Lesson NOT learned

Archery is a new thing for the fellas here at the Ketchie house. We have a shooting range out back with hay bales, targets and bows and arrows. It looks like a lot of fun. But not for me. The first time I shot, I somehow got my upper arm in the way and I thought I would scream it hurt so badly. I was wearing the armguard but on the forearm (where it belongs!) but not a lot of good it did there.

After the icepack melted, I braved it again and shot again. I did it again! This time the lower arm got hit by the bowstring. This time I had worn the arm guard on my upper arm to protect it as it was already injured.
Tim says he has shot for years and NEVER has this happened to him! I sure didn’t learn my lesson did I?!
I’m that way sometimes spiritually too. I ask God,’ why am I going through a particular situation again’?! And when I am done fussing, or confessing and am ready to listen he answers me. It could be because I didn’t learn His lesson the first time or I need to …really listen and didn’t, show mercy and wouldn’t, be gracious and wasn’t or trust Him and couldn’t or extend love and refused to…or whatever.
I don’t always understand the “why” we go through painful lessons. But these three things I know for sure
* It is for my best and for His Glory
* He carries me through the process
* I learn from it

If I get bruised, it will more readily remind me “Hey I need to remember something here”. God, help me to “hit the mark” and learn from you what it is you have for me to learn.

Slow but steady

The Gate River Run is 3 weeks away and I’m excited to keep preparing for it. Saturday I decided to change my routine a bit and run the Baldwin trail, and extend my distance to run for 3 miles and then walk for 3 . My current disatance is 2.5. I ran for 3 miles without stopping!! The remaining 3 miles were a mix of run, walk and bike. That is HUGE for me and even more unbelievable is that he 3 miles were done in 36 minutes. I look back at my first blog entry in October in which I started charting my running: “Last year at the beginning of the training (Jan 07) I could run for 1 minute before I had to stop. Then after 12 weeks I could actually run a mile without stopping. This year, that is my start point. One mile, 17 minutes. Hey, it’s a start!! I have consistently worked out 3 days a week and two of those times being jogging. My goal is to run for 30 minutes without stopping. I’ve reached 22 minutes before. But I want a consistent pace. Building upon an already established work..moving forward, same with my faith..moving forward going deeper”.
Blogging is a type of journal and it helps me see progress in my goals in moving forward both in my faith, as well as my training progress. Seeing progress keeps me encouraged. Encouragement to one another is so necessary..a kind word, a note (by the way, thank you sister!), knowing someone is praying for you..how cool is that.

"Go outside and play"

We did crazy things when I was a kid, such as woppin' in the ditches after it rained. Or jumping in the top of a open rail car to see how far down you sink in the grain or sand..(deep by the way). Kids will be kids. So Valerie Sawyer, our neighbor and I tell the kids to go out and play..and this was their interpretation of our instructions. Our idea of play in no way included helmets, a rope, a motorized vehicle and the septic tank. Just because we didn't think it, doesn't mean it didn't work..and fit their category of "play". I'm not a kid anymore. I think more adult-like and therefore can reach more adults. Students, you think...well, young-like therefore YOU can reach more kids than I can. Reach out to those around you..those similar to you and those not! You never know what common ground you can find and once you do, you can reach them in a way that no other can..so...go out and play!

Dog lesson - wallering

This is my dog Clyde. One time after our morning jog he zeroed in on a scent he found in our yard. I couldn't see anything in particular, didn't smell anything either but that crazy dog wallered (is that a word?) around in that area until he was fully satisfied that he had "it" all over him..every inch. It was the craziest thing to see. You just know it had to remind me of something.
Wouldn't God be pleased if we wallered and submerged ourselves completely into Him just like the dog did in the scent he found? Imagine being so completely covered in His Word..we are already covered -filled - with the Holy Spirit..I can't get any more Holy Spirit in me, I have all I need. I need to dive in, cover myself completely until He is what people see in me.
Wow, a lesson from a dog.
Ephesians 3:19
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

February Senior Leadership month

February in the student ministry is a month for our graduating Seniors to function in leadership roles. Yesterday was the first day and Chelsey R. taught the middle school girls their lesson, on the 3 aspects of salvation. The middle school ministry leaders are doing an awesome study of the Survival Kit. For all of the Sr. High, Justin L. taught a lesson of which two points were prayer and persecution (sorry I came in late). Hearing what I did I took home a few thoughts from my brother Justin.

