Pursue Christ with a passion

"Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." Mark 22:37-38 NIV

"Do you want to do the 50k on Monday instead?" I texted my dear friend Gretchen yesterday, referring to the 31 mile run (the last of the three Navigate Missouri challenges we wanted to complete) she and I planned to do next Thursday while we were both on vacation. "That way," I continued, "our group can join us for part of it or meet us at our aid station." And her reply? "Yeah that sounds awesome!" "Perfect," I then texted back. "Let's plan on Monday then. We are such idiots! LOL" Acknowledging my last statement to be funny but also very true, Gretchen said, "This is why I love us lol. I am running right now and listening to an audio book about Ultrarunning. I am a dork." After I stopped laughing, I texted her back saying, "Of course you are! You don't love running at all!" And you can be sure that Gretchen laughed at that. The truth is... Gretchen loves running and so do I, which is the very reason she and I pursue it with a passion. 

And you know, when it comes to love, the Bible is very clear that you and I are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, with all our souls and with all our minds. And we do this by pursuing Him with a passion that exceeds any of our other pursuits, by constantly focusing our time and energy on doing things that will please Him, and by filling our minds with the Word and with thoughts that will draw us even closer to Him. You see, when you and I truly love God with all that we have, we will run after Him with a fervor and zeal that is unrivaled by anything else in our lives. And it's only when we do this that you and I will fulfill "the first and greatest commandment" and in turn reap the many rewards that come from doing so.

So if you’ve been pursuing something more than God today, take heed my friend. While your pursuit might satisfy you in the short term, it won’t satisfy you for long. You will always find yourself hungry for more... hungry for the fulfillment that only God can provide and that can only be gained by a passionate pursuit for Him. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You would send your Son to die for us so that we could have eternal life. Cause us to understand and grasp the enormity of this sacrifice Lord so that we would be eternally grateful and passionate about serving and loving You back in return for all that You have done. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

 

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-Find a reason

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 great way to motivate yourself to lace up those shoes and get out the door when the only run you want to even consider going on is a run to the refrigerator and then back to the couch. And what is this great way you might ask? Easy.... finding a reason to get out!! And your "reason" doesn't have to be an official race or organized running event either as a group of Bass Pro runners and their friends found out last weekend after taking part in "The Big Cleanup" my buddy Paul put together.

And just why was The Big Cleanup a good motivation for so many people to get out? Because it provided an opportunity for runners (and walkers) to put in some purposeful steps for a reason. But not just for a reason but for many reasons—including to help clean up the community, to spend time with friends, to get out into nature, and to have a chance to win some amazing prizes by posting photos. Those are all things runners love to do (just ask one) but sometimes need a reason to do them.

Don't believe me? Check out some of these stories and photos from

The Big Cleanup that will surely have you smiling. Photos that serve to confirm that people will indeed get out to get in some miles when they have a good reason for doing so.

Walked 3 miles cleaning up the Frisco Highline Trail and nearby. #TheBigCleanup is super important because clean trails tend to stay clean...and dirty trails get dirtier. We don't have enough nice trails to let them go nasty. I even had a groundhog friend helping me. Thank you Paul Maness for inviting me. - Mark Applegate

We ran a route we’ve never ran. Didn’t get more than 2.5 blocks into our run before all of our trash bags were full. Wasn’t expecting to fill them so fast. Next time (hint hint Paul Maness) we’ll plan accordingly and bring bigger bags. At least there are a few streets in north Springfield that are cleaner today than they were on Friday. And we also picked up a new running friend named Clifton Boyd. Met him within the first 1/2 mile of our run and invited him to join us. He did. It was a fun time with Tim Shawhan, Stacey Adams, Tabitha Strand, and Kyle Strand. - Dan Wells

We had so much fun picking up trash today for the Big Cleanup that we turned it into the The Big Cleanup Half Marathon!!! Congrats to Larry Sharp who completed his first half marathon with a group of crazy ladies!!!!! - Your's Truly

We cleaned up trash in the neighborhoood, and also took a load of paper and plastic 1 & 2 to the recycling center! - Kristen Gillette

OMRR cleaning up near Wilson Creek Battle field! Fireball and American Honey tossed with roofing and tile material! The other team will report what they found too! Fun afternoon! - Alicia Adamson

Got a good walk in around the block and through part of our local Dunnegan Memorial Park. Kids would have liked for it to have been cooler out. - Timothy Martin

An area I run often. The little alcoholic bottles are evidently breeding along this stretch of road. - John Everett

3.5+ mile walk through my neighborhood & down a National Historic Trail on my cleanup this afternoon. Just 1 small, albeit full, Walmart sack of trash. And nearly all of it was recyclable in the form of plastic & cans. Also was stopped by an elderly couple looking for directions to a nearby cemetery. They were from Nebraska, visiting random cemeteries in town. Little did they know cemeteries is one of my wife’s & I’s ‘specialties’. Showed them the cemetery they were looking for on my phone, as well as a few other historic cemeteries in the immediate area. - Derek Allen Beals

