Tree Near Running Water (Ps 1:3) by Jimmy Mack

15 Oct Tree Near Running Water (Ps 1:3) by Jimmy Mack

“He is like a tree planted near running water, that yields its fruit in due season, and whose leaves never fade.” ~ Ps 1:3 (full readings)
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Jimmy’s Reflections:  It was 37 years ago that I became that tree planted in good fertile soil.  After a bad year of teenage peer pressure in school, I found the running water in my life.  God blessed me with family members, teachers like Sister Maurice Weigand, and members of my high school prayer group.  My prayer group lovingly embraced the charismatic prayer life that gave us courage to live out the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:11) and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).  LIFE Runners capture this essence when we catch wind of that “runners high” on a good day.  Yet we know that our faith walk, like our running life, will hit many walls; at the 20-mile mark, the 20-month mark in our faith life, or even the 20-second mark in our prayer life.  Some people thought that my Jesus “fad” would stop after a few days; then a few weeks.  After all, I did go back to my old ways a week after watching the Billy Graham movie “Time to Run”.  And in case I’m at risk of conveying a “holier than thou attitude”, I, unlike a tree, have eroded into the notion that I do not need to drink from the running water.  This plus God’s events and life circumstances keep me humble.  I’m now on my 37th year of being a Jesus Freak and trying to be faithful to run the race for the ultimate crown that Christ has prepared for us.
* Jimmy Mack is a Project Manager at a company in Missouri.  He and his wife Peggy have six children.  He is involved with the Daughters of St. Paul and loves Contemporary Christian Music.  He is a member of Coalition St. Louis LIFE Runners Chapter.
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Faith Challenge:  We take joy in our faith walk.  Who are some of the people who were there when you were planted in good soil?  How about when you were planted near the living stream of your life?  Thank the Lord for them right now.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel..
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Our Prayers: Pray LIFE Runners Creed to End Abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  St. Teresa of Avila
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Faith Quote:  “All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted.” ~ St. Teresa of Avila
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Through Christ our Lord,
Jimmy Mack