What does God require of you and I?

 

What does God require of you and I?  

 

For some time now my heart has been burdened with how we treat one another inside of the church walls and outside of the church walls.  I’ve seen some down right nastiness in my 50 plus years of living as well as some amazing love.  I am making a choice to no longer allow the cold, bitter, negative people have such a say in my personal life any longer, they are toxic and cause me to spiral in a direction that does not please my Lord.  Instead, I am giving them to God, placing a smile on my face, and loving them the best way I can.  

 

1 John is helping me through encouragement of what it means to be a child of God.  To not be a participant in sinning, to not allow myself to be used as a pawn for the enemy, to not be un-loving.  Instead I am to be pursuing righteousness, and that is an on-going process until the Lord calls me home.  Meaning, I will back slide, I will not be perfect, and that I will find myself sinning, BUT it will not be a habitual sin.  Meaning I have a choice to make: will I choose Christ, or will I choose self? Will I choose to love and extend grace to mankind, or will I instead be nasty, mean, and unforgiving?

 

Brothers and Sisters, we have a choice to make as well.  Will we put aside our denominations, our preconceived notions, our thoughts on who is right and who is wrong?  It dawned on me yesterday during the early morning hours that I really deep down don’t care if you use a certain version of the bible, or use musical instruments in your worship, or have a prayer language.  What I do care about is this…..that YOU have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  That you will be spending eternity with Christ versus eternity with the devil.  That Heaven is your home not hell.  That we begin conquering sin, unforgiveness, and hate. 

 

How does that happen?  It happens by being able to answer my opening question…..what does God require of you and I?  A relationship!  God gave us a very firm command, To love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. And to love your neighbor as yourself.  

 

Let’s get out there and do it! 

 

**I saw a quote today from Charles Spurgeon and I couldn’t agree more.  “I do not ask you whether you are a Weselyan, a Baptist, or a Presbyterian; my only question is, “Are you born again?”**

"Be kind. Be you. Love Jesus."

A week ago on a Friday morning in my quiet time I asked God that my life be evident of Him.  That others would know that I was a Christ follower by my actions not life less words.  I’ve been working at loving others not just when its easy, but when its down right hard. 

 

As December began to close and January of 2016 approached, I continued to see the word “generous” over and over.  It would be in my daily bible reading, in our Sunday school lesson, in the Sunday sermon and in the songs I would be listening to and so I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that “generous” was MY word for 2016. 

 

I then began to be blessed as I placed an index card in my journal to record the times I came across the word “generous”.  It is amazing to me when God speaks so clearly to the soul of my heart.  You see, generous doesn’t come naturally or easily for me.  It is something that I have to be mindful of and the choices that I make.

 

A week ago, being generous happened so quickly and so out of character that I had to take some time.  I had to mull through what God has been doing in me and be able to articulate this all to pen and paper.  To give God glory and to be thankful for the opportunity that He gave me on a Friday morning, September 16^th. 

 

I left for a run out in Colorado and made plans for breakfast back at our place when I was finished.  But if I’ve learned anything from being married to my guy and walking with Jesus is that my plans are never to be written in concrete.  When Bill and I met back up he mentioned that he had seen our neighbors headed down the mountain and would I like to go out for breakfast because we might be able to visit with them and catch up. 

 

When we arrived at The Bakery, there wasn’t any sign of Nancy and Ginny.  We enjoyed a wonderful breakfast just the two of us and then stopped in for a good cup of coffee before returning to our little hideaway at a little quaint coffee shop we frequent.  Before I even got to place my order, I had a fun surprise in that my friend Cynamin was also grabbing a treat. After embracing and chatting I noticed a lady just a little older than me sitting on one of the sofas writing away on her laptop.  I walked up to her and made mention of how beautiful the morning was for her to be having a bike ride as I had just finished my run.  I asked where she was riding to, and I found out that she was biking solo across the U.S. trying to be the oldest lady doing so for the Guiness Book of World Records.  I asked what route she was taking and she shared she would soon be riding Hwy 160.  What????  Really??? Through Kansas???  Ulysses, Kansas?  I live in Ulysses, Kansas, do you need a place to stay?  And just like that she and I made plans for her to come to our home and spend the night.

