Make it count

"This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives." Titus 1:1

On many a race shirt you have probably seen the phrase, 'live to run and run to live' implying that to do anything else is to merely be present. But to really live means so much more. It means making the most of every moment we are given and being grateful for each breath. It means making each day count as we look back on it knowing that we accomplished something worthwhile and, at least in some small way, made the world a better place.

The apostle Paul knew what it meant to truly live when he wrote the words, "I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives." In this one short statement, Paul gave us his reason for living. He knew that living for Jesus Christ, sharing his faith and instructing others in the Word, was his purpose and the only way to make each day count. I would like to think that if he had a running shirt, it would have the phrase, 'live to follow Christ and follow Christ to live' on it. Living for Christ... now that's what it means to live!

Are you living today or merely existing as another sun sets and another day ends? The great news is, with each new day and each new sunrise, you and I are given another chance to truly live. Make the day count.

Heavenly Father, thank you for each new day that you give us. Help us not to take it for granted but to make each moment count. Help us to live for you and in some small way make the world a better place. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Don't wanna waste my life - Lecrae

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RWEllqh5J0

run. remember. love

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you." John 15:12

Wear blue-run to remember is a group of athletes with a purpose - each weekend they meet to run, remember and honor fallen service members to ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten. I, along with some friends, was blessed to join them last Saturday where each runner was given a slip of paper with a name, rank and date of death. That day I felt privileged to be running in remembrance of Marine Sgt. Chad M. Allen (who I later learned was only 25-years old when he was killed on February 28, 2007 in Al Anbar province, Iraq, when a bomb exploded during combat). His mother said that he had enlisted in the Marines the day after 9/11 with one purpose."He was going to save his family from harm."

In John 15;12 we are commanded, or as Google defines the word: given an authoritative order, to love one another just as Christ loved us. That may sound simple enough until we remember that Jesus loved you and me enough to die for us. That's quite a sacrificial love isn't it? Which had me thinking. Are we doing that? Are we really loving one another the way Jesus loved us? With the kind of love Marine Sgt. Allen had when he chose to enlist? While you and I may never have to die for someone else, are we looking for ways to practice sacrificial love? It could be as easy as taking time to help or encourage a friend or as hard as stepping out to embrace a complete stranger or taking in an orphan child. 

Whatever it may be, one thing is certain... our purpose is to love one another every day. And when we think we have loved enough, may we look to the example of those men and women that loved to the point of death, and love others just a little more. 

Heavenly Father, thank you your son Jesus who loved us so much that he was willing to lay down his life for us. Your word commands us to love others in the same way and yet so many of us are failing. Lord, help us to remember those that have given their lives for us and to honor their memories by loving others the way they did... just as Jesus loved us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Love like Jesus - Rhett Walker Band

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkiFoJRn2j0

What a diverse group united for a purpose. 

Preparing to run in honor of a fallen soldier. 

http://thefallen.militarytimes.com/marine-sgt-chad-m-allen/2593397

Therefore go!

"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," Matthew 28:18,19

While waiting for the start of the marathon Sunday, I studied the runners around me. Just as I have come to expect, the majority of them were clothed in garb that revealed their greatest accomplishment. From Boston Marathon jackets to 50 States tank tops and IRONMAN visors, their attire revealed something each runner had achieved they deemed worthy of proclamation. I smiled as I knew that I too, sporting my TEAM 413 shirt, was wearing clothing revealing my greatest accomplishment... sharing Christ with others. 

In the Great Commission, Jesus told his disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations". Therefore meaning, because they were under his authority and go meaning to get moving. Do you realize that you and I are under his authority as well and commanded to do the very same thing? Whether we are going next door, to a race, to another town or across the ocean, we are to go using the gifts God has given us as a means to share the Gospel.

You see we all have talents and they can be as different as you and me are. But they are given to serve the same purpose in each one of us... to share Jesus Christ with a lost and lonely world. Are you heeding the call today to "Therefore go"? May reaching that goal be our greatest achievement worthy of proclamation to the world!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the special gifts and talents you have given each and every one of us. Help us to determine what our's is and use it to answer the calling of spreading the Gospel to "all nations" beginning right where we are. Oh Lord, help us to be bold and therefore go! It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Send me I'll go - Lecrae

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv6sQKHdgOA&list=RDFv6sQKHdgOA#t=0

What a mess!

"Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” John 4:27-29

What a mess! That was my thought as I tried to untangle the cords to my earbuds. Having misplaced the ones I normally use, I found the spares at the very bottom of my running bag tangled up in a heap. And as I worked to make them usable again, I thought of how God had found me in the same way...a total mess. But you know what? He found a way to make me usable in spite of my mess-ups. And he wants to do the same for you.

