Thankful

"LORD, you have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. Even before I speak,you already know what I will say." Psalm 139:1-4 GNT

During my early morning run yesterday, I passed the time by listening to my favorite Christian radio station while mentally listing all the things I had to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. God's grace and forgiveness, running, my friends and family, my church, my job, my home and new sunrises came to mind. And then these lyrics played, "I'm fully known and loved by You. You won't let go no matter what I do." Now that is something to be truly thankful for I thought. God knows everything about me... absolutely everything. But He loves me anyway. 

And you know, just as the psalmist knew, the Lord has examined each one of us and knows us intimately.  He knows everything you and I do (the good, bad, and the ugly) and perceives our deepest thoughts. He sees us when we are working as well as when we are resting and knows all our actions, even the ones done in secret. In fact, even before you and I open our mouths to speak, He knows what we will say. And yet, in spite of all our failings and shortcomings, He loves us anyway. 

So today and everyday. let us give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love, kindness and mercy - never forgetting that we are undeserving of any of it. Think of it my friend! Isn't it exciting to know that we have a God who knows everything about us and yet loves us anyway?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings You have given to all those who believe in You. We are so undeserving and yet You sent your Son to die for us that we might spend eternity with You. Oh Lord, help us to be so overcome with thankfulness that we boldly tell others about You that they too might share in the blessings. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Known - Tauren Wells

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xckDgX8xNfg

United as one

"I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one--as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21 NLT

In an article published yesterday titled, "What's The Difference Between Running & Jogging," Adnan Munye, a personal trainer, said, "When jogging, the body has a prominent bouncy movement. However, running is made up of long strides and faster arm movements." Another expert said, "You're likely to find joggers running in packs, chatting and socializing. A runner will often be found running solo, checking their watch frequently and monitoring their heart rate to stay in a training zone." No matter the differences though, the runners and joggers had one thing in common they said - the love of feel-good endorphins coursing through their body. 

And you know, when it comes to commonalities and differences, it's okay for believers to have differing views on how things should be done within the church. In fact, new ideas and opinions often help a church grow and get better. What's not okay, though, is to let those differences divide us. Which is why Jesus prayed that "they," meaning you and I, "will all be one, just as you and I are one... so that the world will believe you sent me." You see, in order for the church to reach and convert the lost, its' members must be fully united. 

So may our highest goal then be to reconcile our differences that we might work together as "one" with a common goal. Because it's only then, my friend, that the church can be the powerful testimony to the reality of God's love it's called to be. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us the way You do. Help us to continually remember that, as believers, we all share a common goal. Help us to not bicker and fight then over things that don't matter but to, at all costs, work towards being one with one another just as Jesus and God are one that we might win souls. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

United - Dan Loewen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5NjhTnRDrE

The power of encouragement

"So don’t be ashamed of the message about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, join with me as I suffer for the good news. God’s power will help us do that." 2 Timothy 6:8 NIRV

"I was running my marathon and I was on track for my goal pace until around mile 18 when the cold weather and rain was getting to me bad... my hips were killing me and I had a huge blister on my foot. At mile 24 I could not take any more and was ready to quit. I thought there was no way I could finish the last two miles." These were the words of young Luke Morrison moments after he crossed the finish line of the Route 66 Marathon Sunday. And do you know what spurred him on to finish through the doubt, fear and pain? Words of encouragement from his family and friends. "I was pushed to do so much more than I thought and I'm so grateful for everyone that told me I could."

Oh the power of encouraging words! They can motivate even the most worn out and tired person to press on to the finish line. Paul certainly understood this. In fact, when young Timothy was facing mounting persecution and becoming increasingly weary and afraid to share the Gospel, Paul said, "don't be ashamed of the message about our Lord... join with me as I suffer for the good news. God's power will help us do that." He was reminding the young pastor to stand firm, that suffering was a temporary price to pay for the reward awaiting him for staying faithful, and that he was more than capable of overcoming this trial by the power of Christ dwelling inside him. And press on Timothy did! All because of a few choice words. 

And you know, you and I have the power to provide this same motivation to others by the words we say. So look around my friend. Find someone who needs encouragement and remind them they are not alone. Everything they need to overcome is found in God. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that words have so much power. Help us to be encouragers to those around us and to spur our Christian brothers and sisters to stay in the race until they reach that final finish line. Most of all Lord, remind each one of us that Your power within us will allow us to achieve things that look impossible. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Hard love - Need to breathe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDWhCaDgd3Y

People of praise

"For the music director; by the Lord’s servant David, who sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul. He said: “I love you, Lord, my source of strength!" Psalm 18:1 NET

"You have a beautiful singing voice ma'am," the young volunteer said as I approached the aid station near mile 24 of the Honoring our Heroes Marathon Saturday. Realizing I had been caught unabashedly singing praise songs once again, I laughed and said, "Why thank you, I've been practicing for 23 miles." The truth was though, I had been singing desperately to the Lord from the beginning because I needed help. For many reasons, this was one the hardest 26.2 mile races I had ever done and I knew from the start that I couldn't do it on my own. I just didn't have the strength. It had to come from the Lord.

