Gone astray

"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6 NIV

Ryan Roush experienced what most runners would consider a nightmare on Sunday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Half Marathon in Canton, Ohio. After having battled hard to lead the race for thirteen miles, Ryan entered the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium intent on being the first one to cross the finish line directly inside. Unfortunately though, he turned right instead of left before descending onto the stadium turf, allowing Mick Iacofani to take the lead and win by two seconds. Roush was so upset at himself for taking a wrong turn and veering off the path that he left the stadium immediately after finishing.

And as disheartening as this was for Ryan, it's a sobering reminder of just how easy it is to go astray, or off the right path or route, if we aren't paying careful attention. In fact, the Bible tells us that, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray" and that every one of us, at one point or another, "has turned to our own way." Thankfully though, the Bible also tells us that we have a God who loves us so much that He will do whatever it takes to find us and bring us back home - no matter what we've done or how far we have wandered away. 

Perhaps today though, you, like so many other people, feel that you have gone so far astray and are so worthless that God wouldn't bother to search for you? If that's you, I want to tell you that you are absolutely wrong! There's no shadow He won't light up, mountain He won't climb up and no wall He won't kick down to come after you. That's the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love that God has for you my friend.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder of your great love for us. I pray that if there's anyone reading this that feels as if they can never be reconciled to You because of the things they have done, that today is the day they stop running and surrender to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Reckless love - Cory Asbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF0SndijL18

Patient endurance

"Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:36

When one of my beloved friends decided to do her first 50 mile ultramarathon Saturday, I was honored at the request to come alongside to help. Knowing what was in store (since I had done several before), I warned her that there would be times when she would feel like giving up - but that if she would keep her eyes on the Lord and keep going in spite of her feelings, the temptation to quit would pass and we would finish the race under the cutoff time of 12 hours. And you know what? This race was indeed hard... very hard. But by patiently enduring those periods of pain, hunger, discouragement and fatigue that are a normal part of ultrarunning, Sheri pressed on and finished with 22 minutes to spare.

And you know, just as in ultrarunning (or running distances longer than the standard 26.2 mile marathon), trials and discomfort are a normal part of life. Everyone, at one point or another, will experience them and feel like giving up. But that's when we, as the Bible tells us, need "patient endurance" so that we "will continue to do God's will." And this patient endurance, or the ability to withstand prolonged hardship or adversity calmly or without complaint, is only acquired by spiritual training. You see, each and every time you and I make the decision to do "God's will" for our lives in spite of the struggle or our desire to quit, we acquire greater "patient endurance" and are more faithful and steadfast in our Christian walk.

So while you and I might not enjoy suffering or see any good in it right now, take heart in knowing that it is training us to have the "patient endurance" that will, one day, allow us to "receive all that he has promised". And for that my friend, it will have been worth it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that, although it will be hard, patiently enduring until the end will be worth it. Please give us the strength and the desire to continue serving You as we are called that we might influence our families and all those around us to come to the foot of the Cross. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Hard love - NEEDTOBREATHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClBToJfO9xo

Near the end and keeping the joy. 

She was thankful to cross that finish line after almost 12 hours of running!

All smiles as we claim our prize and give Him all the glory. 

The best prize awaits

"And now the prize awaits me--the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8

Eliud Kipchoge made national headlines Sunday when he won the London Marathon in a blazing fast time of 2:04:17. As impressive as that was though, there was, in my opinion, another winner in this iconic 26.2 mile race - a man who made very few headlines and received no medal. Using a ReWalk exoskeleton suit, Simon Kinleysides became the first paralyzed man to walk the London Marathon, crossing the finish line 36 hours after he started. But because he completed the race a day late, he wasn't eligible to receive a medal. He didn't mind though. You see, he didn't do it to garner any prize. Simon did it to raise money for The Brain Tumor Charity and so counted the race as a success. 

And you know, as this story shows, not all hard work is honored with awards or accolades. The apostle Paul certainly understood that. In his steadfast and loyal service to the Lord, he had worked tirelessly and tenaciously to win the lost to Christ. He had faithfully endured persecution, imprisonment and beatings, not receiving nor expecting to receive any earthly recognition or badges. You see, Paul knew that mans’ praise and the worlds’ medals meant nothing - and that the ultimate prize, the "crown of righteousness," was what mattered and what would be waiting for him in heaven. "And the prize," he wrote, was not just for him "but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." 

So while Paul wrote those words to encourage Timothy to stay faithful and keep fighting, they should inspire and encourage us to do the same. Because no matter what difficulties you and I might be facing in our Christian walk today, you can bet that if we keep pressing on to the finish line, we will be given a "crown" of infinite value. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that serving You will not always be easy. We will face hard times, trials and discouragement in our walk with you. Please continue to remind us that if we stay faithful, our hard work will one day be rewarded. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Faithful - Ryan Stevenson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhCb094cGO4

Seek His face

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." Psalm 105:4

Jamie Watts, a 36-year-old runner from Virginia who has completed more than 100 5k races, will be running her first marathon this weekend. And while a 26.2 mile race is tough under the best of conditions, it will be downright grueling for Jamie who will be using a cane because of her Cerebral Palsy, a developmental disability that affects movement, posture and coordination. And since it will take more than the standard allotted time to complete the run, the New Jersey Marathon organizers have arranged for her to start at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night, well ahead of Sunday's 7:30 a.m. start time. That means Jamie will already have been running for nine-and-a-half hours before anyone else even begins! Talk about determination. When asked where she gets her tenacity, or strength of purpose from, Jamie said, "I look at the people who've lifted me up in this process." 

And while Jamie might look to people to provide the strength she needs, the Bible is very clear that our strength comes from the Lord. David clearly understood that saying, "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." You see, it's only when you and I tenaciously, devotedly and insistently seek to find the Lord always, or at all times and on all occasions, that we will find the strength needed to complete this race of life - a race (filled with disappointments, heartaches, trials, and periods of isolation) that will be exponentially harder than any marathon. 

So you see, if you and I want to run well enough to hear the words "well done, good and faithful servant" when we cross the finish line one day, we will need His power to do it. So remember to always look to the Lord my friend...  and always seek His face.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that You will give us strength if would continually seek You. Help us to realize that this is something to be pursued no matter what obstacles might get in our way. May we seek You above all else. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

One Desire - Kari Jobe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WatxR5Z4HMY

Restore me

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you." Psalm 51:12 NLT

Police in New Haven, CT, are investigating after a woman was robbed at knife point early Sunday morning while she was out running. The 25-year-old woman, who didn't want to be identified, said she was running near her home when two men got out of a parked car and one of them asked her the time. The victim said she ignored the man but he grabbed her sweatshirt and held up a knife. After a brief tussle, she says, she fell to the ground and the man stole her cell phone. 

But you know, as frightening as this story was, it's comforting to know that our chances of being robbed at knife point are very slim. Unfortunately though, many of us allow ourselves to be robbed of something much more valuable than a cell phone every day... our joy. David certainly understood that. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband killed to hide it, David was confronted by the prophet Nathan and convicted of his sin. Overcome with guilt and in desperate need of redemption, he called out to the Father. And you know what? God heard David's prayer and forgave him. And while David still had to face the consequences for his actions, his relationship with the Lord was restored - as was the joy he so desperately craved. 

So if you, like David, have allowed your joy to be stolen because of sin, I urge you to pray as he did, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that you will restore the joy to all those lacking it if they will simply confess their sin and turn back to You. Remind us that a right relationship with You always comes with the peace and happiness our hearts crave. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Restore me - Anthony Evans

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

Carry the weight

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Very soon, Will Kocken, a runner who is raising money for the 4th Hooah Wisconsin, a non-profit group that raises money for veterans and awareness about mental health and suicide, will be attempting to break the current Guinness world record (6:47:03) for the fastest 26.2 mile race completed while carrying a 100-pound rucksack. And while bearing this heavy of a load to help others might sound insane to most people, Will said "Some people call it crazy or stupid, whatever you want to call it, but it's more about raising funds to help more veterans than it is about being breaking the world record." He hopes to raise $10,000 by completing the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon on May 20.

And you know, when it comes to bearing the load of fellow believers, Paul said that we are to "carry each other's burdens" thus fulfilling "the law of Christ." You see, the law of Christ compels us to love one another so much that when we see others struggling under the weight of worries, problems or sin, we lift them up with correction or encouragement - thus placing the weight of their burdens on our own shoulders for a while.

So if you know or suspect that someone you know needs help today, won't you reach out to them? Because no matter how heavy the load our brother or sister might be carrying, when we carry it with them the load will always be lighter. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we weren't made to carry our burdens alone. And while we know that You want us to cast our cares on You, we know that we are to cast them on one another as well. Thank You for giving us fellow believers to lighten our load. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Brother - Need to Breathe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRSLz_KgUsM

The A Team

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:35,37

Just recently, two friends in the running group I am blessed to be a part of experienced unexpected tragedies. Nicole suffered a complete loss in a house fire that destroyed nearly everything she and her family owned and Elaine lost a child she had so desperately been trying to conceive for 11 years. And while these events might have spiraled many people into a depression, Elaine wrote, "Praising Him even when it hurts, even in my weakness. He is so so so good to me." And just days later, while working alongside Nicole to clear the charred debris that was once her home, posted, "We both had a rough month. She lost her house in a house fire and I lost my “embaby”. But we are still the A-TEAM! Romans 8:35-39."

And if an A-TEAM can be defined as a group of main characters who seem to always survive everything, whilst all the other characters around them die out, I would say they are indeed on that team. You see, these followers of Jesus Christ know that no matter what they experience in this world, whether it be "tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword,” nothing can separate them "from the love of Christ." And with that knowledge, not only can they survive when others around them may not, every other believer who stands on the promise can too.

You see, when trials come, you and I don't have to be defeated by them. By surrendering our lives to Jesus and placing our faith in Him, "we can be more than conquerors." We can be a part of that team, or body of believers, that not only survives everything but thrives in spite of everything. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the power that You give each and every one of your believers. You have equipped us to withstand the hardest trials and the strongest storms. Help us to lean into You during these times that we might rise above our momentary losses and heartaches as we trust in Your plan for our lives. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I will sing - Elaine Wright

https://www.facebook.com/elaine.wright.12/videos/10155185661916050/

 

Speak kindly

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

Ashley Schneider, a sophomore at the University of Minnesota, will be running her fourth half marathon next month to raise funds and awareness for people struggling with an eating disorder. Ashley, who is now in recovery, said that her own struggle with weight and image started on the playground when she was in the second or third grade. She said that she vividly remembers playing a game when one of her schoolmates looked at her and said, "You're just really fat and ugly, and no guy will ever like you." Ashley went on to say, "That always stuck with me." She now urges people to think about the power of their words. 

And you know, if power is defined as the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events, words certainly do have power - the power to do good and the power to cause harm. The apostle Paul certainly knew that and so warned us to "not let any unwholesome talk" - or poisonous, destructive, or damaging words - come out of our mouths. But instead, he commanded us to say "only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ashley summed it up this way, "Be kind to everyone. To sit there and point out flaws is not OK. Point out beauty." 

So today and everyday, may you and I be extra cautious to only say things that uplift and encourage others. Because, as Ashley pointed out and we all know, ill-spoken words can retain their power for a very, very long time. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that words can bring death or life to the listener and to us. Help us to be mindful of the things we say to others that we might lift them up rather than tear them down. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Humble and kind - Tim McGraw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb_qGChk0GI

As He has loved

"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another." John 13:34 BSB

Like hundreds of other runners on Marathon Monday, Steven Stallis failed to dress properly for race conditions and so became dangerously cold. So cold, in fact, that at mile 15 he began doubting that he could finish saying, "Everything was going numb. It was just not looking good." Almost in tears he was so uncomfortable, Stallis said he approached a group of spectators and asked if any of them had something he could wear. “This woman didn’t hesitate,” he said. “She took off her jacket and handed it to me.” Now, the 27-year-old is searching for the woman whose act of kindness helped him achieve his goal of completing the race despite the “atrocious” weather.“I want to thank her and tell her how much that jacket meant to me and helped me finish Boston,” Stallis said.

Can you imagine someone being so selfless and kind to sacrifice their own warmth to provide it to a complete stranger? The truth is though, we should all be that unselfish and compassionate. You see, Jesus commanded us to "love one another." But not as the world defines love, as an intense feeling of deep affection, but in the same way that He loved us. And just what is that way? Well consider this... Jesus loved us so much that He denied us nothing, not even His own life. Did you get that? He sacrificed His own life that you and I might have eternal life. It's hard to imagine a love so great isn't it?

So today and every day, may you and I truly "love one another" just as Jesus loved us. Can you even begin to imagine the impact that kind of love would have on this world?

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You would send your Son to die for us when we did nothing to earn it or deserve it. Help us to love others the same way that they might come to know You because of it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Reckless love - Cory Asbury

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc6SSHuZvQE

Do something

"For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’" Deuteronomy 15:11

“Come on in where it’s warm!” Those were the shouts heard from Carter Memorial Methodist Church on Monday as dangerously cold runners overwhelmed the medical tent just past the Boston Marathon's halfway point. Seeing the need to help, members of this church (located near that point) didn't care if their carpets got wet or dirtied or if they had the proper supplies, they simply knew they had to do something... right now. So as more than 50 injured racers streamed in to warm themselves by the roaring fire, they made food, drinks and coffee.“It’s just become this impromptu shelter for running refugees,” said associate pastor Ashley Murphy, who lives nearby and had already raided her pantry and linen closet for food, towels, and dry clothes.

And you know, when it comes to helping someone in need, shouldn't immediate action be our response as well? Moses definitely thought so and thus, after reminding the Israelites that there would always "be poor in the land," issued this command, "open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land." And you know what? That command still stands today. You and I, upon seeing someone in need, should fully and promptly use the resources God has blessed us with to help.

So what can you do today to make a difference in someone's life? To help a person in need? Whatever it is you're able to do, whether it's big or small, don't hesitate to do it my friend. Because in doing so, you just might lead someone to Christ. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings you have given each of us. Help us to realize that all that we have comes from you. Knowing that, may we generously use what we have to bless others. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Do something - Matthew West

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_RjndG0IX8

Pure joy

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1:2,3

Viewing the adverse weather conditions before the start of yesterday's Boston Marathon in a positive way, Sara Hall tweeted, "This weather definitely gives the Americans a leg up at #BostonMarathon. Whenever I’ve trained in E Africa, if it rains (even lightly), the runners wait it out to train, rarely train in it." And she was so right. Because of the less than ideal state of the atmosphere, Americans dominated the race with women nabbing seven of the top spots at the finish line, including first place with Desiree Linden becoming the first American to win the women's race since 1985, and men taking six of the top 10 spots. You could most definitely say that the wind and the rain were blessings from above. 

And you know, the Bible tells us that whenever you and I face trials, or situations that test our forbearance, that we are to "consider it pure joy" knowing that it "produces perseverance." You see, these runners could persevere, or continue in the face of difficulty, because they had trained themselves to... over and over and over. During their struggle to become good enough to represent their country at the most famous 26.2 mile race in the world, they didn't cower when the conditions outside were less than ideal. And although they might not have enjoyed training in the wind, cold and rain, you can bet they are joyous today that they did. 

So no matter what you and I may be going through right now, may we consider it "pure joy, my brothers and sisters" that God is using our trials to produce the determination and staying power we will need to stay faithful when the bigger storms of life come. And for that, today is a day for rejoicing. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that out of some of our greatest trials, come our greatest victories. Help us to be patient, trusting and cheerful during these times knowing that we will be better because of them. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Joy - Johnny Diaz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn_ZSR6QWYM

I will rise

"Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light." Micah 7:8

Most people, upon discovering that I am a marathon runner, will ask me whether I have ever run the Boston Marathon. And upon being blessed to answer that question with a yes, I await the one that almost always follows, "Were you there when the bombings occurred?” And while I could simply answer no, I always add, "but I was there the year after." And why is that so important you might wonder? Because 2014 was the year I, and thousands of other runners, made the choice to come back. You see, I had run this iconic 26.2 mile race before to simply mark it off my bucket list. But the year after the bombs went off taking three lives, inflicting gruesome injuries and prompting many elite racers to vow they would never return, I ran it to join others in saying to those responsible for the tragedy, "We are Boston Strong and we will rise." 

And you know, when it comes to rising up after a fall, the prophet Micah wrote, "Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." He was making it clear to his adversaries not to rejoice in his suffering because it wouldn't last - although he had experienced discouragement and fallen, God would raise him up again. And though he appeared to be groping in the darkness right now, the Lord would soon be a light to him and illuminate his path. 

Meb Keflighizi, winner of the 2014 Boston Marathon, once said, "Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and present obstacles." And while he was right that life's obstacles and hurdles can certainly challenge us and even knock us down, we don't have to stay down. We, like Micah, can look to the Lord with confidence and declare that by His strength, "I will rise." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that You will be our light in the darkness. And whether we have fallen due to our own sin or an unforeseen tragedy, help us get back up. And when we do, may we remember and proclaim your greatness and faithfulness to the world, knowing that it's only by your strength that we can rise again. 

Happy Running!!!

I will rise - Jason Gray

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

I am not ashamed

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." Romans 1:16 NIV

Midway into my late morning run yesterday, I attempted to pass a young man walking on the sidewalk. But just as I got close enough to say hello, he picked up the pace and started running alongside me. As I laughed and we made some small talk, he revealed to me that he was walking home after his court hearing was cancelled. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, I asked him what his charges were and the choices that had led up to it. As we then slowed down and stopped, I placed my hand on his shoulder and said, "Do you know what you need?" To which he replied, "What?" as he stood back and seemed to await the lecture he seemed sure would follow. But to his surprise, I simply said, "Jesus. You need Jesus." 

And as I later watched this young man walk away, my heart was heavy at the realization that there are so many people in our world, even in our own neighborhoods, that are just as lost as him. And yet most Christians are too ashamed or embarrassed to share "the gospel." Do they simply not comprehend that "it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone?" Do they not understand that without Jesus there is no hope in this life or in the one to come? Do they not realize that if we don’t tell them that they will never know? So I say, if you and I are ever going to change our world, we, like Paul, must stand up and boldly declare, "I am not ashamed of the gospel." 

So what will you do today? Will you, like me, in the words of Jeremy Camp declare, "Even though few may stand and proclaim your great name, it’s the life I want to live. I'm convinced, there is none like You. I'm not ashamed of the Gospel. I'm not ashamed of Jesus Christ. I will stand and boldly say 'This is my life?'" So how about it? Will you? 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of salvation found only through Jesus Christ. Help us to be bold witnesses that will unashamedly share the Good News of the gospel with all those who need to hear it. May we, today, realize how important and life-changing this is and feel a renewed fire and passion to evangelize the world. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I'm not ashamed - Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wb21LfYdH0

Come clean

"Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." Proverbs 28:13 ESV

Every day thousands of runners use Facebook to post their times, discuss their training, share their photos, and connect with other runners, all the while disclosing personal information. So when this social media site came under fire for breaching the privacy of its' users recently, it's no surprise that their stock plummeted with many people feeling wronged. And while I'm sure there were a number of reasons this happened, it was refreshing to see Facebook's founder, Mike Zuckerberg confess his part in it, saying, "We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. And it was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.”

And you know, when it comes to owning up to our mistakes, the Bible is very clear that the person who hides his sins, offenses or wrongdoings will not be successful - but the one who admits that he or she has committed a crime or is at fault in some way will receive mercy. You see, when we openly and quickly admit our mistakes, rather than shifting the blame or making excuses for our behavior, we are more apt to be forgiven and can learn from our errors and move on. 

And while not everyone will forgive us, even after apologizing for our errors or shortcomings, we should still confess them as we are called to do anyway - knowing that we are ultimately responsible to the Lord for our transgressions and, that if we confess and forsake them, we "will obtain mercy" from the One to whom we owe the ultimate apology.

Heavenly Father, thank you for promising to forgive us if we would confess and repent of our sins. Help us to extend that same mercy to others when they have wronged us knowing that we all make mistakes. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Forgiveness - Toby Mac, Lecrae

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfkhqpl81NA

Be an encourager always

"The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced." Psalm 119:130 CSB

As I descended the hill closing in on mile 20 of the St. Louis Marathon Sunday, I spotted the four hour pacer - walking rather than running, head hung low and pacing stick now down at his side (instead of raised in the air showing he was on schedule). Knowing that this young runner would be unable to complete the job to which he had been assigned, I stopped to offer some encouraging words. "Don't feel bad," I said. "You're not the only one struggling today. I know I am. And if you're worried about not finishing as expected, don't. Every pacer, and I mean even the elite ones, will have a bad race from time to time." Now smiling, he replied, "Thank you. I really needed to hear that." 

And you know what? What's true in running is true in life... no matter how hard you and I train or prepare, we will all fail at one time or another. And while a mature Christian may view defeat as a learning experience and a chance to grow, it might totally devastate a Christian fresh to the faith and cause them to fall away. So then, knowing that the revelation of God's "words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced," shouldn't we be looking for opportunities to help and encourage new believers by sharing the truth of the Gospel? Of course we should!

So in the words of Roy T. Bennett, "Be an Encourager: When you encourage others, you boost their self-esteem, enhance their self-confidence, make them work harder, lift their spirits and make them successful in their endeavors. Encouragement goes straight to the heart and is always available. Be an encourager. Always.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the unexplainable joy that You give to your believers. Help us to spread that joy and the reason that we can smile in the midst of trying circumstances to others. Help us to be encouragers in a world that so desperately needs them. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Grace got you - Mercy Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V-xfVcBNDc

Happy thoughts

"Let the Spirit change your way of thinking" Ephesians 4:23

In a recent article published by Runners World Magazine, it was said that creating ones' own mantra, or single word or short statement repeated frequently to aid concentration or help accomplish an objective, could help a runner achieve peak performance. Jim Afremow, Ph.D., sports psychology expert, said, "Thoughts affect feelings, and feelings affect performance. Change your thinking, and you'll change your performance." If that sounds almost too easy, know that there’s plenty of research to back it up. A few happy thoughts could help you push your usual 30-minute run to 35 minutes with ease.

And you know, Paul also knew that thoughts had the power to affect performance, especially spiritually. And that to accomplish the objective of serving Christ to the best of our ability, we had to change our way of thinking. And since Paul realized that we were powerless to do this on our own said, "Let the Spirit change your way of thinking." But how do we do that? John Piper says it this way, "We join the Holy Spirit in his precious and all-important work. We pursue Christ-exalting truth and we pray for truth-embracing humility."

In other words, in order to think those happy thoughts that we can use to press on when things get hard, we must read our Bibles diligently, habitually meditate on the words within, and continually pray that the Spirit would fill and transform our minds. It's only then that our mantras will be Christ-centered and effective - and we will achieve peak spiritual performance. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for your Word that clearly tells us that, to effectively fulfill those duties to which we were called when we accepted You as Lord and Savior, we must develop a new way of thinking. And the only way we can ever do that is to grant You complete control over our lives. Help us to do that today as we tenaciously pursue training in the Word. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Warrior - Hannah Kerr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2LmSDVZdNg

Right where you need to be

"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:25

While doing a shakeout run Saturday morning in preparation for Sunday's marathon, I realized something was very wrong. Due to insufficient stretching, my hip was once again out of alignment and I was reduced to a modified gait. Feeling led to press on in spite of it though, I began the 26.2 mile race only to feel growing irritation at my significantly slower pace. And I would have stayed lost in my pity party too, had the Holy Spirit not convicted me by saying, "I know exactly what your pace is my child because I determined it. And you're right where you need to be." At the realization of that, my frown quickly turned into a smile and I looked up just in time to see a young runner struggling. After a brief conversation, I gently placed my arm on his shoulder and said, "Can I pray for you?" To which he replied, "Please." Oh yes. I was most definitely right where I needed to be. 

But you know what? I could easily have missed out on that blessing had I not yielded to the prompting. You see, what I've come to realize and what Paul was reminding the churches in Galatia is that, if we are to be used, we must "follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives” at all times - and so should never get out of step with Him... not even for a moment (like I did). But instead, we should fully and continually trust that He will always lead us, using any means necessary, to the exact place we need to be. 

