What's your fitness level?

With the advent of the Wii, fitness is at the forefront of entertainment these days. It's chic to know your fitness level, or for that matter, train your brain in minutes a day. But while we're talking about physical and mental fitness, are we thinking about spiritual fitness?

The bible says that life is like a race. We are like runners. And there's a prize waiting for us. So wouldn't you want to train all you can and fill up on all the good things you need to achieve peak performance?

First of all, we need the Holy Spirit. I've said it before -- we can't do anything without God's power. Then we need to totally immerse ourselves in the kind of life God designed for us, by reading the bible and praying, meditating on God and His word. We're going to trip and fall, but we have to pick ourselves up, let God dust us off, and keep our eyes on the prize as we push ourselves to the limit. Our limits are where God takes over!

So by all means, get yourself in shape and pump up that IQ, but don't neglect the only part of you that's going to finish the race.

Boy, are your hands full!

I don't know how many times I've heard that -- especially in the last year -- from some amazed person in the grocery store. My usual reply is a smile and nod, or "Yes, yes they are!" or often "Happily so!" It's sort of an obvious remark to say to a mom who's cruising the store with four kids under 6. And yes, my hands are very full.

But as I think about that statement, it brings to mind another connotation. Like scooping up a double handful of water to drink, I want to be daily drinking deeply of the Living Water. I need the Holy Spirit to equip and empower me. I can't do this life WITHOUT my hands full!

So that's why I chose to rename my blog "Hands Full" -- not only does it describe me to a T, it's also a reminder to me, and to others, that we should always have our hands full of Living Water!