Find your quiet place

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."  Galatians 2:20

Sometimes, while running and listening to praise music, I have to fight the urge to close my eyes and give myself up entirely to enjoying God's presence.  I remember vividly a day I did just that, abruptly brought back to reality by the shock of one misstep and falling down.  All that in the middle of a pretty good pace I should say.  Oh I'm sure that was a sight to bring tears of laughter for those watching.  I pondered why I, and many other people, close their eyes when they are praying, worshiping or just enjoying the presence of Jesus. Could it be that, since Christ lives in us, that by closing off the outside world and taking away the distractions, we can see and feel Him better?  I think so.    

Susanna Wesley was the mother of 19 children (only 10 of which lived past the age of 2) including John (founder of Methodism) and Charles (author of more than 9000 songs and hymns) Wesley .  As a mother of 10, you can imagine that her life was busy and allowed for little, if any, quiet time with the Lord.  However she found a way around that.  When she sat in the kitchen and pulled her apron up over her head, all her children knew that she was in prayer and they were only to interrupt if the house was on fire or somebody was dying.   Although she never preached a sermon to anyone but her children, she is known as the Mother of Methodism.  This was no doubt because she refused to let any situation keep her away from her "quiet time" with Jesus.   She knew how important it was for her and for her children.  Matthew 6:6-8 says, "“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." 

No matter where you may be or who what may be surrounding you, you can always find time to pray.  Simply close your eyes to the world around you and talk to God.  Since He lives in us, He is always there and ready to listen.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for living inside us so that we are never without You.  May we remember that we can always go to a "quiet place" even when there isn't one to be seen by simply closing our eyes.  Thank you for giving us this power to change lives... the power of prayer.  In your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.  

Happy running!!!
www.team413.org

Our Father who art in Heaven-Michael W. Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zlQaMIzQJU

Life changes

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8

In a world that's constantly changing, it's so reassuring to know that one thing does not change, Jesus Christ.  This summer marks the close of a time in my life I hoped would never end-my son no longer needs me to be to be his driver.  As I watched him smile for his driver's license picture, I searched in vain for any physical signs of the little boy that once cried out for me to hold his hand.  Sadly, there were none. My daughter, who was my baby just yesterday, will enter the 4th grade this week, I'll soon turn 44, my husband is receiving mail from AARP and time marches on.  

Like most other people, life hasn't been always been what one might call "ideal". There's been as many hard times as good.   But there was one thing I was always certain of, God was there through it all.  (Romans 8:28,  "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.")  We may not feel our lives are going as planned right now but they are perfect for His purpose for us-each trial forming us to fulfill it.  It gives me such peace knowing that He is shaping my children as well.  My imperfect life has shown my children His perfect love, forgiveness and mercy. Praise God for our imperfections.   Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."   While it can be somewhat sad when God closes a chapter on our lives, rest assured that He is opening another one.

Whatever you're going through right now-good or bad, won't last forever.  Rejoice in the good times and trust in the difficult ones.  Teach your children what they need to know today, love others today, step out in faith to start something new today.  Today will be a memory soon.  Don't you want it to be a good one?

Heavenly Father, thank You for working in our lives to work all things together for our good, Thank You for all the things You have allowed us to experience leading us up to today, the day you designed for us.  You are such an intimate God and You care about every detail of our lives.  We are sinners deserving of none of this.  So, for all You are and all You do for us, thank you. In Your precious name we pray, Jesus.  Amen.

Happy running!!!
www.team413.org

What you pray for your children now will shape them into what they will become.  This is one I prayed for Luke since he was a baby.   He is now a young man on his knees.  

Little boy on his knees-Cheri Keaggy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5AYGKLVlDc&list=PLOTy9VFazjn4QKJGCUFJ-0Uj-VKlVhUCx&index=3

We need friends

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."  Ecclesiastes 4:12

One of the biggest blessings in my life is my girlfriends. I love them!  We laugh together, cry together, run together, share each other's pain's and struggles, help one another through hard times and rejoice when one of us is particularly blessed!   God was so gracious to give us friends.  But the greatest friends on earth can not compare to the friend we have in Jesus,  "You are My friends if you do what I command you... I have called you friends".   The best part is...He chose us, "You did not choose Me but I chose you", and He appointed us,  "I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit".  John 15:14-16.  

Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend."  It's interesting that the Greek word for sharpen is paroksyno (para "alongside" and oxys "a sharp edge") figuratively meaning," "to provoke feelings, spurring someone to action"  Strongs Greek:3947.  Hebrew 10:24 says it like this, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds".  Isn't that what Christians should do?   Motivate one another to do the work to which God has called us?  Work together to "produce lasting fruit"?

It's no wonder then that God gave us friends.  By choosing the apostles and calling them friends, Jesus gave us the greatest example of how to best serve the Lord.   Jesus said that, "where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."  Matthew 18:20.   What a blessing it is to have friends!

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us friends to help us, love us and serve alongside us.  I pray that our friendships help us grow and spur us on to do many more good deeds than we could ever do alone.  I pray that we would be the friend to others that you have called us to be. In Your precious name we pray Jesus.  Amen. 

Happy running!!!

www.team413.org

Lean on me-DC Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysLvmPCE9KA

Location, location, location

"Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. " Luke 6:47-48

There's a saying in real estate to describe what you should be looking for when you are building or buying a home-Location, location, location. Why is that so important?  From a worldly standpoint, you could point out that the home's value could greatly decrease if the neighborhood where it's built is not maintained by everyone-homes around yours fall into disrepair, crime rates rise or homes are left vacant for any number of reasons to name a few.  Or building in an area known for sink holes or prone to natural disasters would not be wise.  Unfortunately, many elements of location can't be predicted, controlled or planned for.

The one thing we can control though, is where we build our home-the location we lay the foundation. The bible tells us to lay our "foundation on the rock" so that when the storm comes, we will not be shaken.  1 Corinthian 3:11 says, "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have--Jesus Christ."  and Psalm 18:2 says, "The LORD is my rock... my stronghold."   We build this unshakable stronghold by hearing God's words and acting on them.  

The bible is very clear of the consequences of not following Christ but choosing to follow the ways of the world, "But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”  Luke 6:46   Only you can make the decision where you will build your house-on the rock or sinking sand.   As for me, I will build my house upon "my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety."  Psalm 18:2

Heavenly Father, thank you for being the rock of our salvation, the place where we can find rest for our souls and our weary bodies, the place we can feel safe and loved.  I pray that those choosing to build their homes on sinking sand today would instead turn away from the world and turn to You.  Use us today to be the person to show Your love and help those struggling with that decision.  In Your precious name we pray, Jesus.  Amen.

Happy running!!!

www.team413.org

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness-Hillsong  Perhaps one of the best songs ever written!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEhSk7bfbK8

Hydrate properly

"Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13-14

One of the most important things I have learned about long distance running is...proper hydration can mean the difference between having a horrible race or obtaining a PR (personal record). Being filled up on water can be the key to a successful run.  In a study in the April 2010 Journal of Athletic Training, runners who started a 12K race dehydrated on an 80°F day finished about two and a half minutes slower compared to when they ran it hydrated. 

Each evening before going to bed, I will drink a glass of water and another upon rising.  I know that is a necessary action if I am going to complete my daily run or the race I may be participating in.  In fact, its essential.  Just as God designed our physical bodies to need a constant supply of water, He designed our spiritual bodies to need Living Water even more.   So many of us are running through our lives spiritually dehydrated wondering why we aren't getting that PR-in this case think Personal Relationship with Jesus.   We wonder why we're spiritually drained, fatigued and running on empty when all we need to do is spend time with the Lord.   Did you know that a person can typically only live 3-4 days without water-and that's in the best of conditions?  How long has it been since you've filled up on the Source of living water?  Maybe the reason you're not running well has nothing to do with anything physical?  It might be that you need the refreshing only He can give?

