Eliminate the competition

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24

I had the blessing of joining some friends for an early-morning 5k Saturday. As we were standing around waiting for the race to begin, I watched one of them intently eyeing the crowd. When he spotted me looking, he informed me that he was checking out the competition. He explained further that he was looking to see how good his chances were of winning his age group by determining if there were any male runners he would have to compete with. To his dismay, there appeared to be a few men that would challenge him for that top spot and, upon crossing the finish line, found that he had indeed been beaten by the competition. 

While sizing up the competition in a race is a good indicator of whether we might win, doing it in our spiritual race is necessary to ensure that we will win. You see, there are many things in this world that will compete with our love and loyalty to Jesus-money being one of the biggest rivals. In fact, Matthew 6:24 warns us that you and I "cannot serve both God and money." We cannot spend most of our time working to earn a dollar without having it affect our commitment to Christ. Simply said, we cannot love the things of this world if we wish to be true followers of Jesus. We will "be devoted to the one and despise the other." We just can't serve two masters- the competition must be eliminated altogether. 

So what is it you find occupying the majority of your thoughts, time and efforts? Is it your pursuit of Christ or is it the pursuit of money and the things it can buy? Because, as Thomas Merton wrote, "A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire."

Heavenly Father, thank you for demanding our time, attention and loyalty. It's only when we set our eyes on you that we can have true victory in our lives. Putting you first frees us from the love of money and the many things that would serve to compete with our allegiance to you. May we pursue you today with a relentless pace as we race to the finish. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Nothing compares - Third Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbru2F4Nxhg&list=RDBbru2F4Nxhg

We had a great time at the Old Settlers Day 5k in Waynesville, Mo. Great course and plenty of entertainment afterwards as the race kicked off the Old Settlers Day Festival. 

How's your form

"Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously." Daniel 6:10

When it comes to running, proper form and posture is very important. Multiple studies have shown that good posture places a runner in an alignment where stress is properly distributed to the intended muscles and ligaments allowing them to work more efficiently enabling a person to run faster. And that good form will also help decrease the risk of joint discomfort and injury. According to the Kansas Chiropractic Foundation, "When your muscles, joints and ligaments are working as intended, your vital organs are able to remain in proper position and the nervous system is able to function normally," Wow, our mothers were right when they told us to stop slouching and stand up tall!

You know posture can of even more importance in our our spiritual lives. And when it comes to standing tall, the Bible gives us the best form to imitate when it tells the story of Daniel. You see, when King Darius issued the decree that everyone in Babylon was to worship him alone, and that anyone who was found praying to any other god would immediately be thrown into the lion's den, Daniel stood tall and assumed the correct position... on his knees. In fact, the bible tells us that "he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God". Because of this, he was thrown into the lions den. And we all know the rest of the story right? When King Darius came to check on him the next morning, Daniel didn't have even one scratch on him.

Because Daniel refused to change his "form", King Darius declared to everyone that Daniel's God was indeed the living God. I wonder, can others declare the same by the "form" that we show? If not, maybe it's time to correct our posture by getting on our knees.

"See I don't know how, but there's power when I'm on my knees."- David Mullen

Heavenly Father, thank you for being such a faithful God to Daniel and giving us an example of what faith, prayer and commitment to you can bring to our lives. May we all strive to be your faithful servants today, unwilling to sacrifice prayer and praise to you no matter the consequence. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

On my knees - Nicole C. Mullen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPaPYZZABD4

Looking for hope and change?

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

While on my morning run yesterday, I couldn't help but notice all the political signs urging people to vote for a certain candidate. They were everywhere-lined up on the lawns of dozens of homes, stuck to the sides of passing cars and displayed from storefront windows. Have you noticed though that, while each candidate has their own campaign slogan, signs and agenda, they all seem to promise the same thing? Hope and change. It's the same hope and change that politicians have been promising us for years but has failed to happen. Why? Because they simply make promises they cannot keep. 

