Jesus warms our hearts..and our toes!

Today I prepared for my run. Itching to get out in Gods creation and praise Him while jogging, listening to the birds singing love songs, that still are not as sweet as the love songs Jesus has for each of us. 

It started to snow, and I began to debate wheather this would be another indoor cardio day, or if I should dare go out for the first time in my Vibrams in the snow..something I thought for sure wouldnt happen till at LEAST October LOL.  But it looked sooo beautiful outside, and I love to be outside.  So I knew as soon as my husband got in the door, I wanted to run!

So my husband came in, and he seen I had my running gear on.  And he handed me his watch so I could time my run as I usually do and I took off to do a little over a 2km run. 

Running down the street my toes were cold.  But not freezing, but kinda like standing on a cold basement floor almost.  About a km in I began to feel like I may not enjoy this run.  But it was so beautiful outside, I didnt want to turn back so we pressed on.  I used the time to pray, to focus on being in awe of all that the Lord has blessed us with- nature, family, friends.  I began to pray for all those who I have had on my heart.  My toes were no longer cold.  Its amazing how the things that trip us up can be untangled by the love of Christ.

It was so beautiful outside, quiet, crisp.  You could hear every bird chirping, see all sorts of different animal tracks out on the paths.  I cannot deny God's beauty when I see the things He made for us

Romans 1:19-20. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made.

To sing praises to Him as I run, to just talk to Him like I talk to a friend.  Best friend.  To worship Him as every blade of grass, and tree that sways does

Isaiah 55:12-13. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. All this will be a memorial for the Lord, a sign that for all time will not be cut off.

..............And we get the opportunity to do it every day!!!!!!!

I am FREE!!!

Today has been such an awesome day of just praising and thanking Jesus for all that He has done for me and my family, the people we know, just how faithful He really is.  There have been so many times I have really doubted what He has planned for me as being something good.  But I am always in the end awe struck at just what His will is for me.  He is so so worthy of our praise.  And somedays we just have no idea. 

Easter is around the corner.  And its a time where the word Hope is thrown around alot. Praise God.  We have Hope in Jesus. 

I look back.  Back to when I was a teenager... drugs, sex, alcohol, selfishness, anger, the list could go on for ever.  The things I said, the frustration I had at the world, the darkness that surrounded my mind and heart daily. Freaking out because people are against people, yelling, protesting, complaining.  A little hipocritical to preach love and then get angry in one sentence, but that was me. Then I met Jesus. (That sounded a bit corney but there is not other way to explain it) It took a long time even after I gave my life to Christ to really get what that meant. When you view Christianity as a "religion" instead of a relationship, it can be easy to understand.

It wasnt about rules, it wasnt about what I was no longer allowed to do, about who was no longer going to be a friend of mine, who was going to think I was being totally "brainwashed" into a hope that isnt really there.  Its about meeting my best friend.  A saviour who is going to love me no matter what!! Through whatever stumbling blocks that come my way. Through the hard times and the good times.  There is a freedom, there is nothing but love, peace... a freedom that surpasses anything of this world.  We are all given the opportunity to bring Christ into our hearts and recieve the Holy Spirit. The same power that rose Christ from the dead!   

I came to realize, that no matter what was going on in the world, whatever hurting, anger, sadness, that Jesus is way bigger.  Our pastor said it clearly this morning "Every problem in the world can be solved by the name of Jesus".

The world has got this brilliant idea of no hate, loving one another, not judging, equalness for all and not just for some.  Isnt that what Christ is all about?   Im so thankful that it is.  Praise God.  I am so thankful we all have been given the right and privelidge of knowing the living God.