Sunday, January 31, 2016

A good man

"When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord." Acts 11:23, 24


The Badwater ultramarathon is a 135-mile run from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney held in the heat of summer. To even be considered for entry, a runner must have completed at least three 100-mile races in the past. This year, however, the application for acceptance included this question, "What percentage of your athletic peers would say that you are a good human being?" Race organizers explained that they want "good people to fill the 100-person field." What is that supposed to mean anyway? What exactly is a 'good' man or woman?

Dictionary.com defines a good man as one who is: morally excellent or righteous. And while the bible tells us that there is no one righteous or perfect, it does tell us of a good man we would be wise to imitate. Upon his visit to Antioch, Barnabus, Paul's companion, was described as "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith." Why was he good though? He was good because of his solid and unwavering belief in the Lord. Because of that strong faith, the Holy Spirit filled Barnabus completely allowing God to do great things through him. It's no wonder he was described as good then. 

By allowing the Spirit to guide him, "he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true..." and by his obedience, "many people were brought to the Lord." It's definitely a 'good' thing to be Spirit filled then isn't it? May that be the way you and I are defined each and every day!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that fills us with your presence. May we surrender ourselves so completely to you that we could, in turn, be filled completely by the Spirit. Fill us with the joy only you can bring that we might pass that encouragement on to everyone we meet. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Holy Spirit - Francesca Bastistelli


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Thursday, January 28, 2016

Spend it wisely

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. " Ephesians 5:15, 16


Would you agree with me that if a person really wants something, they will lay aside those things they view as less important to pursue the thing they really want? 1 Timothy 4:8 clearly tells us that physical training is of value and spiritual training is of even greater value. That means these things are important! But the number one reason people give why they can't exercise or spend time in the Word is that they just don't have the time. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to admit that we just don't make the time? Not for that anyway.

When it comes to our use of time, scripture gives us this warning, "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time..." Consider this, according to Nielsen's Total Audience Report, Americans aged 18 and older spend more than 11 hours a day watching TV, listening to the radio or using electronic devices. Doesn't leave much time for exercise or bible study does it?

So how do we best use our time then?  John C. Maxwell sums it up this way, "People who use time wisely spend it on activities that advance their overall purpose in life." Our purpose my friends is simple... to glorify God in our actions, words and deeds. Pursue that and you will find you have more time than ever before. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us even when we put things before you. Help us to rekindle our love, passion and yearning for you and your word that it might be the thing we pursue before all else. May we lay aside those things keeping us from viewing you as most important. And may we then use that time best by training our bodies, minds and hearts to grow stronger in you. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Just to be with You - Third Day

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Have plans?

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:9




Patrick O’Neill and Matthew Dore are regulars in a predawn running group in Buffalo, New York. The group can be as large as eight but, on January 18th, because it was just the two of them they got to choose the distance, five miles or six? With what O'Neill described as a "verbal flip of the coin" they chose six. That split- second choice and the route it took them led them right to a burning house where their actions saved the three residents sleeping inside oblivious to the danger. Wow, talk about your morning not turning out the way you had planned.

As Christians, we should never be surprised when our "plans" don't turn out how we think they should. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." You see we can prepare and arrange our schedules every day, marking off a time for this and for that but God, and God alone, will mark the path that our feet will follow. That split-second choice was no coincidence but a part of God's wonderful plan.

So today, if you find the day you "planned" is not going as planned, look around. It just may be that God has penciled in a divine appointment. Won't you follow where He is leading?

