Guard your Temple

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV

In an alarming story titled “Avid runner’s stroke blamed on his energy drink habit” published by the East Bay Times Wednesday, the following was reported about an anonymous man:

He was healthy and fit at 54, an avid runner with no vices — he didn’t smoke, drink or do drugs. So when he suddenly experienced left-sided weakness, numbness and difficulties with balance, walking, swallowing and speech, a family member rushed him to a stroke clinic.

His blood pressure was sky high—about 254 over 150 millimeters — yet when you looked at him you’ve never know it, because he looked so well. That’s why we call hypertension the silent killer,” said Dr. Sunil Munshi, a consulting physician at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in the United Kingdom.

Munshi is the senior author of a case report about the man, a warehouse worker from Sherwood, Nottingham, whose name was withheld to protect his privacy. The paper was published Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

Normal blood pressure for adults is less than 120 over 80 mm HG (millimeters of mercury). Blood pressure of 180 over 120 or higher is considered a medical crisis that requires immediate emergency care.

“His left side was numb, and scans showed he had a stroke in the deeper part of the brain, the thalamus, which explains the unsteadiness,” Munshi said. “He was admitted, and we treated him with five different medications until his blood pressure dropped to 170.”

When he was back home, the man’s blood pressure continued to climb, reaching 220 despite numerous drugs.

Munshi and his team searched for answers for weeks, running extensive tests that turned up negative. Then one day the man told Munshi about his energy drink habit.

“Each day he consumed eight highly potent energy drinks to stay alert for his job — two cans at four different times during the day,” Munshi said. (The brand name was withheld from the study.) “Each of the drinks contained 160 milligrams of caffeine. Suddenly the diagnosis was clear…”

Just weeks after stopping his consumption of the energy drink, the man’s blood pressure returned to normal. Today, years after the incident, he is healthy but still lives with the aftermath of his stroke.

“I obviously wasn’t aware of the dangers drinking energy drinks were causing to myself,” the man told his doctors. “(I) have been left with numbness (in my) left hand and fingers, foot and toes even after 8 years.”

Wow right? This story is a great illustration of why it’s so important to be aware of what we are putting into our bodies. Sadly though, energy drinks aren’t the only things we take in that will harm us though. Which is the very reason we must be on guard for hidden dangers that can leave us with lasting consequences.

You see, the Bible clearly tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies belong to God and, therefore, we are to glorify God in our bodies and in our spirits. This is something we do by guarding our temple doors or gates… our ear gates, our eye gates, and our mouth gates. And we do this in the same way we guard the Temples that we worship in.

Think about it this way? If you were standing guard at the door of your church building to protect it, would you let someone in carrying buckets of paint they were going to throw on the carpet and the walls? Of course not! And I bet you wouldn’t let someone in with a jackhammer with the intent of breaking up the floors either right? See where I’m going with this?

"The hearing ear and the seeing eye, The LORD has made them both." Proverbs 20:12

We are to protect our godly temples in the same way we protect our places of worship, making sure that nothing enters our gates that will harm us physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. And it’s up to us to know and be able to spot what these harmful things are. Which means, in guarding our ear gates, we must check the lyrics of our music and the messages of our podcasts (among other things). We must continually ask ourselves, "Does what I'm listening to align with the Word? If the answer is no, then we don’t listen to it. 

“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.” Psalm 101:3

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV

Furthermore, in the same way we guard our ears, we must guard our eyes, averting them from looking upon anything wicked (like ungodly movies), no matter how much the world accepts it. And we must guard our mouths doubly, by eating and drinking only those things that are nourishing, pure, and undefiled (guarding what's coming in) and by letting no "unwholesome talk come out of our mouths (thereby guarding what's going out) but only what is helpful for building others up..."

A temple falls into disrepair when it’s continually neglected—which is the reason we must be on guard and vigilant in its upkeep.

