September 30, 2008 SOAP

Scripture: Luke 13:24
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to."

Observation: Jesus also describes the way to heaven as a narrow path where as there is a wide road leading towards hell.

Application: The path is never easy but the Lord promises us that if we knock the door will be opened. Truly seek God with all your heart and invest your life in following God's word.

Prayer: Lord thank you for choosing me to carry out your will. Please forgive me for the many times I fail and give in to sin. Thank you for your abundant blessing. Please allow me to overcome evil temptations and to follow your will. Thank you for this beautiful fall morning and for blessing my life with an amazing family and amazing friends.

September 25, 2008 SOAP

Scripture: Luke 8:14
"The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."

Observation: Jesus illustrates through this parable the importance of faith and how it outweighs any other attempt of doing good works.

Application: T.I. came out with a new song in which the lyrics go, "unhappy with the riches cuz your piss-poor morally." This is just a small example that nothing on this earth comes close to that of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord please grant me the wisdom to make you my focus and priority and shift my attention away from simple worldly pleasures. I don't deserve credit for anything except continually turning my back on you and thinking that somehow I can make it on my own. Lord thank you for choosing me and never giving up on my life.

23

Today is my 23rd birthday! Not a big deal in the long run but still a good day and a great reason to get the family together! Some other exciting news i begin my last quarter of college tomorrow. 10 weeks and i am done with school. I'm not counting down the days or anything but im definitly excieted. Other then that, only 5 days till the Bellingham marathon. My training has been really strong so im hoping for a great day to run. What makes the marathon so exciting is the unknown factor. No matter how experienced you are each time you run is a new experience and a new adventure!

Mt. Rainier

On Monday Brianna and I went up to Mt. Rainier to enjoy the beautiful day. The weather was perfect with a high of 75 degrees. We began at the Sunrise Lodge and headed East on the wonderland trail. It was very beautiful and the views of Rainier only got better the further we hiked. All in all we spent about 3 hours hiking and traveled about 7 miles. There were some challenging climbs that definitely had us breathing heavily but again the views made the journey worth the pain. Being so close to such an amazing and huge mountain really brings into prespective how small and fragile we really are. Hiking on the trails around Rainier fueled my passion for running and especially being in the outdoors. I can't wait to get back up to the mountain and doing some crazy trail running. My dream run is to take off with my pack on and just go until I can't run anymore! How amazing would that be? Just running through God's beautiful wilderness! We only live once and I like to go Big