I am very thankful for the opportunity to read Scripture. I am constantly amazed at how something I've heard previously (and maybe even frequently) can have a new meaning today. I'm learning how Scripture is alive and relevant in all areas of my life. I am slowly gaining an appreciation of preparing for liturgy by reading and reflecting on the Scripture.
This was not something that came easy for me. I have a deep love of reading, but for many years the Bible did not fit my tastes. It has only been in the last few years that I have been consistent and persistent in studying Scripture. And it is in that time that I have grown in my love of it. Which came first? Well, I believe I was given the desire to know more, and because of that desire, I have sought to learn more. Very chicken/egg, I know. But that's God; the Alpha and Omega, with neither a beginning nor an end.
Showing posts with label Faith to 5K. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith to 5K. Show all posts
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Weary
"Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right." 2 Thessalonians 3:13 NRSVCE
This was in the morning prayer yesterday, and it stuck with me through the day. How true it is that we can become weary in doing what we are to do. I think of all the little things that push my buttons, and this verse reaffirms that we are to continue doing what we know is right. Keep on keepin' on. For it is in the small things where we grow, so that we are able to survive the big challenges.
Again with the health comparison - if you want to run/walk a 5K for the first time ever, you don't (or you shouldn't) just get up the day of the race and go sign up. First off, you won't get your t-shirt, and second (and more importantly) you are not prepared. This verse speaks to the small tasks, behind-the-scenes, that challenge us. That is when our strength is developed and our stamina is cultivated. So, when it comes time for the race or the challenge, we are prepared.
Challenge - today, when thoughts of discouragement creep in, banish them away. Recognize that we can be weary, but we have a greater goal that we wish to achieve. And, we are not in this alone!
Prayer - Lord, my human self is easily tired and distracted. I let the smallest things derail my focus. I don't want to lose sight of You. Help me to accept Your Grace so I may win the battle over those buzzing worries. They are opportunities for me to live for YOU by doing what is right.
This was in the morning prayer yesterday, and it stuck with me through the day. How true it is that we can become weary in doing what we are to do. I think of all the little things that push my buttons, and this verse reaffirms that we are to continue doing what we know is right. Keep on keepin' on. For it is in the small things where we grow, so that we are able to survive the big challenges.
Again with the health comparison - if you want to run/walk a 5K for the first time ever, you don't (or you shouldn't) just get up the day of the race and go sign up. First off, you won't get your t-shirt, and second (and more importantly) you are not prepared. This verse speaks to the small tasks, behind-the-scenes, that challenge us. That is when our strength is developed and our stamina is cultivated. So, when it comes time for the race or the challenge, we are prepared.
Challenge - today, when thoughts of discouragement creep in, banish them away. Recognize that we can be weary, but we have a greater goal that we wish to achieve. And, we are not in this alone!
Prayer - Lord, my human self is easily tired and distracted. I let the smallest things derail my focus. I don't want to lose sight of You. Help me to accept Your Grace so I may win the battle over those buzzing worries. They are opportunities for me to live for YOU by doing what is right.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - persistence
http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102013.cfm
Quick recap:
1st reading - Exodus - Joshua was successful against Amalek when Moses raised his arms
Psalm 121 - Our help is from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth.
Epistle - 2 Timothy - be faithful and persistent
Gospel - Luke 18 - story of dishonest judge and widow, and how persistence is part of prayer
Persistence in prayer. How hard do we work for something we want? If it becomes hard, or we don't see the result we expect, do we keep trying? More often than not, we quit. Maybe we rethink our 'need' and realize we don't wish to exchange our time and effort for that 'thing'. However, my personal experience is that if it is hard, if it requires commitment, if it takes time, two things are true: it's not easy and persistence is a must. I can't achieve this goal overnight. The same is true in prayer. We are called to cultivate an ongoing relationship with God through prayer. While God always welcomes us, it's usually a little easier if we have more than a passing acquaintance with God when we pray.
I think prayer and healthy living go hand in hand. If we only workout occasionally, or we don't eat our fruits and vegetables regularly, our health will be affected. Our bodies will be sluggish, and if we suddenly had to perform extended physical efforts, it would be very difficult. So, consider prayer as another healthy lifestyle; if we only pray at Church on Sunday, how much stamina will our prayer life have when it comes to a spiritual challenge? We all have those unexpected bumps which seem to hit us out of nowhere. How much better prepared is your body when you strive for a consistent, PERSISTENT plan of exercise and healthy eating? Ditto for your soul.
Side note: remember that we should not judge the effectiveness of our prayer based on whether or not OUR expected result was received. Prayer is communication with God and it should be honest and sincere. God desires to know us intimately. God hears our prayers, and the more we pray, the closer we grow to God.
Prayer - God, you desire a relationship with me. Help me to be persistent in prayer, especially when I don't 'feel' like it. The best way to know someone is through relationship, and my prayer time should be highly valued so that I can come to know You.
Quick recap:
1st reading - Exodus - Joshua was successful against Amalek when Moses raised his arms
Psalm 121 - Our help is from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth.
Epistle - 2 Timothy - be faithful and persistent
Gospel - Luke 18 - story of dishonest judge and widow, and how persistence is part of prayer
Persistence in prayer. How hard do we work for something we want? If it becomes hard, or we don't see the result we expect, do we keep trying? More often than not, we quit. Maybe we rethink our 'need' and realize we don't wish to exchange our time and effort for that 'thing'. However, my personal experience is that if it is hard, if it requires commitment, if it takes time, two things are true: it's not easy and persistence is a must. I can't achieve this goal overnight. The same is true in prayer. We are called to cultivate an ongoing relationship with God through prayer. While God always welcomes us, it's usually a little easier if we have more than a passing acquaintance with God when we pray.
I think prayer and healthy living go hand in hand. If we only workout occasionally, or we don't eat our fruits and vegetables regularly, our health will be affected. Our bodies will be sluggish, and if we suddenly had to perform extended physical efforts, it would be very difficult. So, consider prayer as another healthy lifestyle; if we only pray at Church on Sunday, how much stamina will our prayer life have when it comes to a spiritual challenge? We all have those unexpected bumps which seem to hit us out of nowhere. How much better prepared is your body when you strive for a consistent, PERSISTENT plan of exercise and healthy eating? Ditto for your soul.
Side note: remember that we should not judge the effectiveness of our prayer based on whether or not OUR expected result was received. Prayer is communication with God and it should be honest and sincere. God desires to know us intimately. God hears our prayers, and the more we pray, the closer we grow to God.
Prayer - God, you desire a relationship with me. Help me to be persistent in prayer, especially when I don't 'feel' like it. The best way to know someone is through relationship, and my prayer time should be highly valued so that I can come to know You.
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Health
Why do I exercise?
I recently was asked this question at my gym. We are in the midst of the "Stupendous Chase" - trekking across the U.S.A. in teams of 4 - and our leader wanted to know the answer to this question. My first response was, duh, 'To win . . . 'cause it's a competition.' I know that's only a short term answer; yes, we have a great activity with competition and camaraderie, but what happens after that? If I don't have some internal motivation, where will I go from here?
So, I wanted to start back at the beginning. Not exactly sure that I had one particular moment of precise clarity. Rather, it was more of a general awakening to my life and current circumstances. I wasn't happy. Not that was I miserable or particularly un-happy, but I wasn't a happy person. Sometimes it was a struggle to move (mentally more-so than physically), and I had bouts of depression, laced with apathy and overall tiredness. Life felt blah. Little by little, I started attempting change. My parents were a big support and source of encouragement. I was ready for a change, and they provided the push to get me started. My niece, Tasha, was another influence. She was interested in health and wellness, and we would talk about apps like MyFitnessPal and I just knew that after her shoulder healed, we would become work-out buddies (with her likely pushing me to test my limits and stamina!). She died in a car accident that July, and my goal became a little more clear and a lot more dear to me. Grief decreased my appetite for a while, so I got a bit of an unintended jump start on my journey. Then I was invited to participate in a Couch to 5K. Talk about terrifying. But with other family members participating, I decided that this was the next step. I'd always wanted to do a race, although it seemed very far-fetched. Towards the end of that training program, I learned about a program at my gym called 'Choose to Lose'. This was an amazing 16 week program with great teachers and I learned so much. Before that time, I didn't realize how much I was hurting my own body with poor choices in food. I had been in a vicious cycle - I would eat something (such as greasy pizza or empty-calorie donut), then feel yucky and lack energy, so I wouldn't get up and move, let alone exercise, and then I would get lethargic and try to fill the void with more bad food. Rinse, repeat, and go deeper into the spiral. In our classes, I was exposed to exercise and good nutrition. For a while I went kind of crazy with my food journal and meal plans. It felt good to be in control of food, instead of the other way around.
It's been a year since that class, and I feel great. I'm still on the healthy lifestyle path, and I know that I will be for the rest of my life. This is not a destination, it's a journey. I've had a few detours and roadblocks, but I'm happy with me. Although ignorance is bliss, I can't mindlessly eat junk food anymore. If I do, my body cannot function at its best, and that has become more important to me. I want to become the best version of myself in all areas - physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Exercise is a part of that equation. I believe I was created by God for a purpose, and I can more fully respond to that call when I am whole and healthy.
So, why do I exercise? Because it is the right thing to do. Because I want to do more 5Ks. Because I like how I feel when I'm healthy. Because I want to do more than I thought possible. Because God created me to do things that only I can do. I joined the Stupendous Chase for the motivation to keep going. But I'm going to keep exercising because I'm worth it. I can't wait to see what the future holds!
I recently was asked this question at my gym. We are in the midst of the "Stupendous Chase" - trekking across the U.S.A. in teams of 4 - and our leader wanted to know the answer to this question. My first response was, duh, 'To win . . . 'cause it's a competition.' I know that's only a short term answer; yes, we have a great activity with competition and camaraderie, but what happens after that? If I don't have some internal motivation, where will I go from here?
So, I wanted to start back at the beginning. Not exactly sure that I had one particular moment of precise clarity. Rather, it was more of a general awakening to my life and current circumstances. I wasn't happy. Not that was I miserable or particularly un-happy, but I wasn't a happy person. Sometimes it was a struggle to move (mentally more-so than physically), and I had bouts of depression, laced with apathy and overall tiredness. Life felt blah. Little by little, I started attempting change. My parents were a big support and source of encouragement. I was ready for a change, and they provided the push to get me started. My niece, Tasha, was another influence. She was interested in health and wellness, and we would talk about apps like MyFitnessPal and I just knew that after her shoulder healed, we would become work-out buddies (with her likely pushing me to test my limits and stamina!). She died in a car accident that July, and my goal became a little more clear and a lot more dear to me. Grief decreased my appetite for a while, so I got a bit of an unintended jump start on my journey. Then I was invited to participate in a Couch to 5K. Talk about terrifying. But with other family members participating, I decided that this was the next step. I'd always wanted to do a race, although it seemed very far-fetched. Towards the end of that training program, I learned about a program at my gym called 'Choose to Lose'. This was an amazing 16 week program with great teachers and I learned so much. Before that time, I didn't realize how much I was hurting my own body with poor choices in food. I had been in a vicious cycle - I would eat something (such as greasy pizza or empty-calorie donut), then feel yucky and lack energy, so I wouldn't get up and move, let alone exercise, and then I would get lethargic and try to fill the void with more bad food. Rinse, repeat, and go deeper into the spiral. In our classes, I was exposed to exercise and good nutrition. For a while I went kind of crazy with my food journal and meal plans. It felt good to be in control of food, instead of the other way around.
It's been a year since that class, and I feel great. I'm still on the healthy lifestyle path, and I know that I will be for the rest of my life. This is not a destination, it's a journey. I've had a few detours and roadblocks, but I'm happy with me. Although ignorance is bliss, I can't mindlessly eat junk food anymore. If I do, my body cannot function at its best, and that has become more important to me. I want to become the best version of myself in all areas - physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. Exercise is a part of that equation. I believe I was created by God for a purpose, and I can more fully respond to that call when I am whole and healthy.
So, why do I exercise? Because it is the right thing to do. Because I want to do more 5Ks. Because I like how I feel when I'm healthy. Because I want to do more than I thought possible. Because God created me to do things that only I can do. I joined the Stupendous Chase for the motivation to keep going. But I'm going to keep exercising because I'm worth it. I can't wait to see what the future holds!
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