Running with God in the Great Smokey Mountains

Great run today with the love of my life.  We were in the Great Smokey Mountains.  We ran the Gatlinburg Trail.  Along the way we say a few people in the 27 degree weather.  We traveled across this foot bridge that traverses the Little Pigeon River.

The path is gental and mostly flat.  When we reached the Sugar Lands Visitors Center we took a short trail to Cataract Falls.

This half mile trail was soft and flat.  Cataract Falls is only a half mile from the visitors center and well worth the trip. 

I have to continue to thank the Lord for my life and the ability to run with him.

Running in God's Beautiful Wilderness

I had the opportunity to run in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park on the 28th.  I ran on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.  It is a one lane road that is closed during the winter.  Being that it is closed to cars it makes for a quiet run in the woods.

While I was running I had views of many creeks and cascades.  This reminded me of God's gift of Jesus and how Jesus is the Living Water.

As I ran I was reminded of God's great beauty.  I love the world he has made for us. 

 In some places there were still some snow on the ground from a few weeks ago.

I didn't see any people during my run and I liked that.  I did see these residence of the Great Smoky Mountains

I have to thank God for letting me run and allowing me the opportunity to run in his wilderness.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Running with the Christmas Spirit

I passed this scene while running this morning.  Please put Jesus at the center of your Christmas and be thankful that God gave us his son Jesus over 2000 years ago so that we may be saved.  

Running with Peace on Earth

I have been on the treadmill too many times this past week.  It was nice getting outside.  45 degrees and cloudy this morning.  I was able to run through Friedman's Park.  I haven't been here since the snow storm two weeks ago.

Today December 22 2013

2 weeks earlier December 6 2013

It was so peaceful today.  It was very quiet and I was all alone. During the Christmas season we see the words Peace on Earth written on postcards and in decorations.  Today as I thought about the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ, I was able to experience this peace.  Jesus can give us Peace on Earth everyday of the year if we will let him into our hearts and allow him to guide our lives.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1  

Running With Clarity

I had a long run yesterday.  I left the house at 10:00 and didn't get back until 12:30.  It was 35 degrees with light rain at the start and then overcast the entire run.  No sunshine today.  Visibility was minimal as you can tell from these pictures.

The roads were completely clear and there was minimal traffic so I was able to have a great run.  As he frequently is God was with me during my run.   He made me aware that when I am running with the world that sometimes my visibility my be obscured but if I run with him I will have clarity. I know what is right and what is wrong but if I let the things of the world be in front of me it may blur the lines between the two.  Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witness, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles .  And let us run with perseverance the race maked out for us. 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus...  Run with clarity by throwing off everything that hinders you.

Running on Stable Ground

Yesterday was the first day in over a week that I have been able to run on pavement.  Last week I had two days of running in the snow, which I love.  Due to timing and roads being icy I had been relegated to the treadmill a few times.  I was able to run in the evening so I have some beautiful sunset pictures.

I like google's autoawesome

Most of the roads were clear but there were some areas that I had to be careful where I was running.  There were some areas of roads that still had been covered completely with ice.  At times I had to slow down so that I didn't slip.  When I run with God in my life I don't have to worry about my footing because he provides me with a clear path.  I am not going to fall if I keep going where he directs me.  One of the song today that I was listening to was Chris Tomlin's "I Will Follow".  In the song he says "all your ways are good, all your ways are sure."  I know when I am running with God he will provide a sure way.

Running in God's Winter Wonderland - Crazy

We must be crazy running outside today.  It was 13 degrees with a windchill of 1 degree as we left the house at 9:00 am.

Crazy Runners

The more time I spend outdoors the more I am amazed at how beautiful God's world is.  I love the beach but there is something about a snowscape in the winter that takes my breath away.

Rolling Hills 

Today instead of listening to Christian music I listened to my tropical playlist.  It is a mixture of Reggae, Bob and Ziggy Marley, Jack Johnson and Kenny Chesney.  As I took the picture above the song Paradise by Coldplay was on.  I do think this is paradise.

Do you recognize these locations?

 

Here they are just 3 months ago.

I have to give thanks to God for letting me run in such beauty.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Run Through the Straight Gate

What a difference 42 hours can make.  Two days ago I was running in shorts and short sleeves on an unseasonably warm December evening.  Today I was running in a 25 degree snow storm with 4-5 inches on the ground. 

The view from my front door.

I love running in the snow.  I think there is something primal inside of me that causes this love.  I have knows for a week that we may be getting the snow today and I was holding out hope that I could run in it.  

Blue Lake

Part of my run today took me through a local park that is sparingly used on good days.   I usually am the only person there when I run.  Today the solitude was fabulous.

Freidman's Park

Running in the park in the 5 inches of snow was difficult so I return home via the road.  On the road I could run better when I found a tire track to follow.  Often these tracks were thin and I had to pay attention to where my feet were striking to prevent running in the deeper snow.  It reminded me of Matthew 7:13-14 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  What a great comparison between today's run and our spiritual life.  We need to stay focused on where we are going and not let the devil and the lust of this world take our attention away from the saving power of Jesus.

Run Your Race 

Hebrews 12:1

Free Running

Not your ordinary December run yesterday.  I was not able to run yesterday morning so If I was going to run it would be after work in the dark or on the treadmill.  When I got home at 7:00 PM the temp out side was 67 degrees.  WOW.  So I put on my shorts, short sleeve shirt and my light and headed outside.  I can't remember a December run in shorts before.  It was enjoyable.  It was also enjoyable because it was a "free run".  I use the term free run when I don't look at my watch, run easy and I don't have any particular route that I am running.  I like doing this sometimes because it is basic and easy.  Free running helps me remember that I like running.  It takes any pressure or work out of the run.

As I was enjoying my free run I started to think of the freedom we have with Christ.  It seems like an oxymoron when we say that giving our lives over to Jesus brings freedom, but that is what happens.  With Christ I have the freedom to live without guilt or shame.  I know that I can go through life and feel free from the lust of the world.   I greatly enjoy the freedom I have with Jesus.

* New song in playlist - MercyMe/Shake

Greatness Awaits

I always want to run outside as opposed to running inside.  Did I say always?  For some reason I decided to run on the treadmill this evening.  At 4:00 pm my duties around the house were done and it was sunny outside and beautiful.  For some reason I decided to run on the treadmill and watch football.  While I was running there was a commercial for Playstation.  You may have seen these commercials.  During there adds they use the slogan "Greatness Awaits".  This is sad to me.  Why would anyone judge their greatness by a video game.  I know many kids and young adults who do just that.  They live in a fantasy world and not reality.  It's not just video games that the world uses to steal our greatness.  Many of the things we chase in life steal our greatness.  Running can be one of those things.  Anything that builds us up to the world steals from our real purpose.  Real greatness is when we build up those around us, when people can see God in our lives.  We are great when we are living like Jesus.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Running with Purpose and Focus

Yesterday was a long run.  I was out for over two hours.  It was cool but there was abundant sunshine.  I felt strong and thanked God for allowing me to enjoy the world he created.  I often run through the neighborhood of Victoria National Golf Course.  Yesterday I decided to take the cart path and run through the actual golf course.  Victoria National is the most prestegous golf course in the area and many golfers would love to be able to play on it.  Yesterday for 4 miles I had the course to myself.  Even in winter time it is beautiful.  I can only imagine how it would look during the summer when everything is green and the flowers are in bloom.

I caught these two trying to sneak onto the back nine!

I was in prayer some of the time but I also had many thoughts about having purpose in life and what that might be. This is a frequent topic and many books have been written about purpose and having a purpose driven life. Here is my two cents on purpose.  I think we all have four main purposes in life.  1. Love God.  2. Love our spouses.  3. Be a good parent.  4. Be a witness to the people in our lives.  Some of us, no many of us, may have other purposes in life, but the four listed here are global.  If you are looking for your purpose in life, look no further.  