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that our plans are futile when you have a different course for us to take. May we keep our eyes on you and allow you to initiate our steps and the direction they should lead. And may those each one of those steps bring you glory. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

 Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Lauren Daigle - I will trust in You

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/with-a-split-second-decision-morning-runners-help-save-three-lives
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Monday, January 25, 2016

Get some rest

"I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety,for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side." Psalm 3:5-6


As Winter Storm Jonas began to bring down more than two feet of snow along the East Coast last week, many people panicked. The long lines and empty shelves at the grocery stores showed a community fearing the worst. So when I messaged one of my Christian brothers from Virginia to see if he and the family were okay, I couldn't help but smile at his response, "They're calling for up to 3 feet. Fortunately, we have a treadmill in the basement." He wasn't looking at the storm surrounding him on every side--no, he was looking at the One watching over him. 

King David wrote about this perfect peace when he said, "I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side." From a human standpoint, David had everything to fear. In fact, he should have been so afraid and worried that sleep would have been impossible. But the bible tells us that he did indeed sleep knowing that the LORD was watching over him. And true to God's promise, David woke up in safety. 

It's no surprise that Prevention Magazine lists worry as the number one cause of insomnia, a condition many of us suffer from. But there is no need to worry if you will, like David, look not at the things surrounding you but at the One watching over you. Now go get some rest. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your promise of protection, a promise that tells us that you will be watching over us. Even if ten thousand enemies or ten worrisome thoughts surround us, may we sleep in peace knowing that we will wake up in safety. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!


No longer slaves - Jonathon David and Melissa Helser


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Saturday, January 23, 2016

Can't justify it

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”" Genesis 3:12,13


As I served my husband his morning coffee yesterday I said, "You know you really should thank me. If I didn't run, you would have nothing to drink your coffee out of." We both laughed as he lifted the St. Louis Marathon mug to his lips knowing our cabinet contained many more of them from various other races. Any way to justify my races I thought (as if I needed a reason). But when it comes to our sin, isn't that what you and I try to do? Try and justify it by explaining it away, blaming someone else or giving a reason why "it's not that bad"?

It didn't take long for mankind to begin this justification cycle either. In fact, the third chapter of Genesis records the first of many. When God asked Adam whether he had eaten the forbidden fruit, Adam blamed his actions on Eve saying, "she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then when he questioned Eve, she tried to explain away her actions by saying, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." They knew they were wrong but rather than admit their guilt and ask for forgiveness, they tried to justify their sin. 

There is never a reason to sin no matter how we try to explain it away, rationalize it to ourselves or keep it hidden from others. God knew the moment Adam and Eve sinned and he sees even those things done in the dark. So today, if there's some sin that you may be struggling with, may we humble ourselves before the Lord, admit that we are wrong and ask for forgiveness. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word that tells us exactly what is right and wrong and for your Holy Spirit that leads us to do your will and convicts us when we stray. Help us to admit when we have sinned Lord rather than make excuses for it and to ask for forgiveness that there might be nothing between us. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Holding nothing back - Ryan Stevenson
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Thursday, January 21, 2016

Turn around

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord," Acts 3:19



Aaron Yoder, the track coach at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, recently broke the Guiness World Record for the fastest mile run backwards. On November 23, Yoder, 30, crossed the finish line faster than most of us can run a mile forward in 5:54:25. When asked what motivated him to do this, he said, "I was getting so frustrated with forward running, so the goal with this was to get into the books and establish myself as a backwards runner”. In other words, he needed a change of direction.

Wouldn't you agree that there are many people today, frustrated at the course their life has taken, that need a change of direction too? And wouldn't it be wonderful if you and I had the ability to go backwards and change things? To make those things we did wrong right? While doing that isn't possible, it is possible to have those wrongs forgiven so we can move forward with our lives free from guilt and condemnation though. The bible tells us how when it instructs us to, "Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." 

When we turn from our sins God not only promises to blot them out as if they never happened but gives us spiritual renewal as well. So if you're going in the wrong direction today, turn around! There's no sin worth holding on to that can compare with what God is offering. 

Heavenly Father thank you for loving us so much that you would forgive us from our sins, those big and small and the ones we feel could never be forgiven for. Help us to believe that promise, repent and claim it as we make the choice today to move forward following you. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Turn Around - Matt Maher




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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Necessary training

"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. " 2 Timothy 4:2

St. Joseph's Cathedral

The Rev. Michael Allelo set two PRs at the Louisiana Marathon on Sunday: a 4:03:28 for the actual race and an even more impressive 27-minute mass that began an hour before he ran his 26.2 miles. Even more impressive still was that about 800 runners sporting bibs and running shoes attended the 26.2 minute service watching as the race clock counted down. Alello, with his own running attire under his vestments, said that he wanted to offer runners a place to gather and pray and said that, “My hope would be that other churches in downtown areas or near starts see this as an opportunity to reach out and minister to folks who are coming to run from all over."

Talking about being ready in more ways than one. Not only was he ready physically, having put in the necessary training, he was ready spiritually, having put in the necessary training. The bible tells us that we too should always be ready to "preach the word..in season and out of season". With every new day, we should be looking for opportunities and ways to reach the lost whether we are close to a starting line or in a remote town. We should be ready to take a stand for Christ wherever we are knowing with certainty what we believe and why.

Look around. There are probably many opportunities in your neighborhood alone to share Christ. But remember my friends, in order to "preach the word" we have to know the Word. And that's necessary training that should be our priority each and every day. Are you ready?

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would give us your Word that we might know you better. As we read it daily, help us to retain the knowledge of what we believe and why so well that we are always ready, in season and out of season to preach the word. Help us at every opportunity to reach out to others. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Messengers - Lecrae


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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Tame the tongue

"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:6-8


As I cautiously neared the intersection on my morning run, a speeding car approached. The driver, attempting to turn right quickly, only looked to her left before proceeding to pull out oblivious to the stop sign in front of her and anything else in her path. At the top of my lungs I yelled. "Lady stop! Stop!" By God's grace, this caught her attention in time to avoid hitting me. With my adrenaline now on high, that word came out.. that S word that always seems to pop up when I get scared or surprised. Unfortunately that word was not super either. As I calmed down, I chastised myself for once again letting my tongue utter something it shouldn't. 

The tongue can certainly get us in trouble can't it? The bible describes it "as a fire, a world of evil among the body parts" with the ability to corrupt the whole body. And while we have the ability to tame all kinds of animals, "no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." As much as you and I try, we cannot control our tongues for very long. But there is One who can help us if we stay close and filled with his presence. That One is the Holy Spirit who lives inside every believer and serves to... convict us of our sin, prompt us to repent of our sin and urge us to pray that we would not repeat our sin.

In our pursuit to tame our tongue today and every day, may we make it a priority to feast on the Word and become so filled with the Spirit that we can declare we are filled to the brim! 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit that serves as a guide to follow you but also convicts us when we have sinned against you. Help us to grow closer to you each and every day that we might be so Spirit filled that our lips would never mutter anything they shouldn't. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!



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Monday, January 18, 2016

Too cold?

"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved" Matthew 24:12,13




The windchill was ten below zero at the start of my morning run yesterday. I'll tell you that's cold enough to freeze a person's eyelashes. While some of my smarter running partners opted for the treadmill, it made me wonder, is it ever too cold to run outside? And just how cold is too cold anyway? According to the experts at Competitor Magazine, it's generally safe to run outdoors until the thermometer reaches a bone-chilling 18 degrees below zero. They went on to say that, making sure you dress for the weather is “one of the biggest things. You should wear layers, particularly layers that stay dry. Once clothes get wet they can freeze and become dangerous for an athlete.

The bible also advises us of the dangers of being cold when it gives us this warning, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,". Sadly, that increase is everywhere we look-- from TV to Twitter, sin is on display and being promoted. There is no wrong or right, only what makes a person happy. The lifestyles and habits the bible teaches us are wrong are now the very same ones the world teaches us we should tolerate. This sin cools our love for God as it begs us to put ourselves and our wants first, before Him and before others, thus loosening our morals and our "firm stand". 