So the next time you're stuck in a line at the grocery store, forced to change direction, watch as your plans go awry, or your running doesn’t go as planned, don’t get upset. Be still and listen for the Spirit's prompting instead my friend. He could very well be putting you in the exact spot you need to be. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we need to open to the Spirit's promptings at all times, viewing every situation as an opportunity to be used. Help us to surrender our will to yours Lord, that we might allow you to lead us in every area in our lives. And help us to grow so close to You that we would strive to keep in perfect step with You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

My desire - Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-816LEY-F9U

By my side

"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Psalm 118:6

Jacqueline Alnes said that from the time she started running competitively in middle school, her dad was always by her side cheering her on, calculating her splits and forecasting race day weather. "Long distance running was our love language" she said. But soon after she started running cross country in college, she began experiencing seizures and episodes of incoherence and amnesia that forced her to quit the team. Before telling her father, her first thought, she said, was, "Would he still love me the same?" And you know what? As a good father does, his love never wavered and he continues to be by her side as she pursues a clear diagnosis. 

And you know what? Even if you and I don't have an earthly father by our side that supports and loves us unconditionally like that, we do have a heavenly Father that does. In fact, the psalmist was so sure of that, that he wrote, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear." And in a world where it seems there is more to fear every day - like senseless shootings, unstable job markets and social unrest - can you imagine being able to confidently make that statement? Well you can. Because, after all these years, His promise still stands. 

So no matter what you're facing today, remember that you're not facing it alone. Mourning the death of a loved one? He is there to comfort you. Staring at a crossroads and need to make a decision? He is there to guide you. Feeling helpless and weak? He is there to give you strength. No matter what it is my friend, He is there... right by your side and you have nothing to fear. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we are never alone because You have promised to always be by our side. Help us to believe that Lord, that we might live free from fear and boldly attempt great things. After all, with You by our side, we have all we will ever need to do both. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Never alone - Matt Redman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1bXG4WIesA

No job is little

"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12

As the teenagers that performed the Easter skit at church Sunday filed past me after service, I told each one of them how much I enjoyed their performance. But when one of the young men, who is also a runner, waved off the compliment saying that he only played a "little" part, I decided to tell him something about the "little" pinky toe. About how, although it might appear small and insignificant, this tiniest of the phalanges plays a vital role in running. In fact, the purpose of the pinky toe is to provide balance and propulsion, and if the toe is damaged in any way, the propulsion is limited, leading to an affected gait. As he stared at me, I continued, "This is the same way it is with the members of the church, Joshua. Everyone's role matters... no matter how 'little' you think it might be." 

Did you know that the the pinky toe is part of a complex system within the foot? And that the foot has 30 joints, 28 bones and more than 100 tendons and ligaments? And just as God designed all parts of the foot to work together, we, in the church, were designed to work together? In fact, Paul reminded the church at Corinth of this when he explained that "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up the whole body." Similarly, the people in the "body of Christ" have individual functions that are necessary for the whole body to function properly.

So if you think the role that you serve in the church is "little", think again. Whether you're a greeter, a Sunday school teacher or a custodian, your role is important because we're all in this together my friend - every job matters.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that each individual function within the church, whether we view it as big or small, is critical. Help us then to look at the jobs we have been assigned differently so that we do them to the best of our ability knowing that, ultimately, when we do, You are glorified. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Build your Kingdom here - Rend Collective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcSWpVKKMcs

There is hope

"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives. It is safe and sure, and goes through the curtain of the heavenly temple into the inner sanctuary. " Hebrews 6:19 GNT

Conrad Roy Jr., who is currently training for his first Boston Marathon, began running after his son killed himself in 2014 as a way to work through the pain. Not only is Conrad running to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention though, he's doing it to spread a message of hope, saying, "You can always push through it; no matter how bad you’re feeling, there’s people that care, there’s people who want to talk to you, there’s people that want you alive and it’s never the answer to end a life. You have to get through it and I recommend running. Just get out there, get some exercise meet some people."

