Be Trained to Take Action

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.‘“ Acts 4:12 NIV

In a story titled “Nurse Saves Runner With Compassion And Fast-Acting Skills: “I Just Did What I Had To Do!” published yesterday, it was reported that Giustino Racchini, a 19-year-old Penn State Freshman and cross-country runner, collapsed while out on a run recently. Thankfully for him, trauma nurse Jackie Strange was on her way to take her daughter to a gymnastics class when she ‘just happened’ to come upon him lying in the road. Jackie rushed to his side and was able to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived. Thanks to her quick action, Giustino survived. “His heart simply stopped — cardiac arrest, and it’s likely genetic,” the doctors explained. Jackie later met the young man and his mother, Heather, at the hospital. Mom says you saved me,” Giustino gripped Jackie’s hand. “I just did what I’ve been trained to do,” Jackie protested, but Heather wouldn’t hear it.“You saved his life. It’s that simple,” she insisted. Doctors installed a defibrillator in case Giustino’s heart ever stops again, and after 10 days, he was home.“Without Jackie, I wouldn’t be here,” he says gratefully.“I’m just happy I was there, and everything worked out,” Jackie smiles.

And you know, when it comes to being adequately  trained to save a person’s life, spiritually speaking, it’s imperative that believers truly understand that “Salvation is found in no one else” and can never be earned no matter how ‘good’ a person is or how much ‘good’ a person does. You see, a person who has not accepted Jesus as their Savior will spend eternity in hell, because “there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” This absolute and indisputable truth must motivate us to train in the Word so we can be ready to share the gospel with urgency and compassion, that none might perish on account of our lack of preparation, silence and/or inaction. 

So read and study the Word each and every day my friend. And then be on the lookout for opportunities to share the Good News. The Great Commission isn’t merely a suggestion for a few choice preachers but a command and call to action for every believer. We must all do our part in making heaven full. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that unless a person accepts You as Savior before they die, they will not spend eternity in heaven. Knowing that, please compel us to train each and every day in the Word so that we will be ready to perform spiritual CPR the moment the need arises Lord. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

The Family of God

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” Ephesians 2:19 ESV

As my husband and I sat down to lunch at a local restaurant yesterday with the amazing group of people we had the blessing of running with earlier in the morning to kick off Independence Day, I couldn’t help but smile as we bowed our heads together and thanked the Lord for the miles we shared, the food we were about to eat, and the friendships He created. We weren’t related by blood, but these fellow believers and their children were our family nonetheless. To the outside world, it would even have appeared that we were related because of the love and laughter coming from our table. I don’t know about you, but I’m truly grateful for being a part of the family of believers. 

And you know, when it comes to family, one thing is certain. Everyone has one. But if you’re a disciple of Christ, you’re blessed with two families. The first one (your family of origin) is the one you’re born into. You had no control or choice in this matter. Your family of origin may have been very nurturing, or it may have very dysfunctional. Either way, your family of origin is fixed and can’t be changed. However, when you’re born again through Jesus Christ, you inherit a second family – the family of God, and become “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” Do you just love that or what? 

So no matter what your family of origin might be like, rejoice that they aren’t your only family my friend. If you’re a believer, you have family everywhere! Which means you have the biggest support system you could ever need. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us all into your family. Help us to love one another in such a way that others would know we are your disciples and would seek to become a part of this family that uplifts, encourages, and delights in the company of its fellow members. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

We Must Turn Back to God

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance." Psalm 33:12 KJV

As I began my run early yesterday morning, I was lost in thought and spiritually saddened as I considered all the ways our once great nation, founded under the covenant of "one nation under God," has turned its back on its Creator. "Tomorrow we celebrate Independence Day," I thought to myself. "And we have certainly become independent alright. We are a nation that, for the most part, no longer depends on God for anything but depends on self for everything. We are a land that's gone from 'Thy will be done,' to 'my will be done.' The Ten Commandments have been taken out of our schools, sexual sins are now openly celebrated, abortion has been deemed a right, and public prayer is seen as offensive." As I then began to pray that the Lord would have mercy on our land, I looked over to see a small American flag lying by the wayside amidst the overgrown grass that lined the trail I was on. Picking it up, I waved it a bit to shake off the mud and then solemnly tucked the stick into the fencing around the Roubidoux Spring before resuming my run and prayer, "If this country would just turn back to you God, I know You would listen and restore us. Help me to do my part in sparking a revival!" 