Didn’t think the trail right outside of my house would have as much trash as it did, but here I am with a bag full of cans, bottles, and lots of other various plastic items. My biggest find was a For Rent sign, but I think my best find was an iFart Shuffle prank toy. I only made it down 1/4 of the trail when my bag filled up and the mosquitos started to attack. Next time I’ll bring bigger bags and more bug spray! - Kristi Lang

Walking the dog and picking up trash. - Charlie Hungerford

Sherry Boling Webb and I cleaned up the Finley river around Ozark today. Win win for everyone. Exercise and clean up a beautiful river. - Mike Webb

Win win for everyone. Exercise and clean up a beautiful river.

I Love family hiking time and cleaning up our environment. Tyler, Cody, Allyn and I walked down the river for our cleaning. I think we need rain. Lol . Fun times!! Thank you Smiley for all you do!! - Sharon Nellesson

2 bags of trash, 1 bag of aluminum cans for Rogersville Senior Center’s can recycle & 1 bungee cord to be recycled by AmeriPest Solutions using it !! - Steve Welko

Ward brand trail clean. Ear bud found is the most interesting thing we found.- Harold Cunningham

Our neighborhood is really clean and surprisingly trash free so my youngest and I headed to where they are building a new neighborhood. So many ripped gloves, Gatorade and water bottles, soda cans, and other trash. Will definitely have to go back again with more trash bags. - Michelle Hartgraves

Took a break from fishing Bull Shoals/Taneycomo to clean up a bit of nastiness. So many tiny liquor bottles and soda bottles. Not my mess, but it’s my Ozarks. - Amanda Herb

Not my mess, but it’s my Ozarks.

So did you see a pattern emerging here? Lots of people got out and got moving over the weekend, many people that wouldn't have had they not had a very good reason for doing so. Do you see how that works? So if you're feeling unmotivated to get in those miles today friends, find a good reason to do it and then rally up the troops and get out there together. You'll not only rack up some steps while doing something good for your community but you'll also have a great time doing it. And when it comes to doing good, I really love what Amanda Herb said, "Not my mess, but it's my Ozarks." What a reminder that doing good has nothing to do with us making ourselves better, but making our world and others better...  So get out there and do some good!

Happy Running!!!

*On a side note. If you're looking for another good reason to get moving, check out navigatemissouri.com. For a small fee you can earn some bling and enlist your friends to join you on completing one of the many challenges Bass Pro has to offer. Heck, you can even bring trashbags and clean up as you go. I'm sure Paul would love it if you adopted The Big Cleanup event as a way of life. After all, as one of my fellow Bass Pro Fitness Series Ambassadors, he shares my love for fitness, God's creation, and every way those two can be improved. 

Clothe yourself properly

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12 NLT

While talking to Laura, one of my dearest friends and running buddies, yesterday morning I listened with a smile on my face as she joyfully shared the story of what happened at her daughter's birthday celebration over the weekend. "I received the best compliment I could ever receive," she told me. "Our neighbors that have been going to church with us for the past few months came to the party this weekend and told me that when they first moved in they were like, 'Oh no! We moved next to a Bible thumper!' Isn't that great that they thought that of me? And now, after more than a year of talking to them, allowing them to see the way we live and then having their kids over to join mine to do some Easter crafts, they joined Frankie (her husband) and me for worship services. Did you know that he admitted that when he first met us that he was in a place where he didn't care for or even want Jesus? And he actually said this about himself and his wife, 'And now look at us. We love the Lord.'" And now look at us? Wow! Because they saw Christ in Laura, this couple was drawn to Jesus and can now say, "We love the Lord."

And you know, just as it was apparent with Laura, people should be able to tell that there is something different about us; they should be able to see that we are followers of Jesus without us ever having to profess our beliefs out loud. And they can see this by our actions... by our "tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." All actions that are fruits of the Spirit and not of the flesh. And they are not of the flesh because the flesh is incapable of continually exhibiting them. You see, there are many people that can exhibit these characteristics occasionally but it's only by the Holy Spirit that we can adopt them as our pattern of behavior... a pattern that becomes obvious to others because it is directly contrary to the way the world acts and is a pattern of behavior that has the power to lead others to the foot of the Cross. 

