Always a team effort

"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed." Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT

Harvard runner Kieran Tuntivate is one tough runner. Upon losing his shoe during the 3k race at the Ivy League Indoor Championships on Saturday after only 400 meters, he kept on running, winning the race in 8:12.72. And while running for eight minutes without a shoe might sound easy, consider that the surface of the track was so rough that it rubbed large chunks of skin off his foot and toes as he did it. With that in mind, can you believe Kieran went on to run and win the 5k race the very next day? And while he could most definitely have taken all the glory for these victories for himself, Kieran said, "I couldn't have done it without my teammates. They paced me in the 3k, and in the 5k, they helped me set a pace, because if we were changing paces, that would have hurt my foot." 

Don't you just love that? In a world where an individual's success is highly celebrated, people forget that great things are rarely achieved without the help of others and that it's almost always a team effort. In fact, when talking about the value of a team, John Maxwell said, "Nothing of significance was ever achieved by an individual acting alone. Look below the surface and you will find that all seemingly solo acts are really team efforts."

So let us not forget that "two people are better off than one" my friend. And let us never forget to share the credit for our successes with those who helped to make them happen. But most importantly, let us never fail to give God the glory for all of it. For He is the one that truly makes our successes happen. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we can accomplish more when we work together as a team. Help us to be those team members that are willing to work behind the scenes with no recognition for the good of the whole team and to glorify your Name. And most of all Lord, let us never keep the glory for ourselves that is rightfully Yours. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Glory to God - Fee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA4-ioUmYjo

Be the one God uses

"Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God." 1 Samuel 23:16 NLT

After a rough week and an even rougher battle with a mean stomach virus over the weekend, I was feeling drained physically, emotionally and spiritually as I struggled to get through my early morning run Monday. Realizing I just didn't have the strength to do it, much less make it through the busy day ahead of me, I slowed down to a walk and tried to hold back the tears that were welling up inside. At that very moment, as I began praying for strength and comfort, my phone alerted me to a text message, and looking down I saw this... "Thinking of you this morning. Prayers my friend!" Oh Lord! You love me so much and You are so very good to show it!

And you know what? The Lord loves each and every one of us and will go to great lengths to show it, many times using others to tell us so. Consider the story of David who was so loved by the Father that he was considered a man after God's own heart. When David was being relentlessly pursued by Saul and in desperate need of encouragement, the Bible tells us that "Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God." I have no doubt those words restored David's spirit and gave Him the strength to press on. 

So today, if you feel the Spirit nudging you to pick up the phone and call someone, do it my friend. If you feel led to send a text or email, send it. And if you feel prompted to personally go and encourage someone to stay strong in the faith, go! You might very well be the person God is using to deliver His message. And you can be sure that your words will bless the one that receives them. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that You love us so very much. So much, in fact, that You will do whatever it takes for us to know it at just the right time. May we be those people who don't hesitate to encourage one another any time You place it on our hearts, knowing the words you prompt us to speak could make all the difference in someone's day. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Prize worth fighting for - Jamie Kimett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGbQ90kYZrI

True comfort

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT

"I've been obese since I was 6 years old," Amanda Valentine told POPSUGAR. Now 36, she said, "I knew nothing about nutrition for most of my life, and I'm an emotional binge-eater. I eat to celebrate, I eat when I'm upset, I eat when I'm stressed . . . I basically use food to comfort me in all situations." The situation was it its' worst in 2011, Amanda recalled, when she was looking to food for comfort so often that she would hit several drive-thrus on the way home and then eat everything so there would be no evidence. 

But you know Amanda isn't alone. There are millions of people everyday that look to food for comfort. In fact, Binge Eating Disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States and is seen among all age groups, genders, races, and income levels. Which makes a person wonder why? The truth is this... apart from God, a person will never find true and lasting comfort in any “thing” no matter how much of it they consume. He is the only unchanging consolation in times of hurt, trouble or worry and the only faithful giver of strength and hope in times of grief, sorrow and despair. He is the only solid rock on which you and I can always stand. 

So if you're in need of comfort today my friend, don't look anywhere but up. Because it's only there that you will find the true and lasting freedom from the pains, burdens and distresses of this world that your heart so long desires. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that true comfort can only come from You. Unlike the world, You never change and You are always by our side. Help us to look to You rather than the things of this world to calm our fears, ease our pain and strengthen us to press on in the midst of tough times. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I look to You - Selah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP2IzErAQPs

If only

"'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past." Isaiah 43:18 NIV

In perhaps the most anticipated 2019 USATF event of the weekend, Shelby Houlihan narrowly lost the 1-mile race to Colleen Quigley on Saturday. Not one to dwell on the past though, Houlihan came back with a vengeance the next day to win the 2-mile race and claim her ninth national title in a world lead time of 9:31.38. Speaking of her victory on the heels of her disappointing runner-up finish in the mile, Houlihan said, "I don’t like to lose, and that was a rough one to lose. But I woke up this morning and thought, ‘new day, new race.’ My goal was to come into this race with a positive attitude.”

And you know, when it comes to keeping a positive attitude, there are two words that will steal our hopeful way of thinking every time... if only. You see, if you and I choose to dwell on the "if only's" in life - if only I had done this differently, if only I hadn't done that, if only I had gone back to school, if only I hadn't chosen that path - we will be unable to look ahead and move forward to the better things God has in store for us. Think about it. If Shelby had been caught up in the thoughts of "if only" I had moved quicker or "if only" I had kicked a little more at the end, she would not have had the confident attitude that brought her an even greater victory the next day. 

So I don't know what your "if only" is today my friend, but I do know this. There's a reason the Bible commands us to "forget the former things."  It's because God always has something better ahead for us than anything we have left behind - but if you and I "dwell on the past," we will miss it. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that dwelling on things we can't change is of no value to us and only robs us of the time and energy we can place into moving forward. Help us to look up to You when things don't go as planned that we might forego the urge to look back and stay focused on what's ahead. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Turbo Style - Beckah Shae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeML00xblUM

Run Rage

"A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression." Proverbs 19:11

Chris Coon, a pastor at Urban Village Church in Chicago, admitted to Runners World Magazine that when the collar comes off and the running shorts go on, he turns into a different person. An angry one. Some of the things that bother him the most? Poor race organization and cars who don't yield the right of way. Coon went on to admit, "I've flipped the bird at many a driver over the years." Not very becoming behavior is it? Unfortunately these types of anger outbursts have become so common for runners that the term Run Rage is being used to describe the phenomena.

And while this conduct may be tolerated and practiced by many, the Bible tells us that it's just not acceptable for a Christian. In fact, we are told that a wise person controls their temper and earns respect by overlooking wrongdoings. Can you imagine anyone wanting to follow or emulate a Christian who explodes over receiving the wrong shirt size at packet pickup or yells insults at a volunteer that doesn't direct the runners correctly at turns? Of course not.

And while it would be foolish to think that you and I will never get angry, it would be wise to remember that when we do, controlling our tongue is always the best way to handle it. And by doing so, may we lead others to the Father by the actions we display on and off the racecourse.

Heavenly Father, thank you for promising to help us overcome the urge to sin by lashing out at other people. Help us to, by your strength, overlook things that were not done out of spite but to forgive and be a good example to others that they might look to the source of our peace. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Anger Management - Lecrae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSHfxMYTqzc

He is our Rescuer

"'You came to my rescue, Lord, and saved my life." Lamentations 3:58 GNTA

Seven miles into the Chombueng marathon in Thailand on January 20, Khemjoir Klongsanun said she saw runners dodging a puppy. Noticing there were no houses or people in the area, she stopped to check on the little bundle of fur. Sensing the dog was either lost or abandoned, Khemjoir made the decision to rescue the pup and ran the next 19 miles with the puppy in her arms. “Running almost 20 miles carrying a dog was truly a challenge,"she said. "It was two times more tiring than a normal marathon but I did it anyway just because he is adorable.” And not only did Klongsanun rescue the puppy, she brought him home and made him part of her family. How's that for a happy ending?

And you know, there was a time in most of our lives when we were lost and maybe even feeling abandoned too. The prophet Jeremiah certainly felt that way. In fact, at one point in his ministry he was even thrown into an empty cistern and left to die. And as anguished and alone as the prophet may have felt, God never abandoned him. He came to his rescue and saved his life just as He wants to do for each and every believer that calls out to Him.

But guess what? God not only wants to rescue us from our sinful lives but wants to make us part of His family by adopting us as His very own sons and daughters. We need only repent and accept Him as Lord of our lives. How's that for a happy ending?

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us despite the many ways we disobey, rebel and turn our backs on You. Lord if there is anyone reading this that is feeling beyond redemption, I pray that today is the day they finally understand that no one has sinned so bad that You won't welcome them back. May they then choose to accept you as Lord of their life, be forgiven and allow You to rescue them. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

Rescuer - Rend Collective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jAtmkjLYF4

Be an encourager

“Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.” Deuteronomy 31:7 NIV

With one mile left to go in the marathon, I saw him... the person I knew I was there to speak to. “Hey there! You’re almost done! Just keep stepping. You can do this!” The struggling young man smiled at the words of encouragement and readily welcomed my offer to run the last bit of the 26.2 mile race with him. And as we slowly made our way toward the finish line, I learned that Sergio was only nineteen-years-old, running his first marathon, and had a fierce determination to complete what he had started. Feeling led by the Spirit, I further encouraged the young man to apply the same grit he was now showing to accomplishing his life goals. Immediately after crossing the finish line, Sergio hugged me and said that he would never forget the words I later added, “Commit everything you do to the Lord young man and He will use you to do even greater things than finishing this race.”

And truly, sometimes all it takes for a person to succeed in the midst of pain, doubt or obstacles is an encouraging word from someone else. Moses undoubtedly understood this, and encouraged young Joshua to “be strong and courageous” so that he could assume the role of leading the people into the promised land as God had chosen him to do. Surely the task of shepherding such a large crowd of tired and discouraged Israelites must have seemed huge to Joshua, but the words of affirmation coming from this man of God gave Joshua the strength and courage he needed to get the job done.

So be looking for ways and opportunities to lift someone up my friend. Especially if you feel the Spirit’s prompting to do so. Your words could very well make all the difference in someone’s life today and in the future.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that there are many struggling and hurting people in our world. People that may not feel as if they can take another step. Help us to be encouragers to these people and to remind them that they are warriors and able to do all things through Your mighty strength. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Warrior - Steven Curtis Chapman

http://youtu.be/GYEgOh_b-Co