Run and tell somebody!

"So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." John 20:2-4

Had the newspapers written about it, the headlines may have read something like this, "In a race to the tomb of Jesus, John beats Peter in the race of the century!" What a story that would have made and, no doubt, would have been the lead story on the evening news.... especially since John was older and definitely not the favorite to take first. Can you imagine it though? To hear that the stone had been rolled away? To dream that prophecy had been fulfilled and the Savior had risen from the grave? I'm sure John and Peter were up and running within seconds and going as quickly as their sandal adorned feet would carry them, anxious to get there as soon as they could, their hearts racing with anticipation and delight.

John 20:1 tells us, "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb." How excited Mary must have been! She, too, probably ran faster than she ever had to shout the good news, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!" She must have been almost frantic as she reported what she had found to the disciples.

Shouldn't we all be that excited and eager this Easter season to follow the example of Mary? To run and tell someone the wonderful news? It is definitely too good to keep to ourselves.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy that you bring to our lives. Your presence is joy, your forgiveness is joy and your resurrection is the ultimate joy. Thank you Jesus for the stone that was rolled away and for the empty tomb that was left as you rose to life on the third day just as you said you would. Thank you for the joy in our hearts. I pray that we would run and tell everyone we know about the reason for our joy today. It's in your precious name we pray,Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

You ought to run and tell that - Bishop Michael V. Kelsey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B3Csy96XSI

It was love

"They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him." Mark 15:17-20

Running can sometimes be painful. Between chafing, muscle soreness, black toenails and blisters, one might wonder why we do it. In one word... love. We simply love it. As we approach Easter, my mind wanders to a day thousands of years ago. A day when love inspired a man to suffer the worst pain imaginable, the agony of being beaten, scourged and then finally nailed to a cross. It wasn't just any man though, it was Jesus. And it was all for us.

Nobody performed an autopsy on Jesus’ mangled body after He was taken down from the cross. But doctors who have studied the Bible’s description of His death say the pain would have been beyond excruciating. In fact, the word excruciating means “out of the cross.” Jesus literally defined the worst pain anyone could feel. His suffering began in Gethsemane, when God laid the sins of the world on His beloved Son. The intense stress caused what physicians call hematidrosis, a condition in which blood seeps out of sweat glands. After His arrest, Jesus was flogged so mercilessly that his skin was stripped off His back, exposing muscle and bone. After being slapped, punched, crowned with thorns and beaten with reeds, He was covered with a red robe and led to Golgotha. There, Roman soldiers drove seven-inch nails into his wrists (most likely hitting the median nerve, causing more blinding pain) and then they rammed another nail into his feet. At that point, doctors suggest, Jesus would have suffered dislocation of His shoulders, cramps and spasms, dehydration from severe blood loss, fluid in His lungs and eventual lung collapse and heart failure. Yet He refused to take a pain-killing solution (see Matt. 27:34). He chose to endure the pain for us. http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/fire-in-my-bones/17198-how-jesus-endured-the-pain-of-the-cross

Did you get that last part? He chose to endure the pain for us. As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Christ and the forgiveness of sins that it brings, let us choose to not forget the sacrifice of our Savior. In the words of a song, "It wasn't nails that held You to the cross. It was love, it was love, it was Your love. You took our place, carried our guilt and shame. All for us, all for us, all for us. It wasn't nails that held You, it was love".

Heavenly Father, how can we ever thank you enough for the blood you shed on the cross to save us from our sins and give us eternal life? What pain you suffered to save us sinners worthy of nothing more than death. Yet you chose to endure it. You chose to love us and you chose to die a sinner's death on a cross meant for us. Thank you Lord for loving us that much. May we spend our lives in service to You giving thanks and praise each and every day, every minute and every hour for the gift of salvation made possible only by your death and resurrection. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

It was love - Abandon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfyutFUdUEw

While it is today

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:13-15

Tomorrow seems to be everyone's favorite day doesn't it? After all, so many people are saving the good things for it right? Tomorrow I will start my healthy eating plan. Tomorrow I will start exercising. Tomorrow I will start spending more time praying and reading Scripture. Or tomorrow I will try harder. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow! Today is yesterday's tomorrow. Did you realize that? Until a person makes good on their vows while it is still today, tomorrow will never come and changes will never take place.

The bible instructs us to not only encourage one another daily but to listen to God's calling. Putting off until tomorrow what God is calling you to do today may seem like innocent procrastination to us but God sees it as disobedience-also known as sin which separates us from God. (Isaiah 59:12) Apart from Christ, we are powerless as 2 Corinthians 3:5 says, "Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." So you see, there's no such thing as "innocent" procrastination and no better time than now to act.  

Is there something God has been calling you to? Something you have been putting off? As long as it is called "Today", listen to His voice and be obedient to His calling knowing that He will, "equip you with everything good for doing his will". (Hebrews 13:21) Today is the day. He has great things in store for you!

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us everything we need to fulfill the purpose you have for us. May we heed the call today where we are, with what we have knowing that your grace and strength are sufficient to accomplish any task you have placed before us. May we encourage our christian brothers and sisters every day as you have instructed us that we might all be stronger in faith and more united in a common purpose. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Best Days - Lincoln Brewster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReTbj84S6UA

Dam and Bridge 2015 Half Marathon

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.” Psalm 148:7-10

Pre race pic of our TEAM 413 group

Today was the first annual Dam and Bridge Half Marathon/10k race held in Lake Ozark, MO. And what a day it was! Temperatures in the 30s and a light snow were definitely not indicative of a Spring race. But, no matter. It was a fabulous run beginning at Bagnell Dam at the end of the famous Lake Ozark "strip". The half marathon course took us over the "Community Bridge" which offered a spectacular view of this man made reservoir that stretches more than 90 miles from end to end and includes more than 1,000 miles of shoreline. What a beautiful sight to behold as the snow softly fell around us. 

Sporting an elevation chart not for the faint of heart, this race showed the beauty and difficulty of running the Ozark Hills. Runners jokingly commented that they should have added just one more hill. Actually, the race was perfect. It was very well organized with a great group of volunteers, ample aid stations and medals worthy of the effort to earn them. 

In Ozarks style, this event had such a friendly feel to it as runners cheered each other on and coaxed one another up the hills. By the smiles on the finisher's faces, you would never have guessed they just conquered some of the most challenging hills the Lake had to offer. What wasn't to be happy about though? Creation was singing His praises, we had air in our lungs, strength in our legs and the health to complete one of the best half marathons ever. Thanks to all those who made this race a great memory for me, my friends and all those that took home a medal!!

Heavenly Father, thank you for a blessed day and the gift of running. Thank you for keeping us injury free and allowing us to serve you doing what we love. You are truly worthy to be praised. In your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Post race and couldn't be happier!!

God's not dead

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’" Matthew 7:21-23

Would you agree that what a person "calls" him or herself should be a true description of who they are? What they do and what they believe? Would you expect someone to call themselves a runner if they never got off the couch? And would you call someone a Christian who denied the existence of Christ? Of course not! That is why what John Shuck, a Presbyterian minister in Oregon, said on Monday makes absolutely no sense. He rejects the bible as being literal, believes the stories about Jesus are merely legends and said, "I’m a Presbyterian Minister who doesn’t believe in God...belief-less Christianity is thriving.” In other words, he believes that a person can be a Christian without believing in or following Christ. And guess what? He is preaching that very thing from the pulpit.

Romans 10:9-10 clearly tells us that, "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." If your beliefs and actions don't agree with God's Word, how can you or anyone claim to be a Christian? Belief-less Christianity can NOT exist. We either believe or we don't. We are either professing it or we aren't.

Which begs the question... are we who we say we are? Are we the Christians we claim to be? On that day, will God know us? Will He know you?

Heavenly Father, thank you for all that you are, all that you do and for loving us at our worst. If there is someone questioning whether they are a true Christian, I pray that they turn to you, repent of their sins and accept you as Lord and Savior of their life believing that Jesus is the son of God, raised from the dead. May they profess with their mouths that you are Lord of all creation. I pray that those unbelieving would somehow know the truth of your Word and follow Jesus before it's too late. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

http://christiannews.net/2015/03/23/minister-who-denies-gods-existence-i-dont-appreciate-being-told-im-not-a-christian/

God's not Dead- 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc5s1ZKNmcc

your heart's desire

"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

God knows our motives, there's no doubt about it. Psalm 139:2 tells us, "You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar." He knows that I love to bring home the medal after each race and let the kids hang it up as they listen to the story of what God did on that particular day. Some time ago though, I took part in a race that offered medals only to the top finishers (something I never am). I was running the race as I normally do, clothed in my TEAM 413 shirt and looking for opportunities to encourage, help or share the Gospel on the race course.

But I felt unusually strong as the hours and miles went by in silent prayer. I had decided that, after the race, I would pick up a stone off the course and bring it home to my children. Psalm 78:35 says, "And they remembered that God was their rock, And the Most High God their Redeemer." I was going to explain to them that, sometimes the reward is not in what you get from a race but what you learn from it. That rock was to remind me, and them, that Jesus was always there and He was all we needed. Time spent with and serving Him was my reward, the only medal I needed.

Mile after mile passed and, amazingly,  my pace never slowed. I was just fast enough that day (and my competition not) to actually win that medal. Wow! God gave me the desire of my heart! I truly understood that verse now and I cried all the way home. When I handed it to my daughter to hang up, I told her, "I got this at the race but God is the one who really gave it to me." And then I shared the story....

Heavenly Father, thank you for the little things in life that remind us how much you love and care for us. You know our thoughts and motives. Help us to align our wants and desires with your will. Place in us a desire to serve you simply becuase you are worthy of all our praise, worship and adoration. May we love you with a heart that delights in you every day. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

I give you my heart - Michael W. Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsAKeRyK-xw

Step by step

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

There is perhaps no character trait more important to the success of an athlete than discipline. You can have all the God given skills you could ever wish for but, without discipline, they would be merely wasted talents. It is most often defined as: training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character by enforcing obedience. Being disciplined means pressing on when it hurts, doing the right thing when it involves sacrifice and looking out for the good of the team before yourself. You know what has to be done and you just do it. Not because it feels good, but because it is the right thing to do. And you do it because you have been trained by discipline.

To be that person physically, you have to discipline yourself. To be that person spiritually requires the discipline of God, both of which can be painful. But just as you see yourself getting stronger as an athlete through the process, you will see your faith grow stronger too. Training as a Christian and follower of God requires us to sacrifice the things of this world for the things unseen. It requires reading scripture daily and walking "in step" with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 tells us, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." To keep in step with our Saviour requires constant examination of our footsteps. Get too far ahead or behind and God's discipline will put you back in step. This is the part that is most times painful but so very necessary. How else can we learn and be trained by it?

But, as you learn to walk with Him (the benefits of discipline) step by step, you will reap the rewards of "righteousness and peace." Oh praise God for training!

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that you would direct our every step and put us back on track when we stray off course. Whether we know it or not, this keeps us from being hurt by sin and being led into temptation. While it is certainly not pleasant to receive correction, help us to know that it is an essential part of making us the person we need to be... an athlete focused on You, and in step with you every minute of every day. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

step by step - Michael W. Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SODAvCC3X8

Stand on the promises

"God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19

Promises... we have all made them. And unfortunately, whether by accident, circumstance or willful action, every one of us has broken them too. A promise is defined as:a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. It's no wonder then that we are unable to keep our promises. We are not in control of anything that happens to us or around us. God, however, has a "perfect track record" (excuse the running pun) for keeping his promises. There is absolutely nothing He said He would do that has not been done.  And nothing He promised He would not do that has been done. He has promised so many good things that I couldn't possibly list them all here. Here are a few:

1. Jesus promises eternal life to those who trust Him (John 4:14).
2. God promises comfort in our trials (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
3. God promised that His love will never fail (1 Chronicles 16:34).
4. God promises that all things will work out for our good (Romans 8:28).
5. God promises to supply our needs (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19).

And the greatest promise of all.... He promised that He will return for us (John 14:2-3)! Isn't it great to know that God, the greatest Promise Keeper of all keeps his promises? Which gives you and me the absolute assurance that everything He said He will fulfill. Trust in that today and "stand on the promises of God."

Heavenly Father, thank You for never changing, for being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thank You for the blessed and absolute assurance that everything You have promised us will be delivered. What a joy to know that we are loved that much and that You are preparing a place for us! Hallelujah for the ability to "stand upon your promises". It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Selah - Standing on the promises of God

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txAxJfFw7es

Max Lewis and the Sedalia Half

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. " 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

It was chilly when a group of us arrived at the Sedalia Half Marathon registration at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning. With a 9 a.m. start time, we gathered to stay warm, along with many other runners, in the lobby of the school hosting the event. As we talked of running and other things, I noticed a man in a wheelchair who really stood out in the midst of those clad in Asics and Under Armour gear ready to conquer the 13.1 miles of rolling hills the race offered. After completing the out and back course (with some very friendly volunteers), we had the blessing of meeting this gentleman, aka-the man in the wheelchair.

His name was Max Lewis, a onetime cross country runner for Sedalia Smith Cotton High who made a very fateful decision at the age of 19... he dove off a bridge into two feet of water rendering him paralyzed from the neck down and unable to ever run again. In an instant his life changed. What he did next is absolutely astounding. In his words, "I did not want that to be the last paragraph in my life story. I felt I had something to contribute." He earned a bachelor’s degree in health education, followed by a Master of Education in health and wellness and, in 2003, graduated from the University of Missouri School of Law, specializing in family law. He is now one of the community’s most visible advocates for fair and accessible housing, transportation and employment. But here's the best part... Lewis doesn’t charge any of his clients. As if that weren't enough, he speaks to other spinal cord injury patients who he describes as "discouraged and disparaged", something he certainly is not.

In the midst of Max's "troubles", he had the faith to look beyond the question of "why me?" to "what now?" In a 2011 interview, he revealed that he couldn't remember languishing in self-pity or being angry at God and said, “I have seen individuals in my same situation who have given up on life, it makes me sad that the gifts they have within themselves have not fully blossomed.”

I don't know about you but, after reading the story of Max Lewis, I was overcome with emotions. Sad for his accident, overjoyed at how God was working in his life and, how he was now comforting other people, but ashamed at the same time. Remorseful for the many times I thought my suffering was in vain and more than I could bear. Max's story reminded me that God can and will "comfort us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others." And praise God if your troubles are easier to bear.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the perspective gained when we see how blessed we truly are. Not by the ease of our life or our lack of suffering but by the knowledge that You are always there. You are there in the "good times" and You will be there when things get hard. Help us to praise you and to find our purpose to glorify You through it all. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

*All profits from the race go to help Max Lewis continue to provide his services for free. What a great reason to run again in 2016, God willing of course.

http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/local/lawyer-max-lewis-finds-inspiration-after-injury/article_7420fee3-2ca7-50b9-be1d-61686af19084.html

The hurt and the Healer - Mercy Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqBMNSuDf7g

The greatest group of friends you could ever ask for

Max Lewis (with his best friend on his lap) thanking everyone for their support

Sharing "the message" is our calling