The Conditions are Ideal

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV

In a story published Sunday by the Spokesman’s Review it was reported that Kenyan runner Veronica Loleo broke the Doomsday 12 kilometer (7.5 miles) women’s course record on Sunday. Loleo did by just a whisker – one-hundredth of a second. She navigated the 49th edition of the 12-kilometer road race (7.5 miles) in spectacular fashion, winning in a time of 38 minutes, .02 seconds. The previous best, 38:00.03, was set in 2016 by Cynthia Limo. “I tried my best to push,” Loleo later said. “It was very hard. The course is very good. I was in good shape.” There was another thing that was good, which no doubt aided Veronica to win… the weather. It was ideal running conditions Sunday morning – 45 degrees and sunny skies when the gun sounded for the women.

I don’t know about you but the thought of someone breaking a record by one one-hundredth of a second is mind blowing! I mean, how do you even measure something that happens in the same time as a literal blink of an eye? What’s even more mind blowing though is that the Bible tells us that Jesus will return “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” And if you thought a blink was fast, a twinkling occurs in about one billionth of a second. That’s super fast! Which is the very reason, a person must be ready for the return of Jesus now since there will be no time to prepare when the time comes. And although no one knows the day or hour this will happen, we do know (based on the events that have already happened and are taking place around us) that it will be soon (think ideal conditions) and that only those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior will be  taken up. All those who have rejected Jesus will be left behind to deal with the fallout and a world that will quickly deteriorate. 

So knowing what awaits everyone who denies Jesus Christ, let us be bolder than ever in preaching the Good News of the Gospel with the world my friend. Let us seek to break records by the speed in which we do it! We will not only be doing our part in making heaven full but will help usher in the end that every true believer has been waiting for. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for clearly telling us that Jesus will return at the appointed time. Help us to understand that the time spoken of and predicted could be at any moment. Knowing that Lord, give us a passion to share the Good News with the lost at a record breaking pace that no one would perish on account of us not telling them. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Repent and Move On

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19 NIV

In a story titled “2,000 People Ran the Atlanta Marathon. Then They Found Out It Was 554 Feet Short,” published last week, it was reported that “a measurement error caused finishing times to be off by 36 to 87 seconds, including some Boston-qualifying marks.” The ATC (Atlanta Track Club) acknowledged on April 13 that the inadvertent misplacement of several cones near the 20-mile mark resulted in the course being short. The route had been measured as part of its USATF certification process weeks prior to the race, but when an unexpected race-week construction project arose, it forced ATC senior event operations manager Brantley Sherrer and his team to reconfigure sections of the course between miles 20 and 24 just a few days before the race—and just a day before the club was hosting the USATF Half Marathon Championships. The ATC was confident of the accuracy of the new marathon course—which included utilizing more space in the city’s Grant Park—but the problem arose when several cones were improperly placed during the course setup early on March 2. The snafu impacted the final finishing times of all 2,000 runners in the race, including 80 who finished in times that were faster than their age-group qualifying times for the 2026 Boston Marathon. The ATC reached out and apologized to all of the runners in the race, and offered each one a complimentary entry to any of the 35 events the club organizes annually, including next year’s Atlanta Marathon.

And, you know, while the ATC made a huge mistake, their willingness to own up to their blunder and quickly apologize to those that were affected greatly helped them recover and move on. Which is the same way we should handle the mistakes we make in our own lives. When we transgress or do wrong and come to realize that we have sinned against the Lord, we are to immediately “Repent, then, and turn to God” so that our sins may be wiped out. And then we are to go a step further and apologize and make restitution to anyone who might have been affected by our transgression, since our sins rarely only affect us. 

So, don’t hold on to unconfessed sin my friend thinking that the consequences of it will just go away. They won’t. Confess it to God and repent from it “that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” and you can move on. You’ll be so glad you did. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we all sin and fall short of the mark. Lord help us to see where we have failed You and when we have harmed others in the process that we might repent, apologize, and move on. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Satan Wears a Costume Too

“But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 NLT

In a story posted by the Deseret News, the writer made an attempt to answer the question that many marathon spectators have asked themselves, “Why do runners wear costumes in marathons?” After then sharing a few stories of runners who had recently dressed up, the writer said, “Runners wear costumes for a variety of reasons, including fundraising, bringing awareness to a cause… and just for fun or to express themselves. Some runners dress up as a way to connect with spectators and encourage other runners on the course. Races run at Halloween encourage costumes. Online retailers offer running garb of all kinds from an inflatable chicken to a Forrest Gump getup. Among the 30,000 runners at the iconic Boston Marathon last week, there was a Princess Leia, a Chiquita banana, a leprechaun, a Larry Bird and a ‘Where’s Waldo.’And it’s not just marathons. Runners dress up for 10K races and half-marathons, too.”

