The Night Runner

Running..Who's in? I am happily amazed by the trend of Running that is taking over the world and even happier to see it happening back home, on the busy streets of Cairo, with groups like Cairo Runners having 147,000 followers on their facebook page and "actually" thousands running..not just following on FB. For me, I am the Night-time runner type..I just like the silent streets, the glowing light bulbs and the release it brings you after a stressed day at work. To my surprise, I found out that Night running is becoming THE trend with its runners tripling around the globe in the last couple of years!

One can not hide the risk of running on dark streets where visibility can put your safety at risk! That's why clever and adaptive companies like Nike and Asics created a whole line of sports wear for city night running...they have added to the shorts, t-shirts and shoes a strip of Retro-reflective (this silver strip) material that bounces the light back to its source making you visible to the cars on the dark asphalt jungle you are running through. Brilliant "shiny" idea!

Made me think about you and I when Jesus called us to be Light of the World! Wow!

“You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14, 16 ERV)
أنتُمْ نورُ العالَمِ. لا يُمكِنُ أنْ تُخفَى مدينةٌ مَوْضوعَةٌ علَى جَبَلٍ، فليُضِئْ نورُكُمْ هكذا قُدّامَ الناسِ، لكَيْ يَرَوْا أعمالكُمُ الحَسَنَةَ، ويُمَجِّدوا أباكُمُ الّذي في السماواتِ. (مَتَّى 5:14, 16 AVDDV)

Midst the darkness surrounding you, YOU are called to be the Light..in fact, just as the retro-reflective clothing shines in the dark..we are called to shine back the Light of our Lord, the source of all Light..the One who said with full authority I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (John 8:12). If we stick to Him, seek His Holy Spirit, we shall be the Light, reflecting back the image of our Heavenly Father!

Put on your Running shoes of Faith and Shine back His Light my friends!

And we shall call HIM...

Long before knowing they will get a child, all couples during their romantic "tête a tête" discussions talk about the possible names of their baby..some (may be few) have a clear agreement and some keep fighting till reaching the moment of "shehadet el milad"! There are lots of theories about the names, whether we should keep the tradition of naming the boy as His grandfather (3ala esm geddo..da selw baladna) so you end up with youssef magdy youssef (zats my case at least!) or the name can be something trendy. In Spain for example, i met lots of Kevin Jose and wondered how this names reached them..guess what..it was based on Kevin Costner of Bold and Beautiful beta3 zaman! I Remember when we knew we are getting twins, we went into a mental block..we only had one name in mind..now it was time to think about something matching..ya3ni another discussion, hat we khod, negotiations tactics we keda :-)

This was not the case for our Virgin Mary and Joseph..they didn't go through that discussion..because that Baby was Named from Above. His name meant His mission, it showed what His life is to be lived for.
فستَلِدُ ابنًا وتدعو اسمَهُ يَسوعَ. لأنَّهُ يُخَلِّصُ شَعبَهُ مِنْ خطاياهُمْ». (مَتَّى 1:21 AVDDV)

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 ESV)
I started reading more about the name, found out that Jesus mission of saving and redeeming was the core of the announcement of His coming. Announced as a Savior is all over the Nativity scenes..from the Angel who told the shepherds 
“Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a SAVIOR was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10, 11) 

up to Simeon who proclaimed with the spirit when he took the baby Jesus in his arms and thanked God: 
“Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said. I have seen with my own eyes how you will SAVE your people. Now all people can see your plan. (Luke 2:28-31)!

Only then I saw a new perspective to Christmas...i saw a celebration of God's eternal love, a celebration of sacrifice, a celebration leading to the cross...starting from the name "Jesus"!

Let us rejoice the Real Gift of Christmas..The gift of a loving Salvation!

Communicate!

I have been watching the way we bring up our kids and noticed that it is all about Communication! Yes, even if they are 6 years old, we need to communicate to educate. I like it when Aline wants to give them a message, lesson of life, behavior or attitude, she just takes them aside, away from people, and have a face to face conversation grabbing their full attention. While our comments told to them when they're busy eating, watching tv or playing don't settle there or simply not taken seriously..too much distraction around them. They need to be fully attentive in a direct one to one conversation when they need to know how to act and behave. I guess you all do the same with your kids! Equally in corporate world, going into a new year and new objective setting phase, we look forward to sit with our manager, communicate face to face and start planning the year, set the goals to achieve and what attitudes or competency we need to develop. If you set your own targets alone without your boss..you might be doing what is not needed of you, end up being useless or even a burden to your company! To add value aligned to the bigger plan, you need to KNOW YOUR ROLE, DO IT and fulfill your purpose.

With 2014 about to start in few hours, I know that lots of you are preparing your famous New year's resolution, putting the goals and objectives of your personal life in 2014. When thinking about spirituality resolution, many face the same question "but i dont know what God wants from me throughout this new year? I am puzzled..what do you think i need to do?" My first question back is "At work, do you just wait until year end to sit with your boss and set your goals of 2014' or you dedicate the time needed and align early in the year? Same with God, did you sit with Him one to one meetings (personal praying hour) to read His emails (His Words), seek His Guidance and Coaching (through the Holy Spirit), and align your vision to the company's vision (God's Will in your life). Like at work where each has a role and purpose, God created YOU for a purpose to fulfill through your life"

So dear friends, if I have one thing To seek doing in 2014 it is to continue with all seriousness my One to One time with my Heavenly Father. These moments that opened my eyes for what I am doing now, and for sharing with you my thoughts about His Running Hugs, His daily gifts, His Coaching and much more! Before complaining that 2014 went fast as 2013...no changes..ma7alak ser..Do something different..because if you do what you did, you ll get what you got! Decide that it will be the year of Communication..the year you will not only know about God..but Know God..and His purpose through you..He is waiting for you every morning!

Even Jesus was connecting daily with His Father and the Holy spirit through Early rising prayer:

وفي الصُّبحِ باكِرًا جِدًّا قامَ وخرجَ ومَضَى إلَى مَوْضِعٍ خلاءٍ، وكانَ يُصَلّي هناكَ، (مَرقُسَ 1:35 AVDDV)

The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. (Mark 1:35 ERV)
Make 2014 a year of change..and start by your Hourly meeting...Just give Him a chance..a week, you ll be amazed...just 30 minutes at the beginning of your day..but doing with passion, hunger seeking change and impact..seeking a connection..a relationship!

Come on...join the Early Risers team! Are you in?
Have a blessed Communicative 2014 my friends!

Santa's Gifts...Everyday!

Since the beginning of December, my daughters have been preparing and reviewing their gifts wish list daily to be sent to Santa Claus..yes, we even have a template letter for that! They have been talking about their wish gift, it became a daily routine, specially the last week before Christmas, imagining what they will do with this toy, this puzzle, or this painting board...they dream it, live it, visualize it and want it more and more. And here comes the day, the gifts under the tree, thanks Santa ;). Naturally during the following two weeks, all they want to do is play with it, talk about it, show it to friends, but sooner than later, these gifts become no longer new and by time...they join the rest of "last years" gifts and become part of the normal play room pieces!

Dont think to yourself that it is only لعب عيال dont blame the kids, we adults are no different, except that our gifts might be much much more expensive...think of how much you were excited about your new car, or the long hours you spent discovering your new phone, or putting on this new bag, pair of shoes or clothing..it all stayed Super Valuable until the car lost its new smell, the phone became an old model or the piece you are wearing is just out of fashion. Simply The gift lost the joy, the excitment, the value it used to give you on its first couple of weeks! It is the natural value-diminishing fact of life!

Thought to myself There must be something different...something lasting..specially when we talk about the divine joy we should receive from Above! I am seeking a gift, a relation, a joy that doesnt follow our earthly depreciating value...i know that God, the abundant source of all offers us something different..something that stays NEW and yes, I just realize that knowing Him and enjoying His daily Blessings is THE loving gift we should accept with open arms!

As written in Lamentations, God's blessing is NEW EVERY DAY...yes, the value does not diminish..it stays NEW:

إنَّهُ مِنْ إحساناتِ الرَّبِّ أنَّنا لَمْ نَفنَ، لأنَّ مَراحِمَهُ لا تزولُ. هي جديدَةٌ في كُلِّ صباحٍ. كثيرَةٌ أمانَتُكَ. (مَراثي إرميا 3:22, 23 AVDDV)

We are still alive because the Lord’S faithful love never ends. Every morning he shows it in new ways! You are so very true and loyal! (Lamentations 3:22, 23 ERV)
Dear Lord, How great is your Gift to us...a New Love every day...new blessings every morning..with every sun shine...I had enough depending on temporary joy, short living value that fades away by time..I want this love..And I will seek my morning time with you and unwrap this new gift Every day and i ll thank you for the divine joy it brings! In Jesus name, Amen.

Just try it..and Unwrap the gift my friends..EVERYDAY!