Exactly as planned

"The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it." Genesis 2:15 CSB

I had to laugh as I listened to my favorite radio announcer, who happens to be my favorite running buddy as well, explain on air last week how he made it into the Boston Marathon but his friend, Melissa Martinez, had missed the cutoff by ten seconds saying, "May we have a moment of silence in this matter." After laughing a little himself he then said, "She's totally okay with it though because she said God wants her somewhere else." 

And you know what? I am totally okay with it! Why? Because I know that God's plans are always better than mine, that He always has something better in store, and that He will put me in the exact spot to do the work He has prepared me in advance to do. How am I so certain? Consider what the Bible tells us about Adam, "The Lord God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it." He could have put Adam anywhere but he placed him in the exact spot, at the exact time, to perform the exact work He wanted him to do. 

So isn't it exciting to think that when our life isn't going "as planned" that God's perfect plan for our life is working itself out exactly "as planned"? That means that you and I can embrace those times when our plans are disrupted and look forward to the better ones ahead. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that your plans are always better than the ones we make for ourselves. Help us to remember that as servants of the Almighty, our life is not our own and neither are our plans. Help us then to joyfully surrender our will to yours. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Have it all - Bethel Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WPbs7N-E0Q

Pass on the knowledge

"And the Israelites served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him—those who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel... After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel." Judges 2:7,10 NLT

As a coach and longtime runner, it blesses me tremendously to pass on things I've learned to help younger runners 'finish the race'. So when one of the youngest members of our running group was preparing to pace his first marathon, I passed down everything I, myself, had learned about pacing (leading runners to finish in a set amount of time). Among the many things I told him were, "Write down your mile splits on a piece of paper, laminate it and tape it to your pacing stick. Keep your pace at all times as it is the runner's job to keep up with you not your job to slow down for them. Make it to the finish line within 90 seconds of your pacing time and not one second later. And most importantly, give God the glory." As I told him these things, passing on my knowledge to the next generation, I envisioned a kind of passing of the baton. 

And when it comes to passing the baton, consider that believers have been commanded from the beginning to pass down their knowledge of God to the next generation that they might walk also walk faithfully with the Lord. And also consider the immense repercussions of one generation failing to do that as described in the book of Judges, "the Israelites served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua... After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord." They had failed to pass the baton and had suffered the consequences of their actions!

So may you and I be diligent in passing down our love, knowledge and passion for the Lord that the next generation might take hold of it and, one day, pass the baton themselves. After all, life is a relay race in which we all have our turn. Don't drop the baton my friend. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that it is the job of every Christian to teach the next generation about You. May we take that command so seriously that we would continuously sing your praises and tell others about You and the things we have learned by studying the Word at every opportunity. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I will sing of my Redeemer - Selah

https://youtu.be/5mA8j81Xcu0

Two by two

"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go." Luke 10:1 NIV

Washington News Post recently reported that Wendy Martinez, 35, was fatally stabbed last week while running alone in D.C's Logan Circle Neighborhood. And while not much is known about what led to her death, two local running coaches say it's a reminder about the importance of running safety, specifically of the importance of running in a group or with someone else. "Running with other folks is an automatic  protective mechanism that allows people not only to feel safer, but they are actually safer. Even the most experienced runners have to keep safety in mind every time they head outside." 

And while some Christians might joke that the Christian life would be easy were it not for other people, a "solo Christian" is in danger. Not only are they more likely to be swayed by false doctrine, overcome by pride or attacked by the devil who preys on the weak and lonely, they lack the encouragement, wisdom and companionship a fellow believer can provide to spur them on. Knowing that we are much more effective and less vulnerable as part of a team, Jesus appointed seventy-two messengers "and sent them two by two" as an example for us to follow.

So resist the effort to walk the Christian life alone my friend. Even the most "experienced" Christian needs the safety of others. Find a group of believers that will not only help you grow, but will motivate you to be all that God has called you to be. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that there is safety in numbers. Help us to employ the biblical principle of working together as a team to accomplish more for the Kingdom. And I pray that the Martinez family would find comfort in You today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

We are Your Church - Celebration Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6Rgu_Wg4qU

God has a plan

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6 NLT

Jordan Hasay, America's second fastest female marathoner, was crushed when, midway into training for next weekend's Chicago Marathon, she got injured and had to take time off saying, "It is pretty devastating and unexpected. But I’ve been through a lot worse personally with my mom. (Hasay’s mother, Teresa, died in November 2016, at age 56.) In 2016, I was so bummed I didn’t make the Olympic team. But that was when I came home and decided I was going to move to the marathon. I got to spend some extra time with my mom when I would have been away in Rio, and I think about how those were her last couple of months. You don’t really know the reason until later sometimes, I definitely think there’s always a reason, and God’s got a plan."

