well, it's been a week since i returned from dallas, tx. it's crazy to think about time and how quickly life is passing by. it seems like summer just began and i was in the midst of training for the nationals. i flew in thursday afternoon, checked into the hotel, weighed-in, and then got ready for the team workout. (side note: i love everything about a team. Teams are FOR each other. Teams build each other. Teams push each other. Of course i have to add this: Together Everyone Achieves More...TRUE. i am passionate about motivating others, encouraging others in all things.) My father came to the team practice, which was the first time in several months. i always look forward to hugging my dad. His "Bear-Hugging" arms that make me feel safe and loved. Fatherly love is priceless!
Well, in losing my first match the next morning, I can tell you that disappointment hit me straight in the face (or was it her actual fist that bruised my jaw? both.), heart, and well, everywhere. the miles traveled, the money spent, and all the sweat & sore muscles...YET, i know that any good reward takes sacrifice and hard work...RISK is necessary to gain. if rewards were easy, there would be no purpose of the pursuit. as the whistle was blown, a heaviness was upon me as i realized a whole other year of training starts this instant. crosspoints appear when instances like this occur. i can choose to walk with my head down, sulk, throw a pity party or wake up, grow in my ability to become more teachable, and figure out my weaknesses and begin to strengthen them.
there are so many life lessons in sports, arts, relationships, etc...I believe that God uses these instruments in our life to point us toward himself. when we finally come to the realization that everything in this life besides God lets us down and the ONLY ROCK of foundation in this world is Jesus, then we can really begin to live. Living in freedom, not being chained to what we place our identity in. It's so easy to get distracted...Too often i start to lose sight of what God wants for me vs. what I want for me. It all comes down to living for self vs. living for God. There is a humility before God that begins the change. A submission to God, in trusting in his good and perfect plan for our lives. I know that karate is not my identity. Karate has definitely played a big part in my life, however, I trust that God is teaching me in my loss and He is shaping me to become stronger in my weakness(es). Trusting him MORE. Giving him MORE. It's all about HIM. He deserves all the GLORY.
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
What are you living for that truly LASTS?
Is 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."
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
not being, but becoming
my eyes have been opened quite wide this week to all the blessings God has placed in my life. for some reason, a lot has become very clear this week as to what is important in life and to embrace my Heavenly Father and His divine, unchanging plan. in the past week, there have been several friends of mine or families within our church that are dealing with deaths and serious health issues that constantly remind me that our life here on earth is fading quickly. when you realize the reality & truly face it (too often we deny the reality of death), every little second of life becomes much sweeter. i pray that i would not become numb to the mundane"ness" of life. everyone has the opportunity to impact others no matter where you are from, what you do, or how much money you make. no one is too far from God's grace. it's around you, grab it. though we are weak, He is strong (II Corinthians 12:10).
last night i started a BASICS class going over the basics, meat & potatoes, of being a disciple of christ. very encouraging and i am very excited to deepen my relationship with God through gaining knowledge of God's word. last night, steve, our young adult pastor, discussed the importance of having people who love you well, around you; otherwise, you will continually live a disfunctional life. Loving well, means having people in your life who can speak the truth, in love, to you. It is easy to get stuck in pride & selfishness, shutting people out...the result? degrowth. bitterness. depression. self-pity. resentment. negativity. i desire to live a fruit-producing life. active & growing. however, this is not possible on my own. alone i am weak. only with God's strength can I even begin the path towards righteousness. One of my favorite quotes is by Martin Luther:
"This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified."
holding on to the eternal hope we have in christ WILL automatically produce fruit. TRUSTING GOD is the KEY.
