Do Something... {Weekend Thoughts}

By His Grace,

Cole

Ache...{Five Minute Friday}

Limping up the front porch I look back.

I look back at this crazy, wild journey of blessings and heartache.

And it takes all my strength to lift the tight, sore muscles of my legs up one more step.

Retraining my body for God’s glory not the approval of others.

Leaning into His grace and strength that can only carry a body miles on end

through the Kansas winds that push back.

The growth of sleeping muscles coming back to life colliding head-on

with dreams deferred.

Not my strength.

Not my will.

But His in me.

His Word will not return empty.

His Word is as alive as the breathes you take right now…

His Word…

I can do all things through Christ Jesus He who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

By His Grace,

Cole

It's been a few weeks of no rest but so blessed.

A busy season of State Assessments, meetings, Sub-state basketball, and teaching the kiddos God has entrusted to me. 

I've missed you...

How have you been?

We're joining: The Gypsy Mama and Beki's: Finger Print Friday today.

Running for the Prize {Part 3}

This training, this running, can be so tiring.

It is by the encouragement and fellowship of other runners with me,

that I press on. 

I run for the the prize, the Ultimate goal.

I am running for my health...

 ...Both physically and spiritually.

 Source

Since I have started this race with others beside me, I can't help but see
the similarities between  the two.

Two puzzle pieces of the story, fitting together perfectly.

As a runner prepares and trains with a goal in mind,

so ought we to train our hearts towards HIM above.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 3:12-15 NIV

We were not made to run this race alone. 

¹² Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  
Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV

If I hadn't shared my struggle/dream of wanting to get healthy and needing accountability, 

I would not have the running partners I do now.

Friends that I know will be waiting for me when the alarm screeches into the
early morning and my body screams, "NO."

When it comes down to it.

We need one another.

Do you have a "running" partner? 

Who do you go to for encouragement in running, in life? 

Do you find it hard to share your struggles, dreams?

{I admit it's hard for me, but so worth it when I do.}

By His Grace,

Cole

Welcome to this New Year! I am so happy to be back !! Back here with you! I've been making lists, getting organized, and seeking God's will for this space and...I'm excited!

We are still running. Somedays are easier said than done, but by the strength of God, I do it!

 Today...we completed our first 20 minute run! Woo-to-the-Hoo!

Running for the Prize {Part 2}

I am running, running to get healthy, to be healthy.

Training my body.

My alarm screeches its call into the stillness

and blackness of early morning.

I fight, 

hitting the snooze.

"Just a few minutes more," I groan to the wee early hours.

My mind fights with this, this hour.

My body repulses at it saying,

"Noooo, sleep!"

But, I remember.

I remember those who are joining me,

Who are running this race with me.

And, I fight...

Before the sun has chance to peek over the horizon, 

I am up.

Before stars fade into bursts of oranges, reds, and yellows,

I do the race.

Each step, each minute I run,

 muscles deep within awaken.

Stretching and strengthening to what they were created for.

Along with it, my mind and heart beat and dance together, keeping pace.

Stretching and strengthening.

I run for the prize...

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:11-15

I choose to do the work.

I will do the work.

With each blustery, cold morning and hit of shoes on cold earth,

He is speaking...

...Speaking into my heart.

...into those places that have been quiet and complacent for too long.

...speaking into the hopes I have for God-sized dreams.

...speaking into my soul and awakening it to new things.

And I hear Him...

------------------------------------------

Thank you dear friends for joining me on this journey.

Here is Part 1 for this short series on running for the prize in-case you missed it.

This is an open look into training my body for health and how God is revealing Himself to me through it.

Are you currently training/running? Wanting to start? Needing accountability?

If so...you'll want to check back for the Part 3 of running for the prize!

By His Grace,

Cole

{Tired...}

The cold morning permeates my skin.

I pull the collar of my bright pink, fleece, jacket higher...

thankful for the under armor below.

I check the headband around my ears. 

Good there.

 The fleece pants still blocking out this bitter cold.

With each check of the counter on my phone,

my fingers get a taste of the coldness.

The thin gloves covering but not protecting.

The stars shine bright, so clear, so close.

With each step we take, 

the cold, dirt road below cracks.

We walk.

We run.

We walk.

We run.

Over and over until the counter beeps stop.

It is then she says,...

"I am so glad you are doing this with me, with us. I wouldn't be motivated if not."

And it is there in the TIRED, wee, early morning hours 

in my own Tiredness,

I hear God clearly....

***STOP***

Will you join me on this race, this training? 

Not only physically but spiritually?

This is a short series beginning with a run,

a run that leads me to His truth.

Joining Lisa-Jo, Ann Voskamp, and others today.

Writing without edits and counting gifts.

* Warm fleece to protect against bitter cold.

*Women/friends who are joining me in this "race."

*Black sky, stars shine so bright.

*Hearing His voice.

*Running water and hot showers.

By His Grace,

Cole