And you know, we've all had times when we've wanted to give up. David certainly did. Especially during the long period he was mercilessly pursued by Saul - forced to constantly be on the move and live in caves to avoid being killed. Quickly realizing he didn't have the strength to press on in his own power, David, who was known to sing to the Lord on all occasions, called out for help. And you know what? Just as David believed He would, God "rescued him from the power of all his enemies, including Saul" prompting David to gratefully sing, "I love you, Lord, my source of strength."

So if you're trying to do things on your own and failing miserably at it today, you're in a good place. You see, it's there, in the place where you and I become fully aware that we are powerless to overcome adversity on our own that we are forced to look up and find our true "source of strength." And that, my friend, should have us all singing praise songs.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we are to be people of praise, with worship on our lips and in our hearts in the good times and in the bad. Help us to give up control and look up to You, the only One strong enough to carry us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Strong enough - Matthew West
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_gCfA0Dmgg

Kindness not random

"Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help." Proverbs 3:27 NET

My long-time friend, Shannon, not only loves running but loves finding good deals. So you can imagine her surprise when she found two pairs of Hoka running shoes, one pair new and one pair nearly new, at a local thrift store for $8 each. Even though they weren't her size, she felt compelled to buy them anyway-just sure someone needed them. And someone did need them. It "just so happened" that a woman approached her after she checked out and said she had been looking for a pair of HOKAs in that exact size but couldn't find them. Sensing that money was the issue, Shannon said, "Oh good-here you go" and handed over both pairs as the grateful recipient began to cry.

And while some might define this deed as a random act of kindness, there was nothing random at all about it. You see, random implies that this deed was irregular and not the norm. But if you know Shannon, you would know that she's always looking for opportunities to bless others (this is her norm). And as Christians, shouldn't this be our norm as well? Of course! In fact, the Bible tells us that when you and and I "have the ability to help.. those who need it" we should do it without hesitation and at every chance we have. 

So if you have the occasion to do something kind and good for someone today, don't wait my friend. Because as Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that one small act of kindness has the power to lead someone to the foot of the Cross. Help us to be open and obedient to the Spirit's nudging that we might not miss an opportunity to do good to someone in need. Let the change this world needs start with us. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Let it start with me - No other Name

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H_hmNqls7A

Respect the Name

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain." Exodus 20:7 BSB

Last week a video of a man proposing to his beloved at mile 16 of the New York City Marathon went viral. It seems he hopped the barrier just as his girlfriend ran by, got down on one knee and popped the question. She said yes as people cheered and then ran off to finish the race. Romantic right? Not according to the author of an article titled, "Please Dear God Don’t Propose to Me in the Middle of a Marathon." It's not the content of the article that bothered me though. It's the use of God's name in vain. 

And while we live in a world where it's become commonplace and acceptable to say OMG to express happiness, annoyance and a host of other emotions, it's still a sin. In fact the Bible tells us that "the Lord will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain." You see, God's name is the Name above all names - and as Creator of the universe He deserves our highest honor, esteem and respect. To use His name in an irreverent manner in any way then is not only a violation of the Third Commandment but a conveyance of contempt for the very One who made us.

P.G. Ryken says it this way, "To dishonor God’s name in any way is to denigrate his holiness. It is a way of saying that God himself is worthless." So be careful how you speak my friend. His Name deserves nothing less than our utmost respect and reverence.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that your Name is not just a Name, it reveals all that You are and is to be honored and respected the same way that You are. Help us Lord to never use it in vain but to proclaim boldly to all the world that nothing has the power to save but Your high and holy name. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Your Name - Phillips, Craig and Dean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzviEHyIggI

Red letters

"While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.'"

"It was a great morning," Theodore Strange said regarding the start of what was to be his 25th running of the New York City Marathon. Aiming for a 4:15 finish, this 59-year-old doctor was right on pace until mile 16 when he heard someone screaming for help. Looking over, he spotted a woman standing over her friend lying on the ground. Approaching the fallen runner, the physician immediately knew something was wrong. The woman was blue in the face, wasn’t breathing, and had started foaming at the mouth. When Strange kneeled beside her to check the pulse on her wrist, he felt nothing. Without hesitating, Strange started performing CPR. When the chest compressions weren't working, he shouted for a defibrillator. After four attempts to shock her heart, the woman finally twitched and breathed. “She had a pulse again,” Strange said. “And we all were relieved.”

And you know, had the doctor not been there, this runner would most certainly not have survived. After all she was technically dead right? But the good physician worked to bring her back to life. Which is exactly what our Great Physician does. He comes to revive the hearts of those people completely "dead" in their sin. Even those that believe themselves to be so "dead" that Jesus wouldn't possibly "bother" with them anymore. But guess what? That's not true. Jesus came to save us all. The red letters tell us so.

So if you've lost all hope today and think you or a loved one are so spiritually "dead" that God can't bring you back to life, think again my friend. He did it for the synagogue leader and He can do it for you. There's absolutely nothing you have done that God won't forgive if you will "just believe." Won't you do that today?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that you can revive the hearts and lives of those who have lost all hope. If that describes anyone reading this, I pray today is the day they put their fears aside and believe that You are the Great Physician who can and will give them a new life here and eternal life hereafter. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Red Letters - Crowder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zcGBXCEo64