last night i started a BASICS class going over the basics, meat & potatoes, of being a disciple of christ. very encouraging and i am very excited to deepen my relationship with God through gaining knowledge of God's word. last night, steve, our young adult pastor, discussed the importance of having people who love you well, around you; otherwise, you will continually live a disfunctional life. Loving well, means having people in your life who can speak the truth, in love, to you. It is easy to get stuck in pride & selfishness, shutting people out...the result? degrowth. bitterness. depression. self-pity. resentment. negativity. i desire to live a fruit-producing life. active & growing. however, this is not possible on my own. alone i am weak. only with God's strength can I even begin the path towards righteousness. One of my favorite quotes is by Martin Luther:
"This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise. We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road. All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified."
holding on to the eternal hope we have in christ WILL automatically produce fruit. TRUSTING GOD is the KEY.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
action wins, reaction loses
it is amazing what sleep, beach, quality friend time, and most of all, soaking up God's word can do in renewing & refreshing my soul. this past weekend has been the perfect way to spend my time 5 days prior to competing at the karate nationals. i figured i would write in the days leading up to the big event to keep a log of my thoughts & emotions; i know it will be great to look back and reflect on these days.
there a number of emotions that i always feel prior to a competition, these emotions weigh a little heavier going into a the us team trials. however, i feel like my excitement is over-riding my nerves, which is a wonderful thing. i am continually reminded to surrender all to christ and do everything for His glory. my hope is to do all for the glory of God. it sounds a bit strange (to me) that i would even think that my little karate tournament matters to the God of the universe...and in the big scheme of life, it doesn't. HOWEVER, the truth is, everything we do, should be done for the glory of christ.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
-I Corinthians 10:31
in all, eating, drinking, conversation, running, and on and on and on...WHATEVER YOU DO..DO IT ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
I am encouraged when i am reminded that from the beginning, God created each one of us. He made each of us unique before we were born. He wired us individually with certain gifts, talents, birthmarks, defects, eye colors, hand-prints, and the list goes on...We all have a desire to stand out amongst the crowd, we all desire to be different, but the reality is, we were born different. From the beginning, God stamped us with distinctive passions, desires, dreams, athletic and/or artistic ability, etc.
When i step onto the red, white, and blue ring mats, I desire to perform at my best with no fear. Having full confidence in the abilities God has given me. All the training since age 4, saturday morning practice,800 drill repetitions, skipped school dances for tournaments, every drop of sweat lossed, every punch thrown, kick snapped, ALL the lessons learned through every win & loss... ALL coming together to ACTION."Action wins, Reaction Loses," quoted from my coach. Timing is everything.
Leaving you with one of my favorite passages...Hopefully this adds a smile to your day, knowing that HE is the great creator and sustainer.
Psalm 139:
You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
there a number of emotions that i always feel prior to a competition, these emotions weigh a little heavier going into a the us team trials. however, i feel like my excitement is over-riding my nerves, which is a wonderful thing. i am continually reminded to surrender all to christ and do everything for His glory. my hope is to do all for the glory of God. it sounds a bit strange (to me) that i would even think that my little karate tournament matters to the God of the universe...and in the big scheme of life, it doesn't. HOWEVER, the truth is, everything we do, should be done for the glory of christ.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
-I Corinthians 10:31
in all, eating, drinking, conversation, running, and on and on and on...WHATEVER YOU DO..DO IT ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD.
I am encouraged when i am reminded that from the beginning, God created each one of us. He made each of us unique before we were born. He wired us individually with certain gifts, talents, birthmarks, defects, eye colors, hand-prints, and the list goes on...We all have a desire to stand out amongst the crowd, we all desire to be different, but the reality is, we were born different. From the beginning, God stamped us with distinctive passions, desires, dreams, athletic and/or artistic ability, etc.
When i step onto the red, white, and blue ring mats, I desire to perform at my best with no fear. Having full confidence in the abilities God has given me. All the training since age 4, saturday morning practice,800 drill repetitions, skipped school dances for tournaments, every drop of sweat lossed, every punch thrown, kick snapped, ALL the lessons learned through every win & loss... ALL coming together to ACTION."Action wins, Reaction Loses," quoted from my coach. Timing is everything.