But I know of one person whose promises are always true and always kept.... Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can offer us the hope we so desperately long for and the change our world so terribly needs. In fact, when it comes to change, God gives us this amazing promise that he has vowed to keep, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

So you see, the change we need starts with you and me, we are the "my people" called to action. As Mother Theresa once wrote, "I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I'm supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that clearly tells us that if we humble ourselves, repent and turn to you, that you will deliver us and restore our land. Today, may we be the change we are seeking. May our prayers, actions and attitudes lead others to you as they see the change that starts with us. May we boldly proclaim today that the change will start with me. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Let it start with me - No Other Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H_hmNqls7A

Thank you

"Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:2,3

After recently switching health insurance providers, I was offered the opportunity to receive a substantial discount based on the results of a Healthy Lifestyle Assessment survey. Among the questions asked were: Do you have cancer? Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure or heart disease? Have you ever had a seizure? As I answered no to each of these questions and many more, I thanked God for my health and then for the many other things that I was indeed thankful for but took for granted most of the time. I thanked Him for my children, my husband, my home, my friends and my ability to run. I thanked Him for my church, my old car that still runs and the food on my table. 

What's funny is that, once I intentionally started being thankful, I found more and more things to be thankful for and more and more reasons to praise Him. And I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if we all made it a point to thank Him even before our day begins? Before we even grab that cup of coffee or check our emails? What if we, like the psalmist, would vow "Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise..." How much different would our day be by starting it off grateful for what we have? 

So won't you stop right now to take inventory of all the things you have to be thankful for? Wow! The list was longer than you thought wasn't it? Oh praise God for his goodness and whose greatness no one can fathom! Giving thanks is definitely the best way to start to the day. 

Heavenly Father, because of your great love for us, we truly have a lot to be thankful for. Help us to see the simple blessings you bestow on us each and every day and to have an attitude of gratitude as we thank you for each one of them as we sing your praises. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Thank you - 33 miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD1H29Ps8l8&list=RDtD1H29Ps8l8

Watch out for the pebble

Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 2 Samuel 11:2,3

While running in the dark on a trail run this weekend, my headlamp illuminated a runner ahead of me who, by the mud caked on his back and clothes, had obviously fallen down sometime along the course. Since there were no large obstacles like fallen logs, gaping potholes or large roots coming out of the ground, it was safe to assume that he had most likely been tripped up by the small pebbles lining the road that so easily shifted. When I inquired of him, he admitted that he had indeed slipped on a rock and that "he didn't see that one coming." Isn't it ironic that most of us spend so much time looking for the 'big things' that might cause us to fall that we pay no attention to the 'little ones'? And those little ones, pebble by pebble, can easily trip you and me up. 

Consider the story of David. 2 Samuel 11 tells us that he, while walking around the roof of the king's house, saw a woman bathing. And here's where the 'little things' started to add up. The Bible says he saw that she was "very beautiful in appearance" indicating that David did not immediately turn away as he should have. He then, rather than forgetting the whole thing, "sent and inquired about the woman" and was told, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" Finding out she was married should certainly have stopped him then right? As the story goes though, he sent for her, she became pregnant and David had Uriah killed to cover it all up. That one 'small thing' after 'small thing' quickly turned into a 'big thing' didn't it? I wonder if he saw that coming?

You know, if you are and I aren't careful the same can happen to us. While we should most certainly be on our guard to avoid those 'big things', the obvious acts that can cause us to sin, may we never forget that it takes just one small pebble to begin our fall. As I've heard it said:

It's "little" sins that trip us up
And cause an unexpected fall;
That's why we need to stay alert
To every sin, both large and small.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word to guide us through the pitfalls of this life. Help us to be ever vigilant and watchful for those things, big and small, that would cause us to sin or fall away. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Slow Fade - Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wo26sCH-Fw

Simply too hard

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13,14

What do you do on a Saturday night when the heat index is well over 100 degrees? Run a 6-hour endurance race, properly named "Get your Butt Kicked on Route 66", of course. At least that's what many runners, including me, decided to do at 6:00 p.m. as we left the start line intent on completing as many of the 2.425 mile laps we could by midnight. As the night progressed though, it was apparent that many of the people who started the race would not finish it-it was simply too hard. Between the high temperatures, humidity and the darkness, many runners found themselves either not prepared, not properly trained or just not willing to endure the pain and dropped out of the race. 

When it comes to crossing the ultimate finish line and entering Heaven, the Bible tells us that it's not easy either. In fact, it's downright hard and those who wish to enter can do so only by the narrow gate That narrow way is hard because it demands sacrifice, self-denial, and a full dependence on Jesus acknowledging that we can do nothing to save ourselves and we are nothing apart from Him. It is giving up our goals, wants and desires to pursue those that Christ calls us to. Because that way for most is simply too hard, they will take the easy way, dropping out to pursue the world which has few rules or restrictions and requires no commitment or sacrifice.  

For all those that stayed the course that night, sacrificing sleep and comfort to reach the end, there was a medal waiting for them. But something even better than a medal that will not last is waiting for all those that believe, are saved and finish the race... an imperishable crown. Talk about a heavenly reward!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings, the biggest one being the gift of eternal life that is promised to every believer that chooses to follow you to the finish line. Give us strength Lord when we have none left and give us hope when we feel we can't go another step. Remind us that the reward awaiting us will be worth all the effort and sacrifice required to obtain it. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

The Victory - Third Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32MRZvC_eqY

Getting ready to start and already sweating. 

Praise God that we all finished. What a great night! God's presence is so felt at night when there are no distractions. 

To God be the glory in all we do. Praying seeds were planted on the trail. 

Take shelter

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

Although the clouds looked rather menacing, I decided to go ahead with my morning run last week. I had already waited an hour for the thunder and lightning to pass and was quite anxious to work up a sweat. But, less than halfway into the run and many miles from home, I saw it. It was back. The first bolt of lightning lit up the dreary sky as it arced its way into the air causing my heart to race and panic to set in. As the rain quickly followed, I headed back as quickly as my legs would carry me. Oh Lord, I prayed, help me. Save me from the storm.

Have you ever prayed that prayer? David certainly did when he cried out, "Help me, O LORD my God! Save me because of your unfailing love." In the midst of the uncertainty of his life and the trials he was facing, he knew two things for certain - God was real and God was faithful to save him. Because of this great knowledge, David knew he was safe and could proclaim with complete confidence that the Lord was his rock and his fortress, his deliverer and the One in whom he could take refuge no matter what was crashing down around him. 

As I arrived safely back home, I was beyond grateful that I too could call the Lord my fortress and the One in whom I could find refuge. Do you have that same confidence today? When the rains fall and things come crashing down around you, do you find shelter, peace and strength in the One who loves you? When this world brings you pain, do you know where to find comfort? David did and you can too... in Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being our shelter in the midst of the storm. Thank you that, by your unfailing love, you are always there to be our refuge when life gets so hard that we don't feel we can carry on. Help us to know, with confidence, that you will be our rock, our deliverer and the salvation we are so desperately searching for in a world full of pain. Thank you, Lord, that we can cry out to You knowing you will hear our prayers. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Eye of the storm - Ryan Stevenson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw3zIA1NJU0

No secrets

"My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes." Jeremiah 16:17

On Tuesday, a British court ordered Russian marathon runner,  Liliya Shobukhova, to repay the prize and appearance money she received from winning the 2010 London Marathon and placing second in the 2011 marathon after being banned for doping. Although six years had passed, Shobukhova was mandated to repay $498,000 plus court costs. The marathoner was also stripped of her 2009-2011 race results proving that, as Jean Racine once wrote, "There are no secrets that time will not reveal." 

You know the Bible also tells us that our secrets will not stay hidden- although we may be able to conceal them from the world for a while, they are never concealed from God. In Jeremiah 16:17, the prophet wrote,  "My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes." He was warning the Israelites that, although they may have thought God didn't know about their disobedience, sin and idol worship, the Lord knew everything and would not let their deeds go unpunished. 

