Double Check Doctrine

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 NIV

In an upbeat story titled “Russian runner bites soap after mistaking it for race snack” published out of Bangkok yesterday, it was reported that: A light-hearted mix-up by Russian marathon runner Sergey Zyryanov has gone viral on Thai social media after he accidentally bit into a bar of herbal soap, mistaking it for a sweet treat.

Zyryanov, who was in Thailand for a 10-kilometre run, received a souvenir bag from organisers after crossing the finish line. The bag contained water, daily necessities and snacks.

Feeling hungry after the race, he picked up an orange packet that appeared to be jelly or candy and took a bite. Only then did he realise something was wrong.

The item was not a dessert but a bar of herbal soap.

Zyryanov later posted a photo of the soap bearing clear bite marks, writing: “After running 10 kilometres, they gave me dessert. But it turned out to be soap.”

The image quickly spread across Thai social media, drawing waves of amused and sympathetic reactions. Many users joked about the unexpected “taste of Thailand”, while others expressed concern for the runner.

The incident has since become a reminder for race participants to double-check whether items in souvenir bags are edible — especially in Thailand, where surprises can come in many forms.

And, you know, souvenir bags are not the only thing that you and I should double-check. Following the example of the Berean Jews, we should carefully examine the Scriptures every day to see if what our pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders say is true. 

You see, we, as believers, are called to be discerning and diligent when it comes to the Scriptures and their interpretations. Which means that we should not believe everything we hear preached from the pulpit, taught in our Bible studies, shared by friends, or even posted on social media. We have a personal responsibility to sift truth from error.

The Bereans set this pattern when, although Paul was recognized as a powerful, persuasive, and bold teacher who taught the "whole counsel of God" and was instrumental in expanding the faith to both Jews and Gentiles, they didn’t blindly follow him. “They received the message with great eagerness” BUT they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." They weren't merely satisfied with taking Paul's word for it, they took God's word for it. 

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

So, don’t blindly follow anyone who professes to preach truth my friend. As the Bible clearly warns us, there will always be false prophets and false teachers who seek to “bring the way of truth into disrepute" and it’s our job to stop it! Which is the reason, we are called to double-check everything they say or write against the Scriptures so that we can discern and expose any false teachings.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we must take the translation of the Scriptures very seriously. Help us to understand why this is so important so we would daily put in the work to be discerning and diligent. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1 NKJV

In a story titled “An Austin Marathoner ran an incredible pace—while wearing blue jeans” posted earlier this week, the writer said “There's a reason behind the odd wardrobe choice.”

The writer went on to say: Running a marathon is impressive enough. Especially in Austin, where that 26.2 miles includes some brutal hills, just finishing is well worth the celebration. But one guy ran it well under three hours—while wearing blue jeans.

Truett Hanes finished the Austin Marathon on Sunday at 2:36:56, making for a 6-minute mile average and placing first in his age group. Hanes, a runner from Utah who is currently vying to qualify for the Olympic trials, ran the whole race in a pair of full-length blue jeans from The Perfect Jean, battling a windy day in Austin…

This isn't the first time Hanes has run a marathon in jeans. He's run several while sporting a pair of jeans (from The Perfect Jeans, specifically). Last year, he ran the Austin Marathon, finishing in 2:42:51 in blue jeans and baffling some commentators.

"Honestly, it just started as fun, but now it's turned into something where we can raise money for MS," Hanes said in a video made with The Perfect Jeans. Currently, the company runs a promotion where using Hanes' code for a purchase triggers a 10 percent donation to The Miracle Foundation, which helps orphaned and foster children. Hanes says he's raised $40,000 for the nonprofit so far.

Pretty impressive right? Running in jeans is not comfortable to say the least. But being uncomfortable paid off in more ways than one.

And, you know, while many believers want to make an impact in the Kingdom by stepping out to do something great for the Lord, a great majority never put their desires into action because they are afraid to step out of their comfort zone. Why? Because spiritual growth, while necessary, is scary and many times painful.

This fear of the unknown is most likely what Abraham experienced when he heard the Lord say, “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.”

Talk about moving out of your comfort zone! To truly understand the magnitude of what God told Abraham to do, you should realize that during this time in history, and in this part of the world, families didn’t split up. Kids didn’t move away from home. Families were clans and tribes of multiple families all living and working together. A city or a village was simply a few interconnected families that stuck together. Why? Because it was literally the only way to survive at the time. So, when God told Abraham to get out of his country, and leave his family it was no small matter. Not to mention the fact that Abraham was 75 years old at this time!

