Like the sands on the shore

"By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE." Hebrews 11:11-1

What a blessing that I was able to spend the weekend in Florida. Not only did I get to run in new places, I got to spend some time at the beach. Coming from the lakes and rivers of the Ozarks, the sandy beaches and the vastness of the ocean and the sky was breathtaking. I am forever in awe of God's creations and, as I walked the beach, I could feel God's presence and I couldn't help but think how vast His blessings are. Genesis 17:1-2 says, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

He promised Abraham that, if he would walk faultlessly with Him and follow His decrees that He would bless him. Not only did God bless him, the bible says that his descendants were as "innumerable as the sand on the seashore." But it required great faith.  You see when God made the promise to grant Abraham and Sarah a child, Abraham was 99 and Sarah was 90. We all know that people can't have children at that age right? It's easy to believe God's promises when logic says it's possible isn't it? But what about when it's says it's impossible?  In fact, the bible tells us that even, "Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure? Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Genesis 18:12-14  

Faith reminds us that there is NOTHING "too hard for the Lord". Sarah's situation seemed hopeless to her. Our situations can seem hopeless to us too. We may even find ourselves laughing when we feel God telling us that He is going to bless us or help us out of a trying time. You can be sure that He has the power to do anything, we need only have the faith. God blessed Abraham for His faithfulness and He can and will bless you too if you are willing to follow Him. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings in our lives. You have surely made the descendants of Abraham as innumerable as the sands on the seashore and given us another reminder of your strength, power and faithfulness. We praise You for all You do. I pray that we would have the faith that moves mountains knowing that You love us and are always with us.  In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy Running!!!                                                                                                         www.team413.org

Your love oh Lord - Third Day

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

Walk with God

"You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess." Deuteronomy 5:33

When you are planning your day, is Christ a part of it?  In the course of 24 hours, how often do you think of Him as essential? Do you view walking with Christ as an option? Opting only to pray when things are particularly hard?

If so, why?  God made us to yearn to walk with Him at all times. Acts 17:27 says, ""His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him--though he is not far from any one of us." He desires us to walk with Him, not only because He loves us but also because He knows that is where we are safest, happiest and most at peace. By following Him, focusing on Him and viewing Him as a necessity and not an option, we live the life He intended us to live... 

" This is what the Lord says:

“Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
    who draws strength from mere flesh
    and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

That person will be like a bush in the wastelands;
    they will not see prosperity when it comes.
They will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
    in a salt land where no one lives.

 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
    and never fails to bear fruit.” 

Jeremiah 27:5-8

What benefits we have by walking with Him! If it has been a while since you have spent some time with the Creator, today is the perfect day to change that. It's as simple as saying this simple prayer: Father thank You for creating us to commune with You. Please let us feel your presence today. At this moment, be with us. As we surrender everything that is holding us back from following You completely, comfort us, guide us and show us the path you would have us take. We want nothing more than to walk with you everyday. Thank You for your presence right here, at this moment, right where we are. We love you. In your precious name we pray, Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Here with me - Mercy Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEORY5PeR48

A faith like Daniel

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way."  Daniel 1:9

Compromise... it can be a good thing when you're talking about what color to paint the living room or where to go on vacation.  It can be an even better thing when it's up to you to keep the peace. But, when is compromise a bad thing? More and more the world defines what's right and wrong by whether if fits into the "50 shades of gray" area. Most things are okay if they don't hurt anyone else and there are differing degrees of what constitutes bad. But God's word is the ultimate authority of what is right and wrong. There is no gray area and, following Christ, requires total obedience and a steadfast faith, even in the small things.

It might seem petty that Daniel refused to eat the king's meat. But it had been sacrificed to idols and was no longer holy. Daniel and his friends loved the Lord so much that they chose to follow Him in every area of their lives, including what they would eat - a small thing one would hardly think God cared about. But God wants our TOTAL obedience and devotion not our compromises. Daniel 1:17 shows how God rewarded Daniel and his friends for their faith, "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds." By showing he could be trusted with the little things, God granted him so much more. When faced with the temptation to "give in just a little bit", do you compromise? To avoid ridicule or embarrassment, do you ignore your convictions and what you know to be right?

Small compromises can lead to bigger ones. Do it long enough and you'll find yourself in the "grey area" wondering how you ever got to that point. Or maybe you're already there? Wherever you are, God wants you back. No matter what you have done, God loves you and offers forgiveness to all those who ask. Make the decision today to stand firm, stay strong and avoid compromise. We are to be a light in this dark world - made to stand apart. Be an example to those around you and, like Daniel, choose God's way in the little things and the big ones.

Heavenly Father, thank You for your blessings and for your forgiveness. Forgive us when we go astray and help us to listen to the Holy Spirit when we are faced with decisions that might require a compromise. Help us to stand firm so others will see You in us. In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

I will not be moved - Natalie Grant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTeQdLKiRg8

He guides us

"The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

If there's one thing I have learned from running marathons, it's this... running is a metaphor for life. Just when you think your life is trouble free and the race is easy, you will hit a hard spot and will have to push through. Likewise, just when you think life is too hard and you can't go on, you find the strength to make it that next mile or through the day and the day after that.  In the course of a long race, so many things can change. The people you ran with at the beginning, hoping would lead you through, either went ahead or weren't strong enough to keep up and fell behind. Faces, relationships and friendships come and go in the pursuit of the finish line. But the one thing you learn, the one thing that never changes is that God is right alongside you. You learn that He is all you need and the only One that will be with you through whatever test, trial or storm you encounter. In Jeremiah 29:11, God gives us this promise, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Isn't it reassuring to know that God's plans are better than anything that we could devise on our own? Just like our best made intentions, our "planned" future can change in an instant with one phone call or a knock at the door. Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." That certainly doesn't mean that we simply wait for God to move us though. God can't direct your steps if you're not moving your feet. Seek His will for your life and keep moving forward. 

Whatever you are facing today, thank God.  If things are easy and life is good, thank Him. If things are hard and life is trying, thank Him. Either way, aren't we blessed? We are given another day and if you have today, you have another chance... a chance to forgive those you haven't and a chance to love those you couldn't...and you are not alone. "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

Heavenly Father, thank You for being by our side through every step in this race of life. Life has been a journey but You have been with us through it all. We praise You for your faithfulness to us. There is nothing on this earth that can compare to what we have in You and I pray that today is the day we choose to follow and trust You to lead us and be with us with every step we take. In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Through all of it - Colton Dixon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-JX4iTwWSw

Get back up

"Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. "Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18-19

As I sat in my van Monday morning watching the rain come down (the marathon start was postponed an hour so we had nothing to do but wait), I watched as twice they reset the time clock to accommodate for the new countdown to the race start. I closed my eyes in silent prayer as I listened to the drops fall on my windshield and I couldn't help but think back on the many times that God had given me a "new start" - A time to begin again without being disqualified from this race we call life. How I would love to have a reset button every time I lose my temper, am unfair to my children, tell a lie or fail to help someone in need (too busy for that right?) and the list goes on... 

While we don't have a restart button, we do have something better.  We have the promise of a new start and a new life in Christ, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!".  We all have made mistakes and we,"all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. And we all have a choice - we can choose to let the past define us or we can let Christ refine us. The first option requires us to trust in ourselves and what the world tells us, the second requires that we trust in Christ and what the Word tells us. Your choice will determine how you will live the rest of your life.

God is offering you a new start today. We can't take back anything we have done but we can change our life from this moment on. Psalm 103:12 says that, "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." I don't care how far or fast you can run, you can never and will never outrun the grace, mercy and forgiveness that Christ is offering you. He's offering you a chance to start over. Will you take it?

Heavenly Father, thank You for your unending mercy and forgiveness in our lives. We will always fall short of being like Christ but I pray that we continue to press on in our pursuit no matter how many times we fail. Let us remember that the failure is not in falling down but in staying down. And that every time You pick us up is another opportunity to share the good things You have done for us. In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

It's never too late to get back up again - Toby Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX5OqyBYKh4

God is in control

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."  Proverbs 16:9

Before the beginning of yesterday's Heart of America Marathon, we were preparing to get into our starting positions.  To my extreme pleasure, I turned around in response to hearing my name, to see an older woman (dressed in a TEAM 413 shirt this time!) I had met at a marathon last November. She had joined a group of us in the lobby of the host hotel to pray before we rode to the starting line together.  It happened to be an unusually cold day for that time of year with wind chills in the single digits.  Melanie (as I later found out her name) was so kind as to offer me a pair of glove warmers. I, in turn, offered her a bit of advice when she told me she was worried about how well she would run the race in the cold and that she might come in last. I asked her if she believed that God loved her and had gotten her to where she was at this point in life? When she answered yes, I simply told her that she could make the best of plans but God would put her at the point in the race (and in life) where He wanted her to be - the place where she could be used to be a blessing or to bring glory to His name. 

Unfortunately, I didn't see her again that day or since.  That was... until yesterday. As we embraced, I thanked her once again for the kindness she had shown to me and she thanked me for the words I had spoken to her.  Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." You see, when two iron blades are rubbed together, the edges become sharper and the knives are better able to cut and slice, the purpose they were designed for. And so it is with a friend.  As you fellowship with your Christian brothers and sisters, sharing Christ and helping one another grow in love and maturity with Him, you are sharpened, making you better suited for the purpose you were designed for... good works. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10.

We can do everything in our power to plan our future but God is ultimately in control.  He directs our path and each and every person He puts in it. Some are there for a time and some are there for a lifetime. Each friend is special and serves to "sharpen" the purpose for which we were designed. Trust in His plan and His purpose for your life. Then enjoy the friends He gives you along the way. 

Heavenly Father,thank You for giving us friends to strengthen and help us as we commit our lives to serving You. May we appreciate the friendships You have given us for a time or a season realizing that You know full well what is best for us. As we plan our course, help us to remember that You direct our steps.  In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

This is the time - Superchick

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiXqwHmBB2g

Heart of America Marathon 2014

Today was the 55th annual Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, MO. Described as one of the hardest marathons...ever!  The elevation chart makes a first time marathoner shudder and a veteran

A photo from the race.  Free race pics are a bonus!

runner rejoice at the prospect of overcoming the hills. Today's event didn't disappoint.  For the first time in history, the 6am start was delayed until 7am due to lightning. The rain and clouds turned out to be a blessing as the temps stayed much lower than expected much to the delight of everyone running.

The course is full of rolling hills and scenery as it winds through the back roads of Columbia and down by the Missouri river making for spectacular views of the water close up.  Got us ready for the mother of all hills at mile 12.  The majority of runners decided that walking this hill was just as fast as running it, and they were right. This thing was tough.  Many more hills were to follow with another big one around mile 20.  Definitely not a race for the faint of heart or anyone with a dislike of hills or difficulty.  The course was challenging but that's the allure of it.  Conquering the Heart of America Marathon gives you bragging rights and a sense of accomplishment. The volunteers and spectators were full of energy and encouragement.  For a course that didn't allow for people to sit and watch (too close to the road),they followed us in their cars yelling, ringing cowbells and spurring us on.  How they added to the overall enjoyment of the race. By far, some of the friendliest and outgoing volunteers and supporters anywhere!

Finished the race in Downtown Columbia amid the cheers of families and others gathered to see their loved ones finish.  Postrace treats included ice baths, cookies, soda, water and pizza.  A shuttle was provided to drive the runners back to their cars or hotels.  The official cutoff time for the race was 6 hours, however I was pleased that they didn't pull the runners off the course if they were within a mile or two of the finish line. They simply began breaking things down leaving the timing mat, medals and some refreshments.  My friend finished (her first marathon) in 6:23 to the joy of her family waiting for her at the finish.   God was good today. It takes a lot of guts, mental strength and perseverance to push for that long and I was pleased to see her claim her reward.  She was tired, sore and chafed but finished with a smile on her face and a renewed sense of what running is all about... doing things you thought you could never do and sharing the experience with others doing the same. These are the friendships forged by adversity and a shared ambition to live life to the fullest - even if that means conquering 26.2 miles of the meanest hills in Missouri.

Prerace with Jim McDermott, Alaina Jacobson, me, Doug Jacobson
Sandra Ortiz and Lynn Jacobson
Alaina,Lynn and Sandra completed their first marathons today at HOA.

Sandra with the finish line in sight.  As the course was shut down after 6 hours, the runners were responsible for yielding to traffic as they made their way to the finish line.  Philippians 4:13 was proven today as she relied on Christ for the strength she didn't have.  When you've done all you can, He will do all you can't.

Packet pickup - little did Sandra know what the next day would hold.

God blessed us today with air in our lungs, strength in our legs and joy in our hearts. We will forever be grateful to Him for the blessings He has given and run each race to share His love with others and glorify His name.  That is TEAM 413 and this is what we do.  He is worthy to be praised!!!!  www.team413.org

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