Ordinary heroes

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." Hebrews 11:1,2 NIV

Prior to this Saturday's St. Jude Marathon, Kent Stoneking was honored with the St. Jude Hero Among Us award for his continued support and fundraising efforts as a St. Jude Hero - a runner who not only pays to run one of the weekend's races, but also raises money for the hospital while training for the marathon. Aside from raising money for the children needing treatment at the St. Jude Hospital though, Stoneking inspires them by annually completing this 26.2 mile race with the help of a prosthetic leg fashioned for running. 

And while the world would define a hero as a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, the Bible would add that a hero is a person who puts their faith into action. A person who, like Abraham, hears God's calling and by faith moves forward to fulfill that calling without being able to "see" what's in store. Or a person who, like Noah, is obedient to the point of building an ark when they "do not see" the rain. But guess what? These heroes of the faith were ordinary people just like you and me that simply obeyed the will of God and impacted generations to come.

And you know, in a world that needs more heroes, you and I can be those ordinary people making a difference in the lives of others too... by simply being obedient. By going wherever we are called to go and doing whatever we are called to do. Can you imagine the impact you and I could have on this world if we did my friend?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that every one of us can be a hero to someone else by simply listening to Your direction for our lives and following it. Help us to have the type of faith that causes us to take action without questioning the results that one day we might be "commended" for our faith along with the saints. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I will follow - Chris Tomlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ODe4sGCKxc

Left behind

"Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." Matthew 24:40,41

If you're looking for a new adventure and have an extra $24,000 burning a hole in your pocket, you might be a perfect candidate for the inaugural Race the Jet Marathon taking place in Antarctica next February. You'll need to be speedy though as the private Gulfstream 550 luxury jet that will fly you to the start line and back out is legally limited to only five hours on the ground. This means runners will be off and running just minutes after landing and must complete the 26.2 miles under cutoff or get left behind. Runners who miss the cutoff aren’t truly stranded, of course. They spend the night in one of White Desert’s luxury residential pods (read: igloo mansions) and share a cargo plane with a load of the camp’s garbage back to South Africa the next day.

And while these runners will know well in advance the exact time the plane will leave so they can be prepared, the Bible is clear that Jesus' return will be swift and sudden and come without notice. Two men will simply "be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." In other words, those that believe in Jesus will immediately go to be with Him - and those that don't will be left behind. 

So if Jesus were to return at this very moment, would you be prepared to meet Him? The answer to that is of the highest importance my friend. It literally determines your destiny... whether you go home or get left behind. And I promise you, you do not want to get left behind. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You will be coming back for your children. Help us Lord to live each day for You - preparing ourselves and others for your return. Oh Lord, please give us a boldness to reach out to the lost that they might come to know You so they are not left behind. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

People get ready - Avalon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYDEziRutP8

Make the change

"'And they were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family.'" Matthew 13:57

One of the reasons I love coaching Couch-to-5k programs so much is watching the way running changes the participants - particularly the increased confidence they gain and the love of the sport this lifestyle change brings even after the program ends. Changes that don't go unnoticed by the families of these new runners either, as recent graduate Frances acknowledged in a post over Thanksgiving, "Sometimes you have to sneak out before daylight to get your run in. Now to face those 'where have you been looks.'" 

And you know, anytime a person makes a drastic life-style change, especially if they've made the decision to follow Jesus, non-believing friends and family might not understand or even accept it. But that doesn't mean it's the time to give up - but rather the time to be patient and prayerful that this new found transformation would result in a lifestyle change in us so dramatic and admirable that others would be drawn to make the same decision to accept Christ because of it. 

So if this is you today, remember this my friend. Jesus' friends and family didn't understand or accept Him when He left Nazareth as a carpenter's son and returned changed. He knows what you're going through and you're not alone. Don't give up. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that as believers we will face opposition and rejection in this world and even in our own homes. Help us to press on in spite of this that we might be an example to others through the way we live that making the decision to follow Jesus is the best decision anyone could ever make. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

Changed - Jordan Feliz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGPMX4zU9jc

We must be ready

"You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." Matthew 24:44 NLT

In keeping with my usual Sunday morning routine, I rose early yesterday to read my Bible and then get in a run before heading to church. And I was so glad that I did. The temperature was perfect, the air was still, the trail was quiet, and the sun was just coming up on what appeared to be a beautiful day in the making. And no sooner had I thought to myself, "I could really get used to this," a weather alert flashed on my phone. "BE READY: huge changes this afternoon." With a drastic drop in temperature and possible snow on the way, I was really grateful for the warning. 

And while being given advance notice of a change in the weather can help us prepare for what's ahead, you and I won't have that same advance notice to prepare for Jesus' return. In fact, the Bible is very clear that no one knows when Jesus will come back only that "the Son of Man will come when least expected." What does that mean for us then? It means that you and I "must be ready all the time." 

