Share the news

"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

If you're a multi-tasker who likes to catch up on the news while logging your miles on the treadmill at the gym, you might want to forego visiting Life Time Fitness. In an effort to fulfill their "commitment to provide family oriented environments free of consistently negative or politically charged content,” the gym chain has decided to eliminate national cable network news stations (including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and CNBC) from the TV screens at its 129 fitness centers in the U.S. and Canada. This decision came, they say, after a study found that people who watched just three minutes of negative news in the morning had a 27 percent greater likelihood of reporting their day as unhappy six to eight hours later, compared to a group that watched positive news focused on uplifting stories of resilience.

And while I can understand how negative news could certainly cause a nonbeliever to become anxious and downcast, we, as Christians, have no reason to let the world's events cause us to be unhappy right? In fact, our joy and continued faith in spite of and in the midst of negative news should be "an example to all believers" and nonbelievers alike. Think about it. Can you imagine how our being "an example" in the way we live among a world in chaos could cause those experiencing apprehension and despair to ask the question, "How can you have such peace?” Oh what an opportunity that could be for us to tell others about Jesus! 

So may we always remember that God is on the throne no matter how contrary it might seem. And in the midst of all the bad news, we are here to tell the lost about the Good News of the Gospel. Because that my friend, is the news everyone needs to hear. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that tells us that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to have such faith in that promise that others would take notice by the way we live our lives. Help us to be an example to others Lord that they would want to know you as we do. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson

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

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/01/09/fitness-chain-has-banned-cable-news-networks-as-part-of-healthy-way-of-life/?utm_term=.cd3397802341

The bucket list

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

On January 5, after enlisting the help of some expert runners and frequent travelers to round up ten of the most exotic and exciting 26.2 mile races in the world, Runner's World published the article "10 Bucket List Marathons You Should Run in 2018." And while it might not surprise you to see the Great Wall Marathon, Rome Marathon and Sydney Marathon listed, the Mad Marathon in Waitsfield, Vermont and the Missoula Marathon in Montana might have raised an eyebrow. But I guess a bucket list, or a list of things that one has not done before but wants to do before dying, is as unique as each individual.

And while our personal lists of things we want to accomplish before leaving this world may be very different from one another, there is one thing that should be at the top of all our lists... "please God." You see, delighting the Father should be our number one priority throughout our lifetime. And the Bible clearly tells us that we do that when we "do good" and "share with those in need" for those "are the sacrifices" that bring Him pleasure. And while running a destination race is certainly rewarding, living a life of service to God and to others is the most fulfilling and worthwhile thing we could ever do. 

So today and everyday, may we follow the advice of John Wesley who said, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." Because doing that my friend, is truly the only thing worthy of first place on any bucket list. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the greatest example there could ever be of how to do good to others. Help us to draw closer to you Lord that we might display that goodness more and more each day and lead others to the Cross by doing so. Most of all, help us to love others the way you first loved us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

With every act of love - Jason Gray
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bB7BUxBbY&index=88&list=PLAEq5ujOZ71r8vZWCviVVOq-gAJu5zTbB

https://www.runnersworld.com/bucket-list-races/bucket-list-races-for-2018/slide/6

Become better

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

If becoming a better runner is on your list of resolutions, TIME Health says that strengthening your deep core by doing planks is the one-step way to do it. "In a new study published in the Journal of Biomechanics, the researchers examined the way athletes’ bones and muscles interact when they run. They found that if the deep core muscles-those that run along the length of the spine and sit beneath the muscles that make for a visible six-pack-were slacking, superficial muscles, such as the abdominals, were forced to take on more of the work" leading to earlier fatigue and lessened performance. And the study also showed that strengthening those muscles reduced lower back pain. Who knew planking had such benefits? 

You know, whether we are runners or not, there's one thing we should all be striving to become better, or more effective, at this year... and that’s witnessing to others. I mean how will the lost come to know Jesus if we aren't telling them? But if you're like many Christians and feel you aren't qualified, you can use Peter's one-step solution to change that. Simply make it your resolution to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" by reading the Word and spending time alone with Him every day. And you can be sure this daily exercise will not only lead you to a deeper understanding of who God is, but will give you the confidence and knowledge to tell others about Him as well. 

So while becoming a better runner definitely has benefits for us in this life, we would be wise to remember that becoming a better witness has benefits in this life and the one to come. And not just for us my friend... but for every person that comes to know Jesus because of something we said or did. Now isn't that a great reason to pursue knowledge? 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that gives us everything we need to grow stronger in our faith that we might boldly tell others about the only way to salvation. Help us to remember that the Great Commission was not merely a suggestion but a command for us to go out and make disciples of all nations. Give us a renewed passion to know you Lord and to testify about your amazing grace. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Take this city - Everfound

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eog4mqIwn8g

http://time.com/5087662/running-plank-core-exercise/

Get ready

"Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." Matthew 24:44

Coming in early to meet the plumber so he could unfreeze the pipes at the office where I work was not the way I wanted to start the day off yesterday. With very little notice, my treasured morning run time had been replaced with a trek across the county (at the plumbers advice) to buy the last two fuel-powered heaters in the area. While driving and growing ever so anxious to pound the pavement, I was thinking about how life never seemed to go as planned when I rounded a corner to see a hand written sign nailed to a tree with three words that would change my whole day... JESUS IS COMING. Oh praise the Lord, I thought, this day isn't so bad after all! No day is when you remember that our time here is temporary.

You know, the Bible clearly tells us that Jesus, "the Son of Man", is coming back one day. And since it will be "at an hour" and a day that none of us will expect, we are advised to "be ready." Now that news will either have you dancing for joy, as it did me at the thought of going home to be with the Lord, or full of fear at the thought of not being "ready" for His return. 

But you know what? Even though nothing in this life is certain, you can be sure that you are prepared for Jesus’ return. You see, you can make yourself "ready" today-at this very moment-by simply accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It's a decision that you shouldn’t put off my friend, because He is coming back. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that gives us hope by reminding us that this world, with all of it's trials and sorrows, is not all there is-and that there is an eternal and ever-joyful life waiting for all those who believe in You. And while we, ourselves, might "be ready" for that day, help us to not simply sit back but to warn and prepare others to "be ready" as well. May we have a flaming desire to tell others that Jesus is coming! It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

People get ready - Avalon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B63e2qQVbI

Look for ways

"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it?" James 2:15,16 NET

Plain and simple, running a marathon is hard. But running one, and dressing appropriately for one, in single-digit temperatures is even harder. So as I prepared for last Saturday’s 26.2 mile race by donning extra layers, I also grabbed some air-activated heat packs and tossed them into my mittens. Oh everyone should have these, I thought, (as I felt the warmth envelop my fingers) so I put a few extra packs in my pocket just in case. And as I passed a gentleman later in the race in a light coat not designed for the weather conditions, I took a double take to see that his hands were unprotected as well. They were bright red as he was alternating between blowing on them and stuffing them into his pockets. I immediately praised God for prompting me to take those extra hand warmers and stopped to share mine with this cold runner. Although he spoke very little English, he took the heat packs in his hands as I motioned for him to do and then stuck his hands in his pockets smiling back at me in sheer thankfulness. 

You know, the Bible is very clear that if you and I see a person who "is poorly clothed" or "lacks daily food", we are not to pass them by and simply say, "keep warm and eat well." No. As people who claim to put our faith in Jesus Christ, you and I are to show that faith by our actions. Because "what good is it" if we claim to love Jesus but don't show that same love to others? And why would they ever seek to know the love of the Father if they don't first see his love in us?

So today and every day, may you and I be looking for opportunities to help someone. May we be listening for and open to the Spirit's prompting to "give them what the body needs" that they might want to know where this extraordinary and unwordly love that we show comes from. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of allowing us to do good to others. Help us to recognize every opportunity in front of us and to be obedient to the Spirit's prompting to act so that we might lead others to you by our actions. Most of all Lord, may we love others with the same passion that you love us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Love with your life - Hollyn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfVetZeaxuc

They will notice

"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him." Colossians 2:6

When you're as consistent a runner as Japan's Yuki Kawauchi, 30, people take notice. And on Monday, thousands of people watched as Yuki completed his 76th marathon in under 2 hours, 20 minutes (2:18:59) winning the Marshfield Marathon in Massachusetts and breaking the record for the most sub-2:20 marathons ever completed. And for his extraordinary efforts in braving the single-digit temperatures to set this new world record, the young racer may also now hold the title of the fastest marathoner to finish 26.2 miles in weather that cold. 

And while you can be sure that clocking such consistent race times required a lot of time, training and effort to achieve, the benefits to Yuki were enormous. Just as the benefits are to us when we are consistent in our walk with Christ. You see, the Bible is clear that accepting Christ Jesus as our Lord is only the beginning of our journey and that we "must continue to follow him" for the rest of our days... consistently, purposefully and constantly. It's only then, when we live a life steadily striving and training in the Word to be more like Jesus, that others will take notice of us and want to know more about Him. 

So would you say that you are consistent in your walk with Jesus today? And if not, what will you do to change that? Considering that many unbelievers might be watching us (including our friends and family), can you see the enormous benefits of walking closely with Christ-not only for us but for others, that we might inspire them to do the same? 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the examples of people in the Bible like Paul that show the power one person who is walking closely with you can have to inspire others to do the same. Help us to give up everything that stands in our way of serving you with our whole hearts that we would follow you so closely that others would be drawn to the Cross because of our actions and the way we live our lives. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Giving it all to you - Carrollton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTA7Lf5rogM

http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2018/01/02/yuki-kawauchi-marshfield-marathon-record/

Make good goals

"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." 2 Corinthians 5:9

Like many runners, seasoned and new, you might be making a list of running goals for 2018 today and wondering if they are realistic. An expert on how to set good running goals, Meb Keflezighi, past winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons, said, "The best goals have certain elements that make your success more likely. Here’s what I think good goals have in common." He went on to say that good goals have personal meaning, are specific, are challenging but realistic, have a time element, and keep a person motivated. And to further increase our chances of success, Meb made this suggestion, "Tell a few close people your goals. Doing so makes it easier to keep making the right choices."

 But you know, there's one more thing that we need to consider when we decide whether a goal is good and deserving of our time and effort-does our goal and the pursuit of it bring God glory? You see, the Bible says that, first and foremost, we should "make it our goal to please him..." And our goals please Him when they glorify Him. Rick Warren says it this way, "Any goal that causes you to love God more brings glory to God. Any goal you set that causes you to trust God more, brings glory to God. Any goal you set that causes to you obey God, to love God, to serve God, any goal that causes you to want to brag on God and tell unbelievers, ‘Look what he did for me’ -- that's the goal that brings glory to God. "

So when you're making your resolutions for the year, won't you consider pursuing only those goals that are truly good? Ones that "please him" and inspire others to do the same? Because those are the only ones that truly matter my friend. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in our lives. Help us to align our will with yours Lord that we might only make goals that bring you the glory and honor that you are due. And may we vow to make this the year that we allow you to brightly shine through us that we might lead others to you through our pursuits. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Through me - Holly Starr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmJA9AKnutQ

https://www.runnersworld.com/goal-setting/how-to-set-good-running-goals