Uphill idealist

Celebration by Keith Mallett found at "It's a black thing.com" Today is a rather normal Thursday. I took my kids to school and then got ready to go on a long run. It's amazing that I can say the words "long run" and now be able to actually do it. For the last 2 1/2 years, I'm been on this journey of learning how to run for fitness and dare I say it - fun! This was not my perspective two years ago, but wow time has changed things. Today I'm celebrating the fact that I went on a run and ran 5.1 miles! I know it may not be a marathon, but this is my longest distance run since I began this effort and I recall when running from telephone pole to telephone pole seemed impossible. I started this effort with the Couch to 5k online guide , did that several times, ran in a few 5k races and now I go out every morning to run and clear my head. It's a good thing so I'm going to celebrate it. What do you have to celebrate today? Don't hesitate to find ...

Image from the blog Woman of Worth . In the last few weeks of working though the devotions in the back of the "Unbinding your heart", I've begun to be more freed up to pray for people throughout the day, make a phone call when that person keeps coming to mind, or drop off a surprise to someone because I feel I have something in particular that will bless them in some way. I've had these kinds of 'holy promptings' in the past; but it's wonderful to have them be a current and present gift in my spiritual life. For a person like me, it's often so difficult to stop, sit still and pray. It's interesting that when I do stop, pray and listen to God; that he leads me to activity and action. I'm thankful to God that my mode of operation is understood, and I hope as I grow in the ability to pause and pray; more of God's activity will be done in my own actions. Maybe it's like being a stone that is tossed into a pond. The stone simply goes where ...

This last week my Holy Conversations group wrestled with the questions, "What difference does Christianity make in your life?" and " Why does it matter that others consider becoming Christians?" What I share below is meant to be the start of a conversation. I do not desire that this be the end of the conversation, just a beginning prompt. Please feel free to post your responses in the comments or at the Holy Conversations Facebook Group. Please read, reflect and comment as you feel comfortable. . Living a Christian life is not something that I claim to have mastered. It is a daily challenge to balance in that place of "love the Lord your God with all your heart, strength, mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself." While Jesus says there is no law greater than this commandment - it's at first apparent simplicity makes it easy to read. But when this all encompassing commandment sinks in some more; the hearer begins just how dependent upon God...

It's been too long since I've posted the Monday Sleeping with Bread Meme prompt. Life has been rather hectic lately, but I've missed our 'bread' conversations - so I thought I'd try to get things baking here again. Thanks for your patience. I was on my day off today, and to be honest there's been a little too much candle burning on both ends - so I'm home with the sniffles. Nothing big, but it was a good rainy day for some rest, hot honey tea and animal crackers. It's funny how these frosting and sprinkle covered animals reminded me of the good bread in the midst of my stuffy head. They were sweet, so I could taste them even in my stuffy state; and in that they are so like the presence and blessings of God even in the muck and mess of life. Imagine a drinking bowl of steaming hot chicken noodle soup on a cold rainy day. Taste the oyster crackers and slurp up all the noodles with determination. Even when the circumstances are not their best, a bowl ...

If you need more reasons to pray for your church, I have some more for you. How about 25, 7th-9th grade students on an adventure of sharing space, life and confirmation class? Sunday evening was our third night of shared confirmation classes using the new re:form curriculum . It's amazing to see the youth from four local Lutheran churches coming together and gelling as a group. The lesson this week was an overview of the ten commandments and a compare/contrast on the Old Testament vs. the New Testament. Each student was counted off into a smaller group where they would decide what Bible story was the most historically important one, but they were not permitted to use any Jesus stories. Three groups out of five choose the 'Creation' story because without God getting things started - why have the rest of the story, another choose 'Revelation' because it ends with good winning over evil and the other choose 'Noah's Ark' because it expresses God keeping pro...

There is a way to the place you long for, even if you are unsure how to get there. Just as your rise each morning to a new day trusting that the sun will come up- you also can trust me with your life. There is hope for hopelessness, abundance for need, grace for maneuvering through obstacles, and love; my love and the love of those I've surrounded you with - shining all around you. Relish in these blessings and follow me along the way. From sunrise to sunset, you are loved. Keep learning so that you can teach, and teaching so you can learn. T.L. Eastman October 2010 ( written at Women In Transition retreat/St. Benedict's Erie PA ) Image from White Wind Wildlife Society Webpage .

The problems in this world can sometimes feel overwhelming. It's difficult to know just how to go about getting involved in bringing good out of not good circumstances. Tyler Blanski is an author and musician from the twin cities area, that was feel the desire to make a difference, but also was not quite sure how to help the homeless people in his community. Since he loves playing music, he decided to make a collaborative folk record called "Think our Loud: Music Serving the Homeless in the Twin Cities". In the video, Tyler mentions a friend that was not connected to a big organization or had lots of money to donate to the homeless in his community, but just choose to share what he did have - his time and his life. This friend became a catalyst to helped Tyler to start working on this album to benefit others and along the way he found many others that wanted to help too. It' s time for me to get my head on straight, and stop waiting to share what I can do - because ...