::: joy :::

i haven' t written in a long while.

its a mix of not knowing what to say and processing that which i do want to say.

i apologize too because I feel its my own fault that others dont understand or know me better and that I do not know others better.

but most of all... one thing I am certain of, and that is, that no matter how much I experience here, the difficulties, the heartaches, the laughs, the beautiful moments, the blahs, 

the shake um offs, the mundane.... there is: 

JOY!

there is so much JOY in living this life.

this years theme for 2013 is "one thousand gifts of joy"!

I want to remember everyday all that we are given.

My goal is to look back at the end of this year and have well over 

one thousand sheets of paper in my jar 

 filled with sweet reminders

 of how I was "gifted graces" in life this year... how I found joy in daily life.

"He who is grateful for little is given much laughter... and its counting the ways of Love..

 this is what multiplies joy."

Before Christmas we got to celebrate all that has been given since 3.11

My heart was full of so much JOY this day. It was a really nice time.

：：：c h e r i s h ：：：

to "cherish" is to value, to prize, to adore, to think lovingly of, to lay hold of.
there is no other word in the english language that comes close to its meaning.

to cherish His word is essential  in our lives and in the lives of those around us.



its daily I find myself needing to make decisions about where to "step"...


 the further and deeper  we go with God, as we allow Him to lead us deeper and deeper into the understanding of His affections and truth; the less of this world we we will try to hold onto.

so deciding to set our eyes on Him and devoting ourselves to learning what is "truth", is necessary for  re-caliberating the affections of our hearts.

Proverbs 7 reminds: 

" Keep my words",
" Treasure my commandments ",
" Bind them on your fingers",
" Write them on the tablet of your heart",
"Call Wisdom, 'my sister' ",
" Call understanding , 'your intimate friend' "...

without cherishing the word, "daily", we cannot live as a light with such an unashamed passion for goodness and truth.




Our God and our Father, help us we pray, not only to speak and to hear your word but by the enabling of your spirit to live it out. Forgive our sins Lord, forgive our meanderings in the dark places, help us with the ideas and perspectives that hold us in their grip rather than freeing us. Create in us clean hearts God. Set us free that we might live to the praise of your glory.

finishing well

Oh Yeah! This is it!

United States versus  Japan.

Women's Olympic Soccer Finale!

If you didn't watch either of the semifinals... then you'll have no idea what is about to begin.
Both unbelievable games.

Before the Olympics began, I was asked many times, 

" What if both USA and Japan make it to the finale? Who will you cheer for "?

.....  I can say honestly , BOTH!

This would mean a rematch after the World Cup final, which this alone qualifies it for a day to watch if any.

After watching the semi finale match of USA versus Canada I realized the only thing I take a certain amount of national pride in is ....

...... the athleticism, heart and tenacity with which my countrymen play their sports!

I'll be cheering for all players in the game.... 

but a Gold for the USA is my hope!!!

May the best team win and may they do so with heart. May they find real gratitude for the strength, stamina, and ability to grasp the medal and finish well.

It's gonna' be GOOD! Game on!


How we finish is far more important than how something begins.
"素晴らしく”：Finish well.

Hebrews 12:1-2 " And therefore , since we have such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross..."

::: running with joy :::

the olympics are upon us.  im pumped. its remarkable to me to see so many discpilined athletes come together from all over the world to demonstrate harmony, sportsmanship, and dedication. there is a scotsman who's story is famously known for what later was made into the movie, "The Chariots of Fire".

His name is Eric Liddell. 

He is most widely known for his refusal to run on Sunday in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. He was to run in his strongest event: the 100 meter race. Instead he registered to run in the 400 meter. At the time before His race, he was handed a piece of paper that had the following inscribed on it,

"Those who honor me, I will too honor".

Liddell ran the race with the verse from 1 Samuel 2:30 in his hand and claimed Olympic Gold and a new world record with a time of 47.6 seconds. When asked to describe his race plan, he said, " The secret of my success over the 400 meters is that I run the first 200 meters as fast as I can. Then, for the second 200 meters, with God's help, I run faster." His story continues as a legacy, but what He chose soon after His Olympic gold speaks boldly of His commitment to God.   Born to Christian missionaries who were working in China, Liddell returned to China soon after his olympic victory turning away from all  new founded success. It is here, in China, that he ultimately would face his death. He was sent by the Japanese to an Internment camp in Weihsien, in the province of Shantung, where he inspired and spurred on many but suddenly died from a brain tumor. This was an individual who lived his life to the absolute fullest possible. 

He dedicated his life in obedience to God's will and teaching others. He encouraged them to live in accordance with the example Jesus established for us to follow. He was a happy guy that ran with great joy. Often chastised by his sister for his  fervent passion for running, Liddell saw His lifes purpose clearly through running regardless of others rebuke.

         Liddell has become an enormous encouragement in his story of discipline and    passion. He believed, "God has made him for Himself for China". 

 " I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure".- Eric Lidell

 You see, Faith is like a muscle that when not exercised... atrophies. We are running for a great prize... or at least you should be! Putting not only our bodies through physical training, but exercising our faith too is of utmost importance.

 It is something worth thinking about:

What goal are you running towards?  

+

 Is there joy and freedom experienced in your race? 

+

 Does each breath, step, stride bring you one step closer to the finish line?

Philippians 3:12-14  

¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on ^[h]so that I may lay hold of that ^[i]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.