Be Sober and Vigilant at All Times

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

In a shocking story titled “Runner brutally injured in dog attack at Forest Park” published over the weekend, it was reported that “Blood remains on the pavement in Forest Park, where a runner was brutally attacked by dogs. The St. Louis Track Club was on a regular run through Forest Park Wednesday when Dierdre Nunan says three dogs not on a leash ran after a 50-year member of the club who was alone along this stretch of road. “He said he could see them coming,” explained Nunan, who is the executive director of the St. Louis Track Club. “He looked up and the three dogs on top of the hill started charging him and there was nothing he could do.” According to Nunan, the runner sustained critical injuries on his body… The victim, who asked not to be identified, said the owner of the dogs—who has yet to be identified—used a baseball bat, hitting the dogs to end the attack. The St. Louis Track Club has been bringing thousands of runners to Forest Park since 1970, and on Friday, Nunan had a message for dog owners. “Don’t let your dog off the leash,” Nunan said. “You never know what’s going to trigger them, whether it’s a person or a car or a cyclist. I’ve been chased by a dog before and it’s a very scary situation to be in.’”

As someone who’s also been chased by a dog as well (one more than one occasion, and by more than one at a time), I’ll agree that it’s a very scary situation to be in. Which is the very reason that I’m alert and extra watchful when I’m out on my runs. I have learned to be ready! Whether I’m with a group or racking up the miles solo, I’m careful to pay attention to my surroundings. I even opted out of headphones years ago so I could better hear my surroundings and I began carrying an offensive weapon that I’m completely trained and ready to use. After all, as this story shows, trouble can come out of nowhere and come at us when we least expect it. 

“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV

This is exactly the way our adversary the devil works. He waits, sometimes masquerading as an angel of light to blend in and appear anything but dangerous (so be careful!), and then charges when the opportunity arises (which is usually when we’re alone). This is the very reason the Bible tells us to be sober and vigilant because our “adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” This sober and vigilant part means believers are to maintain a clear and level-headed state of mind, free from intoxication or mental numbness, and to be continually watchful and constantly alert to potential dangers or threats. It means staying mentally sharp and observant in a spiritual sense to guard against the attacks of the devil. It means being prayed up and trained up so we can be ready to yield the Sword of the Spirit (our only offensive weapon) when necessary and without hesitation. And we are to be ready at all times since our enemy “walks about” at all times. 

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10

Did you get that devour part? 

Furthermore, the Bible also tells us that the devil, or thief, does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. No exceptions! Are you seeing the pattern here? The devil hates us because he hates God and we were made in God’s image. Hence the reason he doesn’t look for opportunities to merely nip at our heels or inconvenience us. Like a lion on the prowl, our adversary waits and watches until we let our guard down… and then he pounces with the intent to destroy us completely with every weapon in his arsenal (lies, deception, despair, anxiety, pride, busyness, etc.). Did you get that destroy part? The devil wants to tear us down, demolish our families, dismantle our faith, shatter our witness, and completely annihilate us. He wants us gone!

So, knowing that we are never safe from the attacks of the enemy (whether we’re alone or in a group), don’t let your guard down for even a minute my friend. Stay sober. Stay vigilant. And stay ready to fight. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we are to never, ever let our guards down. With that in mind Lord, help us to put on the full armor of God each and every day and to conduct ourselves as good soldiers of Christ that we might never fall prey to the enemy’s attacks. Father, we lift up the runner that was harmed in this attack and we pray for his healing and salvation. It’s in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!  

Tap Into the Power of Prayer

“Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word which the Lord has spoken concerning him:” Isaiah 37:21 NKJV

After finishing up the group run/walk that our running group hosts every Saturday morning, I posted a picture of all those that attended and asked the question, “Where did everyone else get in their steps?” To which my husband and I later received a message from our dear friend Jeremy that read “We went to the low water crossing today. I did my morning walk separately. I did a little over 1 hour of prayer walking this morning. When I got back, I found out one of my big prayers had been answered before I finished my walk.” Do you just love that or what?? I didn’t ask what that prayer was, but I do know one thing… Jeremy’s walk gave a new meaning to the activity of power walking. He went for a walk, tapped into the power of prayer, and experienced the amazing results that come from the faith-in-action that prompts us to call on the name of the Lord.

“And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. Then Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying: “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.’”