Prayer charges you up. It is a time to rest in Him. It connects us to the One with the Power to change..Jesus. Prayer is the time in which you are calling out to God, seeking His face. In time of desperation, need, joy and pain. He is always there.
The next is persecution. Being alientated, laughed at, mocked or hurt for what you believe.
But I got to wondering...have I ever really been persecuted in which I was affected in any of these ways? If the answer is no then my next logical question would be...WHY NOT? Perhaps I should consider the following:
* I'm only hanging with people that are just like me (what a boring crowd!!)Not bold!
* I act no differently from those that I should be different
* I don't stand up for what I believe
* I don't know what I believe
* I don't share my beliefs nor convictions, therefore there isn't a door for discussion
* I look, act, speak, react, just like the non-believer...beloved student..if you're classmates don't ridicule you at all then do a reality check and make sure you are in the world, but not of it!

Genesis 18

Modern version of chapter 18:
After being in the sun, Old man Abe was sitting on his front porch in the shade cooling off. He saw three church fellows coming for a visit. He ran ahead to meet them and invited them to stay at their house to rest and eat. They said sure. Abe was excited for the manfolk company! He ran into his house and told his wife, "Sarah, I invited 3 men from church to come rest and eat. Get three meals ready for them..don't forget the dessert and make it snappy!" Sarah worked in the kitchen while Abe did the BBQ, hanging with the fellas under the shade trees.
Then they asked Abe where was Sarah? "In the house". With her not being near them, one guy begins to tell ol'man Abe that on one of his next visits, Sarah, his elderly wife will of had a son.

All along Sarah was eavesdropping from behind the door as the menfolk were outside talking!! Upon hearing this declaration of her bearing a son, she laughed in her heart..sort of one of those "yeah, right, when pigs fly" kind of snickers inside your heart. (Ketchie translation)

Then the Lord (who was one of the visitors)-still outside- asked Abe why his wife Sarah laughed (in her heart). Was there anything too hard for the Lord? Sarah, STILL EAVESDROPPING busts into their conversation and says "I didn't laugh". God said, "yes you did".

WOW! First, the Bible does not offer a conversation between the two at the time he tells her to hop-to for the guests' meal. In modern-day times..oh I think there would of been a husband-wife discussion!!! Second, Sarah never speaks aloud of her disbelief. God, knew Sarah's heart. Knowing her heart, he also knew of her disbelief and lie. God caught her in a lie - and now she was afraid.

Have you ever lied to God? Feeble excuses at our disobedience is a lie. Try this one next time: God I lied to you and myself. What I did was...sin. And then restore that fellowship. God isn't looking for us to PERFORM for Him. He is looking at our heart, our motives, our actions because of love. He knows all about you - He made you. Just as Sarah, we sometimes make mistakes. Coming clean before God and restoring that fellowship with Him...now that is showing the desire of the heart.

you never know

So, here I am in Orlando for a meeting. I go to the gym and spa this morning before my meetings start and guess who I run into in the gym. Danny Wuerffel. (Kevin, this is a former GATOR, Heisman Trophy recipient- you know the guy that Georgia could never beat). Now I don't have the guts to snap a picture as Kevin Connell does..and I'm way too cool to ask for an autograph ...besides what would I do with his signature? Should I ask for his sweat on my towel as a momento? Nah. We shook hands and guess what we talked about? Jesus-stuff. We talked about his ministry - big strides since being devastated by hurricane Katrina and how there are still many needs. hint hint Youth teams during the summer... you just never know who you're gonna run into.

