Cross training

train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Yesterday I told you about my physical training, but there is something I am doing that is even better for me than running.  While I  work out, I am also memorizing.   I have NEVER been good at memorizing scripture.  The references always messed me up.  I know enough key words to find the verses I want on Biblegateway.com, but that's all.  I knew I needed to do better.  When Martin and Gracia Burnham were kidnapped in the Philippines they encouraged each other with scripture they had memorized.  What if that happened to me?  Would I know enough to get me through?    Then a couple of weeks ago I heard a speaker who quoted long passages of scripture (not individual verses).  It was so refreshing to hear the Bible spoken rather than read.  So I tried it.  I started with Psalm 139.   I kept at it until I could say all 24 verses.  I was still working on it on Anna's birthday.  When I was tempted to be sad that day, I kept memorizing. Hiding that scripture in my heart has been my best defense against fear, sadness, and worry.  (You can't worry and recite at the same time.)  And having those words in my heart will be my best offense.  
Now I am working on the first five verses of Psalm 40 and I have a list of other passages (lots of verses, but only one reference) I want to memorize.
So I will continue to work out physically AND spiritually ("Cross" + training) because it has value for this present life and the life to come!

O LORD, you have searched me
       and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;
       you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
       you are familiar with all my ways.
 Before a word is on my tongue
       you know it completely, O LORD.
 You hem me in—behind and before;
       you have laid your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
       too lofty for me to attain.
 Where can I go from your Spirit?
       Where can I flee from your presence?
 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
       if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
       if I settle on the far side of the sea,
 even there your hand will guide me,
       your right hand will hold me fast.
 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
       and the light become night around me,"
 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
       the night will shine like the day,
       for darkness is as light to you.
 For you created my inmost being;
       you knit me together in my mother's womb.
 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
       your works are wonderful,
       I know that full well.
 My frame was not hidden from you
       when I was made in the secret place.
       When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
 your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.
 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
       How vast is the sum of them!
 Were I to count them,
       they would outnumber the grains of sand.
       When I awake,
       I am still with you.
 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
       Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!
 They speak of you with evil intent;
       your adversaries misuse your name.
 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
       and abhor those who rise up against you?
 I have nothing but hatred for them;
       I count them my enemies.
 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
       test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 See if there is any offensive way in me,
       and lead me in the way everlasting.