"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12.1-3

in the fall, we were two miserable students sitting in anthropology class attempting to occupy the lecture time with anything but what the professor wanted to say so, we began reading a blog. it's the story of libby ryder and her battle against cancer. since september, God has used libby's story to awaken in us a realization of the story he has written for our own lives. libby has shown us what it means to set our eyes on Jesus and run, with reckless abandonment, into the arms of the Father. libby's friend angie has decided to run a half marathon in celebration of the end of libby's chemo and, lord willing, her cancer. following libby's example, we are joining in the celebration. we. are. not. runners. we are scared. we are full of doubts. but, we are inspired. the past year has been full of triumphs and tribulations for us, too. this is a physical representation of us throwing off everything that has hindered and entangled- pain, heartache, doubt, shame- and running to Jesus and basking in his grace. this run is for libby. this run if for freedom. our only hope is that He will be glorified.

"Let us hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have broken rejoice!" Psalm 51.8

Friday, February 4, 2011

day of rest

today is our day of rest. i am really happy about that (mainly because it has been raining all day and i dont think it has reached 40 degrees yet) crazy how that worked out but god is good. yesterday was hard. sweet katie joined us and it was so fun to have her run with us. so proud of you kate :) the first part was great but the run back after strength training at the gym was brutal. and as julia explained i learned my lesson about making sure my ipod is charged. but i survived without music. no music forced me to think and thinking led to prayer. so i prayed hard during that last mile of steady inclining hills and we made it. so proud of us. 

julia filled you in on hearing from libby. i cant even explain my excitement and the hypervenitlation that occured in my house so im not going to try. but thanks for the encouragement lib and i cannot wait to meet you in nashville. know that me and julia pray for you, justin, and sweet ava daily before we start our run.  only one more!! 

the encouragement has been such a blessing and ive seen how much of a difference it makes to be able to have that. so thank you to those who have been that for me, it means a lot.  however, i was convicted of something today during my quiet time. i have been reading life as a vapor by john piper (thanks to stace, another blogger, one that i actually know pretty well :) ) it is great so if you are looking for something new you should get it. anyway my conviction. like i said, the encouragement has been great but i think it is really easy for me to take that encouragement and let it stop with myself. when it shouldn't. that doesn't honor jesus in any way. "let the ones who boast, boast in the Lord." -2 corinthians 10:17 running is a big deal for me and even more so, running 13.1 miles is a big deal for me and oh what an accomplishment it will be. but i will not boast in hannah for running. i will boast in jesus. who gave me legs to run, breath to breathe, and friends and family to encourage me. boasting in jesus not only honors him but it is where i will find my pure joy because that is what i was made for, to boast in him and no one else. 

so this is my prayer. for me and julia. that we will look away from ourselves and that we will not boast in accomplishing this goal. but that we will turn all the amazing encouragement and accomplishing into glorifying jesus and that continues to be our ultimate purpose. 

-han
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1 comment:

  1. StaceyFebruary 6, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    glad you love that devotional hannah! it's so great. so proud of what you're doing - that's a big deal!

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