Leaving you with one of my favorite passages...Hopefully this adds a smile to your day, knowing that HE is the great creator and sustainer.
Psalm 139:
You have searched me, LORD,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, LORD,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Grasping Restoration
He is making all things NEW.
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:19
I cannot get enough of what this verse paints...A renewed, redeemed picture of restoration. Too often I get stuck in a rut, a rut of "self," a rut in my own needs and the bottom line, what I THINK I deserve-Entitlement. The truth is, I do not deserve anything. On the happiest, most relaxing, exciting day I could imagine, there is still a yearning for a bigger fulfillment. My soul yearns for an everlasting hope that is not found by what I see or touch. Deep in my soul, I often feel lonely, dry, & unsatisfied; this is when I realize that I am looking too much at people, coffee, clothes, music, money, ( & i could go on and on), to make me happy. I am not saying that those material things are all bad, but too often we worship those materials-we desire to gain satisfaction from others, feel a certain feeling, etc to make us feel good about ourselves. I am guilty of this.
"It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." -C.S. Lewis "Weight of Glory"
Time and time again, I am left feeling let down and dissatisfied by the useless "things" I tend to chase after. My conclusion: eternal fulfillment is not found in this physical world. It is found in Christ alone who bore the wrath deserved for each of us. We are free in Jesus. With Christ, I am able to live by the Spirit Himself-Living & leaning on His strength & will, nothing alone I could ever do on my own-With Christ, we have access to the Fruits of the Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Self-Control. When I am a dry wasteland, thirsting for new life, He is my spring of Living Water. He is my drink of the purest of pure. Delightful tasting. Eternal. Refreshing. Water. He grows me, molds me, prunes me. Without Him, I'm nothing. With Him, there's no telling what He can do. Hold on to ETERNAL HOPE IN CHRIST. Press on! Persevere! He is making all things new!
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:19
I cannot get enough of what this verse paints...A renewed, redeemed picture of restoration. Too often I get stuck in a rut, a rut of "self," a rut in my own needs and the bottom line, what I THINK I deserve-Entitlement. The truth is, I do not deserve anything. On the happiest, most relaxing, exciting day I could imagine, there is still a yearning for a bigger fulfillment. My soul yearns for an everlasting hope that is not found by what I see or touch. Deep in my soul, I often feel lonely, dry, & unsatisfied; this is when I realize that I am looking too much at people, coffee, clothes, music, money, ( & i could go on and on), to make me happy. I am not saying that those material things are all bad, but too often we worship those materials-we desire to gain satisfaction from others, feel a certain feeling, etc to make us feel good about ourselves. I am guilty of this.
"It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." -C.S. Lewis "Weight of Glory"
Time and time again, I am left feeling let down and dissatisfied by the useless "things" I tend to chase after. My conclusion: eternal fulfillment is not found in this physical world. It is found in Christ alone who bore the wrath deserved for each of us. We are free in Jesus. With Christ, I am able to live by the Spirit Himself-Living & leaning on His strength & will, nothing alone I could ever do on my own-With Christ, we have access to the Fruits of the Spirit-Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Self-Control. When I am a dry wasteland, thirsting for new life, He is my spring of Living Water. He is my drink of the purest of pure. Delightful tasting. Eternal. Refreshing. Water. He grows me, molds me, prunes me. Without Him, I'm nothing. With Him, there's no telling what He can do. Hold on to ETERNAL HOPE IN CHRIST. Press on! Persevere! He is making all things new!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
eternal purpose is worth the fight
sweat. strength. sacrifice. pain.
this is what it takes to gain.
purpose. precision.
make a decision.
today is a gift.
do not drift.
lay down pride.
you decide.
there is hope outside your sight.
there is an eternal light.
this is what it takes to gain.
purpose. precision.
make a decision.
today is a gift.
do not drift.
lay down pride.
you decide.
there is hope outside your sight.
there is an eternal light.
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