Chapters End but Your Story Does Not

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

In a bittersweet story titled “That Chapter Has Ended’: Olympian Jenny Simpson Says Her Running Career Is Over After Cardiac Arrest,” published last week, Simpson revealed she was diagnosed with a rare heart condition after her heart stopped during a community mile race. She says recovery is going well.

After detailing her near death experience and her miraculous improvement, the 39-year old called her current situation the “best-case scenario.”

My future is an incredible gift,” Simpson wrote following her major health scare. “It’s hopeful, and it will continue to have great purpose.”

But she added that her diagnosis makes returning to running dangerous.

“That chapter has ended,” she wrote. “Thankfully, my story hasn’t.”

And, you know, as this “story” clearly shows, you and I can carefully map out our lives and make our goals, but ultimately we have no control over whether those plans will come to pass.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Thankfully though, as believers, we can trust that God is not only in complete control in directing our steps, but will cause “all things” in our life (the tests, the trials, the disappointments, delays, and the detours) to “work together” for our good. That means, when one chapter in our lifes closes, we can be sure that God will open up another one—an even better one—that will be better than anything that we could ever imagine.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

In this way, we can be confident in saying that our story isn’t over until we finish the race, God closes the final chapter, we lay hold of the “crown of righteousness” and enter into His rest. 

So, if you have not chosen to trust Jesus as your Savior, I hope you will do so today my friend, as these promises are only for believers. Not only will you inherit eternal life by doing so, but you can rest in the knowledge that the Lord will direct your steps until the day He brings you home.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the confidence believers can have that You are ultimately in control of our steps. Lord, cause us to undertand that Your ways are higher than ours and so are Your plans for our lives. Help us to trust You when a chapter in our lives closes and to joyfully look to the future, viewing it as the incredible gift that it is. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Jesus Died to Solve the Problem

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 NKJV

In an article titled “How to Get Rid of Smelly Shoes—and the Best Deodorizers That Actually Work” shared by Runner’s World yesterday, the writer gave tips and insights for solving a problem that most runners have or have had at one point or another… stubborn shoe funk odor. 

They started by saying… There is a big difference between running shoes that merely smell “a little used” and shoes that have survived double sessions on the track, bus rides home, and an 18‑year‑old who wears the same pair to school, work, practice, and everywhere in between. Sweat, heat, and friction create a warm, moist microclimate inside the sneaker, which is perfect for odor‑producing bacteria to thrive. Once those bacteria have colonized the foam and lining, the smell does not wash out easily, and it can come roaring back within a single hard workout.

They then went on to say…The fix is a combination of removing moisture, cleaning away odor-causing buildup, and preventing your shoes from staying damp between runs. 

And, you know, while stinky running shoes have been a problem for a long time, the problem mankind had with sin was present from the time Adam and Eve transgressed in the garden.

This was a problem, you can be sure, that you and I could not “fix” on our own.

You see, sin separated us from a holy and perfect God. Romans 3:23 tells us that we "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” No amount of good deeds, religious activity, or personal effort could erase that sin or restore the relationship that had been broken. We needed a Savior—someone who could do for us what we could never do for ourselves.

That's why Jesus came. God loved us so deeply that He sent His Son into the world to live the perfect, sinless life that we could not live. Jesus willingly went to the cross and took upon Himself the punishment our sins deserved. As Romans 5:8 says,“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

The cross demonstrates both the seriousness of our sin and the incredible depth of God's love. Jesus didn't die because He was guilty; He died in our place because we were.

But, thankfully, the story didn't end at the cross. Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave. His resurrection demonstrated His victory over sin and death and confirmed the hope He offers to everyone who believes in Him. The stone was rolled away, the tomb was empty, and death did not have the final word. Because Jesus lives, we can have forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the promise of eternal life.

The Gospel is the beautiful truth that Jesus came to fix what sin had broken. We could not work our way back to God, so God came to us. Jesus paid the debt we could not pay and conquered the death we could not defeat. Through repentance and faith in Christ, we are forgiven and given new life. 

As John 3:16 reminds us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The cross paid the price. The empty tomb proved the victory. And Jesus made a way for us to come home to God. Is that amazing or what?

So, if you have not made the decision to accept Jesus as your Savior, what are you waiting for my friend? Jesus made the way but it’s up to you to take it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for providing the only Solution that could fix our sin-problem. Help us to understand that we were completely unable to save ourselves apart from Your Son so that we would choose to follow Him before it’s too late. Lord, remind us that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed so that we would not put the decision off. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

The Evidence is in the Eye Witnesses

"For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 NKJV

In an interesting story titled,"Many Runners—Even Some Pros—Say the Edmonton Half Marathon Was Long. The Race Disagrees," published by Runner's World on Tuesday, it was reported that Rory Linkletter left Edmonton on Sunday with the Canadian Half Marathon Championship win, along with a fairly major question about how far he had actually run.

Linkletter told Canadian Running that he believed the course was too long, enough so that he backed off over the final two kilometers rather than keep chasing the course record.

