Never doubt what He is capable of

"Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen." Matthew 21:21 NLT

In 2013, Zach Bitter broke the American Record for the 100 mile race and quickly set his next goal on breaking the World Record, something that would require him to shave nearly 20 minutes off his 11:47:04 finishing time. "Almost six years later and many lessons along the way (failures) I found the day I was looking for," he said. "I went home to Wisconsin where I grew up... to participate in an event called Six Days in the Dome. Eleven hours 19 minutes 18 seconds later I crossed 100 miles and brought the WR to the US!" Zach then went on to offer some encouragement to those runners ready to give up on their dreams, "Stay patient, stay focused, and most of all NEVER doubt what you are capable of doing when you set your mind to it."

And you know, when it comes to doubting our abilities, the Bible is clear that when we align our will with His, there is nothing impossible for us - and we can confidently say to those things that stand in our way of achieving the calling God has given us, “be lifted up and thrown into he sea,’ and it will happen.’” You see, it’s only when you and I “have faith and don’t doubt” that God can and will work all things out for our good and for His glory, turning those mountains in our path into stepping stones.

So if you’re faced with impossible odds today and feel like giving up, don’t do it my friend. Stay patient, stay focused on Him and never doubt what you are capable of doing through the power of Jesus Christ working through you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that great things don’t always happen overnight and it sometimes takes years of labor, failure, pain and prayer before we see our mountains move. Help us to be patient during these times with complete faith that You are the God of the impossible. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!!

The God of the Impossible - Lincoln Brewster

Two are better than one

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT

Longboard marathoner Chris Koch, 40, who was born without full arms or legs, first met Milania Cadrain, a six-year old double amputee, three years ago at the War Amps Child Amputee Program, a club that organizes sports and activities for amputee children. “We were fast friends, since we both skateboarded to get around,” he said. They became such great friends, in fact, that Koch inspired Milania to train for her first 5k and then stayed by her side for the last 200 yards of the race which she completed on August 18th in a a remarkable time of 40:53. Now how's that for the power of friendship? 

And you know, when it comes to achieving any goal, King Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived said, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." And you know what? Solomon was so right. Having a friend who is willing to help and encourage us is many times the very thing you and I need to cross the finish line - especially when that friend has had our same struggles and can understand our feelings and fears. 

So if you think you can't inspire someone to do great things because of your age, your handicap, your past, or your perceived lack of having anything to offer someone, think again my friend. God has gifted each and every one of us in special ways to help others. And you can be sure that if you allow the Lord to use you, He will. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for people like Chris Koch who refuse to let life's circumstances keep them from inspiring others to be the best they can be despite their handicaps. Help us to be friends like this Lord. Help us to be people that never back down despite the hurdles in our path that others might be drawn to us and be inspired to press on in the same way Lord. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Cheer You On - Jordan Feliz

Thankful for the scars

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." Romans 8:37 NLT

"Oh my goodness! The backs of your ankles are blood red," my friend, Rachel, gasped as we slowed down to admire the beauty of a stream along the path we were running on Saturday morning. "I know," I said looking down to where her gaze was now fixed. "They're permanently calloused and scarred from years of running." I then invited her to check out my other "battle wounds," scars on the inside of my ankles from being nicked by my running shoes, scars on my knees from several crashes I had while trying to run at break-neck speed and the newest scar forming on the inside of my right arm from the thousands of miles God has been gracious to allow me to run with my arms swishing back and forth. I guess you could say that I'm not ashamed to show my scars. 

And you know what? None of us should be ashamed or afraid to show our scars or physical and emotional wounds caused by pain, hurt, addiction, or abuse but are now healed, because they are the very things that now serve as testimony of our victories over these troubles - victories that were made possible "through Christ, who loved us." You see, our personal stories of redemption and healing through Jesus, stories where we are real and raw - describing who we once were and how God changed us - are the very stories that, when told, can and will inspire hope in others who might be facing the same thing or have loved ones that are.

So I don't know about you my friend but I’ve done a lot of things I'm not proud of and suffered a lot of pain as the result of my rebellion and sinful choices. But guess what? All those things brought me back to Christ with a broken and grateful heart and gave me a story of God's love and redemption to share with others. What’s your story?

Heavenly Father, thank You for all my scars and for the lessons they have taught me. Thank you for redeeming me from the ashes and trading my story of hopelessness for one of hope. Lord, help us all to be bold in sharing how we have overcome the adversities, trials, and troubles in our lives through You that we might help others do the same. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Scars - I Am They

Offer the recommendation

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'" Acts 1:8 NLT

After spending more time than I should have (because the morning was so beautiful) stretching in the park after a long run Saturday. I knew I would have to get in and out of Wal-Mart quickly if I was going to be on time for an afternoon movie date with my family. But when I got to the tuna aisle and saw an older woman seemingly frustrated at having so many options to choose from, I felt the urge to stop and help. "This tuna is the best I've ever eaten," I said as I showed her the can I was adding to my cart and the shelf where more could be found. "It's a little pricey but well worth it." And you know what? Based on my short and sweet recommendation, the lady smiled and thanked me as she grabbed two cans and then continued shopping. 

And you know, while most of us find it easy and worthwhile to take the time to recommend things to others we consider worth purchasing such as food items, clothing and running shoes, how many of us are taking the time to tell others about Jesus? Sharing the good things He has done for us and recommending they make the choice to follow Him as well? And if you’re saying to yourself, “Well it’s the Church's responsibility to spread the Good News,” consider the words of Jesus my friend. "And you (that literally means You!) will be my witnesses (that's a command), telling people about me everywhere (that literally means Everywhere!)..." 

