Got up at 6am and walked one mile in 25 minutes and ran a mile in 9:23 minutes. Beautiful birdsong all around me, even though a gloomy sky. I could get to like this! Read John 1, and the verse that stood out to me was John 1:5 "5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not[b]comprehend it." How great is God, that He chose to illumine my heart rather than leave it in darkness!

I haven't used this blog for around two years. I've had a few life changes since then, including a new baby girl, Lucia, as well as starting a new career (The Hometown Barber). I'm hoping to move forward here and use this blog regularly, but not religiously. I'm anticipating some progress, but I'm not going to buffet myself mentally for my failures. I will be seeking however to gain some measure of mastery over my physical and spiritual well being. As I say this, I think of Paul's words: "No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  His stated intent here is to limit, completely the physical body's interference with his spiritual well being and public testimony. Meanwhile I will keep regularly pressing "toward the goal" and getting back up when I fall down.