This is the very same faith-in-action result King Hezekiah experienced after he called on the name of the Lord in response to Sennacherib's threats against Jerusalem. After hearing the Assyrian king's blasphemous words, he sought God's guidance through prayer and received a message of hope from the prophet Isaiah. God assured Hezekiah that Jerusalem would be defended and Sennacherib would be defeated—a promise that was ultimately fulfilled when an angel of the Lord destroyed a large portion of the Assyrian army, leading Sennacherib to depart and return home where he was later killed by his own sons. Amazing right? Because King Hezekiah called out to the Lord, the Lord God of Israel said, "Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word which the Lord has spoken concerning him:"

But this begs the question… What would have happened had Hezekiah not prayed? And the answer of course is, Jerusalem would have been conquered. This proved that Hezekiah’s prayer really mattered. All prayers matter!!!

So, knowing that countless blessings and victories lie unclaimed in heaven because we have failed to pray for them, who and what will you pray for today my friend? Prayer is a powerful weapon. But only if you use it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our prayers have the power to move mountains. Help us to understand this Lord that we might never fall into despair when our conditions look bleak. Help us to be known as people who seek the Lord on every occasion, on behalf of others and ourselves. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

 

Seek God with Intentionality

“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV

In an interesting story titled “Experts Explain How to Optimize the Non-Running Days on Your Training Plan” published by Runner’s World yesterday, the writer said “If you’re following a training plan, you know the purpose of each run before you lace up. You may deviate from the program from time to time, but generally speaking, every run is part of a bigger strategy.” She then went on to ask a question many runners have pondered, “But what about your non-running days?” After all, they’re a part of our training plans, too, and what we choose to do with them can either support or detract us from our goals. That being said, the writer went on to say, “So, if you’ve been treating every off day as a day off, or if you tend to wing it whenever you don’t have a run on the schedule, it’s time to get intentional. Every day counts!” Great advice, right?

And, you know, as I read this story, I couldn’t help but see the parallels in the way many of us train spiritually… treating non-church days as complete days off, as if study and worship on Sundays is all we need to get us to the finish line. But let me ask you this, “How well would you run if you only trained one day a week?” Not well, right? Which is the very reason we are to be intentional in our pursuit of God by seeking the Lord and his presence continually—as if training for a gold medal in the Olympics! That means non-stop! A day of intentionality then would mean scheduling in a time of Bible study every morning, thereby making God your top priority. This means meditating on what you’ve read throughout the day as you petition the Lord to reveal how to apply it to your life asking, “What did it say? What did it mean? And what does it mean to me?” This means further seeking his presence through nonstop prayer and complete surrender. This also means sacrifice. It means laying aside or limiting anything (TV, social media scrolling, social events, etc.) that takes your time away from seeking God’s presence. 

But let me tell you, this is one practice that will pay off in spiritual dividends! Just as your physical muscles and endurance grow by consistent training, so will your spiritual muscles and spiritual endurance grow by consistent and intentional training!

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 NIV

So seek God and his kingdom first each and every day my friend. Be purposeful about it, knowing that every thing else you need in life will fall into place when the Lord is your priority. It truly is time to get intentional!

Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us that You are to come first in our lives. Help us to put You first by living with intention. Knowing that every day counts, let us live each day on fire for You. Lord give us a hunger and thirst for your Word and let that spill over into a hunger and thirst for prayer and meditation. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!

Let God Direct your Steps

 “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

In a heartbreaking story titled “Helen Schlachtenhaufen Was a Contender for the World Championship Team. A Bloody Fall Dashed Her Hopes,” published over the weekend, it was reported that “As the bell rang for the final lap of the women’s 1500 meters at the U.S. Championships, Helen Schlachtenhaufen began to wind up her kick. But before she could accelerate, she hit the ground—hard—slamming her chin on the red rubber track at Hayward Field. Shell-shocked, Schlachtenhaufen watched as the field pulled away from her, dashing her hopes of qualifying for the World Athletics Championships in Toko.” After Saturday’s race, Schlachtenhaufen said “One moment [I] was running and then the next moment was on the ground… I feel like going into this race, I felt probably the most confident I have in a while. That’s part of why it stings so much.”

And, while you and I may make plans for our lives expecting to see those plans come to pass (after all, this is what we do, right?) the Bible is clear that “A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Which is a good thing when you stop to consider it! You see, God knows what we need and when we will need it. As such, He will work situations in our lives in such a way that will cause us to put our trust and confidence in Him rather than ourselves. It’s these divine re-routings in the form of tests, trials, losses, and disappointments that cause us go where God wants us to go rather than where we want to go—and inevitably then, serve to make us more like Christ in ways that we can never truly understand other than in retrospect. 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9 NKJV

So, if things aren’t going as you “planned” today and your hopes have been dashed, take heart my friend. You won't feel the sting for long when you stop and remember that God‘s thoughts are not your thoughts and His ways are not your ways. His ways are much higher than yours and His plans so much better than yours. Trust the Lord as you allow Him to direct your steps then, completely confident that the plan God has for your life is much better than the one you have.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that your plans for our lives are always better than ours. Knowing this, help us to trust You when we don’t understand why our plans failed, and to look to You to direct our steps. Teach us to place all our confidence in You, Lord rather than ourselves. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!

BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - 13.1 Reasons to Run a Half Marathon

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let’s get started by talking about something I find very exciting! Week 5 of the Bass Pro Marathon and half marathon training kicks off this Saturday!! Exciting right? If this has you thinking, “I should have signed up, at least for the half,” take heart. You still can because there’s ample time to get ready and be trained up for the best half marathon ever!

Why Bass Pro? Well…. Per the folks at the Bass Pro Fitness Series, “The Maynard Cohick Half-Marathon is perfect for seasoned and beginner half-marathoners.

This course is excellent! Along with the beautiful autumn foliage of the Ozarks, runners can expect some rolling hills from miles two through five. However, the course is mostly flat and provides a great opportunity for those who are seeking a personal record. The route takes runners in front of Mother's Brewing Company on Grant Avenue, just before mile five. Runners have been known to spend some time here, enjoying the specialty beverages being poured by volunteers from Mother's! Half Marathoner's will run on a small section of Route 66, through part of downtown Springfield, in Phelps Grove Park and around the back of the Bass Pro Shops store. Racers finish off of Sunshine Street, in front of both the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Acquarium and the John A. and Genny Morris Conservation Center.” Sounds fun right??? This is hands down the most awesome half marathon ever!

If you’re still hesistant though, check out these 13.1 reasons you should run a half marathon: 

1. Take Your Fitness to the Next Level

While it’s not impossible to run a half marathon without training, I definitely don’t recommend it. This is where months of training come into play!

If you’re looking to take your cardiovascular fitness to the next level or even lose a bit of weight, improve your mental health, training for a half marathon is will help get you there. It involves months of training, not to mention the final big event (aka race day).

2. Make New Friends

Since the training for a half marathon is much more intensive when compared to a 5k or 10k, it offers a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people.

If you join a running group (and you should), you, quite literally, spend hours with the same people. This means you might just make a few friendships along the way that will last long past the finish line.

3. See New Places

Looking for an excuse to travel? Have you been wanting to check out Springfield? Sign up for the half marathon! Doing so gives you a great reason to travel and take a run-cation. And there’s a lot to do in this town!

4. Get One Step Closer to a Full Marathon

If your ultimate goal is a marathon, starting with a half gives you the stepping stone you need to take your mileage up a notch. Once you conquer the half, you, somewhat, know what to expect for a marathon.

5. Give Yourself Some Serious YOU Time

If there’s anything the last couple of years have taught us, it’s that taking care of yourself and your mental health is of the utmost importance. You can’t give your best without feeling your best.

While training for a half marathon is very much a physical endeavor, it also provides plenty of time for you to de-stress, mentally unwind, and feel good about yourself.

6. Gain Some Killer Swag

Who doesn’t love some great race swag? At the Bass Pro Half you’ll get an awesome race shirt and finisher medal! So, if you’re looking for reasons to run a half marathon… This could be it!

You can even flaunt your swag after the fact, providing a great icebreaker or conversation starter at your next gathering, party, or event. Additionally, accumulating that collection of various race medals is ultra empowering.

7. It’s an Excuse to Party!

Ask any runner: The post-race party is where it’s at. If you run a half marathon, you deserve to let loose! The Bass Pro finish line is a post-race party filled with snacks, beverages, and music. So, if you need an excuse to have fun in a healthy way, a half marathon fits the bill.

8. You’re Less Likely to Injure Yourself When Compared to a Full Marathon

Are you looking for reasons to run a half marathon over a full marathon? Distance aside, injuries are less likely during a half marathon when compared to a full marathon.

Simply put, your body experiences 50% less stress during a half marathon. All in all, it’s just a much more manageable distance and training regime.

9. You’ll Burn Tons of Calories

Within those 13.1 miles, you can burn between 1000 to 1600 calories. The exact number entirely depends on your weight, metabolism, running intensity, and other factors. Yet, if your goal is weight loss, this could top your reasons to run a half marathon. You’re bound to achieve some serious caloric burn on race day and develop some healthy habits along the way 

10. There are Health Benefits!

Besides maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight, you also reap some other serious health benefits. You improve your cardiovascular and respiratory health. And while, yes, this improves your overall fitness. It is also an excellent way to reduce your blood pressure or keep your cholesterol levels under wraps.

11. Afterward, You Have Bragging Rights

Want a reason to boost your confidence? Something to make you feel empowered and capable? A half marathon is it.

The half marathon is also a completely achievable goal. With a few hours of training a week, you could run this distance in a matter of months. Then, afterward, you can brag all you want about crossing that finish line!

12. You Could Support a Cause

When it comes to reasons to run a half marathon, there’s almost no better reason than supporting a worthwhile cause. And Bass Pro supports many!! Check out this list. 

13. Training Won’t Cost You Anything (Or Almost)

The most you need is a good pair of running shoes (I always recommend HOKA’s—a sponsor of the Dogwood Canyon trail runs). There’s no membership fee or insane equipment costs either. Realistically, running is one of the most affordable types of exercise to get into… unless you want a GPS watch, hydration vest, cordless headphones, and multiple pairs of shoes and fancy socks. 

And there you have it friends… that’s 13.1 great reasons to run a half marathon, but specifically the Maynard Cohick Half. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to sign up and get training so you can join in on the fun!! You’ll be glad you did this November!!

With God we can Defy the Odds

"Samson glanced around and spotted the jawbone of a donkey. The jawbone had not yet dried out, so it was still hard and heavy. Samson grabbed it and started hitting Philistines--he killed 1,000 of them!" Judges 15:15 CEV

In an astonishing story published by Runner’s World on Sunday it was reported that Cooper Lutkenhaus ‘defied the odds’ on Sunday at the USATF Outdoor Championships, earning a ticket to the World Championships after a second-place finish in the men’s 800-meter final at Hayward Field. As a 16-year-old. As a rising high school junior. What’s crazier may have been the time: 1:42.27. It was the fourth-best men’s performance in U.S. history—by anyone. It’s currently the fifth-fastest effort in the world. Lutkenhaus’ effort, which dipped under the world standard of 1:44.50—a qualifying mark he needed if he were to finish inside the top three places—was also a new world under-18 best. It surpassed the former record of 1:44.08 which had stood since 2011 by Kenya’s Leonard Kirwa Kosencha. “Just making the team, running that fast this young, it’s special,” he told reporters afterward. 

And when it comes to defying the odds, the Bible is full of stories of men and women of all ages who, by God's mighty power, did things that seemed totally impossible too. Consider the story of Samson who single-handedly killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. I mean what are the odds of that? And what are the odds of glancing around and spotting the jawbone of a donkey in the middle of nowhere anyway? One that had not yet dried out and was still hard and heavy? The odds were slim-to-none of course. But God has been defying the odds since the beginning of time, constantly making a way where there seems to be no way. 

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20 NKJV

So if you're in a situation, or facing a problem today that seems impossible to get out of, consider the words of Mark Batterson, "Impossible odds set the stage for amazing miracles." And remember that God, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us is still in the business of performing miracles... especially in the face of insurmountable odds. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many examples in the Bible of people who, by your strength, overcame impossible odds to find victory. Help us to believe that You - the God who was the same yesterday, today and forever - are still performing miracles and equipping believers to defy even the slimmest of odds today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Be Known as a Faithful Steward

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Over the weekend, News Center Maine posted a story titled “Record-setting triumph: Runner breaks TD Beach to Beacon 10K course record” in which they reported that “Thousands of participants and spectators made their way to Cape Elizabeth on Saturday for the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race, bringing runners from all over the world together.” They went on to say that “Over 8,000 people ran the race, professional and amateur runners alike.” But, get this. This race that benefits Best Buddies Maine, an organization that works to reduce barriers for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through friendship and leadership opportunities, could never have taken place without the more than 800 volunteers that showed up, with some making their way back to Cape Elizabeth every year.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:1-8 NIV

And while all volunteers are to be commended and considered special for what they do, what makes Christian volunteers extra special is that they do what they do because they recognize they have a “gift” for serving others and put that gift into practice—knowing that “as faithful stewards of God’s grace,” they are called to use whatever gift they have received from God in service to God, as all believers are. And you can be sure that we all have “different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Some of us are called to prophesy, some of us are called to serve (providing practical help in various ways such as volunteering), some of us are called to teach, some of us are called to give, some of us are called to lead, and some of us are called to show mercy. And that’s just one of three lists of gifts!

So, determine what your gifts are and then use them to serve God by serving others my friend. You’ll not only be counted as a faithful steward of God’s grace by doing so, but will serve as an example to others of what it means to recognize that everything we have – our time, talents, and treasure – ultimately belongs to God and is entrusted to us to use for God. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that everything we have and everything we are comes from You to be used in service to You by our service to others. Help us Lord to determine what our unique gifts are that we might grow them and use them to the greatest extent for your glory. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!