The Covenant

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life." Genesis 9:13-15

The disappointment felt by hundreds of runners because of canceled races over the weekend paled greatly in comparison to the sorrow thousands of people felt across the Midwest-all because of the weather. You see the record breaking rainfalls this area experienced not only hindered outdoor activity of any kind but also brought spurts of lightning, flooded homes and whole towns, washed out roads and bridges and caused many traffic accidents-and sadly, even a few deaths. And while the Missouri governor has declared the region a "State of Emergency", I know everything will be okay. I have complete confidence that the sun will soon shine again because the same oath that God pledged to Noah is the same one he has pledged to you and me. 

In fact, Genesis 9:8-17 records the promise God made to Noah and his descendants (that's us) after the flood which destroyed the whole world. And to show just how serious God was in keeping this pledge, the Noahic Covenant was not just spoken but sealed with a sign, "When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life." Thankfully then, since we can trust that God's promises are true, we can have complete peace in the midst of any storm.

So when you see a rainbow, smile as you remember that God is forever faithful, that his grace is new each and every morning and that the "sign" is a personal reminder from the Father himself that storms and trying times won't last forever. There is hope because he truly loves us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise that you would never flood the earth again. When we are anxious about the storms surrounding us or within us, help us to remember that you have promised to weather them with us, that we are never alone and there is always hope. Thank you Father for the rainbow that serves as an eternal reminder of that. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Tenth Avenue North - I have this hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBg9jHQtE44

Equally important

"Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!" Romans 12:16 NLT

On the course of the London Marathon last weekend, 39,000 lucky runners got the royal treatment as they were cheered on by Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge-William and Kate Middleton. And not only did they encourage the runners during the race, the royal family kept busy by posing for selfies with them, handing out water bottles, presenting awards and even passing out some finishers medals, all the while laughing and having a good time. Talk about enjoying the "company of ordinary people". And despite their bloodline, these royals demonstrated humility by their behavior endearing themselves to the people around them.

And this same meekness, or modest or low view of one's own importance, is the same attitude that you and I as Christians are called to display to one another. You see many people will only associate with those they consider to be like themselves or able to help them climb up the social ladder or get ahead. But Christ taught that all people should be treated with respect-the poor, the rich, the handicapped, those of a different race, young and old, male and female. And that to live in peace with each other as we are commanded requires the humility to see ourselves and others as God sees us and them... equally important. 

So let us strive to live humbly and in harmony with one another knowing that the process starts with our own attitudes. Because as Gordon B. Hinckley writes, "Being humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others." 

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the greatest example of being humble and loving others there ever was to follow. Help us to strive to be like Jesus that we might consider others more important than ourselves and so thoroughly enjoy the company of "ordinary people" such as ourselves. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Be the change - Britt Nicole

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

Consider the consequences

"Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me? But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew..." Genesis 25:32-34

Running in the cold rain yesterday morning evoked a memory that brought a huge smile to my face despite the gloomy weather. Thinking back, I recalled how similiar the conditions had been on that morning last month when I was blessed to cross the finish line of my first 100 mile race. But this recollection that brings such happiness now could easily have been a sorrowful one and the biggest regret of my life. You see somewhere around mile 70 when things got really tough, I debated quitting even though I knew it was not what God had planned for me. I was cold, wet, tired, lonely, in a lot of pain and spiritually run down. So when I stopped to rest and eat at the only aid station on the course with heat, I found myself tempted to stay and nearly traded what awaited me at the finish line for the temporary pleasure of being comfortable. And praise God I pressed on because quitting the race would have been something I would have regretted for the rest of my life. 

You know when it comes to comfort, the Bible tells the story of Esau who traded the lasting benefits of his birthright (or inheritance) to his brother, Jacob, for the temporary pleasure of having a full stomach. For "some bread and some lentil stew", Esau forfeited the better things that awaited him. Had he carefully considered the long-term consequences of his actions, perhaps he wouldn't have been so quick to just give up and give in to the temptation? Maybe he would have pressed on? One thing is certain though, that decision was something he most likely regretted the rest of his life. 

So as you see, if we aren't careful, you and I can easily fall into the same trap of making hasty decisions based on how we are feeling. And it's when we are tempted to give up or give in that we need to prayerfully consider what God would have us do and then ask for the strength to do it. Overcoming the desire to be comfortable won't always be easy but in the long run will most certainly be worth it.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Thank you also for the promise that better things are waiting for those that choose to follow you over choosing the comforts of the world. Help us to remember that being obedient will sometimes mean being uncomfortable but that it will be worth it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Kari Jobe - Steady my heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0ip40j82ws

Maximize your talent

"To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away." Matthew 15:25

When relaying the events of his recent IRONMAN competition, my dear friend, Jim, remarked that while he managed to take almost two hours off his previous time and placed very well in his age group, he was still nowhere near as fast as the elite athletes that had crossed the finish line nearly six hours before him. That's pretty amazing when you think about it, isn't it? That some people are blessed with that much speed and endurance? But God most certainly made us all different didn't He? Yet no matter how fast or slow we are, true success doesn't come from winning the race but by doing the best with the talents we have been given.

Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian and missionary, knew that. In fact, in the movie "Chariots of Fire," Eric said he was compelled to run in the 1924 Olympics because he believed that God made him for a purpose but that God also made him fast, "To give that up would be to hold Him in contempt. To win is to honor Him." You see just as, "To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability", Liddell knew success was measured by how well he used the skills he had been given, big or small, "according to his ability". This knowledge then allowed Eric to use his gift of running fast to bring God glory-giving Him a great return on his investment. 

And like Liddell, you and I should also maximize the use of our talents, not for our own selfish purposes but to honor Him. In all we do, whether slow, speedy or somewhere in-between, let us give our absolute best "each according to his ability" to expand the Kingdom and bring glory to our Creator. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings and for the individual talents you have given each of us. Help us to recognize just what that talent is and then to use it to do your will. May we always work to the best of our ability knowing that is where true success lies. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Hillsong - to You alone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj9H31DTX8w

In need

"Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins." Ephesians 2:1

One of the headlines from yesterday's London Marathon read, "A London Marathon runner who helped a competitor finish said he was just lending a hand to a "guy in need". It seems Swansea Harriers runner Matthew Rees came around the final corner of the 26.2 mile race just in time to see David Wyeth, from Chorlton Runners, struggling to stay upright. With 300 metres left to go, Rees immediately came to David's rescue stopping to help the fellow runner to his feet and then walk with him to the finish line. Thanks to Matthew, who was unwilling to let a fellow runner fail, they both finished in under three hours.

You know the Bible also makes it clear that, because of our disobedience and sin, every one of us was a girl or "guy in need" too. You see not only were we born into sin but each of us personally chooses to sin every day. And it's this very disobedience against God's commands that causes us to fall down and fail and the very same sin that sentences us to eternal death and separation from God. But thankfully there was one (and only one) person who could and would "lend a hand"-only One who was so unwilling to let us fail that he left his throne in Heaven to come to save us from all that.... his name is Jesus Christ.

And you know what's great? This blessed Savior of ours wants to save everyone who is in need-all those who are weary, worn-out and struggling to stand. And if that's you today, I invite you to confess your need, reach out and take his hand and allow him to lead you. It's just that simple to change how you will finish the race.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to save us from our sins. I pray that if there's anyone reading this that has not made the decision to follow you that they would choose to do so today praying, " Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I believe that you are God's son and I ask that you come into my heart and then take my hand and lead me on the right path all the rest of my days." It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.  

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

I need a Savior - Among the thirsty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnhicEmLWH8

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-39686765

Think first

"Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them." Proverbs 29:20

Adidas, one of the premier sponsors of the Boston Marathon, sent out an email after this year's race congratulating all of the finishers and extending an invitation to shop at their online store. Sounds like a smart move by the company right? Well it would have been had they considered their words more carefully rather than hastily writing this in the subject line, "Congrats, you survived the Boston Marathon!" In light of the 2013 bombings, many runners were offended and voiced their disapproval prompting Adidas to say, "We are incredibly sorry. Clearly, there was no thought given to the insensitive email subject line we sent Tuesday. We deeply apologize for our mistake. The Boston Marathon is one of the most inspirational sporting events in the world. Every year we’re reminded of the hope and resiliency of the running community at this event."

By their quick apology, the company minimized the damage and learned something in the process. Think carefully about what you say before you say it. And you know the Bible also has something to say about "someone who speaks in haste" or before sufficiently considering their words too. That person is called a fool. And while the world would define a fool as a person who acts unwisely, the biblical definition has the added dimension of someone who disregards God’s Word. And if there is more hope for a fool than someone who speaks rashly, we would be extremely wise to thoroughly weigh our words and their consequences before we use them, don't you think? 

So before speaking, writing, texting, posting or tweeting anything may we remember to THINK first. Is what I'm about to say True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind? And most of all, is it in line with God's word? Doing this my friend will ensure that you and I never have to apologize for things we've said that were better left unsaid. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that our words have the power to either hurt or heal. Help us to consider them carefully then that you might be glorified in the way we treat and speak to others. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

May the words - Ellie Holcomb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl1HF5NchLg

Contagious

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people." Philemon 1:7

In a new study in Nature Communications, it was suggested that running might just be contagious. In fact, if you were to think back on why you began yourself, you would probably say it was because your friends were doing it right? And while the study said that the sets of runners examined might not be representative of every jogger on the globe, the idea behind the research might help psychologists and athletes understand what motivates us to do certain activities. But for now, they said, it's safe to say that if you are trying to get back into your running game-or trying to initiate one-getting a workout buddy might not be a bad idea.

And you know the same can be said of joy. Paul knew that when he wrote to Philemon saying, "Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the heart's of the Lord's people." You see, Philemon's cheerful and uplifting attitude was so evident and abundant that it affected all those around him causing them to want the same happiness for themselves-proving joy is most certainly contagious too. And it's no wonder that it had that effect because, like water in the desert, a jubilant and motivating person has the power to refresh even the driest soul. 

I wonder then, if a person's attitude and actions are contagious, are you and I draining other's energy by our negativity? Or are we helping to replenish their spirits by our overwhelming joy and encouragement? Knowing our outlook will affect those around us, let us choose to be joyful then and let the feeling spread. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that our attitudes have the power to either lift up or bring down those around us. Help us to be filled daily with your Spirit that it might be reflected in all we say and do. May others so clearly see you in us that they walk away with a smile and a refreshed spirit. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Mercy Me- Shake

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8k40xj5Exk

http://www.popsci.com/running-contagious