Now that you have your purpose...stay focused.  Don't let the world interfere with you achieving your purpose. Galatians 5:7 gives us a great running analogy, You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?  Stay focused.

Running with Thanksgiving

 



Evansville Turkey Day 5K 2013

It was a Wonderful start to Thanksgiving Day 2013.  My wife, two daughters and one boyfriend, and I ran in the 24th annual Evansville Turkey Day 5K. 

Alexia, Dana, Grace, and Caleb

22 degrees at the start and wind chill of 15.  The weather can make you appreciate a warm house and warm car.  I had mentioned before that I did have a goal for the 5K and it was the same goal that I had fallen short of the prior two years.  I am happy to say that the Lord provided me with good training and good health and I was able to finish 30 seconds under my goal.  I was actually  a few seconds away for a PR that I set 16 years ago.  So much for growing old. 

Today is Thanksgiving Day and all morning I have been reminded of all that I have to be thankful for.  The first thing to be thankful for is my God and our savior Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for my wife and family.  I am so luck to feel loved by them each and every day.  I will stop there because if that was all I had I would still be the luckiest man alive, but I could go on and on about all that I have to be thankful for.  God continues to bless me as I continue to run with him.

The course was mostly along the Ohio River

Run Your Race
Hebrews 12:1

Running Easy

Today was an easy 2 mile jog. 34 degrees. I was hoping for some snow but the sky was clear. Being out running gave me a few minutes to pray in be with the Lord. It is always nice to start the day out this way. Run Your Race Hebrews 12:1

Running with Contentment

Spectator

Nice run this morning.  I ran through a local park and had a few spectators.  I don't think she cared that it was 28 degrees this morning.

This Thursday my daughter, my wife and I are running in the Evansville Thanksgiving Day 5K.  I have been looking forward to this race for several months.  I have a goal for this run.  It is actually the same goal that I have had for the last two years but I have came up short both times.  This year I think it is going to happen.  I have been running well and taking care of my self.  I have been eating well and doing yoga several times per week.  I have put a lot of thought and effort into my preparation.  But if I do not reach my goal I will still be content because I have done my best.  In the last month our pastor has been preaching about contentment.  We need to be content with what we have and who we are.  If we are giving our best to God what more can we expect.  I need to be content with the things I have and with the effort I put into life.

Run Your Race
Hebrews 12:1

Stay Tuned In

Early morning run today.  No sunshine just darkness.  I spent some time praying this morning during my run and felt God's closeness but at other times my mind drifted.  This happens to me sometimes when I am running and praying.  I seem to have a problem with my radio dial.  It wants to skip around at times.  When I leave the house each morning I have a choice to make if I am going to listen to music or not.  Most of the time I do.  Then the choice is what type of music will I be running with.   I have some secular music on my Iphone and some of it is very up beat and good for running but If I want to be running with God I need to tune into my faith playlist.  If you want to have a closeness with God find a time each day that you can set your radio dial to him.

Run Your Race
Hebrews 12:1

Who are you running With

Blue Lake

Rather warm this morning.  54 degrees but slight wind of 12 mph.  I left the house for a long run at 8:15am. Two hours of running with God.  Plenty of time to pray and thank God for all he has done for my family.  He is are protector and provider.  He gives us peace and freedom.

Today I thought about who I use to run with.  I realized that we always are running with someone.  We are always thinking of something or someone when we are running.  Most of the time I would run with myself. My thoughts were about me and what was happening in my life.  On occasion I would think about my family or a situation that was happening in the world.  I can remember on 9/11 running in the afternoon and wondering what was happening to our world.  But most of the time my thoughts were selfish and revolved around me.

Since I have started running with God I have a new purpose.  When I finish my run I am not only refreshed physically but also refreshed spiritually.  While I am running it seems like my mind is free from thoughts of the world and I can have a better understanding of how God wants me to live.

Run Your Race Hebrews 12:1 

Run Your Race

If you follow my blog you know this is not about time, distance or personal bests.  Running with God is about a spiritual closeness with God through prayer.  For me my best prayer time comes while I am running. I do have goals though.  I have races I would like to run and times I would like to beat, but I am running the race of my life.  I want to be successful in my race.  God has set out a race before all of us.  Hebrews 12:1 ...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us Run with patients the race that is set before us.   We each have our own race and our own path.  It is not a competition. God wants us all to be winners.  Where is the finish of this race you may ask.  Some would say that the finish is when we die and I can see that point of view, but I would like to say that the finish is at the feet of Jesus. When we run to the Lord and get to him and have given ourselves to him we have won.

It doesn't matter what path, route, race, or road you take as long as you end at the SON.

Run Your Race: Hebrews 12:1

Running on Fire

One big ball of fire

It was 45 degrees this morning with an occasional stiff wind.  I choose to wear some light gloves and a light scull cap.  While I was running at times I started to get hot  but as the wind hit me I would get cool.  I took my gloves off and on several times.  I also rolled my hat above my ears a couple of times only to have my ears get chilled.  I guess you could say I was luke warm at times.  As Christians we need to be on our guard because luke warm is not how we want to be.  When we are luke warm we may be at risk of back sliding into old habits.  Also when we are luke warm we may not be as good of a witness to the people in our lives.

I want to be on Fire for God.  One of the songs that I listened to today was I'm Alive by Peter Furler.  He says "I'm alive. I'm on fire and my spirit burns with desire".  This is how I want to run and how I want to live. If I am on fire for God I cannot fail.  I will always be a winner no matter what the outcome is.

The thought of being on fire for God came to me as I ran past someone burning a pile of brush today.  My first thought was how sin will lead to the fire known as Hell.  I thought how interesting language is because we can use the term fire to reference two completely different out comes.  If we are on fire for God we will be filled with his spirit and be in a closeness with him.  If we let sin stay in our lives we will be consumed by the flames of eternal damnation.  It seems obvious that we would choose to be on fire for God but unfortunately the world can lead us astray.

Today I want to thank God for putting his spirit in me and helping to light my fire.  I want to present my body as a living sacrifice.

The Race that Everyone Wins

It was dark at 5:00 am this morning but I'm not complaining.  I am glad that I have the ability to run.  Some times we take the everyday things in life for granted.  I should thank God everyday that I am able to even walk let alone run.  As I set down to eat this evening I was watching E60 on ESPN.  It is a sports/human interest show.  One of the segments was about a young man in his 20's who was born premature and developed cerebral palsy.  He is not able to care for himself and is completely dependent on his parents.  He cannot walk unassisted.  His dad began pushing him in a stroller during running events and then started doing triathalons with his son.  Recently the young man decided he wanted to finish a race on his own.  He had worked hard to learn to walk with a four wheeled walker.  He told his dad he wanted to finish in his walker by himself.  At their next 5K his dad pushed him for the first two miles and then had his walker waiting for him.  His dad lifted him into the walker and then he was on his own.  At first he was doing well but with half a mile to go you could see the strain on his face.  His crippled body was wearing down, but he continued to push on.  The only assistance he had was water given to him from his sister and father who walked along side of him.  It was emotional just watching him struggle towards the finish.  When he finished he was a winner.  He didn't actually beat anyone but he was a winner.  Just crossing the finish line made him a winner.

It was the same for everyone else who crossed the finish line.  They were all winners.  Only one person actually won the race but winning is more than crossing the line first.  It is about crossing the line.

This is how God works.  II Timothy 4:7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  No where did it say that he had won the race or was the first to get done.  He finished the race and kept the faith.  If we keep the faith in Jesus we will be winners.  We will be winners in this life and the next.