The 1 week 15 minute challenge

I was listening to a preacher on the radio the other day and he talked about the pitiful state in which a survey indicated that Christians spend very little time with Jesus, and do so inconsistently at that. Their Master. Their Savior. Their Everything. He basically identified three periods of 15 minute sessions that if faithfully followed, would radically change our relationship with Jesus. I thought to myself, I don’t do all three MOST days.

Sometimes, just one….and there are days that, my heart is saddened to admit, not even one 15 minute session – or if so, simply a feeble attempt so I can feel righteous about my works. When my time with Jesus is in this self-righteous manner, I failed to remember that this offering….STINKS TO GOD! It isn’t a sweet aroma.
So, the 15 minutes are:

1st- 15 minutes a day hearing from God. This is accomplished by being in His Word. Psalm 119:11 (NKJV) Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

2nd- 15 minutes a day talking with God. Also known as prayer. Romans 12:12 (NKJV): rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; I’m not talking the ‘take your shopping list of needs to Jesus’ kind of prayer! I’m talking confessing, repenting, adoring, worshiping and praying for others. Yes! Jesus knows what you need. When you start to spend more time focusing on Him and others, you’ll spend less time worrying about yourself.

3rd- 15 minutes a day talking about God... Jesus. Witnessing and sharing. Acts 26:22“Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great….”Luke 1:79 “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death….” Just as we once were!
What a great way to being acting out your commitments to God. It’s a fresh new day – new mercies extended to us. What would be a challenge to you? Just doing one? Then begin with one! Two out of three? That’s a step! All three? Careful…you’re crossing into the danger zone of being radical !
Whatever your choice, care to take the challenge? For one week? I’d love to hear from you at the end of the week and share what God has done in your life! For this upcoming week – my personal goal is 2 out of 3...faithfully without fail.
Do number 2 for me would ya? Oops! I guess I’ll rephrase that and ask you to pray for me!! Serving Jesus Together!!

Not Leading!

I received this from Kevin, the Youth Pastor with whom I serve in the student ministry @ Promise Land Baptist Church. Check out his blog @ www.pluthpastor.blogspot.com.
He sent this article and said : Within the blogworld I came across this guy's post on leadership. I don't know him, but what he wrote is worth the read. For those of you whom God has called to lead, it will rock you. It rocked me! If you aren't rocked by it, I guess you're on it... "Well done thou good and faithful servant." For me, it was a reminder of what leading really is. I printed a copy and pinned it to the wall by my desk. Click here to read it. "

For those who are not in ministry, the same thoughts can be applied to the corporate world. This That is why many of you, my corporate contacts, are receiving this as you are leaders in your fields and I think could appreciate the crossover into the business world as you lead. Karen

A new day

Today is Thursday @ 10 am and I just got back from running. And guess what? Unlike Monday (you have to read "Are you feelin' it" to appreciate today's blabber) I looked forward to my time. I also had a new goal of going from 2 miles to reaching 3 miles today. It didn’t happen. But I’m not bummed about it. In time it will happen, but instead of making it happen in one day, I need to build up to that next mile. So my usual 2 miles in 28 minutes was today another ~1/2 mile in 34 minutes and walked another 4 to cool down. I am happy for the little progress!

This reminds me again of my quiet time. I’m not going to receive a “ramah” from God or feel moved by the scripture every day. But I certainly won’t receive either if I’m not in the Word at all. Meeting with Him each day moves us further down that path of sanctification, whether we feel it or not. Not all moments with God are going to be HUGE, at least mine aren’t. But every moment spent with God is good. My good and ultimately, His glory. If I want to hear from God, I need to be prepared to hear from God. My hands open, my spirit yielded, and my heart ready. God loves to spend time with me; all of his children.

Today is a new day. He is there waiting for you. Why don’t ya go spend a little time alone with Jesus?
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the LORD; be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD!