The Helper is our Coach

"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 things that I said to you." John 14:26 NKJV

Upon being notified that one of my dearest running friends, Shannon, made the official "Bass Pro Marathon Pace Team" and would be my co-pacer for the 4:40 group, I sent her a message that read, "Better get training!!! The Lord has set a goal before us!!" "You know it. I better get training NOW!" she replied adding, "I'd love your training plan if you can recommend it." And although I am a running coach and write training plans for a lot of other people, I explained, "I actually don't use training plans. I pray on all of it. I know that's weird for a running coach to say but that's the way I do it for myself." And I love what Shannon, who has completed many marathons herself and shares my love for the Savior, wrote back, "That's funny. I haven't used a plan since 2009." "Then don't start now!" I wrote back smiling. “Let the Lord lead you." 

And you know, while most believers instinctively know they can turn to the Lord for guidance about spiritual matters, they don't realize that the Father has given us the "Helper, the Holy Spirit" to teach us ALL things. Which means we can count on Him to lead us according to God's will in absolutely every area of our lives—including our running. And since He knows us more intimately than anyone else, you can be sure that the training plan and guidance He provides will be specifically tailored to us as individuals. Think of it this way... through prayer, petition and regular Bible study, you and I have our own personal coach. Is that cool or what? 

So spend time in the Word every day my friend that you might come to personally know the Holy Spirit as your Guide, your Helper, your Teacher, and your Coach. After all, the closer you are to Him, the better able you will be to sense, hear and heed the promptings of the Holy Spirit as He guides you down the path to victory.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Helper to teach us everything we need to know about life, running  and staying faithful to You. Give us a passion for your Word that we might grow in knowledge and walk closer to You each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Spirit lead me

God still answers prayers

"I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!" Isaiah 65:24 NLT

If there's one thing I love about the Saturday morning group I run with, it's their sense of adventure; this crew loves running in different places. So when I invited them to join me on a new trail, they were immediately in. "Okay," I told them at the start (knowing everyone had GPS watches) "the plan is to run two-and-a-half miles out and then circle back so we can grab water." After they all agreed, we were off. But guess what? Most of us didn't go back. We were having so much fun that we kept exploring the trail until we were nearly eight miles out and knew we had to turn around because two of the girls had not packed a personal hydration device. And as we made our way back, I could tell they were growing increasingly thirsty and so prayed, "Oh Lord. Please bring these girls some cold water." And that's when it happened. Our friend, Rebecca, who had wisely turned around earlier in the run and had later felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to come to our aid, drove to find us to deliver a cooler full of ice-cold water bottles. How's that for an answered prayer? 

And you know, the Bible is very clear that God still answers prayers. In fact, Isaiah tells us that before you and I even call out to Him in prayer, while we are still talking about our needs even, that God is working to answer them. Is that amazing or what? Our God is so loving and intimate that He orchestrates people and things to act in such a way and with such precise timing that we can't do anything but say, "Thank you God. I know that was You." How else can you explain not only the way the Lord answered my prayer Saturday but the countless ways He has answered prayers since the beginning of time? God is so good!

So today I implore you to consider the many ways God has answered your prayers in the past that you might have confidence that He will do it again. And I invite you to share the good things God has done in your life with others that they might be inspired to also seek the only One who can cause us to say, "Thank you God. I know that was You." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing Yourself faithful in ways too numerous to count. I see prayers being answered today that were years in the making and it makes me ever more confident that You are real and that You are faithful. Lord, help those who doubt You to consider my testimony and to step out in faith to boldly pray that You would reveal Yourself in the same way to them. It's in your precious Name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

Faithful then - Vertical Worship

Protect yourself

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

On August 19, 25-year-old Sydney Sutherland went out for an afternoon run near her home in Arkansas and never returned—her body was discovered two days later and her alleged rapist and killer taken into custody. Sadly, this has become all too common; which is the very reason Kourtlind Johnson posted a photo of herself that quickly went viral. Upon sharing the image of the corset she wears under her shirt that doubles as a gun holster, she said, "I guess my goal was just to put it out there and say hey this is how I protect myself. It’s just education and making people aware, you have to talk about it." Kourtlind went on to say that while packing a pistol might not be for every runner, every runner needs to carry some type of protection. And you know what? I couldn't agree more. I, myself, never leave home without my weapon. 

And you know, while there are definitely people in this world who would love to cause us bodily harm, they are no match for our biggest “enemy the devil” who is constantly “prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” And since this great adversary never sleeps, never backs down and hates us beyond anything we could ever comprehend, we must, as Peter tells us, “be alert and of sober mind” if we are to avoid falling into any sin that can harm us or even kill us. And we do this by being vigilant, watchful and aware while practicing discernment, discipline and sound judgment at all times; armed with the Word of God for protection. 

So stay alert my friend! Just because you can’t see this enemy doesn’t mean he isn’t there. Satan is real and he wants nothing more than to bring death and destruction to the children of God. It’s up to you to protect yourself.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have a great enemy who is always looking to hurt us and cause us to sin. Compel us to read your Word daily that we might be able to arm ourselves for the spiritual battles we will face. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Awake and alive - Skillet

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-A positive mindset

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about how a positive mindset can help you conquer the toughest hurdles and the hardest of races.

So first of all, let's define what a positive mindset is and then talk about why it's so important for every runner 

to cultivate. A positive mindset is the tendency to focus on the bright side of things, to expect positive results, and to approach challenges with a positive outlook. Having a positive mindset means making positive thinking a habit, continually searching for the silver lining and making the best out of any situation you find yourself in. It's, as I define it, the outlook on life that causes a person to say, "Whenever life hands me lemons, I will make lemonade."