And you know, as David clearly understood when speaking about Israel, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” blessings come upon those countries who seek and follow God. On the flip side, he also knew the consequences or cursings a nation faced when they chose to forsake God and worshiped foreign gods and worthless idols. And let's just say those nations did not fare well. Which is the very reason, we as individuals and as a nation must humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways before it’s too late. This is the only way this country will be forgiven, healed and renewed. 

So on this Independence Day, let us celebrate the One who gave us true freedom, and honor His sacrifice by repenting of our sins and turning back to God. There is no other way for our nation to be restored my friend. We must choose God to be our Lord and forsake all other gods or we will cease to be a nation. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for NOT giving us the due punishment the sins of this nation deserve. Lord, it's apparent that we are under judgement for turning our backs on You. Before it's too late Lord, cause us to repent and restore You to your rightful place as God of this nation so that we would not go the way every country that’s turned against You has gone. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Walk your way to the Finish Line

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let’s get started by talking about walking. Why? Because in the world of endurance sports (from the 5k to the ultra marathon), the process of moving at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once is totally underrated, underconsidered, underappreciated, and underutilized. With official Bass Pro Fitness Series training groups starting up on July 13 (you can join us virtually or at the Springfield or Waynesville runs), this is the perfect time to talk about how walking can be your ticket to crossing the finish line of one of the amazing events Bass Pro has to offer

So if the excuse, "But I'm not a runner" has kept you sidelined from checking a race off your bucket list, now's your time to shine!

To illustrate this point (and what inspired this blog), check out what Ladonna Hadley (pictured above middle with Maggie on the left and Dana on the right), a competitive walker from Tulsa, Oklahoma, had to say about completing her first ultra marathon at the recent 4x4x48 for the Fourth event that took place in Waynesville, MO: 

So I did a thing over the weekend. I walked 50.45 miles and got my first 50 mile buckle!! It all started with a pop-up about a free event and ended with new friends who have become family, lifelong memories, and blessings beyond words. I drove four hours to walk around a high school track for 48 hours. My only goal going into it was to see how far past a 50k I could actually go. The format was a 4x4x48 which means 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. When I got there they explained this was a fairly flexible event and that if we wanted to tack on an extra two miles we would earn a 50-miler buckle from one of their past ultra-running events. I was ecstatic at the thought of a first 50-mile buckle! So of course I added those extra two miles! 

I had asked my Running Bandits family for encouragement and they did not disappoint! You'll find just a few of their awesome, inspiring words on my lap poster in the pics. I did my best to post updates to our online group after each 4-hour round and tag the person on the list. They were fantastic and I could not have asked for a better support system throughout the 48 hours and always!

I met the most incredible people at this event! In the pic you'll see Dana who walked with me the entire time and earned her first 50 miler and Maggie who walked with us for her 19 miles. These ladies shared their lives with me and we had the best time! Laughter, smiles, sweat, and stories I'll never forget. I have so much gratitude for Melissa Sharp who coordinated the event, all of the awesome people I got to meet and share miles with, my Running Bandits family who always have my back, especially Bruce Ngo who wrote a funny and inspirational poem for me, and last but certainly not least all the glory to God who protected us from the storms and provided spectacular skies for the duration of the event. I'm so grateful for the experiences running and walking these events has brought to my life. Best first 50-miler ever! Looking forward to the next adventure!

Do you just love that or what? Did you notice that Ladonna referred to this adventure as her best "first" 50-miler ever?? That means there's more on the horizon!

And there you have it friends. If completing a 5k, 10k, half marathon or even a marathon has been a dream of yours that you couldn't imagine ever coming true, today's the day to start stepping and making that dream a reality! Walking might not get you to the finish line as fast as running will, but it will get you to the finish line nonetheless and that's what counts! I know Ladonna would agree and would remind you that her journey to completing a 50 miler began with walking that first mile, then working up to the second mile, and then the third. Which means you won’t gain the ability overnight to see your dreams come to fruition, but if you’ll stay consistent (like Ladonna did), it will eventually happen. So step out and stay consistent. Hope to see you in November!

Happy Running!