So if you think you can live outside the will of God now and repent at the last moment, think again my friend. It could be today, it could be tomorrow. or it could be a hundred years from now but Jesus is coming back. And when He does, there will be no second chances. You and I must be ready. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that Jesus will be returning one day when we least expect it. Help us to truly grasp the enormity of this event that we might live every day as if His return were imminent and urge others to do the same. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Coming back for me - Brenton Brown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdiiijSS0cI

This is the moment

"If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father's family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.'" Esther 4:14 CSB

As a hospice nurse, Kimberly Blomgren knows just how fleeting and precious life is and says she runs for a number of reasons. Most importantly though, she runs to make a difference in the lives of those around her. "I run because it focuses me completely on my job...The biggest gift of this work—and there are many—is that you realize that you have this one moment on earth. It forces you to ask yourself: What is your goal? What is your dream? If I die today, did I do something good? It’s not about the stuff or the things we accumulate. While I’m running, I find myself thinking, almost meditating that This is the moment I have."

And if a moment is defined as a very brief period of time (and life is brief even if you and I live to be 100), this is the moment you and I have too. The moment where we, like Esther, can use the unique "position" God has placed us in to make a difference in this world. And while our position may not allow us to do something as profound as providing care and compassion to the dying or saving the "Jewish people" from certain death, it does give us opportunities to show the love of Jesus to at least one person - which can have eternal significance.

So whatever position you find yourself in today, won't you use it to be a blessing to someone else? Because truly, my friend, this may be the only moment you and I have.... and we don't want to waste it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that life is very brief and that we only have a short period of time to do things for others that will have long-lasting effects. May our goal be to not waste even one moment of time serving You by serving others. May we be bold in our efforts to lead people to the foot of the Cross. 

Happy Running!!!

Follow me there - Third Day

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

The best savings

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Wow! I hadn't even begun celebrating Thanksgiving yesterday before receiving ads and invitations to take advantage of pre-Black Friday sales on everything from Runner's World Subscriptions and Nike Thermo Tights to Garmin watches and Proform Treadmills. With all the retailers' promises of free shipping and discounted prices, these savings seem too good to pass up don't they? And if you think those offers are great, what if I told you about another offer that makes them pale in comparison? The absolute best offer ever extended on a Friday?

You see on a Good Friday nearly 2,000 years ago, our Savior, Jesus Christ, died on a cross so that He could offer you and me the greatest deal of all time.... eternal life. Why? Because He loves us. The Bible tells us so when it says that, "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." And if that wasn't amazing enough, it gets even better! You don't have to wait for a sale or a special day to receive this life-saving savings, eternal life is offered to "whoever believes in him."

And it's as simple as that my friend-accept and trust in Him and be saved. It's a decision that will most assuredly change the rest of your life as Billy Graham so wisely knew when he said, "I have never known anyone to accept Christ’s redemption and later regret it.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would send your Son to die for us that we might spend eternity with You. If there is anyone reading this today that has not accepted you as their Lord and Savior, I pray today they pray these words, "Lord, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that you died on the cross to save me from my sins and I accept you as Lord of my life. Forgive me and help me start new knowing that I can look forward to eternal life with You". It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Glorious day - Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xODpgyqGCYM

Thankful

"LORD, you have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. Even before I speak,you already know what I will say." Psalm 139:1-4 GNT

During my early morning run yesterday, I passed the time by listening to my favorite Christian radio station while mentally listing all the things I had to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. God's grace and forgiveness, running, my friends and family, my church, my job, my home and new sunrises came to mind. And then these lyrics played, "I'm fully known and loved by You. You won't let go no matter what I do." Now that is something to be truly thankful for I thought. God knows everything about me... absolutely everything. But He loves me anyway. 

And you know, just as the psalmist knew, the Lord has examined each one of us and knows us intimately.  He knows everything you and I do (the good, bad, and the ugly) and perceives our deepest thoughts. He sees us when we are working as well as when we are resting and knows all our actions, even the ones done in secret. In fact, even before you and I open our mouths to speak, He knows what we will say. And yet, in spite of all our failings and shortcomings, He loves us anyway. 

So today and everyday. let us give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love, kindness and mercy - never forgetting that we are undeserving of any of it. Think of it my friend! Isn't it exciting to know that we have a God who knows everything about us and yet loves us anyway?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings You have given to all those who believe in You. We are so undeserving and yet You sent your Son to die for us that we might spend eternity with You. Oh Lord, help us to be so overcome with thankfulness that we boldly tell others about You that they too might share in the blessings. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Known - Tauren Wells

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xckDgX8xNfg