christmastime, instead of dwelling on the stress of shopping, writing cards, baking cookies, and trying to make plans to visit friends and family, focus on the magnificent miracle of the birth of Jesus. Celebrate His coming into the world in a humble manner so that He could be your Lord and Savior. Without Jesus as our Redeemer, we have no hope of eternal life. Christmas is a time to celebrate the great impact of Jesus on that silent night over 2000 years ago. Take the time to concentrate on that fact the next time you listen to a rendition of Silent Night.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Resources:
Origins of Silent Night
The Center for Church Music, Songs, and Hymns
The Truce of Christmas, 1914 by Thomas Vinciguerra

When God Chooses to Be Burger King: Have it Your Way

"Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah  and said to him, 'Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.'  But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, 'Give us a king to judge us.' And Samuel prayed to the Lord.  And the Lord said to Samuel, 'Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.'" 

~1 Samuel 8:4-7

It's been a little over a month since Obama won the recent election. Even though I do not agree with America's choice, I am at least thankful that I am no longer being bombarded with political ads and recorded phone calls telling me who I should vote for. There's always some form of light at the end of the tunnel, I suppose. But I digress.
I've been quite aware of those who were disheartened and discontent by the result of the election. Some might even be wondering why God even allowed Obama to be re-elected, especially in light of the imploding economy. But asking why never solves anything. Also, we may not agree with the reason why, particularly if we realize that it could be due to national disobedience and God granting the majority their desires, even if he does not agree.
A perfect example of this occurring in biblical history was when God granted Israel a king because they no longer wanted judges presiding over them. Samuel was the last judge and the elders did not approve of his sons as judges because they were crooked and did not follow in the ways of Samuel or the Lord. Samuel was distraught when he went to God with the elders' proposition for a king, but the Lord told Samuel to grant them their king. God was essentially saying, "Have it your way," since he was well aware of the true hearts of his people. The Lord knew that continuing on with judges would not appease Israel, but he also knew that an earthly king was not the answer. Instead of denying them a king, though, he granted their desires in the hopes that Israel would backpedal from their own decision and turn back to God as their presiding king and judge.
I believe the path of America has some similarities. The majority of Americans have turned their backs to God and are choosing to live in ways contrary to His ways. The laws that states are trying to pass that are contrary to the Constitution serve as proof of rebellion and how we contradict ourselves. Where else could abortion be legal, but murdering a pregnant woman is considered a double homicide? Also, how can it be illegal to utilize marijuana in America, but certain states can pass laws to make it legal?
Rather than trying to fix the problem, I believe God allowed Obama to get re-elected in the hopes that America would realize how far she's fallen away. America seems numb to her moral compass, and the people have developed hardness of heart. I believe this is something God has allowed, much like in the time after King Uzziah when the Lord had Isaiah say to the people, "'Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed,'" (Isaiah 6:10).
The only clear solution is for us to be sensitive to what our eyes see, ears hear, and hearts understand and turn to be healed by God. We must answer his call and allow him to be our Shepherd. God might have a Burger King moment, but only to serve the grander purpose of calling His sheep back to Himself. It is our job to heed the call and be zealous for the Lord. 

W.A.I.T. Part 8: Fear of Man

According to Anxiety Disorders Association of America, there are 40 million adults in the United States dealing with anxiety disorders. People can have anxiety for all sorts of reasons, but my assumption is that social phobias and fear of the unknown are the top reasons behind most anxiety. I speak from experience because I am an introvert by nature and I have to force myself into certain situations that usually make me uncomfortable. Sometimes I try to focus on Proverbs 29:25 which states, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." I would rather not be hindered by my fear of man because it keeps me from enjoying life to the fullest and it gives me unnecessary stress.
For those of you who know me, you are probably aware of the occasional stress I feel under certain circumstances. One of my least favorite things involves talking on the phone. I'm not sure why I have this particular fear, but it exists in my life. What's humorous, though, is the fact that God keeps putting me in jobs or situations where I must talk on the phone. I had to call campgrounds to make reservations on my cross country roadtrip, I had to use the phone working at my summer campground job to verify reservations and boat counts, and I currently have to use the phone at my temp job, which has proved interesting with two incidents of a man making harassing phone calls. By submersing myself in these situations, my fear has slowly subsided because God has been with me the whole time. He presents a reminder in Isaiah 41:10 stating, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Knowing this, I try to dive into new situations even if I feel ill at ease. With music as another motivator, the song "Miracle" by Paramore has a line that says, "I don't want to run from anything uncomfortable..." This mentality has proved especially useful recently, and I'm thankful for that because the uneasy feeling in my heart has since subsided.
I think what many don't realize is how living in fear caters to Satan and his minions. Satan is a master at taking advantage of us during our weakest moments and infusing our minds with fear and doubt to further put a strain on our lives. I think in the song "A Dustland Fairytale," The Killers hit the nail on the head with the lines, "God gives us hope but we still fear what we don't know. Your mind is poisoned." This is exactly what the devil does; he poisons our minds with meaningless garbage in order to create stumbling blocks. This can hinder both our relationship with God, along with our ability to share the Gospel with those around us. By creating doubt in our mind, we question God's sovereignty and authority, which limits our ability to trust Him in times of need. Also, if we have an unnecessary fear of man, we will never reach out to them in order to determine if they have heard about Jesus Christ and the importance of building a relationship with Him. Instead of fretting over people and their opinions, focus on Jesus' words in Matthew 10:28, which tell us, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One both soul and body in hell." It is only once you realize how this fear hinders your life that you can move towards change and a different framework of thinking.
No matter where you are in life, you are bound to be surrounded by people who don't like you for some reason or another. Most people would avoid contact with these people, but I think it would be beneficial to analyze the Parable of Weeds in Matthew 13:24-30. This parable says, "Jesus told them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 'The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' "'An enemy did this,’ he replied. "The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?' "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'" The weeds symbolize the unpleasant or evil people that Satan sprinkles into your life, and according to Jesus, it is actually better to live among them than avoid them. It builds character and patience when you spend time with people who you don't always agree with, or don't even really like. Some might actually be enemies who try to break you down, but if you trust God and don't live in fear, you can serve as an example to God's sovereignty in your life, which will glorify Him at the end of the day.
The bottom line is that in order to thrive in the Christian life, one must face their fears and realize that they are holding you back in the long run. We must allow God to be glorified through us by holding our ground in the midst of our foes. By trusting God, you will be able to hold your ground instead of running the other way. I think Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it best when he stated, ‎"Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes." It is our job in life to try our best to exemplify Christ in our actions in order to try and bring others closer to Him. If we live in constant fear, others will doubt the greatness of God. By embracing God's love, fear can diminish in your life so that you can thrive, for 1 John 4:18 says, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

W.A.I.T. Part 5: Forget the Past

And I won't look back 'cause there's no use. Its time to move forward.

"Feeling Sorry" Paramore

I think that Paramore is onto something by talking about the need to focus on what's ahead, not what's behind. Too often we are apt to get caught up in the mistakes of the past, which leave us at a standstill emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Replaying the past can't change it, and it only hinders your present and possibly your future. Learning to let go is one of the most important lessons that we can learn.
Isaiah 43:18 tells us, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." This ancient prophet knew how important it was to focus on the future. During this time, it was more important to look forward to the coming of Christ instead of looking back on the stringent Commandments that Moses brought forth. There is hope in Christ, while the law seems to carry a burden.
In the world of running, nobody says it better than Frank Shorter. One of his famous quotes is, "You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming." This quote rings true in my life. Back in May, I started my third marathon, which was the second one that I finished. It was of utmost importance for me to forget my last marathoning experience, which had taken place in November of 2007. It was a freezing cold day in Harrisburg and I started the race too fast and had ingested too many fluids. By mile 18, I was feeling sick to my stomach and began to walk, but that only made my legs hurt even more. I ended up dropping out at mile 22 feeling like I had failed. I remained discouraged for many months as I kept questioning whether or not I could have indeed completed the race. Eventually I let the whole experience go from my mind and gained enough courage to train and start another marathon. I faced my fair share of struggles during that race, but because I was not focused on my past failure, I was able to cross the finish line.
In the same sense, we must take this approach in all aspects of our lives. We can't dwell on what we did wrong during school, job interviews, relationships, or friendships. If we continue to replay the past, we'll never be able to grow in the future. It's too easy to miss out on some of the blessings of today by cluttering our minds with yesterday. Nothing can be changed accept how we approach each new day. Instead of being self-centered and moping about how awful certain aspects of life have been, focus on what you can do to promote Christ and live in a way pleasing to Him. This is the main focus of Philippians 3:13-14 ~ "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
A sure way to nurture a spiritual environment in which one can thrive is to have one free of past clutter. It's okay to maintain memories of the past as long as they aren't hurting your future. Don't hoard negative thoughts within your brain or else you might miss out on the bright future that the Lord has planned out for you.

