Run With Patience

One month ago today I ran the Honolulu Marathon.  Because of vacation time, Christmas and New Years it seems much longer since then, but my legs say otherwise!  Running a marathon is quite a journey.  I woke up this morning thinking about the many aspects of a marathon that are similar to life. Before I started typing, I found this Quote of the Day from Runner's World in my inbox:

Succeeding in running should be seen as an allegory for succeeding in every aspect of life. Set goals, plan out how to achieve them, then stick to the plan. 
~ Kim Griffin, 1982 NCAA and U.S. 10,000m champion

There are People Everywhere!
The Honolulu Marathon is the fourth largest marathon in the US.  Everyone starts at the same time with the same goal in mind - get the finish line.  Some people are very focused.  The elite runners at the front of the race aren't taking selfies.  There's money on the line for them.  Others have no plan to run a single step - they are going to walk the entire 26.2 miles.  They're taking selfies every half mile!  But the final goal is the same - get to the finish line.

Some People Are Only Focused On Themselves
One of my biggest challenges was ducking elbows.  At just under 5'2" there were a lot of runners who were taller than me.  Because the crowd was so large, there was a lot of weaving in and around slower runners.  Many people only saw where they wanted to be, whether I was actually there or not.  I had to protect myself from those kinds of runners.

There Are Friendly Runners
While everyone is focused on getting to the finish line, many still have smiles to share.  Often it was an understanding smile as the rain poured or a small smile at our shared suffering.  Just before the finish line I ran a little bit with a woman who was finishing her first marathon.  We congratulated each other on making it to the end.

Not Everyone has Trained the Same
Because this marathon does not have a time cut off, there are many people who walk the entire race.  I don't train with elites in Kenya.  My experience is my own. It matters what I drink and eat. I need the right shoes for my size 5 feet.  My marathon is only as good as the training I do.  Ultimately, it's my responsibility to finish.  This is my iPhone case:

The Camera Hog
I have no idea how many professional photographers were along the route.  It seemed they were every 3-4 miles.  Around mile 24, there was a volunteer yelling "photographer ahead - in the middle!"  I just happened to be in the middle of the road and was prepared to give a great smile.  Until a guy came from my left and ran right in front of me, completely blocking me!  Some people crave the spotlight...

Thousands of Volunteers
There were 16 aid stations along the way.  Thousands of people were out in the rain handing out water, sports drink, and first aid.  They were amazing!  They didn't get medals, but there they stood, for hours, just to help the runners.  I made an effort to thank as many as I could.

Rain
It doesn't rain at every marathon, but it sure rained at this one!  There wasn't a cloud following me with rain falling only on my path.  We all faced the same elements.  Rain, wind, hills, and more rain and wind!  It truly rained on the just and the unjust that day!

It's the Little Things
With the rain came sogginess.  My clothes were wet.  My hair was wet.  My shoes were wet.  My socks were wet.  It was those wet socks that started giving me trouble.  I stopped at a medical aid tent around mile 16 to apply Vaseline to my toes.  I ended up with just one tiny blister.  It would have been much worse ten miles later if I had ignored that little bit of rubbing.  Fix that little problem before it gets out of control!

Someone Else's Garbage
I saw a woman slip and go down hard.  The culprit was the wrapper from a Power Gel.  It was about 3 inches by 1 inch.  Another runner had tossed it, and because of the rain that little piece of garbage became a hazard.  It wasn't her fault, but down she went.  Sometimes other people's garbage can make us stumble.  Remember "The Law of the Garbage Truck"

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.
We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, ‘Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!’
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, ‘The Law of the Garbage Truck.’
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it, and sometimes they’ll dump it on you. Don’t take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don’t take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Get to the Finish Line
There were 21,811 finishers.  I was 8,479th.  Thousands finished before me.  Thousands finished after me.  Over 100 people finished in the one minute that I did!  But the JOY of crossing the finishing line!  There is nothing like it.  When I think of the marathon, it's always the finish line that brings the biggest smile.  I had overcome every obstacle.  I made it!  There was a medal, a t-shirt, a banana, a malasada, and my one and only waiting for me.

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
Hebrews 12:1

Running the Tour de France

In 2009 I wrote a couple posts called Lessons from the Peloton.  These were posts about the Tour de France with a spiritual application.  You can read about it here and here.  This year there have been many revelations about, and confessions by, Tour de France riders, most notably by Lance Armstrong who won the race a record seven times.  With or without the benefit of doping, it is still a very difficult three week race.  Approximately 2000 miles with over 100,000 feet of elevation gain.

