Only God knows

“No one knows when that day or time will be. The Son and the angels in heaven don’t know when it will be. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:36 ERV

In an article titled, “4 Runners Have Vanished From This Island in 2 Years. No One Knows Why” posted by Runners World last week, the following was reported: On December 11, 2022, British trail runner Darren Kay of Sedbergh, U.K. went missing on a Portuguese island off the coast of northern Africa.  The BBC reported that the 52-year-old went on a two-hour run with his partner and decided to tack on additional mileage alone. He hasn’t been seen since. Local authorities ceased the search on December 21. Kay was the fourth runner in two years to go missing on the island. Jascha Hardenberg, a 28-year-old from Germany, went missing on December 29, 2020. Polish 35-year-old Michal Kozek vanished on July 7, 2021. French tourist Benoit Way, 35, disappeared on September 1, 2021. These three runners were gone “without a trace, no clothing found or spotted, all with backpacks” wrote Madeira Island News. Tobi Hughes of the Madeira Island News posed a question: “How is this possible, even if they have all fallen and died?” That’s a question only God knows the answer to. 

And you know, when it comes to something only God knows, Jesus said this about His second coming, “No one knows when that day or time will be. The Son and the angels in heaven don’t know when it will be. Only the Father knows.” But Jesus also gave us a list of signs to be on the lookout for that would signal His return was imminent—signs that are appearing all around us at an increasingly rapid pace and need to be carefully considered. You see, when Christ returns, true believers will go to meet Him in the air, seemingly having vanished off the face of the earth, leaving unbelievers behind who will ask the question, “How is this possible?” 

So if you haven’t placed your trust in Jesus Christ my friend, I urge you to do it today and to urge your friends and family to do the same. The Bible is very clear that Jesus is coming back very soon and you don’t want to be left behind. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for detailing what will be happening in the end days leading up to your return. Open our eyes to see that the signs are all around us so that we would have an urgency to boldly share the Gospel with the lost and to be sober and watchful. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Held to a Higher Standard

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

In an article titled, “Should You Race in Banned Running Shoes?” posted by Runners World last week, the writer said, “Imagine walking into your local running store to buy a new pair of running shoes. After trying a few pairs, you settle on the one that feels the most comfortable: a thick-soled, highly cushioned shoe the shop employee endorses as their go-to shoe. After months of training, you decide this is the shoe you’ll wear for your upcoming Boston Marathon qualifying race. Race day comes, and you nail a BQ! As you exit the finishing line corral, a course marshal pulls you aside and asks to see your shoes. After a quick look, the marshal notifies you that you are disqualified for wearing illegal shoes, and just like that, your BQ is no more.” Thankfully that’s not likely to happen to the average runner though, the article said, only to professional runners. It seems they’re held to a much higher standard. 

And you know, when it comes to being held to a higher standard, you and I would do well to remember that we are ambassadors of Christ. Which means you and I are His representatives to the world whose behavior should reflect that we don’t think like the world, act like the world or copy the behavior and customs of the world. We should be so set apart, in fact, that the world can tell without a doubt that we’re followers of Jesus who seek to know and to do God’s “good and pleasing and perfect” will without compromise, unafraid of being disqualified because we follow the rules. 

So hold yourself to a higher standard my friend. Refuse to conform to the ways of the world knowing that we serve a God whose standards are far above man’s.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that compromising on the rules laid out in the Bible is not something a true believer should do. Help us to avoid any temptation to be like the world Lord, even in the little things so that we might be found faithful and avoid being disqualified. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Pursue Growth

“Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3 ESV

Knowing firsthand the mental fortitude it takes to complete a 100 mile race in the great outdoors, I was impressed when I came across my friend David’s post about completing one inside on the dreaded ‘dreadmill.’ “Look what came in the mail,” he wrote. “Now I have 2 of them. In 2019 I said I would never do it again. However, in December 2022, even though I was overweight and undertrained, I decided to do it again. It hurt more this time. Yay me. It’s funny to see the reactions of people when they hear of us doing things like this. Some say, “That’s awesome.” Others, “That’s stupid!” And still others, “That’s awesome and stupid!” Yes. I agree. Every time I run 100 or more miles, I come to the point where I say, “This is so stupid!” And usually, I just keep putting one stupid foot in front of the other. In all seriousness, there is growth in doing hard things. It doesn’t have to be running, but find something that challenges you - something that scares you - something that you’ll have to work harder than you’ve ever had to before - and go for it!” 

And you know, when it comes to spiritual growth, the Bible clearly tells us that God’s ultimate purpose for us is to grow more and more into the image of His Son—something that only happens when we are continually made to “do hard things.” Namely, when we are repeatedly forced to meet or encounter "trials of many kinds.” You see, in order for us to be able to “count it all joy” when troubles come our way, you and I must learn or come to “know” how truly valuable testing and tribulations are in producing and growing a steadfast or a firm and unwavering faith within us… the type of faith that sets us apart as true followers of Jesus Christ and has the power to lead the lost to Him. 

