Believers Must Warn Others

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-19 NKJV

In a disturbing story titled “Runner threatened with knife on Stones River greenway trail” posted by WKRN out of Nashville, TN earlier this week, it was reported that:

Officers were called to the Stones River Greenway on Monday after a runner reported being threatened by a man with a knife.

According to arrest documents, the runner was stretching at the greenway trailhead near Kohl’s off Lebanon Pike when he was approached by Reginald Williams, 30, who asked what he was doing there. Williams allegedly pulled out a knife and told the runner he “better run” back to his truck. The runner went back to his vehicle, warned others to not enter the trail, and called police. The suspect had reportedly left the area where the assault occurred by the time officers arrived.

Thankfully the man was found, questioned, arrested, and then charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. It comes as no surprise that Williams has a history of this type of behavior, making what the runner did all the more important. He saw a threat and warned others.

 
In the same way the runner warned people of a danger he was well aware of, every believer is called to warn the world of the dangers of following the world rather than God… dangers that the Bible makes us very aware of. In this way, every believer, like the prophet Ezekiel who was commissioned to warn the people of Israel to repent or die, is called to be a watchman.

And you can be sure this is a commission we must take very seriously—as God made it very clear that if we don’t “speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood” will be on our hands.

 
Yet, we are told, if we “warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity;” but we will not be held guilty since we issued the warning.

In other words, we can’t be silent but must speak up when God calls us to. Especially now when we can discern that the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is imminent.

 
And while you can be sure our warnings to “repent and turn back to God before it’s too late” might not always fall on receptive hearts and open ears, we must speak up anyway, despite the consequences. We must be faithful watchmen who declare God’s Word to a lost world.

 
So, don’t be afraid to sound the alarm when God calls you to do so my friend. In this way, you will be found faithful and no person will die in his or her sin on account that you didn’t warn them.

 
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are all called to be watchmen who warn the lost of the impending doom that lies ahead. Lord, help us to be bold yet loving as we speak your Truth to a dying world in the hope they will turn from their wicked ways and turn to You before it’s too late. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

 
Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Get Off the Fence

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let’s get started by talking about why being “on the fence” is not a good place to be and how you can motivate yourself to pick a side. If you’re wondering where I got such an odd topic, check out what the Fitness Series posted recently...

“On the fence about your next race? We've got you covered. Whether you're running your first half or marathon, chasing a PR, or rallying friends for race weekend, Bass Pro Shops Marathon Weekend has a distance, course, and experience for everyone. Check out 5 reasons runners keep coming back..”

Now before we get into the reasons why the runners keep coming back, myself included, let’s explore what being “on the fence” means.

"On the fence" means being undecided, neutral, or hesitant to choose between two or more options, sides in an argument, or courses of action, like literally sitting on a physical fence, not in either yard. It describes someone who hasn't committed to a decision, often because they're weighing pros and cons, lack courage, or want to stay on good terms with everyone.

Now, why is being “on the fence” so bad? Because it shows absolutely no forward movement or self improvement. And when a person ceases to better themselves in one way or another, they will regress—something that’s bad at any age. So, with that in mind, let’s look at the five amazing reasons they listed (*with my two cents thrown in of course) you should come back to the Marathon Weekend or sign up for one of the events for the first time!

1. 4 DISTANCES. ONE EPIC WEEKEND.

5K • Half Marathon • Marathon • Marathon Relay
Choose the race that fits your goals!

*I ran the Bass Pro Marathon for the first time in 2008 and was instantly hooked! Hence the reason I’ve been back every year except for one due to injury. That’s a lot of years! I’ve seen so many smiles from those doing all the distances and can attest that there is fun to be had at whatever goal you make for yourself.


2. FIRST-TIME FRIENDLY
Perfect for First-Time Half & Full Marathoners.
Smooth and supportive courses designed to help first-timers succeed.

*The crowd support over this epic weekend is some of the best anywhere! And the course is flat and fast. One of the best parts? The course is so family friendly that you can arrange for your friends or family to park at many different spots and encourage you along the way. Encouragement is completely underrated! Especially for thise


3. NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AWARD WINNING EVENT
Race Raves #1 Missouri Marathon & Half Marathon (2022, 2023, 2024)
BibRave 100 Top 20 Half Marathons
BibRave 100 Top 10 Marathon Weekend

*People rave about Marathon Weekend for so many reasons! From packet pickup to the finish line, this event is a winner!