Each time you're filling up on your H2O today, why not take a moment to take in some scripture too?   Maybe a little John?  Luke?  Proverbs or Psalms?  Or maybe Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."?  

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your many blessings.  Thank You for Your word that keeps us hydrated spiritually.  May we remember that filling ourselves with the Holy Spirit is as important as our physical need of water to survive.  May everything we do today and every day be to bring You glory.  In Your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy running!!!

www.team413.org

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJJVrZKqKNE

Come to the water-Matt Maher

Are you bearing fruit?

"Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."  Matthew 7:20

What a fabulous time of year to find good fruit.  The watermelon is at it's peak, the strawberries, apples and plums full of flavor and the tomatoes are flourishing. It seems there is an abundance of fruit and vegetables everywhere.  So much so that people are sharing the fruits of their gardens with friends, neighbors and family.  I have enough zucchini right now to feed a small army!  It makes me ever mindful of Jesus' command that we, as followers of Christ are to "bear much fruit". In fact, the bible says that we are known by our spiritual "fruit"- our service to others and good works of obedience to God's word-and that it should be good, be much and be applied:

1. For our fruit to be good, our hearts must first be good.

"A tree is known by its fruit… Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things" (Matthew 12:33-35).

2. For our fruit to be much, we must develop a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing… By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples" (John 15:5, 8).

3. For our fruits to be applied, we must know the Word and abide in the Holy Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

While it's so nice to share the bounties of summer, it's even better to share the kindness, goodness and the other fruits of the Spirit with those you love, strangers and anyone else God puts in your path. Grow it so others will see it and you can use it to better serve others through the bounty of blessings Christ has provided.

“Jesus is the seed of salvation and we are the fruit of redemption” 

― Ikechukwu Izuakor

Heavenly Father, thank you for this season of growth.  I pray that we continue to grow "our fruit" long after summer has passed.  I pray that we grow in every season and produce fruit throughout our lives.  May others see You in us by our actions and our speech.  And may we never tire of working to reap a harvest of righteousness and bringing glory to Your name.  In Your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen.

Happy running!!!

www.team413.org

We've got the fruits of the spirit, Woo-hoo!, how bout you?-Go Fish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNZeP_kOIpY

Are you available for the job

"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

I suppose if God created a classified ad to fill the position of Faithful Servant, it might read something like this:  Looking for persons to heed the calling, day or night of ministering to the lost, hurting, poor, and sick.   Job duties to include: feeding the hungry, witnessing to the lost, listening and counseling the hurting and the sick, fighting giants big and small in the name of Jesus, late night bible study and early morning prayer, interceding on behalf of God's people, loving everyone and showing Christ through your actions.  Must be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  No special skills are needed.  We accept carpenters, laborers, fishermen, prostitutes, adulterers, recovering drug addicts and anyone else who now lives as a new creation in Christ. No need to be "qualified" as Christ will "qualify you." Payment to be rendered in the form of blessings, peace and a fantastic life insurance plan.  For directions on how to apply please open your bibles to the information on the Great Commission.  All sincere applicants will be put to work immediately.  

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20


Are you willing to take the job?  God can and will use you if you make yourself available.  Believe me, there's no reason why you can't that he hasn't heard-I myself had at least ten (maybe more like 20) of them.   What if Mary had said she was too young?  Or David that he was too small to fight a giant?  Or Peter that he wasn't educated enough to teach others?   Choosing to follow Christ will be the best "career" decision you will ever make.  

Heavenly Father, thank you for making us in Your image, capable and ready to serve as You did. May we rid ourselves of the doubts, excuses and reasons why we don't feel equipped to answer the call.   Give us strength and open our eyes to what You would have us do.  In Your precious name we pray Jesus.  Amen.

Happy running!!!
www.team413.org

A must have for your playlist!!!

All that I have is more than enough for You.  Use me, Use me too-Johnny Diaz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmsDYJWWBlo