The Last will be First

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.'" Matthew 20:26 NKJV

In an article titled, "Nashville runner registers last, places first" published by the Texarcana Gazette Saturday, the following was reported: Westin Kroph was one of the last to register Saturday morning, but the 29-year-old from Nashville, Ark., was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 1:30.59 in the seventh annual Run The Rails half-marathon (13.1 miles). It was his first attempt at a half-marathon. "I started running about six years ago doing obstacle course races," said Kroph. "I have two brothers, a sister, and a cousin also running today." It was his 17-year-old brother, Reagan Kroph, who finished second with a time of 1:49.29, just 29 seconds ahead of third-place finisher, 50-year-old Michael Puyear. "This was my second half-marathon, and it was a lot better than my first 2:06," said Reagan. Westin certainly clocked an amazing time for a half marathon, especially for a first one and most likely surprised many of the other runners and spectators. 

And you know, when it comes to the last being first, Jesus told the disciples that the last would be first and the first would be last. And while that seems to make no sense, Jesus was explaining that God, in His infinite grace, rewards and blesses man contrary to the way the world does. You see, in the system of law, a person gets what he or she deserves. But in God's system of grace, God rewards on the principle of His unmerited favor which is not dependent on our works; and we should therefore expect surprises. You can be sure that He will never be less than fair, though, but reserves the right to be more than fair as pleases Him. In other words, God’s grace always operates righteously no matter how it might appear to our worldly eyes.

So rejoice when the favor of God benefits you my friend. But rejoice equally when it benefits a brother or sister more knowing that God's will is always best and that we will all receive eternal salvation in the end. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for granting us the grace that we don't deserve. Lord remind us that we are sinners deserving of death and have no right to question how, why, or to whom you grant grace. Help us to be grateful for not getting what we deserve so that we would be content with what we have. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Run the Second Half Better

“By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies." Hebrews 11:31 ESV

In a story titled, “Emily Sisson Sets American Marathon Record in Chicago” posted by Runner’s World yesterday, the following was reported: Emily Sisson set the American record in the marathon in Chicago on Sunday morning, running 2:18:29 and taking 43 seconds off the previous record of 2:19:12, run by Keira D’Amato in January in Houston. Sisson finished second behind Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya—who was just seconds off the women’s world record. Sisson, 30, ran a negative split. She hit her first half in 1:09:26, and her second half was 1:09:03. The writer went on to say, “Sisson mounted a furious final kick as she turned into Grant Park to shatter the record.” Do you just love that or what? Emily finished the second half of her race faster than the first half. 

And you know, when it comes to finishing the second half of a race better or quicker than the first half (aka a ‘negative split’), there is perhaps no greater story in the Bible of a person turning things around than Rahab. You see, Rahab spent the first part of her life as a prostitute in a wicked place that was under God's condemnation because of its' sinful pagan culture. But when Joshua and the spies were sent to investigate the city and were in danger of being killed, Rahab showed her faith by hiding them and trusting God to keep her and her family safe. Because of that, Rahab was no longer viewed as a prostitute but as a dearly loved woman worthy to be part of the lineage of our Savior Jesus Christ.

And you know what? As the story of Rahab shows, there's no sin too great that a person can't repent of to get that ‘negative split’ because once we choose to follow Christ, our pasts no longer matter. The slate is wiped clean and we are free to run the race better than the way we began it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that there is hope for every lost sinner if they would only make the decision to turn from their sinful life and to turn to You. Help us to understand that not only was Rahab restored and redeemed once she chose to trust You as her Savior, but she was used in a big and mighty way just as we can be if we make the determination to get that negative split. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!  

We are Surrounded by Spectators

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1 NLT

In a story published yesterday by CBS Chicago News titled, "Chicago Marathon runners may notice some course changes this year" the writer said: Let the stretching and carbo-loading begin. Chicago Marathon runners are lacing up and getting ready to head out for their big race on Sunday. Bib-pickup began on Thursday for a run that CBS 2's Lauren Victory learned will look different this year in more ways than one. Organizers said they're always making tweaks to the course. One of the big changes this year includes participants running down Wentworth, all the way until 33rd Street. Racers are cutting east and heading down 26th street to Michigan Avenue. Previously, cruising down Wentworth took runners along the Dan Ryan. They'd pass under viaducts in an area that often struggled to attract spectators. This year, the path takes racers down Michigan Avenue in Bronzeville. This is great news for those runners who know how encouraging it can be to be surrounded by spectators. 

And you know, when it comes to being surrounded by an encouraging crowd, the writer of Hebrews pictured the previous champions of the faith as spectators from the heavens cheering us on in our race, encouraging us to keep pressing on no matter the hardships in our path, to strip "off every weight that slows us down" and to "run with endurance the race God has set before us" just as they did. This is quite an encouraging vision considering that these "champions" faced the same things we face (or will face) and remained faithful until the end. We would do well to consider and heed their examples when we feel like giving up then, knowing that they received an imperishable crown for their efforts and we will too if we don't lose heart. 

