Running the Race or Energy to Serve

Today, while I was exercising at the park, I encountered two guys I know. We struck up a conversation about staying in shape. One brother mentioned that exercise generates the energy for fellowship building in a lively and uplifting way. He said, "No one wants to be around someone who is always tired and complaining. When you are meeting with others in a group, each person should be lifting up the others." It reminded me of the scripture in 1st Corinthians 9:24, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize". We began to talk about other similar scriptures like, 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Hebrews 12:1, "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 perseverance the race marked out for us."
We can spiritualize the words, but there is another dimension to our role here on earth. We must encourage those we meet with love and lively interaction. Show the deposit of eternal life that we claim to believe to others in joy, energy and good health, so they will realize that our Lord truly loves us and want to give us healing in all areas of our life.

Control Your Thoughts

Controlling your thoughts is a critical skill for all athletes to develop and use on a regular basis. Alison Arnold, Ph.D. writes in her article entitled, "The athlete Warrior: 10 Principles for Becoming a Champion", thees principles which should be studies and applied by gymnasts. She lists the following principles: Intention; Belief; Awareness; The Present; Discipline; Trust; Joy; Compassion; Change and Purpose. Each of these principles will help the athlete or anyone in the gym or in life to bring the good or bad experiences into perspective, to use as a teacher to propel them to the next level in performance. For a full read of this article go to www.headgames.ws.