tread.

Saturday, the shoes on the left ran 5K through the streets of Holland.  More importantly, these shoes played a role in supplying the shoes on the right to children in need in Guatemala.  Often, a simple pair of shoes is what allows a child to get a proper education, which ultimately allows him or her greater opportunity to fulfill his/her God-given potential.  Thank you to all who supported me through this race and allowed the wearer of the shoes on the left to impact the lives of the wearers of the shoes on the right.  To God be the glory!  Where you lead, LORD, I'll follow.  Even if I have to run to keep up!  =)

Because everything has become a running metaphor...

This past Saturday was an exciting day for several of my friends as they graduated from my alma mater.  As I reflected on the fact that it's been a year since I walked across the stage, God reminded me that it's also been about a year since I first began running and reminded me of a truth that I needed to hear:

"My child, about this time last year you suddenly decided to start running.  You had no idea what you were doing and struggled to run even a few blocks; now distances that you once thought impossible to cover are your easy runs.  And so it is with life.  Don't become discouraged by the worried of today; simply imagine where you'll be a year from now as your press on through all of this."

Running has been hard and has required a lot of time, dedication, discipline, and learning.  And so it is with life.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, 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.   Philippians 3: 12-14

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.   Hebrews 10:19-23

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ.  The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in tribulation; be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12

Claimed

But now, this is what the LORD says-
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have REDEEMED you;
I have summoned you by name;
YOU ARE MINE.
Isaiah 43:1