So in your mission to win the lost, remember this my friend... actions speak louder than words and people are always watching. Remember that you're not perfect so grant yourself some grace but never give up pursuing to be "the holy people" God chose us to be so that we might glorify Him and bring others into the family. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we must clothe ourselves with the fruits of the Spirit each and every day if we are to be set apart and make a difference in our world. Cause us to know that we are always being watched Lord especially as the end days draw nearer that we might be ever more cautious to behave in ways that glorify You and shine your light into this dark world. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Don't depart from belief

"Watch out, brothers, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception." Hebrews 3:12-13 HCSB

In an article published yesterday by Men's Health Magazine, Olympic runner Nick Symmonds' story of how he departed from a fitness routine and eventually returned to it was told. Like most people who've had their workout routines disrupted over the past year, former Olympian Nick Symmonds hit a point in lockdown where he realized he’d let himself go—by his standards, at least—and decided it was time to make a change. On Instagram yesterday, the 37-year-old athlete and YouTuber shared a ripped, shirtless photo of himself doing a pullup alongside a second, less flattering photo as evidence of where things started 365 days ago. "A year ago I emerged from lockdown pasty, hairy, and out of shape," he wrote. "But with some encouragement from my gymshark family + a lot of hard work I got things turned around pretty quickly." Symmonds says he didn't get as heavy or as lean as he wanted, and so his new goal will be to pack on more strength while getting even leaner in the next year.

And you know, a fitness routine is not the only thing that's easy to depart from (as one missed workout can easily turn months of missed workouts) when the world gets unpredictable. The Bible tells us that believers who develop an "unbelieving heart," or a pattern of refusing to believe the Truth, depart from the Living God and are left alone in their sin. Which is the very reason we are instructed to "encourage each other daily, while it is still called today," so that none of us become hardened by sin's deception. And we do this by staying in constant face-to-face fellowship with other believers to discuss our mutual faith and to stir one another to stay the course and follow the absolute truths laid out in the Word rather than the changing truths laid out by the world. 

So make every effort to guard yourself from falling into "sin's deception" my friend by making fellowshipping with other believers a high priority. Encourage your brothers and sisters daily with true love and concern and it will reap eternal rewards. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are in danger of falling into sin when we neglect meeting with our church family. Lord, please stir the hearts of those who might have departed from the faith and fallen into sin's deception to repent and return to You today that they might be forgiven and restored. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

A positive mindset

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 NLT

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. So that means if you and I want to cultivate a positive mindset (and this should be everyone's goal), we should hang around people who have that trait. Which, according to a recently published World Athletics Report, could be as easy as joining a running group. It's true. The study revealed something that most of us have come to know... runners are positive people because they have positive mindsets. In fact, According to a recent World Athletics consumer research study, runners show greater confidence in associating themselves with positive personality traits, like being warm and friendly. World Athletics and Neilson Sports collected online interviews from over 8,000 people across 10 countries (Australia, Colombia, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, UK, USA), including approximately 500 non-runners and 500 runners from each country. Across all 10 countries, 40 per cent of respondents considered themselves to be runners, with 30 per cent of those people running at least once a week. When compared with those who used to run but have stopped, and with those who have never run, runners were more likely to consider themselves to be warm and friendly, easy-going, family-oriented and optimistic.

And you know, as Paul knew, having a positive mindset or optimistic attitude is crucial in our walk with Christ because this frame of mind allows us to approach both the good and bad in life with the expectation that things will go well,  which in turn allows us to keep our joy in every situation and serves as a testimony to our faith. And we cultivate this important mindset by not only surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals but by fixing our "thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." Why? Because these "thoughts" remind us of who we are in Christ, that His promises are true and that He is working all things for our good and for His glory. 

So if you find yourself constantly thinking negative thoughts, vow to make a change today by following the example of Paul my friend. Choose to think "about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" instead and you'll soon find that you are more joyful, hopeful and happy than you've ever been. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our thoughts have the power to either lift us up or drag us down. Please cause us to understand though that, through You, we have the power to control those thoughts and to develop the positive mindset to overcome the trials of this world with a smile on our faces. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Learn from your mistakes

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 NIV

In an article published by Runner's World Magazine yesterday titled, "This runner's unfortunate mistake cost him his first place finish," the story of Matteos Bustos was told, It’s the kind of moment that many racers dread – slowing down as you approach the finish line, certain of victory, only to find someone behind you racing past to take the spot you thought was yours.That’s exactly what happened to one runner at the Sagunto Triathlon in Valencia last Sunday. In a video captured by a spectator, which has now gone viral, frontrunner Matteo Bustos can be seen slowing down as he approaches the finish line, punching the air in celebration. But as Bustos does so, his competitor Germán Cister speeds ahead from behind to claim the top spot for himself. Understandably embarrassed by a mistake that cost him the race, Bustos can be seen holding his head in his hands as he walks past the finishing line. And while most people resorted to heckling Bustos about his mistake on Twitter, Mark Clark decided to tweet this wise advice instead: ‘Finish the race, ~then~ celebrate. A hard lesson to learn; hope he takes it in stride.’

