Cause for celebration

"For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

Leighanna Kolp, 14, of Chugiak, Alaska, crossed the finish line of the Mayor's Marathon 5k race in 72 minutes Saturday, beating her previous time by more than 17 minutes. And while completing a 3.1 mile race is always cause for celebration, for Leighanna it was even more so. You see, she was born without her right leg, has cerebral palsy and had reconstructive hip surgery two years ago. Of her determination to do the seemingly impossible, Kolp said, "It's one thing to have a disability, and it's another to let it overtake you. I'm going to choose to do things even if they're hard. Even for regular people, not everything is going to be easy in life. There are certain things you're gonna have to fight for."

And you know what? She's right. Not everything is going to be easy in this life. The Bible clearly tells us that. There will most definitely be things that you and I are going to have to fight for even if, and especially when, it’s hard-like our marriages, our families, and our integrity, some of the main things the devil seeks to destroy. But you know what? The Bible is also clear that you and I won't be fighting the battle alone, "For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

So no matter what battle you and I might be facing or what enemy we might be fighting today, may we find peace in the knowledge that God's promises are always true. And He has promised us victory over the enemy. Now isn't that cause for celebration? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we do not face our battles alone and, therefore, have no need to worry. May that understanding bring us joy, determination and hope as we strive to overcome the obstacles that come our way. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Champion - Beckah Shae

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

It will work

"Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal." Isaiah 26:4

When Kim Robinson became in desperate need of a new kidney, his son, Matthew Robinson, 20, a track runner for Frostburg State University, knew that he would be the one to donate it saying, "I trusted God, knowing He would do His thing." And after a successful surgery, the two said the experience strengthened their relationship and gave them a new appreciation for the value of life. "We all go through something for a reason, and this was to bring the whole family even closer," Matthew Robinson said. "I never thought about life or death, but I've always trusted in God — he was the real rock behind this. I know however He plans it out, it will work."

You know, as I read the story titled, "Runner donates kidney to father, competes 4 months later," I was in awe of Matthew's faith and love for his dad. Despite having a promising track career, he put his plans on hold because he had confidence that God "would do His thing." And because he believed that God was the rock behind it all,  Robinson knew it would all work out. In other words, Matthew knew what Isaiah knew, "the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal," the Provider of our strength, never changing and always the same yesterday, today and forever.

And because God is solid and unchanging in nature, we too can "trust in the Lord forever." That means, there is no reason to fear, no reason to worry and no reason to fret about this life or what is to come my friend. We can have complete peace knowing that however God plans it out, it will work. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that our ways are not Your ways but that Your way is always better. Help us to truly believe that today that we might find peace in a world that is chaotic and always changing. Help us to have the faith that says, I know however You plan it out, it will work. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

My feet are on the Rock - I AM THEY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uYiHiJTN6Y

Failure is not the end

"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." Lamentations 3:40

After two failed attempts to win the Western States Endurance Run, the world's oldest 100-mile trail race that most runners consider the ultimate endurance test, Jim Walmsley won this weekend with a time of 14 hours, 30 minutes. His previous attempts included getting lost in the last few miles of the 2016 race, a competition where he had been in the lead until mile 93 and then placed 20th due to his mistake, and a DNF in 2017 because of extreme heat. Learning from his past errors is what, undoubtedly, helped him to not only win this year, but beat the course record by 16 minutes. Talk about learning from your mistakes!

And you know, as Walmley's victory shows, failure doesn't always mean that it's over. In fact, failure may be the very thing that gave him the wisdom to succeed. The same is true of our pursuit to follow Christ. You see, no matter how hard you and I try, we will all get tripped up by sin and fail from time to time, and it’s at those moments that you and I have a choice to make. Give up or learn from our mistakes and press on--which we do by thoroughly examining our ways, motives and actions to identify the cause of our downfall, repenting of the sin that caused it, and returning "to the Lord." 

So remember my friend. As Denis Waitley wrote, "Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end." Failure doesn't always mean that it's over.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that failure doesn't mean that it's over. Help us to remember that defeat can make a great stepping stone when we learn from it, turn back to You, and press on. Help us to do that Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Get back up - Toby Mac

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

Be that someone

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14,15 NIV

As I surveyed the damage inflicted on my feet after running an ultramarathon race over the weekend, I could only shake my head and laugh. They were splotched and swollen from a heat rash, two toenails were about to fall off and an enormous blister had taken residence on the side of my big toe. And while my less than good-looking tootsies might have most people cringing at the sight of them in sandals, I had to smile. You see, the Bible says that "the feet of those who bring good news" are beautiful (even when they appear otherwise). 

