3-N-1.....Baby Fall Down and go "BOOM!"

Have you ever just had a day when you wanted to hit the REDO button?  I should have known my Saturday long run wasn't going to start out right when I got all the way to the trails and hadn't had a full cup of Joe!

In all my years of running, I believe I experienced just about every blooper possible, all in one day...... Here is how it all went down.......

1. Despite not having had all of my coffee, after about 2 miles in and 1 mile from the nearest port-a-potty, I experienced a coffee stimulant attack which I had to take care of immediately..... in the woods!  I was fortunate to have a great look out guy in my husband, however, he thought it was funny during my attack to warn me of all the fake runners that he saw coming up upon the secluded ditch I'd found to manage my business!!! Needless to say, everything came out all right....PUN intended!
2. The next blooper involved the picture above.....I got to the next port-a-potty and thought I'd stop just in case.  Well that took plenty of time off my run and I wanted to get going and took off to catch up with the rest of the group and redeem some of the time I'd spent in the woods!  After successfully leaping over several mud puddles, I tripped over the smallest twig in the world and in slow motion fell forward onto one knee at  time and then each elbow!  I don't think my chin hit the ground, but I swear, I suffered a mild concussion!  My buddy Maria watched in shock as I fell not knowing if she should try to catch me or scream for help!  I laid there for a while, not believing it was happening!  I told you I should have known something was up!
3. Oh, but wait, it gets worse....after all of that stopping my momentum for running was shot!  I really wasn't feeling it, but we kept going.  We were not paying attention however to where we were going and then successfully got lost on a trail that we have run I am sure 50 times before!  I knew I should have hit the REDO button!

I am not sure what this Springbok learned on that run, but here are a few take home points:

• Get up early enough to drink your coffee and handle your business at home!
• Watch out for the small twigs in life, they are often the things that trip us up most!
• If you don't know where you are going, pay attention to where you are!  There might be some subtle signs to redirect you back to the right path!

Until this Springbok, _____, trips, falls or gets lost again.......

Mid-foot Strike...The Pretty Feet FORM!

So, yes its been a while!  Sorry, I am very distracted these days by several exciting projects!  But I wanted to chime on to discuss my thoughts about my attempt to augment my running form on yesterday's 10 mile run with my hubby.  I've been doing some online research about the significance of using your mid-foot to strike the ground during a run versus what I have been doing for years....a heel-strike and a hard one at that!  While it was awkward and difficult to maintain this form, I did my best and I must say there were some marked improvements and what I will from now on call, "Pretty Feet FORM!  (I love my new Stuart Weitzman's pictured above; gifted to me by one of my dear line sisters.  (Oo-oop!) Just wanted to show off! :)

I've deemed my newly adapted mid-foot strike as Pretty Feet FORM, because of the following:

1. Freedom: Consistently hitting the ground with my mid-foot instead of my heel, enabled my trunk the freedom to rotate properly and there was a marked decrease in the pressure felt normally in my back after longer runs. I actually felt my core working yesterday.
2. Observation: I observed that I didn't hear myself running.  I am notorious for sounding like an elephant when I run!   I felt light and my footsteps were soft and "pretty!"
3. Rate: My average heart rate during longer runs can vary and get into the high 170's when I am really fatigued towards the end of a run.  My heart rate ranged on this run from 143-155 even though my pace was virtually the same as on other long runs.  I was running more efficiently so I didn't tax my ticker as much.
4. Muscle Usage: My soleus (small calf) muscles are killing me today as a result of my mid-foot strike.  I know I was doing something different because even my high heels felt good today and I normally have to wear flats after long runs because of fatigue and soreness.  (High heels kept my soles' muscles short and un-stretched!)  I know I used more of the muscles I should be using during running, thus is plausible to think more efficiency was obtained.

BOTTOM LINE: I will have to do much more investigating, research and training to see if this mid-foot strike is optimal for me and if it will help me reach my next PR.  Looking good and having Pretty FORM is one thing, but producing better results is another.

Needless to say, I enjoyed my 95 minutes with my husband, no interruptions or distractions....Just the road, our iPods and the sound of Pretty Feet FORM!

Until this Springbok strikes again..Happy Running!

Lap Pace

I am so grateful that every time I run, I have the opportunity to learn and adapt to something new, regardless of if it is a good or bad run.  I have been running at some level since I was approximately 12 years old, but I still consider myself a student runner.

So, today on my run of 8.11 miles at 1:17:14 min and a 9:31 pace, I learned two valuable lessons.  First of all, I learned to settle into my "lap pace" versus my instant pace.  I even configured my Garmin watch differently so that I will no longer get caught up in the constant jumping around of the instant pace on my watch.  You might say, "so what?"  But for me that subtle change should make a difference.

Lap pace by definition is your average pace for that lap. On my watch a lap is a mile.  Lap pace simply takes the distance travelled thus far for that lap, your total time in transit for that lap – and calculates your average pace. (taken from http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/03/art-of-pacing-with-garmin.html )

The reason why this helps me most, is instead of worrying so much about what I am currently doing, I can now look at my performance from a more broad perspective and speed up or slow down according to what I want my pace to be over the whole mile.  I know, not rocket science! And even though I had the lap pace as a setting on my watch, I often was not choosing to look at it until it was too late to make adjustments within that mile.

That happens to be a life lesson for me also....what matters in the end has more to do with my overall performance, versus what happens from day to day.  Sometimes I will fail, sometimes I will succeed.  It doesn't get any simpler than that.  But if you are an over-achiever and an over-doer, that simple reminder might do you some good.

The second lesson came from my buddy Andy.  On the last half of our last mile, we were on a trail that was full of inclines and declines and he simply said, "This last part is just like life, sometimes its up and sometimes its down!"  Such a simple statement, but so true!  That was my fastest mile today (8:52.)  Maybe because I realized I was almost done, or maybe it was because that little reminder was enough to show me that I don't need to beat myself up about minor set backs or attack life all in one bite.  I need to take the rolling hills as they come and for me, believe that Someone else is watching over my course and knows the direction I am going!

Last but not least, on the way home I listened to another cool podcast, about female runners.  I found the tidbits and tips worthwhile!

In-depth Running Tips for Women: Interview with Dr. Carolyn Smith, Co-Author of Running for Women

Released Feb 10, 2013 via Runner's Connect (sorry, I was not wise enough this week to copy the link)

 

Upcoming race details coming soon....!

Until the Springbok takes the hills again!

Back In the Saddle!

 

Hey, it was really cool to run with my running crew this morning!  As I prepare for my next race, it is good to run strategies and thoughts about my form, breathing and etc. by people who get it!  Running for awhile has not been fun and more like a chore, even though my fro is on the go!  Shout out to all of my running naturalistas!  Natural hair rocks!  Anyways,  I think I have my dilemma figured out.  My breathing and HR have been out of whack.  I have been hitting max rate too often and using an erratic breathing pattern.  I have really wanted to increase my speed and I have been going about it all the wrong way.  I've been biking and running weekly and nothing has seem to work, until I recognized that that my anxiety about running had increased and it changed my whole perspective about my favorite past time and evidently impacted my form and breathing!

 

I am feeling better and today, I ran my whole 10.54 miles at a 9:14 pace with some rests while breathing primarily through my nose. I listened to a interesting podcast that changed my perspective about nose breathing, so I thought I'd share..... https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-do-you-take-in-more-oxygen/id535203893?i=164189486&mt=2

 

Patrick McKeown is the breathing expert that studies and uses the concept discussed.  His website is below:

http://oxyathlete.com/books/

"What if you could safely and legally improve endurance and performance?

Guess what? You can. And without training more or taking any drug or supplement. The secret to your success, your fitness, and your health lies in the most basic and most overlooked aspect of your workout: how you breathe."

Patrick McKeown

 

I thought it was interesting and worth a shot!  I also recognized that I have not been eating the best and my supplements have been sitting in the cabinet instead of being used!  I am back on B12 and I honestly don't feel as tired and I think I am going to try an iron supplement too!  I got that thought from this: http://camilleherron.com/2011/05/25/the-little-things-iron-supplementation/

 

Hope all is well!  It was really good to run with my buddies this AM and the wind and the cold air!  Hope you are feeling better Maria!  You never know how much you miss camaraderie until you don't have it.  Don't take your friends for granted!

 

Happy Running!  Until the Springbok breathes correctly again!

Strong Medicine.....

I was a sickly child.  Not too bad, however, I was hospitalized for scarlatina and one time as a toddler for taking my mother's weight control pills (I thought they were candy,....hush!)  I've had allergic reactions to lots of things, such as citric acid and cats. I've broken out in hives and a skin rash called Pityriasis Rosea. I used to say that I was allergic to Spring and there were several years that I didn't go a winter season without being treated for strep throat.  I am grateful, however because I realize that every time I suffered an illness, I was treated effectively with the appropriate medicine. Whether it was Benadryl or Penicillin, I was given the appropriate dosage so that I could become healthy.

I admit, I haven't been the best pill taker either. I still gag excessively to this date, when I have to take horse pills! Truth be told, no medicine really tastes good going down. Even when they try to put a cherry or bubblegum flavoring in my daughter's medicine, she still complains that she smell the meds!

With all of that in mind, I came across some really strong medicine this morning during my quiet time. I am sure I'd read it before, but it hadn't hit me so strongly......

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:7-11 NIV84)

So here is the strong medicine: If you are not being disciplined by God for the wrong you do, then you might not be His!  Check out who your Daddy is first before you run around saying you are God's child and you are out doing whatever you want to do without conviction! Ouch! Is all could say to that, when it came to me.  

We have become such a liberal society that anything goes. A patient of mine said it best. "Yeah many of us say we are Christians, but it depends on how you spell it!" If we are using the name, but not taking on the family qualities, then we might not be who we say we are.  I've heard fathers say, "We are Joneses and we don't act that way!" Or, "In the Ramsey home, this is how we do this!"

I am afraid all too often, we are calling ourselves children of the Most High but acting like well...somebody else's children.  My mom asked me the other day, what is a non-negotiable in my life and she said it had to be personal.  That meant for example, for her abortion is not an option, but because of where she is in life, that stance really doesn't directly impact her.  My answer to her was that I don't plan on ever being a hypocrite again!  That is a non-negotiable for me!  And I've done my best to live that out this year.  To be honest, it hasn't been fun either.  I've lost friends and damaged relationships.  And while that saddens me, I recognize that making God sad by not acting like His child, was more damaging to whom I am, than what I have or haven't accomplished here on earth.

I heard a lady on the radio say that being a Christian might be the loneliest job on earth!  I understood where she was coming from and she concluded her statement by saying that just because you are lonely, doesn't mean that you are alone.

Strong medicine? Yep!  Does it taste bad going down?  Yep!  Does it even make you gag a little?  Yep!....But the rewards of health and well-being are so much greater!  The cool thing about God and His word is that He has a cure for every sin known to man.  If you are a liar, God is the truth!  If you are a cheat, He is a provider!  If you are unfaithful, He is faithful.  If you are selfish and self-serving, He is selfless and self-giving.  If you are cold and heartless, He is warm and heart-filled.  Your medicine isn't working!  Its like taking Robitussin for your diabetes!....Its pointless!

And whatever you do. do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he had done, an there is no partiality. Colossians 3:23-25 NKJV)

BTW,  I haven't forgotten about posting about my natural hair and running missions.  I will have something exciting to share really soon!......

Until the Springbok takes some more medicine......

Whose Your Daddy?



Hey,

Had a wonderful conversation and prayer with the Anointed Wives Ministry on Thursday 11/1/12, discussing the impact of fatherlessness on women/wives. Thanks for having me Felicia! This is an under-served topic in the Christian community, but it appears to be one in which many women can relate to.

God has charged me with this subject and there is more in store, so please stay tuned, but I wanted to share my notes with you from our devotion to help me be accountable to His mission.

The lesson was entitled, "Whose Your Daddy?" I immediately thought of the Maury Show. We get really drawn into the subject of who a child's father is on the segments where Maury announces, "When it comes to 4 year old "so-n-so" , Mr. So-n-so, you are not the father!" The audience and television viewers begin to rant and rave, the momma looses her mind and runs into the walls and the man who was just freed from the responsibility, does the Running Man and Crip Walks down the stage! Very little thought goes into what happens to the child after the show. We put little thought into the void that may never be filled in the life of the child. Even less thought is put into what the female babies have to endure in life without a dad.

My father story is really the passion behind my study of this subject. As I complete my work on this

journey, I will share in detail what happened to me, but in a nutshell, my father was a huge part of my life until about 12 years old. My parent's divorce and my father's subsequent divorce from me impacted my life in many detrimental ways.  It wasn't until years later and the reconciliation of my relationship with my dad, was I able to come to grips with the self inflicted damage I caused based on the excuse that my father had not done his job. I thank God for the deliverance of my father and me.  But the story continues......

So, entertain this survey: How many ladies reading this, didn't know their dads at all? How many know their dads, but didn't grow up with him in the home? Maybe he provided some financial backing occasionally, but not consistently? Maybe he passed away at an early age? What about those whose dad was in the home, but was abusive; either used drugs or alcohol, was involved extramarital affairs, was abusive physically, sexually or verbally to your mom, you or your siblings?  Did your dad live in your home, but was emotionally distant? Maybe your dad lived in a separate home, but was as present as he could be? Then lastly, I am sure there are ladies reading who had a real dad.

Whatever your relationship is with your dad, I propose to you that it has heavily impacted who you are as a women and even more so as a wife. I want to suggest to you today that we are lacking as wives because of our skewed picture of our dads. And if you are a male, keep reading, I think this will bless you too!

Essentially, we base what we believe about ourselves on some level, on what our fathers believed about us. If you were abandoned by your dad then you could believe you are not worthy of love. If you were rejected by him, then you could think there is nothing you can do to win love. If you were abused by him, then you could think everyone should be able to abuse you. If you were cursed by him, then you will essentially curse others, but if you were genuinely loved by him then you are automatically equipped to genuinely love yourself. An earthly father's true love is an exact portrait of God's love for his children.

What do "good" earthly father's do? The best example I can share with you is the one that I witness on a daily basis. My husband exemplifies fatherhood with my princess or I should say his princess. He is not perfect with it, but he is perfecting his art by being caring, encouraging, loving, guiding and most importantly conscious of his own "daddy void," and how it has impacted his life and in some ways molded him into the man that he is today.

So then what is my proposition?

1. We are unequipped to be effective wives because of  poor relationships with our fathers

• Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 ESV)
• Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21 ESV)

Anger is either driven by or leads to fear. We become angry because we fear that we are not loved unconditionally. We are fearful because we are loved conditionally. Fear is then the driving force behind any personality trait or sin developed as a coping mechanism. The need to control and the anxiety that sets in when a young girl feels helpless aids her in developing unhealthy coping mechanisms in order to regain that control. The desires to control, blame, run, fantasize or people please are not sinful in and of themselves, however anything that is used to combat fear without the assistance of the Holy Spirit is bound to cause sin.

Often times, fatherless wives were once girls who said, I didn't have my dad loving me, so no one loves me. I need a man to affirm me and I am afraid no one will, so I will make myself attractive to somebody, anybody in order to not feel afraid that I am not good enough for love. This is how unhealthy lifestyles in young girls manifest.  Surely I am not suggesting that every girl who makes life damaging choices has a daddy void. I realize that there are many roads that can lead down a path demise. But I am suggesting that we look deeply into the lives of young ladies and pinpoint where destructive patterns have been set up and determine if there is some link to an absent or dysfunctional dad relationship.

Take a moment and think about your relationship with your dad? Then think about your relationship with God? Are they similar? Do you trust God the same way you trust your earthly dad?  How does this impact you a wife? In response to fear and anger we sabotage our relationships with our husbands and others in many ways.  We become controlling or blaming; we set up unrealistic expectations for others, we avoid pertinent issues or we begin to people please instead of God please. I promise to share more about these characteristics in the near future.

2. Recognition of being unequipped because of the daddy void is vital

• One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." (Luke 7:36-48 ESV)

The lady in the the previous story was no less guilty of her sins then we are.  And yes, if you are using coping mechanisms such as controlling, blaming, running from situations, fantasizing about other situations or people pleasing to combat fear instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to administer grace unto you, you are in sin.  Guilty!  But, just like her we have a Savior ready to accept the acknowledgement of our sin and move us to a place of righteousness.  That's shouting material!!
  
3.God has the ability to equip us regardless of our void

• Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 ESV)

As wives and as women, we have to believe in the power of God to change our lives and our position in marriage more than we believe in our own power to change our husbands.  Haven't you been doing it your way long enough?  And in the famous words of Dr. Phil,  "How's that working for you?"

4. He wants to equip us
How does He want to do that? Well, it requires us to do something first. We have to make the decision to rest in Him and His word.  God waits for us.  He waits for us, so what are you waiting on?

• "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:25-33 ESV)

When you make the decision that God's way is the best way and that no other way in marriage and in your role as a wife will do, you must then follow these vital steps...... A. Live in a state of forgiveness B. Love unconditionally  C.Seek Him relentlessly D. Allow your fruit to be eaten.  This is a continuous cycle that you must find yourself in at all times.  Forgiveness needs to occur for yourself and others almost instantaneously.  You cannot move forward with the hurts of the past from your dad, from yourself and from your husband holding you back.  Conquer it! Bathe yourself in I Corinthians 13:1-10....its what many call the love chapter.  Devourer it!  Submerse yourself in His word regarding how to be a wife His way versus your way.  Lastly, your daughter, your mother, somebody needs to see the fruit of your hard work and they need to eat it.  You only get the benefits of fruit unless you eat it.  The people around you need to change too!  Not because you tell them but because you show them.

Side note: Stop blaming your mother for your daddy not being there.  She might have been key in his absence, she might have prevented it as a source of protection or she might not have had a valid reason at all.  But what does holding resentment toward her have to do with your growth and development as a daughter of the Most High?....Nothing!

5. Are you willing?
God's daily plea to us as wives is to surrender and to seek Him.  Although its a quiet plea, rest assure, He wants you to be wife of noble character.  He designed you that way.  Yes you, with all of your flaws, imperfections and mistakes.  He makes beautiful things out of us!

• I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me (Proverbs 8:17 ESV)
• But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV)
• And the Lord your God will clear out those nations before you, little by little; you may not consume them quickly, lest the beasts of the field increase among you.  But the Lord your God will give them over to you and will confuse them with a might panic until they are destroyed (Deuteronomy 7:22, 23 AMP)

6. Give grace for to your husbands and others
Listen, let's be honest, we haven't been the easiest creatures to deal with in our marriages or in life in general.  If we are honest, we recognize that in some ways we have been punishing our husbands for either being too much like our dads or not enough like him.  While I still believe that husbands have the huge responsibility to love us like Christ loves the church, we still have no excuse not to do our part.

• If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. (1 Corinthians 13:4-10 MSG)

Love and grace then basically mean being able to wait without becoming anxious or annoyed.  While God is waiting on us to become the best wives we can be, can't we do the same for our husbands?....ummmmmm!

Disclaimer:  OK, I know that was the longest blog entry I have ever generated!  I have so much more to say about this subject.  Please pray with me as I complete the book devoted to this topic.  Its been 8 years in the making and I know that God is no longer just prompting me to do it, He is pushing me in the back!  :) If you enjoyed this blog entry or any others, please subscribe to my blog and any comments are welcomed.

Until the Springbok touches the QWERTY keys again!

If You Are Not A Christian, Don't Read This!

OK,

I put my caution out there and let me say goodbye now to those who will de-friend me as a result of what I have to say......

I am unapologetically a Christ follower.  By definition, a Christian is someone who has Jesus Christ living in them; who believes in the Holy Spirit and shows fruit as evidence of his or her beliefs.  Also a Christian is someone who is changing daily to become more like Jesus. This has nothing to do with any particular denomination, which are all man made, but only about being a follower of Jesus Christ.

So, once again, I strongly discourage anyone who does not fit that definition fully, to read further, because I am sure you will be offended. It is not my intention to sour you or anyone away from where you stand, if that is where you choose to be. Ultimately, however, I believe that it is God's goal to encourage each man and woman to walk in the full knowledge of Christ, but He is a perfect and complete gentleman.  He is not pushy or bossy.   I know that I need grace in this department and I struggled against what I felt He was compelling me to write versus remaining silent.  However, I read recently somewhere that you might need to question your "Christ Card" if you were not willing to be controversial for Him. If persecution is the cost I must pay to stand for God and His beliefs, then I am willing. It's the least I can do since, He gave it all for me!

So, I stand with the gospel and agree with the text in Matthew 10:34-37,  that Christ did not come to make us comfortable here on earth.  He came to divide those who believe and  trust Him completely from those who don't. That's a tough pill to swallow, because we want to see God only as acceptance, love and tolerance. Make no mistake about it, God loves everyone, but He doesn't love every one's actions.  We cannot go through life believing that His love alone is enough.  There will come a time when everyone will also need His salvation. He offers that freely, but only to those who accept His laws and principles and decide that for Christ I live and for Christ I die.

I heard recently, Chris Fabry from the Moody Broadcasting Network, say it best, "We do not get to weigh in on whether morality is right or not. Morality is not determined by a popularity opinion poll.  If you are a Christ follower, God's word is right and anything that comes against is wrong."

With all of that being said, I challenge all of my Christian brothers and sisters to step back from their opinions about this upcoming election and prevent yourself from voting based on color or popular opinion.  The real passion for many, whether spoken or unspoken has been, "I am voting for him because he is Black or against him because he is Black".  Or I've heard comments that indicate that many others are voting with the same passion because of just the opposite. I am ashamed to say I myself have been guilty of voting the race card.  If the shoe fits, wear it, if it doesn't then look for another size.  But, if it is you, then  I caution you to look more at what God's agenda is.  What does His word say about abortion, gay marriage, education, poverty, taxes, terrorism, violence, immigration, unemployment, health care and economics?........ When I pause to do a real study of those issues and His word, honestly, no party and or candidate matches up.

So I can't get excited about what this candidate says or what that candidate does, because none of them are representing me completely. I am a Christian before I am Black, before I am a Woman, before I am a Citizen, before I am a Wife and Mother and even before I am Physical Therapist.   I am reading a very good book by Dr. Tony Evans, entitled, "How Should Christians Vote." One of the statements that he makes is that we as Christians, because we often don't have proper representation in elections, have to make the choice of the lessor of two evils. While I believe that statement is viable, I also have to question within myself if I am really interested in lessor evil anything?  Make no mistake, this was not a blog generated to dissuade you from voting.  I know that many people suffered and died for voting rights, but what I am saying is, your passion, if you are a Christian, must be about making a conscious choice for the political agenda that best fits into God's agenda.

To put it more plainly, if President Obama gets re-elected, every community in this nation is not going
to turn into a ghetto filled with slumlords and gangs and if Governor Romney gets elected we are not going to go back into slavery.  As Christians, we have survived every political agenda and every political party change.  My security in this country is not based on what the government does or doesn't do for me.  It is solely based on what my King, who never has to get re-elected is doing and what He will do! I stand firmly next to my brother who just recently posted, "if only people were as passionate about Jesus as there are about their political candidate....."

In Him,
Rhonda

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
(Acts 20:24 NLT)