So in a world that’s in desperate need of a Savior, let us make the decision to be bold witnesses by simply and unashamedly telling the lost about the reason we chose to follow Christ and why they follow Him too. After all, if we don't tell them, who will? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that telling others about You is not merely a suggestion but an order and a call to action. Lord, in a world that is growing increasingly more hostile at the mention of the name of Jesus, help us to be bold Christians willing to profess our faith in our homes, in our neighborhoods, on our jobs and everywhere You send us. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Can I get a witness- Phillips Craig and Dean

Give your all out effort

"'Bring together all the Jews in Susa and tell them to go without eating for my sake! Don't eat or drink for three days and nights. My servant girls and I will do the same. Then I will go in to see the king, even if it means I must die." Esther 4:16 CEV

In a recent article published by Runner's World Magazine, renowned running coach Hal Higdon said, "If you never run all-out, you’re missing something." He then went on to explain why. "Working at top speed," he said, "can help any runner shave a few seconds to a few minutes off race times. Plus, all-out running taxes your body in different ways than other types of running... that means you’ll be able to go faster throughout an entire race or workout, not just at the end." Wow! Sounds like going all-out in our running is worth the effort doesn't it? 

And do you know what else is worth our effort? Going all-out for the Lord. That means serving Him with our full allegiance, determination and enthusiasm - holding nothing back as we live each and every day with an undeterred, resolute, and single-minded focus to follow His calling. Esther was a woman who truly knew the meaning of what it meant to do this very thing. You see, Esther was willing to do whatever it took to follow God’s calling to save her fellow Jews from destruction at the hands of Haman, and she was ready, eager and prepared to fulfill that calling, even if it meant she might die. 

And this is the same attitude you and I must have if we are to live all-out as well my friend. And you and I will know it was worth the effort when we one day hear the words every faithful follower longs to hear... “Well done good and faithful servant.”  

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that serving You with all we have means being ready to give up all we have. Lord, instill in us a passion so great to do the specific things You have called each one of us to do that we would burn inside with an uncontrollable need to see those things come to pass. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Like Heaven on Earth - Stars Go Dim 

Wait on His perfect timing

“so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said.” Genesis 16:2 NIV

Runners World Magazine recently published an article that said by the time a person has Googled “running a marathon without training,” they have either ambitiously signed up for a race, then life or an injury got the best of them (in which case, they offered their deepest condolences), or they want to run a marathon but don’t actually want to train for one (in which case, they say please don’t). And you know what? As a running coach, I couldn’t agree more. Running any distance longer than a mile without training could have devastating consequences - like buying a person a ticket on the pain train where they might stay for days, weeks, months or even years. Simply said, running a marathon without training is a horrible idea that could have serious and lasting repercussions and no one should ever do it. 

And you know what else is a horrible idea that could also include serious and lasting repercussions? Not waiting on the Lord. Something Sarai and Abraham quickly realized after Sarai, impatient with God’s timing in providing the child He had promised to her husband, offered her maidservant to speed up the process. And the results were disastrous! Not only did the birth of Ishmael, a product of this forced union, cause strife within their marriage but within the nation of Israel... serious strife that is still continuing today. 

So as the story shows, it’s always a horrible idea for us to try and speed up God’s plan my friend. And so when we are tempted to do it, let us stop and seriously consider the ramifications of our actions first. And then, as hard as it may be, let us wait on His perfect timing . 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that when we fail to trust You and act on our own, the results are always disastrous.  Not only to ourselves but to those around us. Help us to be patient in all situations as we wait on Your perfect timing. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I will wait on You - Shane and Shane

Guard yourself against disqualification

"No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:27 BSB

British triathletes and teammates Jessica Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown made headlines last week when they crossed the finish line of the 2019 World Triathlon Olympic Qualification Event in Tokyo holding hands. And while many people might have seen this gesture as heartwarming and an example of good sportsmanship, their actions got them disqualified... and rightly so. You see, according to International Triathlon rule 2.11.f, “Athletes who finish in a contrived tie situation, where no effort to separate their finish times has been made, will be disqualified." 

And you know, when it comes to getting disqualified for not following the "rules," Paul was clear that he would guard the privilege, or special right, he had to preach the Gospel with everything he had. This, he knew, meant disciplining himself to follow the rules listed in the Bible at all costs - which included bringing his flesh, or earthly wants and desires, under the submission of Jesus, careful not to say or do anything contrary to God's word. More simply said, Paul clearly understood that if he didn't practice what he preached, he could easily be declared ineligible and unfit to preach to others. 

And you know, the same is true for us my friend. When you and I don't do the things we advise others to do, or do the things we tell others not to do, we lose our credibility and our witness for Christ. And even if we aren't officially "disqualified" or ousted by a person or an organization, our testimony loses its' power. So let us make every effort to "discipline" ourselves in the same way Paul did that we might run the good race and teach others to do the same. After all, helping others make it to the finish line should be the biggest goal of every believer. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that preaching the Good News of the Gospel is a privilege that we should never take for granted. Help us to be vigilant in guarding our hearts and disciplining our flesh to follow you Lord that we would not break any "rule" that might disqualify us from sharing the Word with others. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Run - Lecrae