ann kiemel

today,

i go to jan's

until her friend

flies in from cleveland.

tom is travelling with nash

to europe, where nash has

trained hard for a 50-mile

race in the alps. tom is the one

who planted the running bug

in all of us.  i'm praying for

nash (a gruelling feat).

august  30.

some people are created to run

long distances; others, sprints.

if we have knee problems, we

usually must drop out of at least

long-distance pursuits.

following Jesus is so much like

running the races.   it is never

a part-time effort.  it takes constant

focus and dedication.  we fall.

get lost now and then.  get pushed

and shoved.  hurt. sometimes,

there are injuries along the way.

but Jesus calls us...

to run and win.

to hold onto His joy even

when the wind and rain

are beating us..and pushing us

around.  to trust Him even when

someone pushes us off the

path when we get distracted.

fellow warriors,

keep your eyes on the course.

when it's extra rough, cry out

to Jesus. the Author and Finisher

of our Race.  always stop, if you must, to help a brother or sister.

in difficulty.  we are never to

focus attention on ourselves.

our faces toward the Son. the

breeze and sweet aroma of His Presence is what keeps drawing

us.  what is our joy.

.

when we fall,

we must get up.

keep the rhythm.

shut the noise

of dissenters out.

sing.

what a choir.

everyone running toward

the goal in Christ Jesus.

don't allow mud and rocks

to defeat you.

when we've finished our

course...and see Jesus face to

face...all our trials will be over.

Victory to the One who Is

and was and will forever be...

our Song and Hope.

no more sorrow. no more crying.

in the sweet by and by.

just you and me and Jesus.

our children who left us early

in our arms. friendships rejoined.

i'm thinking of

each of you today...

praying for you.

"it will be worth it all when

we see Jesus..."