So rejoice when you encounter trials my friend and hold fast and firm to your faith. While this will most certainly cause unbelievers to question your sanity as they did David’s, they will inevitably be drawn to the One in whom they see we have placed our absolute and complete trust and confidence in. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the tests and trials that come our way. Please remind us that these troubles are priceless opportunities for our faith to grow. Help us to trust You in all situations Lord so that our trust in You would grow to be completely unwavering and true and so that we can smile in the midst of doing and enduring hard things. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

God brings good out of it all

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 NLT

Like many other people who aren’t football fans, I heard the news of Buffalo Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin’s unfortunate hit to the chest and his subsequent cardiac arrest that followed after the fact. And while perusing social media yesterday, I was struck at what my longtime friend Tom Rogers said about it, “Listened to a sports talk show where one of the panel members described his feelings of isolation and confusion during the first few hours of the Damar Hamlin situation. He said while everyone was praying and petitioning The Lord, he was left with nothing to do. He talked about his life without God and how that moment made him sad that so many had faith and all he had was guessing. Tragic events are the last thing we want to endure, but God uses them to unify the believers and raise conversations with non-believers. God makes things out of messes.” Indeed He does! Not only are people all over the world publicly praying for this young man, the tragedy even prompting newscasters to pray on live TV, but Hamlin’s toy drive charity has received over $6,000,000 in donations. 

And you know, when it comes to God using tragic events to unify believers and to inspire the lost to seek Him in a way that nothing else can, the Bible gives us countless stories of the way God has worked tragedies to “save the lives of many people” as He did in the life of Joseph, the son of Jacob. After being hated by his brothers, left for dead, and sold into slavery, the Lord arranged for Joseph to be in a position to save all of Egypt from a devastating famine. Joseph was able to forgive his brothers for what they had done because he recognized that sovereign goodness overrides all misfortune saying,  “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”

So as we continue to pray for Damar and his family, let us fervently pray that all those who were left ‘guessing’ would seek to know the One who provided peace to all believers during a time that brought confusion and isolation to those who had yet to make the decision to follow Jesus. And let us hold tightly to the confidence that God always brings good things out of bad situations. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are sovereign over all and that You are always good. Thank You for being the Provider of peace in the midst of chaos. May others see the unity of believers and that peace within us so they would be inspired to seek You because of it. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION-Great reasons to START moving and KEEP moving

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about why it's such a great time to start a running or walking routine with the intent of making regular exercise a lifestyle. First of all, let's look at the obvious... the weather is unseasonably warm right now (and will be for at least the next week) and there's no better way to take advantage of the blessing of spring-like temperatures than by getting outside to log a few miles in them because, let's face it, Missouri weather can change without much warning.  So get out there and soak up some sun!

Here are a few more reasons to lace up and hit the pavement or trails daily:

You’ll be more productive. Research shows that kids who exercise before heading to school come to class more ready to learn than those that save physical activity for after school. And the same goes for adults. Similar studies have shown that adults who pencil in a workout before heading to the office are more likely to stay energized throughout the day.

You’ll improve your health inside and out. Sure, running can aid in weight loss. After all, a 30-minute jog burns up to 300 calories depending on your intensity. But one health benefit you won’t see in the mirror is the slimming effect running has on your heart. Research shows that running reduces your risk for heart disease. “Those who start running on a regular basis decrease their risk for heart disease by 35 to 55 percent. Bronson cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Alphonse DeLucia said, "Running helps prevent blood clots in the arteries and blood vessels. It also supports healthy blood flow, blood pressure and cholesterol."

You’ll sleep sounder. Trying to catch the recommended seven to eight hours of shut-eye can be tricky — especially if you live on a busy street, or worse, with restless pets or young children. Here’s one more reason to get to bed earlier and set your alarm for an a.m. run: Running for 30 minutes in the morning can improve your sleep quality and overall mood throughout the day. What's more... since running helps you be more productive during the day, your odds of sleeping better are exponentially increased. 

You’ll ward off the winter weight gain…

You already know you burn calories during a workout, but what you may not realize is that runners’ bodies keep burning calories even after they finish their cooldown lap. That’s because “afterburn,” or EPOC (exercise post oxygen consumption), kicks in after high-intensity cardio workouts. How many calories you might ask? Well.... although every body is different and reacts differently to exercise, the EPOC effect burns roughly six to 15 percent of the total calories burned. So if you burned 200 calories during your workout, you will burn an extra 12 to 30 calories after the fact. That may not sound like a lot but it all adds up. 

… and stress

Deadlines, tough winter commutes, tax season — January (and each month that follows) is full of stressful situations. Lacing up your sneakers for a walk or run is proven to help reduce and manage stress all year long. In fact, research shows even a short easy jog can help curb stress levels. Psychologists studying how exercise relieves stress, anxiety, and depression suggest that a 10-minute walk may be just as good as a 45-minute workout.

