Eliminate the competition

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24

I had the blessing of joining some friends for an early-morning 5k Saturday. As we were standing around waiting for the race to begin, I watched one of them intently eyeing the crowd. When he spotted me looking, he informed me that he was checking out the competition. He explained further that he was looking to see how good his chances were of winning his age group by determining if there were any male runners he would have to compete with. To his dismay, there appeared to be a few men that would challenge him for that top spot and, upon crossing the finish line, found that he had indeed been beaten by the competition. 

While sizing up the competition in a race is a good indicator of whether we might win, doing it in our spiritual race is necessary to ensure that we will win. You see, there are many things in this world that will compete with our love and loyalty to Jesus-money being one of the biggest rivals. In fact, Matthew 6:24 warns us that you and I "cannot serve both God and money." We cannot spend most of our time working to earn a dollar without having it affect our commitment to Christ. Simply said, we cannot love the things of this world if we wish to be true followers of Jesus. We will "be devoted to the one and despise the other." We just can't serve two masters- the competition must be eliminated altogether. 

So what is it you find occupying the majority of your thoughts, time and efforts? Is it your pursuit of Christ or is it the pursuit of money and the things it can buy? Because, as Thomas Merton wrote, "A life is either all spiritual or not spiritual at all. No man can serve two masters. Your life is shaped by the end you live for. You are made in the image of what you desire."

Heavenly Father, thank you for demanding our time, attention and loyalty. It's only when we set our eyes on you that we can have true victory in our lives. Putting you first frees us from the love of money and the many things that would serve to compete with our allegiance to you. May we pursue you today with a relentless pace as we race to the finish. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Nothing compares - Third Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbru2F4Nxhg&list=RDBbru2F4Nxhg

We had a great time at the Old Settlers Day 5k in Waynesville, Mo. Great course and plenty of entertainment afterwards as the race kicked off the Old Settlers Day Festival. 

How's your form

"Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously." Daniel 6:10

When it comes to running, proper form and posture is very important. Multiple studies have shown that good posture places a runner in an alignment where stress is properly distributed to the intended muscles and ligaments allowing them to work more efficiently enabling a person to run faster. And that good form will also help decrease the risk of joint discomfort and injury. According to the Kansas Chiropractic Foundation, "When your muscles, joints and ligaments are working as intended, your vital organs are able to remain in proper position and the nervous system is able to function normally," Wow, our mothers were right when they told us to stop slouching and stand up tall!

You know posture can of even more importance in our our spiritual lives. And when it comes to standing tall, the Bible gives us the best form to imitate when it tells the story of Daniel. You see, when King Darius issued the decree that everyone in Babylon was to worship him alone, and that anyone who was found praying to any other god would immediately be thrown into the lion's den, Daniel stood tall and assumed the correct position... on his knees. In fact, the bible tells us that "he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God". Because of this, he was thrown into the lions den. And we all know the rest of the story right? When King Darius came to check on him the next morning, Daniel didn't have even one scratch on him.

Because Daniel refused to change his "form", King Darius declared to everyone that Daniel's God was indeed the living God. I wonder, can others declare the same by the "form" that we show? If not, maybe it's time to correct our posture by getting on our knees.

"See I don't know how, but there's power when I'm on my knees."- David Mullen

Heavenly Father, thank you for being such a faithful God to Daniel and giving us an example of what faith, prayer and commitment to you can bring to our lives. May we all strive to be your faithful servants today, unwilling to sacrifice prayer and praise to you no matter the consequence. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

On my knees - Nicole C. Mullen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPaPYZZABD4

Looking for hope and change?

"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

While on my morning run yesterday, I couldn't help but notice all the political signs urging people to vote for a certain candidate. They were everywhere-lined up on the lawns of dozens of homes, stuck to the sides of passing cars and displayed from storefront windows. Have you noticed though that, while each candidate has their own campaign slogan, signs and agenda, they all seem to promise the same thing? Hope and change. It's the same hope and change that politicians have been promising us for years but has failed to happen. Why? Because they simply make promises they cannot keep. 

But I know of one person whose promises are always true and always kept.... Jesus Christ. He is the only one who can offer us the hope we so desperately long for and the change our world so terribly needs. In fact, when it comes to change, God gives us this amazing promise that he has vowed to keep, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

So you see, the change we need starts with you and me, we are the "my people" called to action. As Mother Theresa once wrote, "I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I'm supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.”

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that clearly tells us that if we humble ourselves, repent and turn to you, that you will deliver us and restore our land. Today, may we be the change we are seeking. May our prayers, actions and attitudes lead others to you as they see the change that starts with us. May we boldly proclaim today that the change will start with me. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Let it start with me - No Other Name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H_hmNqls7A

Thank you

"Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:2,3

After recently switching health insurance providers, I was offered the opportunity to receive a substantial discount based on the results of a Healthy Lifestyle Assessment survey. Among the questions asked were: Do you have cancer? Have you ever been diagnosed with high blood pressure or heart disease? Have you ever had a seizure? As I answered no to each of these questions and many more, I thanked God for my health and then for the many other things that I was indeed thankful for but took for granted most of the time. I thanked Him for my children, my husband, my home, my friends and my ability to run. I thanked Him for my church, my old car that still runs and the food on my table. 

What's funny is that, once I intentionally started being thankful, I found more and more things to be thankful for and more and more reasons to praise Him. And I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if we all made it a point to thank Him even before our day begins? Before we even grab that cup of coffee or check our emails? What if we, like the psalmist, would vow "Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise..." How much different would our day be by starting it off grateful for what we have? 

So won't you stop right now to take inventory of all the things you have to be thankful for? Wow! The list was longer than you thought wasn't it? Oh praise God for his goodness and whose greatness no one can fathom! Giving thanks is definitely the best way to start to the day. 

Heavenly Father, because of your great love for us, we truly have a lot to be thankful for. Help us to see the simple blessings you bestow on us each and every day and to have an attitude of gratitude as we thank you for each one of them as we sing your praises. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Thank you - 33 miles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD1H29Ps8l8&list=RDtD1H29Ps8l8

Watch out for the pebble

Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 2 Samuel 11:2,3

While running in the dark on a trail run this weekend, my headlamp illuminated a runner ahead of me who, by the mud caked on his back and clothes, had obviously fallen down sometime along the course. Since there were no large obstacles like fallen logs, gaping potholes or large roots coming out of the ground, it was safe to assume that he had most likely been tripped up by the small pebbles lining the road that so easily shifted. When I inquired of him, he admitted that he had indeed slipped on a rock and that "he didn't see that one coming." Isn't it ironic that most of us spend so much time looking for the 'big things' that might cause us to fall that we pay no attention to the 'little ones'? And those little ones, pebble by pebble, can easily trip you and me up. 

Consider the story of David. 2 Samuel 11 tells us that he, while walking around the roof of the king's house, saw a woman bathing. And here's where the 'little things' started to add up. The Bible says he saw that she was "very beautiful in appearance" indicating that David did not immediately turn away as he should have. He then, rather than forgetting the whole thing, "sent and inquired about the woman" and was told, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" Finding out she was married should certainly have stopped him then right? As the story goes though, he sent for her, she became pregnant and David had Uriah killed to cover it all up. That one 'small thing' after 'small thing' quickly turned into a 'big thing' didn't it? I wonder if he saw that coming?

You know, if you are and I aren't careful the same can happen to us. While we should most certainly be on our guard to avoid those 'big things', the obvious acts that can cause us to sin, may we never forget that it takes just one small pebble to begin our fall. As I've heard it said:

It's "little" sins that trip us up
And cause an unexpected fall;
That's why we need to stay alert
To every sin, both large and small.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word to guide us through the pitfalls of this life. Help us to be ever vigilant and watchful for those things, big and small, that would cause us to sin or fall away. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Slow Fade - Casting Crowns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wo26sCH-Fw

Simply too hard

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13,14

What do you do on a Saturday night when the heat index is well over 100 degrees? Run a 6-hour endurance race, properly named "Get your Butt Kicked on Route 66", of course. At least that's what many runners, including me, decided to do at 6:00 p.m. as we left the start line intent on completing as many of the 2.425 mile laps we could by midnight. As the night progressed though, it was apparent that many of the people who started the race would not finish it-it was simply too hard. Between the high temperatures, humidity and the darkness, many runners found themselves either not prepared, not properly trained or just not willing to endure the pain and dropped out of the race. 

When it comes to crossing the ultimate finish line and entering Heaven, the Bible tells us that it's not easy either. In fact, it's downright hard and those who wish to enter can do so only by the narrow gate That narrow way is hard because it demands sacrifice, self-denial, and a full dependence on Jesus acknowledging that we can do nothing to save ourselves and we are nothing apart from Him. It is giving up our goals, wants and desires to pursue those that Christ calls us to. Because that way for most is simply too hard, they will take the easy way, dropping out to pursue the world which has few rules or restrictions and requires no commitment or sacrifice.  

For all those that stayed the course that night, sacrificing sleep and comfort to reach the end, there was a medal waiting for them. But something even better than a medal that will not last is waiting for all those that believe, are saved and finish the race... an imperishable crown. Talk about a heavenly reward!

Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings, the biggest one being the gift of eternal life that is promised to every believer that chooses to follow you to the finish line. Give us strength Lord when we have none left and give us hope when we feel we can't go another step. Remind us that the reward awaiting us will be worth all the effort and sacrifice required to obtain it. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

The Victory - Third Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32MRZvC_eqY

Getting ready to start and already sweating. 

Praise God that we all finished. What a great night! God's presence is so felt at night when there are no distractions. 

To God be the glory in all we do. Praying seeds were planted on the trail. 

Take shelter

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2

Although the clouds looked rather menacing, I decided to go ahead with my morning run last week. I had already waited an hour for the thunder and lightning to pass and was quite anxious to work up a sweat. But, less than halfway into the run and many miles from home, I saw it. It was back. The first bolt of lightning lit up the dreary sky as it arced its way into the air causing my heart to race and panic to set in. As the rain quickly followed, I headed back as quickly as my legs would carry me. Oh Lord, I prayed, help me. Save me from the storm.

Have you ever prayed that prayer? David certainly did when he cried out, "Help me, O LORD my God! Save me because of your unfailing love." In the midst of the uncertainty of his life and the trials he was facing, he knew two things for certain - God was real and God was faithful to save him. Because of this great knowledge, David knew he was safe and could proclaim with complete confidence that the Lord was his rock and his fortress, his deliverer and the One in whom he could take refuge no matter what was crashing down around him. 

As I arrived safely back home, I was beyond grateful that I too could call the Lord my fortress and the One in whom I could find refuge. Do you have that same confidence today? When the rains fall and things come crashing down around you, do you find shelter, peace and strength in the One who loves you? When this world brings you pain, do you know where to find comfort? David did and you can too... in Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being our shelter in the midst of the storm. Thank you that, by your unfailing love, you are always there to be our refuge when life gets so hard that we don't feel we can carry on. Help us to know, with confidence, that you will be our rock, our deliverer and the salvation we are so desperately searching for in a world full of pain. Thank you, Lord, that we can cry out to You knowing you will hear our prayers. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Eye of the storm - Ryan Stevenson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw3zIA1NJU0