God indeed has a plan for each one of us and that plan is to make us more like Him which He does through spiritual training. That spiritual training, or "good work within," started when we first believed and "will continue... until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." And while we may not always understand the reason we're faced with trials or heartache, like Paul, we can be absolutely "certain" that God will use them to conform us into His image. 

Knowing that God has a plan for us should then give us a new perspective on trials don't you think? Micheal Youssef says it like this, "Seeing life's trials as a blessing starts with having the right perspective. God's perspective. That perspective is this: God allows trials in your life to help you grow up...to mature you in Him. In other words, you will never grow in your walk with Christ without trials. God uses them to be your teacher and to make you into the person He wants you to be."

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we are never alone. You are always there working in our lives and orchestrating circumstances to helps us to grow and become more like You. When we don't understand Lord, help us to trust. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Remember - Lauren Daigle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9TE8D5Vs8k

The bogus claim

"Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good." Titus 1:16 NLT

Like thousands of other runners this month, J.D. Greening, a one-time candidate for the Washington State Legislature, submitted his qualifying marathon time to the Boston Marathon in hopes of being accepted into the iconic race. And with a time of 2:43:23 (well under the qualifying standard for his age and gender of 3:05:00), he seemed to be a shoe-in right? Wrong. While J.D. did actually cross the finish line at the race and time he avowed, he only ran the half marathon there prompting this headline, "Runner Lands on Boston Entry List With A Bogus Marathon Claim." To make matters worse, he even started a GoFundMe page asking for donations to cover his travel expenses. Makes you wonder how he thought he could get away with it. 

But you know, people make false claims all the time thinking they can get away with it. Sometimes they get caught and sometimes they don't. Some people even claim to be Christians but are not. Oh they might be able to fool those around them for a little while, but you can bet their lifestyle will eventually expose them. You see the Bible is very clear that, although some people will "claim they know God... they deny him by the way they live." And those people, Paul writes, "are detestable...disobedient" and "worthless for doing anything good." 

And since our behavior is the best indication of our faith to others, would you say the way you live supports your claim to know God? Or would others, by seeing the things you do and say, consider your claim bogus? The answer is very important my friend because it could either lead people to Christ or lead them away. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the way we live will most certainly expose what's in our hearts. If anyone claims to know You today but is not living that way, I pray today is the day they make the decision to dedicate their lives to You and allow You to ignite a fire within that brings about a true lifestyle change. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

Heaven on Earth - Stars Go Dim

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACNseBlpHJQ

Arranged meetings

"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear." Philippians 1:12-14 NIV

If you have ever prayed the prayer "use me" and meant it, you have probably found yourself in places or situations you wouldn't be in otherwise. As was the case for me. For the last three weeks (due to injury), I have been simulating my runs in a pool. And since it's very early in the morning, I am usually alone- except for when the maintenance man comes to quickly perform his daily checks. Having made only small talk with him in the time I had been there, I was on high alert when he actually sat down at one of the tables for nearly half an hour to read a letter. As he rose to leave, visibly shaken and near tears, I knew this was what I was there for and spoke up. And after listening to the man's story, I told him about a Father who loved him more than he could ever know and cared about what he was going through. So much, in fact, that he sent me to pray with him today. And then, taking his hand in mine, I began to speak, "Father God, thank you for arranging this meeting...." 

And while I would much rather have been pounding the pavement outside, I know that as a servant of the Most High, my life is not my own. Paul understood this as well. And knowing that God would put him where He needed him most, allowed himself to be used in the darkest of places. Consider this... when Paul was imprisoned, he was guarded by the infamous Praetorian Guard, the elite soldiers who guarded Caesar himself. Paul could never have gotten close enough to witness to these soldiers had the Lord not arranged it. And it was because he was "in chains" that Paul could write, "most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear." 

