He is risen

"So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him! So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." John 20:2-4

 If you were given the day off today and could do anything you wanted, what would you do? What would make for the perfect day for you?  Perhaps sleeping in? Maybe doing a little shopping or spring cleaning while listening to your favorite Christian radio station? Or maybe staying home and reading a good book? Well, personally, a good and perfect Friday for me would be one that involved lots of running - and most definitely a run with friends. 

And speaking of running, friends, and good Fridays, do you realize that there was a "Good Friday" more than 2,000 years ago that forever changed the world? A day when Jesus was crucified on the Cross and all hope seemed to be lost? But guess what? Three days after that “Good Friday,” Mary Magdalene, who was the first to discover that the tomb was empty, "came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple" shouting "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb..." which immediately inspired this pair of friends to run and see the tomb for themselves. And guess what? The tomb was empty.

And guess what else? The tomb is still empty! Jesus died for the sins of the world and then rose from the grave to conquer death once and for all. And what should we do with this Good News about the true reason we celebrate Easter? Run and tell someone of course!! So what are you waiting for? Run and tell someone, "He is risen!" 

Heavenly Father, there are no words to thank You for the sacrifice You made for each and every one of us. While we were sinners and deserving of death. when we denied You and hurled insults at You, You loved us so much that You took the punishment we deserved and died that we might live. Oh Jesus, may we truly grasp the enormity of Easter that we would be compelled to run and tell everyone, "He is risen! He is alive!!"

Happy Running!!!

He is risen - Paul Baloche

Truly blessed

"'But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7 NIV

Of the thousands of finishes at Monday's Boston Marathon, Joan Benoit Samuelson's was by far one of the most impressive. This marathon legend who won the iconic race back in 1979 with a time of 2:35:15 at the age of 21 crossed the finish line at the age of 61 clocking an even 3:04. Of completing the 26.2 mile race in such an awesome way, Benoit Samuelson said, "To be here, 40 years later and being able to run, let alone being able to run a marathon, I feel blessed."

And you know, when it comes to being “blessed,” doesn't it seem as if everyone, believers and nonbelievers alike, is using the word to describe things from getting a new car or setting a PR to getting a promotion or having kids who behave? But would you believe that, more often than not, being blessed as the Bible defines it is not having material prosperity or the perfect set of circumstances? On the contrary, being blessed is typically connected with either poverty and trial or the spiritual benefits of putting our "confidence," or firm trust, in God. In other words, the person who is truly blessed is the person who is completely satisfied with having nothing more than Jesus Christ.

And while you and I should most definitely sing God's praises for the good things this life holds my friend, let us call ourselves blessed at all times. Because, for the "one who trusts in the Lord," there is the complete assurance that every situation, good and bad, will draw us closer to Him in one way or another. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that being truly blessed is being completely satisfied with your Presence. Nothing more and nothing less. Help us to call ourselves blessed when we have little and when we have much, when we are well and when we are ill, and when we are crying and when we are filled with joy, knowing You are all we need. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Blessings - Laura Story

He completely cleanses

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!" Psalm 51:1,2

Expecting to hear from one of my dearest friends who was running in the Boston Marathon yesterday, I was concerned when hour upon hour passed with no word. I soon found out why. "It's Bridge and Dam all over again!" Jim texted in reference to a training run he and I did last year in which he fell near the end of the race and had to be bandaged up at the med tent upon crossing the finish line. "This time I hit my head at mile 12 when I tripped on the side of the road." Thankfully though, he was able to finish and only required a few stitches. The moral of both stories? Falling won't keep you from finishing the race when you refuse to stay down. 

Sadly though, that's what many believers do when they are tripped up by sin and cause pain to themselves or others. They find it hard to believe they can be forgiven and so simply stay down and drop out of the race. But you know what? God forgives all sins. Consider David. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband killed to cover it up, he was deeply convicted and, you could say, at rock bottom and unable to see a way out. But David repented and God, because of his "steadfast love" and "abundant mercy," had compassion on him and completely cleansed him of his sins. 

Did you get that completely part? My friend, there is no sin so big that God won't forgive and "thoroughly" cleanse you from - meaning there's no reason to hold on to the guilt and shame that keeps you down. So repent, brush yourself off, get back up and get back into the race. It isn't over unless you allow it to be. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that you can and will completely forgive us of our sins if we would simply repent and turn back to You. Help us to truly believe that we can be completely cleansed that we might continue running the race You have set before us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

Completely - Among the Thirsty

Day after day effort

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 NIV

Like thousands of other people in the United States today, I will have my eyes fixed on the Boston Marathon - and especially on American runner Des Linden to see if she has what it takes to win again. As you may recall, Des took first place in the women’s 2018 race by prevailing over the brutal conditions that caused many other runners to drop out. Of her upcoming seventh Boston Marathon and the determination it takes to win, this runner known for her grit said, "We all go through ups and downs. What’s important is how you handle the setbacks. Particularly today, in an age of instant gratification, it’s easy to forget that success actually takes years. A lot of people will see last year’s win, but what they don’t realize is that it’s 30 years in the making. It was my sixth time running Boston. It takes years to become an ‘overnight success’ and it’s just showing up day after day and putting in the work.”