Why did God want Abraham to do this? We find the answer in verses 2 and 3.

“‘I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Genesis 12:2-3

There were spiritual and practical things God wanted to accomplish in Abraham’s life that could not be accomplished while he was inside his comfort zone. God could not have educated Abraham the way He wanted to if he was surrounded by his family. God could not have multiplied Abraham the way He wanted to if he was already part of a larger community. God had some big plans for Abraham, and He needed room to accomplish those things in his life.

“‘But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.‘“ Isaiah 41:8

Hence the reason Abraham was called to step outside his comfort zone. And because of his obedience (notice not because of his perfection),Abraham became known as the foundational patriarch of the Jewish people and the "father of faith," known for his unquestioning obedience to God, his covenantal relationship with the Almighty, and his willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. He left his home for Canaan based on a divine promise of land, descendants, and blessings to all nations and became known as “a friend of God”

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 2:7

So, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to do what God is calling you to do today my friend. It may be hard and even a bit frightening, but remember that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Which means He, like He was with Abraham, will be with you every step of the way.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that you have not called us to a life of comfort but to a life of service. Help us to step out of our comfort zones to serve You in whatever way You are calling us to serve Lord. Help us to be totally unafraid to go where You tell us to go and do what You call us to do God, that we might make an impact in the Kingdom. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Self-Control will Get You to the Finish Line

"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." Genesis 2:2-3 NKJV

“ Well... I got it done and earned my 50K buckle at the Iron Heart Ultramarathon! That being said, it didn't come without some sacrifices. This was by far the hardest race I've ever been a part of. Between the heavy rain, deteriorating trail conditions, no cell service or entertainment, hours on the trail alone, the elevation, drop offs, and one solid fall, this buckle was earned... To call this a "run" is a bit of a stretch though. It was more like a power hike slip and slide, and just a brutal push to keep moving forward. I destroyed my phone and my legs! In order to better prepare for the 110 miler in four weeks, I'm going to withdraw from the Yeti Marathon this upcoming weekend. I feel like this is the best decision in order to get a full four weeks of recovery and training. This was a proud moment, and a buckle that is well worth sacrificing another race for. I can't wait to tackle it again next year!”

Those were the words written by Tyler Melton, an ultrarunner from Owensville, MO, who braved the adverse weather conditions to take home the prize for completing the very difficult 31 mile trail race my husband and I were volunteering at on Saturday. And while the conditions were less than ideal (to say the least), this training in grit and perseverance will definitely pay off when he steps up to the start line for that 110 mile race next month.

And while it's normal to assume that preparing for a high mileage race would require conditioning the body to be able to run a distance many people don't even like to drive, there's more to being ready for a race this difficult than logging miles. It's logging them at the right time.

You see, while the Lord designed our bodies for movement, He also designed them to need rest and recovery. This was an example God set for us in Genesis when, after working six days, "He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."

Now you can be sure that the Creator certainly didn't need to rest. After all, He is God and never gets tired. But He knew that we would need to rest. After all, He made us. Unfortunately though, rest doesn't come easy or naturally to most runners (or people in general) who, by and large, find it hard to take a day off from working or to let their bodies recover before taking on the next big thing—something that inevitably leads to burnout and/or injury.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

This is the very reason that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and not of the flesh. Often called "temperance," self-control doesn’t come naturally and signifies a mastery over a person’s will, desires and passions. It’s the inner strength that allows us to act according to God’s principles rather than succumbing to our own desires and our need to keep pressing on despite the consequences for doing so at the expense of rest. And it's the discipline that allows us to "withdraw" from things that don't work toward our goal of reaching the finish line. 

So, remember that this race of life isn't a 5k but an ultra marathon my friend—and that you, ultimately, are not the Coach of your own life. Which means that self-control and obedience to God’s direction must be practiced in every area of your life if you want to make it to the finish line. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit that resides in us and guides our training in all areas of our lives. Help us to be open to the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit Lord that we might rest when we need rest and withdraw from anything that takes us away from our goal of finishing strong and giving You the glory. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-Time to Bounce Back

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog

Now let's get started by talking about bouncing back. This an important and timely topic since statistics show that nearly 80% of New Year's resolutions are abandoned by February, especially those to eat better, become mentally and physically fit, and shed weight. In fact, most people tend to give up within the first month. Which is the very reason we celebrate National Bounce Back Month in February.

