It will all come to light

“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:17 ESV

On June 16 it was reported that Shelby Houlihan, a record-holding Olympic runner who lives in the Portland area, was banned from the sport for four years after she failed a drug test in December. In an Instagram post on Monday, she claimed that she tested positive for a banned steroid called nandrolone because of a pork burrito, which she ate from a food cart near her home in Beaverton the day before the drug test. There are some studies that show pork, specifically liver from uncastrated males, can trigger a false positive for nandrolone. The Athletics Integrity Unit informed her of the test results Jan. 14 and suspended her from the sport. She claimed she had never heard of the steroid and had to research what it was. "In the following 5 days after being notified, I put together a food log of everything that I consumed the week of that December 15th test," her Instagram post said. "We concluded that the most likely explanation was a burrito purchased and consumed approximately 10 hours before that drug test from an authentic Mexican food truck that serves pig offal near my house in Beaverton, Oregon." Is the burrito to blame? It very well could be. After all, Shelby passed a polygraph and submitted a hair sample that showed no build up of nandrolone. Only time will tell. 

And you know, when it comes to time revealing all things, the Bible is clear that "nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest" and nothing "secret that will not be known..." Which can be good and bad news--good news for the person who is waiting patiently and expectantly for the truth to be revealed so they can be vindicated but bad news for the person who is doing something they would rather keep in the dark. Either way, regardless of what is revealed here on this earth, nothing you and I could ever do can be hidden from God... which is also good and bad news. 

So let us strive to live our lives worthy of the title of ‘follower of Jesus Christ’ so that we can not only walk upright and without fear of our actions coming "to light" but so that we can offer up our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that nothing is truly hidden. Cause the knowledge of that to make us ever conscience and careful of the actions we take and the thoughts we allow ourselves to think. Give us the strength to always do what's right Lord, even when it goes against the ways of the world and costs us everything we have. It's in your precious Name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Come home today

"For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:24 NIV

In an article published by Runner's World yesterday, researchers who performed a study in the journal Frontiers of Medicine found that moderate and vigorous exercise decreased by 41 percent during the pandemic. The researchers went on to say that, because of the profoundly negative effects of sedentary behavior, they are calling the inactivity during that period a “pandemic within a pandemic.” That’s especially true since it brings pronounced decreases in mental wellbeing, the study’s lead author, Jan Wilke, Ph.D., researcher in the Department of Sports Medicine at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany, reported. The focus now, they say, for those runners who might have backslidden and fallen out of their fitness routine is to simply get back at it. Carol Mack, D.P.T., C.S.C.S. made this suggestion, "Just focus on moving, and establishing a rhythm again. If you’ve been more sedentary, you’ll want to focus on creating the routine and making it a habit, and then you can start thinking about goals and progress.” In other words, if you've backslidden and fallen off the fitness wagon, there's still hope. Get up, quit making excuses, brush yourself off and get back to work. 

And you know, just as there's hope for the runner who has fallen back into old habits to be restored upon getting back to a healthy routine, there’s hope for the Christian who might have fallen back into old habits and the ways of the world. You see, just as the parable of the prodigal son illustrates, God's doesn't condemn the son or daughter who has strayed but patiently calls them back through the work of the Holy Spirit. And our Savior not only finds great joy in the return of a backslidden believer but counts it as a reason for everyone to celebrate! Is that awesome or what? 

So if you've fallen back into your old ways today my friend, don't waste another moment reveling in the sins of the world, the pleasures of which will only deceive you and make you feel worthless. Brush yourself off and come home to the Father. He will not only accept you back no matter what you've done, but will welcome you with open arms and even celebrate your return. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You long to welcome back every repentant sinner. Lord, remind us how easy it is to backslide so that we would guard our hearts and minds from doing it by staying in the Word and surrounding ourselves with godly friends who will lift us up and hold us accountable. Father, for that backslidden believer who is feeling lost today, I pray that You would stir their hearts and give them an unquenchable longing to come home. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Listen to the experts

 

Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about something that can not only improve your mood but your pace. A smile! It's true. And if you don't believe me, check out what the "experts" had to say about it... 