Unfortunately, this father is not alone in his grief. Thousands of people lose children and other loved ones to suicide every year. But why? Could it be that our world has lost all hope? And I don't mean hope as the world defines it - as the desire for a certain thing to happen, yet not having any certainty that it will. No. Christian hope is this... the confident and certain trust that what God promised would happen will happen. You see, it’s "this hope" that is an "anchor for our lives." And it’s “this hope” that tells us that we are "safe and secure", even in the midst of the darkest storm, because God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Did you get that? The Creator of the Universe has vowed that, no matter what troubles or trials we are facing right now, He will be with us. 

So may you and I vow to look away from the circumstances that confront us and instead look towards, and put our trust and hope in, the One who promises to keep us firm and fixed through all the uncertainties of this life. This is the hope that the world needs! Won't you share that Good News with someone today?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope that you give to every believer. Because You are the same - yesterday, today and forever - we can know that your promises are true. We can know that You love us, that you're with us, that you're working all things for our good, that the storms will pass, and that one day we will spend eternity with You. May that give us the hope we need to get through the tough times in this life. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
 

I have this hope - Tenth Avenue North

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBg9jHQtE44

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255 and the United Way Call to Talk number is 508-532-2255.

Have your weapon ready

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26 ESV

Between the praise music in my ears and the solitude of the gravel road I was running on yesterday morning, you could say that I was definitely lost in worship and oblivious to anything around me. And since my guard was totally down, I was completely taken by surprise when a large dog began racing out of a yard menacingly at me, teeth bared. As I struggled to quickly take my weapon out from the zipped compartment it was stored in, the dog's owner screamed repeatedly to call the canine back just feet from where I was standing. "Why were you not ready for that?" I asked myself as my heart continued to race. "A weapon is no good if it's not ready to be used." 

And you know, dogs are not the only thing that can harm us when we let our guard down. The Bible clearly tells us that the devil is always out looking for someone he can devour. Thankfully though, God has given us the greatest weapon in our fight against him... the sword of the Spirit, or the Word of God. But guess what? We can't use it if we don't know it. You see, it's only when we know the Word that the Holy Spirit can bring it to our remembrance and we can use it to protect ourselves and fight off the devil and his evil schemes. 

Think of it this way, when you are tempted to sin or the devil pummels you with lies, you are already in the middle of the battle. A full-fledged struggle in which you need to immediately take hold of your weapon and fight. There may be no time to spare until you can get to your phone or Bible to look up the scripture you need. That's why you need to read the Word and know the Word my friend - so you can immediately use it to win the daily battles the devil wages. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the devil is always roaming about looking for people to devour. Help us to realize that we are in a spiritual battle each and every day and that we need to know how to use the greatest weapon you have given us. Help us to realize the importance of reading your Word daily that we might not be caught off guard when the enemy attacks. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Your Words - Third Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zaaiFp4RSM

Avoid hypocrisy

"You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Matthew 15:7,8

For the third Saturday in a row, I had the blessing of teaching a group of runners in a Bible-based 12-week couch to 5k program. And as is usual when I'm running or coaching, my hair was pulled up in a ponytail, I had on very little makeup and was clad in active wear and running shoes. Apparently, I must have looked very different the next day as I spotted a class member after Sunday service and asked him if he had enjoyed the workout. Staring blankly at me, it took him several seconds to realize who I was. Smiling, he then said, "Wow. I really didn't recognize you until you spoke. You really look different dressed up for church." "Oh my," I laughed. "I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing." 

And you know, while it's not a "bad thing" to look like two different people outwardly based on a change of clothes or hairstyle, it is a "bad thing", as Jesus told the scribes and the Pharisees, to be two different people entirely. You see, Jesus called the religious leaders hypocrites, or people who claimed to have moral standards or beliefs to which their behavior did not conform, because they honored Him with their words but didn’t honor Him with their hearts. In other words, they claimed to love Jesus “with their lips” because it made them look "good" in front of others, but their conduct eventually showed their claims to be a lie. 

And while you and I will never be perfect, our actions, if we continually seek His kingdom and righteousness first, will show that we are true believers.  And then, no matter what we are wearing, whether it's Sunday morning at church or Monday morning at work, people will recognize us because of it and we can avoid being labeled as hypocrites. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that people are watching us, especially our families. Help us to live lives of integrity so that others would see that, because of You, our lives have been changed. And upon seeing the change in us, may they seek to know You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

My victory - Passion

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