The same is true of the things you and I do... those secret sins we think will never be revealed.  We can be sure that God knows those things we have tried to hide from others. And we can also be certain that if we lay them down and ask for forgiveness, He is gracious and just to forgive. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of forgiveness. Help us to repent of those things we have hidden away from you and others knowing that you already know what they are. May we come to you in humility as we acknowledge that we have sinned against you and are in need of restoration. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Shane & Shane - That's how we forgive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIgQEkHELyY

Pay attention

"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1

In a recent article published by MacWorld, the question was asked whether Pokémon Go was a good fit for a runner. The app RunGo, which was launched in 2014 (long before Pokémon Go) with the purpose of guiding runners safely through routes without looking at their phone by using GPS-based voice navigation, just debuted Pokémon-focused routes. These routes will steer players to trails and paths claiming to loop through “high density” Pokémon areas while hitting PokéStops in the process. With it's voice navigation, a runner could potentially get in a good run without needing to look at the RunGo app at all, but would still need to glance at the screen periodically to play Pokémon Go. And the problem with that being runner friendly they say? If you aren't paying attention to what's in front of you, bad things can happen. Did you hear about the two guys who fell off of a cliff outside San Diego this week because they were playing Pokémon? It’s an extreme case, but you also don’t want to run into a tree branch, trip over a small child, or traipse into traffic while playing.

Paying attention? That's certainly something most of us need to do a better job of wouldn't you agree? In fact, the Bible tells us that we are to "pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." The writer was warning the Hebrew Christians that focusing their attention anywhere but on what they had been taught, even for a brief moment, could allow bad things to happen- like being led astray by false teachings. That meant they were to, to the greatest extent possible, focus their minds, hearts and eyes on Jesus and the Truth laid out in scripture. And that warning my friends was as relevant to them then as it is to us now. 

  

In his book, Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis writes, "…as a matter of fact, if you examined a hundred people who had lost their faith in Christianity, I wonder how many of them would turn out to have been reasoned out of it by honest argument? Do not most people simply drift away?” 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that gives us the absolute truth of the Gospel. Help us to use it each and every day as the guide by which we measure the truthfulness of the words and actions of others. Help us to know your Truth so well that we would immediately recognize false teachings and teachers that we would avoid the bad things that can happen when they would cause us to drift away. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Your Words - Third Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqaA8XBI15o

http://www.macworld.com/article/3095960/software-games/is-pokemon-go-really-a-runners-best-friend.html

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Go deep

"When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." Luke 5:4-6



Have you ever been called to do something you believed totally out of your power to accomplish? Most of us would probably answer with a resounding yes to that question. I will admit that as much as I want to follow Christ with my whole heart and without doubting him for a moment, I oftentimes find myself feeling just like Peter, aka Simon.  He knew fishing-he was a fisherman.  It was his life, his livelihood and the one thing he thought he knew everything about.  So when Jesus told him to let down his nets, Peter instinctively lost sight of who Jesus was and doubted him.  You see, all Peter really knew was that the previous attempt was unsuccessful and "common sense" and his past experiences told him that this would never work.  It wasn't the right time of day, the right place or the right area-a million reasons why they would catch no fish must have passed through his mind.  Oh my, aren't we the same? As much as we want to have total faith, we still look at earthly obstacles or situations as if God can't move a mountain or change our circumstances at will.

I know running-I am a runner. But there have been times when I too have felt called to "put out into deep water", to drop my nets into the unknown, where I found myself, like Peter, questioning what was possible. The training wasn't right. The circumstances weren't right. How could I finish the race when I found it difficult or painful to even make it to the start line?  But you know what? Each time God gave me the strength to fulfill the purpose to which he called me to. And each time, I was so overcome with humility, awe and wonder at the power of God's strength revealed, that I fell to my knees in shame, remorseful at my lack of trust.  Perhaps you've felt that way too?

Is God calling you to do something today that you feel you could never accomplish?  Are you afraid of venturing out into deeper waters? The bible tells us that when the fisherman let down their nets in faith, "they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break." Perhaps today is the day, like Simon, you and I will drop our nets and witness a miracle of God's making?

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the strength to do Your will when the world and our flesh says it can't be done.  Help us to remember that we can do "all things through Christ who gives us strength."  Give us courage to let down our nets and be fishers of men.  In Your precious name we pray, Jesus.  Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

AL&A - Walk on Waves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfgY-iK5ito

Would they know?

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35

While running the TEAM 413 Donut Run 5k Saturday, I approached a friend at the turnaround who had been running behind me for at least a mile. As I neared her (this time face forward), she laughed and said, "I knew that was you! I could tell by the way you run. Girl I could pick you out in any crowd." I had to chuckle as I admitted to her that I had heard that many times-in fact, that was the second time this week. And while being recognized by my running form makes me smile, it also reminds me that people recognize me and others by those traits they see most often. 

