Sounds of the Spirit

Do you sometimes forget that as believers in Christ, there is a whole world going on around us? This world is as real as the oatmeal and coffee I am having for breakfast, but not visible with my physical eyes.

It occured to me last night (at 4:20 am to be exact I've got insomnia...again) that all over Scripture, God tells us  this spiritual world is audible if we listen with spiritual ears.  There is a huge world that you can tap into if you listen closely........

......you can hear the encouragement of the saints ( Heb. 12:1)  They are rooting you on. "Don't quit now! Keep on going!  You are almost there! It's so worth it!"

.......the angels are continually praising our God in a song that never ends.  Think about it....the voices of angels....."Holy, Holy. Holy is the Lord God Almighty" (Isaiah 6:3)

.........the very voice of God as He sings over you.  (Zeph. 3:17)Yeah, thats what it says, He sings over us.  What does the voice of God singing over you sound like?  Perhaps the most beautiful sound that our ears could imagine.  Maybe that's why physical ears can't hear it. It's too pure, too sweet. It takes us to a place that is reserved for His children. A place of no worries.

Sounds of the Spirit.  Listen closely.  Beyond the sounds of alarm clocks, honking horns, fighting children, there are sounds that are reserved just for you.  What can you hear?

and so the running begins

I have reached the limit of what my good conscious will allow in laziness. Every year it's the same routine. I begin the year off in a bit of a post Christmas running slump. Around mid-January I try to rally a  effort to run which lasts about 2 weeks. I decide that it's too cold and the treadmill is way too boring and I decide to "rest" until it warms up.
It's warm, and I'm out of shape. I hauled my lazy butt into the road on Saturday and huffed and puffed my way through 3 miles at a snail's pace.  I'm not sure, but I think the neighbor dog was giggling at me. I guess I was moving so slow, there was no thrill in the chase and she just yawned.
I hate the first two weeks of spring running. I'm out of breath and, however strange this sounds, it hurts when the fat on my hips jiggle. Seriously, that fat was not there in December, the last time I ran.

I was so lazy I totally skipped the Bobcat ramble this year, which is usually my welcome back to running race that kick starts my season.  So I find myself a little behind schedule this year. I also am realizing that the day is not too far away when I will not longer have the lesiure of taking 2 months off.  I am beginning to come to terms with the fact that I am 40, nearing middle age, and running is as much about my heart and lungs as it is about my hips.

This year may be the year that has no end. I think it's time to lace up my shoes and keep on going.  One day, that break is gonna break me and I may not be able to get motivated to ever start back.  It could happen. I've run ever since I can remember, but life changes, and I am changing.  My body doesn't bounce back like it used to and I think I've hit that mark. I'm running for health and that requires more perseverance.

Happy trails fellow runners...it's gonna be a beautiful spring, especially after I get through the next two weeks!

Congratulations Matt and Heather

Wayne and I have know our friends Matt and Heather, for so long, it's hard to remember our married life without them there. Today their son Adam is marrying the girl of his dreams, Cason.   She will love being their daughter. I know I have loved being their friend all these years, and they love me like family.

I guess that's why I love them so much. You know, in this life, you only have a few friendships that are that deep and strong.  We have so much fun together! You know it's hard to find a couple that you and your spouse both love. Of course I'm not saying Matt and Wayne love each other, oh no, I'm just saying they really resepct and admire one another! :) Me and Heather....we love each other. :)

M and H have been our friends in the worst of times.  They have seen us go through the ugly stuff of losing jobs, losing family members and losing our own sanity. In those times there is no fixing it, there's just loving you through it. They are the kind of friends I can call at 3 am if I need help. I could ask for money, and they'd empty their account for me. I can have the peace in knowing they would finish raising my girls exactly how I want them raised if I die.

So today, in the best of times, I celebrate a wonderful day. Today their son Adam takes a wife and makes a home.  We share all their joy, knowing that every good and perfect gift is from above.  We celebrate  the new gift of family. Welcome to the Schulze's Cason, I think you'll love it! 
And we celebrate the gift of old friends. Congratulation Matt and Heather, thank you for loving us, and thank  you for letting us share in your joy!
It's gonna be good day!

Favorites

In the circus that is my brain, there us a place that identifies "my favorites".  However, this place is a bit of a revolving door which is apt to change at any given moment in time.  Those who know me and love me know that I am allowed to declare "my favorite" from a song to a flavor any time I'm in the mood.......

Coffee: Folgers with a glug of milk, no sugar.

Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry's Brownie Fudge Chunk

Time of day: 7:30-8:30- when everyone leaves the house and I'm all by myself, Sirrius radio blaring and getting ready for work.

Deep theological thinker and writer: John Piper. Thanks Andy Hall for introducing us.

Ipod selection when I am busting my behind to run just a little bit further than yesterday: Toby Mac

Color: the deep red hue of my firstborn's hair when the sun hits it, and she lets me wrap it around my fingers. It looks like pennies.

What is your most absolute favorite?

in praise of average

I have come to realize that most people think that they are pretty special.  If not them, they think their children are God's gift to the universe. Don't get me wrong. I love my children.  I think God has blessed me with the two most wonderful girls in the world, but is it wrong to embrace your childrens "averageness" ?

In our culture, American parents insist on their child competing with every other child in the classroom.  Most people begin this process of fine tuning their child's skills when they are babies, to develop a niche where their child is "the best".  This carries over into high school. My sister Heather is just beginning to get a taste of this.  She talked in her last post about how high school registration includes a life plan for a 15 year old kid. Gimme a break!  What kid has a life plan ready in the ninth grade?

What happened to just making your way through your adolesecence and enjoying life?  What happened to trying new things with no pressure to be the best. it?  Why can't my kids feel successful just getting through their high school years taking "normal' classes and hanging out with their friends?  Why do we feel it necessary for them to complete a year of college before they ever get there?

You know, average people are spectacular. Most average people I know are pretty well adjusted.  They don't have as many hang ups as those who "know they are special".  Average people work hard, they know that they have weaknesses they have to overcome.  Average people love their wives and kiss their children.  Average people are usually loyal, and faithful. They not be the smartest, the fastest or the funniest, but that they can be there.  They are the people that fill the pews year after year at your church, They show up and help out without special recognition.

I love average people, I'm married to one. I am one, and we've produced two beautiful average girls!

Cakes and Kenya

What do these cakes and Kenya have in common?  Alot if you bought a cake at our auction Sunday night!  Our mission team is heading to Kenya this summer. I can hardly wait. I've never been to Africa and this is a chance of a lifetime.  We are all trying to raise our $3,000 for tickets. The cake auction raised about $1500.  I love it when God does far beyond what we can ask or imagine....Eph. 3:20-21

Hey Stephanie, what's for supper?

Country ham
collard greens with pepper sauce
pinto beans with chow chow and vidalia onions
cornbread
and
sweet tea

Yum! Yum!