Gone But Not Forgotten

Time goes by so quickly! It seems like a only few months ago, that I was putting flowers on my loved ones graves, in memory of them. As I stood again looking down at the grave stones, thoughts came flooding back. Most of them the same memories...the ones that stand out in my mind. Even the good memories have a way of bringing a sober sadness to my heart, because I am faced with a reality that they are no longer here. I cannot reach out and give them a hug, or even a phone call. And I consider that even as as so many years have passed, they are "gone but not forgotten". Their memory doesn't dwell in my conscious day to day life, but they are forever etched in my subconscious, where any number of things may trigger their memory, and I'll consciously think of them. Memorial Day is that day set aside, where we remember friends, family, and the servicemen and women who have laid down their lives for our freedom. There is One person who stands out in my mind, not just on Memorial Day, but each day. He is not etched in my subconscious, waiting for something to trigger His memory. The memory of His death is a constant daily reminder of why I live! I mentioned that even good memories of a loved one who died, can bring sadness. It's ironic, that terrible memories of the death of a particular loved one, brings me immense happiness! Not that I revel in His pain and suffering. I agonize with Him, though I could never comprehend the extent of His sacrifice. But I am thankful and grateful that gave His life, so that I could experience eternal freedom!

2000 years ago outside the eastern gate, they led Jesus to Golgotha's hill, He went there in my place. Across His torn and beaten back, a world of sins was fought. They nailed Him to a rugged tree where the "timbers cross" . That old rugged hill became a battlefield, where the war for the souls of men was fought. And as the battle raged, Death, Hell and the Grave, who were His enemies, they lost. And victory hung where the "timbers cross". The earth was black as midnight and beneath a darkened sky, forsaken for a debt not His, our Lord was crucified. Yet through His bitter anguish, He counted not he cost. Jesus shed His blood on Calvary where the "timbers cross".......

There's reason to celebrate the memory of the the cross! Friends, Jesus is not one of those "gone but not forgotten" people ! He's alive and well! He won the victory! This is why any and every memory of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus brings me joy! Because He did it for me! He purchased my eternal freedom! If you wonder if He did that for you....find out for sure today! Ask Him! Call on His name and receive Him into your heart this Memorial Day! If you truly do this, I assure you, it'll be a day you'll never forget!

Running For My Life

A couple months ago, my daughter-in-law started a jogging blogsite. She was preparing to do a couple 5 K Runs (whatever that means) ! My idea of a run is 5 yards, then a much needed pit stop for tanking up on fluids and...dare I say, "catching my breath"? My other daughter-in-law had also been running and was excited about doing to do the 5 K Run. More women started joining this blogspot, all of them excited about this 5 K run! Personally, I absolutely detest aerobic exercise! However, their enthusiasm about these mini marathons was contagious! I started pondering the idea of jogging...it had been many years since I jogged! But those words "5 K Run" kept haunting me. Could I do that? I started posting comments about my intrigue. From that point on, my daughter-in-law kept encouraging me to start running! I'm not as young as I used to be. I tried to convince her that my bones would break. "You're not THAT old!" she replied. So... one morning I put on my sweat shorts and tennis shoes and set out. I had to alternate jogging with a fast walk, beginner that I was. My first outing was half a mile, which isn't too impressive. But I felt so good... after I had finished hacking up phlem! That's how much my lungs needed cleaned up! The next day I jogged again. Over time, the ratio of jogging to walking became more balanced and some days I jogged more than I walked! I'm planning on doing the 5 K Run (whatever that means)! Not because of the challenge, but because I can not believe how good exercise feels! And there is a spiritual aspect to excercise, as well! For starters, we are God's workmanship. Psalms 139:14," I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth quite well". Romans 12:1, " I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship". My point here, is to stress that our bodies do count. Our body belongs to God. Our bodies matter. God doesn't demand our bodies because he ( as John Piper quotes; "wants models for Mademoiselle or Planet Muscle. He demands our bodies because he wants models of service" ). Excercise makes us more effective in serving the Lord! Charles Spurgeon said, “A mouthful of sea air, or a stiff walk in the wind’s face would not give grace to the soul, but it would yield oxygen to the body, which is next best” ! 1 Cor. 6:19,20, " Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." These verses refer directly to those who are following Christ as their Lord. The better care Christians take of their body, the more able they are to carry out active Christian service, which is their primary purpose here. 1 Cor. 10:31 best sums it up, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." ! These truths should dramatically affect our approach to exercise! We don’t ultimately exercise for the purpose of losing weight or so that we look good. We exercise ultimately, for the glory of God. We lace up our running shoes and pound the pavement so that we can serve God effectively for years to come. We lift weights so that at age 65 we can share the gospel with our grandchildren. We go to the gym so that we can lovingly care for our spouse for many years. Now do not go out and make a list of excercise rules and regulations that you now must follow! Change doesn't happen that way. Change is often synonymous with "process". The point is, to start!

So let me encourage my sisters to exercise. Not because it’s a good thing to do, but because God’s glory is the reward. Think of the future as you go out and jog today!