Show empathy

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 NIV

In a story published by wbur yesterday, it was reported that the Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the Boston Marathon, became one of the latest U.S.-based groups to release new regulations in the effort to “pressure and ostracize Russian leadership” by banning runners who want to run as representatives of Russia and its ally, Belarus, from this year's race. As someone who’s been blessed to run the race several times, my heart goes out to the many athletes this ban affects that have put in countless hours of training to qualify and prepare for the iconic 26.2 mile race; not to mention the hundreds of dollars most of them have already invested in entry fees and air fare. Dan Fitzgerald, president of the running shoe and apparel store, Heartbreak Hill Running Company, who trains around 700 runners each year for the race had this to say about it, “I do think that running the Boston Marathon is a privilege. I can empathize with athletes, certainly they're the people with whom I empathize most. An athlete who doesn't get the opportunity that they've been training for is a terrible experience.”

And you know, when it comes to expressing empathy, or relating to another person’s pain or joy vicariously, or as if you've experienced those same emotions yourself, the Bible tells us that we are to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and to “mourn with those who mourn.” Which means that, although you and I might not always know why a person is feeling the way they do, we can and should make the utmost effort to be considerate of their feelings by taking the time to truly understand their emotional state and reactions. 

So in a world where you can be anything, be kind my friend. Be compassionate. Be caring. And be looking for opportunities and ways to mourn with those who mourn and to rejoice with those who rejoice. This is one of the best ways you and I can show the love of Jesus to a world in desperate need of knowing Him. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for those people in our lives who are truly emphatic to our feelings and who have a unique ability to make us feel better just by being around them. Help us to be that person to others Lord. Help us to love like you love and to see others the way that You do so that we might be your hands and feet. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

It will be like in Noah’s day

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.’” Matthew 24:37-39 NLT

In an article published Saturday by autoblog titled, “Man vs. machine: Ultra runner aims to outlast a Tesla Model 3,” it was reported that acclaimed runner Robbie Balenger challenged himself to a three day test in which he will attempt to run further than the electric car can drive on a single charge. The rules seem simple, though not at all easy: The Model 3 and ultra runner Robbie Balenger will start from the same point 250 or so miles outside of Austin, Texas. The car will drive until it runs out of battery, which according to Balenger’s instagram post, is expected to be around 267 miles. Balenger then has 72 hours to try and surpass that distance. For those who aren’t familiar, Balenger’s résumé is impressive. Not only has he run across America, he currently holds the record for the most complete loops of NYC’s Central Park during its opening hours, from 6 am to 1 am. In those 19 hours, he ran 16 loops, or about 98.5 miles. And that’s just a few of his newsworthy accomplishments. “I don’t know about you,” the writer went on to say “but my money is on Balenger."

And you know, when it comes to betting, or putting your “money” on what you believe the outcome of something might be, the Bible makes it very clear that Jesus is coming back. Unfortunately though, His second coming is something the majority of people in our world are betting against. Which is the very reason Jesus said that “When the son of man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.” The people then, just as they are now, were living life as usual “enjoying banquets, and parties, and weddings right up to the time Noah entered the boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away.” And by then it was too late.

So let this be your warning my friend if you, like the people in Noah’s days, are putting your “money” on the likelihood of Jesus returning in your lifetime as being highly doubtful, unlikely or even impossible. The signs that we are living in the end times are all around us which means our Savior is coming back very soon. Don’t let it take you by surprise.

Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us what we can expect to see in the end times so that we can be ready for Jesus’ return. Lord, please remind us that we are to not simply wait for your return by sitting idly by but are to be warning others to accept Jesus as their Savior before it’s too late. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Give God the glory

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1 NLT

In a story published by KTVB7, it was reported that Chad Kempel who is from Eagle Idaho and the father of seven children, including four-year-old quintuplets, set a Guinness world record after he ran a half–marathon in two hours and 19 minutes while pushing the five quintuplets in a stroller. Kempel said he was inspired by two mothers who did three stroller records. “The quints are 4 years old now and we've had a long journey,” Kempel said. “Went through a lot of infertility, the quints were a risky pregnancy they weren’t supposed to live, so in a way, finishing something like this with Amy and the older kids at the finish line, it feels good to do this when life has been so hard... It was physically very demanding on me, but how am I gonna complain when Amy's right beside me. She did all the work; she was the one who carried them in the hospital.” When asked if he plans on running another marathon, Kempel told KTVB that right after he finished the marathon his wife asked ‘so we’re done, right?’ So as of right now, he doesn’t think he will, but his wife thinks he going to be like Tom Brady, saying he’s retired, but then does another marathon. “I love that they're going to remember this, they were so excited, they were waving like they were celebrities,” Kempel said. “I had to point out and say, ‘mom's right there, she's the one who did all the work.’”