And just why is this mindset so important? Because, just as in life, running will always throw you lemons. Heck I've even had lemons hit me square in the face a few times. But you know what I did? I kept on running because I was armed with a positive attitude. And you can be sure that this mindset was a learned reaction formed from the repeated decision to look at the bright side of things. Something every 

 runner must learn as well if they want to be successful.

In fact, check out a few stories and tips from some local runners and a few not so local who have figured out ways to keep a positive mindset when things get tough. They are definitely people who won't hesitate to take life's lemons and make them into tasty lemonade. And I do hope their stories will inspire you to do the same. 

My best running friend and I were running a triple race (HALF, 10K AND 5K). We had been having so much fun. We even danced for the camera at the 10k turn around. So we were looking forward to a great finishing 5k in a race that was a prep race for my Boston qualifier. I was running the last couple of miles of a 22.4 mile race. As I turned a corner, I was distracted for just a couple of seconds and I tripped on a crack in the road. As I fell, I slid in the pavement and significantly scraped by shoulder and arm. After lying there for a few seconds, I realized my running partner and I had to get with it in order to meet the 3hr 30min cut off time. We finished the race without letting the injury be a factor. So no matter what happens in a race, just decide to keep going! You never know what might happen in the last mile of a race. We all have the power to keep a positive mindset and can overcome even physical issues that may crop up. - Jim McDermott, two-time Ironman and Boston Marathon runner who has completed the Bass Pro Marathon several times

I was running a half marathon once and had 3 miles to go. This was early in my running career and I’d only ran a half once at this point. I hit the wall and was done at 9 miles. I called my wife and told her I couldn’t go on. I’d failed. What she said put me right back into it:
Wife: “how long do you have left?”
Me: “about 3 miles”
Wife: “you run 5ks all the time”
Me: “yeah”
Wife: “so start over and run a 5k”
That taught me the valuable lesson of breaking runs up into parts to make them a little more digestible mentally. - Aaron Ortega, HOKA Flyer

I am a nurse and work with children who have cardiac malformations. When a race or run gets hard, I think of them...most of which will never be able to run long distance. I remember I run because I can. I run for them. - Catherine Rubinstein, HOKA Flyer

I would say that regardless of the weather, the terrain or the distance one thing thst always gives me a little extra push is to think about the runs and races I have done for various charities and how much it means to me that I CAN run. I think about people who are too sick or those with cancer. I tell myself. “You do not have to go thru chemo today so keep moving”. My mantra is Never Ever Give Up. I probably should pray more at mile 1 then mile 21 but knowing I always have a running buddy helps. - April Leonard, Bass Pro Marathoner

I think most everything we do is mental. No one has it easy. We all have stories. Burdens we carry. Sometimes the weight of the world rides on our shoulders. Exercise is the biggest relief for many of us. Getting fit within a community of like minded folks helps so so much. The whole time I’m on the trail plodding along I know there is a group of people out there plodding with me. I’m good with hiking solo. I like my alone time and cherish the time in nature with the beauty of creation. Yet knowing that just around the bend or over a few hills someone in your same group is also plodding along brings me great comfort. Lastly seeing each other post run for camaraderie is awesome. Sharing the struggles, the accomplishments, the journey... the fitness community and the absolute beauty of the natural world we get to witness on trails keeps me striving onward, and moving, moving, moving... - Jackson Stilgenbauer, Bass Pro runner

Celebrate ALL incremental improvements, ALL the time! I used to loathe running, like I’d rather stick my hand in fire than run. I forced myself to do it (every once in awhile), but held negative thoughts the entire time, thoughts like “This sucks, I’ll never finish”, “One more mile to work off those fries I shouldn’t have ate”. And when I was finished, I almost always thought, “Thank goodness that’s over!” Here’s the thing, the motivating factor to run was basically punishment. I ran to “work off” what I had eaten or drank! It wasn’t until I reframed my thought process to positive motivation, that I fell in love with not only running, but myself in the process. I began running to build my endurance to play Roller Derby! I would think to myself, “You can and you will do this!”, “You can do anything for two minutes!” (The time of a Jam in derby)...and my favorite, “You are doing hard things!”. I celebrated every two minutes that I just kept going, no matter how slow I ran. I celebrated ME! And it felt GREAT! Set small, attainable goals. Celebrate every small step toward your goal...before you know it, you’ll reach your big goals!! And yes, I ended up playing Roller Derby in 2019! And I’ve run two Half Marathons, a 50k and working on completing a marathon this year. - Angi Betran, endurance athlete 

Mindset is everything. Your mind will want to quit before your body. In my first 100 mile race, I went into the mile 75 aid station with doubt creeping into my head. My feet hurt so bad, it was cold, and I still had a marathon to go. As my husband was trying to get me moving again, he wisely said to me “Rach, I think you will find something in you that you didn’t know you had.” As I left that aid station I kept thinking back to what he said, and I thought to myself, "he is right." I never looked back and just kept moving forward to the finish. The pain in my feet, the pain in my body, the cold dark night was worth it when I finished and earned that buckle. I listened to music during the day and was feeling good. It wasn’t until the overnight hours that I started to hurt. His advice was what I needed. Now the Honey Badger 100 last year is another story. It was so horrible, everything went wrong that could go wrong. My period, digestive diarrhea issues early during the 1st day. The heat was relentless, my feet literally burned/cooked from the hot road. I had a blister on each foot that went down the bed of each one. I just kept saying to myself “you are strong” “you can do this” and my amazing crew kept telling me I was a rockstar. I DNFed at 93 the second day, my crew pulled me with concerns of severe heat exhaustion. However, it was one of my best accomplishments, I pushed myself further than I ever thought I could. Positivity can get you far. - Rachel Baker, ultrarunner, Bass Pro runner

So there I was, with a plastic bag over my head, you know, the kind with the suffucation label on it stating to not place it over your head. It was about 3 a.m., I was sunburned, blistered, having a pity party in my urine soaked kayak. It was hour 73 of about a 78 hour canoe trip from hell that felt like a Deliverance type horror movie. This was my first ultra type event and it is known as the Missouri River 340 (MR 340), a 340 mile canoe/kayak race across the State of Missouri on the Missouri River. This race attracts people from around the world and is listed in National Geographic top 100 adventures. The 400 boats have 88 hours to get from Kansas City to St. Charles, Missouri. I was at a point in the race where I was physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally depleted. It was in the middle of the night, I was so exhausted that I was starting to hallucinate and was at a point on the river where the gnats were so bad that I couldn't even breathe. They were crawling in my nose, ears, and mouth. When I turned my spot light on, it was like something out of the Book of Exodus. A plague of gnats that I had never before experienced. They were so thick I was literally choking on them as they were flying in my mouth. They were crawling in my ears and nose, and absolutely driving me insane. I was so exhausted, it was dark, I had nowhere to go other than to pull over. I decided to pull up to a wing dike which is a man-made rocky outcrop used to channel the river water. In desperation, I took a plastic bag that had been given to me hours earlier by my support crew to hold the chicken broth and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I was eating. I had poked a couple of small holes in it so that I could see and a few additional holes to breathe. I found slight reprieve from the bugs and just cried. I felt so defeated and if there was a way to quit I would have done so. It was dark, I was alone, I was on the river in the middle of nowhere. After I cried, I then got angry. I cursed, throwing a grown man temper tantrum. I asked myself why on earth I signed up for this punishment. I wanted to figure out a way to quit so bad but there was no way out. I was past the final checkpoint and the only way out was to finish the final 27 mile stretch. I then decided to pray to God. I asked for strength and then thought of one of my favorite scriptures I used to think about when I was deployed in Iraq. Psalms 18:30-40... "As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way. I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed. I crushed them so that they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet. You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. You made my enemies turn their backs in flight, and I destroyed my foes." The only way out of what seemed like a dire situation was to continue to paddle. Continue despite every fiber in my being wanting to quit. Despite being sunburned, dehydrated, chaffed, and completely depleted. I knew through sheer grit and perseverance that I could finish this race. I had never DNF'd a race and wasn't going to today despite the moments of weakness. With tears in my eyes I dipped the paddle in the water and just fought through the searing pain. It was difficult to navigate with the plastic bag over my eyes but eventually I broke through the bugs. I knew I was hours away from finishing but it felt like an eternity. I continued to ask for strength and just kept putting the paddle in the water. The only way out at this point was to finish. I continued to paddle and was able to gain more strength when the sun began to rise over the horizon. I finally came around the last bend and saw the finish banner. I knew my friends and family were there and I knew I wanted out of this boat, now! I paddled with all I had to the finish line, and with help from friends and family I got out of the kayak. With tears in my eyes I thanked my ground crew and thanked God for giving me the strength to finish this insane event. It was an amazing feeling to finish something so challenging. This was one of the most challenging experiences of my life and I am grateful to have the opportunity to be physically able to do it. Difficult situations force you to grow. Having tough experiences enable you to develop grit, which gives you the mental fortitude to achieve difficult tasks. Grit and perseverance are the reason for my successes in life and I ensure that I make time to Do Hard Things. - Jay Tiegs, Endurance athlete, writer, coach and runner

Wow! Those are some amazing stories aren't they? Do you see what each one of those athletes had in common that was crucial to their success? A positive mindset! For various reasons as unique as they are, each one of them made the decision to stay in the game and keep pressing on. And they all reaped the rewards for doing so! And I guarantee that not one of them regretted that decision. But you can be sure they would have regretted the decision to give up because, as I once heard someone say, "Regret makes a very hard pillow." So develop that positive mindset that will keep you in the game and keep you from having regrets. After all, one of the worst thoughts a runner will ever have to live with is the one that says over and over again, "I wish I wouldn't have given up. I wish I would have hung in there" Hang in there friends!!

Happy Running!!!

Act when you have the power

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27 NIV

When Trevor Murphy of Scottsdale, Arizona went out for a training run on August 21 in the McDowell Mountains, he surely never expected to come across a brush fire that had been sparked by lightning the night before. Knowing how devastating the small blaze could become if not contained quickly, Trevor dialed 911 but then said, "I felt a personal obligation to do my part. I felt like I could help." So Trevor did what he had the power to do... he began stomping out as much as he could while dragging his feet in the dirt trying to create a fire break. "It wasn't the smartest move," he later said adding that the fire melted his shoes and singed his hair. 

And you know, when it comes to doing our part to help an individual or a group of people, the Bible is clear that you and I are not to "withhold good from those to whom it is due" when it is in our power to act. That means you and I have a ‘personal obligation’, or God-given duty and commitment, to promptly do what we can to help someone in need. And doing that could be something as simple as performing an act of kindness when it is in our power to do so, filling a need someone has out of the resources we have been blessed with or something entirely bigger. 