And you know, while the majority of us will never make mistakes that are big enough to go viral, we will make mistakes. And when we do, we would do well to learn from them and move on rather than wallow in them and stay put; something that Paul clearly understood. You see, Paul was a man who made many errors before he surrendered his life to the Lord. He was responsible for the persecution of thousands of Jews and even held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr. But the moment Paul realized his mistakes, he learned from them and pressed on determined to finish the race, winning countless souls and setting the world on fire with his preaching and his writing along the way. 

So if you're at a standstill because of a mistake or maybe even many mistakes that you've made today, let it go my friend. Repent of them, learn from them, and press on knowing that you are forgiven and free from the guilt and shame that comes with your misguided actions. Follow the example of Paul instead by choosing to serve Christ with all that you have "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" as you run with all your strength towards that final finish line. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we aren't perfect. We will all make mistakes. But when we do Lord, please remind us that we aren't destined to repeat them if we would only repent and learn from them. Help us to not look back at our wrong actions but to use our energy instead to strain toward what's ahead and the prize that awaits every good and faithful servant who has finished the race. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Change it up

 

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about something that will zap your motivation... running in the same location or on the same terrain all the time. It's true. In a sport that is famous for taking people to new places and to new heights, many people get stuck in a rut of running in the same place day after day and wonder why they become unmotivated to get out the door. The solution? Explore new terrain. Why? Because changing up the scenery and the surface can not only motivate you to get those shoes laced but can allow you to try things you may have never tried; things that will most likely put a smile on your face. 

So here we go with tip number one... Instead of running the same neighborhood loop, try switching it up. Run in different neighborhoods or even different towns. Not sure what neighborhood or town would be a good one to explore? Just ask your friends or even pose the question in a local running group chat. You'll more than likely get a lot of leads to follow up on. You might even get some people to join you and that's always a win. Because as I've stressed before, having people to share in the pain, I mean the pleasure, of running always helps to motivate us to get out the door. 

And tip number two... If you’re accustomed to running on pavement, hit the trails! Oh how I personally love the trails for so many reasons!! But here are just a few...

1. Running on trails will give you a new perspective, and can train your body to move in different ways. You may become more aware of foot placement, which can help you focus your mind and stay present. Plus, running on dirt is more gentle on your body than pavement.

2. Breathing in fresh air and surrounding yourself with the natural beauty of trees, lakes, and hills can be mentally refreshing. Plus, being outdoors is a natural mood booster. Even if you can’t get out of your town or city every day, try to do it once a week. Switching up your usual road or park run for a trail run provides a plethora of mental and physical advantages: everything from lowering anxiety to using more muscle groups.

3. You’ll use more muscles. For real! By mixing in trails to your routine with their flat routes and hills, you help to ensure your body works a much greater range of muscle groups, not just in your legs but also the stabilizing muscles in your core, feet and ankles. This will improve your balance as well as your overall running power on all terrains. Is that a reason to hit the trails or what?

4. Hitting the trail periodically will help reduce your risk of injury. Say what? Yes! How? Well.... with each foot strike on a road or tarmac surface you’re generally hitting the same muscles with the same foot strike over and over, but mixed terrain surfaces will mean your gait and foot strike is slightly different each stride, meaning you will spread the impact over a great range of muscles; which means,  you put less pressure on individual muscles and joints. Goodbye shin splints.

5. You will be less anxious. Fact! Running makes you less anxious already, we all know that's true. But when you combine running with being out in nature and away from the noise and traffic you normally encounter, there's magic. Why? Because your mind can wander and meditate when you're in the midst of God's creation. The trail is where you find peace, solutions to your problems, and gratitude for the sights and smells all around which, in turn, leads you to find gratitude for so many of the other things in life that make it worth living. And it's this peace found out on the trails that replaces anxiety. Quite a good reason to find a trail near you isn't it? 

6. And last but not least (drum roll please), for those looking to shed pounds, trail running can help a person burn between 60 to 90 calories more per hour thanks to the added challenge of uneven terrain.

So there you have it friends. Changing up the surface and the scenery could very well be the thing you need to motivate yourself to lace up those shoes and get out the door. After all, doesn't the thought of seeing and experiencing something new excite you? So whether it's a new neighborhood, a new trail, or even a new sunrise, keep changing it up and pursuing new things. This will inspire you to keep logging those miles. Now doesn't that make you smile?

Happy Running!!!

It depends

"'Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get." Matthew 6:1-2 NLT

In an email I received from Runner's World yesterday titled, "Do You Need Race-Only Shoes?" a reader begged the question, "I always run with the same pair of shoes for both training and races. Any thoughts on running with one pair for training and a different pair just for racing? And if I go with racing shoes, how should I break them in before race day? Thanks!” To which the coach replied, "When it comes to questions about running shoes, fuel preferences, and even training, a big part of the answer will always be, “It depends!” All runners have their own specific ways of going about things, especially when it comes to racing gear, but with shoes, there are a few important things you’ll want to consider. Let’s get specific." And while the coach went a little bit more into detail, she ended with this statement, "The benefit of having a race-specific shoe is that they will last you a long time. You can break them out for races as special occasions but otherwise keep the mileage on them low so they stay fresh and responsive on race day." 