And do you know what I love most about this story? The way Chad, who seemingly had every right to accept all the praise for crossing the finish line, twice acknowledged that it was his wife who really deserved the praise. Similarly, this 'giving the praise where the praise is due' reaction should be the mindset of every believer as well—instinctively giving all the glory to God for every good and perfect thing in life. For every win, for every positive outcome, for every blessing, and for every trial and test that the Lord turned into a testimony. After all, no matter how quickly a person makes it across the finish line, it’s God who gave them the strength, skills, and circumstances to do it. 

So let us refuse to keep the glory for ourselves my friends. After all, we don’t deserve it since we can do nothing good apart from God. Let us follow the example of the psalmist instead and say, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness.” 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we can do no good thing without You. Remind us too that it’s You who provides the air in our lungs, that every one of our heartbeats is a gift from You and that we have nothing of value that You did not provide. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Accept the invitation

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NIV

In an interview after Sunday’s St. Louis Marathon, 35-year-old runner Jim Wahl, who suffers from autism, said “I completed my first half marathon!” Wahl ran 13.1 miles in 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 4 seconds. He has those numbers, and many others, memorized. “He just has such a knack for numbers, and he always has,” Jim’s father Bill Wahl said. Jim’s autism makes him a number wizard. If you tell him your birth date, he can tell you what day of the week that was. “He’s going to do really well on a course with a lot of numbers, mile markers, water stations to count, your pace per mile,” said Go! St. Louis president Mona Vespa. After the race that Jim ran with his brother, Jim had this to say, “It was hard, really hard. I’m gonna go rest.” Of making the course friendly to everyone, Mona, who is also the Race Director, said,“You know, I think the cool thing about running is it’s pretty accessible to a lot of people and there’s easy ways to make accommodations so that everyone has the opportunity. Any time we can make that possible, we do.”

And you know, when it comes to rest and accessibility, Jesus gave this invitation to every person who needed respite, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” And you can be sure that when Jesus beckoned the masses to "come" that he drove no one away. You see, Jesus wants everyone to be relieved from the heavy load of self-sufficiency that comes from trusting in ourselves rather than our Savior. And we shed the burden of self-reliance when we voluntarily place the things that weigh us down (things like worry, fear, doubt, and confusion) at His feet and accept the spiritual refreshment that trusting Him to work those things out brings.

So if the circumstances of life have you feeling worn out, worn down, anxious, or overwhelmed today, say yes to Jesus’ invitation and come to the cross and lay it all down my friend. Trust Jesus to work it all for your good and embrace the rest you so desperately need.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who genuinely wants us to have the peace that surpasses all understanding regardless of the turmoil going on around us or in us. Help us to resist the urge to try and handle our problems on our own Lord and to give them to You instead, acknowledging that You are the only One who can fix them. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Remember where you were

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about how remembering where you were can help you appreciate where you are.

To illustrate my point, check out what Chad Johnson, my fellow Bass Pro Fitness Series Ambassador, had to say after crossing the finish line of the REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon in Las Vegas Saturday: 

I can’t put into words how grateful I am for the amount of encouraging messages I received during today’s race including a FaceTime with my daughters at the finish line. Thank you to all that reached out in various ways.

I’m sitting here in the hotel with the legs propped up moving slowly. This one hurt worse than others. The heat and too much walking the last couple of days had a bit of an impact on today’s results but it was hands down the most beautiful landscape I’ve ever ran through. The legs locked up at mile 23 and I fell 3 minutes short of officially qualifying for Boston but still managed a 17 minute personal record for a chip time of 3:12:57. I’ll take it for a travel race.

Falling short of my “A goal” coming so close is a bit frustrating so I’m attaching a photo from years back to remind me where I was. The guy in that photo had no intentions of ever trying something crazy like running the Boston Marathon. I’m extremely thankful to be here with Melody and friends to enjoy the next couple of days with. Let the good times roll!

Do you just love this or what? 

After reading Chad's post, I had to know more about that "where I was" photo and how Chad was now at the point where he is inching closer to qualifying for the Boston Marathon (something that is not an easy thing to do). "Yes on the photo! I was just a Dad working a desk job making unhealthy choices that added up. That photo is around 2009. I finally got “sick and tired of being sick and tired” What exactly did Chad mean by that? On further probing, he said this.... 

Chad with his family

At that time I was on prescribed cholesterol meds, anxiety meds, and prescription heartburn meds. Got rid of all of those! A few years back someone close to me that runs hesitated when I asked if they thought it was possible for me to BQ so I kept that as motivation and to prove to my girls that anything is possible. I started making changes around 2010. Started running longer in 2014. That was the first time over 4 miles. Looking at where I was helps me remember no matter how slow today's progress is, I’m still always moving forward.

I would also say the spiritual aspect was important. I feel like the healthier my relationship with God was, the healthier I got physically. Definitely an inside out change.

