Uphill idealist

I've been running and jogging for about five years and my husband is currently in the process of learning to run with the help of the online resource, Couch to 5k. This is the same program I used four years ago. What's interesting about our running is that we are not what some might think as prime candidates for the sport. We are sturdy folks. However, running has proved to be a help for both of us to reach healthier fitness goals. If it helped us in this way, why couldn't help others too? Here's a photo of me finishing my first 5k August of 2008: Summer 2009 I heard the founder of Back on my feet speak to over 30,000 youth at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans . Anne Mahlum took action on an idea to using running as a practical tool to fight homelessness and addiction and it's now become her life's work. First Covenant Church , Zion Covenant , and First Lutheran of Jamestown (where I work) have a combined mission called, First House . It's a home f...

Image from Rivercity Church page. Mark 8:18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? On Thursday, I had the unique opportunity of being able to visit with a large number of high school students. Over the last ten years, I've been a part of an ecumenical team that helps to organize, encourage and assist a high-school level campus fellowship. Earlier this week, I had been invited to come back for a "Club Day" and promote the Campus Fellowship Club. From 10:30 to 3:00, I witnessed a visual and auditory feast of diversity and variety. The appearance of all the students was as varied as the rainbow of colors on a painters palette. As you might expect, specific social groups became obvious throughout the day - but what I think I was most impressed with was how different each person was from the other but how they all wanted to make a connection with someone else. Each one of us is unique, but we as humans like to be a part of som...

Image found at blog: seeking spirit. Prayer: Lord, you have called us into life, now by your grace, reveal to us Your truth, show us Your way, and lead us in the life that is abundant. let your witness speak clearly and effectively words, that would indeed work in our lives for the benefit of Your Kingdom, and make us listen with discerning minds and hearts. AMEN. Do you remember the opening song from the TV show Cheers? The main chorus of the song "Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same You wanna be where everybody knows Your name." source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/cheerslyrics.html Being a part of a caring, inclusive community is something that is important to most everyone. We all ...