So, guard your body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, by carefully and meticulously guarding your gates my friend. Being unaware of the dangers of what we eat, watch and listen to will be no excuse since we have the Bible as our guidebook. Read it, study it, and abide by it so that your temple will not fall into disrepair but will bring God glory.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that it’s of utmost importance for us to maintain our bodies where the Holy Spirit resides. Help us to understand that anything that we take in that’s contrary to your Word is poison that will kill is over time. Help us to be good stewards of our bodies and spirits Lord that we might honor You, the One who made them. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Run to Win the Prize

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NKJV

In a story titled “Runner is sole finisher of 47,000ft hill challenge” published by the BBC News yesterday, it was reported that Sarah Perry, from Cockermouth in Cumbria, England finished The Hill challenge in a time of 47 hours and one minute, becoming the only runner (out of  24) who completed the race. 

The Hill challenge, which consisted of 56 laps up and down The Wrekin in Shropshire, the first time it has been held in five years, has a total assent of 47,000ft (14325.6m) and runners had to complete the distance, which totalled 160 miles (257km) within 48 hours.

"The last third of the race was hard. The biggest difficulty was the lack of time," she said. Ms Perry broke the women's ultramarathon world record in October. Runners are largely unassisted for the race - they are not allowed sticks, headphones, outside assistance, pacers or supporters.

They cannot stop for more than 30 minutes at a time, or leave the route to get supplies or sleep, and must have a DNF (did not finish) strategy to get them home safely.

The closest competitor to Ms Perry completed 41 laps before bowing out.

Several runners retired on the first night, with more tapping out on Saturday and Sunday.

"I chose to skip breaks and ignore things that I'd usually get sorted, like wet socks and sleep deprivation, and instead chose to keep on the hill," said Ms Perry.

"I knew that six weeks to recover and build back up was a big ask, but I've wanted to do The Hill for so long and this was the first time it's been run in five years, so I just had to be on that start line," she said.

"I'm thrilled to have finished and, quite honestly, can't believe that it was possible for me."

"Unlike in backyard ultra races, there are no scheduled breaks so I was constantly doing the calculations in my head to figure out whether I could complete it.

"Often there was no wiggle room."

Wayne Edy, founder of sports brand INOV8, who Ms Perry runs for, said: "We are incredibly proud of Sarah and her incredible achievements."

"They are just reward for the many, many hours of commitment she has put into her training and the sport.

"Sarah is small in stature but big in grit and determination."

And you know, as this story clearly illustrates, there are some races that are so immensely hard that few will enter them much less complete them. In this case, only one runner finished the race--and it took enormous effort, countless hours of training, and a degree of self-sacrifice (or temperance) that few people are willing to put forth. 

But this all-out effort in training and in racing is what it takes to win. And this is the all-out effort that Paul said we must put forth in our spiritual race if we are to take hold of the prize. Which means believers must run to win "the prize" not to simply receive a participation trophy. Believers must train as an Olympian does, with their eyes set on the gold medal, unwilling to settle for second or third place. 

As you can imagine, this involves “choosing to skip breaks and ignore things” that aren’t 100 percent necessary for us to run the race. Which means we choose to reject comfort for the sake of progress. It involves keeping a steady pace and disciplining our flesh to keep going even when it’s hard. It involves choosing to “keep on the hill” or pressing toward the finish line when our flesh wants to quit.

“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:25-27

This is the very reason Paul said that he would be "temperate in all things" and not fight “as one who beats the air” but would discipline his body--to make his mind and flesh surrender to God’s will, not Paul’s will. In this way, Paul would run according to the rules, complete the race despite the hardships, remain faithful, and make it to the finish line where he would receive an “imperishable crown” for his efforts.

 
So, run in a way to receive the prize my friend, knowing that any other way would be in vain. Compete according to the rules, being obedient to the calling God has placed on your life. Let nothing deter you from pressing on and claiming the prize God has in store for everyone who remains faithful and completes the race.

 
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the Christian race will not be easy. Help us model the grit and determination that Jesus modeled when He chose to be born of a virgin and then die a sinners' death so that we could have eternal life. May we be so grateful for His sacrifice, that we are compelled to serve Him with an all-out effort until we reach our final finish line. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Make a Time Management Plan

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about what's just around the corner. Yes, Christmas is almost here (I'm so excited)! But so is the new year. And, as we all know, the new year is the one of the best times to make lasting changes and Christmas is a great time to acquire the things you need (think about adding them to your Christmas wish list) to make those changes. That being said, if keeping a consistent running schedule is on your list, I'm here to help! 

But first, let’s be honest. Making a schedule can be hard, and keeping a schedule can be even harder. Calendars fill up (especially during the holidays), kids need chauffeuring, meetings pop up out of nowhere, life happens, and suddenly—poof!—your workout window disappears like a sock in the dryer (especially those expensive toe socks). But here’s the truth every runner eventually learns:

We don’t “find” time to run… we make time to run.

Now that we've established that the time for New Year’s resolutions are right around the corner, it's easy to see that it's the perfect moment to sharpen those time-management skills so 2026 becomes the year of consistency, not excuses. 

So lace up (mentally, at least), because here are some fun, realistic, coach-approved ways to save time and keep those workouts rock-solid—even on chaotic days.

1. Lay Out Your Gear the Night Before - This is a serious time-management hack

If you wait until morning to hunt for socks, your Garmin, and that water bottle you swore you left on the counter… the run is already in danger. Especially this time of year when you need more gear because of the lack of daylight and cold. 

Prep everything the night before: clothes, thermals, vest, headlamp, gloves, hat, shoes, watch, hydration, gels, headphones.

When it’s all ready and waiting, you’re far more likely to get moving before your brain invents a reason not to. This sounds small, but trust me—it’s a game changer.

No more digging through laundry baskets for your lucky socks (which we've already demonstrated may have disappeared anyway) or discovering your favorite tights are still damp.

2. Turn “Wasted Minutes” Into Mini Workouts

Waiting on dinner to finish baking? Knock out some planks or squats. Kids at practice? Walk or jog laps while they play. Zoom call ends early? Boom—ten minutes of stretching or core work.

Tiny efforts stacked together create serious momentum. 

3. Schedule Your Runs Like You Schedule Appointments

If you wouldn’t skip a meeting with your boss, don’t cancel the one with your future healthier self either. Treat your workout as a non-negotiable block on your calendar. No guilt. No hesitation. Just forward motion. This single habit can be life-changing. 

4. Keep a “Go-To 20-Minute Workout” in Your Back Pocket

Life happens. Work explodes. A kid gets sick. Weather shifts.
But a short, fast session is always better than throwing in the towel. Stop believing that only long runs count. They don’t. A short interval session or a 20-minute aerobic run absolutely moves the needle—especially on busy days.

Try this simple 20-minute run:

5-minute warm-up
10 minutes of steady pace
5-minute cool-down

Done. You kept the streak alive—mission accomplished. You’ll be sweating, proud, and done before you can talk yourself out of it. And this win will set you up for even bigger wins. 

5. Use Tech to Your Advantage

Timers, reminders, training apps, smartwatches—they’re not just gadgets. They’re accountability partners.

Set daily prompts like:
“Run!”
“Move your body!”
“Future You is cheering!”

It’s silly, but it works.

6. Make Meal Prep Your Best Friend

The fastest way to lose a workout is realizing at 6 p.m. you still have to plan dinner. A little meal prep on weekends simplifies everything during the week and frees up that golden workout window. 

And think about this... fewer “What’s for dinner?” moments = more opportunities to lace up. Your future self will thank you when you walk into the kitchen tired and hungry and find a ready-made healthy option instead of settling for fast food and a missed run. And not having to pack a lunch because it's already made will save you time in the morning. See where I'm going with this. 

Remember: more prep = less stress = more miles.

*On a side note, I used to be a runner who prided herself on not using grocery delivery services. But guess what? Life happened in the middle of training a while back and I gave in! Each time I now place a grocery order, I consider that I save 60-90 minutes of time. And I save money too--because, obviously, I only get what's on the list. The subscription service and subsequent tip I leave pay for themselves every time in time saved.  

7. Buddy Up for Built-In Motivation

When someone else is waiting on you, excuses evaporate. Running friends keep your workouts fun, consistent, and drama-free. Plus, who doesn’t want to complain about hills together?

So, find a friend and/or running group that holds you accountable. 

8. Turn Your Warm-Up Into Your Commute

Jog to work (if logistics allow). If your office doesn't have a shower, you can always use baby wipes or bring washcloths and wash up in the sink before you start your day. This takes some planning (like stashing clothes at the office) but pays dividends. Once again, runners don't find the time, they make the time. And this is an easy way to make the time. 

9. Keep a Pair of Running Shoes Everywhere
Okay, maybe not everywhere, but a spare pair in your car, office, or gym bag opens up extra opportunities. On that note, keep a spare pair of socks and running gear stashed as well. 

Unexpected 30-minute window? Boom. Run it out.

10. Don’t Wait for Motivation—Rely on Habits
Motivation is fickle. Habits are reliable. Which means now is the time to make them. 
Small, consistent actions built over time become your default mode. And when you’re learning to manage your time more intentionally, those habits start to stack in your favor.

Why All This Matters Right Now…

Because New Year’s resolutions don’t start in January—they start in December. And, on a side note as I said before, this is the time to opt for gifts that align with your goals. A pair of running shoes is way better than a new puppy! And a new calendar is way better than a fruit cake! Let your loved ones know what you'd like to see under that tree and it will save you time and money. 

And here you have it friends. Great runners aren’t the ones who have more free time—they’re the ones who use their time intentionally and plan out their time wisely. They're the ones who have made running and working out a natural part of their lives and are reaping the benefits of it. 

So the next time you hear yourself saying, “I don’t have time to run,” remind yourself that you don’t need more hours in the day—you just need a plan. Happy Running!

Jesus Provided a Positive Outcome

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

In a story titled “California International Marathon runner experiences cardiac arrest mid-race” posted yesterday by CBS News, it was reported that: A California International Marathon runner is recovering after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest during the race, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District said on Sunday.

The runner, identified as a woman in her 30s, collapsed halfway through the race, in Carmichael, and was found unresponsive, Metro Fire said.

Medical staff immediately performed CPR and used an automated external defibrillator, AED, to help the woman regain a pulse. She was then able to breathe on her own and was taken to a hospital. Metro Fire said she was alert and in stable condition. 

"This positive outcome to this point was made possible by the quick actions of bystanders and on-scene EMS personnel, as well as the coordinated efforts of our fire dispatchers and command post staff. It also reflects the extensive planning and preparation carried out by multiple agencies including the California International Marathon staff, fire, EMS, dispatchers and law enforcement over the past several months to ensure the safety and security of all race participants," Metro Fire said.

And, you know, while there are many things that can lead to heart trouble, fear and worry are some of the biggest culprits. Which means, they must be dealt with quickly in order to obtain a positive outcome. 

Thankfully, Jesus, knowing that the hearts of men are easily troubled and fearful said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus spoke these words to the disciples on the night of the Last Supper knowing they would need encouragement after his departure. This peace, which surpasses all understanding because it is tranquility in the midst of conflict rather than in the absence of it, was one of the greatest gifts Jesus left them and us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

And it’s no wonder that Jesus would give us peace because He, Himself is the Prince of Peace, and the One we celebrate this Christmas season. This was something Isaiah prophesied more than 600 years before the blessed birth of our Savior. Amazing isn’t it? 

“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:10

Think about it. Before the birth of our Savior who is the Reason for the season, we had no hope for a positive outcome. We were enemies with God and destined for hell, but now we are “saved by His life” and have a hope and a future. 

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5:1

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:27-28 

Furthermore, because of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, we are restored to a relationship of peace with God, which means we have freedom from fear and worry. This is the deep, abiding peace between our hearts and our Creator that cannot be taken away and is the ultimate fulfillment of Christ’s work as “Prince of Peace.” Now His peace lives within us. 

Fortunately, this peace is “not as the world gives,” which is temporary, evasive, and totally dependent on favorable circumstances to exist. When (not if) the storms of life sweep in, the world’s peace is swept away along with the tumultuous waves of chaos and the winds of change. But the peace of God is not dependent on circumstances because it’s given by the One who never changes and is found in the One who is our sure foundation and the rock on which we stand. The peace of God cannot be shaken by even the fiercest storm. 

So, as you prepare your heart to celebrate Christmas this year, remember why Jesus came my friend. Not only did He die for our sins so that we could be free from the penalty of them, but He came to bring us peace! Talk about a positive outcome!

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to us. Salvation through Him is the greatest gift we could ever receive. Help us to understand what a precious sacrifice this was that we might live our lives in thankfulness to the Prince of Peace. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Prayers Bring Solutions

“I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2 NKJV

As I was nearing the end of my long run Saturday, I smiled as I ran past a neighborhood church with a very timely marquee that read, “A SOLUTION COULD BE A PRAYER AWAY.”

“Oh Lord,” I thought as I smiled and stopped to take a picture of the sign to save as yet another reminder of God’s faithfulness, “You are so good. Thank You for being a God who not only answers prayers but inclines your ear to hear them. All those years ago when I cried out to You for a solution, you provided it Lord. And You are still providing it!” Fighting back tears, I continued on with my run as I thought about the day in 2020 that I first prayed for a "solution" to a problem that broke my heart. 

Through my job as the Wellness Coordinator of our county health department, I was teaching a running program in one of our local elementary schools and took note that many of the kids taking part in the afterschool program didn't have the proper shoes they needed. Some were too big, some too small, and some of their shoes were just worn out. "Oh Lord," I remember crying out. "Help me to find a way to provide athletic shoes for these children." And the Lord not only "inclined his ear to me," but through repeated prayers provided the solution to the problem. By His divine intervention, things began happening! Meetings were arranged and we soon partnered with the OneSolePurpose Project out of Springfield, MO to begin our own OneSolePurpose Pulaski County Project.

Through more prayer, the Lord continued to guide us and we (and I say we because it takes a team), put together the first annual Bad Dawg Ultra in 2020 to raise funds and have, since then, been able to provide shoes to every Title 1 school in our county! By God's grace, the 2025 BDU race (and several other races) garnered enough of a profit that the annual shoe giveaway took place on December 5-7 at the St. Robert Shoe Sensation. More than 300 students stopped by to trade in their Golden Tickets for an athletic shoe of their choice. The kids were smiling as were my husband and I when we dropped by the store later that afternoon. All of this because we have a Creator that hears and answers!

And you know, God doesn’t have to incline his ear to hear me or to hear you. After all, the Creator of the universe knows our thoughts even before we voice them and His hearing is perfect. But He does it for our sake. Is that amazing or what? Think about it. To incline one’s ear means to listen intently, willingly, and with humble, focused attention to the one speaking or crying out. It implies that someone is bending or tilting their head to hear every word, showing they prioritize what is being said. It's an active, deliberate act of making listening a priority, not just hearing passively. And this what the Lord does for us!

“The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the Lord: “O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!” Psalm 116:3-4

This was something the psalmist understood after being delivered from a near death experience. And while we don't know for certain that Psalm 116 was written by David, most commentators agree that it was and that it was written as a personal thanksgiving of praise to a God who not only listened to David but went to great lengths to make sure that he knew how much God cared for him. 

What shall I render to the Lord

For all His benefits toward me?

 I will take up the cup of salvation,

And call upon the name of the Lord.

 I will pay my vows to the Lord

Now in the presence of all His people. Psalm 116:12-14

This fact not only caused David to say, "I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live" but compelled him to pay his vows of thankfulness "for all His benefits.” And he would not wait to do it either or keep it private! Because God listened, the psalmist was compelled to praise God “now” and “in the presence of all His people.” What a great and fitting response to the goodness of God! Shouldn’t that be the response of all of us though? Especially when we consider that when we pray, God provides solutions! Which means the solution to your problem could actually be only a prayer away!

So, knowing we serve a God who inclines His ear to hear us, let our response be to praise him now and at all times, in all places and to all people my friend. Let us be known as a people who pray for solutions knowing God can provide them. After all, if He did it for me, He can do it for you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that prayer is powerful! Lord, it's when we forget that, that we are apt to fall into despair and doubt. Help us to understand that You are still the God who inclines His ear to hear us and that You love us so much that You provided the ultimate Solution to our biggest problem. We were destined to die because of our sin, but You sent Jesus to take the punishment we deserved. Thank You Lord! In light of that, stir our hearts to sing Your praises at all times and in all places and to look to You for solutions to every problem we will ever encounter. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Let Them Call us Crazy

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3 NKJV

In an almost unbelievable story titled “A 31-year-old marathon runner thought she had norovirus. She was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer” published by Business Insider yesterday, the writer relayed the story of Katelyn Jonozzo, who from a young age took pride in being active.

Up until she was 18, she practiced gymnastics 4 to 5 days a week. "I loved the discipline, I loved having a regimented schedule," Jonozzo, 31, told Business Insider. "That instilled how important health and fitness are to your lifestyle."

In her 20s, she gravitated toward marathon running. A supply chain analyst, Jonozzo would regularly wake up at 4 or 5 am to lift for two hours and run before going to work. In 2024, she qualified to run the Boston Marathon. She couldn't wait to run it in 2025.

That was before she felt a sudden, sharp stomach pain in February.

Jonozzo started experiencing flu-like symptoms and throwing up. She chalked it up to norovirus, which was going around at the time in her Cleveland suburb.
"My stomach started to get really, really bloated — I looked like I was almost pregnant," Jonozzo said. "But that was also a symptom of norovirus, so I kind of just lumped it into that."

When the pain got worse — stabbing sensations in her sides and nonstop vomiting — her two best friends urged her to go to the ER instead of waiting another day. Jonozzo complied, assuming the worst-case scenario was appendicitis

After an emergency surgery to remove part of her colon, she learned she had stage 3 colon cancer, with secondary cancer in her abdomen… Within the next 48 hours, she had an emergency colostomy that removed one-third of her colon and installed a colostomy bag. "I was just in so much shock and so much was going on that I didn't really know what was happening," she said.

Jonozzo went on to discuss the chemotherapy journey that followed and her bid to remain active. The biggest obstacle, she said, was the colostomy bag. "I was obviously super self-conscious about the bag in the beginning.” But as she started to connect with other young cancer patients through The Gathering Place support group and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, she began to embrace the bag.

After seven months of treatment, Jonozzo was deemed cancer-free. She finished chemotherapy in August and had a colostomy reversal in November. In mid-December, her first screening since finishing treatment, she'll learn more about her future screening schedule, which she already knows will include two colonoscopies a year. She'll also be officially cleared to work out after her surgery — and is eager to go back to her old routine.

"I'm a little nervous just because normally I can just pop out and run and do those things, but I have to take baby steps back into it," she said. She plans to run three marathons in 2026, with the hopes of re-qualifying for Boston through one of them.

She's especially excited for the Cleveland Marathon in May. She'll run it as the team captain for her cancer fundraising group, which she said awakened new passions in her. "I love advocating, I love talking to people," she said. "I've always loved doing that — I just didn't have the confidence to do so before."

It's just one of the ways that her cancer experience changed her, she said, along with becoming more present.

"People think I'm crazy for saying this, but I truly believe it was one of the best things that ever happened to me," she said. "I would not trade this experience for anything. I really wouldn't."

Wow, right? The way Jonozzo chose to view her ‘experience’ or set of circumstances is completely contrary to the way the majority of the world views seemingly “bad” circumstances or experiences such as this. 

But this is the way every believer should regard the trials and tribulations of life. Although these times are hard, and more importantly because they are hard, they produce in us perseverance; and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope--which is a confident, steadfast expectation of future good, based on the promises and character of God that we experience in the present built on His trustworthiness we’ve experienced in the past. It is a deep-seated belief in God's faithfulness to fulfill His promises, providing a secure and certain faith even amidst suffering.

“Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-28

Paul, the writer of Romans, knew the truth of this better than most anyone. He lived a life full of tribulations, that could be described as the type of stresses that severely test a person. These times led him to discover that each and every trial that he patiently endured and overcame by the power of Jesus Christ grew his endurance! That’s why Paul said he would boast in his sufferings! What the devil used to try and break him only made his faith stronger! Which, in turn, strengthened the faith of those around him and now strengthens our faith!! Talk about the power of viewing things through an eternal lens rather than a secular one!

Think about it this way. A runner must be stressed to gain endurance. Sailors must go to sea. Soldiers must go to battle. For the Christian, tribulation is just part of our Christian life. It’s the training ground by which we grow. Which means, we should not desire or hope for a tribulation-free (or stress-free) Christian life then because it wouldn't showcase the power of God working through our agony, uncertainty, and affliction. 

 
Spurgeon explains it this way “A Christian man should be willing to be tried; he should be pleased to let his religion be put to the test. ‘There,’ says he, ‘hammer away if you like.’ Do you want to be carried to heaven on a feather bed?”

For this reason, let us glory in our tribulations knowing that God has a purpose in them, whether or not we understand them. God will not only use them to make us more like Him, but will use them to draw other others to Him.

So, rather than asking God to remove your trials, ask Him to give you the strength to endure them my friend. Keep the joy in all circumstances and trust that when God is done, you will come out better for the trial and God will get the glory. And you can then rejoice when people call you crazy!

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that although we don’t always understand your ways, your ways are always good. Throughout history, You have never failed to work a trial, test or tribulation for the good of those who love You and are called according to your purpose. When we are going through the fire Lord, help us to trust in You that we might keep our joy and inspire others to seek You by your peace that is displayed through us. Help us to be so different from the world by the way that we endure affliction that people take notice and call us crazy. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

 
Happy Running!

We are Called to Shine

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” Philippians 2:14-15 NKJV

In a story titled “Fastest runners shine in Seattle Marathon as new course debuts at Lake Union” published Sunday, the writer reported that the 55th annual Seattle Marathon concluded on November 30 at Pier 66 in downtown Seattle, marking another successful year for the iconic race.

This year's marathon introduced a new course that took runners along the northern edge of Lake Union after crossing the Montlake Bridge. The fastest male runner completed the 26.2-mile course in an impressive 2 hours and 17 minutes, while the fastest female runner finished in 2 hours and 49 minutes.

Approximately 8,500 participants took part in the half and full marathons, making it one of the largest turnouts in the event's history.

Wow right? It’s no wonder these runners were said to “shine!” With the average marathon mile pace coming in at 10:30 per mile, the male runner clocked a 5:15 minute mile pace for 26.2 miles and the female kept a 6:26 mile pace for the same distance. With that speed, it was easy to see that the winners were far from the norm.

In the same way these winners stood out from the norm, believers are called to stand out from the norm as well. In fact, believers are called to “shine as lights in the world.” This is something we do by refusing to adopt to the customs and ways of this ”crooked and perverse generation" and by doing “all things without complaining and disputing.”

You see, we live in a world where it’s become the norm for people to grumble about their circumstances or to whine about the things they don’t have and gripe about things they feel they deserve, even expressing attitudes of entitlement. But believers are not to adopt to this worldly way of thinking or acting. We are to always show ourselves to be “children of God without fault” through the faith and trust we display in the Lord.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

This faith and trust shows itself in a humble submission to Christ—being thankful for all that we have rather than moaning or whining about what we don’t have. This faith and trust shows itself in a confident reliance on God—acknowledging that He is the Giver of all good things and is more than capable of taking care of us. This faith and trust refuses to fear the future and shows itself in a peaceful, gentle and contrite spirit that every true believer should have.

In this way, we “shine” bright in a dark world. And the brighter our lights shine, the more we shine the light on the “Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” Which means, it's a great time to be a believer! 

So refuse to be like the world my friend. Seek to stand out from the norm! Seek to be known for your joy, kindness, and sunny disposition so that the lost will see Christ in you by the way you shine His love and will be inspired to follow Him. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are to be so set apart from the world that we shine as lights. As this world gets darker and darker, help us to courageously go out into all the world and illuminate the path to You and to push back the darkness, no matter the opposition that might come our way. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!