Racing for the Cure.....A Life Changed

This weekend, as I mentioned in my last post, was Race for the Cure here in NWA. I was able to complete my first 5k and for a great cause!! It was a little tiring at times but I finished :) There were tons of people there who were racing. Some were survivors, some where racing in honor of survivors, and others were racing in memory of a loved one. I have to say that I have a pretty amazing work family that woke up early Saturday to race or supported us if they couldn't be there! It was a great experience for sure.

And now for one very neat God story. I was on the way to the race and I stopped by a restaurant to grab some bagels for me and a friend. I was already in my race gear and had my "Rockn' for Roxanne" shirt on. While I pulled up to pay, the employee working the Drive Thru asked me what my shirt was all about. I shared with him a little bit of Roxanne's story. He told me that is just so sad. I told him that yes it was sad but that she was in heaven. I told him that she had a peace and that I have peace and comfort because I will see her again. I said God chose to take her to heaven and heal her and I was grateful she was no longer in pain. And then he said I want what you and Roxanne have...How do you get to heaven?.....yes really....that totally happened. I was so excited and I said well let me tell you. I then proceeded to share the gospel with him. And in a wonderful God moment I prayed with him to receive Jesus as his Lord and Saviour... in the drive through. WOW isn't God AMAZING!!

So, through the grace of God and Roxanne's story a life has been changed forever. Praise the Lord!

Running the Race

Yesterday I attended the funeral of one beautiful woman! It was such an amazing celebration of Roxanne's life. She did more good in her 45 years on this earth than most do in a lifetime! She was such an example of a godly woman and she will be missed dearly. She has challenged me through her life and been an example of finishing well. I have a lot of work to do :)

Speaking of finishing well... The race for the cure is this Saturday, April 28th at Pinnacle Hills Promenade. We have created a team in remembrance of Roxanne :) The team will be participating in the non-competitive 5k. We're are doing this in honor of one very special lady. We'll be wearing orange ribbons for leukemia specificity. If you would like to join us for a great morning walk in honor of my friend or to donate in her honor click on the link below.

http://ozark.info-komen.org/site/TR/RacefortheCure/FYV_OzarkAffiliate?px=12623097&pg=personal&fr_id=2341

Roxanne

Last night at about 11:00 a sweet sweet woman lost her battle with Leukemia. I was so blessed to have known Roxanne. She was one of the greatest, godliest, sweetest, do anything for you kind of woman. I am rejoicing because I know she is not in anymore pain and she is in heaven! (I mean let's admit it, she is way better off than all of us) and I know she is so happy right now and I am so comforted to know that she will be spending eternity with our Saviour, but that doesn't take away my earthly pain.

Join me and pray for peace and comfort for my boss Roger (her husband) her three children, her grandchildren, and all those who loved and cared for her.  I miss you Roxanne but I know I will see again!

 ^"He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4

We're Famous

So let me start off by saying I don't condone what Petrino did by all means...Me and two of my friends decided to head to Fayetteville last night. We stopped by the "Save Petrino" rally. There were lots of cameras, lots of red and white, lots of calling the hogs, and lots of crazies out haha. We were asked to give interviews but we declined. We thought we would let one of the crazies or the red necks take care of it for us haha (doesn't it seem like they are always the ones who are shown) ;) We did however manage to make it on ESPN for 15 seconds or so. Hence the "We're Famous" title. We will always remember this night and our 15 seconds of fame.

I wonder how long it took them to think up these signs. And notice how the guy on the right spells inappropriate--innappropriate. (maybe he should have checked that before he wrote it with Permanent marker) Oh boy Oh boy!!

 This was the main sign at the rally. WOW is really all I can say.

 If you will notice that is Me,Donnally, Parker and Jessica Calling the Hogs on National Television.

The backs of our heads are famous! Don't be jealous.

Why I celebrate

People ask why I celebrate the Resurrection. The main reason is that Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, is ALIVE No other religious leader who ever lived and died can make that claim. For that matter, every single leader or celebrity who has died remains buried. I worship the One that defeated the grave. Praise the Lord, and thank you Jesus!

But what to we boast of? We boast of an empty tomb because the One we love, the One we follow, the One we serve is no longer there.

Now, if Jesus Christ rose from the dead where is He? Scripture tells us precisely where He is. He is seated at the right had of God (Hebrews 10:12).

The Bible gives us more reasons to rejoice. In 1 John 2:1-2, Jesus Christ is our advocate. You see, when the Son of God saved me, He knew I wouldn't live a perfect life--He knew there would be times I would sin against Him. So he stands between me and the Father to present my case. This defense is based not only upon my confession and repentance for forgiveness of sin, but upon the fact that Jesus Christ Himself laid down His life and paid our sin-debt in full. When He went to the cross, He died a substitutionary, sacrificial death on our  behalf. So we can absolutely be confident that our sins are completely forgiven. Salvation has nothing to do with our behavior, but it has everything to do with the grace of God, the love of God, the goodness of God, the mercy of God, and the blood of Jesus Christ. Now that is cause for celebration!

Why else do we celebrate? Hebrews 9:27 says that "it is appointment for men to die once and after this comes judgment." Every single person will one day stand in the presence of Jesus Christ to give an account for his or her life. Scripture speaks of two specific things, the first being "unto life," which guarantees reward to every believer. (Revelation 20:6) The other is reserved for all people who have rejected to Lord Jesus, and is unto judgment and condemnation. It results in eternal separation from God, which the Bible calls the "second death" (Revelation 20:11-15).

One other reason we celebrat, is that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has given us a very definite purpose for being alive. He has saved us so that we could reflect His life in our work, our ways, our words, and our walk. Having created us for Himself, He desires that you and I walk in a holiness and righteousness before Him. We are to be Christ's representatives, pointing people to Him and reflecting His light to a dark world that desperately needs Him.

So why do we celebrate the Resurrection? Because it is all about assurance, confidence, and boldness. It's about where we are in life, where we are headed, and were we are going to end up--in the very presence of the living God instead of eternally separated from Him.

Revelation 21:27 says that no one can enter heaven except "those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." How do you get your name inscribed in that book? By accepting the Lamb of God -- Jesus Christ--as your personal Saviour, based on the fact that he died on the cross, paying your sin-debt in full. Three days after He was buried, He rose again. Believe it....and CELEBRATE!!

If you want to know more. Please let me know. I am happy to share :)