In the story of the Samaritan woman who had been married five times and was living with a man who wasn't her husband, Jesus found a woman that was, like many of us, messed up. Rather than rebuke her for her sin or ignore her though, he spoke with her and offered her living water. Even the disciples were amazed that he would speak to her since no male would dare speak to a woman of her reputation in public. But that's what Jesus does. He ignores protocol. He meets us at our worst, at our most messed up and offers us the gift of forgiveness. Not after we have cleaned up our lives but while our lives are in shambles.

This woman was made usable as she ran back to the village "telling everyone, "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did!" So no matter what you have done or the sin you may be in now, Jesus wants to meet you where you are, right in the midst of your mess. It's there that, if you allow him, he will make you usable. Will you allow him?

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would meet us right where we are, even in the middle of our messed up lives and offer us the gift of eternal life. Help us to turn from our ways and to follow you that we might be usable. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Woman at the well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ea8iHTVlRE

Only one way

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Since my husband's family lives in El Paso, TX, you can just imagine how many trips we have taken from Missouri to 'The Sun City' in the 24 years we have been married. So on our way to the El Paso Marathon last weekend, we were ecstatic (to say the least) at finding a new and better route that spared us almost two hours of driving. After all this time we agreed that we had tried many more ways than one before finally finding the 'best' way.

In John 14:6, after being asked by the disciples the way to the Father's house, Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He was telling them (and us) that, not only is He the 'best' way but He is the only way. There are no alternate routes, no time saving shortcuts and no other roads that lead to Salvation. This should make us estatic knowing that there are no other paths to even have to consider and that the absolute and 'best' way is guaranteed. This means that you and I don't have to spend years searching for it!

As Brandon Heath sings, "Ain’t no your way. Ain’t no my way. Ain’t no shortcut or a highway to Heaven. Ain’t no jet plane. Ain’t no fast car. Only one thing take you that far- only one name. He's the one way to Heaven." Jesus is indeed the only way to the Father. Do you believe that today?

Heavenly Father, thank you for telling us, in no uncertain terms, that there is only one way to Heaven and that is through a relationship with Jesus Christ. So may we stop looking for alternate routes today and set our hearts and minds on you as we allow you to lead us to the Father's house. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

One way to Heaven - Brandon Heath

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Akf4PnOKcNU 

Don't wait

"Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near." Isaiah 55:6

Just recently I waited to sign up for a race and was denied entry for missing the deadline. Although I certainly had every intention of signing up and surely wanted to enter, I procrastinated and had no one to blame but myself. Saddened by my lack of commitment to what I knew needed to be done, I vowed to not let the opportunity or any other one pass by again. 

Scripture also warns us of the dangers of procrastination and urges us to, "Seek the LORD while you can find him." and to "Call on him now while he is near." Notice the word now? It means: at the present time or moment. It means today-not tomorrow, the next day or when it's convenient. You see, if you're waiting for the right time, you may be too late. Tomorrow is not guaranteed and neither is the time of Christ's return.

So during the time you can find him, while it is today and there is breath in your lungs, don't wait to make the decision that will determine where you will spend eternity. Because in the words of Addison Road,"We’re not indestructible. Our lives, unpredictable. It can turn on a dime so now is the time. Don’t wait."

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so much that you would give us second chances to choose to follow you. Help us to realize though that there will come a day when, if we have not committed to serving you, the deadline may pass and we will be denied entry into the greatest event of all time.. an eternity spent with you. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Don't wait - Addison Road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRRxmWt3CSg

It's coming true

"Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him." Isaiah 53:1,2

In January, Runner's World Magazine gathered a panel of 15 experts to predict the top finishers in the Olympic Marathon Trials where the nation's fastest distance runners would compete for the top three spots to qualify for the 2016 Olympic games. In February, just one week before the trials, they changed those predictions a little based on some new information including a few late additions to the field, injury updates and retirement announcements. As you would guess, even with all their knowledge and fancy calculations, not all their predictions were correct.

Thousands of years ago, in Isaiah 53:2 the most astonishing prediction ever to be was written, "My servant grew up in the LORD's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in the dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him." What was so astonishing about such a prophecy was that no one could believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble servant rather than a glorious king-especially one who was described as being neither beautiful nor majestic in appearance. Oh but did Israel ever miscalculate the possibility of that prediction being 100 percent correct!

God did indeed send a Servant... his son Jesus Christ to bring salvation and healing to a world in need. And the Bible gives us another prediction... He is coming back again! We don't need a panel of experts to tell us that though, do we?

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son, a lowly servant to be the Savior of the world. What was predicted surely came to pass as your Word is 100 percent accurate. May we be ready when, as your word tells us, Jesus will return. What a great day that will be. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

He is coming back again - Hillsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAqjiaYiBQ0