No excuse

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:20

On May 29th, Chris Koch, 37, of Alberta, Canada completed his first 26.2 mile race-crossing the finish line of the Calgary Marathon in 4:23:12 well under his goal of 4:30. While that is most definitely a commendable achievement for anyone, consider that Chris was born without arms or legs. Using a longboard to get around, he raced for Calgary’s Inn From the Cold, a homeless shelter for families and children, and raised $4,000. His next goal? To break four hours for the marathon. Wow! He simply did not see any excuse to keep him from believing his dream would come true.

Did you know that, when it comes to excuses and believing, the bible tells us that you and I have absolutely no excuse for not knowing God? You see since the beginning of time, God has revealed himself through his creation. From each sunrise to each sunset, God's perfect timing is revealed. From lightning and hurricanes to the rushing water of a waterfall, his power is revealed. And from the trees that give us shade and sweet fruit to the rivers that flow to bring us water, his love is revealed. The perfect unity of all creation working together reveals that God is omniscient and all knowing, and omnipotent and all powerful. So you see then, ascribing the works of his hands to anyone or anything else is without defense. 

Albert Einstein once wrote, "We still do not know one thousandth of one percent of what nature has revealed to us." While that is certainly true, you and I only need to know this one thing that creation has made known... God is real. There is not one excuse for believing otherwise. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself to us in the swaying of the trees, the smell of a freshly cut field and the warm breeze that passes us by. Your creations are beautiful and telling of a God that is more powerful and awesome than we could ever comprehend. Help us to soak in the blessings of all you have made as we praise and worship you, the Creator of all things. It's in your precious name, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

And your praise goes on - Chris Rice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPwYyj6uR1U

Condemned no more

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1

Can you remember what you were doing on this very day last year? Or the year before? Thanks to the Facebook app, On This Day, the reminders of what I did and where I was 'pop up' without warning. And while most of these memories are great (like runs with friends), there's a few of them I would like to forget. I'd guess that most of us would say that we have done things in the past that we wish would never 'pop up' again. And even if we were able to overlook those transgressions, eventually someone or something would remind us of them and the guilt and shame would convict us once again. But it doesn't have to be that way if we believe the promise that, "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

In a courtroom, to have “no condemnation” declared means to be found innocent of the accusation, to have no sentence inflicted and no guilty verdict found. This is what Jesus has done for you and me. He has declared us not guilty and set us free. He has opened the door of the cell, yet it's you and me who keep ourselves there. We are the ones refusing to be granted a pardon, to be forgiven and relieved of the guilt and shame we hold on to. In the song No More, Josh Wilson sings, "So why do I keep coming back again? God I'm done with holding on to sins that you have saved me from. I'm ready to let go of who I've been."

Let today be the day we let go of the person we once were declaring, "No more guilt, no more shame, no more thinking I can't change. Who I was is dead and gone, who I am is moving on. Saved by grace, held by love because of what your cross has done. You pulled away the prison doors. Hallelujah God, I am condemned no more! I am condemned no more!"

Heavenly Father, thank you for the promise that our sins are forgiven and we are free the day we accepted you. Help us to live our lives remembering that there is no need to suffer guilt or shame for the things we have done when you, the Almighty God of the Universe, has declared us not guilty. Doing so only keeps us from moving forward and living a life worthy of the debt Christ paid. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

No More - Josh Wilson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0oPPaG28Dk

What's your motive?

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

The debate on whether running is an effective way to shed weight and keep it off has been going on for years. But now, a new study from the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness reports that our reason for starting to run can influence our results. The study showed that those whose motive was purely weight loss, compared to other reasons,  indeed lost the most weight. However, when it came to keeping it off and sticking with the exercise, Matt Fitzgerald, sports nutritionist and author of Racing Weight, said "People who are running for the scale are less likely to stick with it over several years. When weight loss is your goal for running, long-term adherence is much lower than when your goal is enjoyment”. To that end, Fitzgerald encouraged runners to “fall in love with running” before anything else.

When it comes to motives, the bible has a lot to say when it tells us that we are to do nothing out of jealousy, pride, arrogance or self-importance but, in humility and obedience to Christ, count others of greater value than ourselves. It's only by following the example of Jesus that we can be sure our motives are pure. You see, he was willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. He did nothing out of selfish ambition or to make himself 'look good' in the eyes of others but rather considered the needs of others first. That was his motivation for everything he did and that should most certainly be ours. 

I wonder, if we're honest though, how many of us can say that today? Do we help others or serve in the Church so that we will 'look good'? Or do we genuinely do everything out of humility, love and the ambition to win them to Christ? There's no debate on what our answer should be is there?

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to give us the ultimate example of what it means to truly love others and to serve you for the right reasons. Help us to surrender our rights, our dreams and our goals that we might allow you to use us to be an example of Christ to others. Most of all, Lord, help us to be humble that all others might see in us is You. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

More and more - Selah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bpQqkCF__I&list=RD1bpQqkCF__I

http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/your-reasons-for-running-can-affect-weight-loss

 

Heed the warning

"Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the LORD’S commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?" Deuteronomy 10:12,13

As I ran down a county gravel road one morning last week, I was shocked by a huge (roughly 5' x 8') spray painted sign in the driveway of one of the few homes lining the remote area. The menacing plywood board was fastened with chains on each side and attached to fence posts that blocked entry. Not that anyone would dare to enter as the sign read in huge letters "Keep Out or Be Shot". How's that for a warning? Wouldn't you agree then that anyone who ignored the warning and got filled with lead was at fault? I mean, the warning was there in black and white right?

