Let's learn

"Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1

No one has ever had to "learn" to run. It's just something we were born to do. We stand, then crawl, take a few steps and then off we go. We can certainly get better at it with practice but there was never a time when we didn't instinctively know how. And, although we don't have to "learn" to pray to have a conversation or relationship with God, there are definite advantages to "getting better" at it. 

When the disciple asked Jesus to teach him to pray, "Jesus said, “This is how you should pray: “Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.” (v. 2-4). The secret to a happy and holy life is in learning this prayer... or more specifically, the order of it. Jesus praised God first, then He made his requests.... daily provisions, forgiveness of  sin, the ability to forgive others who have wronged us, and for the strength to avoid unholy desires and urges. 

Like the disciple, we too should "learn" to pray as Jesus instructed. William Law once wrote, "He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a happy and holy life." Now, isn't that worth learning more about?

Heavenly Father, thank You for instructing us on how to best pray. This is certainly the secret for leading a happy and holy life. May we spend time in prayer each and every day and make it the first thing we do in the morning and the last thing we do before closing our eyes at night. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

You are God alone - Phillips, Craig and Dean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xPzTSpbYmk

Just pray on it

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

While talking to a friend last night about some things she was going through, I said to her, "Why don't you just go for a run tomorrow and pray on it?" As I hung up the phone, my daughter said, "Mom, that's your answer for everything." Hmmm... I had to laugh as I thought about how true that was. Not only is that my solution, it is the only solution (prayer that is). There is no problem too great to be solved and no mountain too big to be moved by the power of prayer. The running part is totally optional. 

Matthew 6:6 tells us, "But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private." Your private place may be your closet, it may be your car. Or it may be simply shutting your bedroom door. Wherever it is, finding a "solitary place" is important. So important to an effective prayer life, that Jesus did it often. Luke 5:16 tells us, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Ridding ourselves of distractions allows us to focus on God. It allows the type of communication you can rarely hear with your ears.

So, whatever you're facing today, I urge you to do as Jesus did. Find a solitary place and pray. Simply enjoy God's presence as you seek his guidance for your life.

Heavenly Father, thank You that we can come to you anytime day or night with our prayers. Thank You for meeting us where we are and for loving us no matter what we are or the mess we have made of our lives. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Pray - Sanctus Real

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrQHNQ0hwQE

Amazing Grace

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Many thoughts can pass through my mind on the course of a run. Today was different. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. That seemed to be my only thought. What does amazing grace sound like anyway? I suppose it's different for most people. But to me, it's the sound of my children laughing. It's the sound of their hearts beating even while they're asleep and unaware. It's the sound of an alarm clock shouting, "Wake up! It's a new and blessed day." And it's the sound of my feet striking the gravel with every step as I run down a quiet country road in total awe and worship of the Savior... my Savior. 

Simply put, amazing grace is the unmerited blessing of God. It is the gift of every good thing, totally undeserved yet given anyway. Amazing grace is once being lost but now found, being blind but now being able to see. It is having been through many "dangers, toils and snares" and being delivered from them all. And most times, amazing grace is something we take for granted. 

How about you? What does amazing grace sound like to you? Take the time to enjoy the many blessings surrounding you and then thank the Creator for the good things He has done for you. Amazing Grace... how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  What better reason to sing His praises!

Heavenly Father, thank You for the good things you have given us. We are all sinners deserving of death and, yet, you love us so much that You would not only refrain from giving us what we deserve but You choose to bless us with amazing grace.  May we not take for granted the many good things you have provided for your children. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

How sweet the sound - Citizen Way

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

Centered on Christ

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

“I just keep looking forward. It’s kind of difficult to look back on the way everything has gone, So I really don’t focus too much on the bad things and the low points as much. I just really look forward to all of the positives in the future. That’s where my mindset is.” Legally blind runner, Chaz Davis, is a Junior at the University of Hartford who just set a PR at the America East Track and Field Championships on February 21. This was just the confirmation he needed that he could compete at the Division I level again.

Just a few years earlier, as a high school runner, Davis won individual state titles for Grafton High School in Massachusetts. His freshman year at the University of Hartford started off well. He had a strong cross country season and was the only freshman in Hartford’s top five at the NCAA regional meet. And then, it happened. His eyesight rapidly began to deteriorate and he was diagnosed with LHON (Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy). By the end of his freshman year, his eyesight was almost completely gone, along with his dreams of ever competing again. And then his father suggested that he try running on an indoor track instead of cross country-it seems he has enough eyesight to see the contrast between the track and the white lines that mark the lanes making it safe for him to navigate.  After many months of training, and with the help of some friends and coaches, he made his comeback to competitive running in a meet in early December. He said he wasn't blown away by his time, but once again looking forward to what he can do, he said it gave him the confidence he needed to keep training and is now focusing on improving his times. Because of his limited eyesight, he has to keep his eyes focused on what is ahead. There's no other way to run the race.

Had Chaz Davis spent his time being depressed and angry at God, he would have missed the blessing that was before him. Instead, he chose to focus on the things God had given him rather than what had been taken away. Where's your mindset? Are you looking forward to what God wants to bless you with? Make "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, " your new goal and live the life God intended for you... a life of purpose.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings in the middle of our struggles and trials. Lord, I pray that we would always keep our eyes centered on You. Help us to forget the past and press on toward the goal of a life spent serving and glorifying You. Give us the strength, knowledge and perseverance to run with endurance and to finish the race as a good and faithful servant. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus, Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Press on - Mandisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXxBqbTM-2U

http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/blind-university-of-hartford-runner-makes-successful-return-to-track

The Lucky 13.1

"But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." 1 Samuel 12:24

Sandra, Me, Jim, Cindy and Laura (L-R). It was cold!

