Despite the conditions-Run for the Ranch 2017

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

Hailed as the last chance to run 26.2 or 13.1 miles before the end of the year, the Run for the Ranch Marathon and Half took place on Saturday, December 30th. And while the date is great for those people who have procrastinated on reaching their goal and want to finish the year in style, running a race this late in the season is not without it's added difficulties. You see, more times than not, this winter race offers less than ideal weather conditions. And with a feel-like temperature of six degrees and sleeting snow, this weekend was no different. But by God's grace, everyone in our group had a lot of fun, persevered until the end and went home with shiny new medals for doing so.

You know, the race of life (and you can be sure it's a race) is not much different. God never said it would be though, did He? In fact, we are told to expect trials in this world-but thankfully, we are also given this promise, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.." What does that mean exactly? Quite simply it means that there is a priceless reward waiting for each person who persistently and steadfastly follows and trusts Christ, even in the face of difficulties, suffering and hardship and especially when things seem impossible or hopeless.

So if you haven't trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the good news is that it's not too late! Today can be the first day of a new year and a new life. And while choosing to follow Christ won't ensure you a life free from trouble, it will ensure you that it will be worth it. Because to all "who love him" there awaits something far greater than a shiny new medal at the finish line. And that my friend is a promise. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for being the God of second chances and for loving us even when we didn't love you. I pray Lord that if there's anyone who has put off making the decision to follow you that they wouldn't waste another moment and would pray right now... Lord, I am a sinner. I confess that I need you. I believe that you are God's son and that you died and rose again on the third day to give me new life. I ask that you come into my heart and give me the strength to follow you today and every day hereafter. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Hard love - Need to Breathe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDWhCaDgd3Y

So love this group of friends crazy enough to brave the elements with me

God blessed each one of us with a finish

Cut the stress

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

In a recent study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences, it was found that runners' gastrointestinal problems were significantly related to a runners' stress and anxiety levels. Put another way, even when other known causes of GI issues were accounted for, such as caffeine and workout intensity, runners who reported more stress and anxiety in daily life were more likely to have flatulence, stomach distress, mid-run pit stops, and so on while running. As you might have guessed, the only way to relieve and prevent this GI upset is to find ways to reduce our overall stress. And while they suggested doing things like yoga, meditation or cognitive behavioral therapy to relieve anxiety, I have a much better suggestion and one that's proven to work.... prayer and petition. 

You know, when Paul wrote the words, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God", he was in a Roman prison facing an uncertain future. And yet, he wasn't at all worried because Paul knew that God was faithful to work all things out-and that, by making his desires (by prayer and petition) known to God, he could trade his worries for peace. And since you and I can trust our unknown futures to a known God too, there's no reason for us to be anxious, apprehensive or fearful about anything either. In fact, you and I can be thankful at all times knowing that God is aware of everything we need and everything going on in our lives. 

So when the cares of the world threaten to overwhelm you with worry and unease, won't you resist the urge to look down in despair? And instead look up to the One who knows your needs before you even present them and desires nothing more than for you to have the peace that only He can give?

Heavenly Father, thank You loving us so much that You would offer to give us peace no matter what we are facing. Help us to be like Paul Lord, trusting You in every situation and giving thanks at all times. Help us to know that You are working all things for our good and so there's never any reason to be anxious. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

It is well - Finding Favour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR0vdvcdYG0

 

Everything is from Him

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!" 1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT

Women's Running Magazine recently published an article titled, "The Importance Of Being A Humble Runner." But as most of us already know and the writer pointed out, the greater our success in running (surpassing goals, winning awards, gaining PR's, etc.), the greater our chances of becoming prideful. And pride, or the inordinate opinion of one’s own merit, can easily inflate our egos leading us to overestimate our abilities and train to the point of injury-which is why it is so important to remain meek and aware of our limitations. The best way to stay humble, they say, is to be honest with ourselves and to remember that there's always room for improvement. 

And while those are good tips to keep us from becoming arrogant and haughty, the best way to stay humble is by always remembering that you and I have no talent that God didn’t give us and can accomplish nothing that God doesn’t allow. You see, everything we have and everything we are comes from the Lord. Sure, we can get better by training but, ultimately, we will still only be as fast or able to run as far as God designed us to. David certainly understood that when he wrote, "who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you..." 

So when the urge strikes to pat yourself on the back or publicly sing your own praises, won't you give the glory to the Creator instead? Won't you acknowledge that all of your successes are the direct result of the Lord's favor in your life? Because that my friend, is truly the only way to stay humble.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many good things you have given each of us. Thank you for our time, our talents and the opportunities you give us that allow us to display the power of your presence in our lives. Help us to achieve great things in your name Father that others would take notice and see you but help us to stay humble and remember that all glory belongs to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

In Christ Alone - Brian Littrell

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

http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2017/12/just-for-fun/importance-being-humble-runner_84190

A lifetime goal

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

Kevin Follet of Fort Collins, Colo., who has run in all 50 states and 21 foreign countries, reached his lifetime goal of running his 100,000th mile Saturday. Joined by his family and about two dozen friends, he ran this milestone mile along the Poudre River Trail in Laporte before breaking the finish line tape his two daughters held up to mark the momentous occasion. And in the season when many people are looking to set goals and make resolutions for the new year, what will yours' be? Something as big as Kevin's? Or perhaps something a bit smaller?

The truth is, setting goals of any size most definitely has its' benefits but, as followers of Christ, there's one lifetime goal we should all share... serving as Paul served. You see, when Paul was nearing the end of his life, he confidently wrote these words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." And he could declare this because he knew that he had put his every effort into the work of proclaiming the gospel of salvation. He had completed the course God set before him and had left absolutely nothing undone. His lifetime goal to serve the Savior with all he had was complete and he was ready to cross the finish line and enter heaven.

So as we approach New Year’s Day, the day many people designate as the best time of the year to make a fresh start, what will you make your number one goal? I do hope it will be to follow the example of Paul my friend, because as Pastor Steven Cole writes, "A life devoted to God is a life well spent. A life devoted to anything else, no matter how noble, is a life ultimately wasted."

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Bible that clearly tells us how a Christian should live and the benefits it will bring both now and in eternity. May our hearts' desire, above all else, be to serve you with all we have for as long as you will grant us our next breath. Help us to be bold witnesses for the gospel and to carry your love to others that they might come to know you because of something we did. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Don't waste your life - Lecrae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RWEllqh5J0

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/colorado/articles/2017-12-26/runner-reaches-lifetime-goal-of-100-000-miles

Makes my heart wanna sing

"I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!" Psalm 104:33

Purposely getting up earlier than the rest of the family yesterday morning, I settled in for some much needed Bible study and time alone with the Lord. I knew the day would soon get busy and I wanted nothing more than to begin it by thanking Him for the miracle of the virgin birth. Moments later though, I was interrupted with a soft knock on the door and my daughter's sweet voice saying, "It's time to open presents Mommy. It's Christmas." Oh boy, I thought, I guess I didn't get up early enough. And as the gifts were being unwrapped and the gratitude for my many blessings grew, I felt ready to explode with joy. I literally couldn't dress and get out the door fast enough after finishing to go for a run. And as I quickly settled into an easy pace, finally alone with the Father, I began to thank Him over and over and over again before singing His praises out loud. Oh how good that felt!

You know, King David was a man known for unabashedly praising his Savior too. He praised Him with melodies, words and even dancing. He praised the Lord for his goodness when life was easy and he praised him for his faithfulness when times got hard. In fact, David was so adamant that he would never stop giving thanks to the Lord that he wrote, "I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!" In other words, David, in gratefulness to who God is and all He does, was compelled to praise Him no matter the circumstance. 

And while I'm sure many people thanked the Lord yesterday for the gifts under the tree and the food on the table, how many of them will continue doing it the rest of the year? Christmas is indeed a special day filled with blessings but, if you look around and pay attention, every day is. So won't you decide to begin each morning giving praise to the Father? I promise it will make your day so much brighter.

Heavenly Father, thank you sending your son Jesus to offer us the greatest gift we could ever receive. Salvation can't be found in a store, in a box or under a tree but is given freely to all those who believe in You. Help us to remember that it's also a gift no one can ever take away and an assurance that we will one day spend eternity in Heaven. In light of that, help us to see your goodness in everything around us and to be compelled to sing your praises. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

How can I keep from singing - Chris Tomlin

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

Did she know

"and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:7

Nearly 20 years ago, my firstborn, a son, came into this world. I don't recall ever having felt a love that strong for anyone or anything before the day they placed him in my arms. Life changed the moment I held him... and so it must have been for Mary more than 2.000 years ago when "she gave birth to her firstborn, a son." Only ten months earlier, she was a young virgin engaged to be married - probably busying herself with wedding plans and dreams of the future. And then Gabriel came to visit, "The angel told her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. You have found favor with God. You will become pregnant, give birth to a son, and name him Jesus. He will be a great man and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. Your son will be king of Jacob’s people forever,and his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:26-38

Can you imagine all the plans she had for Him? The dreams of who he would be, what he would be like, the color of his eyes? Yes... she knew he was special and that he would be the "Son of the Most High" but for now he was her son, her precious baby. With a mother's love, she would allow herself to think only pleasant thoughts. Luke 2:19 tells us that, "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Could she have possibly known how her son, the Son of God, the beautiful baby that rested in her arms that first Christmas morning, would one day die a sinners death on a cross to save you and me from our sins?

This Christmas, won’t you take the time to treasure up all these things and ponder them in your heart as well? Jesus left his throne to be born in a stable and placed in a wooden manger. He would later be placed on a wooden cross to fulfill the purpose for which He was born. Mary, did you know?

Heavenly Father, thank you for this glorious Christmas day. Thank you for the gift of salvation and eternal life provided through the baby Jesus born in a stable over 2,000 years ago. There could be no greater love or greater King that would leave his throne to endure the suffering and hardship required to be the ultimate sacrifice. May we ponder these things in our heart today and the whole year through as we celebrate the greatest birth day of all time. Merry Christmas and may God bless each of you. It's in your most precious name we pray these things King Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Mary did you know? - Pentatonix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

Its about the Cross

"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:8

Beginning with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Owen Delaney of London set out to create things that he felt represented Christmas using Strava, a social network that allows runners to track and share the routes of their workouts. Each run was carefully planned and drawn out beforehand by Delaney to take him down paths and around streets that would eventually form the objects he was trying to fabricate-images that, when seen from above, look like the things he and others associate with Christmas like Santa Claus, a snowflake and an open sleigh. And while I applaud his efforts, I think Owen forgot the most important “thing.” He forgot about the cross. And you know what? It’s all about the cross.

You see the Bible tells us that our Savior left his home in Heaven to become flesh, born of a virgin, that He might one day save us from our sins. And from the Christmas cradle to the cross, this was the Son's ambition and His greatest intention. In the words sung by Go Fish, "The beginning of the story is wonderful and great but it's the ending that can save you and that's why we celebrate. It's about the cross. It's about my sin. It's about how Jesus came to be born once so that we could be born again. It's about God's Son nailed to a tree. It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me."

So you see Christmas is most certainly all about the cross and what it represents. But it’s the one thing many people don’t realize reveals the true and absolute meaning of why Jesus was born on that blessed Christmas morning. So won’t you share that with others today so they, too, can know the true reason we celebrate this most wonderful time of the year?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the greatest gift ever given and a season to celebrate. Thank you for your son, Jesus, who came to us in human form that he might be the Savior of the world. May we praise Him every day of the year for his great love for us and celebrate his birth above all else this Christmas. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.


Happy Running!!!

It's about the Cross - Go Fish
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKmUQHhyYwE

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/22/506616618/dancer-prancer-runner-and-artist-holiday-cheer-courtesy-of-gps