And you know, this unwillingness to give up no matter how long it takes to reach the finish line is the same type of attitude you and I need to fulfill the calling God has placed on our lives. Paul completely understood this when he said, "I press on..." You see, to press on means to continue doing something in a determined way despite any problems one might encounter. And as the Bible tells us, Paul encountered many problems, including being shipwrecked, imprisoned, persecuted, beaten, flogged, and left for dead. But he never let that stop him from pursuing the job the Lord had called him to. In fact, only death stopped him from preaching the gospel and converting the lost. 

And this should be the same attitude you and I embrace my friend - determined to day after day fulfill the work God has called us to do despite the obstacles we might encounter. And you can be sure it won't be an easy task. God never promised it would. But He did promise following Him would be worth it. And so for that, may each one of us make the decision to "press on." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that fulfilling our calling requires a lifetime of effort and a determination to not back down or bow out no matter what obstacles we might face. Help us to be develop a bulldog attitude to "press on" in the most brutal of conditions. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Won't back down - MercyMe

Be a role model

"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them." Proverbs 11:3 ESV

In an article recently published by the Los Angeles Times, it was revealed that UCLA knew of a cash-for-admissions deal years before the scandal erupted. It all came to light when a runner who was too slow for UCLA's track team was granted admission anyways after her parents donated $100,000 to the college's athletic program. The investigation determined that the timing of the pledge by the parents “together with the revelation that she was intended to be only a manager, in violation of the department recruitment and admission policy, removes any reasonable doubt that the contribution from the parents was obtained quid pro quo for the daughter’s admission.”

And as much as that story should shock each one of us, it probably doesn't. After all, the news airs reports each and every day revealing the "crookedness" of men. And you know, while each and every believer is called to practice "integrity," or honesty and moral uprightness, in their business dealings and all other aspects of their lives, it clearly isn't happening. And you can be sure this deceptiveness not only "destroys them" but destroys their witness and can spiritually destroy their children who look to these parents to be role models. 

So in a world that attempts to get ahead or gain financially by any means possible, may you and I choose to let the Word be our guide that we might be "upright" witnesses of what it truly means to follow Christ. And by doing so, may others see our lives and be inspired to follow. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that "crookedness" never stays hidden. Help us to not get tempted or lured into gaining things dishonestly that we might live lives of integrity that our children can follow. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Slow Fade - Casting Crowns

Seize the opportunities

"We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear. " Job 14:2 NLT

Seven weeks ago Kate Ward says she wanted to start running again. But when a friend told her about the eight-week Couch to 5k class that I would be teaching she said she didn't want to go. After giving it more thought though, Kate said, "I had a laundry list of other things I could have been doing. But, it stuck in my mind, eight weeks from now would I be saying, 'I wish I would have done that or stuck with it.'" And guess what? Kate stuck with the program and posted this over the weekend, "Next week marks eight weeks and the end of our training, and I am already able to run longer than I have in years."

And you know, I have no doubt that Kate would indeed have regretted not seizing the opportunity to begin training for a 3.1 mile race. After all, eight weeks of her life were going to pass by anyway right? And since life is short and slows down for no one, you and I would also do well to do the things the Lord has called to today that we might not have to live with regret, or disappointment over a missed opportunity, either. 

So I wonder, what has God called you to do that you haven't done? What dream has He placed on your heart that you have yet to act on? Whatever it is, don't waste another moment in doing it my friend - because as Job so surely knew, "like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that life is indeed fleeting. Help us to grasp the seriousness of that so we would not put off until tomorrow the things You are calling us to do today. By your strength, may we make the most of this new day You have blessed us with. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

New Day - Danny Gokey

We can all do something

"For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11 BSB

As my daughter, Hope, and I walked back to our van Sunday afternoon, we could still hear the music, shouts and cheers of celebration coming from the finish line of the St. Louis Marathon. With tables stacked with food, drinks, swag, and awards for the runners, it was quite a party for sure. Much different from the scene in front of us as we neared the vehicle. Less than one block away from these festivities, we were now looking at a park littered with debris and no less than a dozen homeless people either sleeping or staring off into space, trying not to look anyone in the eye. 

And as I fought back tears at the sight, my tender-hearted child said, "Mom, why are these people homeless. Why isn't anyone helping them?" And while it was easy to answer her first question and explain the many reasons a person might find themselves living on the streets - inability to keep a job, drug addiction, mental illness, lack of education, escaping abuse, etc - it was with sadness that I answered her second question. "There are people who are helping them honey. There just aren't enough people willing to help to come to the aid of them all." 

And you know, while it's true you and I can't help everyone - we can all help someone. Whether we start a program to house the poor, serve in a soup kitchen, participate in a clothing drive, or give financially, each one of us can do something. And can you just imagine what a difference we would make in this world if we did? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for this sweet child of mine that continually reminds me that the solution to most of the world's problems are quite simple... people helping other people. I pray that you would give each one of us a burning love for our neighbor that we would decide today is the day  we do something. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Do Something - Matthew West