POSTERS and RUNNING THE GOOD RACE

Heaven's Hero's

They're cheering us on

Proudly gone

Before to sit

And ponder it

Why Christ should die

Seeds sown 'lie'

About His cause

But

Heaven's applause

Will bring us through

And pardon too

One final race

To see His face

by Elaine Caruso

When we are faced with an urgent situation our first instinct is to run. Think about it. If you saw someone trip and fall flat on their face, you'd run to assist them without giving a second thought! We run when we are pressed for time, when there's a deadline to meet or an urgency. We run when we greet one another, if its a joyous reunion. We run away. We run to keep fit. One thing for sure, running is not passive in its nature. Running is a lot of work.

We live in a world today where we don't really have to chose to run much, other than in cases like I've listed. Living in this country we mostly have vehicles to take us about, so we get used to driving most of the time.

But we KNOW running is good for us. To choose to run does not just save us money, it gives our bodies a workout and builds stamina and muscle. The added value is the more we do it the more benefit there is for us. We live longer, healthier lives - we can even play with our children easier and live longer, healthier lives. We are given free choice to run - or not.

After reading this poem written by Elaine, I did a bible study on "running" and "race" and I found the bible peppered with reference to these words. I was encouraged to look at our lives as a 'race' - to know that our lifetimes are considered a timeframe in which to do our best with the days we've been given. I considered that some people are unable to ever physically run, so put thought to what 'running' would mean to them. Then I realized to 'run' means to 'live' and we must do it with a passion, a purpose knowing our reward is not here on this earth. The 'race' here means to live for Christ - to win souls for Christ, and our reward is when we join Him in heaven.

When we 'run' the GOOD race, know that your God will be cheering you on. He'll be beside you every step of the way. He will sustain you and give you the stamina - if you'll just call on Him.

Here are some of the scriptures I found which might encourage you:

1 Corinthians 9:24

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside our every weight, and the sin doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.

The following video of Hillsong "Run to You" is sure to inspire and remind us that HE is awaiting us at the finish line! Click on the arrow {middle of video window} to play.

*****

Our church is undergoing a 'facelift' and we have added some new posters to a feature wall in our building. With some track-lighting in the plans for the near future, these three posters should surely light up our foyer!

I designed these using a photograph I took of a mountain in Washington State last summer, while the two bottom posters use a montage of pictures licensed under creative commons. We have a fund started to purchase frames.

Thank you to brainthrill.ca Design for printing these posters out!

*****

Penny Buhr Johnson

Penny is coming to our church on Wednesday, June 25th to perform. This concert will be by freewill offering and promises to be a wonderful time of music and fellowship. Be sure to invite your friends to join us. Please email me at lalalime@hotmail.com for more information if needed. Posters will be produced this week, available for distribution. Please let us know if you can post any!

We will be serving cupcakes and providing beverages. We welcome donations of cake mixes.

We will be online on MSN messenger on Wednesday night at 7. We would love to have you join us. If you cannot make it but would like us to pray for your requests just let us know via email or a comment here.