Fast Sandwich

My post title is not what it sounds like. I had to run alone tonight because Steven had to work late. It was 52 degrees and sprinkling. That is perfect running weather and I was already super amped to be running. Add to that some rockin 80's hair metal and I ran my first mile way too fast. 10 minutes into my run, I was hurting and so miles two and three were pretty slow. Then for mile four, I really picked it up and ran hard and fast through the pain, thus the "fast sandwich". Get it? All in all it was a great run and I enjoyed the hills (I ran in Westover), the rain, and the music. I am not sure exactly how far I ran, but I know it was a little farther than 4 miles because I ran for 34:15.

Future Grace

The things that God has been teaching me the past three weeks about a believer's position IN Christ and about the full impact of God's all encompassing grace has been truly life altering! I am deeply indebted to the teachings and writings of Miles Stanford (The Principle of Position) and John Piper (Future Grace) for all of their direction and wisdom on the idea of God's grace. I am so thankful to the Holy Spirit for using these men's writings at this stage in my life when I was ready to really see how the grace of God practically works in my life.

The idea that we are IN Christ and that we are to live obediently in response to His Word out of the future grace that He will give instead of living some life born out of gratitude for past grace according to some legalistic set of rules has been so freeing. To live for God based out of His promises instead of His requirements has been a major mind sift for me. It has not only been freeing but has also been more empowering than I ever thought. Living in light of the future and not the past and living according to who I am IN Christ has so much more implications for Holy living than striving to "be good".

If you want all the details and the practical application for what I am talking about, go to http://www.wvcrossroads.com and check out my sermon from Easter Sunday. By the grace of God, it is probably one of the most enlightening and best sermons that I have ever preached. I know that the content of my message has forever impacted me. If you want to go even deeper, I would strongly suggest that you read the two books that I listed above. It is amazing stuff! Just like the grace of our great God!

Another Cold and Rainy Run

Well, the weather was not very good for an early Saturday morning run but Steven and I headed out anyway. Its been a crazy week and we haven't run since Monday. And this morning, I certainly didn't feel as good as I did on Monday's run but that was probably the Mexican food and ice cream that I had last night.

I sure am glad that I braved the elements and started my day off with running. I feel great right now and I know a hot shower will feel even better. We stepped it up just a bit this morning and went 5 miles instead of 4. Our time was 40:23 with a final mile in 7:18! Yep 7:18! I was pumped. My goal is to post some fast race times this summer and with the training getting faster, I am well on my way. Sweet!

A 7:20 Mile!

It was a cold evening run in April. I just love Morgantown weather! When the temperature started dropping and the rain started falling, my desire to run lessened but I am so glad that I went. It was the best run that I can remember. I felt great and strong. Running more often since Steven has been here is obviously helping. Every step was awesome. We ran a little bit over 4 miles in 32:25 with a final mile of 7:20. The best part was when I finished, I didn't feel like I had worked that hard. I was so amped! It makes me excited for this upcoming race season.

An Early Saturday Four

Steven and I ran four miles this morning in the cold sunshine. It wasn't the easiest run that I have ever done (it was probably the ice cream I ate late last night) but it was a little bit faster than my most recent runs. So this past week's consistency has obviously helped and I am looking forward to more consistency over the spring and summer resulting in much faster race times. So Steven's presence here in Morgantown has already helped my run times. It should only get better. We ran the 4 miles today in 32:37 with a final mile of 7:36.

Don't Waste Your Life Part 2

John Piper all by himself. Wow! What a great word!!!!

Don't Waste Your Life

John Piper and Lecrae

2 Year Milestone

Well, it is hard to believe in so many ways, but Crossroads Church experienced and huge milestone this past week. On April 1, 2007, Crossroads officially launched as a church! We had already been meeting in some capacity since mid June of 2006 but everything became official on April 1, 2007. We did lots of publicity and door knocking and got everything ready to welcome guests and act as an official church. So in lots of ways, we just had a two-year-old birthday this past week.

That is truly amazing and mind-blowing. In so many ways, it seems like Crossroads has been around for much longer than that and in other ways, it is easy to look back and wonder where the past two years have gone. God has been so good and faithful to us over these past two years. The ways that He has led and provided have been astounding at times. I am so grateful for the call of God on my life and the life of Crossroads Church. It has been a wonderful journey. Some times have been filled with great joy while other times have been filled with great darkness and stress but through it all, the call of God on my life and this church has rung loudly!

I am thankful for the people who are Crossroads Church. I am thankful for the original 20 who have been on board for over 2 years and I am thankful for the people who God has recently brought on board (as recently as this past Sunday) and for everyone in between. The journey from 20 people to 100 and from a rented space to owning our own building has been crazy cool and I am so grateful to God for all He has done.

Two "official" years behind us and many more to go. The work here in Morgantown and in the Dominican Republic is just beginning. We have much to do for God as we march forward in faithful obedience. May God find us doing exactly what He has called us to on the Day of His Return!

Running In The Morning

It is so hard for me to get out of bed and go running. I prefer to run in the evening when it is warmer and all I have to do for the rest of the day is eat and relax. On the flip side, getting up early and running allows more time for training and more time for family. Running in the morning is a difficult thing to do when you are trying to train all by yourself but it is a lot easier when you have a partner. When you know someone is going to meet you at 7:30, then you have an appointment and you have to get out of bed. It's a good thing and this morning Steven and I met and ran for 31:41 which was prolly just shy of 4 miles. It feels good to be running more often and to have Steven along. It was cold this morning and I didn't dress warmly enough. It is the only run that I can ever remember that I was cold during the entire run.

I am so glad that I went. I logged some miles and I still have the whole day to spend with my girls. Good stuff!