Friends, we can not allow even one hint of wickedness into our lives. Each compromise has the ability to cool our hearts bit by bit until we too find ourselves "cold". Don't let that be you for, "the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the bible to guide us. Your Word clearly shows us what is right and wrong with never a gray area. May we daily search it, using it to strengthen our knowledge and faith that we might not grow even one degree cooler. May we burn for you Lord that others might see you and come to know you that they too might stand firm and be saved. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Light the fire again - Brian Doerksen



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Sunday, January 17, 2016

The desire

"And He was saying to all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and let him take up his cross every day, and let him follow Me." Luke 9:23 BLB



On Friday, Ryan Hall, an outspoken Christian and considered the fastest American marathoner, announced his retirement from professional running. Although he had many coaches throughout his career, famed coach Jack Daniels "has known Hall since high school and has served as a consistent sounding board for him." When asked what accounted for Hall's success, he said this, " He has the perfect body for distance running and he had the desire to do it." He went on to say that, "With those two things, you’re going to go a long way." 

When it comes to going a long way and achieving success in our walk with Christ, the same two things are needed.... the perfect body and the desire. Since Psalm 139:14 tells us that we all "are fearfully and wonderfully made", you and I clearly have the perfect body to deny ourselves, take up our crosses and follow Him. But the question is, do we have the desire? Jesus tells us that, "If anyone desires to come after Me... let him follow me." In other words, the race to the cross starts with the desire to enter it. 

Perhaps today you've lost your desire to take up your cross? To follow Jesus? Or maybe it has been replaced by the desires of the world? If you answered yes, it's desperate time for a heart check my friend because, as George Bernard Shaw once wrote, "There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to gain it." What's your desire today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us even when we don't follow you the way that we should. Help us to renew our desire and commitment to daily deny ourselves and take up the cross. Lord, help us to purge any desire not in line with your's out of our hearts, minds and lives. May nothing come between us as we run to you each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Yearn - Shane and Shane
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Thursday, January 14, 2016

The winnings

"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time." 1 Timothy 2:5-6



The morning news yesterday confirmed what I had already expected. I had not won the largest lottery in history and gone were my dreams of paid race entries for life and ending world hunger. Darn. I was even going to buy a tour bus and bring all my friends. While a tad bit disappointed, I couldn't help but smile knowing I was already rich. You see, I know that I have things money can't buy. I have good health, joy, amazing friends, a loving family and the best thing ever... knowledge that the largest debt I ever owed and could never repay has already been paid in full.

1 Timothy 2:6 tells us that Jesus, "gave himself as a ransom for all people." Consider this then, a ransom is a sum of money or other payment demanded or paid for the release of a prisoner. The ransom demanded to set us free was not "a sum of money" but "other payment", the blood of a perfect sacrifice, to be the "one mediator between God and mankind.." Jesus was that perfect sacrifice, that "payment demanded" and the only payment that would be accepted. He did it all for the release of a prisoner and that prisoner was you and me! We have been set free my friend.

I hope that you believe that today. It means we are richer than any past, present or future lottery winner will ever be. Let us today celebrate our winnings!!

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son Jesus to pay a debt that he didn't owe, one we could never pay ourselves, and one that demanded he give his life as a ransom to set us free. Oh Lord, help us to realize just how rich we truly are. We have something that no amount of money could ever purchase, freedom through Christ and eternal life. We thank you and pray this in your precious name, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

He paid it all - Brandon Heath
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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Treasure worth seeking

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13


When one of my dearest friends recently missed the Boston Qualifying goal time he had set for himself by mere minutes, I was glad to see that he was going to try again. Not only was he going to try again but he was seeking it with a renewed and relentless passion, even switching training plans and increasing mileage. While I have no doubt that his tireless efforts will soon pay off, his actions served as a reminder that this same method should be our approach in our pursuit of knowing God.