So if you find yourself in a situation or place that is totally out of your control today my friend, rejoice and look around. It could very well be that God is going to use you and this circumstance to "advance the gospel." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that many of the circumstances we find ourselves dreading and praying to get out of are the very ones You have orchestrated to reach the lost and hurting. Help us to stay joyful and patient in the midst of these trials that we might be used "to advance the gospel." It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I will go - Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP6L2J6MCoU

Practice what you preach

"'The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." Matthew 23:2,3

As I woke up early and settled in for Bible study before heading to the pool and then work, I was immediately struck by the words written in red. The very words that Jesus used to convict the Pharisees were the very same words that were now convicting me. You see, not only had I been personally training directly contrary to the way I advise other runners to train, with continuous high mileage weeks and no rest (leading to a hamstring strain and subsequent rehab), the Lord revealed that there were other areas in my life where I was not 'practicing what I preach' as well. Ouch. 

If we're honest though, most of us will admit telling people, especially our children, what they should do and then doing the opposite. Am I right? It might be something as small as commanding our kids to practice patience when we ourselves get irritated for being held up in the checkout line for more than five minutes. Or something as big as ordering people to obey important rules that we ourselves do not obey. Which is exactly what the Pharisees did, prompting Jesus to warn the people, "do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach."  

So knowing that we are Christ's ambassadors and representatives, the last thing we should want is for our actions to not match our convictions my friend. This will serve to not only ruin our witness and jeopardize our integrity but to turn others away from the Lord. And that's the last thing we ever want to do. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we preach more of a sermon with our actions than with our words. Help us to impact our children, our workplace and our world by being men and women of integrity who never compromise on our beliefs or do things contrary to what we teach others to do. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Let them see You - JJ Weeks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOg-1JjAdGk

The simple answer is love

"Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.'" Matthew 22:37-40

Happy to see that my friend had gotten accepted into the Boston Marathon this week, I reflected back to a conversation we had when he was trying to qualify. Knowing that I was not only a running coach but a runner who had been blessed to run this iconic race several times before, he asked me what the secret was to achieving a qualifying time to which I replied, "The simple answer is this.... you have to run a lot. And along with high mileage weeks, you have to add intermittent speed work." 

Speaking of simple answers, when the Pharisees asked Jesus what the greatest commandment in the law was, He answered the question in two sentences and in order of importance, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... Love your neighbor as yourself.'" He then explained that "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." In other words, when a person fulfills these two commands, they keep all the others. These two commands are the simple summary of the Ten Commandments and the other Old Testament moral laws. 

I don't know about you but I find it’s much easier knowing what to do than what not to do, wouldn’t you agree? So that means if you and I put all our energy into loving the Lord and loving others we will naturally keep the commandments. How's that for a simple answer?

Heavenly Father, thank You for making the commandments so simple to understand. May we meditate on this and focus on doing what is right rather than what we might be doing wrong. Help us to love others the same way Jesus did and to love You more than anything in the world. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Love the Lord - Lincoln Brewster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAbeFfsqLdc

A faithful finish

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." 2 Timothy 4:7 NLT

On September 8, 53-year-old Colonel Christopher J. Wilson, USAR retired, unexpectedly died 2.6 miles into the Marathon distance of the HawkHundred trail run at Clinton State Park in Lawrence, KS. And while his obituary listed his many accomplishments and acts of service to our country, including serving as a Military Police Officer for 33 years with several deployments and then serving in the Army Reserves and at the Pentagon, it also said that he was a devoted husband and father whose "passions were God, family, running, mountain climbing, supporting his fellow military, and enjoying life with those close to him."

And you know, even though Colonel Wilson's Garmin will forever read 2.6 miles indicating that he did not finish that race, it is clear that Christopher "finished the race." You see, when Paul said to Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful," he was telling him that he had served to the best of his ability and completed the course set before him. He had always kept God first, never wavering in his mission or his passion, and so was ready to cross the finish line into heaven.  

