september 12

i ran a relay race this weekend. when it was my turn, i ran as fast as i could. and when i made it to the exchange point, i handed the baton to the next guy, crumpled to the ground, and he took it from there. it was a great metaphor for the body that Christ has designed us to be.

september 9

In honor of the Blue Ridge Relay a thought from the greatest novel written about running, Once a Runner, by John Parker.

There is the trial of miles, and the miles of trials.

This rings true in more than running.

september 8

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:20

Several years ago, a friend of mine had me do an exercise each morning. At breakfast, sit down and ask yourself, what am I feeling? what emotion is predominant at this moment? You know what I wrote down most mornings? Lonely.

So often I am so desperately alone. May his promise remind me that though I may feel lonely I am never alone.

september 7

"Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." John 1:3

Relationship is central to the life of a Christian. We must relate to God. How do we do this? By talking to Him! By listening to Him. By doing things with Him. And for Him. And appreciating Him. And doing things that please Him...the most important aspect of this relationship is what happens inside the relationship...not what happens outside of it.

september 6

I was asked to consider these questions for a meeting tomorrow night. I think they're worth your time as well:

What is our view of God?
What is our view of Man?
Who is the true older brother?
What is the Gospel?

These are the foundational concepts.

september 5

Life from the Center is a heaven-directed life...It is not we alone who are at work in the world, frantically finishing a work to be offered to God...We need not get frantic. He is at the helm. And when our little day is done, we lie down quietly in peace, for all is well.

thomas kelly

september 2

And under the silent, watchful eye of the Holy One, we all are standing, whether we know it or not. And in that Center, in that Abyss where the Eternal dwells at the base of our being, our programs, our gifts to Him, our offerings of duties performed are again and again revised in their values. Many of the things we are doing seem too important to us. We haven't been able to say no to them, because they seemed so important. But if we are center down, as the old phrase goes, and live in that holy Silence that is dearer than life, and take our life program into the silent places of the heart, with complete openness, ready to do, ready to renounce according to His leading, then many of the things we are doing will lose their vitality for us...

thomas kelly