Simply moving your facial muscles in a way that mimics a smile can trick your brain into a more positive state, according to a recent study published in the journal Experimental Psychology. The research found that the physical act of smiling not only created internal positive feelings, but also caused participants to see the world around them in a more positive way, according to lead researcher Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, PhD, a research fellow at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning at the University of South Australia.

The experts went on to say that a happy brain equaled a brighter perspective. And we all know that a happy brain starts with a happy face that comes from a smile. 

So at this point, some of you might be saying "But Melissa, I don't feel like smiling today." My response? Fake it. Why? Because when you force a smile, it emits feelings of happiness. You may have to do this for a while but your brain will eventually catch on. Just listen to what the "experts" had to say on the matter... 

Researchers from the University of South Australia had participants replicate the facial movement of a smile by holding a pen between their teeth, causing the corners of the mouth to lift. Even though participants' smiles were faked, their brains didn't know the difference, says Marmolejo-Ramos. "In our research, we found that when you forcefully practice smiling, it stimulates the amygdala, which releases neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state," he states. The amygdala is considered the emotional center of the brain, and plays a primary role in the processing of responses related to fear, aggression, and anxiety. It also factors into decision-making and memory. Creating positive feelings that aren't just about personal happiness but are also related to perception could have interesting implications for mental health, believes Marmolejo-Ramos.

So how does this help your pace? Well.... when we are happy, we run happy. And when we run happy, we run faster and longer with less effort. 

Kipchoge, who is almost always smiling, told reporters he smiles to relax and work through the pain of running a marathon, employing a strategy some runners have long believed to be true: that smiling while running can help you to run

more efficiently.

Don't believe me? Well then, listen to what the "experts" had to say about it... 

Researchers at Ulster University and Swansea University asked a group of 24 runners to wear a breathing mask to measure oxygen consumption and then complete four six-minute running blocks on a treadmill while smiling or frowning. The study, which was recently published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, found that runners who smiled used less oxygen, ran more economically and had a lower perceived rate of exertion than those who frowned and those in the control group. “They were 2.8 per cent more economical when smiling than when frowning,” says Noel Brick, lecturer in sport and exercise psychology at the University of Ulster and coauthor of the study. The reason for this difference has to do with facial feedback. “When we make a facial expression, we may experience the emotional state we associate with the expression,” says Brick. “We associate smiling with happiness or enjoyment, states that make us more relaxed, so when we smile, we are consciously trying to relax. By adopting the facial expression of frowning, however, we are experiencing an emotional state of feeling tense or less relaxed.”

While a 2.8 per cent improvement may sound inconsequential, it can translate to an improvement of roughly two per cent in performance time, says Brick. That means if you run a marathon in 4:20 or 4:45 (the average marathon times for men and women, respectively), you’ll cross the finish line about five minutes faster, while if you run a 10K in 55-64 minutes, you can shave a full minute off your race time. And if you’re clocking under 25 minutes for a 5K, just smiling can help you cover the same distance 30 seconds faster, a meaningful result for very little effort and, frankly, plenty to smile about. “Improvements in your running economy will be initially small, but a relaxed runner is an efficient runner,” adds Brick.

So there you have it friends. Those are just a few reasons that you should make a smile the first thing you put on every day (it's even more important than putting on your running shoes😊). And if you're still in need of reasons to smile then I challenge you to find ten things you have to be thankful for today; it can be anything from the sun shining through the window to your morning cup of coffee. Write them down and put the list where you can see it. Gratitude not only paves the way to happiness but has the ability to make a person smile when nothing else can. Don't believe me? Then just ask the "experts" who agree that "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough." Does that make you smile or what? 

Happy Running!!!

Expend your energy

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” Colossians 1:28-29 ESV

In an article posted by Runners World on June 02 titled “Here’s Why Your Watch Says You Ran More Than a Marathon,” the question of why so many of us have more than 26.2 miles logged on our smartwatches by the time we cross the finish line was addressed. I, myself, usually end up around the 27 mile mark on certified courses—something I found very frustrating when I was a newbie but now come to expect. In fact, it’s something we should all expect. Why? Because certified courses are measured at the shortest possible route (SPR) to ensure that all runners will run at least the stated distance. But since runners typically veer in and out of water stations, zig-zag a bit on the course and take some corners wide, they end up running farther than the SPR. So when stepping up to the start of your first half or full marathon, the knowledge that you’ll never run a perfect 13.1 or 26.2 mile race is a good thing to have. It will not only prepare you for the letdown you’ll inevitably feel when you’re not done when you thought you'd be done, but will help you to determine when you should expend your last bit of energy for that final push to the finish.

And you know, when it comes to pursuits worth expending our every bit of energy on, we would all do well to be like Paul who made it clear that it was worth "struggling" with all his might to proclaim the Gospel to all who would listen, “warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom” that they would be made “mature in Christ.” And you can be sure that Paul had the abundant energy to "toil" to this end—never taking shortcuts or cutting corners but pressing on, despite the time and effort it took—because he didn't have to rely on his own limited energy but could rely on the unlimited energy of Christ who “powerfully works” in all believers.

So remember this friends... you and I will never have a perfect life or a perfect race; no true believer of Jesus Christ ever will. But, despite that, we must strive with every single bit of energy we have to proclaim the Gospel as Paul did to all who will listen. Especially as we see the end days drawing nearer. In other words, it's time for us to make that final push to the finish line. Are you ready?

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have a duty to share the Gospel with the lost and a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters mature in Christ. And while this may appear like an uphill battle that we just can't win at times, please cause us to understand Lord that we have more than enough energy to "toil" until our mission is complete when we rely on Your strength and not our own. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

All for His glory

"When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.'" John 11:4 NIV

As I headed into church early yesterday, I was still pondering the Facebook memory from a year ago that popped up on my morning feed. Included in the post from last year's Rock Island Road Race 15k that I couldn't run due to an injury (but was able to walk) was the hashtag #toGodbetheglory. And God indeed got the glory for that hard-earned finish in 2020 just as he did for yesterday's finish (much faster of course) at the same race. But that's what our God does... He uses our pain, our trials, our failures, our victories, and even our sicknesses to bring Him glory; a fact He drove home through a conversation with my dear friend, Gretchen, on my way out of service. "I heard about your diagnosis and I'm so sorry. I've been praying for you," I told her as I fought back tears. "I know," Gretchen replied. "And I appreciate that very much. I'm going to beat this cancer." But it's what she said next, after describing her hair loss and the awful side effects of her treatment, that had us both crying, "This is so hard. This is certainly not my plan and not the way I would have chosen to bring Him glory but He has me in the palm of His hand and I will trust Him.... and I will pray that He is glorified through my pain." And after texting Gretchen later to receive her permission to share the story, Gretchen texted back," Please - I meant what I said - this is all for God's glory. I am just His instrument."

And you know, while it might be truly hard for us to understand the reasons we are allowed to suffer, especially when we are following Christ and doing our best to live for Him, we would do well to understand that God's ways are not our ways and that His plans are always better than ours. Consider the story of Lazarus. Jesus called him a "friend" and yet Lazarus still fell ill, and even died. But all this was done "for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." And indeed God was glorified, and many of the lost inspired to follow Christ, when Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the grave; something that could not have been done had Lazarus not been struck with "this sickness." 

So if you, like Gretchen, are battling something you just don't understand today, remember this my friend... you and I are His instruments to be used as He wills. And no matter what we have to face in this life, we have the promise that He will be with us, that He will hold us in the palm of His hand, that He will give us the strength to face whatever comes our way, and that He is working all things for our good and for His glory. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so intimately that You would personally walk with us through this life. Lord, help us to trust You in every situation so that we might willfully give up our lives to be used as You will. Cause us to be joyful in every situation Father knowing that our time on earth is short and that our death will only be the beginning of an eternal life spent with You. May we bring You glory Lord in all that we say and do. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

You get the glory

Procrastination has no place in our lives

“There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23 BSB

“Oh no!” I thought to myself as I read the Facebook post the Katy Trail 50/50 published yesterday. “John and I really love this race, and we are glad that you do too! We were surprised and humbled to sell out over the weekend.” Sold out? What? To think that I would not be running one of my favorite races due to my procrastination on signing up made my stomach drop. "Oh why did you put this off Melissa?!! You kept talking about registering but you never did it!" Thankfully though, I kept reading, “After talking with Katy Trail State Park, looking over our route and aid stations, and trying to make the best decisions for our race day field, we are prepared to open up a few more registration spots for the 2021 KATY 50/50!” And do you know what I did immediately? I signed up! And not only signed up but messaged the RD (I wasn't going to put this off for another second) afterwards to see if I could say the pre-race prayer again--to which she said yes! “Oh Melissa,” I chastised myself again. “Your procrastination almost cost you two blessings.”

And you know, when it comes to procrastinating, or postponing or delaying something that needs to be done or addressed promptly, the Bible is very clear that "mere talk leads only to poverty." And it leads not only to being poor in a material sense, since those that merely talk about working never profit from their labor, but spiritually as well. Think about it. When you and I put off doing those things God is calling us to do, we not only lose out on the blessing of working for the Lord (which is a blessing beyond comprehension) but the profit to the Kingdom of someone coming to know Christ because of our actions. 

So don't put off until tomorrow what God is calling you to do today my friend. In fact, don't put off what you know you need to do for even one more moment. I was given a second chance to do what I should have done weeks earlier... but second chances are never guaranteed and should never be our backup plan. Let us "labor" now to avoid regrets later. 

Heavenly Father, thank You reminding us that we should never put off those things we know that You are calling us to do. Please cause us to know and comprehend how eternally devastating the consequences of procrastination can be so that we might work while we still have today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Don't limit yourself

"Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12 BSB

If you thought you did a lot of running last weekend, you've got nothing on British runner John Stocker. Over the course of 81 hours at the Suffolk Backyard Ultra Event, this runner from Oxfordshire ran more than 337 miles and broke the Backyard Ultra record. To put into perspective what that entailed, consider that runners taking part had to complete a 4.167 mile lap of Suffolk’s Knettishall Heath every hour until they couldn't carry on any longer. They had to arrive back to the start in time for the next loop or were eliminated. This went on until there was only one person left running--in this case, John Stocker who was crowned the winner. Race director Lindley Chambers told the BBC: “What these guys have achieved is pretty incredible.' He added: 'I knew we had the calibre of people taking part and I personally thought we'd do 50 or 60 loops but these guys have gone beyond my expectation and have gone further than anyone else in the world competing in this format.’” The appeal these types of races have was summed up back in April when American runner Courtney Dauwalter also spoke to the BBC, 'It’s a fun mental challenge,' she said, adding that backyard ultras are about 'finding out what’s possible rather than a race that you want to win. If we don’t limit ourselves, it’s pretty cool what can happen.'

And you know, when it comes to limits, Jesus made it clear that we should place none on ourselves when He said, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these... " Now Jesus wasn't saying that the disciples would be able to do more amazing miracles than He had done (after all, you can't top raising people from the dead) but that they would have limitless power through the Holy Spirit to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. And get this... this is the very same power that you and I, as those "whoever's" who believe, have within us now to continue the work of sharing the Good News--work that is hindered when we limit ourselves. 

So refuse to place limits on yourself my friend by remembering that you serve a limitless God; a God that can empower us to do more than we could ever think, believe or imagine. And then dare to do big things in the name of Jesus so that others might come to know Him because of it. After all, we truly are limitless when we are working in the power of His strength. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the strength to do everything that You have called us to do. Cause us to remember that the Great Commission commands us to go out and make disciples of all nations and that You will give us the power to do that very thing. Cause us to be bold, brave, daring and willing to go wherever You call us at a moment's notice, totally confident that You will give us the strength, power, and protection we need. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Limitless