The Run.. and more

So this past Saturday went for a 3 mile run with 20 of my closest friends and 3,000 other peoples.. It was a good time. Remembering Mike via the Donate Life Run was a good way to be able to witness to others in Amy's life who are non-believers. I got to meet some of her teacher friends, assistants etc. I really wanted to after the race spend some time talking to them but they were splitsville. Sad. It was good though to talk to Nate- great friend to Mike and Amy. He talked about teaching and how he still wants to after year one. This is a good sign. I'm thankful for teachers like Amy, Elisabeth and Nate who know and love the Lord. Being able to share in such a harsh and hectic environment as school, its amazing how God is always working in us.
And so the day goes
Showed up and hung out listening to a myriad of conversations eager to run but not really. I hate running. Gimme 15 hours of tennis instead. But there's this part of me is glad after a good run. I love the way my heart beats uncontrollably afterwards practically bursting from my chest. It's the pounding the pavement to get there... well I guess I could always just sprint everywhere. Anywho it was good to see people I hadn't seen in a while like Nate and Shelly and Kinky Pete, people I see sporadically Carlson Clan, Ed and family and then people I see everyday or week- Gappers. So in the anitcipation I'm perusing the crowd not really looking for anyone in particular. I'm just looking and seeing all these people ready to run for a cause they believing in. Donating an organ. This is a good cause. I'll prolly be a donor one day. I mean just think you have a heart that pumps blood to and from to all other parts of your body and well when this organ no longer serves its purpose in me-- why not give it to someone who could use it. But then I start thinking of " donation" in general To give for the benefit of someone else without expecting or necessarily wanting compensation-my def. When we donate our time we don't expect to get anything save the satisfaction of being there for a friend, family member, co-worker etc. Same goes with money...sort of --hmm tax breaks right but other than that.. I think of donations as something we view as generous-- not really altruistic as in self-sacrificing but rather as a tug on our hearts.. hmm who's tugging... and why? Donations are not a Christian thing-- they're a people thing.... But grace is a God thing. God gave graciously to undeserving us a free gift of salvation. He gave us his son Jesus who willingly died for my sins that I would have new life. Talk about the greatest donation ever. To everyone who believes in Christ as their savior and redeemer and risen Lord. The have this picture:

Jesus Christ (donates) his life
perfect sinless sacrifice
Obedient servant
Humble son
Bore the wrath
Meant for me
Deep love
woven in prophecy
From cross to tomb and
risen he
did all , did all this
and even for me.

His life given
For my life eternal.

Mike is experiencing this right now.