Training the body

So i'm just gonna jump right into this blog. last quarter I ended up quitting the rowing team so my roommates then asked me if i wanted to run a marathon wth them. I of course said YES!!! i ddin't really start training until mid January and I really slacked off during Feb due to mid terms and a bijillion papers. I began to have seconds thoughts about running the whole marathon and was thinking about doing the half marathon instead. However, i went on a run this morning and it was really difficult (considering I haven't really ran in 2 weeks), but it was extremely rejuvenating as well.

The last time i went running was thurs (today is sat) and it was only for 20 min. That's pretty bad considering i'm training for a marathon. This morning I decided to change my whole perspective on running. I wanted to run for God. I want to do this to show the body that I am in control and that with God's help I can do all things. I wanted to use this running time as a time to meditate on scripture and keep the temple of God in shape.

I started off at about an 8 min mile pace, but then i realized i was going to fast because i wanted to quit after what seemed like only 7-8 min. Immediately i was began thinking, "i think I'm going to stop after 20 min," but then I told my self NO and I began to meditate on part of the scripture in psalm 138: 7-8 and a mix of other verses...I kept thinking " You revive me...You perfect that which concerns me...in my weakness You are made perfect..." When my body wanted to stop I used scripture to overpower that desire and i asked God to strengthen my mind and to just keep running. There were times where I told my body to shut up haha and just run. I ended up running for 46 minutes so assuming that i had a 9 min pace per mile (it felt like it) then I ran about 5miles more or less.

This morning really helped me. It showed me that the mind is so powerful. IT showed me that I must guard my thoughts because thoughts make such a great impact in our lives. IT affects our mood our confidence our ability to focus and communicate. When i was running I wanted to stop after 7 minutes, but I ended up running for about 40 minutes more!! Our mind has the power to help us overcome or aid in our defeat. No wonder why God says in Philippians 4:8-9 God says to meditate on whatever is pure, noble, admirable, of good report... These thoughts affect how we carry ourselves and how we perceive life. It also affects our health and our ability to overcome diseases. Also placebo pills are another example of the wonderful mine at work. The mind as the power to heal if you have the will power to fight off negativity. I think that it is extremely difficult to this on your own human strength. We need to rely on God and put our complete trust in Him and His word which is our sword.

When I relate this to my Christian walk, there are times where the devil will tempt me and it will be difficult to say no, but it is not impossible. With God's strength I can overcome the things and desires of this world. It's a matter of guarding my mind. I need to filter out all those thoughts, ideas, and suggestion from the devil and be in control of the temple of God. This means in all areas such as time, money and FOOD. Food is somewhat of an issue for me. i tend to eat and eat and eat and EAT!! I realize that I can be gluttonous and that i absolutely LOVE sweets. As a result I am going on a fast from all sweets for 40 days to show that I have control over this temple of God and that i can resist the temptation of the oh sooo delicious chocolate cakes, brownies, banana nut bread, muffins, etc.

I will make an attempt to keep a running log here on this blog and show how God has continued to develop me spiritually and physically through running; as well as fasting. I will also try to keep a blog for that, but i can't make any promises considering i have four papers due next week and then finals in 2 weeks and raising support for Oaxaca. =).

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NIV)

God hears our prayers

Right now I feel like I just want to do everything for God. This week I was so blessed and encouraged even more so. First of all the DEstino leadership retreat was such an amazing blessing last week and that encouraged me so much.....

I had an MRI this Friday and I was feeling kind of down because I got phone call from my sister telling some not so happy things about my family. To top it all off I had to get an MRI for my leg that has been causing me an immense amount of pain. While I was getting the MRI(it took 2 hours) i found my mind beginning to wander and I found myself doubting God. However, I immediately caught myself and I was reminded that the enemy strikes when you are most vulnerable and I feel that my state of mind caused me to be vulnerable to the devil. I began to pray and tell God that He is my refuge and I chose to rely on His strength. I never want to fall away from Him because I have seen His work in my life. I cried out to Him (yea i cried a little while getting an MRI, but I prayed in my head) and I remember thinking that God loves me and he does hear me even when it seems like He isn't there He really truly is right by me =).

