Leave Vengeance to God

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 NKJV

In a heart-wrenching story posted by WCNC Charlotte out of North Carolina earlier this week, it was reported that a Mecklenburg County judge sentenced Q'laundra Hood after she pleaded guilty to felony hit and run and misdemeanor death by vehicle in the January death of 25-year-old Lance Sotelo, who was struck and killed while out for a run in east Charlotte.

Hood will serve 30 days in the Mecklenburg County Jail, followed by 36 months of supervised probation. She was also ordered to pay attorney, probation, and restitution fees.

Sotelo was killed on Jan. 14 in a hit-and-run crash that left his family and community reeling for months as they awaited the outcome of the case.

In court Tuesday, Hood read a letter aloud to Sotelo's family, asking for forgiveness and taking responsibility for her actions.

"I no longer want revenge. I want rehabilitation for her and the sake of her child," Sotelo's mother Jeanne said.

And, you know, while it’s natural to want to seek revenge or to hurt or punish someone in response to a wrong, injury, or insult against us, the Bible tells us that we are not to avenge ourselves, but are to leave it to the wrath of God, “for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

This means that, even though wanting revenge feels normal when someone hurts us, we should not seek to punish them ourselves. Instead, we must let go of our anger and trust God to handle justice fairly in His own time. Especially when that person is truly sorry and willing to turn their life around. 

You see, God avenges, or exacts satisfaction or retributive justice for an injustice, through His own perfect justice. 

His motives are pure.  God does not act out of selfish spite, rage, or petty hate. His actions are completely holy and fair.

His timing is perfect. God chooses the exact right moment to address wrongdoing. It may not happen as fast as people want.

His tools are chosen. God can use worldly laws and governments, the natural consequences of bad choices, or final spiritual judgment.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:44-45

Furthermore, in addition to allowing God to enact His perfect justice, we are called to pray for those who have harmed us. This not only helps us release bitterness and bring peace to our hearts, it shows the love of Jesus… a love that could very well inspire those who have hurt us to seek the One who can change their lives in the same way He did ours. 

So avoid the urge to enact revenge on those who have caused you harm my friend. Instead, pray for their repentance and their rehabilitation that they might come to trust in the Lord. This is something that will ultimately be for their good and for God’s glory.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the strength to discipline our flesh to wait on You to bring forth justice in the way You see fit. Help us to trust Your plan rather than our own and to surrender any bitterness that we might have. Help us to pray for those who have hurt us that we might love like Jesus and so bring glory to Your name. It’s in your precious name. We pray Jesus
Happy Running!

Prayer Has the Power to Lighten Burdens

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

In a tragic story posted earlier this week by Runner’s World, it was reported that Norwegian trail runner Ida Amelie Robsahm passed away after falling while hiking near the summit of Romsdalseggen, one of Norway’s most famous and challenging hikes. The highest point is more than 4,000 feet above sea level.

Robsahm, 30 at the time of her passing, was an accomplished trail runner and mountaineer. She placed second at the Marathon du Mont-Blanc in June and finished fourth at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2025.

Outside of running, she was a chemistry teacher at Foss Upper Secondary School in Oslo, Norway.

QIda was a remarkable athlete and teammate,” wrote Asics on Instagram. “Her warmth and kindhearted nature touched many of us at Asics and the running community.

“Our hearts are with Ida’s family, friends, teammates and all who knew and loved her. She will be missed dearly.”

And, you know, while the phrase "our hearts are with you" might bring temporary comfort to a person, because it reminds them they are being thought about during the difficult time they are going through, lifting someone up in prayer has the power to bring them permanent peace, because it reminds them that their sorrows, cares, and heartaches are being placed in the hands of the One who can heal them. 

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.'" Mark 12:30-31

You see, when you and I pray for another person, we actively share in their struggles and fulfill the call to “bear one another's burdens” with deep compassion. We move from merely thinking about a person to loving them as we are called to love them—in a sacrificial way that moves us to passionately intercede on their behalf to the Father. 

So, pray for those in need of comfort and pray for them often my friend. And, if you feel led to, pray with them in person or reach out to them and let them know you are praying for them. Hearing the words, “I’m praying for you,” could be the very thing they need to lift their spirits. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that prayer can move mountains, melt hearts, heal the broken and comfort the hurting. Cause us to love others so much Lord that our natural reaction to their distress would be to help bear their burdens by earnestly praying for them, rather than merely offering words of condolence that have no power. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Don't Skimp on Sleep

Hello Runner Friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Hello runner friends! Now let's get started by talking about the weather. It's finally fall!!!! More importantly though, it's no longer summer! Boy, it's been a hot one! I was so glad to say "sayonara" to the summer season yesterday and "salutations!" to the fall season.

And while the cooler temps will certainly make running more enjoyable, the loss of light will mean that it's time to break out our external illumination devices! 

But the loss of light comes with a really big perk. It will help you get more sleep. Here's how... 

The fall season naturally supports your circadian rhythm by introducing earlier evening darkness, which prompts your brain to release melatonin sooner and encourages an easier transition into sleep. 

This seasonal shift aligns with cooler nighttime temperatures that mimic the body's natural pre-sleep cooling process, making it simpler to fall asleep and experience deeper rest. Additionally, as daylight hours shorten, the distinct contrast between daylight and night acts as a powerful environmental cue, providing an excellent opportunity to establish a consistent sleep-wake schedule that synchronizes your internal clock with the natural rhythm of the sun.

Now let's get to the "why" this is so important... 

As runners, we spend a lot of time thinking about our training. We plan our long runs, speed work, hill sessions, recovery runs, strength training, hydration, and nutrition. But there is another part of training that is just as important—especially as our mileage begins to climb: sleep.

As a longtime runner and running coach, I have learned that recovery isn't something we do instead of training. Recovery is a non-negotiable part of training. And one of the most powerful recovery tools available to every runner is a good night's sleep.

This becomes increasingly important as we move deeper into training for the Bass Pro Marathon and Half Marathon and the Dogwood Canyon Trail Runs. Those weekend long runs are getting longer. Weekly mileage is increasing. Our legs are spending more time on the road and trails, and we're asking our bodies to handle workloads that may be significantly greater than they were just a few weeks ago.

That increased workload requires increased recovery.

You Don't Get Stronger During the Run

It may sound strange, but the training run itself isn't when your body becomes stronger. Training provides the stimulus that tells your body it needs to adapt.

Every long run places stress on your muscles, tendons, joints, bones, cardiovascular system, and nervous system. That stress is intentional. Given adequate recovery, your body responds by repairing itself and adapting so it can better handle that workload the next time.

This is the deal… training breaks you down. Recovery builds you back up.

Sleep is one of the primary times when that rebuilding takes place. During quality sleep, the body carries out important repair and restoration processes. Sleep supports muscle recovery, immune function, hormone regulation, energy restoration, and the body's overall response to training stress.

That's why sleep is so important!

More Miles Require More Recovery

When you're running three or four miles at a time, you may be able to get away with cutting corners on recovery occasionally. But as those runs become 8, 10, 12, 15, or 20 miles, the equation changes.

The greater the training load, the greater the recovery demand.

One mistake runners sometimes make is adding more training while continuing to sleep the same amount—or even sleeping less because they're getting up earlier to fit those longer runs into an already busy schedule.

Eventually, the body notices.

You may begin waking up tired. Your legs constantly feel heavy. Your normal running pace suddenly requires more effort. Motivation starts disappearing. Little aches and pains don't seem to go away. You become irritable or mentally exhausted.

Sometimes our first thought is, I need to train harder.

The better answer may be (and usually is): I need to recover better.

Sleep Can Help Protect You From Injury

Running injuries usually aren't caused by one single workout. Often, problems develop when the accumulated stress of training becomes greater than the body's ability to recover from it.

Think of recovery as the space between workouts where your body gets an opportunity to repair the damage created by training. If you continually shorten that recovery window, fatigue begins to accumulate.

A tired runner may also experience changes in coordination, reaction time, concentration, and running mechanics. When fatigue combines with increasing mileage, those small changes can matter.

Sleep alone cannot guarantee that you'll remain injury-free, but consistently getting adequate sleep gives your body a much better opportunity to repair itself between workouts.

And remember: rest is much easier to schedule than an injury. And it’s way more enjoyable than an injury! 

But Get This… Your Brain Needs Recovery Too

Distance running isn't only physically demanding. It is mentally demanding.

Anyone who has trained for a marathon or long trail race understands that there comes a point when the challenge isn't simply convincing your legs to keep moving. You have to convince your brain too.

Long-distance training requires patience, discipline, decision-making, emotional control, and motivation. Sleep supports all of those things.

When you're consistently exhausted, something you normally love can begin feeling like another obligation on your schedule. One skipped run becomes several. Motivation drops. Eventually, a runner who was excited about race day may begin wondering why they signed up in the first place.

That is where burnout can enter the picture.

Sometimes burnout isn't a lack of passion for running. It is simply a body and mind that have been asked to give more than they've been allowed to restore.

Make Sleep Part of Your Training Plan

Most adults should aim for at least seven to eight (preferably 8) hours of sleep, although individual needs vary and runners carrying a heavy training load may find they function and recover better with more.
Just as importantly, pay attention to what your body is telling you. If your training volume is increasing and you're constantly exhausted, don't automatically assume you need another workout. Look at your recovery. Look at your nutrition. Look at your hydration. And definitely look at your sleep.

Create a consistent bedtime when possible. Limit things that unnecessarily keep you awake late at night. Give yourself time to wind down. And if tomorrow morning includes an important long run, treat tonight's sleep as part of that workout.

So as those miles continue to climb on the road toward the Bass Pro Fitness Series finish line, don't feel guilty about going to bed a little earlier. In fact, you should celebrate it! You aren't being lazy. You aren't wasting training time.

Because sometimes one of the best things a runner can do to improve tomorrow's training is to get a good night's sleep tonight. 

And there you have it friends. Sleep is important for so many reasons. And this is a great time of year to "fall" into bed early and to make a habit of getting sufficient shut eye so you'll make gains as you continue training. Those gains will ensure that you'll be ready to step up to the start line in November. 

Happy Running!

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!