Olympian Natasha Wodak knew something felt off, too. With less than a kilometer remaining, she glanced at her watch and saw a slower time than expected. She knew she wasn’t having her best day, but the final time still didn’t quite add up.

Afterward, Wodak and other runners concluded the course must have been too long, according to CBC News.

And once runners started looking at their watches, Linkletter and Wodak hardly looked like outliers. Half marathoners reported distances around 21.9 to 22.1 kilometers (a half marathon is 21.1K), while participants on Reddit pointed to strange chip splits, kilometer markers, and even the pacers.

“The pace bunnies were even off time,” one runner wrote. “That should be an indicator right there.”

There was also an obvious place to start looking, as construction had forced a detour along Jasper Avenue.

Race director Tom Keogh said that change added roughly 712 meters to the route, with approximately 690 meters removed near the turnaround to make up the difference. Organizers continue to stand by their word that the adjustment was done correctly....

And, you know, in the same way the eyewitness reports concluded that the course was too long despite the claims that the adjustment was done correctly, there were hundreds of eyewitness reports to the resurrection of Jesus Christ that proved that it happened despite the claims of those who stand by their assertion that it didn’t. 

This is very important to understand, because if Jesus had not risen from the dead, His life and death would not have mattered. 

Thankfully, the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection is indisputable as it’s confirmed through early historical texts, primarily found in the New Testament, which record multiple post-crucifixion appearances to various individuals and large groups. 

A foundational piece of evidence is the early creed recorded by the Apostle Paul in which scholars date to within a few years of Jesus' death. 

This creed explicitly lists appearances to Peter (seen by Cephas), the twelve disciples, and more than 500 people at one time, with Paul noting that most of these witnesses were still alive and available for questioning when he wrote the letter. 

Additionally, all four canonical Gospels document that women, including Mary Magdalene, were the initial witnesses to the empty tomb and the risen Jesus. These accounts (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20) emphasize the physical nature of the encounters, describing Jesus eating food and inviting the disciples to touch his wounds to demonstrate He was not a hallucination or a spirit.

And while secular scholars will continue to deny the resurrection despite the overwhelming evidence, and thus deny Jesus, it’s impossible to deny how a group of frightened, hiding followers would suddenly became bold proclaimers of the resurrection, willingly facing intense persecution and martyrdom for a claim they could have easily verified as true or false, if they hadn’t seen the risen Christ.

So, if you’re still clinging to the belief that Jesus was merely a teacher and not the risen Lord, I urge you to check out the irrefutable facts my friend. Doing so will prove “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the free gift of salvation that was bought by the precious blood of Jesus. Lord, make us bold in sharing our witness with the world, of what You have done for us, so that the lost would seek You because of it. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Volunteering is a Win-Win for Everyone

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about volunteering. As both a runner and a Race Director, I know firsthand that volunteers can make or break a race and they can most certainly make or break a run.

This was something I saw over the weekend at the 36-hour ultra marathon (with distances from 12 miles to 100 miles)  that I have the blessing of directing. I can't tell you how many of the finishers paid a debt of gratitude to the amazing people who stepped up to work aid stations, assist at packet pickup, and came out to encourage the runners. Volunteering has that power!

But did you know that volunteering is also good for the one doing it? It's true!

Volunteering does far more than just support a good cause—it actively reshapes and protects your brain.

When you give your time to others, your brain enters a rewarding state often called the "helper’s high," triggering a powerful release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.

This chemical cocktail naturally lifts your mood, strengthens social bonds, and lowers cortisol, effectively shielding your nervous system from the damaging effects of chronic stress.

Furthermore, diving into new volunteer environments challenges your mind to build fresh neural pathways, while the deep sense of purpose it provides serves as a psychological anchor.

For older adults, this combination of mental engagement, emotional fulfillment, and consistent social interaction acts as a shield against cognitive decline, significantly preserving memory and reducing the risk of dementia.

With that being said, I will tell you that we had volunteers that stepped up for one or more shifts of 2-4 hours or more and even had volunteers that stayed onsite to help the entire time! At the end, they all agreed that they had tired hands but happy hearts!

So, if this has your interest piqued, I have a great opportunity for you! Run the Rock is coming up at Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, Missouri, on September 12 and this is a perfect opportunity to experience a race from the other side of the course.

To further inspire you to volunteer, check out these other great reasons that volunteering at a race can be just as fun as participating in the race:

You Can be a Part of the Race Without Running the Race

We tend to think participation means putting on a bib and crossing the starting line. It doesn't.

The person handing a runner a cup of water is participating.

The volunteer helping with packet pickup is participating.

The course marshal pointing runners in the right direction is participating.

The person standing along the course yelling, "You've got this!" may be participating more than they realize.

Every one of those people becomes part of a runner's race-day story.

And at a challenging event like Run the Rock, those volunteers can make an enormous difference.

Aid Station Volunteers Are a Welcome Sight

Ask any runner who has struggled through a difficult race what it feels like to see an aid station ahead.

It's a beautiful sight!

Sometimes that cup of water is exactly what you need. Sometimes it's the smile that comes with it.

An aid station volunteer may only interact with a runner for a few seconds, but those few seconds can provide encouragement at exactly the right time. When runners are hot, tired and questioning why they thought this was a good idea, hearing someone say, "You're doing great!" can give them the little mental boost they need to keep moving.

You aren't just handing out water.

You're handing out encouragement.

Packet Pickup Lets You Share in the Excitement

Packet pickup is one of my favorite parts of the pre-race experience because everyone walks in carrying a mixture of excitement and nerves.

For some runners, Run the Rock may be another challenge in a long list of races. For others, it may be completely outside their comfort zone.

The volunteer who greets them, finds their bib and answers a question helps set the tone for their entire experience.

A friendly face can turn nervousness into excitement.

And if you're a runner yourself, packet pickup gives you the opportunity to talk with other runners, hear their stories and share in that wonderful anticipation that happens before a race begins.

Course Marshals Are Cheerleaders With Directions

Run the Rock isn't your average road race.

The course at Top of the Rock challenges runners with hills and a variety of surfaces while rewarding them with incredible scenery, including waterfalls, a cave and beautiful overlooks.

That means course volunteers have an especially important job.

A course marshal helps runners know where they're going, keeps them moving in the right direction and provides encouragement along the way.

You might think you're simply standing at an intersection pointing to the right.

The runner approaching you may see something entirely different:

A friendly face. A sign that they're still on course. And someone who believes they can finish.

Never underestimate the power of cheering for a tired runner.

Volunteering Makes You a Better Runner

One of the greatest benefits of volunteering is gaining a completely different perspective on racing.

When you're racing, your world becomes pretty small. You're thinking about your pace, breathing, nutrition, legs, watch and finish time.

When you volunteer, you get to watch the entire race unfold.

You see the front runners.

You see the middle of the pack.

You see the person who is struggling but refuses to quit.

You see experienced runners encouraging beginners.

You see people accomplishing something they weren't sure they could do.

Watching those moments can remind you why you started running in the first place.

It can also teach you a lot. You notice how runners approach aid stations, how they handle difficult sections of a course and how different people respond when things get tough.

Sometimes standing on the sidelines makes you a better runner the next time you're on the course.

You Become Part of Someone Else's Finish

As a race director, I've learned that runners remember volunteers.

They remember the person who filled their bottle.

They remember the person who made them laugh.

They remember the course marshal who told them the hard part was almost over.

They remember the stranger who yelled their name when they desperately needed encouragement.

A volunteer may go home thinking, I just handed out water today.

Meanwhile, a runner goes home thinking, That volunteer at the aid station helped me keep going.

That's pretty powerful.

It's a Great Way to Give Back to the Running Community

If you've run very many races, you've benefited from volunteers countless times.

Someone filled your cup.

Someone handed you your bib.

Someone placed your medal around your neck.

Someone directed you through an intersection.

Someone stood outside early in the morning—or late into the day—so you could chase a goal.

Volunteering is our opportunity to return the favor.

Running communities don't become strong because of races alone. They become strong because people show up for one another.

And It's Just Plain Fun

There is also a much simpler reason to volunteer:

Race day is fun!

You get the excitement without worrying about your pace.

You meet runners.

You meet other volunteers.

You laugh.

You cheer.

You watch people accomplish hard things.

And you usually leave feeling like you received every bit as much as you gave.

And there you have it friends. Volunteering from time to time is a win/win for everyone! So help out at Run the Rock if you can. And if you can't, find another opportunity to be a blessing to someone else and go volunteer. You'll be so glad you did!

 Happy Running!

It’s Not Worth the Risk

“In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.’” Genesis 3:19 NKJV

In a harrowing story titled “Pro trail runner attacked by bear in Alaska” posted by Canadian Running Magazine yesterday, it was reported that Alaska trail runner Klaire Rhodes was attacked by a brown bear on Thursday morning while running alone on her home state’s Chugach trails.

In an Instagram post, Rhodes wrote that she came away with what she described as “relatively minor injuries, with the most severe being a deep puncture wound to my left hip and claw and teeth marks on my body.” The North Face athlete used bear spray during the encounter and was able to make it back to the trailhead.

Rhodes didn’t share the full sequence of events, saying she wanted to avoid the “unsolicited opinions” that tend to follow a story like this online. “The moment felt like a nightmare come to life,” she wrote.

The Chugach trails are a major part of Rhodes’s life and training. “Running in the Chugach is where I feel most at home,” she wrote, while acknowledging that the area is also the bear’s home. “Despite all the precautions in the world, it’s just a risk that a lot of us choose to take to live life in the way we love.”

And, you know, as an ultrarunner myself, I’ll tell you that I share Klaire’s sentiments on choosing to  hit the trails despite the dangers associated with it… it’s just a risk I’m willing to take to live life in the way that I love. 