 

This story doesn’t stop there, for one person to spend the night with us quickly moved to two.  Then a second later she remembered that she had an acquaintance from a previous bike ride in 2015 that was going to ride a portion of Kansas with her and she was meeting up with her on Saturday evening in Springfield, Colorado.  Well, there wasn’t anyway to get out of that, so ok, we have two extra beds and the ladies would bunk together in our home. 

 

I will tell you this all happened in less than 3 minutes, and I didn’t even ask Bill, my mouth simply opened and out it came.  Saturday on our drive back to Kansas, we saw Lynn and her brother as he was her Sag for a few days in Kim, Colorado.  We stopped to make sure they were doing ok and then confirmed that they were still on schedule to stay with us the following evening.

 

Sunday late afternoon the doorbell rang and there was Lynn, and the two others hot, wind blown and right on time.  As they cooled off and refreshed themselves I found out that Lynn is also a vegetarian which made preparing dinner for 5 easy for Bill and I.  Grilled burgers and home made veggie burgers hit the spot with all the sides and to not be in a hurry to get someplace satisfied all of us.  But it gets even crazier as I soon found out that we had ONE more moving in for the night and she wouldn’t be here until around 9:15. If you know me any at all, 9:15 is about an hour past my bed time and taking 4 complete strangers into my home is out of my comfort zone.    At 10:15 the third person has yet to arrive and I bow out and head for my bed as we all have a super early day on Monday. 

 

The cool thing is that I felt and still feel a sweet connection with Lynn.   I love her heart and I love her zest for life and that she likes to be out of the lime light.  She simply “does” without really trying to be seen.   This has become my motto for some time now, doing things that others have no idea about, or doing without being recognized.  I also have come to really like the other lady that came to ride a good portion of Kansas with her, a really neat lady for sure! 

 

Thursday morning found Bill and I in Wichita which happened to be Lynn’s day off of cyling and she was also in Wichita with the other two women that had spent the night in our home so we made a date for a late breakfast and to catch up one more time.  It was a blast!

Lynn (sleeveless pink top), Sandra (her sister-in-law in the SAG role), Brenda (lives in Wichita and rode with Lynn from Springfield, Colorado to El Dorado), Bill and myself.

 

So my mind is still articulating but what I have come to realize so far is that by being quick to help someone, by being generous with what I’ve been blessed with, by rolling with the flow and not getting bent out of shape, by being out of my comfort zone, I was able to be a blessing and I was blessed in the midst of all of this!  I have two sweet new friends that I truly do hope to meet again in this life time. 

 

+Lord, may they have left our home encouraged and refreshed.

+Lord, may they realize that You are good and You are real.

+Lord, may I continue to be generous, kind and loving.

+Lord, maybe the world isn’t such a bad place after all & that Kansas is a beautiful place!

+Lord, may Lynn make it safely back to her home in Virginia.

+Lord, thank You for divine appointments and unique situations.

 

“You know your way around the faith.  Now do what you’ve been taught.  School’s out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:7 Msg


Be kind, be you, love Jesus!
Yolanda
 

 

The making of a Champion

The Making of a Champion

 

As I sat last week like many of you watching the Olympics and the amazing athletes and their stories be told and seen, we watched a hero and world class swimmer fall into the clutches of the enemy.  Being used as his pawn to bring hurt, confusion and destruction, Ryan Lochte’s world began to crumble.

 

I have no idea if Ryan is a Christian, but many of you reading this are and we know first hand how easy it is to stumble!  I’m sure whether he is a Believer or not, that he is praying and pleading with God for a grace card!  His apology to everyone seems to be very heart felt in my opinion and I am choosing to extend him grace and forgiveness. Why? Because God commands that of me, if I’m to be forgiven then I am to forgive. 

 

What keeps us from making poor choices?  Seeking God first, the power of our own prayers, and keeping in mind that we ultimately make that step that we choose. 

 

I would like to encourage you to stay the course, running your own race and remaining faithful to what God has called you to this side of heaven.  Ryan Lochte got caught up in the worlds way of thinking and acting and now he is paying heavily for a short lived choice.  My heart hurts so much for him, for his family, for his team mates, for the Olympic federation, for the U.S. and for Brazil.  When we are in the midst of others, remember that “Bad company corrupts good character.” *1 Corinthians 15:33.  Do not be swayed as well as do not sway others into something that is negative. 

 

Always there are eyes watching you and I, just like Mr. Lochte.  Just as Ryan is and was someone’s hero, YOU are also someone’s hero.  I am striving here to encourage you and I to think about our choices and the steps that we are taking! Before we act or react, keep in mind that ultimately we want to be happy tomorrow with the choices that we make this moment.  I implore you to do the hard stuff!  It pays big dividends, it’s a win-win situation, and may we always give God glory!  That’s the making of a champion!

Yolanda
Joy Comes in the Morning

God wins!

I've lived in a pit of sin, I've lived where I had hardened my heart and only desired to have my flesh satisfied. I know what it is like to run, run, run far away from God and His absolute truth. 

I've also known a handful of people that loved me in spite of it, or through those destructive years. That loved me!  I am so grateful!  But they didn't love how I was living and where I was headed and they never ever sugar coated God's Word to not hurt me or worry about my feelings. For that, I say thank you!

Today my heart is hurting.  Why? Because for a long time now I asked God that when His heart hurts, please cause mine to hurt as well. If what I am doing hurts Him to prick my heart to be convicted to repent and make a change. If my sweet friend(s) hurts His heart, I want my heart to understand why His hurts and for mine to hurt as well. 

So many are rejoicing and compromising because it tickles their flesh. Please understand, I've been there. But the truth is that I am no longer there. I will not rejoice, I will not compromise and I will not be more concerned with offending man verses offending God.  

Do I love you? ABSOLUTELY!  This isn't about not being your friend, it's about honoring God. 

God, my heart hurts.

Love,
Yolanda 

Thrown a curve ball or two...

I hadn't realized how long it had been since I sat down to record for myself and share with others what is happening in my little world of taking care of myself. Honestly, in a nutshell I am sidelined from running and it's been hard on me. I saw it coming and I flat out refused to listen to the warning signals. When I did that, I honestly stopped taking care of myself and have since been paying for it.

The warnings that I can remember now that I am looking back are that I was excessively tired, my left calf became very tight and the next thing I knew my left foot began to gently talk to me.  Gently, but I kept pushing through all of that because I had big dreams and goals for myself.  Not only for myself but they included others as well and I am not one that generally doesn't follow through with what I set out to do especially when others come on board.

In January the Mr. And I traveled to San Diego for 5 beautiful days to get away from the harsh Kansas winter. It was glorious except for my foot was no longer gently talking to me, it was down right bossing me around. I RAN ANYWAY ALL FIVE MORNINGS and every other single moment I could barely walk.  No joke! I was icing my foot by this time after each run and applying analgesic     cream at night as I generally don't take over the counter meds.  We returned home and I took a few days of from running, like maybe 3 or 4. My husband calls me stubborn and my Mom would say no, she is bull headed. I say, I am determined!  ;-)

By the time we traveled to our winter home on Maui I knew that I knew I was going to truly have to lay off from running and begin to truly allow my body to heal so I could get back to what I love.   Running is my passion!  It truly draws me close to God, it clears my head of negativity, it helps with the aches that I can be known to suffer from due to fibromyalgia as it has completely taken that way, and it honestly brings me joy.  It's one thing to KNOW but completely different to be TOLD no more running until I am healed. Following the advice of the ART Therapist, Chiropractor and the acupuncturist on March 3rd I laid aside my running shoes for an unknown amount of time to allow the raging plantar fasciitis to subside.

A few weeks ago I was blessed to be given the opportunity to work with a "Sole Sister" in a neighboring community.  She is a physical therapist and a runner.  How can that not be a win/win situation??? 

I will not lie to you or to myself, this injury has been down right hard on me. I've cried, I've been sad, I've been angry and I've been lonely and yet I know it isn't the end of the world. I haven't lost a limb, I don't have cancer, I'm not paralyzed and I'm not dead. I've just been thrown a couple of curve balls....no running, no biking, no weights and no long moments of walking.

