Blessings in disguise

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.'" John 16:33 NLT

Running in the cold rain was not the way I wanted to end 2018. But if I wanted to get in any type of workout at all, it would have to be done right then before my family woke up and prepared to make the long drive home from our weekend getaway. "Oh well," I thought to myself as I got dressed, "This might just be a blessing in disguise. My hat could use a good wash and my shoes are a bit dirty too." So out the hotel door I went only to return over an hour later dripping wet, with a smile on my face and a very clean hat. 

And you know, if we're honest, we would all admit to having experienced our share of setbacks, sadness and situations that didn't turn out the way we had planned over the last year. And while you and I certainly can't change the fact that we will experience "many trials and sorrows" in the coming year, we can change the way we look at them. You see, when you and I realize that challenges are the very thing God uses to teach us, test us, and sometimes even redirect us, we can choose to see these hardships as opportunities to grow stronger. 

So if a blessing in disguise is defined as something that seems bad or unlucky at first but results in something good happening later, may we, knowing that God works all things out for the good of those who love Him, choose to see trials and sorrows in a different way. May we choose to see them as blessings in disguise. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we will experience many trials and sorrows in this world.  And while viewing problems as blessings in disguise is hard to do while we are going through them, help us to trust that You are always in control that we might have peace. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Stronger - Mandisa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emgv-VRtMEU

Live with purpose

"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2 NIV

"Oh, praise you Lord. What a blessing this is," I thought as I set foot on the picturesque trail He had led me to (close to the hotel my family and I were staying at). And as the thought of God's abundant goodness caused me to think of the many other ways I had been blessed throughout the years, I began to cry when my mind unexpectedly drifted back to December 31, 2016 - a day that reminded me to count my blessings often and to never take them for granted. You see, on that day two years ago, a dear friend of mine went home to be with the Lord after suffering an unexpected stroke. Just like that, the 34-year-old wife and mother of three that I had worshiped and served with was gone, leaving the reminder that no one can determine when or how they will leave this world.

And when it comes to the uncertainty of life, the Bible reminds us that contemplating our certain death can actually help us to live life more fully. You see, although many people go to great lengths to avoid thinking about dying or even refuse to face the possibility, "death is the destiny of everyone." And by taking that knowledge "to heart" and really grasping the brevity of life, we are more apt to live life as we should - serving God to the absolute best of our ability and intently loving others with abandon.

So today, while there is still time, choose to live with purpose my friend. Live with the intent of doing things that will have an eternal impact on the lives of others. And most of all, live to serve Jesus as if this moment is all you have, because as Christine Caine writes, "Life is too short, the world is too big and God's love is too great to live ordinary."

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that life is short at best and that we never know when it might end. May this serve as a reminder to all of us that each and every day is a blessing to be cherished and to be used to make an eternal impact on the world. May we live to serve you with all that we have Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
Echo - Blanca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWOtNV6XQME

A time for judgement

I said to myself, "God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed." Ecclesiastes 3:17 NIV

Lawyers for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2015 for his role in the the bombings that killed three people and wounded more than 260 during the 2013 Boston Marathon, told a federal appeals court yesterday that his conviction should be overturned. In their court filing, Tsarnaev's lawyers argued that two jurors should never have been seated on the panel and that the trial should never have been held in a still-traumatized Boston saying, "In light of the nature of the crime, and the nature and extent of the publicity, a jury drawn from the Boston metropolitan area was uniquely incapable of impartially deciding this case."

And while legal experts say the appeals process will probably last for years, you can be sure the infamous Boston Marathon bomber will one day have his moment in court. And no matter what our earthly courts decide, there will "be a time" in which he will face God's perfect, absolute and unappealable judgement. In fact, the Bible is very clear that "God will bring into judgement both the righteous and the wicked." That means each and every one us of will be held responsible for our deeds one day, good and bad. 

And while you and I will never know when the time of reckoning will come, only that it will be swift and final, we do know that if we confess and repent of our sins now, they will be forgiven. That means that our offenses will never even appear on the docket my friend. Isn't that wonderful?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that no one escapes true judgement no matter how it appears to our fleshly eyes. Help us to surrender bitterness and hatred toward those that have wronged us that we might lead them to You by doing so and to remember that we are all sinners in need of grace. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Come to the Cross - Michael W. Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMybN-XAp8

Go ahead and laugh

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 CSB

One of the things I love most about being a marathon pacer, or a person whose official job is to run a consistent and steady pace so that the group being led can achieve their goal of finishing the 26.2 mile race at a particular time, is helping runners cross the finish line. And knowing that laughter is the best tool in keeping them motivated, I always come prepared with a list of jokes. One of which I told my family over Christmas dinner, "So this rabbit walks into a feed store..." After I told the punch line, I began to laugh out loud as they simply shrugged their heads and rolled their eyes. But you know what? The harder I laughed, the less able they were to contain their own joy and pretty soon we were all laughing!

And you know joy, just like laughter, is contagious and should be spread at every opportunity. Don't think you have a reason to be joyful? Consider the words of the psalmist then who said, "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Did you get that? This very day and this very moment that you and I are living in is an undeserved gift from God himself. And this day is not only a chance for a fresh start, but an opportunity to bring laughter and joy to another person that God puts in our path! Can you think of any better way to show the love of Christ? 

