Make my life a prayer to You.

Ok, I've been pathetic about writing anything of substance lately... just been throwing out lyrics and paragraphs...

Well, had my first track practice today. We will be training this season at Winter Park High School again... which is a great track and an awesome environment. Their team is over a hundred-strong, compared to our measly 20 athletes. During our practices there are runners from several other high schools and colleges from around the area practicing all kinds of events... from sprints to long jump or discus. We even have a few world-class athletes training for the World Championships or somethin'. But anyway, yeah, we have over 10 new people on our team, which is over half of our team...which is a really great and unexpected turnout. Several of last years athletes graduated, so we are left with only 9 returning runners, and 10+ new ones. I will be running the 800 meters this season, or the half-mile. I've been training consistently over the offseason and I really feel as if I'm ready to break it loose...and make it to State. Last season, when I won districts, I ran a 2:09.76 half-mile, lengthening my school record and of course, setting a new PR. This season, I plan on decreasing my time by AT LEAST 10 seconds. I'm hoping to break two minutes. Yeah, that's right... that means two sub-60 quarters. I'm up for it baby.. it will be done.

"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer." --Romans 12:9-13

Let love be without hypocrisy. Getting called a hypocrite is really tough to swallow. It hurts. Sometimes, although we deny it at first, we find ourselves realizing the truth in being called a hypocrite. So many times, more regrets than anything else, I feel as if I've done so much damage to the God I stand for, rather than any real good. However, I should never find myself becoming low or depressed because of the mistakes of my past. I have to constantly be looking forward and not allow the Devil to tempt me to despair. I love the line in the old hymn, "Before The Throne of God Above," it says: "When Satan tempts me to despair, and tells me of the guilt within. Upward I look and see Him there, who put an end to all my sin. Because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free. I know that while in heaven He stands, no tongue can bid me thence depart, no tongue can bid me thence depart." I think that is so important! While we should learn lessons from the mistakes we make in the past, never, ever let it overtake you in grief, regret, or make you feel hopeless. There is always hope, because God is always there. So many times I've just wanted to give in. Just throw up my hands and take the easy way. The easy way of sinning and living a life away from God, neglecting his care and love...and living my own life. Appeasing the devil, only to be ensnared in the trap that he is setting...the trap of eternal destruction. So many times, people ask, why do the wicked prosper? Why does it always seem like they are prevailing... Where is God? But, we have to remember, that the earth is the devil's territory. The Devil knows God is coming, he know's he can't stop Christ's second coming. God will come back and free all the faithful on this earth. He'll set them free to live with Him forever... to enjoy the true goodness of Christ, to forever and eternally worship in ecstacy and awe the pure holiness and splendor of our Lord. Oh how I wish that day were today! Think about the amazement of standing before the glory of God, beholding the Creator of the universe, the eternal God. I cannot even imagine it. To be in the presence of the most perfect being, the one and only God. To see the most unreal, yet truly real being that has ever been or will ever be. But most of all... to see a God, who for some reason, came down to this earth, and lived among men. He came here and loved us, when we spat upon him, killed him, trampled his work on earth, and now despise His name in so many ways in this world... in spite of all this, he had compassion on us, and sent His son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for what we had done. And for what? What does God gain out of this, afterall, he is God, what more could he need or want? I'll never understand it... but for some reason too high for me to understand, God had compassion and desired to have a relationship with men and women on this earth. So now, we can come to God daily, at any time...and He's always there. Always caring, always watching... always loving. He teaches us lessons, He grieves in sorrow when we sin and neglect the blessings He freely bestows upon us. When we fall, He is the one who picks us back up. When we turn away, He is the one who convicts us, who sends that someone, or that event, or that experience, that turns us around and brings us back to communion with Him. When we love Him, he loves us back... when we hate him, He loves us just the same. And so, all we can do is try to wake up each morning, and renew our commitment each day to live for Him. To grow in that relationship... to somehow, someway give our lives to Him each day. To constantly make an effort to thank Him for what He has done, and is doing, and WILL do! God's Word is always there, there is always something new that is revealed to me each day... something more amazing than I ever thought it could be. So as I grow as a Christian, and mature in my relationship with Christ, I can constantly grow in fellowship with God, through His word, through prayer, through serving others, through giving our lives as a sacrifice to Him. I am so excited about what God is doing and will continue to do in my life. I must live for Christ, or I will live for nothing at all.

"Make my life a prayer to You. I want to do what You want me to. No empty words and no white lies, no token prayers, no compromise. I want to shine the light You gave, through Your Son, You sent to save us from ourselves and our despair. It comforts me to know You're really there. Well, I want to thank You now, for being patient with me. Oh it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me. I guess I'll have to trust and just believe what You say... Oh, You're coming again, coming to take me away. I want to die and let You give, Your life to me, that I might live, and share the hope You gave to me, the Love that's set me free. I want to tell the world out there, you're not some fable or fairy tale, that I've made up, inside my head, You're God the Son, You've risen from the dead. Well, I want to thank You now, for being patient with me. Oh it's so hard to see, when my eyes are on me. I guess I'll have to trust and just believe what You say... Oh, You're coming again, coming to take me away."