The plus side of this is that I've made a few new friends!  Their names are yoga and swimming as before they were just acquaintances, something that I did simply because I had read they were great for cross training as a runner.

So in a nutshell, I am gaining ground with the healing in my left foot, I am getting stronger and I will be much more alert to the signals God gives me to back off to remain injury free.

Until then I am remaining faithful to stretching/yoga every single day as I've been streaking since March 1st, 2014 and obeying those that I am seeking their medical advice but most importantly God and what He has in store for me.  He is not a dream killer and I know in His time, I'll be back to running and doing those things that I love!

Joy Comes In The Morning,
Yolanda

2014.....pressing on with lots of HEART!

What a whirl wind and to think that we’ve officially been in 2014 a full week!  A week, where in the heck has the last 7 days gone to?  I’m just getting back from our first true brainstorming session planning for a 50k Ultra running event in our community.  Yes. YES. Y.E.S.!!!  Come May 31, 2014, I will be able to officially say, I am an ultra runner.  How stinking crazy is that?  To think not even three full years ago there was no way, I am telling you, NO WAY, that I could run even one full city block.  Now I am dreaming and training to run 31.7 miles!  I’m so thankful for two new running buddies that were crazy enough to say yes when I asked them if they would consider running a 50k with me.  Thanks guys!! 

Some things that I’ve been clinging to as my training began on December 30^th:

 

Inspiration and perseverance always trump doubt and darkness.  David Willey at Runner’s World.

 

DO MY HOMEWORK!

 

Dream dreams and get out of the box

 

Passion + competitive drive = HEART!  My gym instructor told me some time ago, I have lots of heart.  That has carried me far!!

 

Do not set myself up for failure, each day is a new day and strive to do what I can do that day.  Each day will take care of itself, if I will live in the current and not set limitations on myself. 

 

My training is off to a great start and I’ve been blown away the last couple of weeks to where my running has gone in concerns of effort and speed.  I’m really excited to see what all 2014 has in store for me in terms of my health, my endurance, my speed and my strength.  I know that all of it is possible only because God is using me in the running world.  I am incredibly thankful and if my faith and my joy in moving my body spurs one single person on, then it is 110% worth it!  The cool thing is that I already know it has because of the emails, cards, text messages etc that I’ve received thanking me for sharing my journey.   

After the death of my Mom when she was 57 and so young, I began to get out of my comfort zone.  I really don’t want to live with any regrets of what if?  Or why didn’t I? 

My goals for 2014:   

PR (Personal record or a personal best) for my half marathon in March

PR my full marathon in April (I am using this as a training run)

And totally 100% enjoy the journey of crossing over into being an ultra runner on May 31, 2014

Run 1400 miles for 2014

 

I have no idea if this will be the first of many ultra’s, or if I will be happy with this achievement and leave it at that.  Those answers will come later, but for now….I’m running determined and happy!!

I had π for Christmas morning!



It's been awhile since I've taken the time to sit down and write my thoughts out. This helps me with the goals I have set for myself, to assess where I'm at, as well as to see how far I've come. Yesterday was Christmas, and it was gorgeous compared to the past couple of days so I decided to head out the door mid morning while I still had some time to myself. This always helps me get my day centered with some alone/quiet time and the joy of moving my body as well.  I had decided I'd be happy with just two very easy miles but when I glanced down at my Garmin only a 1/4 of a mile into my run I decided I probably would go ahead and run three miles as my time was really decent and I was feeling good.  As I continued to run I thought, "Hey, why not go ahead and run 3.14 miles and then I can count that as my π for the day!"  I got tickled thinking about that as I don't eat pie!  :-)

 

 

 

Pi, is a mathematical term representing 3.14, and what a great way to add some humor into a run that is just going the way you want it to go!  Did you run on Christmas eve or Christmas day?  Perhaps a race?  And do you ever have fun or come up with something fun while out on a run?

 

Happy Running and a belated Merry Christmas,

Yolanda