Fire In My Bones

I ran track in my younger years and had some degree of success, but after college, getting married, and having three children, my running shoes were put to rest. I have always maintained some form of physical activity, but eventually lost all zeal for running. Let’s face it, running is hardcore physical work which requires commitment, endurance, patience, motivation, diligence, devotion, and enthusiasm, just to name a few. The business of wife, mother, and domestic engineer tapped all reserves dry. Last summer I pulled out the old running shoes once again desiring to up my physical game with the hope that my body (particularly my knees, legs, and feet) would immediately remember what this movement was I was asking it to do and react with vigor. No go. Nonetheless, I continued toward my goal of learning to run again. I have since run several small races and this weekend I will run my first half marathon in Austin, Texas.

So why do I choose to put myself (and my family) through the agony of physical and mental exhaustion? My motivation--to live a healthier life and become a positive influence in the lives of my family and friends. Along the way I was smitten by the fabled “runner’s high." It’s an intense sudden burst of energy and sense of wellbeing. My entire body lights up like a Christmas tree with surges of endorphins. I guess you could refer to it as renewed zeal or spiritual fervor.

Isn’t that what Paul talks about in Romans 12:11?  It reads: “Never lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." We should be on fire for the Lord - all fired up - zealously glowing! Sometimes we get cooled off and become lukewarm. God wants us to have enthusiasm and excitement for the things of the Lord. We should have a burning zeal to do our best in all situations and look for opportunities to honor God and the gospel.

This is a word we should take to heart. Let’s take control of our race and put on our running shoes. Don’t be a spectator; build your spiritual muscle by exercising or renewing your fervor for God and finish the race with zeal.

Father, thank you for loving me despite times that I have shadows that darken the light and your spirit. Lord, help us to be believers who are diligently and fervently serving you, never lacking in zeal. May our souls be rekindled with fire from above as we seek the eternal life, the upward call, the crown of righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Carla Henson

Abilene, Texas

Help the World Glorify God

Let your light shine before men in 
such a way that they may see your good works, 
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

[The world] will see "your good works," Jesus said.
Your coworkers will witness your courtesy.

A person downtrodden will be comforted by your smile.

Someone who holds open a door for you will notice that you stop to thank them.

A spouse will respect your humble apology.

A friend will appreciate that you took the time to listen when they were struggling.

A person with whom you have had conflict in the past will notice when you go out of your way to do something kind for them.

People will see every visible manifestation of Christ's life being lived out through you. Because of what they see, they will "glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16)

Let’s listen to Jesus and live in a way that will help the world glorify God.

Dear Father, Help me recognize all the opportunities you put before me today in which I can let my light shine. I want to reflect the light of your goodness in a dark world.

Amen.

Terry Smith
Stephenville, TX.

Run No Matter What!

I enjoy watching track and field events.  Anticipation fills the air as runners step to “their marks” and prepare to run.  One of the exciting things about track and field events is the “unknown” drama of each competition.  You just don’t know how a race will end!

A couple of weeks ago, Riley Forehand, a young Christian teen who is a member of our congregation, gave fans, onlookers and contestants a reminder of just how resilient the human spirit can be. 

Riley is a freshman cross country runner.  He was scheduled to run in the District cross country meet two weeks ago.  As you can imagine he was very excited to be competing against upper classmen.  I joked with his mother a few weeks before the race that class rank doesn’t win races.  Come race time, it’s about sheer determination and stamina.  Let the seniors beware! 

The race was scheduled for 3.1 miles.  The first mile was smooth sailing.  But, then it happened.  Another runner stepped on Riley’s right heel causing his right shoe to come off.  Undaunted, Riley continued on…barefooted!  He completed the final two miles with one shoe.  How did it end?  He finished in twelfth place overall – as a freshman! – and helped his team qualify for the Regional round on November 3^rd.  Moreover, he finished the race posting his best time of the year (17:20 ...a 5:34 min/mile pace), with tears streaming down his face, and a bloody, cut up foot.  His team carried him off the field on their shoulders!

That’s what people saw.  What they didn’t see is this.  The night before Riley ran his District cross country meet his Grandpa wrote a message on a post-it-note and gave it to him for encouragement. He told Riley he would be praying for him and wished him all the best. Unbeknownst to anyone, Riley had folded the note and placed it in his left racing spike. (The shoe that did NOT get knocked off during he race). It was later, during a supper celebration, that Riley told his parents this story and read the note his Grandpa had written him. The note read:  “

        “…But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with

           wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary" – Isaiah 40:31. 

Life is like that isn’t it?  Sometimes the unforeseen happens.  To borrow a piece from Riley’s experience….we lose a shoe.  We get down.  We wonder if we can continue on.  The setback becomes so great we aren’t sure if we should just quit and call it a day.   

But, isn’t it great to know that we serve a God who is near us every step of our respective journeys and who knows just what we need when we need it?  It is only as we stay in the race that we discover things about our faith and about God himself that come to us as blessings down the road. 

Father, you give us what we need in moments when we aren’t sure if we can put one foot in front of the other one.  Thank you for providing what we need.  Lift us up when we are weary and show us that the race is worth finishing no matter what.  Through Jesus who has run the race ahead of us….Amen

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

The Time is Right

Seven years ago on a dark Saturday night, a sense of urgency came over me. I knew exactly what I must do.

Let me back up. I was raised in the church. As a kid and a teenager, I attended class and worship every weekend and Wednesday night. However, I constantly put off accepting the Lord as my Savior. As I attended college, I strayed and rarely attended church. I went occasionally with my roommates and friends. As I began to date my wife, I again began to attend and participate in church and church activities. But, all I did was participate. I studied and grew closer to the Lord. However, I was stubborn and a procrastinator. I knew that I should be baptized and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Yet, I always thought tomorrow, next week, or sometime in the future would be better than today. I planned on accepting him on my time. But, that night I got in my old beat up ford truck, and left northern Oklahoma. I arrived in Lubbock, Texas early the next morning. I went to church at the congregation we had been worshiped with for the last two years. I could hardly wait until service was over. I drove all night and knew what I must do. That Sunday seven years ago, I accepted the Lord’s calling, and took him on in baptism.

Prior to that decision I had lived according to my terms. I decided everything. I calculated, planned, and organized my life. But, that night a sense of urgency came over me. I knew there was no tomorrow unless I accepted Our Lord and Savior in baptism. I know that many of you reading this have had or will have this same feeling. A feeling that cannot wait to proclaim to everyone; Jesus is our Lord and Savior. He died on the cross for our sins. He rose from the dead. He will come back again!

We must be willing to live our daily life with this same intensity and urgency. We all need to have a heightened awareness of God’s plan for us as He reveals opportunities for us to serve him. Sometimes I am passive about these opportunities and I shouldn’t be. Are you? It isn’t for us to decide the outcome of each experience. We simply must decide to make the decision and trust that our Father’s plan is fulfilled. We must choose to live our life with zeal and a sense of urgency for helping others find Christ as their Savior! There is not a tomorrow. We must seize the day!

Matthew 24:42-44 reads:
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

As Mathew describes, we do not know when the Lord will come back. We must be ready today! We must spread his word and hope to bring the good news today to His kingdom. There might not be a tomorrow. For some, there will not be a second chance. Seize every opportunity to spread His word like a light in this dark world.

Father, thank you for sending your son to be our Savior. Help us, Lord, to live each day with a greater zeal for you and the growth of your kingdom. Allow us to regain the sense of urgency and soften our hearts so that we are receptive to your plan for us. Please help us to never take tomorrow for granted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Adam Tittor
Cleburne, Texas

Then What?

There are some truths we know because God has revealed them. If the Bible had not revealed them, we would never know. As exciting as these discoveries are, they always bring up more questions.

In I Thessalonians, chapter 4, we learn a lot about the last day on earth. We learn about what happens to those who ‘die in the Lord’; that we will meet Him in the clouds; that we will always be with the Lord; and that these promises should comfort us. Although this scripture answers many questions, it does not answer all of them.

 We don’t know how God does it. We don’t know when He will do it. So what do we do? Well, we trust Him.

I heard of a believer who was dying. His best friend was not a man of faith. He had come to visit his dying friend and was surprised that his Christian friend had so much peace. “How can you be so calm? You are dying. You don’t know what will happen! There are so many questions; how can you be at peace?” His Christian friend said, “Do you hear that scratching on the door? That is my dog. He has never been in this room nor has he even looked into this room. He has no idea what will happen to him if he comes in here, yet he wants in here because he knows I’m in here.”

I don’t know everything about the hereafter. My list of questions gets longer and longer but I know who is waiting for me. I know He loves me and I know He has conquered death. So, I am like that dog; whining and scratching and not afraid. Like David, I can say “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for thou art with me.”

O Lord, I praise Your name. You created life. You conquered death and You promised me eternal life. I use words like eternal but I do not understand. Thank You for Your love and those amazing promises. Even though I do not understand most of Your promises, I ask for more information. I want information. I need faith. I’m sorry. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for Your love. Thank You for life. In the name of Your Son who is life, I pray. Amen.

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas

Quick, Slow, Slow Again!

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. For human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. So put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the message implanted within you, which is able to save your souls.” - James 1:19-21

Relationships are paramount in our existence – relationships with family members, friends, co-workers, etc. When I read this passage, relationships are the first thing that comes to my mind. People just don’t do everything that we want them to. Sometimes they are unable to do it. Sometimes what we want is the wrong thing. Sometimes our expectations are unreasonable. And sometimes they should be doing what we would like them to be doing, but they don’t. Sometimes they actively pursue those things which they know are not in our best interests – that might harm us. Most of the time, this evokes a negative response from us. We want things our way. If not, get out of our way because we are on the war path!

This is wrong. We should listen, then be quiet. (There is a reason that God gave us two ears and one mouth!) The major problem for us is that we are quick to speak! That’s why we get ourselves into trouble – we are quick to anger because we are quick to speak. In the initial burst of emotion, we should be silent. This delay would greatly limit our fits of anger. Our anger is not godly. When we respond to someone with rage, we are not fulfilling the responsibilities that God has laid out for us. It’s not God’s way for us.

Anger is a very difficult emotion. It’s obviously tough to get a handle on for a lot of us! We can help ourselves by diving into God’s word. By getting into Word and surrendering to what the Spirit gives us we can learn how to reduce our explosive moments – perhaps even rid ourselves of them completely. In their place, we receive that which God requires of us in meekness. Prayer is also a major resource for us – let go and let God.

Father, please help us. Many of us are quick to anger – help us to rectify this. Help us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. Grant us peace and an understanding of what your will for us is. Help us to let go of the things that we can’t control. Forgive us when we fail you. It’s through your son and our savior we pray, amen.

Casey Dacus

Graham, TX

Tie a String Aound Your Finger

When my mother moved to town, one of the first things she wanted was a city map.  “I want to know where all the bad things are happening when I watch TV or read the paper,” she said.  Those few words expressed poignantly how most of us feel about the stability of our environment, the security of our government, the solvency of our assets, and the safety of those we love.

When you feel paralyzed by fear or alone in your desolation, open your Bible to Psalms.  It’s the 16th book in the Old Testament.  This is a hymnbook of Hebrew poetry where mankind talks to God and God answers.  It is as powerful and beautiful today as it was in ancient times.

In Psalm 77 the writer is in such distress he can neither eat nor sleep.  In Psalm 42 his soul is dying of thirst from lack of Godly fellowship.  All he can do is cry.  In 43 he’s so oppressed by his enemies that his bones “suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”

It isn’t uncommon to wonder if God’s unfailing love has vanished forever, or if he’s forgotten to be merciful or if, in his anger, he’s withholding his compassion (77:8, 9), and in this earthly body our souls will sometimes be downcast.  At times like these, we can do what the psalmist did:  

“Then I thought, ‘To this I will appeal:  The years of the right hand of the Most High.  I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds’” (77:10); and,  “Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise [Hebrew todah – thanks] him, my Savior and my God.” (42:5, 11 & 43:5).

When we feel helpless and afraid, and when we are bursting with joy and thanksgiving, a string around our finger – figuratively or literally – will remind us where our Hope lies.

God, you are my joy and my delight, and with the music of my heart I praise you, through Christ, amen. 

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas