Great night Wednesday night! We had a lot of catching up to do. Last weeks snow is finally melted, well almost. We covered last weeks lesson as well as this weeks. We missed a lot of you in class. I sure don't want you to give up on this study, the running adventure, or yourself! These last couple of weeks have been tough on all of us and on our running, but it's salvageable. Pick up where you left off and carry on. Everyone started so strong and I sure don't want you to give up now. Go back to chapter 1 and read why you started this study. Your desire is still there, I'm certain of it. It's a new day and a new start. Carry on. You got this!
Well, I hope that encouragement worked! I have a lot more if you need it... Text me! :)
Now on the flip side.... a lot of you are hanging in there. You're doing a great job! I'm so proud! No snow or rain is gonna stop you.
In class we covered weeks 5 and 6 bible study. The hay is in the barn. This is a great quote. A quote told to Mitchell our author just before one of his runs meaning there is nothing else you can do right now. His race was the next day. His work has been done now there is nothing more to do but execute on race day. This is so true with our spiritual walk. When a crisis comes is not the time to begin calling on God or trying to find a quick answer in his word. Our heart is the barn and his word is the hay and we need to be storing up daily so we can be prepared with the trials do come. Just as a farmer works all summer to grow, cut, bail and store the hay. I'm sure there are a thousand other things he would rather be doing than work long hot summer days preparing for next winter but he does it anyway. We are very busy people. We have days so full of stuff, I don't know how we can attempt do get it all done let alone have 30 spare minutes to spend in God's word. Well, I have never heard anyone say, I wish I would have spent "less" time in God's word. Nope, never. It actually sounds silly when I type it out but it's what we do every day if we are truly honest. When a trial comes in our life we are going to want to call on him. He will be there but it sure makes the trial easier when we have our barn already full of God's word and comfort. I love the last paragraph in this chapter.... "Carve out the time. Make an investment. Go deeper, It might be the single most important decision you make. When the strain comes, will you be able to draw on God's commands that were stored up months ago? Start putting spiritual hay in the barn today. Your tomorrow depends on it." The last discussion question is... Why does your tomorrow depend on today? Answer it! Pray it!
This week was a short and to the point lesson... I actually took a different take on it than he did. His ironman patch says "If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand." I can understand that somewhat. Not that I have ever done or desire to do an ironman, my closest comparison is a half-marathon. One of my driving factors that made me want to do it was the silly 13.1 on the back of my car. I wanted it and had to complete the race to get it. I feel our salvation should be displayed that way. It should show in all we do. A glow about us that makes others want to say, "I want what she/he's got." Does you daily walk make people say what does she/he have that I don't? It's JOY. It's security as a believer. It should be so evident that people want it too. The discussion questions are about experiencing God. Think of times you have experienced Him. There is a great bible study called experiencing God. In that study it tells us God is at work all around us, we just have to join him in it. Every day! Everyday. look around and say, where is he today and how can I join him? He will show you in your quiet times. In your prayer times. also, how can you help someone else experience God?
I pray you continue on in your bible study. It only takes 6 weeks to form a habit. We have completed 6 weeks. Are you in a habit of quiet time. How about your running? Well, if not its OK you have 6 more weeks to go! A second chance to get into the habit of spending time with God and a habit of running.
I'm going to send a second post later with the nutrition section we covered.
Now about our race:
We need people to sign up for our race!!! We currently only have 10. That is sad when we have 40 signed up in this class. To be able to make any kind of profit for the fundraiser for missions we need at least 50. I so don't want to have to call it off!!! We have all worked too hard. SO with that said, if you are planning to participate, sign up! Either on line or pick up a form from the church or contact me, I'll get you one. I promise you will be glad you did. Ask you friends to join us! Remember its about outreach. Surly there is someone God has put on your heart to reach out to. What a fun day to invite them to
in Christ,
Donna