Truthfully, none of us know the length of the course God has set before us. It could be long and it could be short. But one thing is certain, the race will end for all of us one day. And on that day, it won't matter how much money we have in the bank, what fame we might have gained or possessions we might have acquired. The only thing that will matter is that we remained faithful and lived a life of service to the Lord my friend. Will you be able to say you had? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that at best our life is short and can be cut even shorter in an instant. Help us to grasp that the only thing that truly matters in this world is loving others, serving others and working to bring others to the foot of the Cross. Help us to put You first that this type of servanthood would be a manifestation of our love for You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Heaven Song - Phil Wickham

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qPZIs-AhAM

What it means to be great

"'Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'" Matthew 20:26-28

Eliud Kipchoge, long hailed as the greatest marathoner on the planet, added to his list of achievements Sunday by winning the Berlin Marathon in 2 hours, 1 minute, 39 seconds and breaking the world marathon record. And while Kipchoge, a self-professed Christian, has amassed great fame and wealth from his wins, he is described as a humble man who splits his time between his home in Eldorat Kenya, where he lives with his wife and three children, and a training camp where he shares chores with his teammates. Kipchoge is the distance running version of Usain Bolt. He is a wealthy man, but he still scrubs the toilet.

And while Kipchoge may go down in history as the greatest marathoner to have ever lived, Jesus Christ will go down as the greatest Man to have ever lived? Why? Because the King of kings and the great I Am left his throne "not to be served but to serve..." With those words and his example, Jesus challenged the world to reexamine what it means to be or "become great" showing that true greatness doesn't stem from any title or accomplishment but from humbly serving others out of a great love for the Father. 

So not matter what you and I might have achieved, let us always remember that, in the words of John Hagee, "The measure of a man’s greatness is not the number of servants he has, but the number of people he serves." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for this precious reminder that humbly serving others, especially when no one is looking or we receive no recognition, is the greatest thing we could ever do to show your love to people. Help us to look for ways to serve You that we might draw others to the foot of the Cross because of it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

More like Jesus - Passion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXLwr_RD8UY

Invite them in

"So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full." Luke 14:23 BSB

As I surveyed the runners and walkers preparing to form a prayer circle before Saturday morning's Free Donut Run, my heart was absolutely overflowing. The dream that God had planted in my heart many years ago to host a monthly event that would allow our FFG ministry to share God's love with others was doing that very thing. For nearly three years, we had been inviting people of all ages and all denominations, believers and unbelievers, to join us for this 5k race where they undoubtedly would have fun, eat a donut or two, and hear about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 

And you know, no matter how you and I may choose to invite others to hear about the Good News of the Gospel, we are all commanded to invite them. In fact, in the Parable of the Great Feast, the master told his servant to go out into the world and compel the people to come in so that his house would be full. The master is Jesus and we are his servants-and this is not a suggestion but a command to action. A command to share Christ with the lost any way we can my friend... before it’s too late. 

So in the words of David Jeremiah, “Share the Gospel. According to the Bible, it is every believer’s privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel. If we understand what lies ahead for those who do not know Christ, there will be a sense of urgency in our witness.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that people are perishing every day without hearing the Good News of the Gospel that can set them free. Light a fire within us Lord and give us an urgency to go out into our communities and invite the lost to the Great Feast that they might have eternal life. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Send me out - Fee

https://youtu.be/cNPdb7wxze4

Everyone can change

"When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!" Acts 9:26

Most recently, I had an 'old' Facebook friend and running buddy send me a 'new' friend request. But since his new profile picture looked very professional and different from his old one, I was just sure his account had been compromised and so deleted the request. However, when I received another request a few days later I decided to ask him about it, texting "Did you get a new Facebook page or have you been hacked?" His exact response? "I made a new one. My old page had a lot of old material that didn't represent me anymore." 

And you know, when it comes to leaving our past behind and starting fresh, the Bible is clear that anyone who chooses to follow Christ immediately becomes a 'new' person and their old life is gone. So why do many of us find that hard to believe then? Consider the apostles. After Saul's conversion, "he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!" And aren't we so much like those “believers”? We are hesitant to believe that some people can be changed too. But if God can change Saul, he can change anyone! 

So may you and I remember that the anyone the Bible speaks of that can be made new by accepting Christ means everyone, no matter their past. James McDonald says it this way, "No matter if a person was a murderer, adulterer, liar, cheater, or thief, we all have equal access to become a new creation." Believe it my friend because it is true. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You have the power to change even the worst of sinners. Help us to look beyond a person's past that we might see the new person that they have become when they chose to follow You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

New Creation - Leeland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss7eSycxJLg

Put on ALL the armor

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:10-12

Earlier this month the Macomb Daily published a story detailing how a woman training for a marathon was sexually assaulted at a track facility in Clinton Township about 8:35 a.m. on September 2. Police Capt. Richard Maierle said, "We believe she was followed by the suspect while she was running from her home to the high school." According to police, while at the track, the woman was approached by a 6-foot-3 black male, described as being 20-30 years of age, with short, unkempt afro-style hair. The attacker pushed the woman to the ground and attempted to sexually assault her, police said in a news release. The woman fought back and was able to get away.