And you know, when it comes to seeking answers as this reader came to find out, the answer to many of life's important questions will always be... "it depends." It certainly is when it comes to the question of, "Will I be be rewarded for doing good deeds as I am called to do?" You see, doing good to others is always a good thing and something that God is pleased with; but also something that comes with eternal rewards only when we do it for the right reasons. And the right reason is always this... because we are doing good to please the Lord and not for the praise of man. Something, the latter of which, Jesus condemned the hypocrites for doing, declaring that they had "received all the reward they will ever get." In other words, the hypocrites traded the eternal praise of God for the temporal praise of the world, receiving their reward here rather than in heaven. Not a very good trade was it? 

So when serving and helping others, check your motives my friend. "Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven." Instead do your good deeds for the Lord knowing that one day you will hear the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant" for doing so. There's no greater reward that we could ever receive.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that what we do is as important as our why. Cause us to seek to please You above all else Lord that we would serve to be Your hands and feet. Help us to live only to please You knowing that our lives will fall into place when it is You we seek above all else. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

We are a family

"Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.'" Mark 3:34-35 NIV

While driving home from church yesterday afternoon, I was overwhelmed by the goodness of God as I counted my blessings for what seemed the millionth time; blessings that included having a 'family' that I was connected to not by blood but by a mutual love for the Savior. You see, I had just spent Saturday morning (as I do nearly every weekend) running with like-minded friends that serve as this 'family.' And then yesterday, I worshiped alongside many of those same friends, even meeting with two of them at the altar to pray. The thought of knowing that these people would always be there for me literally brought me to tears. Throughout many miles and many years, this 'family' (that the Lord is adding to all the time) has served as my support system, my counseling team, my cheerleading squad, my pace group, and my Bible study group among other things. Quite honestly, I don't know what I would do without this 'family' and I know they feel the same way; which is the very reason we drag ourselves out of bed before sunrise every Saturday morning. We just long to be with family. 

And you know, when it comes to family, or a group of people that are related by blood or marriage, Jesus made it clear that the definition of this group included those not only related by blood or marriage but by a love for God and a willingness to do His will. Which means that as a body of believers, we are all family united in the purpose of glorifying Christ; something we do by loving and serving others. And while this is most definitely comforting news for all of us, it’s especially comforting to those people who might not have a conventional family to provide the love, companionship, guidance, assistance and care they need—all those things a church family provides. Does that make you smile or what? 

So if you have a church family (and we are the church not the building), count your blessings my friend. You are surely the recipient of God's amazing grace. But if you don't, I would urge you to find one to be a part of. I can assure you that it will change your life for the better. 

Heavenly Father, thank You the timely reminder as we just celebrated Father's Day that family is not limited to those people who we are related to us by blood or marriage but by a love for You, the most loving Father any person could ever have. Lord, help us to fulfill our roles within the church family you have established so that we would better love, serve, and fellowship with our brothers and sisters at every opportunity. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

It will all come to light

“For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:17 ESV

On June 16 it was reported that Shelby Houlihan, a record-holding Olympic runner who lives in the Portland area, was banned from the sport for four years after she failed a drug test in December. In an Instagram post on Monday, she claimed that she tested positive for a banned steroid called nandrolone because of a pork burrito, which she ate from a food cart near her home in Beaverton the day before the drug test. There are some studies that show pork, specifically liver from uncastrated males, can trigger a false positive for nandrolone. The Athletics Integrity Unit informed her of the test results Jan. 14 and suspended her from the sport. She claimed she had never heard of the steroid and had to research what it was. "In the following 5 days after being notified, I put together a food log of everything that I consumed the week of that December 15th test," her Instagram post said. "We concluded that the most likely explanation was a burrito purchased and consumed approximately 10 hours before that drug test from an authentic Mexican food truck that serves pig offal near my house in Beaverton, Oregon." Is the burrito to blame? It very well could be. After all, Shelby passed a polygraph and submitted a hair sample that showed no build up of nandrolone. Only time will tell. 

And you know, when it comes to time revealing all things, the Bible is clear that "nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest" and nothing "secret that will not be known..." Which can be good and bad news--good news for the person who is waiting patiently and expectantly for the truth to be revealed so they can be vindicated but bad news for the person who is doing something they would rather keep in the dark. Either way, regardless of what is revealed here on this earth, nothing you and I could ever do can be hidden from God... which is also good and bad news. 

