hearsay&the_race.reloaded...

they say that life is a marathon.

they say we need to pace ourselves to finish the race.

they that pushing ourselves past the limit is unhealthy.

they say if we test our strength we will discover our weakness.

they say that too much, too fast will lead us to an early grave.

they say we need to look to the future and plan for tomorrow.

they say work today and play tomorrow.

they say we have all the time in the world.

they say life is a marathon.

rachel joy scott: 17 years old; martyred at coumbine high school; 1999. jim eliot: 29 years old; martyred in ecuador; 1956. keith green: 28 years old; died in a plane crash in texas; 1986. cassie bernall: 17 years old; martyred at columbine high school; 1999. oswald chambers: 37 years old; died in surgery in egypt; 1917. david brainerd: 29 years old; died in a blizzard in new england; 1747. john stam: 27 years old; martyred china; 1934. betty stam: 28 years old; martyred in china; 1934. frances havergal: 43 years old; died of fever in wales; 1879. philip bliss: 38 years old; died in a train wreck in ohio; 1876.

they say these died too early. they say their ministries were cut short.

jesus the christ: 33 years old; tortured and crucified in jerusalem; a.d. 30.

did He? was His?

what's worth more- a long life or a full life?

i've never run in a marathon, but i have played sports that require loads of training and running. my life has been full of sprints. i've lost, a lot. i've won, a few. i've quit, at times. and most of all, i've learned.

if you never give up on anything, you won't have something to regret for the rest of your life.

so, yeah, i get miserable and melancholy at times because i lose focus. i see the mistakes of my youth and how in certain areas, i am a prisoner to consequences. in one way, it is my thorn in the flesh.

i don't know how to express all that i feel inside. i am a paradox of emotions. i am excited about the future, but i feel petrified of the future. i can't wait to see what God is up to and it seems like it's taking forever, and yet time seems to be speeding away.

my goal, my passion, my all-consuming desire is to sprint. long life means nothing to me if it is not full. we are not in a marathon. today is an all-out sprint. we have this moment to make a difference. we have this breath to decide what we are going to leave behind.

one said, progress waits for no man. one said, he is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. one said, by life or death. one said, i ask only for one soul. one said, yes, i believe in God. one said, it is a joy to be so close to the gates of heaven. one said, never compromise your faith. one said, this will be my last year, Lord. one said, let the lower lights be burning.

He said, go...

He never said anything about coming back...

for the world-wide renown of His sovereign glory...