In John 13:34, Jesus gave the disciples this command, "Love one another..." But he didn't stop there. He instructed them further telling them that, not only are they to love one another but, they are to love one another the same way that Christ has loved them so, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples..." You see, Jesus' love for the disciples and others wasn't just contained to his feelings. His love was shown in his actions- without complaining, he loved the undeserving, he forgave those who persecuted him, he made time to help those in need, he fed the hungry and clothed the poor all the while giving glory to the Father. And that is what you are I are called to do. This is how are called to love. This is how we should want others to recognize us! 

I wonder, how do people see us today? If we never said a word, would they know we are Christians by our love?

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would send your son to die on a cross for each and every one of us. Thank you for loving us in spite of all the things we do that make us unlovable. Thank you for granting us mercy and grace when we are deserving of judgement and for giving us eternal life when we are deserving of death. Help us to love others in the same way Lord that they might know we are followers of You and, by our example, choose to give their lives to you as well. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

They will know we are Christians-Jars of Clay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CobNWUXb1M

The free 5k races are held the third Saturday of each month and are open to everyone! It's an opportunity to share the love of Christ with others. 

Group picture of the free 5k Donut Run presented by TEAM 413 and Walker Realty

Just a small part of the prerace prayer circle

 

Running with friends is such a blessing

Love to see others helping one another. 

Easily frustrated?

"The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." Matthew 8:25, 26

Addie Bracy, a 29-year-old runner from Longmont, CO estimates that between the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 10,000-meter run, she has raced at least 10 times hoping to qualify for this year's Olympic Trials. She got close several times but never made it, all the while watching as many of her friends and rivals earned the coveted spots. She admits that she was so frustrated about her running that she nearly quit the sport-until, at the urging of a teammate, she signed up for the U.S. Mountain Running Championships where, on July 3rd, she took first place and earned a spot on the U.S. Mountain Running Team that will compete in Bulgaria in September. Ironically enough, this was her first trail race ever.

You know, we can all get frustrated. Whether by situations we bring upon ourselves or things that are out of our control. What we do when we feel that way though can have major implications on those around us. Consider that the disciples had been with Jesus for some time. They had listened to his teachings and seen him perform many miracles including healing a man with leprosy by simply touching him and driving out demons by merely speaking the word. They knew Jesus and they had seen first-hand his power. However. the Bible tells us that when a furious storm arose, rather than trusting Jesus (who was asleep on the boat with them), they woke him in a panic shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" That had to be frustrating, don't you think? But rather than get angry or berate them Jesus, "got up and rebuked the winds, and it was completely calm."

So when we find ourselves getting frustrated with others or ourselves, let us take a moment to remember that, like the disciples, none of us are perfect. We will all experience moments of doubt, insecurity and fear. God knows that and loves us anyway. May we love others enough to show that same kindness to them... to be like Jesus, the "calm"  in the midst of any storm. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us when we are totally unlovable and for granting us mercy when we are totally deserving of condemnation. Help us to show these same characteristics to others that they might see You in us. Help us to see others and ourselves as you do that we might love them the hardest when they need it the most. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Live it well - Switchfoot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6h1fGul0_4

Redesigned

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

On July 12, Nike made the announcement that they have redesigned the racing bib eliminating the need for safety pins. The AeroSwift Bib, as it’s called, adheres to clothing or skin like a big sticker with no safety pins or wind drag. Just slap it on and go they say. Michelle Miller, an Olympics concept director at Nike, says, “Our job is to eliminate distractions, to help unleash athletes to their fullest potential.” For anyone who has struggled to attach a bib with those pesky pins only to have it lopsided or flopping in the wind, poked themselves doing so or, worst of all, forgotten the pins and had no way to fasten their race number, this is great news isn't it?