Discovering Your Divine Purpose

Life is uncertain. Walt Whitman said, "The future is no more uncertain than the present." This is a unique way of thinking because plenty of people assume they have a grasp on their present circumstances, leaving only the future as an unknown entity. Unbeknownst to most, though, is that many are typically on a constant search for their life's meaning. Instead of getting in a panic and relying on your own devices, you need to relax, pray, and turn to God's Word in order to discover what you are supposed to do with your life.
Skeptics often doubt that there is a reason for them on this earth, but this is just not true. All one has to do is open the Bible to Ephesians 2:10 to discover, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This is all the proof anybody needs to know that God has a specific plan for their life; the problem is discovering that divine purpose. Too many rely on their own knowledge to search for their purpose and place in life. They know God puts them in certain situations or in the path of certain people for a reason, but instead of praying to God to become enlightened about that reason, our human nature formulates assumptions that our brain accepts as fact. This creates a roadblock on the way to discovering what God really means to do with your life because you refuse to move forward and accept your true role in His plan. Instead, most are content with the plan fabricated within their minds. I will admit I have fallen victim to my own mind's deceit. I have felt like I was placed in a situation or in close proximity to certain people for a reason, but instead of relinquishing that role when it had run its course, I held onto it, refusing to let it go because my mind convinced my heart that I was meant to remain on that path as opposed to discovering something bigger and better in life.
There is a song by Rob Thomas called "Someday," which really outlines this issue, I feel. The following is an excerpt from that song: "Cause maybe someday, we'll figure all this out. We'll put an end to all our doubt. Try to find a way to just feel better now and maybe someday we'll live our lives out loud. We'll be better off somehow, someday. Cause sometimes we don't really notice just how good it can get. So maybe we should start all over, start all over again." As these lyrics state, the hardest part is always knowing when to start over. Too many times we get caught up in our circumstances and refuse to accept the fact that we are no longer needed in a situation or by people, which leads to pain, depression, and heartache. God knows that following His path for your life isn't easy, which is why he makes clear statements to us in His Word about what we are supposed to do. Isaiah 43:18 calls for us to, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." Then within Philippians 3:13, Paul says, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." God makes it pretty clear that the only way to truly discover, what Craig Groeschel has termed, our divine purpose, requires us to forget our past and focus on His plan for our future.
Now that you are all slowly digesting this very difficult concept, some might still be wondering how exactly to unleash the knowledge behind your divine purpose. The answer again can be found within your Bible, but this time in Matthew 7:7-8. This states, "'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks find; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.'" Everybody needs to stop relying on their own insight and assumptions about their purpose and role in life and instead turn to God, relinquishing control, and fervently praying for answers. They may not come overnight, but if you continually seek God's guidance, He will answer when you are in the proper situation. Never forget the words of the author, Craig Groeschel, who stated in his book Weird, "He put us here to make an eternal difference."

