The crumbs

"Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." Matthew 15:23 (NIV)

I was unusually hungry yesterday after a long run and just couldn't wait to soothe the hunger pangs. I desperately dug around and managed to find a rather old and crushed granola bar in my backpack. Well, better than nothing, I thought to myself. As I picked at the crumbs this nutrition bar was now reduced to, I had to smile as I thought about the Caananite woman and the story of the crumbs. She was a desperate woman who cried out to Jesus to have mercy on her and heal her demon- possessed daughter, "The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment." Matthew 15:25-28 (NIV)

To me, this story serves as a reminder to never miss an opportunity to be kind to another - especially those who are different from us, those we may have nothing in common with. The disciples wanted to send her away but she was persistent and Jesus listened. She knew that she was not worthy of being in the presence of Jesus. In fact she agreed that she was a "dog", a term Jews commonly used to describe pagan Gentiles. But she also knew that she was in the presence of the one true God and that even the crumbs, coming from Jesus, would heal her daughter. 

Romans 12:9-11 says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Regardless of the title one has been given, by the circumstances of life or our own decisions - homeless, needy, drug addicted, adulterer, sinner, poor or even "dog", may we never miss a chance to love like Jesus and share our blessings (crumbs) with those in need.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the love that we do not deserve. Thank You for your mercy and grace in our lives - for the things we don't deserve and for withholding the punishment we do deserve. I pray that we would always remember the saving grace that we have been shown and that we show that same love and forgiveness to others. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Love like Jesus - Rhett Walker Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkiFoJRn2j0

Faith to finish

"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." Mark 11:23

The reasons people choose to run can be as varied as the runners themselves. Running has a way of connecting the dots in our search for answers to life's "whys". For some, the question is bigger than for others. Why me Lord? Why this? Cedric King stepped on an IED in Afghanistan on July 25, 2012 leaving him a bilateral (one leg amputated above-the-knee and the other leg below-the-knee) amputee. He said that he didn't know if he would ever walk again but became the first bilateral amputee to complete the Boston Marathon in April. Then on September 27, 2014, he went on to complete the Half Ironman Triathlon in Augusta, Georgia .... well sort of. Depends on who you ask. 

The race had a time limit of 8 hours and 30 minutes beginning after the last wave crossed the starting line. The race was shut down as scheduled but Cedric wasn't done yet. He had missed the cutoff (and was aware that he was now disqualified) but was determined to finish even as the mile markers were taken away and the volunteers packed up the supplies and left the aid stations. After nearly 12 grueling hours, he crossed the finish line to a faithful crowd of about a dozen supporters. Although he received a medal, he was officially awarded a DNF (Did Not Finish). But to the crowd watching and all the other people he will go on to inspire, he not only completed the race, he won it. He conquered the mountain before him.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that, "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."   While we may not always understand the "whys" of life - why bad things happen to us or the people we love, faith will allow us to move past our circumstances and achieve things only possible through Christ.  May you find the faith to move the mountains holding you back from the person God is calling you to be today. 

"Faith helps me believe in a brighter future. Faith keeps me going—this didn't happen for nothing. I believe in a higher power who loves me enough to say, ‘I’m not doing this to hurt you, I’m doing this to help you.'” - Cedric King

Heavenly Father, thank You for people who remind us that we can do all things through your strength and power. May those hurting and questioning their current situation, turn to You to guide them. May they find the courage to trust You to lead them over the mountains in their way. We ask this in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Faith to Believe - Shane and Shane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9xsUmo_zRA

http://travisthemovie.com/blog/tuesday-feature-interview-sfc-cedric-king-2014-08-13/

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/double-amputee-completes-ironman-703-in-georgia
 

 

Safe Haven

"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:28-30 (ESV)

What a downpour we had last Friday morning! Just as I was getting ready for my morning run, it seemed the clouds opened up. Not one to shy away from any weather condition, I slipped on my cap and rain parka and hit the road. Halfway into my run, the rain stopped. Pushing aside common sense, I shed my rain gear by the side of the road where I would come back for it in the car. When the rain returned even heavier 10 minutes later, I was too far away from my protective clothing to go back and finished the run cold, wet and humble. In my desire to "run free", I had left behind the one thing that offered protection choosing to go the route alone and without added "weight".

How many times have I done that with Jesus, I thought? How many times have I "used Him" in times of trouble only to put Him back when the way was clear?  In Matthew 16:24, Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Not follow me when you need me but follow me always... even when there is a load to bear. And in Luke 9:23, Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The emphasis here is all and daily. As believers and disciples of Christ, we must, no matter the storms or lack of them, take up the cross and follow Him at all times - not picking it up and setting it down only to keep repeating the process. 

Our walk with Christ must be deliberate every single day. When we try to "run free", we might succeed for a brief period but the storms of life will always find us. And praise God, when that happens, He will be there to make our storms "be still" and guide us to a safe haven.

Heavenly Father, thank You for your hand of protection over our lives. Father, forgive me for the times I have put you aside to do things on my own and thank You for picking up the pieces when my best laid plans have failed. Forgive each and every one of us for the times we have put down the cross and lived for self. May today be the day we make the change to walk forever with You no matter the cost. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.


Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

I have a shelter - Sovereign Grace Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXwVgkmGDd4

You are not forgotten

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

I saw something unusual today on my morning run, a fallen sparrow. Lifeless on the ground, it looked as if it were merely sleeping. Why, I thought, aren't there more of these? You would think with the cold weather, the lack of shelter and other winter conditions, many birds would die. But somehow and for some reason, God takes care of them. There's no worms in the cold hard ground yet God feeds them. It just amazes me. God amazes me.

