It’s Possible with God

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26 NKJV

In an astonishing story titled “Sam Tanner breaks New Zealand road mile record in Copenhagen,” it was reported that Sam Tanner is the national road mile record holder.

The 26-year-old broke Geordie Beamish’s New Zealand mark in Copenhagen on Saturday night (NZT), clocking 3min 56.01 at the world road running championships.

Tanner finished 12th in a stacked field, but did enough to knock off Beamish’s mark of 3min 58.45sec, set in Hawaii in 2025.

And while running a sub-four-minute-mile is still very rare, it’s no longer believed to be an impossible feat as it was before Roger Bannister, a 25-year-old English medical student and athlete, crossed the finish line at the Iffley Road Track in Oxford on May 6, 1954 with a historic time of 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds. This monumental achievement shattered a long-held barrier that many experts and scientists at the time believed was humanly impossible to cross.

In fact, it's estimated that only 2,000 to 2,300 male athletes (depending on indoor, road, and historical tracking criteria) have since achieved the “impossible.” And no woman has broken the four-minute barrier yet (the women's world record is 4:07.64, set by Faith Kipyegon) —and I say “yet” because it could very well happen, given the right person and the right set of circumstances.

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?’” Matthew 19:23-25

Speaking of things thought to have a zero percent chance of happening, Jesus told the disciples that it was "hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." In fact, Jesus declared it to be completely impossible by what he said next, "And again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying "Who then can be saved?"

This baffled the disciples because, in that day, it was believed that riches were always a sign of God's blessing and favor. And, although we know this isn't true since riches tend to make people self-reliant, self-centered, and distracted by worldly pursuits, this was the prevailing thought of that day.

Furthermore, we know that man is unable to save himself, regardless of how much money he has in the bank.

But the disciples had yet to undertand this. 

This is the very reason Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

With that statement, Jesus was putting their assumptions to rest by explaining that God’s grace is the only thing that can save the rich man, or any man for that matter.

“With men this is impossible” affirms that any form of self-justification is absolutely useless. No one can buy their way into heaven or work their way into God’s kingdom. The believer’s only hope of salvation—his only confidence in drawing near to God—is in God Himself, with whom all things are possible.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

So, remember that it's impossible to inherit the kingdom without accepting the grace of Jesus my friend. Salvation comes by faith, and faith alone. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Which is the reason we must trust in God alone as the One who makes salvation possible.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we can never earn or pay for salvation. Help us to understand that it's only possible with You that we might consider everything in this world rubbish, compared to the surpassing value of knowing You. Lord, help us to be generous with and worldly riches we might gain by remembering that all we have comes from You to be used for You, to further the kingdom. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Jesus Makes the Broken Whole

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

As I stepped up to the microphone yesterday morning to introduce Jade and Terry at the third annual Dixon City Wide Worship service, I couldn’t help but thank God over and over for the countless things He had brought me through.

This was something I was considering on my run earlier that morning, and something I make a point to remember often. 

I had read the short bios they had sent and could fully empathize with the brokenness they spoke of and about the transforming power of Jesus Christ. 

Which is the very reason I had to hold back tears as I told the crowd about these two amazing women who, despite their checkered pasts and the heartache that came with those pasts, were made new by a Savior that also made me new—a Savior that longs to do the same for all those who are hurting and in need of Him.

“Jade Hansen is a wife, mother, worship leader, and follower of Jesus. She has a heart for encouraging others and sharing the hope, grace, and unconditional love of Christ. Today, she’ll be sharing her testimony of how Jesus met her in the middle of her brokenness and transformed her life….

Terry Temple is a mother, grandmother, and devoted lover of God. She has walked through seasons of addiction and brokenness, but God met her there, renewed her life, and gave her a new purpose. Having served overseas in Africa as a missionary, Terry has a heart for sharing the love and transforming power of Jesus. Today, she’ll be sharing her testimony of God’s redemption, restoration, and faithfulness…”

As each one of these sisters in Christ then shared their testimony, I looked around at the crowd. By their body language, it was apparent that Jade and Terry weren't the only people who had something to be thankful for. Jesus had already transformed many in that crowd and you could see it in their eyes. 

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:12

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

But this should come as no surprise because that's what Jesus does…

Jesus came to not only give us eternal life when we choose to accept Him as our Savior, but removes our transgressions "as far as the east is from the west.” 

If that weren’t enough, Jesus gives us the power through His Word to change the patterns of thinking we once had (patterns that include thoughts like "I'm no good" or "I'll never amount to anything") to live a new life devoted to serving Him in response to His goodness and grace. 

You see, the Bible tells us that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."


This means that when a person enters into a relationship with Jesus, they are not merely reformed or given a second chance; rather, they undergo a radical spiritual rebirth that transforms them into an entirely new creation. Do you get that?


When we accept Jesus as Savior, the weight of our past guilt, shameful choices, and destructive habits is decisively broken, meaning that our former life no longer defines who we are in the eyes of God. 

Instead of looking at our history, God sees us through the lens of Christ's forgiveness, replacing our old nature with a fresh identity, a restored purpose, and the spiritual power to walk in righteousness. 

This means we are completely unshackled from the failures of our past, fully reconciled to God, and empowered from the inside out to live a life that honors Him. I don’t know about you, but that makes me jump for joy!

On that note, do you understand why our testimonies, then, are so important?

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3

They inspire others to understand that there is a Savior who loves them enough to die for them, regardless of what they have done! And that God can and will heal their brokenness and give them a new life, in the same way He did for us.  

So, if you have not trusted Jesus as your Savior, make today the day you do it my friend.

Make today the day you stop running from Him and say, "Lord, I can't live this life I'm living anymore. I need You to make me new like only You can. I'm choosing to trust in You as my Savior today and I'm choosing to turn from my old life and turn to the new one You have for me. Take every part of me, Jesus, and use me for Your glory from this day forward."

This will be the best decision that you will ever make. 

And, if you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, share your testimony at every opportunity my friend. Tell the world about how Jesus made you a new creation so that the lost would seek the only One who has the power to completely transform lives.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that when we put our trust in You, we are made new, we are washed clean, and we are given the ability to transform our thinking through the power of the Word and the intervention of the Holy Spirit. Lord, help us to be bold in sharing our testimonies that we might influence a broken world to seek the wholeness that is found in You. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

The Rainbow is God’s Sign

“I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” Genesis 9:13-15 NKJV

Like most people across the Midwest this summer, I’ve been earnestly praying for rain—especially in the last few weeks as temperatures have consistently been in the high 90’s and 100’s, not counting humidity.

Not only has the heat made for some brutal running conditions but the soaring mercury has greatly exacerbated the drought we’ve been in for some time.

This was the very reason my heart leaped for joy on Wednesday afternoon as my coworkers and I were getting ready to leave the conference we were attending. It not only began to rain, but it rained so hard that we were left standing in the lobby of the resort in awe of the storm, knowing that trying to make it to our car would not be wise but not caring about the disruption in our plans. We were just so glad it was finally raining!

That gladness soon turned into absolute glee as we walked out after the rain stopped and looked up in the clouds. There was not only own rainbow in the sky but two!!!

“Oh Lord,” I said out loud as I fought back tears. “Thank you for grace and mercy.”

And, you know, I was able to thank God for the appearance of the rainbow because, unlike a growing majority of people in our world, I know what the rainbow signifies… God’s benevolence and forbearance to evildoers shown through His covenant promise to Noah (and every living creature of all flesh) that He would never again destroy the earth with water because of the sinful state of mankind (a state that is still sinful). 

And think about this. God, Himself, said “It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh;” Did you get that? When the rainbow is seen, God will remember His covenant with us. Which means, when we see the rainbow in the clouds, we should remember it as well!

Does that fill you with glee or what?

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

This is the very reason that you and I would do well to remind the world what the rainbow truly signifies (and it's not about a flag)—adding that the same mercy and grace God showed then is the same mercy and grace that God is showing now (2 Peter 3) by delaying the return of Jesus Christ. 

Not because He is slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness, but because He is patient and wants to give people time, just as He did in the days of Noah, to turn away from their sin and turn to Him. 

So, if you have not made the decision to accept Jesus as your Savior, don’t put it off for another minute my friend. Jesus is coming back as He promised and you want to be found ready. And if you are a believer, take every opportunity to remind the world what the true meaning of the rainbow is so that they might be inspired to seek the One who created it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the mercy, grace, and compassion You have shown us since creation. Lord, help us to understand that a time is coming soon when Your patience will run out that we might repent and live for You and beckon others to do the same. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Do Everything Decently

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 NKJV

In a controversial story titled “Competition co-founder apologizes after athlete allowed to continue despite defecating on herself,” it was reported that Professional athlete Joanna Wietrzyk was seen on video and in photographs running and using shared fitness equipment with feces running down her legs.

The international indoor sports competition Hyrox apologized after an incident in Beijing where a runner was allowed to continue a race after soiling herself during the event.

Professional athlete Joanna Wietrzyk finished and won the competition on Saturday, which consists of running and high-intensity exercises. The athlete was seen on video and in photographs racing and using shared fitness equipment with feces running down her legs...

Hyrox co-founder Moritz Fürste issued a statement Sunday on social media apologizing “to all that were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation like we should have.”

“HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race,” he wrote. “In the end it is my job to foresee these potential incidents — and I did not.”

And, you know, while there are a lot of mixed emotions on whether Joanna should have continued despite soiling herself, the general consensus is that she should have been pulled from the competition for her lack of decency—especially considering that human fecal matter is a biohazard as it contains dangerous pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that cause severe illness if ingested or introduced into the body.

But, still, there are many people who applauded Joanna’s determination to continue competing despite the chaos and shame that her indecency brought upon her and the event.

"'For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob." Malachi 3:6

And while the world might define “decency” as behavior that is good, moral, and acceptable in society—a definition that can change overnight due to society's continued moral decline—the Bible defines “decency” as living in a way that shows moral integrity, respect, and order to honor God, which is a definition that never changes just as God never changes.

This means that believers are to do all things “decently and in order” so that their actions always bring honor to Christ. This includes forgoing our own goals when and if our pursuits have even the slightest potential of appearing indecent and bringing shame to the name of Jesus, regardless of what the world deems to be acceptable behavior.

And while the Apostle Paul wrote this command to the church in Corinth to address some chaos and confusion during public worship, the principle still applies today to daily Christian living, competing, organization, and leadership.

So, vow to honor God with your speech and with your actions my friend by behaving decently and in order at all times, whether you’re in the world or in a house of worship. This will ensure that you will always seek God’s glory rather than your own.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that provides the instructions for behaving decently so that we honor You in all we do. Help us to live in such a way that others are inspired to seek You by the way we set ourselves apart and the goals that we set for ourselves. Lord, help us to immediately forgo any of our pursuits if they cause us to act indecently or bring chaos in any way. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Choose Something Challenging

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 coming up… fall!!! This not only means that cooler temps are in store (yay! Right?), but it also means  that the Bass Pro Marathon, half marathon, and 5k are quickly approaching. As are the Dogwood Canyon Trail Runs. I don’t know about you but that makes me super happy!!

Speaking of runs, if you ran the Run the Rock race at Top of the Rock over the weekend, you probably don't need me to tell you that the heat and the hills were no joke.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to run the race so I asked my longtime friend, Jeannette Luttrell, (who has completed many of the BPFS events, including the Bass Pro Marathon) what she thought about it. And she loved it of course. Although she described it as a race with hills that were no joke!

But her race day story has a backstory worth sharing….

Jeannette began the year with a goal of completing another 10K. She had covered the distance years ago when she was running more consistently, but she wanted a goal that would motivate her to get moving again, become more consistent, and see what her body could still accomplish.

Then she chose Run the Rock.

She certainly could have picked an easier 6.2 mile race. Instead, she intentionally picked something that would challenge her.

Her training included hot summer runs on hilly gravel roads, sometimes with heat indexes around 100 degrees (this summer was brutal!). There were days she was tired. There were days she didn't want to run alone. There were plenty of runs that didn't feel easy.

But she kept showing up.

When race day arrived, Jeannette knew the hills would slow her down. She wasn't worried about running a certain pace or setting a PR. Her goal was to finish within the allotted time.

She surprised herself.

Jeannette finished the Run the Rock 10k course in about 1 hour and 9 minutes, and she estimates that she ran more than 56 minutes of it.

That's what training for challenging things can do. 

After all these years of running and coaching runners, I still believe one of the best ways to discover what you're capable of is to occasionally choose something that makes you a little nervous.

That's exactly what Jeannette did.

She didn't choose Run the Rock because she thought it would be easy. She chose it because she knew it would challenge her.

And then she trained for it. She showed up. She climbed the hills. She crossed the finish line. And she did better than she expected. And now she’s got her sights on the 15k at Dogwood Canyon!

So as you continue your training for the Bass Pro Fitness Series of events, don't automatically avoid challenging routes or races along the way. Look for them instead and use them to grow your miles, your mindset and your motivation. After all, every finish line that you cross gives you a renewed desire to cross another one and another one and another one. 

 Happy Running!

Don’t Ignore the Warnings

“and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;” 2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In a crazy story titled “Runners Crossed Waist-Deep Water At The Racefaster Half Marathon” published yesterday, it was reported that runners at Sunday’s Racefaster Half Marathon in New Jersey came through the bridges along the Saddle River holding the railings, in water several described as waist-deep, and plenty have spent the time since asking why it started at all.

At 8:53 a.m., an hour and seven minutes before the gun (because of the rain, the 8:00 am original start time was pushed back to 10:00 am) was set to go off, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning in the area. It put 2 to 3 inches of rain already on the ground, described the hazard as life threatening flash flooding, and ran until 11:30. Three more followed: one for the Saddle River itself, three minutes before the start, and two more while the field was still out on the course.

But, yet, the race went on.

One of the runners, Garrett Nathan, who had only signed up on Thursday and was chasing a half-marathon personal best, told NBC New York the move of the starting time seemed sensible at the time. “I’m like, I guess it’s gonna rain… it sounds like a good, logical decision. I keep checking my email from the race directors and get no notifications about a canceling...”

Nathan said this race was like nothing he’d ever seen before, as he counted five or six crossings out and back where the water was waist deep, and even chest deep at times, requiring the runners to hold onto the railings.

Racefaster has still not said publicly why the race went ahead, and did not answer NBC New York‘s request for comment. Daily Voice said it had approached them too.

And, you know, as this story shows, ignoring warnings of impending flooding can quickly lead to perilous conditions, even death. Thankfully, no one was hurt in the running (and wading) of the race, although the flood waters continued to rise after the last finishers were through, peaking at 6.8 feet, more than a foot over flood stage and well past the 5.7 feet forecast that morning.

While that story showed how quickly flooding can become dangerous, there’s probably no greater story of what can happen when a person ignores flood warnings than the story of Noah's building of the ark and the judgement that followed. 

"Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5

"But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:8-9

The Biblical record of the story provides only a glimpse of Noah's activities in the days leading up to the flood, and most of the narrative in Genesis 6 is focused on his work in building the ark. 

Nevertheless, we can make a reasonable assumption that Noah preached about the coming flood to his neighbors and community during the 100 years it took to complete the ark because Noah is referred to as “a preacher of righteousness” and called "a just man" who "walked with God."

And considering that “the wickedness of man was great in the earth” in Noah's day, you can be sure that there would be no lack of opportunity for him to call out the things God considered evil. But the warnings, we know, fell on deaf ears.

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:39

You see, the fact that the world was caught off guard by the flood tells us that the world paid no attention to the warnings Noah issued, and therefore, suffered the consequences of being swept away by the fast rising waters due to their lack of repentance.

And by the state of our world today, we can see that the world is still paying no attention to the warnings (Matthew 24) laid out in the Bible and spoken of by the prophets—something that will have eternal consequences equally as bad as those experienced by the ungodly in Noah's day.

Which is the very reason that you and I must live as if “the coming of the Son of Man” could happen as quickly as the flood waters came in Noah’s day. This is something we do by refusing to blend in with the culture around us and pursuing righteous living in the same way Noah did. You can be sure this won't be easy but it will certainly be worth it.

So, in a world that's growing increasingly more wicked by the day, choose to heed the warnings laid out in the Bible my friend and to look for opportunities to warn others of what's to come. Choose to walk with God so you will be ready when Jesus returns.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible that guides us into righteousness so that we can live a life pleasing to You. Lord, help us to heed the warnings found in the Word that lay out the consequences for living a life of sin and the blessings for walking in the light with You. Help us to understand the times we are living in that we might choose to become ready and stay ready for the return of Jesus. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

The Maker of the Mountains is our Constant Help

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

In a story titled “Morocco’s El Houcine El Azzaoui Breaks World Record in Mountain Running” published Saturday, it was reported that Moroccan runner El Houcine El Azzaoui has set a new world record in the 53-kilometer mountain running race, marking another major achievement for Moroccan athletics.

El Azzaoui achieved the feat during the 2026 World Mountain Running Series, according to Medi1News.

The Moroccan athlete delivered a standout performance in the demanding race to break the previous world record over the distance.

The achievement further strengthens El Azzaoui’s position on the international mountain running scene. It also adds to Morocco’s growing presence in endurance and mountain running competitions.

Mountain running requires a combination of endurance, speed, strength, and the ability to handle challenging terrain. The 53-kilometer distance presents an additional physical challenge for athletes competing at the highest level.

And, you know, while mountain running is not for the faint of heart, it's comforting to know that the Maker of the mountains we cannot climb sees and knows the demands and challenges each one of us is facing—demands and challenges that are insurmountable to get over or around on our own. 

This is the reason the psalmist looked up toward the high hills surrounding Jerusalem and asked "Where does my help come from?" And then, by faith, answered his own question by saying, "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Now we don't know what the psalmist was experiencing, but we do know that he was a real person, just like you and me, with real problems, real worries, and real concerns. 

And we also know that this psalm was part of the Songs of Ascents that were sung by ancient travelers journeying upward through dangerous mountain passes toward the Holy City, travelers that shared the same problems we have as believers today. 

But, by acknowledging God as the Maker of everything, the psalm reminds us that the power of the One who created the universe is personal, attentive, and fully able to sustain us through any trial.

Which means there’s no challenge or obstacle that can’t be overcome when we enlist the help of the Maker of Heaven and earth. 

So, the next time you look at a hill or a mountain, take a moment to consider the One who made it my friend. And let it remind you that the same God who helped the psalmist back then is the same God—because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever—that can help you today, if you will simply lift up your eyes and seek Him. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the psalms to encourage us and teach us how to worship You. Help us to remember that You are an ever-present help in times of trouble and that there's no mountain too high that you can’t reach us and no hill too difficult that You can’t help us climb over it. Thank You for being a God who truly loves us and wants to guide us along our journey Lord. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!