You know, it's one thing to fight against an attacker that we can physically see isn't it? I mean we can use our fists and strike back in strategic places right? But how do we fight against those attackers we can't see? Against the evil rulers, authorities of the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world and evil spirits in the heavenly places? That’s easy. Paul said we do it "in his mighty power" by putting on "all of God's armor" so that we can stand firm against them. Did you get that all part though? So many of us are only putting on bits and pieces of the armor and wondering why we're losing the fight. We’ve got to put it all on and keep it on all the time!

So if you're not in a spiritual battle right now, you've probably just come out of one or are going into one. That's the way the devil works my friend.  But don't be caught unarmed. Start and end each day in the Word so  you will have on all of God's armor to be victorious in that battle. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the devil is always prowling around looking to attack and devour all those he can. Help us to take that threat seriously so we would train in the Word daily to be equipped to use it to fight back when we are attacked. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Run Devil run - Crowder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ

Do not get comfortable

"Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!'" Luke 12:18,19

Runner's World Magazine published an article yesterday listing nine shoes that, they say, may be the most comfortable ones you'll ever run in and where your feet will find a happy home. Comfort is king, they went on to say, because their research showed when a runner chose a shoe for its' comfort and fit, rather than its' appearance or name brand, they were less likely to get injured. How's that for a reason to get comfortable? 

And while getting comfortable in our running shoes is most assuredly a good thing. getting comfortable in our spiritual walk is not. Luke illustrated that well when he told the story of a rich man who, rather than using his wealth to help others and serve God as you and I are commanded to do, decided to build bigger barns to hoard all his "wheat and other goods" and then sit back and take it easy for years to come. He was called a fool for his actions and all he had, including his life, was taken from him that very night-the same fate that awaits all those who store things up for themselves but are not rich toward God.

So if you're honest today, would you say you've gotten comfortable too? Perhaps with keeping either your time, talents or possessions to yourself rather than using them to further the Kingdom? If so, I have good news my friend. Today is a new day and a great time to step out of your comfort zone. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that our time, talents and money are gifts from You to be used for Your glory. Help us not to hoard these up for ourselves but to use them generously and graciously in ways that we would bring others to the foot of the Cross. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Don't get comfortable - Brandon Heath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXBY05jLwj8

Fullness of joy

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11 ESV

If there's one thing I have learned over the years, it's that the devil will try to steal my joy at every opportunity. I hadn't even opened my eyes on Saturday morning before he reminded me that my plan to pace a friend for a 50-mile race that day was not going to happen because "God was totally unfair by not healing my injury and I might as well go back to sleep." Rolling my eyes at his whispered lies, I hopped out of bed and opened up my Bible to prepare for the amazing day that I knew was ahead of me. And guess what? The day was even better than amazing! By choosing joy over self-pity, my daughter and I enjoyed a "girls day" of shopping and laughing that I will never forget. 

You know, because we live in a fallen world where sickness and sin abound, there will always be days when you and I won't feel like being joyful-days when we have to struggle to get out of bed or even crack a smile. But it's on those days, that you and I can choose to be joyful in spite of our circumstances by choosing to enter into the presence of the Lord. You see, it's there that "fullness of joy" can be found. And it's not just a smidgen of joy that God promises to give us but a to-the-top-fill-your-heart-to-capacity "fullness of joy."

So if you're feeling troubled, depressed, overwhelmed or sad today, won't you make the choice to go to the One who can give you the joy you so desperately need? Enter into His presence my friend and allow your heart and your attitude to be changed.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that no matter what's happening within us or around us, true joy can always be found in You. Help us to enter into your Presence with thanksgiving and praise that we might receive that fullness of it that we so desperately need. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Joy - Planetshakers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoyHjjHTO14

Create ripples

"And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." Hebrews 13:16 NIV

Runner's World Magazine recently announced the death of Diane Leather Charles on September 6 in England. Recognize the name? Neither did I. But it seems Diane earned running fame in 1954 when she became the first woman in the world to break five minutes for the mile. Charles broke the record four more times with a personal best of 4:45. And while Diane was a celebrated runner, it was how she lived the rest of her life that will no doubt leave a lasting impression and have a "ripple" effect. It was reported that she retired from competition at the age of 27 and went on to teach, do social work, and raise four children. Dianna also remained married to her husband for more than 55 years. 