But there’s one risk that people are taking every single day that comes with a danger that is anything but ‘relatively minor.’ And that’s putting off the decision to follow Jesus Christ, thinking they can do it some other time or that it’s of ‘relatively minor’ importance. 

But this is the deal. The Bible is very clear that each and every one of us came from dust and to dust we shall all return. That means no one, and I mean no one, is getting out of this thing alive! A person could take all the precautions in the world and it will not keep them from returning to the ground. 

That’s a fact.

“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Matthew 25:46

But it’s also a fact that death is not the end for anyone. Our physical bodies will perish and decay. But our spirits will not. And by the choice that we make while we still have breath in our lungs, we choose eternal life or eternal damnation.

You see, there are only two places to go when we die. Period. And that’s heaven or hell. There are no other options regardless of what a person chooses to believe.

And since life is unpredictable, uncertain, and not guaranteed, the biggest risk a person can ever take is not making the decision that will determine where they will spend eternity.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

So, if you have not made the decision to follow Jesus, what are you waiting for my friend? It’s not worth the risk of putting it off.

And if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, are you sharing the goodness of the Gospel so that none would perish in their sins on account of you?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word that clearly lays out the consequences for not choosing Jesus as our Savior. Help us to understand that there are only two places to go when we die that we might choose Jesus if we haven’t already and urge the lost to seek Him before it’s too late. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Look for Opportunities to Hand out Aid

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10 NKJV

Part of my job as the Race Director for the 7th annual 36-hour Bad Dawg Ultra race that was held over the weekend was to ensure that the ten-mile out and back course was stocked with supplies—namely water, electrolytes, and food—for the more than 100 runners that would be seeking to complete distances from the 12 mile ruck/run to the 100 mile race. 

As you can imagine, this duty is a very important one, specifically when it comes to hydration and especially when experiencing the heat index that we had on Saturday that reached a high of 108. 

This high temp was the very reason I was so intrigued and delighted when I heard multiple reports throughout the day (event started at 6:00 a.m.) from the runners and volunteers that there was a family that had taken it upon themselves to position themselves at one of the longest stretches on the course between aid stations to set up their own “aid station,” consisting of a father-daughter duo handing out cold water bottles from the back of an SUV that was driven by the mother. And not just for a few minutes but for many hours!

Is that amazing for what?

As the Lord would have it, this was something I got to experience for myself when I had the blessing of taking a break just before sunset from my position as Race Director (because I have a great team that can hold down the fort) to go out and pace of one my dear friends, Nadine, for the last ten-mile loop of her race.

As she and I approached this dynamic duo that I had heard about all day, I smiled and thanked them both for their kindness as they handed us a bottle of cold water. I then thanked the Lord for the example of doing good that this sweet family showed.

And, you know, this example of doing good is the exact example that the family of Christ should be showing every chance they get.

You see, the Bible is clear that “as we” ( that “we” meaning believers) have opportunity, that we are to “do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” 
This means that we aren’t to wait for opportunities to fall into our lap but are to actively look for opportunities to act! 

Why? Because when we seek, find, and do random acts of “good” such as this, we not only inspire the lost to seek out the reason behind our actions (which is always God), but inspire our brothers and sisters in Christ to look for opportunities to “do good” as well. 

So, continually look for opportunities to hand out aid my friend. These random acts of “good” will not only be good to all those around you but will be good for you as well. After all, while our good deeds might bless others, we are the ones that are truly blessed by doing them. 

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for giving us countless opportunities to do good. Lord, please help us to seek and see these opportunities that we might never waste one. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 
Happy Running!

You Can be Repurposed

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

With all the seasonal highway construction happening in our area, I knew it was essential to put up signs alerting the drivers that were diverted to our 7th Annual Bad Dawg Ultra (happening this weekend) course of the need to slow down. Because of a recent bridge closure, there was going to be excessive traffic on the normally peaceful back roads the runners taking part in the race would be on and we needed to make the drivers aware. This need led me to pray over the best and most inexpensive way to get that done, since the race is one of our biggest fundraisers for our OneSolePurpose project and signage can be quite expensive.

 
And then this divinely inspired thought came to me… “Use recent election campaign signs! Most people are throwing them out anyway. Why not repurpose them?” By God’s grace, after reaching out to a few people, my team and I not only had quite a few donated for their new purpose but one of our local recently elected officials gladly offered up the multiple ones he had successfully used. And just like that, we were abounding in free signage that now had a new use!

And let me tell you that I was beyond thankful that these signs had not been thrown away and could serve a new purpose. What some people thought was no longer valuable was of utmost worth to us! With some inexpensive bright construction paper, some duct tape, and some new messaging “slogans,” in the form of “SLOW DOWN, RUNNERS ON ROAD,” handwritten with a broad black sharpie, the signs were as good as new!

And, you know, if “to repurpose” an item is to “use an existing object, building, or piece of content for a completely different function than it was originally built or designed for—or to, instead of throwing an item away or letting it go to waste, adapt it for a new use,” then every believer should be beyond grateful that God has repurposed them rather than throwing them away.  

You see, the Bible tells us that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” That means the purpose for which we used to live—to satisfy the longings of our flesh—is no longer our purpose for living.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

Our new purpose then, since our flesh has been crucified (or put to death) with Christ, is to live for Jesus. Additionally, our new purpose for living is to know God, to serve God by serving others, and to make God’s great Name known!

Is that amazing or what??

So, no matter what your old life was like or what you did in the past, be thankful that, when you chose to accept Jesus as your Savior, God repurposed you to live for Him my friend. And if you have not made the choice to accept Jesus and become a new creation, do it today. It will be the best decision that you ever make. I promise you! 

Heavenly Father, thank You for having a new purpose for all those who put their trust in You. Help us to understand that, even in our sin, You loved us so much that You weren’t willing to throw us away but chose to send Your one and only Son to die for us that we might have a new life and a new purpose. Help us to surrender our lives to You in the same way Jesus surrendered His life for us that others may come to know You and seek You. It’s in Your precious name we pray. Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Lay Aside the Weight

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1 NKJV

In an entertaining story published by Yahoo! News yesterday, the writer said: Most marathon runners look for ways to stay cool and comfortable over 26.2 miles. David Rush took the opposite approach, completing the Idaho Potato Marathon while wearing 125 T-shirts and earning a Guinness World Record for the most shirts worn during a marathon. The record-setting run took place May 16 in Boise and was officially certified by Guinness World Records in July, Yahoo! reported.

Rush crossed the finish line in 5 hours, 54 minutes and 50 seconds, narrowly beating the event's six-hour cutoff. The Idaho resident said the challenge proved far more difficult than a traditional marathon because of the weight, restricted movement and heat generated by the dozens of layers...

Rush said the layers created intense pressure throughout the race, limiting his mobility and making it difficult to maintain proper running form. As temperatures rose and the miles added up, he battled overheating, exhaustion and discomfort while trying to stay ahead of the clock.

And, you know, as this story clearly illustrates, it's very hard to run a long distance race with extra weight.

It’s even harder to run the spiritual race with extra weight. This is the reason that Paul told us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

You see, in the same way David Rush was vastly slowed down and greatly hindered, immobilized, and caught up by the excess layers he had placed on himself (each one creating more pressure), you and I allow ourselves to be slowed down and weighed down by the hardships, temptations, distractions, sins (and it's consequences) and the worries of this world (among other things) that we place on ourselves by not keeping our eyes on Jesus. 

This is the very reason we would do well to remember that we can overcome the obstacles in our path in the same way the “great cloud of witnesses,” (those heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11) who have gone before us and now serve as examples to follow) did and can run with endurance until the end.

So, as you run the spiritual race set before you, track your progress my friend by regularly looking to see if there’s any sin, habit, attitude, or mindset that’s weighing you down or tripping you up. And then, do what you need to do to lay it aside so that you can make it to the finish line “ahead of the clock” and avoid being disqualified.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have examples of the faith to follow when we feel as if we’re alone in our struggle against sin and in our efforts to not adopt the patterns of this world. Lord, help us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we remember that the witnesses made it to the finish line in the same way. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Challenge Yourself to rock The Rock

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about the benefits of challenging yourself from time to time and why choosing a race that's not easy is one of the best ways to do it. Why is this important? Because continuing to do what's easy doesn't grow you physically or mentally. And while routines are great for consistency, they aren't great for progress or improvement. 

This is the very reason, runners (and walkers) need to shake things up every once in a while. It's why they need to run hills, sign up for races that make them nervous, try out the trails, run a little farther, push the pace a little faster, and do something that makes them wonder, "Can I really do this?" 

With that being said, if you've never taken part in Bass Pro's Run the Rock event, consider this your sign that you should. Their Race Director (Melissa Bondy-pictured above standing next to the world-famous Dean Cheatham) is one of the very best and has outdone herself in designing a course that's challenging. The official description actually begins with issuing a challenge before describing the challenge... 

Can you rock The Rock? Come join us for our 3 and 6 mile runs at Top of the Rock in Ridgedale, MO where you will challenge your endurance and mental grit while experiencing exhilarating, scenic views you won't find anywhere else. The 6-mile course is one of the most challenging, rewarding runs you will ever complete. Best for experienced runners, this course was not designed to be someone’s first 6 mile run. While most of this course is asphalt, be prepared to run over several different surfaces including, but not limited to, gravel, road, trail, wet rock, metal bridge(s), water and dirt. While this course is hilly and challenging, participants will experience waterfalls, a cave, scenic overlooks and absolutely beautiful surroundings. Spectators will have limited viewing options along the course. The best spots to cheer for your runners will be at the start and finish lines.

With that being said, let's look at some of the benefits of challenging yourself often... 

Adaptation

One of the basic principles of training is adaptation. When we repeatedly give our bodies the same stimulus, we become efficient at handling it. While that's a good thing, eventually, doing the same thing over and over may stop producing the same improvements. A new challenge asks your body to adapt again.

Running hills can challenge muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness. Trails can require more balance, coordination, and stabilization than smooth pavement. A longer distance challenges endurance. Speedwork asks your cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems to operate differently. Even changing terrain can recruit muscles in ways your normal route doesn't.

The goal for adaptation isn't to make every run brutally difficult, but to strategically include challenges that encourage the body to grow without overwhelming it--remembering that stress + recovery = adaptation.

The challenge provides the stimulus. Recovery gives your body the opportunity to become stronger.

Brain Training

Some of the greatest benefits of challenging yourself have nothing to do with your legs. Sure, running is physical, but anyone who has ever reached the difficult miles of a race knows how quickly it becomes mental. Your legs say, This is hard. Your brain says, Maybe we should stop. That's where mental training begins.

Every time you voluntarily do something difficult and continue despite discomfort, you collect evidence that you are capable of handling hard things, evidence that your body stores and brings back up when necessary. 

You learn the difference between “This is uncomfortable” and “I can't do this.” Those are two very different things.

Over time, challenging runs can also teach patience, persistence, problem-solving, confidence, and resilience. You discover that discomfort doesn't automatically mean failure.

Confidence Building

Confidence isn't something we magically acquire on race morning. It's built during training. Think about the first time you ran a mile without stopping. At one point, a mile probably sounded difficult. Then you did it. Eventually you ran three miles. Then maybe six. Then 13.1. Maybe 26.2. Perhaps even farther.

But this is the deal... every challenge changes your definition of what you believe is possible. When you accomplish something that once intimidated you, you carry that confidence into the next challenge. You start thinking: I climbed that hill, I finished that difficult workout, I kept moving when I wanted to quit, or I handled that tough race. 

This physical confidence spills over into mental grit. And don't we all need that? 

Keeping Running Fun

There's another reason runners should occasionally challenge themselves: It keeps running interesting.

Running the same distance at the same pace on the same route every week can eventually start feeling more like an obligation than an adventure. Which is the very reason it's good to change it up once in a while by running somewhere you've never run or on terrain that you've never run before.

This, most likely, will lead to a combination of thoughts of “This sounds awesome!” and “What have I gotten myself into?” This combination is something that the Bass Pro Fitness Series of events is famous for! They’ve got a race and a distance that will challenge everyone. 

And there you have it friends. Those are some great reasons and ways to challenge yourself to try something new. You'll be so glad you did when you reach the finish line and say, "That wasn't so bad. I think I'll try something else challenging!" Now get out there and get to training for the challenge. Happy Running!

God is Sovereign Over Difficult

"He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me." Psalm 18:16-17 NKJV

In a story published by BBC News yesterday, it was reported that a runner was airlifted to hospital with a leg injury after a fall in the Peak District in England.

Edale Mountain Rescue Team (EMRT) was called to the southern edges of Kinder, near Edale Valley in Derbyshire, at about 11:30 BST on Sunday.

The rescue team said the runner had fallen on uneven, rocky ground and sustained a "painful lower-leg injury". Due to the "difficult terrain", help from the air ambulance was requested.

Following treatment at the scene, the team said it was a "difficult evacuation" to the helicopter before the casualty was flown to hospital for further treatment.

EMRT thanked members from Buxton Mountain Rescue Team, who also assisted the operation.

And, you know, when it comes to difficult evacuations from difficult terrain, it's hard to imagine any situation more difficult to be rescued from than the one David was in prior to writing Psalm 18, when he was being hunted by King Saul and a multitude of other enemies that were confronting him. But, as he wrote, the Lord defied all the odds and came to his rescue. 

Of the miraculous evacuation, David declared that God "sent from above" and took Him and drew Him out of many waters (that's a lot of trouble). He went on to say that God delivered Him from his "strong" enemy, from those who hated him, and from those who were "too strong," for him. David was clear that he could not overcome these oppressive people and circumstances on his own... but with God, he could and did! Amazing right? 

"They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me." Psalm 18:18-19

What's even more amazing is that the same God who delivered David is the same God that saves today. The same God who was David's support is our support today. And the One who brought David out into a broad place can do the same for you.

"He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name." Psalm 18:48-49

So, no matter what you're going through today, don't lose heart my friend. Call out to the Lord no matter how difficult your situation might look or how powerful your foes might seem, and trust that He is Sovereign over every difficult evacuation. Because of that, then "give thanks" and "sing praises" to His name. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God of difficult evacuations out of difficult terrain. Lord, help us to trust You when we are in situations that look impossible and when we feel like we can't make our own way out. Cause us to remember that we were never meant to fight our battles on our own, that we might look to You always for rescue and salvation. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Keep Your Vows to the Lord

“I will go into Your house with burnt offerings; I will pay You my vows. Which my lips have uttered. And my mouth has spoken when I was in trouble.” Psalm 66:13-14 NKJV

As I opened up my Bible to Psalm 66 for Bible study earlier this week, I was overcome with emotion reading the Pslamist’s words…

“For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.” Psalm 66:10-12

“Oh Lord,” I thought to myself as my mind drifted back to one of the most trying times of my life—a serious time of testing that had me begging the Lord to come to my rescue in a way I never had before.

Not only was I in a great season of affliction in my personal life that threatened to crush me, but I developed a case of high hamstring tendinosis that required eight weeks of rehabilitation. That meant two months of no running and, even worse, two months of not being able to run for anxiety and stress relief—something that had been my lifeline for as long as I could remember.

So many times I cried out to God for deliverance with no relief. And after the initial time of rehab was done (thankfully I did have ways to cross train), I was able to run again—only to have the high hamstring tendinosis come back again two more times in close succession.

That meant another sixteen weeks of rehabilitation in total.

As you can imagine, I was desperate to be back running again by the second and third episode, and so made many vows to the Lord saying, "God, if You will allow me to run again, I will be your vessel and will do whatever it is that You are calling me to do. I surrender any pride that I've been holding onto, and I will give You all the glory when You bring me out of this."

You can be sure it wasn't very long after being completely healed that I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me as I was enjoying an early morning run out on a back country road. "Do you remember what I revealed to you in Bible study this morning?" I felt the Spirit say. "Oh yes," I said out loud smiling, thankful for the understanding that the Spirit provided. "Share it with the world."

Upon hearing that command, I stopped in my tracks. I tried to make justifications as to why I wasn't qualified to do something like that (I stutter, which was one of my greatest rationales, but certainly not my only one), but remembered the vow that I had made to the Lord... the vow my mouth had spoken when I was in trouble.... "God, if You will allow me to run again, I will be your vessel and will do whatever it is that You are calling me to do."

"Okay Lord," I said out loud in the middle of that lonesome dirt path. "I will do it." And so, despite my apprehension, racing heart, and fear, I made a short video sharing the message from that morning and posted it to social media, hoping that video would be the end of it. But God called me to make another one, and another one and another one. Eight years later, I am still making those videos (rarely missing a day) and am determined to continue paying God the vows He is owed for the rest of my life--ever thankful for being delivered from the trial and for being made better because of the trial! Is God good or what?

"When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed—Better not to vow than to vow and not pay." Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

So, if you have an unfulfilled vow to the Lord, something that your lips uttered and promised Him while you were in trouble, make today the day that you “pay what you have vowed” my friend. After all, if God was faithful to bring you "through fire and through water" as He did for me, you can trust Him to call you to do something that will bless others and bring Him glory.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the times of testing and affliction that You bring upon Your children. Lord, help us to understand that these times are part of the refining process of stripping us of our waywardness and pride that we might be all that You created us to be. Help us to take our vows seriously God knowing that You are honored in obedience, and to fulfill them no matter the cost. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Don't Fall for the Counterfeit

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV

Like countless other runners around the world, I'm always looking for easy ways to become a better trail runner. Hence the reason my eyes were drawn to an article titled “Can Blueberries Make You A Faster Trail Runner?” yesterday. And this is what the writer said…

Blueberries contain polyphenols that may influence oxidative stress, inflammation, blood flow, and recovery. A small International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism study tested whether those effects translate into trail-running performance.

Nine experienced runners completed a 13-mile (22.2-kilometer) simulated trail race after seven days of freeze-dried blueberry supplementation and after seven days of placebo in a crossover design. Runners ran faster after blueberry supplementation without any increase in race heart rate or perceived exertion.

The blueberry condition also produced a lower resting heart rate and less tiredness, more efficient breathing/lung function, and preservation of muscle power 24 hours after the race, suggesting improved or expedited recovery.

What this means for runners

Blueberries are a reasonable food to include for general nutrition, but we do not know whether a specific seven-day protocol reliably improves trail performance. If you experiment, keep race fueling and gastrointestinal tolerance unchanged, and judge the result across multiple sessions rather than one good day. Even if you don’t experience a performance boost, you at least got a tasty treat.

And you know, when it comes to tasty treats, you and I would do well to remember that our bodies are not our own but temples of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Furthermore, we were bought at a price and are to glorify God in our bodies and our spirits, which are God's. 

"And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:14 NKJV

This means that we are to choose the foods that we fuel our bodies with very carefully--both on and off the racecourse. You see, as can be seen by the enormous benefits of blueberries, God has provided clean and healthy nutrition that comes straight from nature. 

The problem is that we have an enemy, Satan, who "transforms himself into an angel of light." This mask the devil wears to deceive and destroy us also extends to food. Take the blueberry for instance. It's one of the best fruits that you and I can eat, but somewhere along the way, the devil came along and turned that amazing fruit into a "fruit snack" (something runners regularly fuel on and is a staple in many homes) and then spread the lie that a blueberry-flavored "fruit snack" is just as good, or even better than a real blueberry. After all, they're sweeter, more portable, come in a colorful package, and have a long shelf life. But, no matter how the devil tries to spin it, it's a counterfeit fruit that has no real nutritional value. 

Here are the facts:

A real blueberry is one of nature’s most nutrient-dense foods. Every handful provides fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and hundreds of naturally occurring plant compounds called polyphenols, including anthocyanins—the antioxidants that give blueberries their deep blue color. These nutrients help support your immune system, heart health, brain function, and recovery from exercise. The natural fiber also slows the absorption of the fruit’s natural sugars, helping keep blood sugar more stable while leaving you feeling satisfied.

A blueberry-flavored fruit snack, on the other hand, often contains little or no actual blueberry. Instead, the “blueberry” flavor usually comes from artificial or natural flavorings designed to imitate (or masquerade) the taste. The vibrant blue or purple color often comes from food colorings rather than real fruit (another masquerade). The primary ingredients are commonly refined sugars or corn syrup, followed by processed starches, gelatin or modified food starch, fillers, emulsifiers, acids, preservatives, and flavor enhancers that improve texture, shelf life, and appearance—not nutrition.

While these snacks may taste like fruit, they don’t nourish your body like fruit. They provide calories but very little fiber, few vitamins, and virtually none of the beneficial phytonutrients found in fresh blueberries. The rapid absorption of added sugars can cause spikes and crashes in blood sugar, leaving you hungry again sooner and encouraging cravings for even more sweet foods.

And that's just one instance of counterfeit food!

So, as you can imagine, one of the greatest challenges facing Christians today isn’t simply overeating—it’s what we are eating. Many of the foods filling our grocery carts aren’t really food in the way God designed food. They are ultra-processed foods: products engineered to maximize cravings (driving up the obesity rate), shelf life, and profits rather than nourish the body. 

So, don't fall for the lie that counterfeit food is as good as what God made my friend. It’s not. Strive to treat your body like the temple that it is by eating only that which is in it's original form (or is as close to it as possible), and is free from harmful additives, pesticides, and poisons. You will not only feel better, but will be obedient to the command to glorify God in your body and in your spirit. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and are meant to be diligently cared for. Help us to understand that we are called to glorify You in all things, including by the way we eat, drink, exercise, and live. Help us to be good stewards of these bodies You have given us Lord that we might be healthy and serve You to the best of our ability. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

We are Called to be Mentors

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

In a story published by Wareham Week earlier this week, it was reported that Wareham resident and "Big Sister" Taylor Bulis will run the Falmouth Road Race to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands youth mentoring organization on Sunday, Aug. 16.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to connecting area children with adult mentors and providing "one-to-one professionally-supported relationships."

“I am running on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters because I have seen firsthand the impact that mentorship can have,” Bulis said in a press release from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands. “...Running for BBBS is my way of giving back to an organization that has given me so much while helping raise awareness for the important work they do in creating strong, supportive relationships for young people in our communities.”

According to the organization, Bulis has been a "Big Sister" for over three years…

And, you know, when it comes to mentoring, every believer would do well to understand that they have a job to do in keeping the cycle of faith going. You see, you and I are tasked with not just creating strong, supportive relationships for young people, or new believers, in our communities, we are tasked with passing on the Good News of the Gospel to them, along with the teachings in the Bible—guiding, teaching, and supporting their growth and understanding of the Word— so that the next generation will live out God’s laws and then teach them to the next generation and the next and the next…

As you can imagine then, Christian one-to-one mentoring not only has the power to impact today’s world but the future one as well. This is something Paul clearly understood and took very seriously when, nearing the end of his life, wrote to young Timothy (the pastor he had taken under his wing) saying, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Notice that Paul doesn't tell Timothy to gather the biggest audience possible and teach them? As effective as that might sound, he tells him to look for “faithful men,” those who are dependable, steady, and deeply committed to the truth. In a world obsessed with quick numbers and massive popularity, Paul's words remind us that deep investment in a few quality leaders always outlasts a shallow message given to a crowd.

Think about it this way, if you and I (we are called to be mentors too, ladies) teach one person, we add one to our community. But if we teach one person how to teach another person, we soon multiply our community!

The ultimate goal then is sustainability. By training teachers to make more teachers, the message is built to outlive the original speaker, as Paul indicated.

This is the exact reason Christianity spread across the globe in Paul’s day and survived for centuries—because everyday believers took responsibility for passing the truth down to the next generation--and the very reason that we are called to do our part in passing the truth on today. 

So what do we do with this…?

We remember that Paul’s words are a call to action—a call that challenges each and every mature believer to ask two foundational questions:

Who is mentoring me? (Who is your Paul?)

Who am I investing in? (Who is your Timothy?)

So, take the call to know the Word so that you can teach it to the next generation very seriously my friend. Find a person to mentor that you might fulfill the calling placed on every mature follower of Christ. And, if you're a new believer, find a faithful person to mentor you. You'll not only grow exponentially but you’ll be ready to take the baton of faith and pass it on when the time comes to do so. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are not only to have a mentor, or someone we can go to with questions, but are to be a mentor to those who are less mature in the faith. Lord, remind us that we are to not only make converts but to make disciples. Help us to teach others to be able to teach others so that the cycle of faith would never end. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!