While with a glance you may not notice that the bibs are different, you can be sure they are. The same is true for you and me and each person that decides to follow Christ. While we may look the same on the outside, inside we have been made brand-new, redesigned and given a new purpose.  And that purpose? To share our faith with others that they too might come to know Jesus and experience the same life-changing transformation. Can you imagine Nike keeping the news of the redesigned bib to themselves? Of course not! That would be of no benefit to anyone. The same is true of every believer. Keeping the Good News to ourselves will never lead others to Jesus. 

So, as Pastor Rick Warren writes, "We must learn to share the gospel in ways that show that it is both GOOD and NEWS. The gospel is about what God has done for us and what we can become in Christ." So won't you tell someone today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would not allow us to remain the same after giving our lives to you. You take us and make us new that we might live our new lives to our "fullest potential" being all that You designed us to be. Help us to be bold to share our story with others that they too might be made new. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Tell the world - Lecrae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc8x33lAnAk

The next dip

"So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy." 2 Kings 5:14

Brandon Hudgins, 29, is running in his first Olympic Trials. While he's older than most middle distance runners, what makes this story interesting is that he says "his career is just starting." You see eight years ago, while enjoying a promising collegiate running career, he was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disorder called vasculitis that forced him to give up his dream. But after enduring countless chemotherapy treatments to fight it, five years ago he made the comeback into elite track racing that doctors declared would be next to impossible. And, after enduring a relapse nearly a year later and undergoing chemotherapy once again, his persistence paid off. On Thursday night at Hayward Field,  20,000 spectators watched him run an impressive 3:43.25 at the 1500-meter trials to qualify for the semifinals. What if he had given up though? What if he had quit the first time he got knocked down? Or the second?

The Bible tells us the story of Namaan, the commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a brave and valiant soldier but he had leprosy. Instead of being cured immediately by the prophet, Elisha, Namaan was told to wash himself seven times in the Jordan and he would be restored. Washing in the muddy river was certainly not what he wanted to do. He was a great hero and used to getting respect. Couldn't he at least have been asked to wade into a cleaner river? Why was all this necessary anyway? But Namaan, wanting to be healed, humbled himself and obeyed the commands of Elisha, "and dipped himself in Jordan seven times." Don't you think he wanted to give up or wondered if it would work? When do you quit though? When is enough, enough? Five times in the Jordan, six times? No-one more dip in the Jordan. If Naaman had quit at one, two, three, four, five or six times nothing would have happened. It was the next dip that counted, "and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy."

Perhaps you feel like giving up today? What if the next dip is the one that counts though? What if today is the day that you will experience God's blessing in your life? What if today is the day you accomplish that goal or see a breakthrough? When you're tempted to quit... don't. Just remember, in the words of Thomas Edison, "Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many examples of people who did not give up but obeyed your commands and waited on your timing. Help us to be people that trust your plan even when we don't understand it and to never give up in the face of adversity and trials knowing that you are working all things out in your time and your way. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Calling Glory- Don't give up

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

http://www.runnersworld.com/olympic-trials/this-unsponsored-athlete-has-the-comeback-story-of-the-trials

No one higher

"Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else--not only in this world but also in the world to come." Ephesians 1:21

Intent on getting in a run before church yesterday morning, I woke early, grabbed a cup of coffee and got dressed. As I turned on the news to check the forecast, I was once again inundated with stories of troubles, misfortune and chaos. Is it me, I wondered, or is there not a day that goes by that something disturbing or distressing is not reported? From catastrophic weather damage, mass shootings and protests to corporate layoffs, political scandals and reports of human trafficking, it could seem to some that this world is spinning 'out of control'. While the reporter continued his grave report, I anxiously grabbed my headphones and headed out the door.

As my feet began to move, the music began to stream through, "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest," and I was quickly and gratefully reminded of something I, like most people, forget from time to time... there is no higher authority than God. We give him the ultimate, or highest praise, because He is the only one deserving of it. Ephesians 1:21 reaffirms that fact when it says, "Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else-not only in this world but also in the world to come." Since Jesus Christ is the highest authority and sovereign ruler over all the earth, as believers, we have nothing to fear because nothing that occurs is random or out of His control. 

While you and I may not always understand why certain things happen, we can be confident that He does. So when you feel the world is spinning out of control, remember that anything under God's control can never be 'out of control'. 

Heavenly Father, it is so wonderful to know that when it seems things are falling apart that you are in control, holding all things together and working them out for the best. Help us to have the faith to trust you in the midst of the chaos around us knowing that you are the highest authority and for that we can say, Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org 

Hosanna in the highest

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

What motivates you?

"Then Daniel answered the king, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means." Daniel 5:17

If I asked you what motivated you to run, what would you say? What main reason would you give? In a poll by the Scottish Running Guide, 44 percent of the runners surveyed replied their reason for running was to maintain fitness, 26 percent said it was to lose weight, 13 percent cited it was to compete in races, 9 percent to cope with stress and the remaining runners claimed other (7%), to support charity (3%) and to spend time with friends (2%). While I agree that a few of the reasons I run are to maintain fitness, spend time with friends and participate in races, my real motivation is to bring glory to His Name and to lead others to Him. While running or not, shouldn't that be our motivation for anything we do though?

Daniel thought so. The Bible tells us that, when he was called by King Belshazzar to interpret the meaning of the writing on the wall, Daniel was offered fine clothes, a gold chain and to be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom which he declined saying, "You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means." Daniel was not motivated by material rewards, position or power, he was motivated by his love for God and the desire to fulfill his calling. His response to the king showed, once again, that 100 percent of his motivation for anything was to glorify his Lord.  

As Warren Wiersbe wrote, "Daniel gave all the glory to God; he took none of it for himself. There is no limit to what God will do for the believer who will let God have all the glory." So today are you and I like Daniel? Living each moment to give the glory where it's due? What's your motivation?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the abilities, talents and gifts you have given each of us. While they are all different, may we use them to bring you glory and to share Christ with the world. Let nothing we do be out of selfish ambition but to bring you the glory and praise that only You are due. We offer our lives to You today. Use us Lord. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Through me - Holly Starr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfcbc3ZNc-Y

http://scottishrunningguide.com/polls/index/31

Change of plans

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:26-28

On Friday, two-time 100-meter Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt withdrew from the Jamaican Olympic Trials after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring tear. Dubbed, the "fastest man on earth", this was certainly not how he envisioned the Olympic Trials to go. Although grade one hamstring tears are the mildest form of injury and the 29-year-old is expected to be able to run again by the end of the week, the interruption to his training was said to be a blow to his "plans" of retaining his Olympic titles. It goes to show that, in an instant, our best made plans can change doesn't it?

You know the bible is full of people who had plans. Joseph and Mary had "plans" to get married, start a family and live a normal, happy life. They started a family all right, but not the way they had planned. With one visit from an angel, Mary's best laid plans changed and her life was turned upside down. At that same moment, Joseph's life, whose soon-to-be-wife was now pregnant with a child that he didn't father, was turned upside down too. None of this was planned! But by trusting that God had a "plan" much better than their own, Joseph and Mary accepted their new circumstances and became the proud parents of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

At some point, each and every one of us will deal with situations, days, months or even a lifetime of things that didn't or won't turn out the way we planned. But you know what? That's okay. It's okay because God has something better. As I've heard it said before, "Where you are today is no accident. God is using the situation you are in right now to shape and prepare you for the place He wants to bring you into tomorrow. Trust Him with his plan even if you don't understand it."

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would have plans for us much better than the ones we have for ourselves. When we don't understand them though, help us to have faith to trust you through it. And when it looks as if nothing good could come out of it, help us to trust you even more. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

I will trust in You - Lauren Daigle

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

A narrow loss

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." Matthew 7:13,14

At the Olympic trials on Monday, Molly Ludlow missed her chance of making the team by mere milliseconds. In fact, just 0.04 seconds separated her from a 3rd place finish in the womens 800-meter track event deeming her, once again, the closest runner in the field not to make it to the Olympics. You see, just four years ago, on this very same track, she missed making the team by 0.02 seconds. When it comes to qualifying for the Olympics, the margins are getting much narrower aren't they? It's amazing to think that just a mere millisecond, or one hundredth of a second, could keep a person from entering the coveted Olympic Games. But the rules are very clear-only the top three get in.

When it comes to entering Heaven, the rules are even more clear and the margins even more narrow. The Bible tells us that we "can enter God's kingdom only through the narrow gate" but that most will settle for the easier route, the life where the "gate is wide for the many who choose that way." As with the Olympics, very few people will do what it takes to qualify to enter Heaven because "the road is difficult" and, although the invitation is open to all of us, "only a few will find it", or accept it.

Olympian hopefuls spend their lives training so they can stay focused on their goal and ready when the time comes to fulfill it. I wonder, are we as Christians doing the same? John Calvin sums it up saying, "No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief."

Heavenly Father, thank you for laying down the specific rules of what it takes to gain entry into your Kingdom. Your Word is clear that only those that believe in and follow you will enter the narrow gate. All others will be disqualified and turned away. Help us to be as disciplined as Olympic hopefuls training in the Word daily and keeping our eyes on the prize. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

He wants it all - Forever Jones

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC6b1RS57p8

http://www.runnersworld.com/olympic-trials/another-heartbreaking-fourth-for-molly-ludlow

It's worth it

"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

"I always feel good after a run, but I never feel good during a run." These were the wise words spoken by 13 year-old Caleb Miller after finishing Saturday morning's "These Colors Don't Run" color run 5k. Let's face it. This young man is right. Running really can hurt-from cramping muscles and side stitches to burning lungs and unimaginable chafing in areas we never knew existed. So why do we keep doing it? Quite simply because it feels good... afterwards that is. Once it's over, with the endorphins still coursing through our body and feeling a sense of accomplishment, and with a fresher and clearer mind, we can look back at the amazing benefits enduring the pain reaped. And we find that it's worth it. 

Hebrews 12:11 shows that the same can be true of spiritual training when it says, "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." You see, the Father loves you and me so much that he refuses to let us stray off the right path. So when we do, he will use whatever means necessary to correct, adjust or redirect our thinking or actions. And while this is never enjoyable, it is a sign of God's deep love for his children. While the reasons when and why may vary, of this you can be sure.... God will use testing, trials, and various situations to bring us back to him in repentance. The result of God's discipline is a stronger faith and a renewed relationship with him (not to mention destroying the hold a particular sin has over us).

In the words of Billy Graham, "God does not discipline us to subdue us, but to condition us for a life of usefulness and blessedness." With that in mind, after enduring the pain of correction, you and I can look back at the amazing benefits (a harvest of righteousness and peace) God's rebuke and admonition reaped and say, "It was worth it!" 

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would discipline us when we aren't obedient to your Word. Help us to patiently endure our due rebuke-knowing that doing so will make us stronger and rid us of those things that hinder us from being useful and blessed. May we humbly draw closer to you in these times admitting our sins and mistakes as we allow you to make us Christians that can be used. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Keep making me - Sidewalk Prophets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI1obeb3A9c

The before picture

During the race

The After picture

Old Glory

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

With Independence Day upon us, you might be noticing the many flags on display. No doubt this Fourth of July morning, many runners will be participating in 5ks and other runs wearing red, white and blue and maybe even carrying the American Flag. You could say that most Americans are very proud of their flag. And with good reason - 'Old Glory' represents the day our country's founders declared independence from Great Britain. Did you know, though, that each part of the flag stands for something? The 50 stars stand for the 50 states and the 13 stripes stand for the 13 British colonies which declared their independence on July 4, 1776. The colors also stand for something. The white vertical stripes signify purity and innocence while the red vertical stripes represent hardiness and valour-and the blue signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice. 

There is another flag to be flown with pride too... the Christian Flag. It represents the day we were granted freedom from the power of sin. The shade of red on the cross symbolizes the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. The blue canton represents the waters of baptism as well as the faithfulness of Jesus and the white represents Jesus' purity. Regardless of their differences in appearance, these flags are both symbols of what we stand for, who we are and that we are connected to one another as Americans and Christians. 

John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, in a letter to his wife regarding this special day wrote, "It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” May we, as Americans, join together this holiday to commemorate the day of deliverance by God Almighty. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for setting us free from the yoke of slavery and the bonds of tyranny. My solemn prayer is that this country would raise the white flag of surrender and celebrate our freedom every day with solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. May we once again be known as"one nation, under God" as we wave our white flags in total surrender to You. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

White Flag - Chris Tomlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1jgD69WzMY