So let us strive to live our lives worthy of the title of ‘follower of Jesus Christ’ so that we can not only walk upright and without fear of our actions coming "to light" but so that we can offer up our lives as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to the Lord.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that nothing is truly hidden. Cause the knowledge of that to make us ever conscience and careful of the actions we take and the thoughts we allow ourselves to think. Give us the strength to always do what's right Lord, even when it goes against the ways of the world and costs us everything we have. It's in your precious Name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Come home today

"For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." Luke 15:24 NIV

In an article published by Runner's World yesterday, researchers who performed a study in the journal Frontiers of Medicine found that moderate and vigorous exercise decreased by 41 percent during the pandemic. The researchers went on to say that, because of the profoundly negative effects of sedentary behavior, they are calling the inactivity during that period a “pandemic within a pandemic.” That’s especially true since it brings pronounced decreases in mental wellbeing, the study’s lead author, Jan Wilke, Ph.D., researcher in the Department of Sports Medicine at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany, reported. The focus now, they say, for those runners who might have backslidden and fallen out of their fitness routine is to simply get back at it. Carol Mack, D.P.T., C.S.C.S. made this suggestion, "Just focus on moving, and establishing a rhythm again. If you’ve been more sedentary, you’ll want to focus on creating the routine and making it a habit, and then you can start thinking about goals and progress.” In other words, if you've backslidden and fallen off the fitness wagon, there's still hope. Get up, quit making excuses, brush yourself off and get back to work. 

And you know, just as there's hope for the runner who has fallen back into old habits to be restored upon getting back to a healthy routine, there’s hope for the Christian who might have fallen back into old habits and the ways of the world. You see, just as the parable of the prodigal son illustrates, God's doesn't condemn the son or daughter who has strayed but patiently calls them back through the work of the Holy Spirit. And our Savior not only finds great joy in the return of a backslidden believer but counts it as a reason for everyone to celebrate! Is that awesome or what? 

So if you've fallen back into your old ways today my friend, don't waste another moment reveling in the sins of the world, the pleasures of which will only deceive you and make you feel worthless. Brush yourself off and come home to the Father. He will not only accept you back no matter what you've done, but will welcome you with open arms and even celebrate your return. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You long to welcome back every repentant sinner. Lord, remind us how easy it is to backslide so that we would guard our hearts and minds from doing it by staying in the Word and surrounding ourselves with godly friends who will lift us up and hold us accountable. Father, for that backslidden believer who is feeling lost today, I pray that You would stir their hearts and give them an unquenchable longing to come home. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Listen to the experts

 

Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about something that can not only improve your mood but your pace. A smile! It's true. And if you don't believe me, check out what the "experts" had to say about it... 

Simply moving your facial muscles in a way that mimics a smile can trick your brain into a more positive state, according to a recent study published in the journal Experimental Psychology. The research found that the physical act of smiling not only created internal positive feelings, but also caused participants to see the world around them in a more positive way, according to lead researcher Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, PhD, a research fellow at the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning at the University of South Australia.

The experts went on to say that a happy brain equaled a brighter perspective. And we all know that a happy brain starts with a happy face that comes from a smile. 

So at this point, some of you might be saying "But Melissa, I don't feel like smiling today." My response? Fake it. Why? Because when you force a smile, it emits feelings of happiness. You may have to do this for a while but your brain will eventually catch on. Just listen to what the "experts" had to say on the matter... 

Researchers from the University of South Australia had participants replicate the facial movement of a smile by holding a pen between their teeth, causing the corners of the mouth to lift. Even though participants' smiles were faked, their brains didn't know the difference, says Marmolejo-Ramos. "In our research, we found that when you forcefully practice smiling, it stimulates the amygdala, which releases neurotransmitters to encourage an emotionally positive state," he states. The amygdala is considered the emotional center of the brain, and plays a primary role in the processing of responses related to fear, aggression, and anxiety. It also factors into decision-making and memory. Creating positive feelings that aren't just about personal happiness but are also related to perception could have interesting implications for mental health, believes Marmolejo-Ramos.

So how does this help your pace? Well.... when we are happy, we run happy. And when we run happy, we run faster and longer with less effort. 

Kipchoge, who is almost always smiling, told reporters he smiles to relax and work through the pain of running a marathon, employing a strategy some runners have long believed to be true: that smiling while running can help you to run

more efficiently.

Don't believe me? Well then, listen to what the "experts" had to say about it... 

Researchers at Ulster University and Swansea University asked a group of 24 runners to wear a breathing mask to measure oxygen consumption and then complete four six-minute running blocks on a treadmill while smiling or frowning. The study, which was recently published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, found that runners who smiled used less oxygen, ran more economically and had a lower perceived rate of exertion than those who frowned and those in the control group. “They were 2.8 per cent more economical when smiling than when frowning,” says Noel Brick, lecturer in sport and exercise psychology at the University of Ulster and coauthor of the study. The reason for this difference has to do with facial feedback. “When we make a facial expression, we may experience the emotional state we associate with the expression,” says Brick. “We associate smiling with happiness or enjoyment, states that make us more relaxed, so when we smile, we are consciously trying to relax. By adopting the facial expression of frowning, however, we are experiencing an emotional state of feeling tense or less relaxed.”