Once the MRI was done, I got ready to leave, but before i could leave the MRI tech began asking me questions about my leg. I began telling him that I've had desmoid tumors since i was in 9th grade and the doctors pretty much said that they can't do anything about it. He asked me if i was worried about it and i replied that i dont have time to worry about. AFter this short convo he proceeded to tell me that "no matter what happens i just wanted to let you know that..." and then I heard the words that I desperately needed to hear "...God loves you..." As he said this his eyes began to fill with tears and he said that he didn't even know why he was crying. He told me that he had a relationship with God and that God love me, no matter what and that God will be there for me! This, of course, caused me to burst into tears as I proceeded to tell him that I too have a relationship with God. I told him that while I was getting the MRI I began to wonder "God where are you...do You even hear me, i know You hear me...You said in your word that you love..." and I prayed and cried out to God. I believe that god used this man to encourage me, to tell me that YES he does hear me and that he does love me. God works in mysterious ways and I do know that he did not cause this ailment and he did not cause the bad things to happen to my family. What I do know is that God is loving, faithful, graceful, forgiving, etc... Those words that came out of that man's mouth has encouraged me so.

Just as a side note this man said that he normally does not tell people that God loves them or else he probably would get fired lol. He just felt that God was telling him to tell me that. He also reminded me of that wonderful verse in revelations that states that there will be a day with no more tears and no more pain and when that day comes we will be in heaven and we will see each other and smile =D.

My perfect, Beloved

I made you...you are different. You're unique. With love I formed you in your mother's womb. I fashioned you with great joy. I remember, with great pleasure that day I created you (Psalm 139:13-16)

I love your smile. I love your ways. I love to hear you laugh. And the silly things you say and do. You bring me great pleasure. This is how I made you (psalm 139:17)

I made you pretty and not beautiful because i know your heart and know you would be vain,,, I want you to search out your heart and learn that it will be me in you that will make you beautiful...And it will be Me in you that will draw friends to you (1 Peter 3:3-5)

I made you in such a way that you would need me. I made you a little more lonesome than you would like to be...Only because I need for you to learn and depend on me. I know your heart. I know if I had not made you like this you would go your own chosen way and forget Me...your creator (Psalm 63:5-8)

I have given you many good and happy things.. Because I love you (Psalm 84:11, Roman 8:23)

Because I love you I have seen your broken heart...and the tears you cried alone. I have tried with you and had a broken heart too. (Psalm 56:8)

Many times you have stumbled and fallen alone. Only because you would not hold my hand. So many lessons you've learned the hard way because you would not listen to my voice (isaiah 53:6)

So many times I have set back and sadly watched you go your merry way alone. Only to watch you return to My arms sad and broken (Isaiah 62:2)

and now you are mine again...I made you and then I bought you...Because i love you(Romans5:8)

I have to reshape and remold you...To renew you to what I had planned for you to be. i know it has not been easy for you or for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)

I want you to be conformed to My image... This high goal I have set for you. Because I love you (2Corinthians 3:14)

-Jesus

*I didn't write this, but it is beautiful indeed....wow i just noticed that I posted this on valentines' day lol =D

A Man's Life...

Man, God's creation
full of emotion that rages
Can we control it?
I finally see, my eyes have opened
I see a child lost somewhere looking for guidance, he's looking for love
I see a child looking for someone to talk to.
I see a boy searching for manhood and finding his way alone
I see a boy living on his own and making mistakes
I see this man, this father, brother, uncle continuing to make the same mistakes
he desperately tries to succeed on his own strength.
He forgets about God and searches for approval of men on earth.
He is hurt and cries to God, but gets no immediate response.
He questions God, "Why me?!!" he asks
He is filled with frustration and resentment at his failures
I see a man living on his own strength making mistakes
My question is, why does he not learn from them?
Why does he continue to make the same mistakes?
Why does he not choose to repent, learn, and overcome?!
What is holding him back?
A feeling of guilt maybe, of the ones he left?
A feeling of insecurities maybe?
A cover up maybe, to try and show his "manliness."
But deep down is a scared little boy,
still searching for someone to just love him.
Still searching for someone to encourage him
Still searching to find strength to love himself.
Only then will he be a man and love others.