Running the Race

With the closing ceremonies this evening the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics are over. It has been an amazing 16 days of medals won, records broken, and memories made.

I remember my first Olympics in the summer of 1996, when they were held in Atlanta. My mom was telling us about the Opening ceremonies and telling us we were going to watch them. I was used to watching golf and Husker football on Saturdays and to this 10-year old watching sports of any kind was the MOST boring way to spend my time. So I know at least I, and maybe my siblings too, put up a big fight with lots of complaining. But, my mom won out and after seeing the parade of athletes representing nations from around the world, I was hooked. I will never forget seeing the USA women's gymnastics team win gold that year.

There are many reasons why I love to watch the Olympics. Each athlete has worked so hard to earn the privilege of competing in the Games, and I love to see them give their very best, even if they don't win gold. I love the emotion of winning, the spirit of the underdog who shocks everyone, the team spirit and the fun of the sports represented in both the winter and the summer games. I appreciate when those who do not win show respect and great sportsmanship.

These winter Olympics have given us many great stories of grace under pressure, heroic triumph under adverse circumstances, and dedication and love for the sport. I am sad to see the Games over for another 2 years (until the summer games) but I'm thankful I got the chance to see so many of the great moments.

The Christian life has often been compared to a race. We are Olympians in a way, striving to win the race to which God has called us, striving to the finish line and aiming to do the very best we can. I have been inspired by the great athletes I saw over the last 2 weeks, and I hope that I can honor God with the talents He has given me and run the race not for earthly medals for the crown in heaven.

Last Reflections on Love

Valentine's Day was several weeks ago, but I have still been reflecting on the theme of this month- love. Hearing comments from friends, seeing a chick flick last weekend and just looking at our world in general has provided me with many pictures of what love is NOT.

1 Corinthians 13 is a very familiar but beautiful picture of what love really is supposed to look like. Here are verses 3-7 in the Message version .

If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Loves doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Loves doesn't strut,

doesn't have a swelled head,

doesn't force itself on others,

isn't always "me first",

doesn't fly off the handle,

doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

doesn't revel when others grovel,

takes pleasure in the flowering of the truth,

puts up with anything,

trusts God always,

always looks for the best,

never looks back,

but keeps going to the end.

We don't get much farther than verse 4 to see the contrast of this world's idea of love. In the NIV it says, "Love is patient". People don't really know the meaning of being patient these days with fast food, speedy checkout lanes, going 70 MPH in a 60 MPH zone, and every kind of convenience you can imagine. I'm thankful that God is patient with me. He shows us the kind of relentless, never-giving-up kind of love we are supposed to show to each other.

I thought this phrase was great: "Trusts God always". That's what love is supposed to be like. When I'm relying on God for everything, I think this brings joy and peace and allows us to have more room in our hearts to share God's love. It also increases our love for God, and helps us grow closer to Him to learn more what real love looks like.

I guess love isn't just a theme for one day or month out of the year, but should be theme of our whole life. God's picture of love is a whole lot different than the world's picture of love, and as we grow closer to God we can know more of what this love is supposed to look like.

Your Life is a Symphony

Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

My Child…Your Life is a Symphony

You are to Me a beautiful song. Your life is a sweet symphony that I Myself am composing note by note. I take your failures, your tears, and your triumphs, and I turn them into a glorious harmony that will be sung in the heavens for all eternity. All your thoughts and deeds are laid before Me like notes on a page. Every choice you make is a significant chord in an eternal arrangement. Don’t let the noise of the world destroy your magnificent melody, My beloved. Seek Me in the quiet stillness of the morning, and I will fill your heart with divine music. Stay in rhythm with My Spirit throughout the day, and I will make your life an irresistible melody that will linger like sweet perfume in the hearts of all that journey with you. Walk with Me in absolute surrender, and you will draw others to Me in a rhapsody of praise.

Love,

Your King and your Composer

His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd

A Different Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. This might seem strange considering the fact that I have yet to find a “significant other” to send me flowers or chocolate or other such typical Valentine’s Day gifts. The holiday means so much more to me, though, than just a romantic time of the year.

Part of this is probably due to the fact that my dad often made Valentine’s special in my family. He frequently got a sweet store-bought card for my mom along with some Turtles or other candy. I remember several occasions when he gave handmade cards to my siblings and I. He would write the reasons why he loved us and why he was proud of us. Sometimes he would get pizza and Mambas and other goodies for us kids to have while he and my mom went out to dinner. I think this is part of why I love to give cards to people on Valentine’s day and other occasions. I think we should tell our friends and family that we love them on more than just February 14th, but Valentine’s day does provide a special time to show how much we love those around us.

Valentine’s day for me is also a time to dwell in the great love that my God has for me. Not just any God would send His son to take the punishment that I deserve. Sometimes we get so caught up in other things that we gloss over the awesomeness of God’s love. 1 John 3:1 says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (NIV). I love that word- lavished. God’s love for us is so abundant and amazing.

Because of God’s great love, we are able to love each other. What better day than Valentine’s day to share Christ’s love with someone who might not feel like they are loved. One of my favorite Valentine’s verses comes from the Message, in Ephesians 5:1-2: “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that”.

This Valentine’s day instead of buying your obligatory chocolates, pray for a person who you know is struggling and might need an extra dose of God’s love. Send someone a secret Valentine’s card sharing with them how much the Heavenly Father loves them. Send flowers to someone who might be alone this Valentine’s day. Take someone out to eat or perform a “random act of kindness” for someone who needs to see the light of Christ. I encourage you to make this Valentine’s day different, a day to show those around you how much you care about them and also dwell in the richness of God’s love for you, and pass that on to others.