Childlike Faith

Whatever a childlike faith is, it doesn’t require being an adult.  Being an adult with all of life’s experiences can hinder one’s faith.  Adulthood is over rated when it comes to the exercise of faith.  Adults facing death will need to adjust their faith from adult like, to childlike to experience being saved from an early death.

The Lord protects those of childlike faith;

I was facing death, and he saved me. (Ps. 119:9)

Whatever it is, that makes faith, child like is what we need to experience.  One can grow up and develop a diminished faith. 

The sounds of exercise on a child’s playground will be filled with much different sounds than exercise by a bunch of adults in a gym.  A faith filled prayer sounds much different when given in a child like manner than one given in an adult level.

Wouldn’t it be a shame to grow up, only to realize you lost one of the most important aspects of being a human being?

It can happen, and it can happen to anyone.

Maybe consider hanging out with kids if you are sensing your faith is more adult like than childlike.

Mountain Masochist 50 Mile Trail Run

Eph. 5:18Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit, is an ongoing process.  The word usage denotes an ongoing flow and could be translated, as be being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

This past Saturday, an event in the Blue Ridge Mountains between Lynchburg and Montebello, Virginia takes place.  It is called the Mountain Masochist 50 Mile Trail Run.  To run such distances a person has to have a continuous, consistent, injury free training season.  Many of the runners run 50 K’s, just as a practice run for this one.  To be being physically fit enough to start and finish a 50 mile run through the mountains helps us understand what the Apostle Paul was trying to convey to us in Ephesians.

Be being filled is not a one time experience.  Be being filled is not the equivalent of showing up once a week at a gym, and thinking that it will be adequate to prepare for a 50 mile run through the mountains.  Be being filled is the equivalent of a consistent running, exercise, stretching, routine at least 6 of the 7 days of a week for years.

I have made three attempts at the Mountain Masochist 50 Miler.  In 2006 I finished it, but was 15 minutes over the cutoff time.  In 2011 I made it halfway, but was too slow, and missed the cutoff times.  Only in 2007 was I able to finish it before the cutoff times.  What helped me finish it was all that preceded the actual race, which included 4 50K’s and a 40 Miler.  Now, I can’t even think about starting it much less finishing it because of inconsistency in running due to injuries and a long-term sinus infection.

No one needs reminding that life is full of intensity, and all of us, are to be being filled with the Holy Spirit to live an overcoming and productive life.  Humanity faces the equivalent of a 50-mile run through the mountains of Virginia on a consistent basis.

So, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit”

The Day After

Halloween!

Lots of different opinions abound regarding this day.

Just as every one's relationship with God, and others is personal and unparalleled, it is important to discern one's community before choosing to participate.

In a Northern Virginia Suburb the evening of Halloween remains one of the very few times in which the community welcomes door to door interactions.  In fact, neighbors get disappointed when no one comes to their door, and very happy when someone does.

So, for me, (and my house), we participate and go door to door within our neighborhoods and experience being welcomed.

In this very busy community, a knock on the door any other time is viewed as an interruption and invasion of personal space (unless you are a local politician and it is expected for them to do the hard work of connecting with their community).

Plus, it is a great opportunity to remain connected with your children and grand children and have some fun building positive memories.

The added plus comes into play when you  dress up and bring your own bag and don't have to beg from your children/grandchildren for some candy.  It was great, especially for the homes that other activities and left their candy on the doorstep with a note to help yourself.

Blessed All Saints Day, which kind of makes Halloween, or All Hallows Eve a Christian event.