Words Have Lost Their Meaning

I'm sure many have heard the phrase, "Use your words wisely," at some point in time; or possibly the catchphrase, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." What I have come to notice, though, is that many in this day and age toss around words and phrases with no thought whatsoever. Due to this extreme absence of thought, I have come to find that I am quite skeptical of words people say.
The pace of society seems to inhibit our ability to consciously think through what we say to eachother, which negates the step that ensures that these words express how we truly feel, along with whether or not our actions will back up the thoughts expressed within those words. I think my skepticism was established back in my early years of college when I happened to be a magnet for pathological liars. After associating with them, it has become much harder for me to believe what people say to me. This is why one of my favorite scriptures happens to be 1 John 3:18, which states, "Dear friends, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." I know people mean well when they say kind words, but if this has turned into a mere knee-jerk reaction for the majority of people in their lives, then the significance of some phrases can become lost. This is why I find it much more important to express yourself through actions than through nice comments to one another.
Another reasoning behind my developing skepticism towards what people say is the fact that nobody wants to be held accountable for what they say or what others claim they have said. Everyday it seems like somebody is trying to back out of some form of written contract, or even worse, trying to back out of a marriage. The divorce rate today is astounding, which makes me wonder if anybody ever really means, "Til death do us part." It seems more likely that people are searching for their own happiness and once they get tired of their spouse, it's out with the old and in with the new, with no thought whatsoever to those sacred vows they once spoke.
Many feel they can hide behind their words in order to avoid facing other people or bearing the consequences due to their lack of thought. Be warned, though, that just because another human does not catch on to your true motives doesn't mean that nobody is aware of the intentions within your heart. God is always aware of what's on your heart each and every second. He knows when people lie about how they feel about themselves or about others. In Isaiah 29:13, he calls out the people of Ariel: "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." In essence, God was well aware that these people were hypocrites who would say one thing but do another.
For your own sake, analyze your life and what you say to others. Do you truly mean those words that you express, or is it just an easy out for you to move on and avoid conflict? If there happen to be phrases that you utilize but don't truly mean when you say them, restrain yourself and just don't use them. It is best to stop the hypocrisy as soon as possible in order to live a more honest life. In my own life, there are things that I say that aren't true, and it is my goal to refrain from the usage of these phrases. At the moment, it is as simple as stating, "I'm fine," when somebody asks me how I am feeling, when that is not always necessarily the truth. So if anybody happens to hear me use this phrase, hold me accountable to make sure I am not just using a quick answer to avoid expressing how I truly feel.

Obstacle Conquered

For all of you who are wondering, yes I did finish my marathon today and I ran the entire way. It was by no means easy mentally or physically, but God definitely blessed me with some awesome friends to help me along the way.
 I hit the proverbial wall mad early, at approximately mile 12.5, which was really frustrating. The course was a loop, which meant that all of the hills that demoralized me on lap 1 were going to be that much more of a struggle on lap 2. Apparently I was turning green halfway through, but I regained my color after taking one of my accel-gels. All along the root I was trying to keep scripture in my head like Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 40:31, and 1 Peter 5:7, all in an attempt to motivate myself and trust that God was there and supporting me. To be honest, I was on the verge of a panic attack and giving up around mile 16, which is where my mom jogged a portion with me. This helped slightly, but my hips were killing me, along with my quads, and I just couldn't imagine pushing through another 9 miles. What happened next was definitely a blessing from God. My friend Chrissy, who runs on and off recreationally, but never for long distances, ran with me from mile 17 until mile 25...in jeans. I was so utterly thankful because I was on the verge of throwing in the towel and her running with me gave me the motivation I needed to keep moving. She held my hand when I was really hurting and was a constant source of motivation. We actually got numerous comments from the crowd due to her shirt for "Team Kayla" that contained scripture and the fact that she was wearing jeans. I was most amazed by the fact that she ran 8 miles, which is the farthest she has ever run in my knowledge. That was truly God at work to watch over me in the physical realm while He watched over me in the spiritual realm. What was also a blessing was my roommate running the last obnoxiously steep hill from mile 25-25.5; I was extremely thankful for someone willing to gut that out with me. I finished in an unofficial time of 4hr and 36min. I was just hoping to finish, so I'm not at all concerned with the fact that my time was quite distant from my original goal. I am thoroughly blessed with some awesome friends, but I must go soak in an ice bath so that I am able to walk to class in the morning.

God is the Rock

Before my long run on Saturday, I opened up my Heart of an Athlete devotional to a passage entitled "Lean on Me."  The verse highlighted was Isaiah 26:4, which says, "Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal."  I believe I was meant to read this before my run because I needed to remind myself that God is there for me to lean on in times of struggle, which is how I felt for my 11.5 miler.
I started out with a spring in my step, but only after about 1.5 miles my quads began aching due to the pace that was set.  This was to be expected of course being as I was training with a running maniac and a gazelle (I use these as terms of endearment because I view them both as blessings in my life).  Satan of course was hinting that I should give up, but I remembered the verse from Isaiah and kept pressing on even as the distance between myself and the other two expanded.  The lyrics from the song "Lean on Me" floated across my brain as another subliminal reference to God being my Rock while I was in a tough spot.  We kept trekking farther and farther from town to the point that I knew I really couldn't turn back.  All that time  I had this constant internal battle with Satan and tried my hardest to remember to just trust in my God given abilities.
At Gatorade stops, my two partners in crazy distance running waited for me to catch up, but I was thankful that they continued at their own pace so that I did not sense that I was being a burden. I was just happy to be out doing the run and realizing that I could do it by pushing myself being as I was lagging so far behind that I hardly saw the other two.  Once we reached a spot called Hickory Valley, I could finally sense that the burden of running was slowly being lifted off of me.  Sure my quads ached, but I actually felt like I was enjoying myself.  It was a beautiful sunny morning and perfect running weather.  I  then began thinking about the latest Josh Wilson song called "I Refuse", which is all about listening to our calling from God and not making anymore excuses.  When it comes down to it, I feel that my running is one thing that I have been making excuses about and refusing to do in a way.  Instead of somehow being an inspiration to others by choosing to run for extended periods of time, I was choosing to determine I was too tired to even bother and leaving it up to someone else.  But this long run after having a cold reminded me that I can do anything with God as my Rock and that I should not refuse my calling and actually perform the work of God through my running.
As I finally got closer to town again, I saw my professor waiting for me.  She ran the last mile with me, which definitely helped, though I knew that God would be the one to get me up the last hill.  What was nice to hear was how she felt I was mentally tough and able to conquer a variety of distances on varying terrains.  Hopefully the Holy Spirit will continue to shine through me so that others notice the source of my abilities.

Praying for Others in the Moment

Prayer is a very important piece of the Christian lifestyle.  This varies from person to person.  Some pray in the morning, others at night, and still others during breaks throughout the day.  Also, these prayers take all manner of focus, and as much as we try, this focus tends to be on our own personal desires.  Sure we might, at the last minute, remember a prayer request and include that throughout our prayers.  Yesterday, though, I discovered how refreshing it is to pray for someone in the moment that I assumed that person was struggling, and in my mind, it was a prayer answered.
Early yesterday morning, one of my training partners set out for a 22 mile run.  The plan was that I meet her around mile 15 so that she had the support for the last portion where it was most likely that she could hit the proverbial wall.  When I first met her along the route, she was running strong and my main concern was whether I would be a burden by not being able to keep up the pace.  Once we ran another 4 miles, though, I began to note slight changes in her posture and the intense concentration on her face.  We had maybe 2 miles left with a brutal hill to finish a run of that length.  I knew that I could not focus on my own abilities, but was there as a support system and the only thing that came to mind was to pray, and that is exactly what I did.  I prayed first that God would ease the burden of heavy and weakened legs. This was to mirror the words within Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  The focus of my prayers were also that the Lord envelop her with the Holy Spirit in order to lift the heavy burden of the hills off her shoulders as we finished up at the university.  After 5 minutes of relatively consistent prayer, we were literally booking it to the finish of the route that was mapped out. It was an exhausting push to the end, but my legs felt light and in my heart, I knew that God had heard my cries to watch over my training partner and help her remain determined to finish strong.  It was so rewarding in my mind to again be reminded that God's presence is always constant and that it is even more important to remember our companions within our prayers so they too can be surrounded by Him.