So as you can clearly see, looking back at where you were can most certainly be the driving force that keeps you "always moving forward," as Chad said, to be the person you want to be. And it's a reminder that no matter how slow your progress is today, it's still progress! From the time Chad began making the changes (where he was) to now (where he is), took nearly 12 years... but it paid off for him and it can for you too. 

So pick a long term goal (perhaps it's to complete the Bass Pro Half or Full Marathon), and start making small changes today that will make that goal a reality. And in those moments when you feel like giving up (and you will definitely have those moments), stop to reflect and remember where you were so you’ll be inspired to keep "moving forward." Celebrate your progress no matter how fast or slow it might be and tell yourself this, "I may not be where I want to be today but I'm one step closer to my goal than I was yesterday." Does that make you smile or what? Now get out there and get to training. 

HAPPY RUNNING!

Run to win

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” 1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT

In a story published by CBC News Monday, it was reported that 93-year-old Canio Polosa broke three Ontario running records when he finished the Springbank Sprint 10K over the weekend in 1:14:04. "It was so much better than he expected," said his smiling wife, Lynne Weaver, at the finish line. "I didn't know what to expect and it's fabulous. It's really exciting." Polosa started running at the age of 60 but was forced to give it up two decades later because his knees were giving him trouble. Miraculously, Polosa rebounded in his 90s after his wife got him knee braces, and now Polosa is breaking Canadian records. He actually snagged three new Canadian running bests on the weekend. The course was certified to capture Polosa's time at the 8K and 5 mile marks too; he easily beat the 8K time and he's the first in his age category to log times for the 5 mile and 10K distances. "Three in one race, at least that's efficient," Weaver joked. "I'm over the moon," said Polosa's coach Sherry Watts. "I think he's been training really well all winter, and he's just a very determined person..."

And you know, when it comes to running, every believer should be running to win “the prize” no matter what age they might be. That means developing the attitude of a dedicated and determined athlete; the attitude that says, “I will put forth every effort necessary, no matter how hard or painful it might be, to follow Christ until the end. And I will give up anything and everything that hinders the pursuit of grasping hold of the imperishable crown that awaits me as the reward for my efforts.” This is vitally important since, as every athlete knows, there is no great victory without great effort.

So no matter how old you are today my friend, it’s not too late to get in the race and run to win! Whether you’re fast or slow makes no difference so long as you’re putting forth the extraordinary effort it takes to make it to the finish line and to inspire others to join you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that it’s never too late to get back in the race and finish strong. Cause us to be determined to win the prize no matter how long or how hard we have to work for it Lord. Please remind us that we can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives us the strength to move mountains. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Live for what's important

“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” Philippians 1:20,21 NLT

As reported by the Johnson City Press last week, Eli Cramer, a sophomore and long-distance track athlete at Milligan University, was fatally struck by a car on Thursday while running in preparation for the Colonial Relays, according to a release from the school. Two other Milligan athletes were taken to a local hospital. In a statement released to the Press, Milligan University said: ”We are incredibly shocked and saddened to share that members of our men’s cross country/track & field team were involved in an accident involving a vehicle this evening while running near Williamsburg, Virginia. “Sophomore Eli Cramer succumbed to his injuries. Seniors Alex Mortimer and Eli Baldy also were injured. Mortimer currently is undergoing treatment. Baldy was treated and released. We covet your prayers during this difficult time, especially for the Cramer family,” the release said. In a video later posted to Facebook by the university, Mortimer said from his hospital bed that he suffered a broken leg and dislocated shoulder and thanked everyone for their prayers for him, the team and the university. “I want to say that moments like this make you realize what is and is not important in your life,” Mortimer said, and he said “do not forsake or discount the beauty and the gift of life."

And you know, when it comes to living this life for what's important, you and I would do well to follow the example of Paul who lived his life not to preserve and promote himself, but to glorify Jesus Christ. You see, Paul knew that devoting the ‘gift of life’ he had been given in service back to the Creator of that life was the only pursuit worthy of chasing; something Paul did with such passion that it allowed him to proclaim, "For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better." Paul was able to “be bold for Christ," no matter the consequences, because he wasn't afraid to die, completely confident that death would allow him to see Jesus face-to-face. This attitude allowed Paul to live a life that brought "honor to Christ." 

So let me ask you this my friend... are you living for yourself or are you living for Christ? If it's not for Christ, I can assure you that one day you'll look back and realize that you lived for what was of no importance at all. Live a life that brings "honor to Christ" today and you'll reap rewards both now and in the beautiful life to come. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us how precious life is and how quickly a freak accident can bring it to an end. Teach us to realize what a gift each day is Lord, that we wouldn't waste even one of them in the vain pursuit of worldly things that ultimately have no importance. Cause us to be completely unafraid to die Lord so that we can boldly live for You. May we consider it a privilege and honor to lay down our lives in service to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!