This year's race has come and gone.  But there was someone else doing the Tour de France this year.  Zoe Romano RAN the entire course!  It took her about three months, averaging 30 miles a day.  ON FOOT. 

As a runner, I am in awe of such a distance.  I have run 2000 miles in a year and 26.2 miles in a single day, but this feat was amazing. 

Zoe blogged about her last run.  She ran the first three stages of this year's tour at the end because they took place on the island of Corsica.  After running stages one and two, she had 90 miles to go.  She ran those final 90 miles in one day!  It took her 23 hours, but she did it!  She fell twice in the dark, was spooked by a wild boar, suffered in severe heat during the middle of the day.  About that final run, she wrote:

 "When I finally did finish, at 1:05 am, my knees and elbows were crusted with blood, and my palms dotted with blood blisters from falling down, my skin pickled and covered in a sun rash, my ankles swollen red and hot, dirt everywhere, and my face completely flushed with fever."

So many of her posts were about days that seemed effortless, just another 30 miler.  She obviously has a natural running talent and the ability to recover quickly.  But that final day almost did her in. Can you imagine how she would have felt if she gave up with only 10 miles to go?  But she did it.

It makes me think of people who live for God through their teen years, survive young adulthood, then somewhere along the way give up the journey.  A trial that seems to be their darkest puts them off their feet and they don't get up.  How tragic it is.  They ran the early miles with confidence and seemed to breeze through valleys, but the last stage took them down.

We can never think, "I've lived for God for 25 years, I've got it made."  Satan would like nothing better than to take us down in the final mile.  But there is victory for every step of the way!  God provides grace for every mile.  

I wrote this after finishing the Ojai to Ocean marathon:

"It was tough, but not impossible.  There were moments of doubt, but I overcame.  It seemed to take forever, but when the finish line came into view, a huge surge of adrenaline hit and I sprinted across the line!  My first marathon, in the books.  I kinda think that's how we're going to feel when we get to heaven, don't you?  Only on a much grander scale!"

November 19th ~ Redemption Draweth Nigh

I probably won't use any of the words from the list for my thanks this week.  They're a bit trivial, and I have big stuff to be thankful for!

Last night Pastor White preached an incredible message.  His text was Luke 21:24-28:

24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Pastor White's key point came from the second half of verse 24 "and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."  These are the words of Jesus.  Pastor White pointed out that the city of Jerusalem has had less than 100 years of peace total since it became the capital of Israel!  It continues to be trodden down, but a new day is coming.

We know this old world isn't getting better.  When I look around, it's easy for my heart to tremble with fear.  But I don't plan to stay here!  Our redemption is drawing nigh!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Jesus to come back. So when I look around and see all these things coming to pass, I am truly thankful because our redemption draweth nigh!

I Did It!

It was tough, but not impossible.  There were moments of doubt, but I overcame.  It seemed to take forever, but when the finish line came into view, a huge surge of adrenaline hit and I sprinted across the line!  My first marathon, in the books.

I kinda think that's how we're going to feel when we get to heaven, don't you?  Only on a much grander scale!

Finish the Race

On December 16, 2011, I registered for the Ojai to Ocean Marathon.  I have been running with purpose for many weeks now.  My marathon blog has a disclaimer at the top and ends with: "This is my first marathon and my hope is to finish strong and injury free."  I have a time goal in mind, but more importantly, I plan to finish.  All these weeks of training will payoff in the end.

Pastor White has been teaching a series of Bible studies called "According to Jesus."  He has taken different topics and taught from the words of Jesus, the red letters found in our Bibles.  Last night's study was about "The Last Days."  We studied what Jesus had to say about the last days as found in Matthew chapter 24.

Matthew 24:13 says, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."  Pastor White talked about running a marathon.  Everyone who finishes a marathon, no matter how fast or slow, is given a finishers award - usually a medal.  The same can be said about our Christian race.  It doesn't matter how fast or how slow we run, the primary goal is finishing the race.

I have just a little over six weeks to go until my marathon and  I plan on finishing.  I don't know how long I have left in this Christian race, but I plan on finishing! There have been some hard days, some more difficult than others, but I plan on finishing!  There have been hills to climb and long flat stretches, but I plan on finishing!

I'll let you in on a little secret - if Jesus comes back before my marathon, I'll be really happy about that!  The race that is the most important is the one I've been in my entire life. And I plan on finishing!

