Move forward

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

Two weeks ago, Molly Huddle lost the 10,000 meter race at the World Championships in Beijing by .09 second after she raised her arms in victory before she crossed the finish line. That small mistake gave her teammate the opportunity to pass her and claim the bronze medal. At last Monday's New Haven 20k Road Race,she came back to be the first woman to successfully defend her U.S. 20k title. Speaking about her Beijing experience, she said, "It obviously doesn't make up for it, but it is a step in the right direction." By not looking back at her past mistake, she was able to press on toward her goal.

Like Paul, who held the coats of those who had stoned Stephen (the first Christian martyr) and persecuted hundreds of Christians, we all have things we have done in our past that we struggle with, things that keep us from moving forward. But when Paul said that he was "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.., " he knew moving forward was crucial in achieving the prize God had called him to. And he knew that looking to what was behind would only take his eyes off the goal. How about you? Are you letting the past hold you back? Have you lost sight of the goal?

Let today be the day we take a step in the right direction too... towards Christ and the life he has planned for us. A life free from the past and full of hope knowing we are forgiven!

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. When the past comes up Lord, remind us that we are new creations and help us to press forward that we might be, undeterred by guilt and, focused on the goal of knowing you and serving you. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

That was then - Josh Wilson

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

Be that friend

"My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." James 5:19-20

Last week while running with a friend, I was lost in conversation as I was talking to her when, out of nowhere, she shoved me... hard. Before I could say anything or ask why, she screamed "Snake!". Still feeling the sting of her push, I looked down to see the snake that had been in my path. Had she not reacted as she had, I would have stepped right on it. Once my pulse returned to normal, I thanked her. We laughed and agreed that keeping one another safe is what friends are for.

The bible tells us that we are to do the same for our Christian brothers and sisters. If we see one of them wandering away from the truth, we should help bring them back. Rather than being worried about offending someone and keeping quiet, we must be a friend that will take action. Galatians 6:1 tells us that "if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently..". It's not enough to merely hope they will turn to God, we must pray and act.

Perhaps you know someone that might be straying off course today? Will you be the friend to help? Remember that "whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins." Again I ask, will you be that friend?

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Christian brothers and sisters to help keep us on track. If we are straying off course, I pray a friend would bring us back. And if we know of a believer wandering away from the truth, may we be bold enough to restore that person gently. Help us to be true friends to one another, loving them so much that we would do anything to save them from death. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

I will be your friends - Michael W. Smith

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

HOA Marathon 2015

"The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night." Psalm 121:5-6

The Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, MO is described by the Columbia Track Club as "one of the oldest and toughest courses in America". With some of the biggest hills a person could ever encounter in a marathon, I would have to agree with that. And with the forecast of 90 degrees and above predicted for yesterday's race, my friends and I were sure it was going to be even tougher. With a 6:00 am start, we ran the first few miles by the dim light of the rising sun. As it soon revealed it's full form, what a relief it was to see that we had cloud cover... sweet, beautiful and shielding cloud cover for 26.2 miles.

Thousands of years ago (think Old Testament times), one of the chief dangers for pilgrims and travelers was the heat of the sun. Without any protection, they could easily succumb to the effects of its rays and become sick or even die as they traveled through lonely country to their destination. How it brought a smile to my face to think that God is still providing shade to those He loves today. In fact, the bible tells us that the Lord himself watches over us.

As Christians, we too are pilgrims in this world on a pilgrimage to our final destination. But until you and I reach that place, it's crucial that we trust God to lead us there safely. He has promised that the "sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night." In other words, God's watching over you and me ... 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Isn't that awesome to know?

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would watch over us each day. While we may not understand why we are allowed to encounter trials, sickness and heartache in this world, help us to remember that You will never leave us and will lead us to our final destination if we will continue to trust You. When we are alone or afraid, please remind us that You are watching over us day and night. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Shelter me - Bruce Carroll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XrjQzTxpM8

Blessed to run with two of my dearest friends

My friend, Sherry, completed her first marathon at HOA

Labor Day

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. The day is set aside to honor the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. No doubt most Americans will spend the holiday with family and friends relaxing and enjoying the day while others, like me and a few of my friends, will run a marathon. Whatever you and I are doing this holiday though, may we all remember to give thanks to the Provider of all the things we enjoy... our family, our homes, our children and yes, even our running. 

Many times we can take pride in our possessions and the all the hard work it took us to achieve them that we fail to remember where they really came from. Our jobs and all we have are a gift from God including, as Soloman wrote, the ability to enjoy them, to accept our lot and to be happy in our work. While we can certainly enjoy our things, our things are not and should never be the source of our joy... Christ alone should. 