4. THE BEST SWAG & RACE DAY EXPERIENCE
Premium swag, high-energy race day vibes, andreviews to back it up — don't just take it from us, take it from our BibRave ratings!

*As someone who’s run a lot of races, I will tell you that Bass Pro consistently has the very best swag. In all the years I’ve participated in the series, I’ve never not raved about the finishers shirts or the medals!!!

5. PR-FRIENDLY COURSES
Fast, well-designed routes that runners love for chasing personal bests.

*Once again, I can attest to the truthfulness of this claim. Countless Personal Records and Personal Beats have been recorded on their carefully planned and meticulously marked courses. I, myself logged one of my top ten marathon times on the streets of Springfield, MO!!

And there you have it friends! There are so many great reasons to get off the fence and get signed up for one of Bass Pro’s amazing events. Did I tell you that the proceeds go to local charities? And that the best activity you can do for recovery is exploring the Wonders of Wildlife Museum? It’s true! Which adds to the reasons (and there are more!) you should get off the fence and get signed up for the best running weekend ever!

So, get signed up and then get to training! You’ll be glad you did. 

Happy Running!

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 NKJV

In an article published by Runner’s World yesterday titled “The Boring, Brutal Truth: You Have to Run Faster to Run Faster,” the writer said, “Sometimes it’s just that simple.”

Let me start by saying: No, you are not required to have a goal of running faster in order to call yourself a runner. But plenty of runners, including myself, do train to get faster. And here’s the secret: You have to run faster to run faster.

Yes, running longer, slower miles has incredible value to building stamina and endurance. Those easy runs increase the number, size, and density of the mitochondria—the powerhouse—in your cells, which means you become more energy efficient.

 
But in order for you to become a more fleet-footed runner, your workouts need to be done at quicker paces. In many cases, that means they’re not comfortable; I’ve had to get comfortable being uncomfortable (and other cliches).

And you know, this principle of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable to get better is not only true in running, but true in our spiritual race as well. You see the Bible tells us that we are to “count it all joy” when (take note that the Bible didn’t say if) we fall (indicates we don't purposely enter) into various trials, because we know that the testing of our faith produces patience.

 
This patience, which is the ancient Greek word hupomone, does not describe a passive waiting as some might think but an active endurance. It isn’t so much the quality of forbearance that helps us sit quietly in the doctor’s waiting room, as it is the quality that helps us finish a marathon...  the quality that allows us to endure intense pain and keep pressing on to the finish line in spite of it. 

At its root, patience means to remain under. It has the picture of someone under a heavy load and choosing to stay there instead of trying to escape. The philosopher Philo called hupomone “the queen of virtues" and the Greek commentator Oesterley said this word patience describes “the frame of mind which endures.”

Unfortunately a person doesn't gain this virtue or frame of mind overnight though. The work of patient endurance comes slowly (taking years and sometimes even decades to grow), through all different kinds of tests and tribulations, and must be allowed to have full bloom so a person's character is spiritually mature and lacking in nothing to lead a godly life. In this way, trials prove to be a wonderful work in us, even if they don't feel pleasant at the time. 

As someone who's undergone countless trials, I will tell you that none of them were particularly enjoyable (I honestly felt some of them would break me), but they were productive in building up my faith and critical in helping me grow closer to and more like Christ. And to say that my love for Him grew through the trials would be an understatement! For that, I wholeheartedly thank God every day for my past trials and have vowed to rejoice in my future ones (even if they aren't pleasant) knowing that God will use them for my good and for His glory in ways I may only understand in retrospect. 

As you can see then, trials can prove a wonderful work of God in us. This was something Charles Spurgeon understood as well, leading him to write, "I have looked back to times of trial with a kind of longing, not to have them return, but to feel the strength of God as I have felt it then, to feel the power of faith, as I have felt it then, to hang upon God’s powerful arm as I hung upon it then, and to see God at work as I saw him then.”

So, get comfortable with being uncomfortable and consider it pure joy when (not if) you face trials my friend. They certainly won't feel pleasant at the time but what they produce in you will always be worth the pain. 

 
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that a believers trials are always used for good. Lord, help us to understand this especially when we don’t understand our situations, that we might patiently endure the tests and look to You for comfort and peace until the time of testing passes and we can look back and see the finished product. Help us to embrace trials knowing they make us more like You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Put on the New Self

“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV

In a story titled “RUNNERS TACKLE 'KRISPY KREME CHALLENGE' FOR CHARITY: 5 MILES AND 12 DONUTS” published Saturday, the writer said:

2400 calories, a dozen donuts, 5 miles, and one hour.