Saturday was a beautiful day for a run and we were blessed to take part in the 7th annual Lucky 13.1 race in Peculiar, Mo. It was an out and back course that was mostly flat with few turns allowing for some quick times for those chasing a PR. Loved the race and the post race refreshments including hot chocolate and macaroni and cheese... just what the runners needed to warm up after facing a strong, cold headwind in the first part of the race and then chilly temps for the second half. The aid stations were staffed with a fun bunch of adults and teenagers from the Raymore High School (where the race began and ended with a victory lap around the track) which always adds to the fun. Loved to see these young kids smiling and laughing as they passed out Gatorade and water and then dancing to the music at the finish line. God willing, we will be back to run it again. 

There were five of us from TEAM 413 that went to the race but only three that were able to run. But we were all "runners" nonetheless and there for the same purpose... to glorify God through our actions and to be a witness to those whose paths we crossed. Cindy was injured and Laura was pregnant but that didn't stop them from doing what God had called them to do. They had the same purpose but now, due to life's changes, a different way to fulfill it. Being runners, they know what it takes to cross the finish line and they know what a runner needs to hear and were not shy about shouting words of encouragement and congratulations. And isn't showing kindness to others the best way to "serve him faithfully with all your heart."?

As I neared the end of the race, I watched them cheer the runners across the finish line before me and heard them yell my name as I crossed. I had to smile as I remembered the words of Proverbs 16:24 that says, "Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Oh yes... shouts of encouragement are indeed sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Thank God for people who embrace the new seasons in their lives... who, when faced with change, continue to serve Christ.

Perhaps your life has changed recently and you're wondering how you can serve Him in your new chapter of life? He has a purpose for you, of that you can be certain. But it's up to you to discover it. The first and best place to start your search is on your knees... simply pray that He would reveal it to you.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the blessings of friendship. You are so good to know that we strengthen one another, lift one another up and bring one another joy.  Thank You for the gift of friendship Lord. And thank You for allowing us to serve You no matter what skills we have or situation we may be facing.  Help us to embrace change as a blessing as You call us to serve in a different way.  It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

I will give you all my worship - Jeremy Camp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dz0AdcM5s4

Sandra, Me and Jim

Jim and me, freezing but overwhelmed with joy- God is indeed worthy of all our praise!

Are you "real"?

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:26-27

At the start of any race, you can see it... runners surveying each other. Better said, they are checking out one another's racing attire scrutinizing to see if they are "real" runners. Someone with the newest shoes, Garmin and a Boston Marathon headband might be perceived as a serious runner worthy of competition while a runner wearing "the race shirt" (a sure sign of a newbie) might be discounted as having no real running skills. At the end of the race, you may find that outward appearances are deceiving as you get passed by that newbie and the professional looking runner drops out. You see, it's not how you dress for the race but how you run the race that matters.

The same can be said about those around us.  We might assume by the way a person dresses (the way we think a christian should) that they are a "real" follower. But God says something different about judging outward appearances. Colossians 3:12 tells us to clothe ourselves, "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." If we are "real" sons and daughters of God, the clothes we wear won't be what determines our authenticity. Being clothed with Christ, clothed in compassion, humility, gentleness and patience will be the proof.

Which makes a person wonder... am I merely dressing the part or am I clothed in Christ? Does your outward appearance match what's inside your heart? Are you a "real" follower?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings you have given us. Thank You for showing us the way to be a true follower of You... it's by clothing ourselves with Christ every day, therefore being Christ like in our attitude and actions. Help us to be more than people dressed as Christians, help us to be "real" followers of You each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Made new - Lincoln Brewster

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

Keep watch

"And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:42-43

Runners World recently published an article titled, "Your Treadmill Can Predict Your Mortality -New study uses the 'mill to predict when you may die." It seems they gathered data from some 58,000 patients, tracked their deaths (roughly 6,500 died over the course of the 11.5 year study) and then devised a formula to link their mortality to their aerobic fitness. The test is said to "give the machine the power to possibly predict your risk of death within the next decade." That's either good news or bad news depending on how much you hate the treadmill... or put your hopes in the accuracy of these types of tests.

It would be great if we could predict when we would die wouldn't it? We could live our lives the way we wanted and then, life the thief on the cross, repent and be saved at the last moment. But even if we knew the day and hour that we might breathe our last, we could never predict Christ's return (which may come in our lifetime). Matthew 25:13 warns us, "So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return."

Are you waiting for the right time to give your life to Christ? Waiting until you're done "living"? When will that be? Matthew 24:43 says, "But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into." Are you keeping watch?  

Heavenly Father, thank You for promising eternal life to all who repent, believe and follow you. I pray that those unsure of making that decision would do so today. We don't know what tomorrow holds, but we do know Who holds tomorrow and that is all we need to know if we are trusting in You. Help us to trust in You, today, tomorrow and every day after until you call us home. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Lord I'm ready now - Plumb

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfu-26ftkno

http://www.runnersworld.com/treadmills/your-treadmill-can-predict-your-mortality