Look Where You Are Going

Runner's World magazine featured the oldest marathon finisher ever this month.  Fauja Singh, completed the London marathon last October in 8 hours and 11 minutes.  He thought it would take about 9 hours, so he was very pleased with his result.  It didn't say how long he has been a runner, but he said, "I lost my son when I was 81; running helped."  Would you like to guess how old he is? 



He ran his first marathon in 2000 at the age of 89.  He completed last year's marathon, his eighth, at the age of 100!  One Hundred years old!  That's amazing!  He had this to say about injury prevention:

I look where I am going.

I thought about that last night as Bro. Brown was preaching about heaven. No one is going to stumble into heaven by accident. Our eyes must be on the prize! 

Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

I Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

Philippians 3:13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

I'm planning on going to heaven.  That's right, planning.  It won't happen by accident and I have every intention of making it.  I'm looking where I'm going.  Revelation 22:20 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Long Term Goal

Today's Runner's World thought for the day:

My long-term goal is to be around to run long-term.
~Jeremy Dobrick

This reminded me of something Sis. Kay Singleton said on Sunday morning. She said, "God is a God Who keeps me and He's been keeping me, but you gotta want to be kept!"

As I child, I remember saints testifying, saying things like "I've been living for the Lord for 40 years and it just gets better and better!" I thought they were ancient, when they probably were in their 50s! But I always wanted to be one of those saints who had been living for the Lord for 40 years or longer! It's always been my long term goal.

I've learned there is no magic to being here long term. I just have to keep doing the right things long term...

If I want to have a long term prayer life, I must pray long term.
If I want to have a ready knowledge of God's word, I must read it long term.
If I want to see revival in my church, I must keep reaching out long term.
I must fast, worship, be faithful, live holy, love God and those around me, long term.

Heaven is my long term goal and I'm going to keep walking the path that will get me there, long term.

Grapes, Figs and Pomegranates

I have a daily devotional that I'm reading through this year. The title is "Grapes, Figs and Pomegranates" by LaJoyce Martin. The title comes from Numbers 13:23 "And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs." This verse refers to the Promise Land. There is a verse and thought for each day. I loved the thought for January 2nd:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

On God's second day of Creation, He had a water problem. The waters of heaven and earth all ran together. How could anybody see the sun through all that water? He took care of that by putting some of the water above and some below.

There are some things this year that I must put above other things, or my life will be unproductive. I'll have to make a "firmament," placing some of my own plans at the bottom of the list.

My priorities will be my service to God and my family. This is the only way that I will be able to see heaven.

That spoke exactly what I needed to hear to start 2010! I want this to be my most productive year in God ever and by putting my priorities in place that will happen.

A Tribute to Sis. Nona Freeman

It was with a mix of joy and sadness that I read of the passing of a great Christian warrior - Sis. Nona Freeman. The following was written by her daughter:

Nona Freeman 1916-2009
Dear Friends of Nona Freeman:

We sorrow, yet rejoice to inform you of the earthly departure and heavenly arrival of our mother Nona E. Freeman 93 years old. She was a Jesus name Minister; Foreign Missionary; Daughter; Wife; Mother; Grandparent and beloved friend to millions around the world.

She took the 10:45 pm flight, Saturday, December 26, 2009 at our home in Fort Worth Texas. Take-off was smooth after 93 years of waiting on the run-way. There was often layovers at various terminals in her life but she never complained.

She began her Ministry in 1939. She spread the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 70 years as a Preacher; Speaker; Columnist, Evangelist and beloved author of more than twenty books. She preached and served as pastor’s wife throughout the U.S. and the continent of her burden, Africa.

Upon arrival she was greeted at her Heavenly Destination by Jesus then she was finally greeted by her spouse of 62 years; her beloved E.L. ‘Bug’ Freeman!

She was also greeted her daughter and our sister Marla, and not only a fellow minister but her beloved mother, Carrie Eastridge as well as a host of loved ones, the apostles and prophets of old.

Those left at the terminal upon her departure; daughter and travel companion Sandra Freeman of Fort Worth, Texas, daughters, Linda, Sharon, son Dale Freeman, several generations of grandchildren, siblings, family and a host of friends around the world.

The Home Going Service and Celebration of her life commonly called a ‘funeral’ will be announced Monday, December 28, 2009

The Nona Freeman family thanks you and asks for your prayers at this time.

Sandra Freeman/Nona Freeman Ministry

I never met her personally, but I have read some of her books and felt like I knew her! She was the kind of author who wrote from the heart and didn't cover her own shortcomings or failures. I had to pull out two of my favorites "Bug and Nona on the Go" and "The Adventures of Bug and Me" and reread them.

If there was one theme that carried throughout those books it was "trust." You might think a great missionary such as Sis. Freeman had it all down pat, but she was just like the rest of us - deciding every day to follow and trust.

Her life was not without struggles and her health was tested mightily. At one point she was diagnosed with leukemia. The doctor told her to go back to the States for treatment. With treatment she might live a year, without it he gave her about six months. That was in 1951!!!

The final words of "Bug and Nona on the Go" are:

This is "our" story
This is our song
Praising our Savior
All the day long!

And that is truly what made her great - she praised and prayed her way through a life of victory.

Remembering

Norma Fultz
January 1, 1940 - October 10, 1998

I was awake early this morning thinking about Mom. There may be some who think I'm strange for not taking a trip to the cemetery, but Belmont Memorial Park doesn't hold Mom and for me it only holds painful memories. Rod was buried there, under a palm tree, and Mom was buried just a few steps away. The times at the cemetery only hold my most painful memories and I choose not to dwell there.

I cried as I thought about the 11 years of memories that Mom has not been a part of, but I smiled at so many of my memories that she is part of. Memories of Mom, staying home, babysitting, and the dozens of kids that made their way through our home. Memories of Fultz's Funny Farm and the dozens of animals that made their way through our home. Memories of Mom baking and the dozens of cookies that made their way through my mouth!!

Best of all, I thought of the hope and the great reunion that awaits... "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." I Thessalonians 4:16-18

Reflecting

This has been a long and emotional week. Due to circumstances beyond our control, our church was unable to have the funeral service for Bro. John, the man who was killed last week. Pastor White decided to have a memorial service anyway and it was last night. It was a time of remembering, sharing, and reflecting. So many stories were shared and we were thankful that John's family and co-workers were able to be with us.

After the service, we ladies served a meal. Since it is Easter weekend, we have a drama tomorrow, which means sets needed to be put up. That was not started until after last night's service. While we ladies were serving and cleaning up downstairs in the kitchen, the men were setting up upstairs! Les was involved making sure the sound and instruments were all in working order, so it was well past midnight when we made our way home.

My plans yesterday were to get up at my normal time this morning (5:30ish) and go running. After getting home so late, I wasn't sure what I would do this morning, but I was awake at 5:00 and went ahead and got up. (And ended up running 17 miles.)

I spent a lot of the time while I was out reflecting. I was reflecting on the service last night. And that made me think about heaven. Which made me think about a story from my childhood. It's been nearly 40 years since this happened, so I may not have all the details correct, but this is what I remember:

Bro. Layne was still our pastor at the time. One night after service he was talking to one of the saints in the church, Bro. Thornton. They were standing outside, talking about heaven and made the commitment to "meet in the front of the throne." From that story came the song "In Front of the Throne", written by Bro. Thornton's daughter, Sis. Bobbie Shoemake. I couldn't find the lyrics online but I believe the chorus goes like this:


When we step inside the shiny gates of splendor
Where toiling ends and tears are ever gone
Among that crowd for you I'll be watching
So look for me in front of the throne.

I couldn't stop the tears, as I continued running. Thinking about meeting in front of the throne. What a promise! And then I thought about the cross. It's because of Calvary that a Gentile girl like me has the hope of being in front of the throne. I wasn't born into the nation of Israel. But God so loved the world (even Gentiles) that through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I can be part of His family! What a privilege. I never want to take the cross for granted, ever. I'm more thankful this Easter than I've ever been.

I want to say a personal note to the young people of Victory Tabernacle,

I know for most of you this is the first time you've experienced the loss of someone so close to you, especially so unexpectedly. But I pray that you will take this experience and draw closer to God than you've ever been. Let God's peace fill your heart. Yes, you will miss Bro. John, but make up in your minds and hearts that you will make it to heaven. He'll be that tall guy in the crowd, with a huge smile, looking for you! And know this, that each time I pray with you, it is always with the goal of heaven in mind. I love each of you and am praying for you. If I can help you in any way, I'm always here for you.

To everyone else, have a blessed Resurrection Day!! And remember:

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow
Because He lives, all fear is gone
Because I know, He holds the future
Life is worth the living just because He lives.