Avoid the lawsuit

"To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" 1 Corinthians 6:7

Insurance Journal Magazine reported yesterday that Dennis O'Donnell, a New York man who broke his arm running on the George Washington Bridge, is suing the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, alleging that there's not enough space for both cyclists and pedestrians. O'Donnell claims that he broke his arm so badly that, a year later, he has only gained 75 percent use of it - and so is seeking compensation for his injuries and hopes the lawsuit will compel the Port Authority to make some changes. 

With lawsuits at an all time high and a part of normal life (just look at all the commercials urging us to seek legal help for even the smallest slight), have you ever wondered how a Christian should handle being cheated or taken advantage of by another believer? Paul answered that question when he wrote, "To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you."  In other words, Paul knew that for Christians not to forgive each other and reconcile their own differences was to demonstrate spiritual defeat - thus it would be better for us to "suffer wrong" and be "defrauded" by fellow followers than to prosecute them.

So before even thinking about taking a brother or sister to court, consider this my friend. Unbelievers are watching us. And if we behave as the world does, seeking our own revenge and holding back forgiveness, why would they ever want to become a Christian?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we are to try and resolve disputes and disagreements in a way that shows that we are Your followers. Help us to prayerfully consider the way we respond to being wronged that we might not, in our attempt to win a legal battle, lose the spiritual battle to win the lost to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Forgiveness - Matthew West

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udXEZI

Never stop

"Pray constantly. " 1 Thessalonians 5:17 HCSB

Sure. We all know that breathing is crucial to running. I mean if we don't breathe, we die and can't run right? But what if I told you that there was a right way to breathe when you run? A way that could not only help keep you from getting injured but help you gain speed? Well according to the authors of Running on Air, rhythmic breathing, or the coordination of your footstrikes with inhalation and exhalation in an odd/even pattern so that you will land alternately on your right and left foot at the beginning of every exhalation, can play a key role in sharing the impact stress of running equally across both sides of your body - thus being the perfect way to reduce injury and make you faster.

And while there are many ways to breathe when you run, I would hasten to say that there really is no "perfect" way. Just as there is no "perfect" way to pray. You and I don't need to use special language, kneel down, follow a set pattern or even talk to God out loud - we simply need to "pray constantly." You see, prayer is the communication of the human soul with the Creator of that soul and the primary way you and I fellowship with God. And prayer is absolutely essential to our spiritual well-being my friend.

So if you still think that unceasing prayer isn't crucial to your spiritual life, consider the words of Martin Luther, "To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You want to be a part of our daily lives. So much so that You want us to cultivate a prayer life that comes as naturally as breathing and is as crucial to us as the air in our lungs. May the desire of our hearts be to grow so close to You that we would immediately recognize when we have fallen out of fellowship and desperately gasp to breathe You in once more. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

The air I breathe - Michael W. Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-0EgzOWkvcAD

In the right place at the right time

"The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" Proverbs 20:24 NLT

The Charlotte Observer published a story Monday titled, "His heart stopped during a race. Was he saved by luck, by God, or ... something else?" that chronicled the events of the day Nathan Taylor, a 46-year-old attorney, nearly died. On March 24, Taylor, who was participating in the Elizabeth 8k Road Race, collapsed into sudden cardiac arrest. Elaine Barnes, who "just happened" to be a long-time cardiac nurse, and "just happened" to be running 12 feet behind him saw him go down and immediately started the chest compressions that kept him alive until the ambulance arrived. And while Nathan attributes the string of events to coincidence, Elaine said, "Nothing happens by chance. I was meant to be there, I was meant to run that race, I was meant to be behind him. God put me there. That’s the way I feel. Because I can’t explain it any other way."

And Elaine can't explain it any other way because there is no other way to explain it. The Bible is very clear that, "the Lord directs our steps" and nothing occurs by mere fate, chance or happenstance. And while we may not always "understand everything along the way," like why God puts us in certain situations, we can be sure of one thing. If we are obedient, God will put us in the right place at the right time to achieve His purpose and bring Him glory. 

So the next time you're standing next to a stranger in the store, sitting next to a stranger on a plane, or running alongside one, remember this my friend. God has an uncanny way of putting us in the right place at the right time for the right purpose. So listen carefully for the Spirits' prompting and let Him use you. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that Your hand is in everything. I pray that the events of this day would spur Nathan and his family to search for Truth and give their lives to You. Help us to be open and obedient to the Spirits' promptings to act that we might also be used to lead others to You and bring You glory. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen,

Happy Running!!! 

Mandisa - The one He speaks through

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siBfrVa4ozY

No matter what

"Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." Isaiah 43:4 NLT

Well aware that the mercury would be climbing quickly yesterday morning, I decided to bring a hand-held water bottle for the impromptu half marathon my friend and I were running. And while that small amount of H2O would normally be sufficient for 13.1 miles, with the day's heat it was gone after just four. Knowing that with no aid stations on the course to fill my hydration device I would quickly become dehydrated, I instinctively did the thing I always do in these situations... I prayed, "Lord, I am so thirsty. Would you please bring me some water?" And you know what? He did!! As I came over the next hill, I was overjoyed to see a kind friend who had decided to surprise us with a cooler full of iced-down water bottles. 

Isn't it crazy to think that the God of the universe loves you and me, even in the midst of our shortcomings and messy lives, so much that He would provide for our needs? But He does. He truly loves us! In fact, the Father loves His children so much that the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you." Did you get that part? You and I are precious my friend, highly esteemed, loved, and of great value to the King.

So if you're looking for a sign today that God still adores you in spite of your faults and imperfections, consider this your sign. Because in the words of Ryan Stevenson, "No matter what you've done, you can't erase His love. Nothing can change it. You're not separated. No matter where you run, He's always holding on. You're still a daughter, You're still a son... No matter what." 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that you absolutely love us more than we could ever comprehend. When the devil comes to us with lies that because of the things we've done we can't possibly be loved by You, I pray that you will remind us that we are precious and honored. Thank You for loving us that much Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

No Matter What - Ryan Stevenson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fSy9yIcoew

Basking in the kindness of a friend and the reminder that God loves me. That water He provided was so very very good!

Remember them

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16

On May 30, 1868, the first Memorial Day (then called Decoration Day) was observed to commemorate the sacrifice of Civil War Soldiers. During that first national celebration, former Union General and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery that included these words, "We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.” It wouldn't be until many years later that Memorial Day was declared a legal holiday and the official day for all Americans to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces who, for love of country, gave their lives in service to the nation.

But you know, not only did these brave men and women give their lives for the country they love but also for the people, like you and me, who lived in that country... people they would never know or who may never even appreciate or acknowledge the freedoms their sacrifice offered. And yet they served anyway-willing to lay down their lives at any moment for their "brothers and sisters" just as "Jesus Christ laid down his life for us". There is perhaps no greater example we may ever see this side of Heaven of "what love is" than that my friend.

With that in mind, may we, on this Memorial Day, take time out from our runs, races and barbecues to honor those heroes who, by one supreme act, gave their lives for us to enjoy the freedom to live and worship in what is still the greatest country on Earth. We most certainly owe these fallen soldiers a debt of gratitude and our sincerest thanks, wouldn't you agree? For who else but Jesus Christ and the American Soldier has ever been willing to die for us?

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who showed us what it means to truly love one another. And thank you for the American Soldier who followed that example that we might live in a country where we are still free to worship You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

If you're reading this - Tim McGraw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeCTlgO00pc

God can handle any problem

"'But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!'" 2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT

Sensing a dear friend of mine was going through a hard time recently, I sent her a message that said, "Hang in there. God's got this." She quickly responded back saying, "Thank you! You have been on my heart as well, I feel like you have some things burdening you right now and I just want you to know that I'm thinking about you and praying for you." Wow! "God is so good that He already has someone praying for me," I thought to myself as I texted back, "It’s nothing God can't handle and a good run won't put into perspective." And knowing how very, very true that last statement was, I smiled, grabbed my hat and then headed out the door for a long run. 

Did you know that science has actually proven that exercise makes us think more clearly? It's true. And do you know what else is true? God can handle any problem you and I have, no matter how big it appears or how heavily it looms on our shoulders. In fact, the Bible tells us that you and I "will not even need to fight” our battles. We simply need to stand firm in the faith, wait and “watch for the Lord’s victory.”  

In other words, the battle is the Lord's my friend. So relax and "do not be afraid or discouraged" no matter what you're facing today. He's got this!

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we have nothing to be afraid of. You know everything we are going through and You go before us to fight our battles. May we be encouraged and uplifted by that knowledge today and then rest in the peace that surpasses all understanding. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

My feet are on the rock - I am They

https://youtu.be/o2H-ghsGGMI

Give us clear vision

"How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Luke 6:42 NIV

In a recent article titled, "A Trail Runner’s Confession: Five Things Trail Runners Need To Do to Be Safer and More Polite Trail Partners," Joe Loveland wrote: We runners and walkers are an awfully self-righteous breed. We love to criticize the manners of cyclists on area trails, with some justification. But maybe, just maybe, we should look in the mirror before we start hating on others. After acknowledging that he might be guilty of doing the very things he finds fault with in others, Joe gave five suggestions for making the trails safer and friendlier, including ditching at least one ear bud and acknowledging passers.

You know, the Bible also talks about our finding fault with others when we, ourselves, are guilty of doing the very same thing we fault them for. Think about it. How quick are you and I to judge or chasten a person for their impatience when we ourselves are impatient? Or to admonish a brother or sister for their uncontrolled anger when we secretly harbor indignation ourselves? Luke totally understood our tendency to see other peoples' faults while remaining blind to our own and so warned us to "first take the plank" out of our own eye that we might "see clearly to remove the speck" from our brother's eye.

So today, may you and I vow to focus on our own faults and shortcomings and the changes we need to make before focusing on those of others. After all, as Henry Ward Beecher wrote, “You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are.”

Heavenly Father, help us to recognize those times when we are quick to judge others and offer advice on how to "fix them" when we do the very same things. Help us to look at ourselves in the mirror with a clear view of the way You see us that we might change the habits and thoughts that are not pleasing to You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Search me Lord - Donnie McClurkin

https://youtu.be/RLH808hnGAo