You’ll make new friends

Running or walking can be a lonely sport at times, especially if you're training for a long race. But with run clubs nearly everywhere, there’s an easy way to meet friendly faces that all share your affinity for brisk jogs and dodging hectic traffic patterns. Check out these groups in the area: TEAM RWB, OMRR (Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners), FFG (Frog Fitness Group), DRC (Daily Run Club)

You’ll improve your memory.

Another year older doesn’t always mean another year wiser — unless, maybe, you’re a runner. Research found that regular aerobic exercise helps combat age-related mental decline by improving memory, language, and judgment skills. According to Paul Loprinzi, Ph.D., director of the University of Mississippi’s Exercise and Memory Laboratory and one of the study’s authors, said that aerobic exercise of any kind can enhance both short- and long-term memory. There have also been studies that have shown regular exercise may also help reduce your risk of dementia by up to 47 percent. 

You’ll save money.

Winter weather might cause you to keep your runs or walks a little shorter at times, at least until you get acclimated to it, but you're still privy to one of the most cost-efficient workouts anywhere. Instead of dishing out up to $50-$100 a month on a gym membership or class pass, try a free training app or join a free training group like the Bass Pro Series Training Groups. By investing in some dumb bells and incorporating some body weight resistance exercises to your exercise routine, you can improve your running and your overall health without shelling out money that would be better invested in race entry fees. 

So there you have it friends. Those are some great reasons to get moving, don't you think? And there are even more great reasons to keep moving such as cancer prevention, increased bone strength, and better balance and coordination. But whatever the reason you get up and get out there, continue doing it day after day and you'll soon realize that movement is a gift of immeasurable value that you can give yourself. 

HAPPY RUNNING! 

The greatest goal

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

In an article titled, “A 48-year old Saline man has completed a two-decade quest of running a marathon in all 50 states”published yesterday, the following was reported: After Dave McManama ran his first marathon in Chicago in 1999, some friends suggested running one in every state. He amended the goal to run all 50 in under four hours each. This past Friday, with dozens of friends and family cheering him on in Ocala, Florida, McManama completed the last race in a little more than 3 hours and 23 minutes. He says all the support at the last race made it special.“It’s great to be done with that race and to have hit my goal and have seen so many friends and family come out for it but I don’t know quite yet how I feel about finishing the goal. I told my wife, I don’t know if I want this goal to end cause, you know, I’ve had something to shoot for for so long.”

And you know, when it comes to finishing goals, the Bible is very clear that one of our greatest goals should be to do good as often as we can—a goal you can be sure will never be finished, will last throughout our lifetime, and will require our utmost effort. It’s also a goal that we should never grow tired of pursuing, whether each good deed takes days or decades, knowing “at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing” if we stay the course and don’t give up… something that will bless us as well as others.

So make it your goal to find ways to help others my friend. Do good as often as you can in whatever ways you can, giving God the glory, confident that your efforts will be of benefit both now and for eternity.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are to serve You for a lifetime, with all of our time, effort, and energy. Give us a heart to help others Lord knowing that you will equip us to do every good work that You call us to. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

Make the best use of your time

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6 ESV

In an article titled “Runner, 53, who vowed to complete a marathon EVERY DAY of the year in bid to raise £1m for charity crosses the finish line after completing his 365th 26.2mile course,” published Saturday, the following was reported: Macmillan Cancer Support executive director of fundraising, Claire Rowney, added: 'Every single day this year, this extraordinary man has put his body through a marathon to raise money for Macmillan and our friends at Hospice at Home West Cumbria. 'I can only imagine the self-discipline and determination required to achieve this and there aren't enough words to express our heartfelt gratitude for everything that he has done to help Macmillan support people living with cancer at a time when they need us more than ever.' Mr McKee also inspired others to join him. Chris Young, 29, who ran 90 marathons with Mr McKee, said: 'Gary ignited a fire in my belly this year when I began running frequently with him and has given me both physical and mental resilience that I don't know if I would have ever discovered in myself in a million years. 

And you know, as I read what Chris Young said, I was reminded of the importance of “making the best use of the time” God gives us. McKee not only chose to use his time to meet a fundraising need but throughout the course of 90 marathons spoke words that inspired a younger runner to do things he never thought possible, prompting Chris to add, “There's going to be a lot of people's lives a lot better off thanks to Gary's efforts, myself included.'” Talk about making the best use of the time he had. Gary McKee will be remembered long after he hangs up his running shoes. 

So as you and I go into the new year, let us vow to make this the year we “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” and make the most of every opportunity the Lord gives us to make ‘people's lives a lot better off’—by not only telling them about Jesus but showing the love of Christ by doing good works to a world desperately in need of experiencing them. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You are the Giver of every breath we take and the Provider of every minute we have. Cause us to truly understand this that we might spend our lives in service to You, working to inspire the lost to seek Jesus.. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!