8.30.11
My older brother was 2 years older than me, so when I was 3, he was 5. I remember as a 3-year old my brother's most commonly used phrase - "of course I was running." This was his answer when he would fall or trip or something would happen; he would run to my mom to tell her about it and always said "I was running....of course I was running..." This has become the common theme with my blog - when I run, I think and find things to write about. So here it is...
I was running (of course I was running). I took my usual route - south main towards downtown, back up south elm. I had just ran up one of the biggest hills on the route and was about out of energy. I slowed to a walk when I saw another big hill in front of me. I just couldn't run up it. My legs felt like they were about to give out...
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl sprint past me on the opposite side of the road. She looked to be about my age and about the same size. I watched her for about 15 seconds, and it gave me the feeling of "if she can do it, you can do it." I looked at the hill in front of me and started to jog, steadying my pace with hers so we were almost running right next to one another. Seeing her run the hill gave me the motivation to do it as well.
As I was in rhythm with this other runner, I started thinking about those people in my life that push me and motivate me like she did. About 90% of those people in my life are ones in my small group at church. They are the ones I can call when I need to be challenged or encouraged. They were there through my mom's stroke, to helping us move (twice), to going on vacations together. If you recall in the New Testament, even Jesus had a small group. He had 12 men that he "did life" with. They were all there for him in the good times and bad, to motivate, challenge, and encourage.
This is why at One Life we push so hard to get in a group or serve on a team. You weren't put here on Earth to go through life alone. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..." Hebrews 3:13 - "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today..." Hebrews 10:25 - "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another..." The Bible is full of examples!
If you aren't in a group or on a team, I encourage you to find one. The people that you form relationships with will help you grow spiritually, speak truth into your life, energize and love you. I can't imagine my life without the people in my life group. :)
8.30.2011
8.14.2011
A New Pair of Running Shoes
8.14.11
Over the past few weeks, I have put off something I usually enjoy doing - going for a walk or run in the late evening. My reason for avoiding this activity was because my tennis shoes were getting worn out. Each time I would go for a long walk in them, I would come home with my calves aching and blisters on my heels. It was time for a new pair of shoes.
Today, I finally found a good pair. As with anything new you get, I had to test them out. I put them on and laced them up, and grabbed my ipod for my evening run. I no sooner got to the end of the driveway when I realized my ipod was dead. Hmph. Alright, I guess God's wanting a little time with me alone.
As I began my run, I began to pray. One thing I particularly wanted to talk to God about was my passion for reading the Bible. Let me just say, I lack passion in this department. I absolutely love to listen to podcasts of different pastors around the country and I could listen to worship music all day. But when it comes down to sitting with the Bible in my lap and reading, it doesn't happen as often as I would like. I began to tell God about my desire for a passion to read the scriptures. Over the next 30 minutes, here is a brief summary of what God shared with me:
I was enjoying my new pair of running shoes. These shoes fit well, supported me, and gave me that strong foundation. They were my connection to the road. A bad pair of shoes gives a bad connection between me and the road. These new shoes made an excellent connection and pushed me to run harder.
Just like my shoes are what connects me to the road, the Bible is what connects me to God. A good relationship with God can only come when I spend time in His word. Spending time reading the Bible is what is going to give me that strong foundation in my relationship with God. It's what's going to challenge me and push me - just like my new shoes.
With that, I'm going to sign off and start reading. :)
Brittney
Over the past few weeks, I have put off something I usually enjoy doing - going for a walk or run in the late evening. My reason for avoiding this activity was because my tennis shoes were getting worn out. Each time I would go for a long walk in them, I would come home with my calves aching and blisters on my heels. It was time for a new pair of shoes.
Today, I finally found a good pair. As with anything new you get, I had to test them out. I put them on and laced them up, and grabbed my ipod for my evening run. I no sooner got to the end of the driveway when I realized my ipod was dead. Hmph. Alright, I guess God's wanting a little time with me alone.
As I began my run, I began to pray. One thing I particularly wanted to talk to God about was my passion for reading the Bible. Let me just say, I lack passion in this department. I absolutely love to listen to podcasts of different pastors around the country and I could listen to worship music all day. But when it comes down to sitting with the Bible in my lap and reading, it doesn't happen as often as I would like. I began to tell God about my desire for a passion to read the scriptures. Over the next 30 minutes, here is a brief summary of what God shared with me:
I was enjoying my new pair of running shoes. These shoes fit well, supported me, and gave me that strong foundation. They were my connection to the road. A bad pair of shoes gives a bad connection between me and the road. These new shoes made an excellent connection and pushed me to run harder.
Just like my shoes are what connects me to the road, the Bible is what connects me to God. A good relationship with God can only come when I spend time in His word. Spending time reading the Bible is what is going to give me that strong foundation in my relationship with God. It's what's going to challenge me and push me - just like my new shoes.
With that, I'm going to sign off and start reading. :)
Brittney
8.13.2011
Dreamer or Dream Killer?
8.13.11
This past Thursday and Friday I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Global Leadership Summit, a 2-day event with many different pastors and business people all speaking on the topic of leadership. When I wasn't running around preparing food or working the bookstore, I got to sit in and hear several of the messages. They were not only inspiring, but challenging. Most of the speakers challenged you to do something - to act. I remember one individual saying "You can't do something about everything, but you can do something about SOME THINGS."
Think about a dream you have had sometime in your life. Maybe it's a small dream or a short term goal, or maybe it's a huge dream that would require years of work and you may not even know where to start to see it come true. If you have told anyone about your dream, you have probably gotten an opinion or response from that person - possibly even a negative response.
Until Friday, I would have told you I was probably the one to give the negative response. I didn't see it as being negative, I saw it as being practical and realistic. My husband is the dreamer in the family. He always has a big idea or dream about the future. And I was always the one to "pull him back to reality" and tell him why he wouldn't be able to pull it off. Basically I was the dream killer, that was, until Friday.
On Friday, I had a change in perspective. On Friday I was listening to one of the speakers and just so happened to be sitting next to a good friend that is aware of my big dream to adopt internationally and be a mother some day. As the speaker was closing, this friend leaned over and told me some words I'll never forget - "God's going to give you the desires of your heart. God is faithful, and he's going to bless you." It was those encouraging words that told me I had love and support and I wasn't alone. That encouragement made me want to take the next step right then and there because I knew I had someone by my side. When you're supported, you're more likely to ACT to achieve your goal. The support can't be one sided - it can't be an "only if you succeed" support. It has to be an "I'll be here for you if you fail" support also.
So are you a dreamer, or a dream killer? If you're the 2nd, I challenge you to change your way of thinking. You're not helping anyone by "pulling them back down to Earth" (and I'm totally speaking to myself here also!) You may be stopping them from taking the next step to reaching their dream.
This past Thursday and Friday I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Global Leadership Summit, a 2-day event with many different pastors and business people all speaking on the topic of leadership. When I wasn't running around preparing food or working the bookstore, I got to sit in and hear several of the messages. They were not only inspiring, but challenging. Most of the speakers challenged you to do something - to act. I remember one individual saying "You can't do something about everything, but you can do something about SOME THINGS."
Think about a dream you have had sometime in your life. Maybe it's a small dream or a short term goal, or maybe it's a huge dream that would require years of work and you may not even know where to start to see it come true. If you have told anyone about your dream, you have probably gotten an opinion or response from that person - possibly even a negative response.
Until Friday, I would have told you I was probably the one to give the negative response. I didn't see it as being negative, I saw it as being practical and realistic. My husband is the dreamer in the family. He always has a big idea or dream about the future. And I was always the one to "pull him back to reality" and tell him why he wouldn't be able to pull it off. Basically I was the dream killer, that was, until Friday.
On Friday, I had a change in perspective. On Friday I was listening to one of the speakers and just so happened to be sitting next to a good friend that is aware of my big dream to adopt internationally and be a mother some day. As the speaker was closing, this friend leaned over and told me some words I'll never forget - "God's going to give you the desires of your heart. God is faithful, and he's going to bless you." It was those encouraging words that told me I had love and support and I wasn't alone. That encouragement made me want to take the next step right then and there because I knew I had someone by my side. When you're supported, you're more likely to ACT to achieve your goal. The support can't be one sided - it can't be an "only if you succeed" support. It has to be an "I'll be here for you if you fail" support also.
So are you a dreamer, or a dream killer? If you're the 2nd, I challenge you to change your way of thinking. You're not helping anyone by "pulling them back down to Earth" (and I'm totally speaking to myself here also!) You may be stopping them from taking the next step to reaching their dream.
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