While a 2.8 per cent improvement may sound inconsequential, it can translate to an improvement of roughly two per cent in performance time, says Brick. That means if you run a marathon in 4:20 or 4:45 (the average marathon times for men and women, respectively), you’ll cross the finish line about five minutes faster, while if you run a 10K in 55-64 minutes, you can shave a full minute off your race time. And if you’re clocking under 25 minutes for a 5K, just smiling can help you cover the same distance 30 seconds faster, a meaningful result for very little effort and, frankly, plenty to smile about. “Improvements in your running economy will be initially small, but a relaxed runner is an efficient runner,” adds Brick.

So there you have it friends. Those are just a few reasons that you should make a smile the first thing you put on every day (it's even more important than putting on your running shoes😊). And if you're still in need of reasons to smile then I challenge you to find ten things you have to be thankful for today; it can be anything from the sun shining through the window to your morning cup of coffee. Write them down and put the list where you can see it. Gratitude not only paves the way to happiness but has the ability to make a person smile when nothing else can. Don't believe me? Then just ask the "experts" who agree that "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough." Does that make you smile or what? 

Happy Running!!!

Expend your energy

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” Colossians 1:28-29 ESV

In an article posted by Runners World on June 02 titled “Here’s Why Your Watch Says You Ran More Than a Marathon,” the question of why so many of us have more than 26.2 miles logged on our smartwatches by the time we cross the finish line was addressed. I, myself, usually end up around the 27 mile mark on certified courses—something I found very frustrating when I was a newbie but now come to expect. In fact, it’s something we should all expect. Why? Because certified courses are measured at the shortest possible route (SPR) to ensure that all runners will run at least the stated distance. But since runners typically veer in and out of water stations, zig-zag a bit on the course and take some corners wide, they end up running farther than the SPR. So when stepping up to the start of your first half or full marathon, the knowledge that you’ll never run a perfect 13.1 or 26.2 mile race is a good thing to have. It will not only prepare you for the letdown you’ll inevitably feel when you’re not done when you thought you'd be done, but will help you to determine when you should expend your last bit of energy for that final push to the finish.

And you know, when it comes to pursuits worth expending our every bit of energy on, we would all do well to be like Paul who made it clear that it was worth "struggling" with all his might to proclaim the Gospel to all who would listen, “warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom” that they would be made “mature in Christ.” And you can be sure that Paul had the abundant energy to "toil" to this end—never taking shortcuts or cutting corners but pressing on, despite the time and effort it took—because he didn't have to rely on his own limited energy but could rely on the unlimited energy of Christ who “powerfully works” in all believers.

So remember this friends... you and I will never have a perfect life or a perfect race; no true believer of Jesus Christ ever will. But, despite that, we must strive with every single bit of energy we have to proclaim the Gospel as Paul did to all who will listen. Especially as we see the end days drawing nearer. In other words, it's time for us to make that final push to the finish line. Are you ready?

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have a duty to share the Gospel with the lost and a responsibility to help our brothers and sisters mature in Christ. And while this may appear like an uphill battle that we just can't win at times, please cause us to understand Lord that we have more than enough energy to "toil" until our mission is complete when we rely on Your strength and not our own. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

All for His glory

"When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.'" John 11:4 NIV

As I headed into church early yesterday, I was still pondering the Facebook memory from a year ago that popped up on my morning feed. Included in the post from last year's Rock Island Road Race 15k that I couldn't run due to an injury (but was able to walk) was the hashtag #toGodbetheglory. And God indeed got the glory for that hard-earned finish in 2020 just as he did for yesterday's finish (much faster of course) at the same race. But that's what our God does... He uses our pain, our trials, our failures, our victories, and even our sicknesses to bring Him glory; a fact He drove home through a conversation with my dear friend, Gretchen, on my way out of service. "I heard about your diagnosis and I'm so sorry. I've been praying for you," I told her as I fought back tears. "I know," Gretchen replied. "And I appreciate that very much. I'm going to beat this cancer." But it's what she said next, after describing her hair loss and the awful side effects of her treatment, that had us both crying, "This is so hard. This is certainly not my plan and not the way I would have chosen to bring Him glory but He has me in the palm of His hand and I will trust Him.... and I will pray that He is glorified through my pain." And after texting Gretchen later to receive her permission to share the story, Gretchen texted back," Please - I meant what I said - this is all for God's glory. I am just His instrument."

And you know, while it might be truly hard for us to understand the reasons we are allowed to suffer, especially when we are following Christ and doing our best to live for Him, we would do well to understand that God's ways are not our ways and that His plans are always better than ours. Consider the story of Lazarus. Jesus called him a "friend" and yet Lazarus still fell ill, and even died. But all this was done "for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." And indeed God was glorified, and many of the lost inspired to follow Christ, when Jesus resurrected Lazarus from the grave; something that could not have been done had Lazarus not been struck with "this sickness." 

