Presenting: A running tour of my favorite city

I love Pittsburgh.  But I love a lot of things: like my window AC unit, hummus, and 48 Hours Mystery.  The thing is, few things make me come alive like Pittsburgh does.

Have you ever had a moment where Heaven felt really close?  I can remember a couple of times that were particularly like that.  My weeks spent in Kenya felt like that.  Of course, Heaven doesn't move, but sometimes there are places and scenarios that just make it feel more tangible.

Lately, as I've been running through the city streets of Pittsburgh--exploring new routes to the soundtrack of passing cars and pedestrians and always letting myself stop to talk to cute kids or take in the scenery--it has felt as if Heaven is closer.  It probably has something to do with endorphins.  But I think it also has something to do with the new heavens and new earth.  God's Word tells us Heaven will be a city--a "new Jerusalem" (Revelation 21).  Something in the buildings--enormous structures built from the ground up--and the people and the activity replicates Heaven.

I took my phone with me while I ran today so I could take pictures of the city that is teaching me about my inheritance.  The Lord whispered verse after verse to me as I ran and simply took life in.  I soooo hope this is what Heaven is like--sure feels like it!  Enjoy the view!...

Yesterday these fountains were filled with TONS of cute kids keeping cool!

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3)

That's my point (see what I did there?)

"There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God" (Psalm 46:4)

One of my fave views from anywhere in the city!

"He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)

"Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:39)

Almost home!

#LEGGO

"If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20)

"But they who wait for the Lord will renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they will walk not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)