On this Labor Day, may we give thanks to the Giver of all we have. May our hearts be full of gladness for the gifts he has given and may we enjoy this day that the Lord has made. And may you have a blessed Labor Day.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for everything you have given us. Thank you for our jobs, our homes, our families and our friends that help make this life more enjoyable. We know that our days are few Lord, but may they be filled with the gladness of heart that only you can give. May we continue to be grateful every day remembering that every good thing comes from you and you alone. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Every good thing - The Afters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1mMgPA0iJE

Give love

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." Luke 6:35

All around the country yesterday,the temps were 10 degrees (or more) higher than average for this time of year. The oppressive heat in Langhorne, Pennsylvania didn't stop one determined 11 year old from going for a run though. Ryan Tarapchak made a commitment to go for a run every day between August 8 and September 8 and he has not let anything, including the weather, stop him. For almost a month, he has been running to help raise funds for Isabella O'Brien, his friend's 6-year-old sister who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. His initial goal was to raise $10,000 but he has surpassed it by $1,000 with a week remaining. 

Isabella's father said, "For an 11-year-old kid deciding to do something like this so selflessly for someone else, his parents should be very proud of him. Most kids want to spend their summer going to the pool or parties, but Ryan wants to spend every day running in 95-degree weather to raise money for someone else.” The selfless act of helping another is exactly what we should be doing at every opportunity as well. In fact, the bible commands us to "do good... expecting nothing in return," Here was a boy who simply saw someone in need and heeded the call. Have we?

As Christians, are we looking for opportunities to help others? Are we heeding the call? Might we all learn something from Ryan and today look for ways we might do good for someone else expecting nothing in return. What a difference we could make!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example you set by loving others selflessly. May we strive to daily love our enemies, help those in need and to do good that others may see You in us. Open our eyes to see the opportunities around us to do so and to heed the call. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Give Love - Third Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjOn5VrrYGc

http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/11-year-olds-running-streak-raises-10000-for-friend-with-cancer

A divine appointment

"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23

Have you ever had a "divine appointment"? Before you say no, consider it's meaning... A divine appointment is a meeting with another person that has been specifically and unmistakably ordered by God. Several years ago, after crossing the finish line of the St. Louis Marathon, I realized (once again) that I had no idea where I had parked my car. Wearing a mylar blanket and donning a finisher's medal, I slowly began my search as I was approached by a car. "Do you need a ride?" they asked. Seeing that they too were wearing finisher's medals and would not have the energy to either kill or kidnap me, I climbed in. This was unmistakably God's handiwork and I was grateful.

As I reached my car, I thanked them and stepped out at the exact moment an old friend from high school was walking down the road in busy downtown St. Louis. As he yelled my name, I turned around to realize this was certainly no "chance meeting" either. We hugged, laughed and talked about the different paths our lives had taken.  I listened as he explained how he had recently gone back to school and wasn't sure of his future (or his faith I felt). And as I told him about the things God was doing in my life, he smiled. One last hug and I wished him well. As I walked away, I prayed that no matter what the future held for him, today he would make the decision to let Christ be the center of it.

This "chance meeting" was not by chance at all you see. It was specifically and unmistakably a "divine appointment". So today, if your schedule is interrupted or you are forced to go a different way, remember that God is directing your steps and every detail of your life. He may just be scheduling a "divine appointment" for you. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would delight in every detail of our lives. May we be open to the plans you have for us and in constant communication with the Holy Spirit that we might not miss a divinely orchestrated appointment. May you use us to bless, comfort and help others. And mostly to bring the message of salvation to a hurting world. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Give them Jesus - Jaci Velasquez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNW87ZdSqhY

The same Power

"The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you." Romans 8:11

Would you call yourself an underachiever if you weren't doing the things you knew you had the power to do? Like if you were able to run a four minute mile but settled for an eight? Or you were capable of a promotion but unwilling to do the work? Or perhaps you just don't feel that you have control over some areas of your life and have learned to just accept it rather than change it? Wikipedia defines underachiever as: a person who fails to achieve his or her potential or does not do as well as expected. And by that definition, aren't we all underachievers then?

But the bible tells us that the same power "who raised Jesus from the dead" lives in us. The bible is clear on how great that power is when it tells us that, "God made the earth by his power...When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth.He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses." (Jeremiah 10:12, 13). 

With that knowledge then, why are we not attempting great things? Why are we living as if we are helpless to change our situations? God's promise is true, all of us have all the power we need living in us. Might we begin living today as believers of that. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for equipping us with the power to move mountains and change any circumstance we are in. That immensity of that power is unfathomable to grasp and yet your Word tells us that it lives inside each one of your believers. Open our eyes and hearts Lord to realize just how strong we are and to make an impact on this world. How different the world would be if every Christian realized just how powerful they were. And if we can't change the world today Lord, let us change ourselves, our families and our communities for the better. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Same Power - Jeremy Camp

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