So think carefully about the way these superheroes of the faith lived before making the decision to compromise or quit my friend. Draw strength from their stories knowing that if the Lord gave them the power to overcome the obstacles in their way that He can do the same for you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the Bible that gives us the stories of so many rockstars of the faith. Lord, compel us to read them and to commit them to memory so that we can draw strength from them when we want to bow out of the race. Cause us to remember that You are the same God now that You were then and that the same power You placed within them to overcome, is the same power that lives in us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

God will Complete the Work

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 NLT

In a story published by Chicago 5 News on Monday titled, “3 Years After Stroke, Runner Hopes to Finally Compete in Chicago Marathon He Was Forced to Miss,” the following was reported: A California man was just a day away from competing in the 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon when he suffered a stroke, and now, he's hoping to finish what he started when the race gets underway Sunday. Jason DePetris had flown into Chicago from Long Beach, California just before the race in 2019. He went to pick up his marathon race packet and was having breakfast the morning before the race, when he dropped his fork and the side of his face started drooping. Thankfully Jason got immediate medical treatment and survived. He later learned that his stroke was caused by a brain aneurysm and is now running the marathon to fundraise for the Brain Injury Recovery Foundation. DePetris, the writer said, “is eager to cross that finish line, even if it’s three years later than planned.”

And you know, when it comes to God finishing what He started, Paul told the church at Philippi that he was “certain that God, who began the good work within them “would continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Do you just love that or what? God is a worker who always completes His work which means that we are continually being made more like Christ each and every day, with the last touches being put on when we cross that final finish line. Seeing Christ as the end goal, then, is what every faithful Christian should be doing, seeking to grow in godliness until the day we die or Jesus returns.

So let us remember that we are all a work in progress my friend. Let us refuse to stay unchanged as we allow God to do the sanctifying work in us that began when we accepted Jesus as our Savior. Let us live our lives in full cooperation with God, as we present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice so that we may achieve spiritual maturity in this life and, in the ages to come, receive our glorified bodies and rich rewards.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are continually building us up to be more like You and that the work will not be completed until we are with You. Thank You for not allowing us to remain unchanged. May the cry of every believer be, “Lord do whatever it takes to make me more like You.” It’s in your holy name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Runners are Awesome

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let’s get started by talking about some of the reasons people run. If you’re like me, this is something you find very interesting and probably even inspiring. Ronald Rook famously listed the reason he runs and the majority of other people do when he said, “I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.” Do you just love that or what? Unlike any other sport or hobby, running takes you places you could never go in a car and introduces you to sights, smells, and wonders you could never experience any other way than by foot. And while the vast majority of people who start running do it because they want to lose weight, improve their health, compete in races, or try something new, the majority of people who continue running throughout a lifetime find a greater purpose.

With that being said, check out these reasons three of your pacers that you haven't met yet like to run and, more specifically, why they like to pace the runners at the Bass Pro Marathon and Half. 

 

Charlie started running to improve his health on May 11, 2014, with no intention or plan of even running a 5K. But he got addicted and 2 years, 4 months and 21 days later he ran the Arkansas Traveler 100 mile trail run on October 1-2, 2016. He discovered pacing in 2016 and got hooked on helping others achieve their goals. He's officially paced 18 marathons between 4 hours and 4 hours 40 minutes, and has informally paced individual friends several times. He's run over 50 marathons and up (including 10 ultras) and is known for being talkative and loud! Be prepared to listen to a lot of stories and receive lots of encouragement if you run with him :-).

Hi I’m Kayla and I am excited to pace the Cohick Half (2 hour group). I’ve ran this race several times and always enjoy the beautiful scenery and amazing support from the Springfield community. I’m looking forward to meeting new faces and helping others reach their racing goals!

Hey my name is Mike Wells and I am a 37-year-old husband to my high school sweetheart, dad to two amazing boys, pastor and small business owner. I’m so excited for the opportunity to run the 1:45 half pacing group for the bass pro half marathon this year! Not only is it an awesome opportunity for a great training run for me, but I’m fired up to be able to encourage others in their race and help them push every step of the way!

Now that you've met a few of your awesome pacers, check out these seven reasons ALL runners are awesome. I hope at least one of these reasons resonates with you and not only motivates you to keep training for the Bass Pro Fitness Series of events but inspires you to continue running for a lifetime. After all, you want to be awesome forever right?

WE ARE GOAL SETTERS

Runners have an amazing ability to set goals and then smash them. I remember when it was a great accomplishment to run one mile. Then I wanted to run a 5K. Then a 10K. A half marathon seemed impossible, but I trained for it and achieved it. Runners keep setting bigger and bigger goals. Even if we don't achieve our goals in the timeline we expected we keep trying.

WE OVERCOME OBSTACLES

Sometimes we get injured or deal with life issues that get in the way of our running, but we always seem to bounce back. Once we make running a priority in our lives almost nothing can stop us long term. We find a way. If I could apply one characteristic to runners it would be tenacity. We don't give up when the going gets tough. We all have good and bad days, but over the long term we keep going. We are a persistent bunch.

WE HAVE MENTAL TOUGHNESS

Running teaches us to deal with the hard times and work through them in running and in life. I'm not gonna lie, sometimes running sucks, but it is hard parts that make us great.

WE ARE SUPPORTIVE AND UPLIFTING

I can honestly say that in all my years of running I have never come across a significantly negative or unsupportive runner or running group. Runners by large are welcoming, accepting, encouraging and supportive. It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, how old you are, how much money you have or how many friends you have, chances are if you find a running group they will accept you with open arms. I have yet to see otherwise.

WE HAVE FUN

Runners take fun to the next level. Why else would you dress in costumes and tutus to run a race? Runners may be focused and dedicated but they also have a knack for not taking themselves too seriously.

WE'RE HUMBLE

Just because I am listing 7 reasons why we're awesome doesn't mean we are not humble. Running gives us a ton of opportunities to practice humility. We fail, we fall, we cry, we stink, we crap our pants (wait. just me?) and we get hurt. That's just a few ways running humbles us.

WE'RE HAPPY

Maybe it is the endorphins, but runners are generally a happy bunch. I think we make our own happiness by goal setting, overcoming obstacles and having fun! The same things that make runners awesome makes us happy.

So there you have it friends. Runners are awesome people. Especially Bass Pro runners (Yes, I'm a little biased). So keep running and keep being your awesome self. Race day is almost here and I hope you're as excited as I am! Happy Running!

 

Make Disciples who Make Disciples

"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." 2 Timothy 2:2 NLT

In an article titled, "Final “Victor-y lap” for beloved runner in Mobile" posted by News 5, it was reported that dozens of people paid tribute to Victor Burch, 61, a beloved member of Mobile Alabama's running community who was killed in a vehicle crash on September 25, over the weekend. The reporter described Victor as "a man who was always on the move and reaching out at the same time. “There was never not a time that Victor was trying to get people into the running community. It’s a true tribute, all these people he touched,” said runner Aaron Freesmeier. The big turnout is no surprise to the people who knew Victor Birch, saying he was a man who pushed people to get the best out of themselves and helped them every step of the way." “Good heart, He’d train with anyone and work with them for months on end not to achieve his goal but so they could attain their goal,” said runner Darren Jarrell. And while this story is sad in the sense that Victor will undoubtedly be missed, I can't help but smile knowing that he took the time to train so many runners that will most likely pass on that training to someone else. 

And you know, when it comes to taking the time to teach or train someone for long periods of time, Jesus commanded his disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you," something you can be sure takes time, effort and sacrifice. You see, while there's a lot of emphasis placed on evangelism, our work has only just begun when we lead someone to Christ. It's our job afterwards to make disciples of them in the way Paul modeled with young Timothy. Paul took the time to "teach things" to this young pastor so Timothy could, in turn, teach those things to others who would then "pass them on to others." Do you just love that or what? This is a continuing process that has no end but we all must play our part. 

So strive to grow in your knowledge of the Word each and every day so that You can make disciples who make disciples my friend. Commit your time and energy to training new believers so that you will be known as a Christian who helps other Christians "every step of the way."

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are all commanded to make disciples who make disciples. Cause us to take this command seriously so that we would raise up a generation of men and women on fire for You and committed to teaching and training young believers. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Teach the Next Generation

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” Psalm 78:4 NLT

With the sad and unexpected death of my stepdad (who had been my 'dad' for 35 years) the day before I was set to coordinate and direct the Frog Hill Half/10k and Leapfrog 5k races over the weekend, I reached out to several close friends who were volunteering and explained my need for extra help. Thankfully each one of them eagerly agreed to do whatever was needed to make the event successful. John completely oversaw the setup of the water stations. Jay and Lacy marked the course and Rebecca, Angi and Laura took over registration and check-in for both days. To say it was a relief would be  an absolute understatement. They weren’t the only ones that lent a helping hand though. Countless others, like my buddy Sid who drove in from South Carolina and who had worked races before, stepped up to help as well with no need for in-depth instruction because they had all learned what needed to be done from either my previous mentoring or that of someone else they had crossed paths with. Do you just love that or what? 

And you know, when it comes to people passing on important knowledge that will be of great benefit, the Bible tells us that we are to "tell the next generation about the glorious deeds about the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders" so that the "truths" won't be lost. You see, you and I can’t "hide these truths from our children" or anyone else God puts in our path if we want the next generation to know Him, to obey Him, and to put their trust in Him. We must make the most of every opportunity we have to talk about Christ and to teach the commandments laid out in the Word. 

So make every effort to pass on your knowledge to the next generation my friend. Tell of the great things God has done for you, talk about the "mighty wonders" He has performed since the beginning of time, and teach His commandments on all occasions. Doing so will ensure that the next generation is well equipped to run the race and well trained to coach others to do so as well. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that passing on the truths is more than a suggestion, it's a command. Make us bold in doing this now Lord, knowing that our world is in the moral decline it is because we have failed to do this in the past. Compel us to preach the truths found in the Bible to everyone we meet as we pray for change. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!