And just where do these feet of mine, that God has called "beautiful" go to "bring the good news" you might wonder? Everywhere. Why everywhere? Because, regardless of what you and I might think, there are lost people everywhere, even in our own backyards, who need to hear about the love of Jesus Christ and his offer of Salvation. And it is the job of every Christian to do the same. Think about it my friend... "how can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" 

So may you and I be that someone today who is ready, willing and able to share the Good News wherever we go and with whomever it is we are prompted to share it with. Can you imagine how different our world would be if we did? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that there are lost people everywhere in our world. May we truly grasp that so we would be anxious to share the Good News with all those you put in our path, whether it be at home, on the racecourse, in the workplace, in our communities or abroad. Help us to have beautiful feet. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Good News - Mandisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKDrg8qPt70

Avoid dehydration

"The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7

Crowding together with the other participants at the start line of an 80k race early Saturday morning, I listened closely to the race directors' last words of advice, "Runners, as you know, there will be a few aid stations out there on the course today--but it will get hot and they are several miles apart so I hope you all are carrying personal hydration devices with you." Looking around, I was happy to see that these experienced runners, with their hand-held bottles, waist packs and camelbaks, had already anticipated the need to stay hydrated and were ready to fill up at each stop. 

Did you know that even mild dehydration can cause changes in a persons' mood and energy level? And if not remedied, lead to severe dehydration and even death? That's true both physically and spiritually my friend. Which is why it's important to catch any degree of dehydration early. And while water may be what invigorates the body, David knew that "The law of the Lord" is what invigorates our spirit and refreshes our soul.

So when it comes to avoiding dehydration, you and I would do well to keep our water bottles handy and sip from them often throughout the day. And that same advice applies to our walk with Christ. To avoid experiencing the ill effects of spiritual dehydration, you and I need to keep our Bibles handy and take in the Word each and every day.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the timely reminder that dehydration of any kind can be detrimental, and even deadly, to our health. Help us to recognize our constant need for Living Water that we might not have to experience the effects of spiritual dehydration such as irritability, hopelessness, insecurity, despair, sleeplessness, guilt, fear, fatigue, depression, sadness, loneliness, despair, doubt and separation from You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!

Refresh me - Leeland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcGrYvyQleU

All glory to Him

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." Psalm 29:2

Sixteen-year-old Katelyn Tuohy, a sophomore at North Rockland High in New York, ran a 4:33.87 mile on Sunday at the New Balance Nationals to break a 36-year-old record. And not only is she the Rockland girls outdoor track and field athlete of the year, holding many other records, she is now regarded as today's top female American high school runner. When asked why Katelyn was so fast, her coaches cited intelligence, natural ability and work ethic. Touhy, however, credits her coaches for never pushing too hard or too fast, saying, "They helped me progress steadily. I didn’t burn out like people thought I would."

But you know, as much as Katelyn's hard work helped her improve upon her natural talent and how much her coaches may have helped her hone her skills, the credit for her speed ultimately goes to the Lord. You see, God designed her. Just as he designed each one of us, completely unique even down to our fingerprints, with different skills, abilities and talents. David certainly understood that all we have and all we are come from God as well and so wrote, "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name." 

So the next time you're tempted to take credit for something God has blessed you with, won't you give the glory to God instead? Not only will it go to the One to whom it rightly belongs, but will allow us an opportunity to be a witness and testimony to a lost world. After all, isn't that why He gave us our talents anyway?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory. Help us to always remember that it is You that formed us and gave us every talent that we have. Let us not boast in our own abilities Lord but boast about only Your strength that others might come to know You because of it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

In Christ alone will I glory - Brian Littrell

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

The time is now

"Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest." Ecclesiastes 11:4

About a year ago, 5-foot-8-inch Bob Page, 50, weighed 320 pounds and was on medication for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and adult onset diabetes. Knowing he had to make a change, he began a doctor-prescribed diet plan and cut out fast food. Soon after, he says, he began walking and promptly committed himself to walking a 5k every day thereafter with the goal of being able to run the entire distance one day, which he eventually did. Of the transformation and weight loss of over 120 pounds, Bob said, "I’m just a regular guy. I wish it didn’t take me this long in life to get to this point. So if you are reading this and if you think you can’t, I couldn’t either, but I did and continue to do."

Perhaps you're in need of a transformation, or a thorough or dramatic change, too? One that you've been putting off? Perhaps it's a physical change? Or maybe even a spiritual one? Whatever it is, the Bible is very clear that, just as "farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant," people who wait for the perfect time or for the perfect set of circumstances to act, never carry out their intentions. In other words, if you and I want to reap a "harvest" one day, we can't wait for the perfect conditions to get started. We have to begin now.

So whatever it is you need to do, do it today my friend. Because, in the words of Charles Swindoll, "The habit of always putting off an experience until you can afford it, or until the time is right, or until you know how to do it is one of the greatest burglars of joy. Be deliberate, but once you’ve made up your mind–jump in.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that there is no perfect time to make changes. If you are calling us to make a change either physically or spiritually, I pray that we would heed the promptings today and began a journey of transformation that will draw us closer to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Our time is now - Colton Dixon

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