#faithful #welldone by: Deborah Ard
We all have our own difficulties and battles along our journey. One of my continual struggles is with sustaining a healthy lifestyle with my eating and exercising and ultimately my weight. In late July of 2017 something seemed to click and God lit a fire under me. I began the process of making changes over time that helped me. I gradually changed my eating habits and I began to walk for exercise. Over the course of a year I became much healthier. However, over the course of this last school year, I have slowly lost sight of that healthy lifestyle. I am an emotional eater so during a particularly stressful time, I threw caution to the wind and ate any and all things I wanted.

Read the rest of this entry →

#myrunningjourney by: Julie Wicker

I started my running journey in January of this year. I’ve recently had several people ask me how I got started, so I am sharing my story in hopes to influence others to set a new goal. I’ve never been a runner, in fact I used to hate running so I give glory to God for this new journey he has me on.

After my Dad’s diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer Christmas Eve 2018, I borrowed a study my parents had previously done called, “Run for God” by: Mitchell Hollis. This is a 12 week 5k bible study challenge. The study helps you put God first. The challenge starts you off in increments of walking and running until you can run an entire 5k.

I started running the middle of January 2019 and ran my first 5k on April 6, 2019. That day I had set out to run 4.75K and then the song “Forever Reign” by: Newsboys came on my Pandora radio. The words; “I’m running to your arms, the riches of your love will always be enough” got me through the last few minutes and before I knew it I reached 5K. The best part, my Dad who is not on Social Media just happened to call me right after my run and I was able to share my news with him.

Looking back through a running journal I started to track my goals, an entry from the Run for God study I recorded on 2/5/19, 3rd week & 7th run the scripture from Isa 40:31 NLT; “But those who trust in the Lord will find NEW strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and RUN without getting tired”.

I am a big fan of Rachel Hollis who has helped me realize at age 38 that I can set running goals, crush them, and still be a Jesus follower, wife, mother, employee, student, daughter, sister, and friend. By showing up for myself, I can show up for others. One of my goals this summer is to read her book, “Girl Stop apologizing”. I’ve included a quote from the book Rachel Hollis posted earlier this week; “It’s possible to pursue something for yourself while simultaneously showing up well for the people you love”.

I’ve recently downloaded the Runtastic running App and I love it. Currently I am running on the treadmill 35 minutes 2-4 days a week to build my endurance. Then 1-2 days a week I go outside and run and that is when I set new goals and crush them. One day I may go for speed, one day I may go for distance, and one week I may see how many total miles I can do. Back on May 19, 2019 I set a goal to run for an hour while the kids were at youth group. I ended up running 8K in 58min and 21 sec. The song that got me through was “Love Like This” by: Lauren Diagle; “When I am the desert, you are the river”.

Recently I realized that when I am running and I start to feel weary it is becasue I am slouching while running. Who knew that was even a thing?!? When I readjust my posture and stand tall I have renewed strength. God spoke to me at that moment; “If I start to feel weary I readjust my posture”. I think we can compare this with our walk with God. When we grow weary we need to adjust our posture to prayer and He will renew our strength.

Running has become my therapy. I use it as a time to pray for Cancer. I use it as a time to worship God through music. I didn’t realize when I chose my word of the year, “Influence” that God would show off and allow me to influence others to start their own running journey. I love the butterfly effect! I was originally inspired by my friend Raven who prior to me had started her own running journey.

My life scripture, Philippians 1:6 fits well with my new journey; “Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” Phil 1:6 NIV.

I pray my story inspires you today to set a NEW goal!

Forever Reign by: Newsboys

Run for God

#calling by: Deborah Ard

What is your calling? What is your purpose? Have you identified it? Can you name it? You are a child of God and for that reason alone, you have a calling on your life.

Read the rest of this entry →

#laborinlove by: Julie Wicker
The definition of Love is an intense feeling of deep affection. John Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement once said, “Oh let no man think his labor of love is lost because the fruit does not immediately appear”. One of the greatest love stories ever told is that of Boaz and Ruth, a story that shows the true meaning of laboring in love.

Read the rest of this entry →

#fearlessly #waterwalkinggirls  by: Deborah Ard
Here is a little background information:
For those who don’t know, I am the daughter of a United Methodist minister. Therefore my family moved many times as I was growing up. In fact the longest we lived anywhere was 5 years. As a result of moving often, I always felt like an outsider, I was never part of the “in” crowd, I was never popular and I have always suffered from feelings of rejection. Now that I am an adult I am sure most of those feelings were misconceptions on my part and just how I perceived things.

Read the rest of this entry →

#presence by: Julie Wicker
Presence means the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing. I had already felt the nudge that “presence” needed to be my word for the week. Last weekend as we were traveling, that word was confirmed. On a country road, I drove through a sea of flying dandelions. There was so many flying in the air, it looked like snow for a moment. Immediately this image triggered a thought of the Holy Spirit carry us, guiding us, being present with us. Other than knowing a dandelion can be a pesky weed I felt the need to know more.

Read the rest of this entry →

#create by: Deborah Ard
“In the beginning God created…” From the beginning, God has been the Creator of all. He created the heavens and earth, day, night, the sky, land, seas, vegetation, the sun, the moon, living creatures, and humans. Today God continues to create. I realized this last week during my prayer time. My requests were for changes within my spirit. In my Bible study I ran across Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Read the rest of this entry →