But it hurts, it hurts!

For you, Kristine. You asked for it!

My muscles are sore. Every day for the last week I have either gone on a bike ride with my son, to the gym with my daughter or both. The increase in my activity level has left me feeling the results of my efforts. I'm not complaining...much. I can already feel an improvement in my posture and in my energy level. I am even looking forward to the times I am exercising; not because I like sweating, but because I love spending that time with people I love. The long-term benefits clearly outweigh any short-term drawbacks.

The same can be said of our spiritual lives. When we make a decision to follow Christ and really follow Him, there will be times we become spiritually sore. For example, it sounds like a lot of work to pray without ceasing or to forgive someone who hurts me not only seven times, but seventy times seven. Even more challenging than hearing such truth, though, is putting that truth into practice. Forgiving someone who isn't sorry: groan; making a conscious effort to turn my thoughts into prayers: argh. Putting God's truth into practice in practical ways can be difficult, but it will bring a dramatic improvement in your character and in your endurance as you pursue your relationship with Christ. You may even find that you look forward to such challenges; not because you like the struggle, but because you grow to love the One who deserves all the glory even more because of them. You will discover for yourself what a trustworthy, amazing, loving God we serve! The long-term benefits of working out your spiritual muscles last for eternity! To God be the glory!

All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the very last letter. All our praise is focused through Jesus on this incomparably wise God! Yes! -Romans 16:25-27, The Message

Family Dinner Day

Monday, September 24, 2007, is National Family Day: A Day to Eat Dinner With Your Children

When I was a kid my family ate together almost every night. It might be Spaghetti, Soup and Sandwiches or a Gourmet Feast; whatever food the meal consisted of was secondary, though. The important part of dinner was being able to share with each other about our day. Sometimes we brought up controversial topics of the day, sometimes we shared a funny experience, sometimes we debated the pros and cons of a decision that needed to be made.

My husband and I announced our engagement during a large family meal one Thanksgiving. We shared the exciting news of pregnancy over a Chinese lunch complete with fortune cookies containing the message, "You will soon be blessed with another grandchild" (I made 'em myself!). When my father passed away, we laughed and cried, sharing our favorite memories while lingering over a meal prepared for us with love from our church family.

In our modern, hustle and bustle lives, I find my family spending less and less time sharing mealtimes together. More often than not, each person grabs what's available to eat, hurrying to one meeting or another. As a result, conversations that once happened naturally while lingering over mashed potatoes don't often take place.

It is our job as parents to keep those lines of communication open between our spouses, our children and our extended family and friends. September 24 is a great way to take a stand for family togetherness. My family will be eating together next Monday, even if it is simply a few minutes before bedtime, lingering over a muffin and some herbal tea. Maintaining the quality of the relationships in my family is worth the effort. I hope others join in, too!

Follow this link to sign a pledge your commitment to be a part of this effort!

Wanna Be an Astronaut? Now's Your Chance!

Good news! You no longer have to be a pilot to be an astronaut! They are looking for people to man the International Space Station. Are you game?

Complete Recruitment Information Here

"Help Wanted: Astronauts

America needs YOU at the frontiers of space and technology!

NASA is now accepting applications for its 2009 astronaut class. The agency is looking for a few men and women who want to fulfill their dreams and be a part of the next generation of explorersThe open positions are for astronaut candidates to train for tours of duty on the International Space Station, the largest human spacecraft ever built. It is also the site for research that will prepare NASA for future long-duration human missions to the moon and other destinations. The Constellation Program is responsible for building and operating the next-generation vehicles that will carry astronauts to the space station and the moon.

Applicants must meet physical standards and educational requirements, which include a bachelor’s degree in engineering, math or science and at least three years of experience in one of these fields. Teaching experience, including experience at the K-12 level, is considered to be qualifying experience; therefore, educators are encouraged to apply."

How cool is that?!

Spiritual Truth From My New Bicycle

My son and I went out for a ride last night to break in my fabulous new bicycle. I picked it up from our local sporting goods dealer earlier in the afternoon. They had given me some basic instructions, including some adjustments I might need to make when I started riding it, tuned up the bike and added a kickstand - no extra charge. We picked it up on the way home from school as electric anticipation filled the air. From the moment I purchased the bike, I fantasized about leaving my son behind in a cloud of dust, the wind whipping through my hair and the sweet sound of victory ringing in my ears!

But, alas, it was not to be.

As we entered the bike path, I started pumping while anticipating those beautiful coasting moments I experienced when riding my son's bike two days earlier. Those moments did not come. I pumped, and pumped...and pumped as he inched further and further ahead of me. I was flabbergasted! Could it be that I, not the bike, was the problem? Maybe I was so far out of shape I'd never be able to catch up.

That's when my recent encounter with the bicycle salesmen flashed into my mind. I remembered him adjusting the seat on my bike and me telling him it felt too high. I couldn't comfortably touch the ground with my feet in the position he set it. He adjusted it lower for my comfort, but told me I would pedal the bike more efficiently if my legs were fully extended, which would require the seat to be higher. He suggested I raise the seat as I became more comfortable with the bike. I thanked him and leaped into fantasizing about the victory dance I would perform at the end of our ride. His suggestions were acknowledged as useful and I filed them away as I planned my own agenda for the evening.

As my awareness returned to my current struggles, I realized I was attempting to propel a mountain bike forward while sitting in a position similar to someone eating dinner at the dining room table. Could it be that the salesman was right? Should I be sitting a bit higher? I knew what I was doing wasn't working well (I could no longer see my son at all - so much for reminding him to look back and check on me occasionally), so I decided to follow the instructions of my advisor. I raised the seat at least 4 inches.

It was a miracle! The bike moved faster. I pumped harder. I gained ground and could again see my son. I caught up to him! I was able to pump sometimes and coast other times and still keep up with him!!

By the end of our 10 miles, he and I were keeping a comfortable pace with each other. And I could still feel my thighs. Lesson learned: When an expert gives you advice, take it!

Isn't that behavior typical in other parts of our lives? We are given instructions from not only an expert, but the One who created us. He left all we need to live an abundant life right there in His Word, the Bible. Some of us take the time to read it and that's good. How many times do we read it, though, and simply file away the information we gain for use later, if we decide we need it? How much more smoothly would our lives be if we, instead, applied those principles right away, not because we decide to do it, but because He says it is the right thing to do?

But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25

My New Bicycle

Isn't She Pretty?

Don't you just love her flowers?

I wanted to name her.

She looks like a Suzy, but that seems vain.

Any Suggestions?

For My Friend

My Good Friend

Seeking the Right Path

I Will Pray