So if you, like Gretchen, are battling something you just don't understand today, remember this my friend... you and I are His instruments to be used as He wills. And no matter what we have to face in this life, we have the promise that He will be with us, that He will hold us in the palm of His hand, that He will give us the strength to face whatever comes our way, and that He is working all things for our good and for His glory. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so intimately that You would personally walk with us through this life. Lord, help us to trust You in every situation so that we might willfully give up our lives to be used as You will. Cause us to be joyful in every situation Father knowing that our time on earth is short and that our death will only be the beginning of an eternal life spent with You. May we bring You glory Lord in all that we say and do. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

You get the glory

Procrastination has no place in our lives

“There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23 BSB

“Oh no!” I thought to myself as I read the Facebook post the Katy Trail 50/50 published yesterday. “John and I really love this race, and we are glad that you do too! We were surprised and humbled to sell out over the weekend.” Sold out? What? To think that I would not be running one of my favorite races due to my procrastination on signing up made my stomach drop. "Oh why did you put this off Melissa?!! You kept talking about registering but you never did it!" Thankfully though, I kept reading, “After talking with Katy Trail State Park, looking over our route and aid stations, and trying to make the best decisions for our race day field, we are prepared to open up a few more registration spots for the 2021 KATY 50/50!” And do you know what I did immediately? I signed up! And not only signed up but messaged the RD (I wasn't going to put this off for another second) afterwards to see if I could say the pre-race prayer again--to which she said yes! “Oh Melissa,” I chastised myself again. “Your procrastination almost cost you two blessings.”

And you know, when it comes to procrastinating, or postponing or delaying something that needs to be done or addressed promptly, the Bible is very clear that "mere talk leads only to poverty." And it leads not only to being poor in a material sense, since those that merely talk about working never profit from their labor, but spiritually as well. Think about it. When you and I put off doing those things God is calling us to do, we not only lose out on the blessing of working for the Lord (which is a blessing beyond comprehension) but the profit to the Kingdom of someone coming to know Christ because of our actions. 

So don't put off until tomorrow what God is calling you to do today my friend. In fact, don't put off what you know you need to do for even one more moment. I was given a second chance to do what I should have done weeks earlier... but second chances are never guaranteed and should never be our backup plan. Let us "labor" now to avoid regrets later. 

Heavenly Father, thank You reminding us that we should never put off those things we know that You are calling us to do. Please cause us to know and comprehend how eternally devastating the consequences of procrastination can be so that we might work while we still have today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Don't limit yourself

"Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12 BSB

If you thought you did a lot of running last weekend, you've got nothing on British runner John Stocker. Over the course of 81 hours at the Suffolk Backyard Ultra Event, this runner from Oxfordshire ran more than 337 miles and broke the Backyard Ultra record. To put into perspective what that entailed, consider that runners taking part had to complete a 4.167 mile lap of Suffolk’s Knettishall Heath every hour until they couldn't carry on any longer. They had to arrive back to the start in time for the next loop or were eliminated. This went on until there was only one person left running--in this case, John Stocker who was crowned the winner. Race director Lindley Chambers told the BBC: “What these guys have achieved is pretty incredible.' He added: 'I knew we had the calibre of people taking part and I personally thought we'd do 50 or 60 loops but these guys have gone beyond my expectation and have gone further than anyone else in the world competing in this format.’” The appeal these types of races have was summed up back in April when American runner Courtney Dauwalter also spoke to the BBC, 'It’s a fun mental challenge,' she said, adding that backyard ultras are about 'finding out what’s possible rather than a race that you want to win. If we don’t limit ourselves, it’s pretty cool what can happen.'

And you know, when it comes to limits, Jesus made it clear that we should place none on ourselves when He said, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these... " Now Jesus wasn't saying that the disciples would be able to do more amazing miracles than He had done (after all, you can't top raising people from the dead) but that they would have limitless power through the Holy Spirit to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. And get this... this is the very same power that you and I, as those "whoever's" who believe, have within us now to continue the work of sharing the Good News--work that is hindered when we limit ourselves. 

So refuse to place limits on yourself my friend by remembering that you serve a limitless God; a God that can empower us to do more than we could ever think, believe or imagine. And then dare to do big things in the name of Jesus so that others might come to know Him because of it. After all, we truly are limitless when we are working in the power of His strength. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the strength to do everything that You have called us to do. Cause us to remember that the Great Commission commands us to go out and make disciples of all nations and that You will give us the power to do that very thing. Cause us to be bold, brave, daring and willing to go wherever You call us at a moment's notice, totally confident that You will give us the strength, power, and protection we need. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Limitless