This is not a half-hearted effort my friends. It is indeed an all out pursuit. It is laying aside anything that might stand in the way of knowing him, seeking him day and night just as we would pursue treasure. The modern definition of seek is to attempt to find something. But to seek "with all your heart" means much more...It's seeking with absolutely no thought of stopping until that thing being searched for is found. It's saying I will not attempt to find my Lord, I will find my Lord. And when you and I do that, God gives us this promise, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Isn't it amazing to know that the greatest treasure that we can ever have is ours for the taking if we will only seek it with our whole hearts? It can be frustrating when we don't find what we are searching for immediately but in the words of W.E. Hickson, "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again." I promise the search is worth it. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for promising to reveal yourself to all those that will seek you with their whole heart. Give us patience, wisdom and strength to continue seeking you until we we have found you. You are treasure worth seeking more than anything else in the world. May that goal consume us each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

The more I seek you - Kari Jobe

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Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Outrun your genes

"For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5


In an article recently published in Runner's World titled, "You Can Outrun Your Genes", it was surmised that, although DNA (specifically inheriting the FTO gene) certainly influences our risk of whether you and I will become obese, just one hour of running a week can greatly decrease that risk. The researchers concluded the study by saying, "although more research on genetics and exercise is needed, the latest research proves that family history and genes don’t need to be an excuse for obesity... The bottom line: you can use lifestyle factors like physical activity to fight your genetic risk."

Sadly, since DNA is inherited from our parents, we have no power over those characteristics we will be born with. David knew this when he wrote, "For I was born a sinner--yes, from the moment my mother conceived me." David inherited sin from his parents (think Adam as the original parent) just as we all do. But that should never be an excuse for our behavior--because in the same way our genetic risk to obesity can be fought with lifestyle changes such as running, our spiritual genetic risk to sin can also be battled by running... assuming we are willing to follow the advice of Paul and "run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts" and to, "Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace..." (2 Timothy 2:22)

Hallelujah! Another reason to run. May you and I exercise daily as we run from sin and pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love and peace.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would outline the most wonderful fitness program we could ever embark on to keep ourselves spiritually healthy. We realize we were born sinners but may we never use that as an excuse to keep on sinning as if we have no control over our actions. Help us to recognize and run from any and all sin Lord. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

The slam - Toby Mac

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Monday, January 11, 2016

Choose them wisely

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16



In a rush to prepare breakfast, get the kids ready for school, feed the dogs, make the bed and then layer up in my 23 layers of clothes for my cold morning run yesterday, let's just say I was a little snappy with my daughter. Actually I was worse than that- I was impatient in my actions and unkind in my words as I chided her for being late and unorganized once again. Boy was that ever calling the kettle black I later thought. As conviction and deep sadness overcame me on our ride to school, I apologized to her, making no excuses for my actions, and asked for her forgiveness.

The truth is though, no matter how much you and I desire to follow Christ, we are still flesh. We will say and do hurtful things from time to time. And when we do, it's important to act immediately by doing what God commands in James 5:16, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." You see, words hurt. Though they leave no outward scars, they can sting for a lifetime.

So today, and every day, may you and I choose our words wisely. Because as Jodi Picoult once said, "Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than ignore the mess they leave when they fall."

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us when we are totally unlovable in our actions and speech. Thank you for convicting us when we do and say things that we should not and help us to say the words, "I'm sorry" as often as we should followed by "I love you" just as often. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Words - Hawk Nelson
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Sunday, January 10, 2016

Ashes for Beauty

"and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3


Winter morning, snow, trees, road, sunrise wallpaper 1920x1200


What a difference a day makes. Wow, I've heard that statement many times but never saw it hold so true as it did Saturday morning. The dead, dormant trees and landscape that I had witnessed only a day before had overnight been transformed and restored into a work of beauty. At God's order to open the clouds of heaven and allow the snow to fall, Creation's loveliness had once again been revealed. Where there had been brown leafless branches, seemingly stripped of all life at nightfall, there was now what the morning revealed... a glorious coating of snow that glistened and crackled in the bright rising sun. And as I ran down the country road nearest my house, cold as the day was, I had to smile remembering that God can restore all things, even those things you and I believe to be lifeless. 

