OzThoughts Tuesday 3rd February 2009

OzThoughts Tuesday 3rd February 2009

There was a time when my favorite participation sport was athletics. It seems difficult to imagine as I look back 50 years that I represented my school in 100 yards sprint. Then a year or so later every Wednesday afternoon, I would run the 3.2 miles of the school cross country course. It was known as one of the toughest courses any school had but I did it with a number of others because we enjoyed it. We also trained on other days, so that we might complete the course in a good time.

I learnt a lot about running from various coaches and from books on the subject. These days I just love watching the Olympic Games and the superior athletes on display there.

The writer to the Hebrews uses the image of the athlete when he talks about how to live the Christian life. He tells us to keep focused on Jesus and watch how he does it. We can learn from the way he ran his race of life.

Hebrews 12:1-4 (The Message)

1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!
4 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves.

PRAYER: (Song Book as our Prayer Book):

[Listen: Male Voice: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_1594.mp3

OR

Brass Band: (Tune: Finlandia): http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_592.mp3]

Thou art the way, none other dare I follow;
Thou art the truth, and thou hast made me free;
Thou art the life, the hope of my tomorrow;
Thou art the Christ who died for me.
This is my creed, that 'mid earth's sin and sorrow,
My life may guide men unto thee.

Hold thou my feet, let there be no returning
Along the path which thou hast bid me tread;
Train thou my mind, I would be ever learning
The better way thy fame to spread;
Keep thou my heart ablaze with holy burning
That love for souls may ne'er be dead.

I would bring peace to lives now torn asunder,
Ease aching hearts with words that soothe and heal;
I would bring peace when, breaking like the thunder,
Men rise in war, and hatred feel.
Peacemaker, Lord! Now I am stirred to wonder;
O take me, and my calling seal!
Author: Arch R. Wiggins (1893-1976)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 529

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