Hundreds of people gathered at the NC State Memorial Belltower to run 2.5 miles to the Krispy Kreme at Peace and Person Streets, to then eat 12 donuts, and turn around and run back.

"It's not fun on the way back, that's for sure, it's donuts in the stomach that don't want to stay down there, that's for sure," one veteran runner told us.

His strategy: drink water while you're eating the donuts.

Others came along for moral support, and maybe a little gastronomic rescue. "We're just going to keep an eye on him just in case I need to resuscitate him pump his stomach or something we're here for support," said Kendra Bland.

One by one, dodging the elements, and queasy stomachs to enjoy a sweet win at the finish line.

In the end, not just a rite of passage, but a good cause that sees 100% of the profits go to support the UNC Children's Hospital.

And, you know, when it comes to rites of passage intended for good, biblical rites of passage can be defined as significant events marking spiritual, emotional, or physical transitions from one life stage to another--often celebrating a shift into maturity, responsibility, or a deeper covenant relationship with God.

Which means every believer that desires a deeper relationship with God must willingly undergo the rite of passage of putting off their old self and then putting on their new self, “created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Believers must throw off or lay aside their former, corrupt, and dishonest way of life and sinful habits and be "renewed in the spirit" of their minds. Which means there must be a constant, spiritual transformation of one's thoughts, attitudes, and mindset. This involves believers to embrace a new, God-like nature characterized by true righteousness and holiness.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

In this way, they show themselves to be "a new creation" and not merely a refurbished one since "the old has passed away,” meaning it’s completely gone, and "the new has come." It can be described as a daily process of changing "clothes,” where the old, corrupt self is replaced by the new nature given by Christ. Is that awesome or what? It's further proof that a person can indeed escape from their "deceitful desires" and old patterns of life when they're willing to fully surrender their lives to Jesus.

So, don't buy into the lie that you were born a certain way, or destined to continue in a pattern of sin because that's the way you've been for so long my friend. God can make you new if you are willing to put off your old self and put on your new self that is found in Jesus Christ. And trust me when I say this… you’ll love the new self!

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that a person doesn't have to remain as they are but can change by the power of Jesus Christ.  Help us to share this message of hope with the world Lord so that those held in bondage by their sinful thought patterns or actions might find the will and the power to break their chains and live a righteous life in You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Prominence Won’t Save You

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

In a story titled “Olympic runner Sha’Carri Richardson pleads not guilty in super speeder case in Orange County,” published by News 6 Wednesday, it was reported that Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested last week after a deputy said she was going 104 mph in a 65 mph zone on State Road 429.

The deputy said she was also flashing the lights on her Aston Martin to get other drivers out of her way, and making unsafe lane changes, according to an arrest affidavit.

In body-camera footage released last week, the deputy is heard telling Richardson that she even cut him off at one point. The track star can be heard in the video apologizing profusely.

“I did not mean to do that. My phone, I didn’t even know my car was speeding,” Richardson said. She also told the deputy that her back tire was underinflated, which contributed to her speeding…

Richardson’s excessive-speeding charge stems from a new Florida law passed last year that makes it a criminal offense to drive at 100 mph or more in a manner that endangers people or property.

Richardson obtained prominence after she took gold for the 100m at the 2023 World Championships and the Olympic relay in 2024.

And, you know, while Richardson might have held “prominence” at one time, this gifted runner has definitely had a fall from grace as this story shows. And despite her best attempts to apologize and make justifications for breaking the law so as to avoid the consequences of her wrongdoing, she was rightfully arrested anyway. Richardson later pled not guilty, in spite of the overwhelming evidence against her.

In the same way, spiritually speaking, no matter what prominence we might hold in society or justifications we might try to make for our wrongdoings or sins against God, the overwhelming and irrefutable evidence against us shows that each and every one of us is guilty of breaking God’s laws. And despite our pleas of “not guilty,” because "the wages of sin is death," we are all deserving of the death sentence 

Thankfully, though, Jesus paid the debt we owed and through Him, God, the Righteous Judge, offers us eternal life instead of the sentence our breaking of His law truly deserves. Is that amazing or what? When we place our trust in Christ, we aren’t even placed on probation!

“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12

In fact, we aren't even left with a rap sheet or criminal record! When we humbly choose to trust in Jesus as our Savior and make him Lord of our lives, God removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. That means our records are wiped clean! We are made righteous and justified (just as we've never sinned) by the blood of Jesus Christ.

So, in light of God’s great mercy, choose to live on fire for Him today and every day my friend. Choose to boldly proclaim, “If He did it for me, He can do it for you!” There’s no better way to show your thankfulness and to inspire a lost world to seek the only One who can wipe away their sins and give them a new life.

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that no status or prominence in this life will save us from the consequences of our sin. We are only saved and set free from the penalty of death because of the sacrifice of your Son. In light of that, cause us to surrender our lives to You in gratitude. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus, amen.

Happy Running!

Beware of Seeker Friendly Churches

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

In a story titled “Run here: Huntsville designated as Runner Friendly Community” published by City Blog on Tuesday, the writer said:

Runners in Huntsville can tell you and the Road Runners Club of America has confirmed it: Huntsville is a Runner Friendly Community.

Whether you prefer to use Runna, Strava, Nike Run Club or another of the many great run training and race apps, the runner-friendly designation validates runners in Huntsville can log miles with confidence. The RRCA’s Runner Friendly Community program recognizes communities that excel in supporting runners and encourages others to follow their lead. Runner Friendly Communities promote active lifestyles, enhance livability and deliver lasting social and economic benefits.“We (runners) are all so proud to live in a city that is willing to collaborate with these groups to help put on races and events for the running community, as well as create parks and greenway systems that we hope will continue to expand and improve,” Huntsville Track Club President Mica Anderson said.

Anderson went on to say, “I feel that this designation puts a spotlight on all the collaborative efforts of the entire running community: the city, local running clubs, group-run organizers, race organizers, runner-friendly businesses and all the individual runners who lace up their shoes every day to go for a run.”

And, you know, as this story illustrates, designations shine a spotlight on how a town or region differs from others. Being designated as a “Runner Friendly Community,” then is a good thing because it tells people that the locality has proven themselves to excel in supporting runners by promoting active lifestyles, enhancing livability and delivering lasting social and economic benefits.

In the same way, being designated as a seeker-friendly church also shines a spotlight on what the organization is all about and how it differs from the church as God intended it to be. And the distinction is not good. 

You see, the Bible is very clear that "the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,” hence the reason seeker-friendly churches water it down and use other methods to draw people in. But "to us who are being saved it is the power of God,” hence the reason we refuse to compromise on it no matter how offensive it might be. 

To understand this more clearly, check out Got Questions'  answer to the question "Should churches be seeker friendly?"

Of course churches should be friendly toward seekers. We are to be friendly to seekers no matter the location. But, being friendly, even welcoming, to seekers, is not what the seeker-friendly church movement is all about. Many evangelical church leaders these days have redesigned both their church buildings and their services in an effort to bring more people through their doors. This is, in a nutshell, the essence of a “seeker-friendly” church—offering worldly allurements to attract the multitudes. The proponents of the seeker-friendly church claim to be doing whatever is necessary to “reach the lost.” The fallacy with that kind of thinking is that “the lost” are not seeking God at all. The Bible says that “no one seeks for God” (Romans 3:11). This means there is no such thing as an unbeliever who is truly seeking for God on his own. Furthermore, man is dead in his sin (Ephesians 2:1), and he can’t seek God because he doesn’t recognize his need for Him.

But there are lots of people who are seeking to be entertained and assured that God loves them, despite their sin and ungodly lifestyles. There are many who seek a form of religion, and if the goal of the seeker-friendly churches is to fill seats with these people, it appears to be working. Growth in many of these establishments is staggering indeed. Some of the larger ones will usher in tens of thousands of attendees for weekend services alone. With annual budgets reaching well into the millions of dollars, many of these edifices are more likely to resemble a large corporate office than a church. That is why you’re less likely to find stained glass windows than a coffee shop, gift shop, bookstore or even a basketball court. Some even have swimming pools and bowling alleys! To leaders of these churches, the Great Commission has essentially become more of a marketing scheme, with the use of surveys and studies to determine which enticements are needed to “reel them in,” and then to cater to their appetites by giving them what they want.

Another problem with the seeker-friendly movement is that in their desire to please every itching ear, these churches have relegated God and His Word to the back pews, ensuring that no one is offended by the truth. The great doctrines of the faith have been deemed “divisive” and shelved. Sadly, many of these churches are flourishing these days because they have reshaped the gospel into the kind of “product” buyers are willing to tolerate. The bottom line is that these churches have placed the focus on man, not on God where it belongs. And God’s Word cannot be recast to conform to the needs of a consumer-driven culture. God never intended for His Church to be cozy and comfortable. But there is nothing comfortable about the truth, which Hebrews 4:12 describes as “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The message received by those attending seeker-friendly churches too often is that the Christian life is one of ease and comfort and free from conflict. However, this is certainly not the life that Christ’s followers are to expect. Jesus told us “in this world we would have trouble” (John 16:33) and that we could expect to be persecuted (Matthew 5:11–12, 44; 10:23; 13:21; Mark 10:30; John 15:20) and even hated (John 15:18) on account of following Him. And when Jesus said, “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23), He meant that one must be willing to give his life in order to follow Him. Look at what preaching the truth of Christ got Paul—flogged, beaten, stoned, imprisoned, and run out of the country many times! Yet this devout servant of Christ still said, “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). He further taught us to “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called [us] heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

The apostle Paul told us the time would come when men would not put up with sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). However, with over 70 percent of adults under age 25 thinking all beliefs are equally valid (according to Barna Research), sound doctrine is exactly what is needed. It is the Word of God that plants the seed for the new birth (1 Peter 1:23), and the Word must be taught for the purpose of “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17) and for taking the true message out into the world (Matthew 28:19–20).

So, steer clear of seeker-friendly churches my friend. Seek instead to do your part in making heaven full by preaching the Gospel undiluted and uncompromised that you might reach a lost world in desperate need of the Truth. It’s certainly not the easy way but it’s the only way.

Heavenly Father, thank You for this timely reminder that we are never to compromise the Word for the sake of making it appealing to the world. Help us to be loving but bold and steadfast in our preaching and doctrine that we might never be labeled as seeker-friendly Lord, but be known as Bible-preaching and soul reaching. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Get Ready for those Spring Races

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about spring races. I know, you're probably saying, "We aren't even halfway through winter yet, so why are we talking about this so soon?" Well... because we are six weeks away from racing season and you'll need to be ready if you want to make the most of it. 

And knowing that there's nothing better to help motivate a person to get ready than a challenge, I challenge you to the first unofficial "Bass Pro Fitness Series 100 miles in 30 days Challenge." This test of endurance combines the "5k a Day Challenges" that are popular this time of year with the GWOT 100 100 Miles in the month of February Challenge that started Sunday. 

The best part? You can start the 30-day challenge today (after all, there's no better time than today right?) or even tomorrow and count down your own 30 days so you aren't left behind by joining one of the existing challenges that have already kicked off. You can even grab a friend or a group of friends to do it with you! That way, you have a friend to celebrate the good runs with and a few to celebrate the bad runs with even more. Because, let's face it... getting through the runs that just downright suck are worthy of greater celebration because they weren't easy!

What are the rules? 

Easy, Peasy. Run a 5k a day (that's 3.1 miles) for 30 days (that's 93 miles) and add in 7 extra miles somewhere along the way. Perhaps two extra miles on your Saturday runs (yes, I know that would equal 101 but that would also equal you being an overachiever)? Or add in a mile here and a mile there? The beauty of it is that you get to decide! 

Just be sure to run at least 3.1 miles every day as you will be building motivation, consistency, and the discipline to stick with a formal training plan when you're ready to up the ante. And, of course, the Bass Pro Fitness Series list of events has something for everyone--eliminating any excuse that there isn't a suitable distance to challenge yourself with once this challenge is over. 

But being ready to participate in one of the Bass Pro events is not the only benefit or reward for consistently getting outside this winter. 

In some ways, winter can offer benefits you don't get in the summer. For instance, cold weather may actually improve endurance. It's true! In colder temperatures your heart doesn't have to work as hard, you sweat less, and expend less energy, all of which means you can exercise more efficiently.

Studies have also shown that exercising in cold weather can transform white fat, specifically belly and thigh fat, into calorie-burning brown fat. How's that for some good news???

Plus, winter workouts help you get exposure to sunlight, which may help ward off seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that some people experience during the winter months. And who doesn't want to be happy this time of year? 

And there you have it friends. Challenging yourself is one of the very best ways to get yourself persuaded and prepared to take on bigger challenges once the snow is gone, the days are longer, and races are once again plentiful. So, take on the challenge now and reap the rewards later. You'll be so glad you did. 

Happy Running!