And to consider that He values me more than the sparrows He shelters is even more amazing. And yet he does... He values you more too. Luke 12:6 (ESV) says, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God." We are not forgotten - what an eye opener when you're feeling as if God doesn't care or know what you're facing. He knows when even one sparrow "will fall to the ground." How much more should we then trust Him to know and care about what we're going through. Jesus reminds us to "Fear not, therefore" because "you are of more value than many sparrows." He loves us so much and is so interested in what we're facing that he even numbered the hairs on our head! With an average of 100,000 hairs on each person's head, it's even more amazing that He would care about that very minor detail. 

As the song goes, Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart feel lonely and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is He, his eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches over me. Oh praise God, He cares!

Heavenly Father, thank You for being such a loving God, comforter and friend in our time of need. To know that you value us more than a sparrow that You feed, clothe and shelter is enough to make our hearts sing with joy. Oh thank you Father for loving us and for the reminder that You know everything we are facing and care about every detail of our lives. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

His eye is on the sparrow - Lauryn Hill & Tanya Blount

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H74FBgOZTDw

Keep it vertical

"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (NLT)

Keep it vertical. To trail runners, that phrase is the equivalent of saying "good luck". It's a reminder that the first priority is to stay upright - meaning feet on the ground and head in the air taking special care to not get tripped up and have your body parts flung in the opposite direction. Very good advice that's sometimes easier said than done depending on the terrain. Keeping it vertical is even more important when it comes to our relationships with Christ and others.

It's no coincidence that the bible tells us to first love God and then to love our neighbors.  Without first receiving that love from the Savior, we would have none to give. The greatest symbol of God's love for us is, undoubtedly, the cross where Jesus died to forgive us of our sins. Picture the cross with it's two pieces - one piece vertically channeling God's love to us and back up to Him with the other (horizontal) piece channeling that love out to others.1 John 4:19 tells us that, "We love because he first loved us" (NIV). Simply said, God's love comes down to us so we can send that love out to others - His love channeled through us. We need a true relationship with Him before we can have a meaningful relationship with anyone else.

If you're finding it difficult to love others or maybe even yourself today, maybe it's time to adjust. Maybe it's time to "keep it vertical" with "all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength" focused on loving God first. Then you can spread that love to others (and yourself) the way Christ intended. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the cross as the greatest example of love. You loved us enough to die for us while we were still sinners. For that, we can never repay You. But we can love others and share the story of that love with them.Thank You for loving us and for choosing us to be your witnesses through the love we show through You. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Vertical - 1 Girl Nation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7hyA512b74

Speak up

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11

"I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope." 

http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-new-orleans-saints-player-benjamin-watsons-comments-on-ferguson-goes-viral-says-sin-not-skin-is-the-problem-130412/

These were just some of the words spoken by New Orleans Saints' player, Benjamin Watson, the day after the news broke about the controversial decision of a Missouri grand jury to not indict Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. As a high profile athlete, he had the unique platform to voice his opinion and share Christ with the world. Praise God he didn't let the opportunity pass him by. As a Christian, he knows that all gifts and strength are supplied by God for the sole purpose that, "in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.". We live in a fallen world where more and more people are choosing to remain silent rather than face criticism.

James 5:20 says, "remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." (NIV) Do we not love one another enough to speak up? Do we not love God enough to speak out? To declare what we know to be truth to turn others to Him? Jesus said this of his disciples, ""I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (Luke 19:40 NIV). May we all be as bold as Benjamin Watson and use the position God has placed us in to help others.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us all gifts and talents. May we remember that they are all from you and to be used to glorify You. May we reach out to the lost with love and a desire to lead them to You that they might have eternal life. Let your light shine through us in everything we say and do Lord. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Colored people - DC Talk

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uEeWp9N9hJs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQzz1V1VQSs

The full interview.

*He was cut off on the CNN interview. 

Up and Over

"I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)

Being an all around good runner requires the ability to adapt and overcome any situation. Like life, the road isn't always smooth or easy. In running, you will encounter hills, hurdles and road blocks. When facing a hill, runners won't stop to wonder how the hill got there or why it had to be there today of all days or throw up their hands in defeat. A runner motivated to finish will continue moving, probably a little slower than on an easy surface but still pressing on, until they have overcome the hill. Why? Because hills just happen - it's just life. They can't be avoided and if you want to run the race set before you, you have to overcome anything in your path.

While the most efficient way to run a flat course is to keep a consistent pace, the best way to conquer a hill is to run with consistent effort. The same is true in life. The bible tells us that we should, "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."(1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV). In other words, we should be consistent in our walk with the Lord...loyal, faithful, dependable, reliable and unwavering (steadfast and immovable). Likewise we should always be moving forward with consistent effort (always abounding in the work of the Lord). No matter the size of the hill, we just need to get "up and over" it.

While the hills of life can seem daunting and unyielding at the time, there is an upside. With every hill surmounted, the smaller the next one looks. With every hill God has been at your side helping you up, the stronger you get - the stronger your faith gets that He will be with you leading you up the next one, and the next one and the next...

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us hills in our life to show us the power of your strength in our lives. Help us to know that You are with us through it all, the hard times, the easy ones and every one in between. Thank You for being our help in times of trouble, our healer in times of hurt and our hope and happiness in all the times in between. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Psalm 121 - Brian Doerksen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g4eqKDkDiw