And while not everyone is called to professions like teaching or social work that give a hands-on opportunity to help and serve others, we are all called "to do good and to share with those in need" wherever we are, in whatever way we can. That might be as simple as buying someone a meal, helping someone bring in their groceries, opening up a door for a stranger with their hands full, or driving a neighbor to an appointment. Whatever it is, these acts of kindness not only have the power to bring a person to the foot of the Cross but "are the sacrifices that please God." 

So seek to do good to others today in any way you can my friend. And in the words of Scott Adams, "Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." May we all strive to create those ripples that have no end.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that people will remember our kindness long after our physical feats are forgotten. Help us to constantly look for ways to show people the love of Jesus by reaching out and helping them that our actions might have a ripple effect to spur others to do the same. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Dream small - Josh Wilson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOBaLrItEyc

Count them all

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Well it looks like you have a hamstring strain Melissa, so no running for three to four weeks," the specialist said to me yesterday. While that was definitely not the news I wanted to hear, I smiled, sincerely thanked the doctor for his time, and left the room with an ace-wrapped upper leg and a happy heart. Why? Because I was thankful. I was thankful that I had gotten the care that I needed. I was thankful that I had cross training options. I was thankful that my mother had come along for the drive and I could spend time with her, and I was thankful for a million other things that, like running, I had taken for granted. I was so thankful, in fact, that I counted my blessings all the way home. 

You know, the Bible tells us to "be thankful in all circumstances.” But if we're honest, that's not always easy. It's not always easy to be thankful when things aren't going as we would like them to or when we suffer or experience heartache. But it is "God's will" for all those "who belong to Christ Jesus." Why? Because there is always something to be thankful for-and choosing to think about our blessings rather than our misfortunes will keep our hearts joyful and our eyes set on Jesus. 

So no matter what you're facing today my friend, you can be thankful for at least three things... God is with you, God will never leave you, and you can be sure that He loves you. As a matter of fact, God loves you and me so much that He sent his one-and-only Son to die for us that we might one day spend eternity with Him. Now isn't that something to be thankful for?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we have so much to be thankful for. Give us a joyful heart Lord that we might be able to count our blessings even when it seems dark and even with a hurting heart. May we count our blessings and remember Whose we are. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Count them all - JJ Weeks Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FegDv7M5fHI

The admirable playlist

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 NLT

When single mother and marathon runner Jennie Ossentjuk was in her early 30s, she said she really enjoyed walking to unwind and stay fit and often walked around the perimeter of the playground while her children played. One evening while listening to music on her Sony Walkman, she said, a song came on that resulted in her picking up the pace and running... and she hasn't stopped since. Listening to music while running is something she encourages others to do too. When I hear people say, “I wish I could run, but don’t think I can do it,” I tell them, “Just pick out a few songs that you love to hear and run for part of each of them.” It really is that easy.

And while listening to music has been shown to motivate performance, not all music is fit for a Christian to listen to. Why? Because what goes into our ears goes into our hearts and into our minds. And if we are, like Paul says, to fix our minds or "thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable... excellent and worthy of praise," then the lyrics we give our attention to should help us to do that very thing.

So if you examined your playlist today, would you say that it's one that encourages you to grow closer to the Lord and follow the right path? Or would you say it’s one that persuades you to be more like the world? If it's the latter, you might want to rethink that playlist my friend. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that what we allow into our minds will affect our spiritual walk. Help us to grasp how important it is to fill our ears with only music that brings You glory and draws us closer. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Take my life - Scott Underwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek90VZ53Ga4

Stick-to-it-ness

"Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

When Sister Mary Jo Sobieck stepped up to throw the first pitch at the White Sox vs Kansas City Royals game on Saturday, August 18, no one expected her to throw a perfect strike that inspired the White Sox to tweet "One of the most impressive pitches of all time." Of her physical fitness, this one time half-marathoner said, "To be a good athlete, you have to be strong in body, mind, and spirit. There will be times that you’ll lose, and you have to know how to prepare your mind for those failures. Striving towards sainthood requires the same level of discipline, humility, and stick-to-it-ness."

And you know, stick-to-it-ness is the exact thing that will be required for us to "continue to do God's will" in the face of failures, setbacks and the ever-mounting opposition to our faith in this world. You see, if you and I hope to "receive all that he has promised," we have to endure to the end. We have to obtain and practice "patient endurance" or the steadfast resolution that says, "No matter what happens, I will not give up and I will not give in. I will not compromise and I will follow Jesus no matter what sacrifices I have to make or hurdles I have to overcome. Even if it costs me my life, I will serve Him... to the end.”

So in a world that is becoming increasingly more hostile to the Christian faith, do you have stick-to-it-ness? Have you developed that "patient endurance" that will give you the strength to stand up for what you believe in and the staying power to stand firm on that belief?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that following You will not always be easy and that developing patient endurance, through reading the Word and cultivating a deep relationship with You, is crucial to the success of our Christian walk. Help us to stand tall in the face of adversity and to boldly declare your Truth. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Unashamed - Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wb21LfYdH0

Take better care

"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day." 2 Corinthians 4:16 NLT

Benjamin Franklin once said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." And if death is certain, then the aging process that leads to it is inescapable as well... something I was not ready to face just yet. But when over training finally led to some major hip pain, I consulted my doctor (who is also a Christian and knows my passion for running) last week who spoke the words I needed to hear, "Melissa, your earthly shell is wearing out. You don't have to stop but you have to do things differently. You've got to take better care of your body." And that "better care," she said, means more stretching, more cross training and fewer high mileage days.

And while it's true that all of "our bodies are dying," you and I should "never give up" doing those things God has called us to. You see, even though our earthly shells are wearing out making fatigue and pain our more frequent companions, "our spirits are being renewed every day." And that means God will give us the inner strength and the renewed spirit to press on in the midst of it all. Will it be harder to do as we age? Undoubtedly. Will we have to do it a little differently? Most assuredly. But if we stay determined to press on, God will see us through. 

So if you're tempted today to give up and walk away, hang in there my friend. Don't forsake your eternal reward because of today's physical pain or discomfort. Turn to God and allow Him to renew you from within and give you the strength to stand firm and keep going in spite of it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we will all get older and that we need to take the better care of our bodies so we can serve well for a lifetime. Help us to call on You to renew our spirits when we feel like giving up and to keep a smile on our faces knowing that, regardless of our limitations, if we have a pulse we have a purpose. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Need you now - Plumb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPZMEfkb0VQ

True happiness is in Him

"How foolish are those who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really worthless. The people who worship idols don’t know this, so they are all put to shame." Isaiah 44:9 NLT

On the first Labor Day celebration on September 5, 1882, 10,000 citizens marched for labor rights down the streets of Manhattan. And it's no wonder they protested since the average American worked 12 hours a day, six days a week then. In fact, it wasn't until the Adamson Act passed in 1916 that our modern eight-hour work day was established. Ironically though, many retail workers will work longer hours today, a day specifically dedicated to labor appreciation, so that shoppers can take advantage of the sales on things they think they can't live without. Can you say GPS watches, compression socks and new running shoes?

And if irony can be defined as something that has a different or opposite result from what is expected, Isaiah was right in saying that "people who worship idols" will be "put to shame." You see, the "prized objects" many of us toil long hours to acquire-those things that advertisers claim we need to make us happy like the newest smart phone, the bigger bank account, the nicer car and the lavish home-are merely manufactured items that will wear out, dry up, rust away and fall down. And if those things rather than God are the source of our happiness, guess what? When they're gone, so is the happiness. 

Pastor Jim Johnston sums it up this way, "The most miserable Christians are those who live with a foot in both worlds.They call on the name of Christ, but they still try to find security, satisfaction, pleasure, or fulfillment from this world. And they’re not happy. The only way to have joy is to say a full “Yes” to God. Which means saying “No” to the world." Which will you choose?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that idols, or anything that we value more than You, will never bring us true happiness. They were never meant to. Help us to realize that our souls will never be satisfied, no matter what we have or achieve, until we reach the point where You are all we want and You are all we need. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

More and more - Selah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpQqkCF__I