But whatever it is, when it is in our power to act, we shouldn’t hesitate to do so! In fact, you and I shouldn’t even wait for opportunities to do good but should always be on the lookout for occasions to do so. Can you think of any better way to show the world the love of Jesus? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we, as believers, should be people willing to do what we can when we can to help those in need. Compel us to withhold nothing back when we have the power and the resources to do good, knowing that  it will inspire others to do the same. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Hold on tight - Greg Holden

Thirst for the Lord

"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." Psalm 42:1 NLT

To say many of us were thirsty nearing the end of our group run last Saturday morning would be an understatement. In fact, it seemed the only thing several of us could think or talk about was water after we had run out and the temperature and humidity continued to rise. "How far to our cars?" one of the runners asked knowing we would all be able to refill our hydration devices there. "Not too far," was my reply. And that's when my friend, Angi, veered off from the group and rushed over to a public water spigot she had spotted. "There's water!" she yelled. "Sweet!" came my response as my friend and I excitedly rushed over to join her at the spigot. 

And you know, as anyone who's ever been dehydrated knows, extreme thirst will cause a person's thoughts to be consumed with finding water and will send that person on a relentless mission to seek out the only thing that will satisfy their craving. David clearly understood this type of thirst and likened it to seeking out the Lord saying... "as the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." You see, David knew he needed the Lord desperately (as desperately as he needed water) and desired nothing more than to be close to God; the pursuit of which consumed his thoughts and should consume the thoughts of every believer. 

So on a scale of one to ten, how would you describe your thirst for God? Are you like David and completely devoted to the pursuit of satisfying your craving to be close to Him? I sure hope so my friend. Because it's only when you and I long for God as a parched deer longs for water that we will seek Him as we should. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing all those who seek You to know You. Give us a thirst for a right relationship with You that is so great that we would pursue it above all else. May our thoughts continually be consumed with knowing You more. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Thirst - Phil Wickham

Friends make us better

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17 NLT

“Surround yourself with people that push you to be a stronger version of yourself! Set out to run a 5k for a free donut this morning...ended up running 12 miles." Those were the words my friend, Angi Betran, posted Saturday upon being prodded to join the group of mutual friends I was running with to keep going after completing the ‘5k for a free donut’ run alongside her. “Come on Angi!” we said. "We have water and food for you. It will be fun! Let's hit the trails for some more miles." Not one to miss out on on some 'fun,' Angie was in. And while we definitely pushed one another physically as we ran mile after mile, we also pushed one another mentally by sharing tips on how to keep a positive mindset when things got hard—acknowledging that positivity was the key to success in long-distance running and in life. And that's the glorious thing about surrounding yourself with optimistic and upbeat people... they indeed push you to be a stronger version of yourself. 

And you know, when it comes to the benefits of surrounding ourselves with positive like-minded believers who are striving to become more like Christ (aka better versions of themselves), the Bible tells us that just as "iron sharpens iron... a friend sharpens a friend." To understand this better, consider that for an iron tool to sharpen an iron tool, there must be at least two pieces of iron. A lone piece of iron can't sharpen itself right? That's why the Lord gave us friends. Together, through sharpening conversations, texts, messages and emails, we grow in our faith and help our friends to do the same. Friends also strengthen, uplift and inspire one another to keep pressing on when the Christian walk gets tough. 

So if you have friends like this, count your blessings! But if you don't, I would encourage you to seek some out. After all, every one of us needs someone else to hold us accountable, to cheer us on, to pray for us, and to help us find answers to the questions that will help us grow in our faith. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we weren't meant to run this race alone. In fact, help us to understand how impossible it is to reach the finish line without the help of the fellow believers You bring into our lives. Help us also to do our part in sharpening our brothers and sisters that we all might be better for the time we have together. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Brother - Needtobreathe

The power of the Holy Spirit

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us," 3:20 NKJV

"Would you notice if the Holy Spirit took his presence from you?" That was the question our pastor raised during Wednesday night Bible study. "Hmmm... " I thought with dread. "I would like to think so since the thought of being without Him for even a moment scares me to death." And as I meditated on that more while on my morning run yesterday, the Lord brought to mind a time in 2012 when that very thing happened! I was running the Mother Road Marathon and felt great until somewhere around mile three when, out of nowhere, I felt like someone knocked the wind out of me. Upon this abrupt and unexpected change, I began to earnestly pray but heard and felt nothing. "Where are you Lord?" I begged. "I can't feel You!" This went on for 14 more miles and was something I had never experienced before. Ready to give up. I pleaded once again, "I can't do this alone Lord! Please make your Presence known to me! Please talk to me!" And just like that, the Lord spoke, "You see that young man struggling up ahead? Help him get to the finish line." And while I will never completely understand all the reasons this happened, it taught me this... I am completely powerless without the Holy Spirit. 

And you know, Paul clearly understood the immeasurable, inexhaustible and indescribable power the Holy Spirit had provided to him in his mission to preach the gospel. In fact, Paul described the Holy Spirit as "Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." Paul was bold, tenacious and courageous in his mission to do whatever God asked of him because he knew he had the power of the Holy Spirit to back him up. And this is the same power that is available to every person who puts their faith in Jesus Christ and believes that the Holy Spirit can and will do "exceedingly abundantly" more than they could ever hope or envision. 

