FLW SAMC 10k

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."1 Thessalonians 5:11

On Saturday, May 30, 2015, many of the members of the Pulaski County Gracerunner Project joined together to run the SAMC 10k at Gerlach Field in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. And what a great day to run! The race was set to begin at 6:30 a.m. but started late (which allowed us to take funny pictures). With a bit of drizzle to keep the humidity down and cool temperatures, it was perfect weather to run 6.2 miles with friends (and it was a plus to join the young soldiers)!

And the best part about doing that was the opportunity it gave to encourage one another, to lift each other up and help everyone to achieve their goals with the help of a friend. For four of the members, this was to be their first 10k and the very first race ever for three of them. Praise God, we all finished as the ones to cross the finish line first went back to help the others ensuring a great time for everyone. Can't wait for the next one! And, yes, the four said they would do it again;). Great race FLW SAMC! Thanks for the free race photos and the great post race snacks.

God was so good to give us friends we call family to help us along the way. Whether it's a race or a difficult time we are going through, friends are the ones we can count on to encourage and build us up as we do the same for them. Oh praise God for friendship!!

The before picture

Misti Noah, Darla Liverpool and Virginia Schnabel 

Randy Holtmeyer off to a fast pace!

Off to a great start!

The after picture

Luke Morrison coming in first!

Congratulating Heather and Hope on their first 10k finish.

Matthew Morrison completed his first 10k this day. 

Many members, including Sarah Anderson won age group medals

Heather Shaw and Hope Scott finishing with Sherry Wilson alongside to encourage them!!

Luke Morrison, won the race with a time of 39:27. He's only 14 and beat everyone!!

Luke finishing with his mother Jackie, her first 10k finish!

Little Matthew Morrison coming down the home stretch

Some of the troops getting ready to run

Here in your Presence

"The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14

I honestly cannot remember the last time I took a "rest day" and by Saturday night, I was certainly feeling it. After a morning race with slower times and unpleasant muscle fatigue, I had to admit that I was physically drained. While I know the value of allowing my body to heal itself, recovery seems to be the hardest part of training. I forget too often that rest accomplishes much more than over training can.

My prayer before drifting off to sleep was that God would still my mind, heal my body and fill me with peace in the morning. As the sun began to rise and my eyes opened, this melody played in my head, "Here in your presence, all things are new. Here in your presence, everything bows before you." God's presence was real and I was at peace. Only you Lord, only You, can grant the serenity I need. Psalm 116:7 says, "Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” He has surely been good to me I thought as I smiled and drifted back to sleep for an extra hour before church.

Perhaps you're feeling overwhelmed, tired or anxious today? It may be physical, emotional or a spiritual fatigue you're experiencing. Whatever the cause, the solution can be found in simply resting in His Presence. Will you allow Him to restore you today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings you have given us. Thank you for keeping our hands and bodies busy serving you and sharing your love with others Lord. Help us to remember that we need to make time to rest in you that we might be better strengthened to do those things you have called us to do. Give us the rest we need today Lord. Surround us with your presence. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Here in Your Presence - New Life Worship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbtCJU2-KpI

Good to be alive

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

It's not surprising that people, when faced with death, reevaluate their lives-the things they thought were important don't seem to matter much and time becomes something of more value than gold. Living life to the fullest means making every moment count. Helene Neville is a 54 year old woman who knows a lot about the value of time. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the immune system, in 1993.

Five years after being diagnosed, and after three brain surgeries and numerous rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, she signed up for her first marathon. Finishing the marathon, she said, was a means to prove her tenacity against the disease. That was 1998 and, following her remission the next year, she went on to complete 24 more marathons and is now nearing the final leg of a coast-to-coast run, a journey that began in 2010 (completing one section of distance at a time). She has said that her main mission is to inspire others to "rethink the impossible." Along the way, she makes pit stops to share her story and inspire others to make the most of the time God has given them saying, "I set out to deliver happiness and hope on foot,”

Ephesians 5:15-16 reminds us, "be careful how you walk... making the most of your time," Wouldn't it be wise then if we all lived our lives valuing each second, minute, hour and day that God has given us? Today is a gift and time is a treasure. What will you do with your time today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for every moment you bless us with. May we make the most of our time by inspiring others to follow you and live each day to the fullest. May we not take one single day for granted Lord and live like there's no tomorrow. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Good to be alive - Jason Gray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K8-9mXjU8o

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/cancer-survivor-running-perimeter-of-us

Be consistent

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people." Ephesians 5:3

If you were following the news about last month's Boston Marathon, you may have heard about Mike Rossi, the Pennsylvania father who allowed his children to miss three days of classes to attend the race. Upon receiving a letter from the school principal, he posted a response that went viral very quickly outlining the educational value of the trip. His new found fame brought him accolades from other runners that supported his decision. Any good that he had done though was quickly overshadowed by scrutiny.

It was found that his qualifying time that got him into the Boston Marathon was inconsistent with all of his other available race results arousing suspicions that Rossi might have cheated. The bible has a lot to say about being consistent in our behavior as well. 1 Corinthians 15:58 tells us to, "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" It's only by being constant, committed and anchored in our faith that we can avoid any behavior that might bring even a hint "of any kind of impurity" in our lives. 