The Best Good News

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 BSB

In a story titled “Potomac teen runner Quincy Wilson is set to make Olympic history” published yesterday, it wa reported that teen sprinting sensation Quincy Wilson is set to become the youngest ever US male track Olympian after the 16-year-old announced he had reportedly been picked in the 4×400 meter relay roster for this year’s Olympic Games in Paris. Sharing the news on his Instagram on Sunday, Wilson wrote: “WE GOING TO THE OLYMPICS,” while also sharing multiple posts reporting that he’d made the team. Wilson’s coach Joe Lee also confirmed the news to both the Washington Post and USA Today. “The call came directly to me from USA Track & Field,” Lee told USA Today. “I called Quincy afterwards with the good news.”

And you know, when it comes to sharing good news, there could be no better message we could ever share than how God “so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Did you get that “so” part? That’s an extraordinary love so extreme and radical that it can’t be understood this side of heaven and so big and awesome that it can’t be contained. It’s a love that has the power to change the course of a person’s life. 

So let us follow the command to “go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” my friend, remembering that reaching everyone with the best Good News begins in our own back yard. This is the only news that can provide eternal salvation…something that has eternal value for the person who hears it and accepts Jesus. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You would send your only Son to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Thank You for loving us when we didn’t love You Lord. Please help us to understand the enormity of the love that compelled Jesus to sacrifice his life for us, so that we in turn would be compelled to share the Good News with everyone we meet. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Replace Fear with Trust

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 BSB

In a story titled “41-Year-Old Lolo Jones Makes the Next Round of the 100-Meter Hurdles” published Saturday, it was reported that, after tearing her hamstring four weeks ago, Lolo Jones tried to go over a hurdle in practice on Thursday and it hurt so much that she couldn’t clear a single one. With the first round of the 100-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Friday, Lolo thought she might have to pull out but decided to start the race, and qualified for the semifinals with a time that wasn’t her best, but qualified her nonetheless. Despite the pain—and the threat that she could re-injure herself though, Lolo said “That was terrifying, what I just did. That’s the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done in my career. For me to get on that start line and get through all 10 hurdles was a huge victory.”

And you know, if we’re honest, you and I would all admit to experiencing times of uncertainty—times when the future isn’t clear and we’re filled with worry and anxiety. David undoubtedly did. Which is the very reason, he declared “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” To do anything less, he knew, would allow fear to control his actions and keep him from stepping out in faith to achieve all God was calling him to do. That’s what fear does. It renders a person incapable of getting on the start line. 

So if you’re fearful today, take heart in knowing that you’re not alone my friend. This world is filled with uncertainties and unknowns that can bring upon despair, dismay, and doubt. Which is the very reason you and I must place those ‘unknowns and uncertainties’ into the hands of a God who’s known for working all things for the good of those who love Him and has been proven capable of overcoming all the hurdles in our path. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who can be fully trusted. When we are fearful, help us to take a leap of faith knowing that our future is in your hands. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Practice Wisdom all your Life

“A poor but wise youth is better than an old but foolish king who will no longer accept correction.” Ecclesiastes 4:13 ISV

In a story published by Canadian Running Magazine on Wednesday, the writer said “If you think you’ve seen it all in running, think again. On Wednesday, the men’s 70+ one-mile American record holder, Robert Qualls of Reno, Nev., was suspended for three years for violating U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) rules after testing positive for multiple prohibited substances. The 72-year-old tested positive for amphetamine and 19-norandrosterone (19-NA), a metabolite of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone), and other 19-norsteroids from a urine sample collected at the USATF Masters 5K Championships on Feb. 24, where he won his men’s 70-74 division. Amphetamine is classified as a stimulant, while nandrolone and testosterone are classified as anabolic agents. All these substances are prohibited according to the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.” Qualls won’t be eligible to compete again until 2027, when he will be 75. I don’t know about you, but this story had me shaking my head. Quall showed that the length of one’s years doesn’t always mean they gained wisdom.

And you know, in the three verses aptly titled “There’s No Fool Like an Old Fool,” contained in the book of Proverbs, Solomon observed that a “poor but wise” young person was better off than an “old but foolish king” who would no longer accept correction. You see, in a time when the aged were expected to be wise because of the understanding they had gained throughout the years, an old person who wouldn’t take advice and behaved recklessly was seen as more nonsensical, stupid, and senseless than a young person who acted in the same way because the young person hadn’t lived long enough to gain the wisdom that was supposed to come with old age. 

So as we get older, let us vow to live wisely and apply the lessons we learn along the way my friend. In this way, we will avoid being called and a fool and will be known as people of integrity instead. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons You teach us through the Word and the world around us. Help us to be good students throughout our lifetime and to gladly accept correction so that we will not fall into the trap of acting foolishly. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.  

Happy Running!