As a running and wellness coach, I'll tell you that every January I see a surge of motivation. People make new goals, they map out new routines, and hope that this will be the year everything changes. And then life happens. A few missed workouts turn into a missed week, the schedule gets crowded, the weather doesn’t cooperate, energy drops, and before long many people quietly decide they’ve failed their New Year’s resolutions and they give up. But the truth is, they haven’t failed — they’ve simply encountered the same resistance that every runner, every athlete, and every person pursuing growth eventually faces. Setbacks don’t have to be the opposite of progress then; they can be a part of it. It’s your choice.  

Which means you shouldn’t abandon a goal because you got off course. Instead you should  adjust, regroup, and keep moving forward… understanding that progress is built over time through consistency, not through perfection. I can't stress that enough! What matters most is not perfection then but your ability to bounce back, because resilience — not a perfect start — is what ultimately carries you across the finish line.

Bouncing back after a setback teaches you far more than starting strong ever will. It shifts your focus away from the pressure of perfection and back to the power of momentum. Health and fitness are not all-or-nothing journeys. 

If you planned to move five days a week and only managed two, those two days still matter! Those workouts are proof that you're moving forward, and forward movement — no matter how small — creates change. This is another thing that I can't stress enough! People give up when they don't reach their goals immediately, forgetting that lasting change takes time. 

With that being said, check out what the Official National Bounce Back Month page says are great ways to celebrate and begin your bounce back to completing those resolutions: 

Express gratitude. Appreciate your precious, one-and-only body and life first thing in the morning and throughout the day. Research shows that practicing gratitude regularly can lead to many benefits, including improved mental and physical health, better sleep, and greater life satisfaction.

Claim Success. See yourself as a person who appreciates wholesome foods and enjoys exercising. When you take this can-control attitude and envision yourself having a healthy lifestyle, you will triumph.

Prepare for temptations. Whenever you go to social events, parties, family functions, grocery stores, or even gas stations, expect that you may be tempted. Plan exactly what you’ll do if temptation strikes when you’re out and about in the Junk Foods Jungle. Breathe in and out five times, delay for 10 minutes (promising yourself not to indulge), or step outdoors for a brief walk.

Before you indulge, ask yourself “why.” Whenever you want to reach for sugar-filled cookies or polish off a bag of ultra-processed chips, look within. What’s eating you that makes you want to eat or overeat? After all, knowledge is power, as philosopher Sir Francis Bacon said centuries ago.

Forgive yourself if you slip. Above all, be kind to yourself if you grab carbage (carbohydrate garbage). Studies shows that self-compassion may lead to more health-promoting behaviors such as healthy eating and physical activity. You also may experience reduced pain and anxiety, better overall physical health, and a greater quality of life.

So, if your New Year’s resolution has slipped, the answer is not to wait for next January friends — it’s to restart and bounce back today. Let go of the guilt because it serves no purpose. Simplify your goals so they feel manageable again. Focus on what you can do this week instead of what you didn’t do last month. And remember... you don’t need a new year to begin again; you just need a decision to keep going. Your year is not defined by how you started — it’s defined by how you choose to continue the journey forward. So get out there and get to training! The Bass Pro Fitness Series of Events will begin soon and you'll want to be ready!

Happy Running!

The Narrow Way is Very Difficult

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

In a story titled “The 2026 Barkley Marathons Have Begun—Its Earliest Start Date Ever,” published by Runner’s World on Saturday, it was reported that “Runners set off after Lazarus Lake lit the ceremonial cigarette at 6 a.m. on Valentine’s Day.”

On a chilly morning in the rural mountains of Tennessee, a conch shell was blown and a cigarette was lit, signaling the start of the 2026 Barkley Marathons.

The famously secretive—and extremely difficult—race is a fan favorite every year. The Valentine’s Day start is the earliest start date in the race’s history, which dates back to 1986. Most years, the race is held in mid-to-late March or early April.

The 2026 edition officially began at 6 a.m. ET and will conclude at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.

The format of Barkley is unlike any other ultramarathon. Each year, around 40 people start the roughly 100-mile race. To finish, they must complete five loops of the course—which meanders through Frozen Head State Park—under the 60-hour cutoff. The course changes every year and participants aren’t allowed to use GPS to navigate. Typically, runners can expect north of 60,000 feet of elevation gain.

Only 20 people have completed the race, with Brett Maune, Jared Campbell, and John Kelly finishing multiple times. In 2024, Jasmin Paris became the first woman to complete the race, but last year, there were no finishers…

And, you know, in the same way very few runners are ever able find their way to the finish and complete this race that’s described as “extremely difficult,” very few people will be able to find their way to the “narrow gate” which leads to life.

 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

You can be sure it’s not because they aren’t given the road map or the GPS coordinates to find it, though, because the Bible is clear that God’s word is a lamp into our feet and a light into our path.Which means the Lord will guide our every step and reveal the way in which we should go.

 
The problem, then, is not that people don’t know or can’t discover the way to eternal life but that they don’t want to follow the way. Why? Because the road requires a total surrender to Jesus Christ. 

 
That means it requires sacrifice. It requires setting aside our will to take up God’s will—foregoing the pleasures and desires of this world to remain pure, holy, and devoted unto God. It requires following God even when the world mocks us, ridicules us, or even persecutes us for it. Most of all, it requires a total commitment to upholding and following God’s laws and standing on the Truth—something that will put us directly in opposition to the world and its false beliefs and narratives.

 

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

You see, “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” It’s a broad road, because it’s the way that says there are many ways to heaven and that your truth is what you want it to be. Many will follow it, because it’s easier to follow the crowd than it is to follow Jesus. But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

So, don’t be misled my friend. The broad road may look easy but the consequences of compromise have eternal repercussions that you won’t want to face.

 
So, choose to follow Jesus Christ while you still can. It won’t be easy. In fact, it will be very difficult. But it will be worth it in the end. 

 
Heavenly Father, thank You for making it abundantly clear that You are the only way to heaven and that only those who choose to follow You in this world will be allowed entry. Lord, help us to be bold in sharing this message that no one would perish in account of us. And Lord, help us to stay in the narrow path no matter how difficult it might become. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Keep Looking Ahead

“And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” Joshua 14:10-12 NKJV

In an inspiring story titled “Bal Joshi breaks world record after running 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents” published yesterday, it was reported that Bal Joshi has done more than finish the World Marathon Challenge — he has set a Guinness World Record.

The runner completed the 777 challenge, also known as the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. His cumulative time was just over 34 hours and 50 minutes when he crossed the final finish line in Miami.

“I'm still processing it. Did I actually do this?” Joshi said.

The grueling test of endurance began in Antarctica at negative 20 degrees and included a race in 106-degree heat in Perth, Australia. Joshi said the physical and mental demands pushed him to his limits, especially while averaging about three hours of sleep a day.
“My willpower is slightly more stronger than I thought it is,” Joshi said.

“Although it was 7 days, it feels like it was 7 years,” Joshi said. “We all need a constant reminder to tell ourselves, 'Hey, you can push one more time. That's when you go a little further.'”

As if the global marathon schedule was not challenging enough, Joshi added another personal test — completing each race while wearing traditional Nepali attire to honor his birthplace.It is not the kind of comfortable attire you like to have for your running or any sort of physical exercise,” Joshi said. The accomplishment earned him a Guinness World Record.

“I am the fastest runner who ran 777 while wearing traditional attire,” Joshi said…

Beyond the record, Joshi said he also raised money and awareness for a charitable cause on each continent.

Now, he is already looking ahead.

“I have not done a 100-mile race yet,” Joshi said.

And, you know, this attitude of continually looking ahead to achieve greater things despite recent success, is the same attitude that every believer should strive to have. It was certainly Caleb’s attitude.

Who was Caleb? He was a leader of the tribe of Judah, and is celebrated in the Bible for his unwavering faith and "wholehearted" devotion to God. As one of twelve spies sent by Moses to scout Canaan, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who believed Israel could conquer the land despite its giants. Due to this faith, Caleb was promised an inheritance, and 45 years later, at age 85, he successfully conquered his allotted territory.

Did you get that part? Caleb achieved great success at the age of 40 but he continued to look ahead to the next thing God wanted him to do. This was a lifetime pattern that became apparent at the age of 85 when he said, “And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.”

Caleb showed faith and drive throughout his life so he was just as prepared in his later years to serve the Lord as he was in his younger days. Is that amazing or what? 

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

So, knowing that God will provide everything you and I need to do good works over a lifetime, don’t settle on your past or current successes my friend. Keep looking forward to the next thing God would have you do, and then do it. And when that thing is done, do the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing. In doing so, you will not only display a lifetime of faithfulness for others to follow but will fulfill the calling God has placed on your life. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that if we still have a pulse, we still have a purpose. From every age help us to serve you, Lord, and to always stay looking ahead and moving forward, remaining strong in mind and body even into our later years. Help us to look to you for guidance and direction that we might live a life full of good works for your glory. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

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!