We might never know whether Rossi acted improperly but one thing is certain, any action that gives even a suggestion of corruption is improper for God's holy people and is to be avoided if we are going to stay "always abounding in the work of the Lord."

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of forgiveness when we have strayed from doing the things we know are right. If there is any of us today with even a hint of sexual immorality, any kind of impurity or greed, let us turn from our ways, repent of our sins and work diligently at being steadfast and immovable. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

I will not be moved - Natalie Grant

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTeQdLKiRg8

The Maker

"He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-- he remains faithful forever." Psalm 146:6

While running this morning I was, once again, in awe of God's magnificent creations. As I traveled down the gravel road, I listened to the birds singing while surveying the open fields around me. Wildflowers were blooming and the cattle were fervently devouring the tall green grass. Ah... life is good and I thought how wonderful it was to be able to meet with the Maker of it all each and every day. 

Have you ever heard the term, meet your maker? The Urban Dictionary defines it as: the Christian belief that when we die, we are called to account for our lives before God. So if I say I'm "ready to meet my maker", I mean that I am ready to give God an accounting of my life; I am ready to die." The question then is this... are you ready to meet your maker? Are you 100% certain of where you will spend eternity? 1 John 5:13 says, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life."

 And just what is written? "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit." (1 John 4:13). We can know, without a doubt then, that we will meet the Maker one day if we have chosen now to follow Jesus. Have you made that decision?

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of eternal life that you have promised to all those that believe and choose to follow you now. If there is anyone who hasn't made that decision, I pray that today is the day they choose to abide in you and know for certain where they will spend eternity. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

The Maker - Chris August

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

If you're ready to make the decision to follow Jesus today, simply say this prayer: Lord, I know I am a sinner in need of salvation. I believe you are the Son of God and I accept you into my heart today. Forgive me of my sins and dwell in my heart forever. It's in your precious name I pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Gracerunner Journey 2015 - Dream Big

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

On Memorial Day weekend, 2015, 17 members of TEAM 413, the world's largest ministry of endurance athletes, gathered at the Hills of Lone Star in Celina, TX to participate in an 80 hour nonstop relay to raise support and awareness for the group. By God's grace, we ran 943.08 miles and logged hundreds more as many other members throughout the nation ran the race virtually with the same goal in mind.... to dream big and trust God.

True to the greatness of our God, each and every one of the participants not only reached their goal but surpassed it. The bible tells us that God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think through his mighty power that is at work within us. Did you get that? His power is working in us! All glory to God, I was a witness to that power as I saw one member complete more than 50 miles in this period having never run more than 20 miles in one week! And saw yet another walk 48 miles in 3 days all the while battling severe pain, and another run almost 39 miles having never run more than 6 miles in a week before! Talk about the power at work within us. It made me think that perhaps we aren't accomplishing big things for the Kingdom because we forget how big our God is? And just how powerful He is? Psalm 147:5 tells us, "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; " and Luke 1:37 says, "For nothing will be impossible with God.”

With unlimited abundant power, is there anything impossible for God? The resounding answer is No... nothing, absolutely nothing. If you allow God to dream it for you, his power can work in you to achieve it. The question is though, will you attempt it? Will you trust Him to do great things through you?

Heavenly Father, thank you for all your blessings you have given us. Thank you for the unique skills and talents you have given each and every one of us to be used to bring you glory and to be a witness to others. Help us to remember that through you alone and your mighty power, we are able to achieve infinitely more than we could ever dream possible. Help us to dare to dream big things, inspire others to do the same and bring glory to your name in all we do. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Dream for you - Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8nsJZx8eWw

Rain or shine, night or day, the relay went on

More members doing big things around the nation

This group dreamed big and accomplished more than they thought possible! Throughout the nation, more than 1000 additional miles were logged and countless people inspired to get moving and make a difference. 

Thank You

Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”Psalm 82:3-4

Throughout the history of the United States, countless brave soldiers have fought and given their lives to grant our freedom and to maintain it. From the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam and the Korean wars to the war on terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have battled to keep us The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. 

In 2004, George W. Bush spoke these words, "Today, all who wear the uniform of the United States are serving at a crucial hour in history, and each has answered a great call to serve our Nation on the front lines of freedom. As we continue to fight terrorism and promote peace and freedom-, let us pray for the safety and strength of our troops, for God's blessing on them and their families, and for those who have lost loved ones. On this Memorial Day, we honor all of our fallen soldiers, their commitment to our country, and their legacy of patriotism and sacrifice. By giving their lives in the cause of freedom, these heroes have protected and inspired all Americans."

So today may we remember those selfless individuals who gave their lives that we might be called One Nation under God. And may we honor their memory by keeping Him in our schools, our workplaces, our federal institutions and our homes that their sacrifice might not have been in vain.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to live in a country where we are still free to worship. Help us to remember that, it is because of our military men and women that we can enjoy such freedoms. Today and every day, we ask that you bless them and keep them safe from harm as we honor the memory of those who gave their lives. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Proud to be an American - Lee Greenwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4IRQVGsBU