And, you know, while runners have their various reasons for donning a disguise (I, myself have done it on many occasions), our enemy the devil “disguises himself as an angel of light” and his servants “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” for one reason, and one reason alone… to deceive the lost (and even the elect if possible) and lead them astray by their false doctrine and their desire to be held in high esteem. As Paul said though, these are false apostles and deceitful workers who in the end “will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”

So, knowing that there are many false teachers in our world who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ, don’t be fooled by their masquerade my friend. Check their fruit and check their doctrine. This is the best way to spot someone who is wearing a costume of righteousness only to hide the evil underneath it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that many false prophets will arise in the end days just as Jesus told us, and would deceive many by masquerading as angels of light. Knowing that Lord, help us to see people through a spiritual lens, testing their every word to ensure it aligns with your Word, and checking their fruit so that we might see through the disguises of the enemy and bring their evil deeds to light. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Share the Comfort

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV

In a story titled “Runner struggling with eating disorder felt ‘less alone’ after opening up,” the writer said an advocate for mental health surrounding eating disorders says it’s important to open up and get help if you’re struggling. Grandville native Rachael Steil was a successful high school and college cross-country runner who struggled with an eating disorder. “I had always had some body image issues. Growing up, I think that’s sort of natural — not that you want that to happen,” Stiel told News 8 Monday. She said she started cutting calories when she was a senior in high school and the eating disorder worsened with the big life change of going to college… She eventually told her mother about how she was struggling with food and then posted a blog sharing her experience. “So many other people reached out and I felt so much less alone,” she said. She said athletes are two to three times more likely to struggle with an eating disorder…Steil not only wrote a book chronicling her trial, but is now a coach who speaks about her struggles to others.

And, you know, when it comes to sharing our struggles with others in an attempt to remind them that not only are they not alone in their fight but that there is hope in overcoming their struggle and comfort in the midst of their battle, the Bible tells us that God, who is called “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort… comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” This means one great purpose of God in comforting us is that it enables us to bring that same comfort to others. You see, when believers go through difficulties and trials and are delivered by the hand of God from them, they aren’t to keep it to themselves but are to share how God brought them through it. In doing so, they bring hope to those experiencing the same struggle. 

So, if God has delivered you from affliction, addiction, or adversity today, say so my friend! Don’t keep what the Lord has done to yourself. By sharing what the Lord has done for you, you remind others that they are not alone and that the Father of compassion can do it for them too—which will fill them with the comfort and peace that only the Lord can provide. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that the comfort You provide comes not only from the Holy Spirit but also through fellow believers who provide others with hope through their testimonies. Lord, help us to be transparent with our struggles that we might redeem our pain by sharing the way You always turn for good those things the enemy means for evil. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Volunteers Rock!

 

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let’s get started by talking about two things that go together like peanut butter and jelly… racing and volunteering. Why? Because races can’t take place without volunteers and because most of the volunteers are racers themselves. Why? Because racers enjoy running and reaching finish lines as much they enjoy helping others run and reach finish lines. This is why you will regularly see Bass Pro Fitness Series runners both participating in and volunteering at local Springfield events and beyond.

See those smiling faces in the photo above? Those selfless souls not only helped me get to the finish line of the Frisco Railroad Run Saturday, they helped a record number of other runners make it there as well. Between their encouraging words, their keeping the snacks coming and the personal filling of the runners’ hydration devices, these volunteers made the race better for everyone! Just ask any of the runners who were there.

Which is the very reason I asked them to share with you the reason(s) they volunteer. And why you should too! After all, we can’t have races without smiling faces. So without further ado… check out what these people who are worth their weight in gold had to say:

I volunteer because I have been that person on more than one occasion whose race was literally saved by a knowledgeable and caring volunteer who knew exactly what to say and do to fix an issue I was having. I know how important it is, particularly in ultras, to have those people out there, supporting not only runners but their crews as well. And these events wouldn't even happen without the tireless efforts of race directors and their armies of volunteers making sure things go off as planned on race day. Volunteering and knowing you were possibly instrumental in helping someone achieve his or her goal is richly rewarding and I highly recommend the experience to anyone who wants to witness some of the best of humanity out on a race course! - Stephanie Lane

Because i know how much work it takes to get through a long hard run….and being a part of someone’s success is a great feeling! I love seeing people do dumb-hard things!!!! ♥️ - Jill Brockman

I volunteer to give back to the running community. But mostly because I truly enjoy helping runners get to that finish line. Whether it is a cold towel to refresh their face or massaging a cramped muscle. I hope I bring a smile or bit of relief to them when they are at my aide station. I use humor quite a bit to ease the seriousness of their mind when the dig gets deep. But I can also slap them on the butt and tell them to keep moving and get out of my aide station! - Heidi Thomas

I started volunteering after my race at Frisco in 2023. It was at that race that I myself experienced the difference that volunteers make when doing the long distances and how they can be the entire reason you finish. I wanted to be able to help other runners, especially the back of the pack runners, meet their goals and succeed. Plus for them to feel less alone in the struggle. For me it was about giving back and helping in the same way that I was helped in my first ultra. I know all too well what it can feel like to hit the pain cave and have nobody there to support you, so for me it was putting myself in a position to be that support in whatever way a runner needs so they don’t feel alone in that moment. - Makayla Cornelius

Absolutely love helping others! Being in an aid station is the give back to the running community that gives my huband and I inspiration to be better! Runners are the most positive people in the world! I leave an aid station feeling accomplished and ready to take on my next goal! Plus, it is a fun fun, fun time! If you work with me, you should know I love to laugh! I ❤️ crewing runners and aid stations! I will take great care of you!! And then we might become friends! #KINGCREWYOU - Lisa King

“so I don’t have to run” - Dylan McGuire

I volunteer for all the good reasons already mentioned. And for the leftover cold pizza. - Chris Hines

I enjoy playing a small role and watching people achieve their goals. I love seeing all the different levels of goals that runners have from a 5k and don't die to 200 miles. - David Murphy

And there you have it friends. Running makes a person happy but so does volunteering! So look for opportunities to bless others (click here for some awesome BPFS opportunities) knowing that you yourself will be blessed in the process. Happy Running!

Timing is Everything

“For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.” 1 Corinthians 16:7-9 BSB

In a story published by the AP News over the weekend, it was reported that Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe was the winner of the prestigious London Marathon. The Kenyan runner made a solo breakaway with more than 10 kilometers left and never looked like wavering in the sunshine as he cruised to victory in the London Marathon on Sunday. Sawe pulled away from a leading group of nine runners about 90 minutes into the race and finished in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 27 seconds. Sawe made his move when his rivals slowed down at a drinks station — opting not to take any water despite temperatures that crept toward 18 C (64) as the elite runners were finishing. “I saw that was my opportunity to push,” Sawe said. “And I ran well.” So well that the only rival who was able to give chase was Jacob Kiplimo, the half marathon world record holder who was making his full marathon debut. But Kiplimo was never able to get close to erasing the gap, and the Ugandan finished 70 seconds back in second place.

And, you know, as this story shows, the timing of a person’s actions can determine their success. Sawe saw an opportunity to “push” and immediately took it. The apostle Paul also knew that timing was everything and, although he wanted to go through the region of Macedonia to spend “some time” in Corinth, he said he would only do so “if the Lord” permitted it. Meanwhile, Paul would stay in Ephesus as the Lord directed him because an opportunity or “great door for effective work” had opened. Paul knew that following the Lord’s plan was more important than following his own which is the very reason he would stay in the place God wanted him to. One more thing Paul knew was this… opposition most always accompanies opportunities (as we can see in Acts 19). And when (not if) this happens, believers need to “push” through the many that might oppose them.  

So, model the example of Paul who modeled the example of Jesus my friend—remembering that timing is everything. Stay where God tells you to stay until He tells you to go… and then keep going until He tells you to stop, no matter what opposition you might face along the way. It will be worth it in the end when you can confidently declare, “I ran well.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that your ways are higher than ours so that we will trust and follow your plan rather than our own. Help us to recognize the opportunities You give us to preach the Gospel Lord and to be discerning as to when we are to push or to pause. Help us to run the race set before us well so that we might bring You glory. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Earnestly Pray Without Ceasing

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Acts 12:5 NIV

As I crossed the finish line of Saturday’s Frisco Railroad Run 50 mile race, I immediately hugged my husband and began to cry over the goodness of God. For more than ten hours I had been in silent prayer asking the Lord over and over again to give me the strength to continue running the race, and He had once again proved Himself faithful. Not only did the Lord answer that prayer, though, He provided cloud cover and cool temps for the entire race just as I had petitioned for as well. If that wasn’t enough to bring me to tears, what my husband said after I had regained my composure and accepted my hard-earned buckle, had me sobbing once again. “You’re going to be so happy honey,” he said. “Dylan is getting baptized!” “What? Are you kidding?” No,” he said with a huge smile on his face. “It’s true!” “That’s awesome!” I replied enthusiastically. “Praise the Lord for this answered prayer!” As we continued to celebrate God for His faithfulness in answering our prayer for our dear friend and fellow ultrarunner of many years to go all in for Jesus, we vowed to continue praying earnestly for Dylan (that he would continue to grow in knowledge and faith) and all the others on our prayer list (some of whom have been on there for countless years), no matter how long it took for those prayers to be answered. 

And, you know, when it comes to prayers, one thing is certain… believers should NEVER stop praying. Especially when they consider that some prayers, like the church’s prayer for Peter’s release from prison, happen quickly, while other prayers, like Hannah’s prayer for a son, aren’t answered for years. In fact, the church’s prayer for Peter was answered so quickly that when Peter arrived at Mary’s house (after the angel led him out), where the church was gathered and petitioning on his behalf, the servant girl who heard Peter’s voice at the door was so surprised that she forgot to let him in the house. 

So, whether you’ve been praying for someone or something for a day, a month, a year, or even a decade or more, don’t stop praying my friend. Especially when it comes to the salvation of a loved one! It’s that important!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that some prayers are answered quickly while other prayers take time, patience, and consistent petition before they’re answered. Help us to understand that Your timing is perfect Lord so we won’t lose hope or give up when we aren’t seeing results. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

*Sweet Larry and I had the blessing of witnessing Dylan’s baptism (and many others!) yesterday and it was absolutely beautiful! Heaven was rejoicing along with us when he came up out of the water! You can view it here at about the 1 hour 12 minute mark. I hope it inspires you to accept Jesus as your Savior if you have not already done so.