Oh my friend, can you just imagine the power the church would have if every member believed that? We could impact our world in ways beyond our wildest dreams! So step out in faith today to do what God is calling you to do—completely confident that you have the power to do it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to live inside every believer. Help us to truly know that, as believers, we are more than capable of doing anything you call us to because of the power that works in us. Help us to attempt great things for your glory knowing that You are by our side. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

More than I could be - Danny Gokey

The Word is a weapon

"Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Matthew 4:10 ESV

As I rounded a familiar corner on the farm road where I was running early yesterday morning, I spotted two large unchained dogs in the distance. "Oh great," I thought to myself fearfully as my mind replayed the harrowing altercation I had had with a couple of dogs many years before that had precipitated my decision to carry a weapon and to avoid any routes where a dog might not be restrained. "I really don't want to deal with this today,” I said out loud before turning around to steer clear of them. And that’s when I heard the Holy Spirit say, "This is the route I told you to run. It’s time to ‘deal’ with this fear and get over it once and for all. You’ve been holding on to it for too long.” Knowing just how right the Spirit was, I mustered the courage to turn around again to face the cause of my fear. And while I’d like to say that passing the canines was uneventful, it wasn’t at all. I had to repeatedly scream, “Go home!” and then fire two warning shots before they finally tucked their tails and ran away. 

And you know, there are many things going on in our world right now that could certainly cause us to be fearful. Whatever the cause of the fear though, one thing is certain... it is deadly to our spiritual walk because it will immobilize us. That’s why the Lord gave us the Word to fight fear. In fact, the Lord gave us the the Word to fight every spiritual battle we might find ourselves in. And we use this spiritual weapon by following the example of Jesus who said to his enemy, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written..." and then countered the enemy's attack with Truth. The exact same thing you and I must do if we are to be overcomers. 

So if you find yourself fearful today, say out loud, "'Be gone Satan! For it is written "'In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid ..'" And then use the weapon of the Word to fight any other battle you find yourself up against. I guarantee doing so will change your life. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that gives us everything we need to fight every spiritual battle we will

face in this life. Give us a hunger to take it in Lord that we might be ready when the tempter comes that we would not give in to temptation or be immobilized by fear or anxiety. Cause us to remember that You are always with us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Fear not - Aaron Shust

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-develop that mental strength

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about what we can learn from the Navy SEALS.

 

The Navy SEALS? Really??? What does that have to do with running you might ask? Believe it or not, it has a lot to do with running. Because we can learn a lot from an elite group who knows a thing or two about acquiring the maximal mental strength needed to press on in the most grueling and painful of circumstances. 

And just what does a Navy SEAL know about cultivating extreme mental fortitude that we don't? Well... according to William H. McRaven, a former United States Navy Admiral who last served as the ninth commander of the United States Special Operations Command and was part of SEAL Team Six and commander of SEAL Team three, there are ten rules to live by (rules he learned from Navy SEAL training) if a person wants to be successful. 

So here are those ten rules along with some tips to make them work to your advantage in your training. 

1. Start your day with a task completed. 

This is so easy! Just make your bed. We've talked about this one before but check out this statistic... 71 percent of bed makers consider themselves happy and happy people make happy runners. And happy runners run better and farther right? Bed makers are also more likely to like their jobs, own a home, exercise regularly and feel well rested. 

2. You cannot go it alone. 

There will be many times in your training when you won't be able to run with a partner or a group. And this is great because it will give you the staying power (see the 40 percent rule) you’ll need to conquer those lonely miles in a race when no one else is around. But find a friend or group of friends for as many as those long runs as you can. You'll not only push yourself but will develop a support team that will be crucial in helping you stay motivated. 

3. Only the size of your heart matters. 

You can have the greatest talent in the world but guess what? If you don't have the grit, determination and perseverance to develop that talent, it's worth nothing. It takes hard work and sacrifice to let your talent surface. 

4. Life is not fair, drive on. 

Wow! This one is so true. At some point in every runners' life, they will get injured and cry, "not fair!" Every runner will compare themselves with someone who can run further and faster and cry, "not fair!" Some runners will be able to run a race every weekend, while those who can't will cry, "not fair!" Are you getting the point? Life is not fair! In any way, shape or form. Period. But guess what? You can either choose to make lemonade out of lemons or you can choose to spend your life crying, "not fair!" and accomplish nothing. Will the choice to do the latter change anything? Nope! So choose to drive on!

5. Failure can make you stronger. 

Everyone needs to fail to succeed. There's absolutely no way around it. Failure means you tried. Repeated failure means you repeatedly tried. In running, failure forces you to examine yourself. Did I give it my all? What could I have done differently? What should I do differently if I am going to succeed next time? Failure is a blessing in disguise! Failure makes a person better, stronger and more resilient. Repeated failure grows those traits and when victory eventually is achieved, you look back at failure as a good friend that taught you some valuable lessons. 

6. You must dare greatly. 

If you want to be great, you have to look for opportunities to grow. You will never truly know what you're capable of until you try something that scares you to death! Has the thought of running a half or full marathon (the Bass Pro ones of course) caused you to sweat with anxiety even though you know you want it? Stop being afraid today! Step out and dare to do it. You'll never know what you're capable of if you don't. And guess what? When you decide to dare greatly in your running life, it will spill over into every other area of your life because people who dare to dream big rarely stop in their pursuit. They will continue to push themselves. 

7. Stand up to bullies. 

Refuse to believe those who say it can't be done, or that you're not good enough, or that you don't have what it takes. Have the courage to move forward towards your goal and to look your opposition in the eye and say, "You don't define me. Now excuse me, I have work to do." And remember this... always stand up for the truth. 

8. Rise to the occasion. 

So you failed miserably? Good. That means you’re at rock bottom. And when you're at rock bottom, there is reason to rejoice because you have nowhere else to go but up! So rise up, dust off your knees, and get back to work. 

