God cares about the small stuff

“ You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2 NIV

“Melissa is that you?” a man asked as he and his son headed toward the St. Jude Marathon Pacer booth, obviously incredulous at meeting up once again in circumstances that could only have been orchestrated by God. You see, this man, Jeff, and I met just one month earlier in Branson, Mo where he and his girlfriend were staying for a trail run she and I were both participating in. Not only had the three of us talked for almost an hour (after 'crossing’ paths in the parking lot of the resort we were staying at) about running, life and how good God is, but agreed that the Lord personally arranged this meeting. And then here Jeff was again in Memphis, Tennessee! One of 26,000 runners to attend the St. Jude two-day expo who passed through at the same time and same place I was working a two-hour shift at the pacer booth. Coincidence? No way!

And you know, isn't it amazing that the Creator of the universe would go to such great lengths to provide for his children? Who cares about even the smallest details of our lives? I mean here was a man who, after our divinely inspired conversation, spontaneously decided to train for and run a half marathon and needed a little encouragement - something the Lord made sure he got because you know I hugged him, prayed for him and told him that he was going to do great! Which he did!  But isn’t that just like our God? After all, we know that if He cares enough to know when we sit and when we rise, He cares enough to arrange 'divine meetings' just when we need them.

So if you’re feeling like the Lord doesn’t know or care about you, think again my friend. The same God who perceives our thoughts from afar truly knows about our smallest and biggest worries, doubts and fears and will do whatever it takes to remind us that He is with us.

Heavenly Father, thank you thank you so much for the reminder that you know everything about us and that you genuinely care about us. In fact you care about every detail of our lives Lord. Knowing that help us to have peace in the midst of any circumstance know when you are working all things out. It’s in your precise name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Psalm 139 - MercyMe

One Day...

“He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.” Revelation 21:4 CEV

Upon sitting down to take in some much needed food after completing the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis Saturday, I looked over to see three young adults with the same photo and inscription on their shirts enjoying their meal as well. Prompted by the Spirit I walked up to them, introduced myself, and humbly asked, “How old was your brother when he was diagnosed?” To which the twin brother replied, “Sean was only three when we found out he had Medulloblastoma and he died on April 3, 2010. Since then we have always run in this race. Today we ran the 10k, our mom ran the half marathon and my dad ran the full.” Struggling to hold back tears at this point, I asked if the experience had made them look at life any differently to which Sean’s sister said, “It’s definitely made our family closer. We appreciate each-other so much more.” 

And you know, while I will never know or understand the countless reasons so many people experience pain, sorrow or heartache in this life or why children are allowed to die before they have ever really lived, I do know one thing that brings me great comfort in the midst of the turmoil and suffering of this world... God’s promises are always true. And the same God who promised to bring good out of our hurt, as he did for this family by bringing them closer through their trial, also promised us that a day would come when there would be ”no more death, suffering, crying, or pain.” A day when every tear would be wiped from our eyes and the pain and suffering we have experienced on this earth would be gone forever.

Until that day though, I hope the thought of God's tried-and-true promise that good will always come from our pain brings you the same peace it does me my friend.  Peace that, in a world that seems to be spiraling terribly out of control, is so desperately needed.

Heavenly Father, thank You for always making beauty from ashes for those who have put their faith and trust in You. Help us to look to You when we don’t understand the “whys” of this world Lord and to trust that Your plan is greater than any one we could ever imagine. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

One Day - Cochren and Co

Sean's siblings

The benefits of gratitude

“ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7 NIV

According to a recent article published by Runners World Magazine, practicing gratitude has long-term health benefits including improved running performance, better sleep, a reduction in blood pressure, lower levels of inflammation, and faster healing from injuries. And while writing one thank you note won’t immediately lower your cholesterol or give you more endurance said Glenn Fox, Ph.D., who is the head of program design, strategy, and outreach at the University of Southern California’s Performance Science Institute and has done extensive research on how gratitude impacts human performance, counting your blessings and being thankful for them on a daily basis will pay off in the long run.

And you know, practicing gratitude can do more than just impact our running performance. It can give us complete peace in the midst of any situation. Paul, who had trained himself to make thankfulness his normal response to every situation certainly understood this and so urged the church at Philippi to avoid being anxious or worried about anything but to present their requests to God “with thanksgiving” instead. Doing so, he explained would allow them to experience the supernatural “peace of God.” You see, when you and I pray with an attitude of gratitude, we are choosing to trust that God will work out “every situation” for our good and so can have the tranquility that “transcends all understanding.” 

So may we train ourselves to make it our custom, habit and normal response to be thankful when presenting “our requests to God” my friend - that we might experience the perfect peace that only He can give. 

Heavenly Father, help us to train ourselves to be thankful in all situations, both good and bad, by reading your Word daily that we might know and understand your promises and who You are that we would learn to trust You to always do what’s good for us. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Grateful - Elevation Worship

Welcome them as family

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God." Romans 15:7 BSB

“What a great start to the day," I thought to myself as I smiled and breathed in the brisk morning air while walking to church last Sunday morning. After having spent time in the Word earlier and getting in a run on the streets of El Paso, I was excited at the thought of not having to skip worship just because I was on vacation but was, I admit, a tad bit anxious as to how an outsider would be welcomed in this new church I had discovered after an online search. Upon stepping in the doors though, my angst was completely calmed. "It's so nice to have you here," the friendly greeter said as she took my hands in hers and then gave me a hug. And before the service even began, I was welcomed again by the pastor and several other church members. "Oh Lord," I prayed silently as I closed my eyes and fought back tears at their kindness, "may we all treat one another like 'family' no matter what building we happen to be in."

And you know, when it comes to treating our brothers and sisters as 'family,' Paul was clear that believers are to "accept one another" just as Christ accepted us. You see, Paul knew that the church (not the building but the body of believers) would need to work together and view themselves as 'one' in order to be all that God created it to be and so prayed for the unity and harmony of the church - knowing that when God's 'family' was unified in their goal to serve Him by serving alongside their fellow believers, the church as a whole would be better equipped to "bring glory to God."

So let us always remember that we are in this race together my friend with one mission - to know God and to make his Name known among the nations. And we can only do this when we are united in the purpose of bringing "glory to God." So welcome your fellow believers as 'family' knowing that's what Christ would do.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the 'family' of believers that we are a part of. Help us to see one another as brothers and sisters of the whole church that we might work and worship in harmony with one another to do amazing things for the Kingdom that will bring You glory. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Build Your Kingdom Here

Change our sinful nature

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me." Psalm 51:10,11 BSB

As a runner, do you long to eat healthy but cringe at the thought of eating broccoli or brussels sprouts? If so, your DNA may be to blame according to scientists presenting at the 2019 American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions who say genes that make some people “super tasters” cause them to eat fewer vegetables. Super tasters inherit two variants of a taste gene called TAS2R38, which makes them find certain foods like cruciferous vegetables exceptionally bitter. Thankfully though, the scientists outlined specific cooking methods and seasonings, like roasting your vegetables and adding butter, that may help super tasters enjoy more vegetables.

And you know, when it comes to being born in a way that is entirely beyond our control, David clearly understood that he was born into sin and was powerless to do anything good on his own apart from the prompting and guidance of the "Holy Spirit." Which is exactly why he asked God to "create," or bring into existence, "a clean heart" and a "right spirit” within him. And you and I are no different my friend. Apart from Him, we are also unable to defeat the sinful nature we were born with. Thankfully though, with the "Holy Spirit" living inside us, we can overcome those things that grieve the Spirit to live the righteous life God intended us to. 

So if you've fallen into some type of sin and feel incapable of breaking free, call out to the Lord and ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. It’s then that He can bring into existence the "clean heart" and "right spirit" within you needed to overcome your sinful nature and live as a child of the King. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for filling every believer with the Holy Spirit who serves as a guide to walk in Your ways. Help us to yearn for a clean heart and renewed spirit that we could make it the desire of our heart as we cry out to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Hymn of the Holy Spirit

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The value of a mentor

"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." 2 Timothy 2:2 NLT

When US runner Jordan Hasay, who is the second fastest American woman over the marathon distance, left the now disbanded Nike Oregon Project earlier this year, she found herself without a coach. But that changed recently when Hasay announced she would be coached by Paula Radcliffe, a renowned runner who held the female marathon record for over 16 years before it was broken in Chicago this year. Of the decision, Jordan tweeted, "I look forward to working with Paula, whose expertise in being the former world record holder in the marathon is unparalleled.. I have always looked up to Paula as a pioneer for what is possible in the marathon, and most importantly in being a kind and inspiring person in life. I hope to follow in her footsteps as I continue my journey in the sport." 

And you know, while coaches are crucial in helping athletes reach their full potential, spiritual coaches or mentors are of even greater importance in helping young-in-their-faith Christians grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Word so that they can reach their full potential. Paul certainly understood this and so reminded Timothy that the "truths" he had learned under his teaching were to be taught to "other trustworthy people" who would be "able to pass them on to others." You see, the more mature you and I become in our spiritual walk, the greater obligation we have to coach or mentor those who are just beginning or are relatively new to their walk of faith. 

So let us remember that life is not a solo race but a relay in which every believer has a role in passing on the baton to the next generation so it can be passed on again, and again and again... never stopping until the Lord calls us all home. Will you do your part? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that every believer has an important job to do in the relay race of life by ensuring that the next generation of believers is prepared to share the Good News of the Gospel with others. Help us to joyfully step up to our positions to pass the baton of faith and knowledge of the Truth. It's in your precious friend we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

This is what we live for

Stop chasing the wind

"But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere." Ecclesiastes 2:11 NLT

Rising early to run the streets of El Paso Friday, I was enjoying the brief moments of the morning when most of the city was sleeping and the streets were void of their normal traffic. Lost in worship and singing the words "You are my life, may you be lifted high. There is no other like Jesus Christ," I looked up to see a man being handcuffed by a member of the El Paso police department while the other officer was placing the man's drug paraphernalia on the trunk of his patrol car. And for the split second I locked eyes with the drug-addicted man, I prayed that he had heard the words that could change his life. The two words that could fill him with what his soul was truly longing for... Jesus Christ. 

And you know, without exception, every human being longs to be happy, longs to have peace and longs to be satisfied. Unfortunately though, the majority of people will attempt to fill these needs through people, possessions or mind-altering substances. But none of those things will ever truly satisfy a person as Solomon came to know. Here was a man who had unlimited wealth, women and wine saying, "Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure." But guess what? Even an inexhaustible amount of what the world had to offer left Solomon empty inside and admitting that his pursuit of these things, "was all so meaningless." 

So if you find yourself seeking to be satisfied or fill the void in your heart with anything less than Christ, stop "chasing the wind" my friend. The world doesn't have what you need to quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger, only Jesus does. Won't you turn to Him?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that a person can never be truly satisfied until they come to the foot of the Cross and allow you to fill their hearts. Lord, help us to boldly carry this Message to a world that so desperately needs it and to see people as You do that we might show compassion to the lost. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!! 

You never change - Austin Stone Worship