So make it a point to rejoice and be glad today my friends! Laugh out loud and encourage others to do the same. After all, this world needs more happiness. Don't you think?

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us so much to be joyful about. The thought of grace, mercy and eternal salvation alone should have us smiling from ear to ear. Oh Lord, help us to rejoice in You each and every day that others might be drawn to You because of it. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Happy - Adam and Kid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duwD0MUgUmk

Never stop praying

"Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.'" Matthew 19:26 NLT

Upon opening the last Christmas present yesterday, I watched the family settle in to play with their new gifts before heading out the door to squeeze in a run. Oddly enough, I felt prompted to take a different route than I had planned and I soon found out why. As I rounded the corner on this newly arranged course, there he was. My estranged brother who I hadn't seen or spoken to in a long time. Upon seeing me approach, he smiled and said, "Merry Christmas." To which I replied, "Merry Christmas Jason. I love you." And as I ran over to hug him, he accepted the embrace as I prayed, "Oh Lord, please let today be the day he accepts You into his heart." 

And I'd love to tell you that this divine appointment led to an instant conversion but it wouldn't be true. What is true though is that I will never stop praying for it. You see, I know from a human standpoint that there are many people, like my brother, who appear too lost to ever change. These people may be filled with hatred, lost in addiction or worldliness, full of pride, or even angry at God. But the Word is clear that "with God everything is possible." And if He can arrange divine meetings such as this, He can surely replace my brother's heart of stone with a heart of flesh. 

Perhaps you also have a loved one that is in need of redemption today? Don't give up praying for them my friend. It may take 10 years, 20 years or even 30 years for our prayers to be answered but one thing is certain. If you and I give up too soon, that person might never come to know Christ as their Savior and that would be a tragedy of eternal consequence.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder today that You absolutely hear our prayers. Oh Lord, help us to continue praying despite how impossible the situation may seem knowing that our time is not Your time and that You desire for everyone to accept Jesus into their hearts. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I'll keep praying - Heaven's Mountain Band

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

The Christmas hope

"I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark." John 12:46 NLT

Since going back to work full-time six months ago, my morning run times are no longer flexible. And while getting started at 6:00 a.m. was great back in July, it's a little more complicated in the winter. It seems it takes almost as much time getting dressed as it does to actually run. But when I was recently asked the question by a coworker if the frigid predawn temperatures were the hardest thing to prepare for, I said, "Actually, no. It's the darkness. Even with a headlamp, the sheer darkness of the early morning is hard to overcome." But you know what keeps me going? Each morning as I head out, I have this assurance... the light will eventually overcome it and the sun will shine.

And you know, more than 2,000 years ago, the world was filled with the overwhelming darkness of sin and the people had lost all hope. That was until the day Jesus Christ was born. The day we now celebrate as Christmas. The day our Savior left His throne to come down "as a light to shine in this dark world" and restore hope "so that all who put their trust" in Him would "no longer remain in the dark." 

Unfortunately though, on what's supposed to be the happiest day of the year, there are still many people without hope. People so defeated by the darkness of the sin and despair in their lives that they have forgotten the reason for this great celebration. People that need to be reminded of why we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. And the reason is this... because of Christmas, the darkness has been overcome once and for all and there is forgiveness of sin for everyone - no matter what they've done. What a cause for celebration!!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy and hope that Christmas brings. Help us to remember that the celebration is about You and nothing else. Thank You for the birth of Jesus Christ that provided forgiveness for sin and eternal life. I pray that if there's someone reading this that has not put their trust in You and accepted the free gift of salvation you are offering that today would be the day they invite you into their hearts. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

The Christmas hope - Newsong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWH6bBfAssI

Prepare your hearts

"Then the LORD told Moses, “Go down and prepare the people for my arrival. Consecrate them today and tomorrow, and have them wash their clothing. Be sure they are ready on the third day, for on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai as all the people watch." Exodus 19:10,11

As I do nearly every Sunday morning, I rose before dawn yesterday to spend time in the Word and then go for a run. And while getting up and out before daylight might not be the way most people "prepare" for church, it's exactly the thing that helps to prepare my heart for worship. As you can imagine then, Sunday runs are always my favorite. But yesterday's was even more so. You see, as I was deep in prayer and intently listening to the words, "O holy night the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior's birth..." I realized that I was preparing my heart to celebrate something much bigger than a Sunday service - I was preparing my heart to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

And you know tonight is indeed the night of our dear Savior's birth! It is the night we are called to fall on our knees and to hear the angel voices. It is the night divine, the night when Christ was born. And just as the Lord told Moses to "prepare" the people to meet with the Lord, with hearts ready and intent on worshiping the King of kings, you and I should be preparing our hearts to worship Jesus Christ on the day of His virgin birth.

So as you and I "prepare" to celebrate Christmas tomorrow, may we begin by preparing our hearts right now. May we prepare them to truly grasp the significance of the birth of a Savior who would leave his throne on high to be born as flesh and to die a sinner's death on a cross, having done no wrong, so He could save us from our sins. All because of love. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Christmas. Help us to remember that it's not about lights, presents or festivities but about the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. May we spend the day preparing our hearts for worship Lord that we might truly understand and grasp the enormity of what we are celebrating tomorrow. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Oh Holy night - Carrie Underwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQVDjz214EE