9. Give people hope. 

Be that person! You know, the one who in the middle of a hard race or workout begins to sing. The one who people love to hate for their unbridled and consistent joy and positive words in the worst of situations but secretly long to be around and appreciate. Yes. Be that person. You will not only keep yourself encouraged but will encourage those around you. And remember... where there is hope, there is reason to keep moving forward.

10. Never, ever quit.

You've heard it before but I'll say it again. Winners never quit and quitters never win. When Navy SEALS want to quit, they have to ring the bell three times. Three times! That means they have three chances to reconsider. Never ever ever ring that bell even once. I want to share some wise advice I received from my son, Luke, around mile 70 of the first 100 mile race I ever completed (happy to say that I failed at my first attempt because I learned from it and rose to try it again). After telling him that I couldn’t continue because both of my feet were covered with blisters on top, bottom and all around the sides causing each step to be painful and that I was totally exhausted, cold and wanted nothing more than to lay down on the trail and go to sleep, this young man had some words for me. "Mom," Luke, said sternly. "Get moving right now. I am not kidding. Morning will be here soon. And when the sun comes up, you will either have crossed the finish line or you will have given up. I know you Mom! If you give up now, I promise you that you will regret it for the rest of your life!" And I love what he said next, "Now let's get you to the next aid station where you can get some coffee and a fresh pair of socks." And do you know what? After feeling like I couldn't take even one more step, I made it the next aid station... and the next, and the next. As a matter of fact, when I was absolutely convinced I couldn't go any further, I had ten more hours in me! That's right. With Luke by my side, I shuffled along for 30 more miles when I thought I was done! 30 miles!! And you know what? There's rarely a day that goes by that I don't think about that night and thank God for giving me the strength to keep going. It forever changed my mindset and the way I view hard things. 

Which brings me to the Navy SEALS 40 percent rule that states when your mind is telling that you that you're done, you're really only 40 percent done. You have 60 percent left in the tank. Think about that one for a while. 

And so on final note, I challenge you to dig deeper than you ever have today. I challenge you to ignore the mental limits you might have placed on yourself and to step out to attempt something so big that it scares you. I challenge you to say to yourself, "I have what it takes." And remember, as coach Joe Henderson once said, "Your toughness is made up of equal parts of persistence and experience. You don't so much as outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head."

Happy Running!!!

Philippians 4:13

I can handle it

What matters most

“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8 NLT

Last Saturday afternoon, my friend, Rebecca Ito, posted this... “As I ran this morning, doing intervals really for the first time, I had a bit of an epiphany. Speed does not matter. Time does not matter. Stopping for a moment to see what God has put around us, that matters. Even a plant that causes so many people so many problems in the fall (ragweed) brings me joy because fall is coming! The gauze-like plant looked to me like fog settling on the leaves. I ran. I walked. I stopped to enjoy all of this. It was okay.“ Don’t you just love it when someone understands one of the greatest lessons running inevitably teaches those who do it? Life is best lived when we place the greatest value on the things that matter most.

And do you know what truly matters most in this life? It’s not making a name for ourselves, gaining popularity, acquiring possessions or having a good time; I can assure you of that. What matters most, as the apostle Paul came to realize, is knowing Jesus. In fact, Paul considered everything else waste when compared to the “infinite value of knowing Christ.” And for that reason, Paul was willing to throw away anything and everything that would hinder his pursuit in doing so. You see, Paul didn’t want to just know Jesus, he wanted to experience Jesus. He wanted to be completely filled with the knowledge of who his Lord was so that he could rightly proclaim the Message of the Gospel to others  

So if you’re wondering what matters most in this life, consider the words of Paul who declared, "I have discarded everything... so that I could gain Christ." Here was a man who had held great wealth, status and privilege but considered it all “garbage” in comparison to grabbing hold of a relationship with Jesus. Paul was a man who knew what matters most. Do you? 

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that our relationship with Jesus should be of greater value than anything we could ever acquire or accomplish on earth. Compel us to seek You above all else Lord that we might come to truly know You and to make your great Name known. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Only Jesus

thejoyfilledrunner: The Potter's hands

thejoyfilledrunner: The Potter's hands: "Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8 Have you e...

Be a cheerleader

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 NLT

To say that I was blessed to be able to join a group of ultrarunner friends for a 31 mile run Saturday would be an absolute understatement. What made it even better though was that we were all united in this run to support our friend, Tangel, who was attempting her first 'official' 50k after the one she had signed up for was canceled. And boy was I glad we could be there for her! Near the end of the race, the temperatures soared to nearly 100 degrees and it was getting harder for even the most experienced of ultrarunners in the group to stay motivated to press on. But press on we all did; sharing our supplies and our stories of encouragement as we cheered our friend on to the finish line. 

And you know, running long distances is hard... very hard. But as hard as distance running is, the Christian race is a thousand times harder. In fact, it’s so hard that you and I can't do it on our own. We just can't. We need fellow believers who will support, encourage and lift us up when we become weary and fatigued. That's why the Lord was so good to give us friends to help keep us on the right path and to keep us from giving up in our pursuit of reaching the final finish line. The apostle Paul, who changed the world with his testimony of faith and his example of what it meant to endure, certainly didn't do it alone either. He had friends that helped to supply his needs.

