one/half.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." [Hebrews 12:1-3]

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." [1 Corinthians 9: 24-25]

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." [Phil. 4:13]

Well, I suppose this makes it official. Or more official than just thinking about it or saying that I am going to do this. My dear, spontaneous friend, Cap, and I are going to begin training for running in a half marathon later on this fall. I hope I follow through. I hope I can fit in the training runs amidst a new school, a new schedule, digging into more theology than I have ever immersed myself in before. I know it's going to take a ton of endurance, time, and possibly some pain.

But people do this all the time, I remind myself. And oh yeah, you did run 4 years of Cross Country in High School. You can do this. We can do this.

Only with the power of Christ in me am I going to be able to survive this endeavor. And knowing that a friend is training for the same thing...just a mere 11.5 hours away from me is just the start of encouragement for me.

Let the training journey begin!

the energizer bunny.

"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil,  struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." [Colossians 1:28-29]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." [Ephesians 2:8-10]

Lately, I've been thinking about energy. I think it's because of all this humidity that's struck the midwest & other areas of the country. I'm surrounded by people that have said to me, I just can't do it because of this heat. Their energy has been zapped out of them and I completely understand. It takes a lot out of you to go from one extreme temperature to the next. It's especially hard to see how the heat affects a loved one with enough health struggles of her own.
 
I find some irony when thinking back to my childhood, with understanding the person I am today & how I received the gift of a life-size energizer bunny stuffed animal.

I guess the story goes that I was the youngest kid at a church event & so there the Morrison family took home a huge new toy. I'm sure my parents thought, What are we going to do with this? But I'm pretty sure I loved the bunny awhile - so much I remember the drum getting ripped off it.

Ironic...well, because I tend to do a lot and keep busy and keep going and going and going. Yes, like the bunny.

But I know I can't keep going and going and going. And you can't either. You'll wear yourself out, and I will too! I think a lot of times people don't realize they're doing too much until it's almost too late
to fix that issue from getting worse in their current situation.

Remember to take time each day to breathe, relax, and find some quiet time with the Lord to renew your energy and ask Him for His strength, power, and energy to get you through whatever is next on your to-do list.

Trust me, He's already there with you even when you doubt Him.
Remember, nothing is impossible with God!