You know the bible gives us warnings in black and white too-but when we ignore them and reap the consequences, we all too often blame God. You see, He didn't give us the Ten Commandments to keep us from having fun or enjoying life. He gave them to us to protect us from danger. When we ignore any one of them, it's you and me who is at fault. Take for example, the seventh commandment that we should not commit adultery. Ignoring that warning or command leads to guilt, regret, divorce, a smeared reputation, a breakup of the family and the "for your good" God intended us to have.

So you see God gave us these commands, all of them, that we might live a life free from the consequences of sin. Sin only draws us away from God while obedience draws us closer. And that's where we are safest... close to the Father.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that tells us clearly what is best for us. Help us to heed the commands you have laid down as warnings that disobedience will only result in negative consequences. May we quickly run away from any temptation that would cause us to sin. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen, 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

New lease on life - Mercy Me

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

Hospital Hill 2016

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

Saturday, June 4th, was the 43rd annual Hospital Hill Run in Kansas City, MO. Being one of my favorite races, I had run it many times before. But this year was to be the most memorable as my teenage son would be running with me. I was blessed to have him by my side and he was thankful to have someone guide him through his half marathon. As his coach, the plan was to start slow, keep a moderate pace and then speed up near the end if he had the energy left. And as we ran side by side, I was overcome with emotion recalling the many times I had led Luke throughout the years, telling him when to slow down, speed up or turn this way or that to keep him focused on the right path. To my surprise, with less than three miles to go and plenty 'left in the tank', my son sped up. When it was apparent that I could not keep up with him, I silently dropped back.  As I watched him 'run ahead', enjoying the run and oblivious that I was no longer at his side, I silently rejoiced knowing that, while I had started him off in this race, he could certainly finish it by himself.   

You see, the bible tells us that we are to "start" our children off on the way they should go, not follow them their whole lives. That's not our job. From the time they are little, our job is to teach them about the world and how to make good choices as a part of it. More importantly, though, as parents we should be instructing our children to walk with the Lord through our words and the lives we live before them. Then, when the time comes for them to 'run ahead', we can be confident that they will make wise decisions and stay focused on God's plan for their future. 

I had to smile, though, as I neared the finish line to see that this sweet child of mine was running back for me. While I was absolutely overjoyed that he and I would cross the finish line together this time, I told him that he was on his own the next. It was time for him to 'run ahead' and be all that God intended him to be.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of being Luke's mother. Thank you giving me the reassurance I so desperately needed that he will be the man you have prepared him to be. Help all of us as parents to guide and protect our children while still allowing them to grow and make their own decisions that they might, one day, be ready to 'run ahead'. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Til the day I die - Toby Mac

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

Getting ready to head to the start line

Getting ready to start

It was a blessing to be with family and friends who helped encourage Luke

And we are done and I am blessed!!!

Just wait

"Then it came about at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made; " Genesis 8:6

On May 11, this tweet went out, "It's official!! 40 year old marathon runner @scottwestcott1 is going to Rio." Scott Westcott, from Australia, had always dreamed of running the Olympic marathon. Proving that good things indeed come to those who wait, he waited (and trained). And two days after his 40th birthday, he ran the Berlin Marathon in 2:15:30 establishing a new record and finally earning a spot on Australia's Olympic team. When asked how he felt he said, "It's a shame I don't have the mind I have now with the body I had 10 years ago, because I think with experience I’ll run very well and I’ll squeeze a very good performance out of my body. Maybe when I was 30 I would have made silly choices in the race and probably end up with a less desirable result.” Don't you love God's timing?

Speaking of timing, did you know that after entering the Ark Noah and his family spent nearly a year there? For forty days and forty nights it rained until every living thing was covered up. The bible tells us that the waters then covered the earth for 150 days before God sent a wind over the land to dry it up. That process took a while for sure. Can you imagine how anxious Noah must have been to get out of there? But Noah didn't exit the Ark until God told him to. Even though it might have appeared safe to get out, God knew that the earth was not dry enough for them to do so. So Noah patiently waited.

While waiting on God's timing when we want to proceed ahead is not always easy, it is always necessary. Good things do indeed come to those who wait... those who wait on the Lord that is. So today, if you find yourself anxious or restless, be patient my friend. God will tell you when it's time to open the window. 

Heavenly Father, you know us because you made us. And you know that we can be very impatient and doubtful when we are made to wait. Help us to pray harder in these times growing closer to you that we might trust that the wait is necessary and worth it. Help us to remember that you always will lead us to what's best for us, in your time not ours. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Lauren Daigle - I will trust in You

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

Wake up

"For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape...So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded." 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3,6

While traveling home from a long weekend of running, I fell into a deep sleep only to be unexpectedly and hastily awakened by the thud of the plane's landing gear hitting the runway. Noticing my startled look, the lady sitting next to me remarked, "Now that was a rude awakening, wasn't it?" It most certainly was I agreed. One moment I was snoozing peacefully and the next I was preparing to hurriedly exit the plane. I knew the plane would eventually land but my inability to stay awake left me unprepared when the moment finally arrived. 

The bible also warns us of an event that could be a rude awakening if we are found asleep, or living in a way contrary to what God has commanded us to, warning "that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night." It will be when you and I are thinking and saying that "everything is peaceful and secure" that disaster will come and we will have no escape. How can we avoid that though? By living each day as if the Lord's return was imminent-living our lives free from sin and doing the work God has called us to. 

Suppose Jesus were to return today. Would you be ready to meet him? Would you be living a life pleasing to him or would you be in for a rude awakening caught shocked and unprepared? Let us live each day prepared to welcome Him so that we might not be found "asleep like the others."

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that gives us hope that you will one day return. I pray that if the thought of that makes anyone uncomfortable that today would be the day they would choose to live a life on guard and ready to welcome you at any moment. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Wake up Oh Sleeper

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