So if you have a group of friends that you can count on to lift you up and support you in your Christian walk, count yourself blessed. You will certainly need them, especially in these last days when it's becoming increasingly harder to stand for the Truth. But if you don't, I would highly encourage you to seek some out. They will, literally, make all the difference in whether you give up mid-race or press on to the finish line.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the promise that You will supply all our needs from your glorious riches that are beyond our imagination. Knowing that you use believers to supply those needs to others, please empower and equip us to be the vessels that bring encouragement to our brothers and sisters. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Cheer you on - Jordan Feliz

Discover your purpose

"But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles..." Galatians 1:15-16 NIV

One of the things I love most about going to visit my son in Springfield is being able to run in new places. And last weekend was no exception. Waking up early Sunday morning, I hit the sidewalks with a grin on my face and no idea of where I would end up. I just knew the amount of miles I needed to get in and would decide the route as I went along; something I do a lot. And while on my run, I felt 'led' to go right at one point which put me on the direct path to Glendale Baptist Church where the sign outside read, "GOD MADE YOU ON PURPOSE FOR A PURPOSE." Oh how that made me smile as I realized how very true that statement was. 

And you know, while God indeed made us on purpose, God did it for the explicit purpose of making his name known and bringing Him glory; something that he 'set apart' every believer to do from their mother's womb. You see, before you and I were even born, God had a special plan for our lives and made us to fulfill that plan—something Paul clearly understood when he acknowledged that God had set him apart and called him by his grace so that he "might preach him among the Gentiles." Paul recognized that all of his talents, gifts, life experiences and trials made him perfectly able to fulfill the specific calling God had given him. 

And while every believer has been 'set apart', not every believer understands their specific purpose in life. In fact, many of the Christians I know would admit to not knowing their purpose. If that's you today, then I would urge you to go to the Lord in prayer and ask that He would reveal it because, as Paul's life clearly illustrated, when a person understands their purpose, they can change the world. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that each and every one of us was designed to make your name known and to bring You glory in different ways. Help us to discover our unique purpose in life that we might, like Paul, serve you to the best of our ability in the exact way we were made to do it. Use us to change the world! It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Thrive - Casting Crowns

Use your voice

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

Many times while working, I will wear cordless headphones so I can listen to Christian music or podcasts streamed from my phone; something I was doing Tuesday when I received the notification that my friend, Jamie Jones, had gone live. Clicking to the page, I nearly cried as I listened to her play the piano while singing praise songs from her back porch. As other people clicked on, I just knew that their hearts were being refreshed as well. "Oh how I wish I had a voice like that," I said to the Lord the next morning while out running and meditating on the situation, "I would use it to encourage people the way she did." And then I heard Him say to me, "Melissa, you may not have a voice like that but you do have a voice. Use it to encourage others in the ways that are unique to you." Something you can be sure I did by immediately posting my own live video about God's faithfulness in my life. 

And you know, we all have unique platforms, testimonies, stories and talents that we can use to encourage one another. In fact, the Bible tells us that we should "consider how we may spur one another on..." And if consider means to think about and be drawn toward a course of action, then each one of us should be looking for ways to use our individual platforms, testimonies and talents to give support, confidence or hope to our brothers and sisters—especially now as we "see the Day approaching" and know that many of them are struggling with doubt, uncertainty, depression and anxiety. 

So don't wait for the 'right time' to share your testimony with others or to use your talents to lift their spirits my friend. Pray instead that God would open your eyes to the everyday opportunities around you to do it and then seize them! After all, you may never get a second chance and you most likely will never know the impact your words or actions had on someone else this side of heaven. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that believers are called to encourage and uplift one another, especially in these last days when it's becoming harder to stand for the Truth. Help us to be bold and unashamed in doing whatever it is You lead us to do or say that would serve to strengthen and restore the hearts and spirits of our church family.  It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Raise your voice

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Stop the comparisons

Hello runner friends! 

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series 

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog. Now let's get started by talking about a habit that can keep you from being your best... comparing yourself to others. 

Okay. So if you're honest, you would most likely admit that you've compared yourself to someone else at least once in your life right? Perhaps it was in your appearance? In your achievements or maybe in your possessions? Or maybe it was even in your running? Whatever it was, let me ask you something... did it make you feel less than worthy or make you feel like giving up? Did comparing yourself to someone else steal your joy? If you said yes to any of those questions, let's talk... 

How would you define the word "compare?" Well the Cambridge Dictionary defines it as examining or looking for the differences between two or more things. Which generally means that when a person compares themself to another person, they are looking for ways those 'things' that someone is, has or is able to do are different—or in their minds better—than what they are, have, or are able to do. Are you feeling me here? And why is this habit so destructive? Because, as Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." And boy was he right! So let's look at a few ways comparing yourself to other runners can turn your smile into a frown and ways you can turn that frown back around.

1. So you're running along at what's a fantastic pace for you, smiling and enjoying life as you breathe in the fresh summer air just knowing that you're going to set a PR (Personal Record) today. And then it happens... another runner zooms by you more effortlessly and at a much quicker pace. "Oh man," you think to yourself. "I wish I could run like that. I'm so slow. Why am I even out here??" And just like that, you let comparison rob you of your joy. So what can you do the next time this happens? Smile at the person and shout “Good job!” And then say to yourself, "I'm so happy that I have the ability to be out here amidst runners of all paces. My race is only against myself and today I vow to be the best that I can be."

2. So you look in the mirror before you leave the house for a run and say to yourself, "You know what? I look pretty good. Running sure has helped me lose some weight and tone up." And then it happens... you show up to the race and a runner there who started running at the exact same time you did has lost way more weight and, in your opinion, looks much better than you. Your first thought then is, "Why do I even try? This is just not fair. I'm never going to be where I want to be." Did you see what just happened again? You let comparison rob you of your joy! So what can you do the next time this happens? You can and should celebrate the other persons’ success because we are all in this together. The next step then is to remember that everyone progresses at different rates because of a wide range of factors (age, metabolism, health conditions, medications, habits, etc.). Once you’ve done all that, remind yourself that you're doing the best that you can do and that you're NOT working to be better than any other person ONLY to better than the person you were yesterday. And if you’re so consistently doing that then smile!! You are right on track to reach your goal! 

3. You did it. You finally did it. You signed up for that half marathon you've been dreaming about. After months or maybe even years of running, you finally decided to step out of your comfort zone and attempt something you once thought was impossible. "I did it. I signed up for the Bass Pro Half Marathon! I’m so excited!!" you post. And then it happens... a well meaning friend replies, "Good luck with training. I'll be running it too. This is going to be my 27th half and I'm shooting for a PR." And now you're thinking, "What have I done? I can't seriously show up to a race where there are so many experienced runners!" So what should you do? You ask for training tips from this experienced runner (who will be overjoyed to give them) and then remember that every runner had that first 5k, that first 10k, and that first half marathon. Every runner had that first time they stepped up to the starting line, that first time when they were so nervous they wanted to stay in bed. So smile and enjoy it knowing that you're in good company!

And to put the comparison game into perspective, check out what some local runners had to say when they were asked about whether they had ever compared themselves to other runners and how it made them feel...

Just one time? How about five minutes ago. I'm an emotional runner and if I'm in a bad mood I slow waaay down. I think I always compare someone else's strong areas to my weak areas. The word "defeated" comes to mind. God created us all in unique ways. I'm better than I used to be. Joan Benoit Samuelson said something like 'don't run anyone else's race but your own' and that's not just for running - Christy Cook Dieman

I constantly compare myself to other runners. I’m working on this, as I realize it is extremely detrimental to my psyche. I feel “less than” and like a failure when I cannot run as fast. I try to focus on the music I am listening to and enjoy the scenery. I also tell myself I am on the level I am supposed to be on. - Rebecca Ito

Constantly but not how you might think. When I started running I compared myself to faster, better runners. I learned instead to compare myself to where I was a week, month, or year ago. That worked great as long as I was progressing. Now, after setbacks I look at how I could run (intervals) 7 miles and love it and now I struggle to do a 5k. Comparison goes both ways. - Frances Ray

When I started back into running I will never forget my first run that year. It was in Arkansas and it was a 5k. It was cold and rainy and as I stood around looking at the other runners I started comparing myself. I sure didn’t feel like I belonged, I wasn’t in shape and wasn’t prepared for the race. I had no idea what the course was like, soon found out it had some hills in it. We went to the half way point and turned around. I broke down in tears several times throughout that 5k and found myself asking what on earth I was doing out there. “I didn’t belong.” My husband, daughter and mom was standing at the finish line waiting for me. My husband and daughter met me right before the end and crossed the finish line with me. Right after I started in tears. I was one of the last ones to finish that race. I was incredibly discouraged and allowed myself to be happy with what I had just accomplished. Those thoughts and mini melt downs during the race affected the joy I had and the why for doing the race. My family told me how proud they were that I did that race and I pushed thru and I finished. That was the most important thing, they were right and that’s what I needed to remember. I focus way too much on comparing myself to others. It’s a huge challenge I have always faced and continue to face. Even when I’m not comparing myself to others I find I compare myself to where I was before versus where I am not. I try to remind myself why I’m doing what I’m doing. I try to remember what my goals are and try to look at the positives. - Lisa Seachord

I’ve had a hard time with comparing my times from other runs to the ones I've just completed. I know times should matter a little but it’s hard to get out of the mindset of being the best/fastest (which can lead to injuries or burnout) and just getting in the miles I want and actually enjoying it. - Jeanette Luttrell

Grrr. I was so mad at everyone when I did the half marathon in Belgium. They picked up all the water stations when I was on my second lap. There was 3 laps. They started tearing down the finish line as I crossed it starting my third lap. I was mad at the world. Luckily I was dropped off a water bottle halfway through and the gym commander ran with me the last quarter mile my body was locking up. Those 2 people made my day because I was comparing my journey to everyone else's. It was literally only my 2nd half marathon and the longest I had gone was 10 miles and I didn't train running up a hill. I trained down that hill lol. - Blair Holder

I try to remember that we all have different abilities but it’s hard if you’re having a bad day. - Anne Marie Molina

I compare myself to others every time I have to take a physical fitness test for work. Sometimes it motivates me to go faster but other times, I get down on myself because I know I am not where I used to be. - Rachel Bowers

I do this all the time... I’m a walker who trains with runners. Sooooo it’s a constant mental struggle to not compare and then feel somewhat inadequate. It’s best for me to focus on the gazillion ways my path is similar to runners. We both train hard. We both have to struggle against mental demons. Everyone’s pace is unique. But there is a common love for fitness, goals, and in the case of trail runners the absolute love of being on trails (in spite of snakes). - Jackson Stilgenbauer

And so on a final note, I hope this has inspired you in some way to, as Jackson said, focus on the gazillion ways your path is similar to other runners rather than your differences. We most certainly all train hard. We all struggle against mental demons. Everyone's pace is most definitely unique. And we indeed share a common love for fitness, goals and putting forth purposeful steps on the trails, the roads and everywhere in-between. So if you are working to be the best you that you can be today, celebrate that! Remember that God made you strong, beautiful and unique and that you have what it takes to step up to the start line. And rather than comparing yourself to someone else, compare yourself only to the person you were yesterday. After all, that’s the only person you need to compete against.😊

Happy Running!!!

More beautiful you

Psalm 139:14