In Isaiah 61:3 we are shown a picture of how God can restore and transform us as well by promising to replace our ashes (our sorrow and regret) with a crown of beauty, our mourning with joy and our despair with a garment of praise. And best of all, he promises that, like the great oaks that I had seen transformed into a thing of beauty overnight, we too can be transformed as quickly (by forgiveness) to be "called oaks of righteousness" and to be a "display of his splendor".

If you believe that today (and I hope you do), you can proclaim, in the words of Crystal Lewis, "I've been made righteous in His sight. A display of His splendor all can see. He gives beauty for ashes." What a difference a day can truly make! Won't you let God take your ashes and replace them with a crown of beauty today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for your promises of restoration to those that are repentant, grieving, mourning and in despair. Where sin and it's consequences have left ugliness behind, you have left beauty in it's place transforming us into something better than before. Like the great oaks that have been planted for your glory, may we be rooted in you and forever grateful to wear a crown of beauty displaying it for all to see. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Beauty for Ashes - Crystal Lewis
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Thursday, January 7, 2016

This is the day!

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24


What a perfect day it was yesterday for running. With an unseasonable morning temperature of 43 degrees, I was smiling and singing the whole time. So when I passed an older lady walking her dog, I couldn't help but remark that the day was certainly a lovely one to be outside to which she responded, "We're going to have to pay for it. Come Saturday there will be snow." Oh my, whatever happened to living in the moment and just enjoying the present?

Unfortunately that's an attitude that many Christians adopt as well though--so focused on what the future might bring that they fail to enjoy the present for what it is, a gift from God. There's a reason that the bible tells us in Psalm 118:24 that, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." It doesn't say rejoice about yesterday or rejoice about tomorrow. No... this, this today, this here and this right now is what God wants us to rejoice in. To appreciate and acknowledge the good things he has given us and his presence in our lives at this very moment.

This very day that the Lord has given you will soon be your yesterday. Will you look back on it and smile at how you used it or regret that it was spent preparing for the tomorrow that is now today? So come on, while it is still this day, let's you and I rejoice and be happy!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of today and every single today you have chosen to bless us with before. May we use this day to love others as you have called us to. May we be so grateful for this gift that we enjoy it no matter the weather or what we fear tomorrow may hold. Praise you Lord for this day! We will rejoice and be glad in it. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Happy - Pharrell Williams
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Wednesday, January 6, 2016

First place

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33


In my early twenties, I frequented a gym that had personal trainers on staff and available to answer questions at any time. Seeking out the oldest one there, who I was absolutely sure had to be the smartest, I asked him whether it would be better for me to run or lift weights first. I will never forget his response as he smiled and said, "Do the one you love the most first because that will be the one you do the best."  And when it comes to seeking and serving Christ while balancing work, family and the activities of this world, that same principle still applies... choose first what you love most.

Matthew 6:33 commands us to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Why seek Him first? Because God is worthy to receive the best of us... our time, energy and praise, before the world and the pressures of the day tire us out. It's when we seek him first that everything else falls into place.

What do you find yourself choosing first each day and giving your best to? In the words of Lauren Daigle, may we begin each day by saying to the Lord, "You are my treasure and my reward. Let nothing ever come before I seek You. First."

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us even when we seem to love the world more. May we start today putting you first, waking with praise on our lips, gratefulness in our hearts and a renewed commitment to serve you. Oh Lord that we might put you first showing that we indeed love you the most. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org
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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Don't pack it away

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23




As I ran through the streets of my small town yesterday, I was saddened to see that the festive wreaths, lights and nativity scenes had almost all been packed away. Sadder still was the thought that, for many, packing those things away also meant putting away the Spirit of Christmas, the love and joy of the season that even self declared scrooges had displayed. What a reminder though that, as followers of Christ and despite the season, we should be displaying the Spirit all year round for all to see.

Charles Dickens certainly thought so too when he wrote, "I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year." Keeping the spirit of Christmas is done by praising the Lord and living a Holy-Spirit filled life every day as we allow Christ to rule in our hearts and lives. By doing that we can't help but exhibit the character traits of Jesus--the fruits of the Spirit that Galatians 5:22, 23 tells us are "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." 

So even after packing away the signs of Christmas, may we honor it in our hearts and try to keep it all year. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the feelings of love, joy and peace that Christmas brings. As followers of you, may we exhibit the Spirit year round as we continue to daily celebrate your presence in our lives and the priceless gift of forgiveness that you have given us. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
 
The fruit of the Spirit - Go Fish
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Monday, January 4, 2016

Brighten the day

"Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." Psalm 130:7


"Here we were having this little unofficial thing, and they had signs out, ‘Welcome, runners.’ I think it gave them hope. It was a wonderful thing.” said Melissa Ossana. She was one of 50 runners that participated in the Marathon and Half Marathon without a name in the far-flung town of Millinocket, Maine, thrown together by some runners who had come to support a community left devastated by the closing of a massive paper mill. This unnamed race was unique in another way too, it was absolutely free. The only requirement for the runners was that they support local businesses and contribute in some way (by bringing food to share, for example).

Gary Allen, a runner and the race director, admitted that he couldn't fix all the problems in Millinocket but said, "I can certainly brighten things for a day.” He wanted to give hope to a community that seemed to have lost all hope. In Psalm 130:7, the psalmist, wanting to offer hope himself, wrote, "Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption." So confident and assured of the unchangeable love and absolution of his God, the psalmist wanted others to know the reason for his hope in the Lord, even in the darkest of circumstances.

We may not be able to fix all the problems in the world either but we can certainly brighten things for a day by sharing our reason for hope too. Wont you tell someone today about God's undying love?

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us hope in a world that can leave us without any. May we look for ways to share that hope with others that they might be encouraged and strengthened. And, by doing so, may we brighten the day for at least one person. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!


Crave - For King and Country



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Sunday, January 3, 2016

Nothing can separate us

"No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:39 NLT



I know this comes as no surprise but I love running. I love it so much that I actually crave it and will go to almost any extent to run a race. But there's something I crave even more than racing and that's worshiping the Creator, especially alongside my Christian brothers and sisters. So having missed church last week due to the flooding in our state, I was determined to get there yesterday. Unfortunately though, an accident involving a propane tanker carrying several thousand pounds of propane caused a complete shutdown of several miles of roadway, the road that led from my home to church.

After scanning the map and driving miles of muddy gravel roads on our "alternate route", my daughter and I made it without a moment to spare. As we rushed in, the band was just beginning to play as I heard these words, "No ocean no valley no mountain too high. No power on earth there's no distance too wide... nothing can ever separate us." The lyrics moved me to tears as I was immediately overwhelmed at the extent that God would go to be with me, even sending his only son down from Heaven. Whether I had made it to church or not, God was with me.

You see, God is not confined to a building nor is his love for us. In fact, the bible tells us that there is "nothing in all creation", not even a flood or an accident, that can ever separate us from the love of God. Isn't it awesome to know that we are forever united in love with Christ Jesus our Lord wherever we may be? I certainly think so. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for being such a loving and merciful God. You not only loved us at our worst but loved us enough to meet us there by sending your only Son to show us a love beyond comprehension. It is beyond comforting to know that nothing in all creation will ever separate us from your love. Oh thank you Lord for this most precious gift. Thank you! It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Nothing could ever separate us - Citizen Way
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