Running with God Cures the Winter Blues

Do you have Seasonal Effective Disorder?  Sometimes this is also called Seasonal or Winter Depression. Some people call it cabin fever.  If you have this affliction I have the cure for you.  As winter comes the days start getting shorter and we get less and less sunlight.  I find this somewhat depressing myself but I know that Spring will come.  In the mean time there are things that can be done to prevent this depression.  Praying and running are two great ways to keep your sanity during the winter time.

Praying can help with our mental stability.  Being close to God will help lift our spirits each day regardless of the season.  The more we are in communion with God the better we can see the beauty in the world around us.  God loves us and the more we talk and walk (or run) with him the more we feel his love and presence.

Our winter time depression may also come from chemical changes in our brain due to lack of sunshine. There are chemicals in our brain that are released as we spend time in the sun.  Many of these chemicals regulate our body functions and mood.  One specific chemical that is released in our bodies because of sunshine is Vitamin D.  There is some thought that low levels of Vitamin D leads to fatigue.  If you are able to run during the winter this will expose your body to more sunshine and help release chemicals that help with our energy level.  Activity also helps release endorphin.  Endorphins help us feel more energetic and give us a natural high as when people say that have a runners high.

If praying helps prevent the winter blues and running helps us feel more energetic just think of the powerful effect of doing them at the same time.  This could be your best winter yet!

God's gift of sunshine

Autumn canopy

Beautiful country road

*Running tip - Be prepared to run during the cold weather.  I have several long sleeve shirts of different thicknesses.  I often wear a thick running jacket with pockets.  I like the pockets because I can put my phone inside and listen to my christian running playlist.  I also have gloves for running and a sock hat.  If I warm up I can take these off and put them in my pocket.  When it is real cold I will wear a face mask. Running clothes can be expensive but are often made well enough to use for years.  My present running paints are in great shape and I have had them for about 5 years.  Also Christmas is only 51 days away and running gear can make for great gifts.

Running with Focus

I have been contemplating my reasons for running the last two days.  I have been running for about 18 years and I remember some of the initial reasons why I started.  I think the main reason I started was to get into shape.  As I started to run my goals began to change.  I started to become more focused on my speed and I remember having the goal of running the Derby Festival Mini Marathon in Louisville.  As I ran more I became faster and my reason for running was about being more competitive.  During that time I remember having runs that helped me deal with issues in my life but there were not many runs that brought me closer to God.

My running with God only started to manifest itself in the last year.  Then in the last 3 months I followed God's leading and started this blog.  Since starting this blog my focus on God has become much stronger.  As I ran yesterday and today I thought about Proverbs 18:10.  The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous RUN to it and are safe.  I think this verse can be about my focus.  As I was running I can see myself looking forward to God and running towards him.  I will not be distracted by the things of this world.  I want to get to God so he can be my protection.  I know that he is strong and will make me safe.  I will continue to run towards him and not be detoured.

Early morning spectator

The Sweet Smell of Sin

I am fortunate to have a lot of routes I can run.  Some of my routes take me through neighborhoods and others take me out on rural Indiana county roads.  I have a few that take me by beautiful lakes.

Remember Jesus gives us living Water

When I am running I love the fresh smell of the outdoors.   I love to take in the environment around me.  Some times my nose will smell fall leaves or spring flowers.  During my last run I had the sweetest smell of any run.  It was so strong I had to turn my head and find out where it was coming from and this is what I saw.

The smell was urinal cake.  This is often how sin works.  Sin may seem so inviting and fulfilling but in the end it leads to death and destruction.  Don't be fooled.

*Running Tip - Don't be a slave to your watch.  Often people get so concerned by how fast they are running.  The first thing I think you should do is to enjoy running.  Some runs should be just for enjoyment.  If you are someone who is always looking at their watch and the only good runs are when you are happy with your times then maybe you should run without your watch on occasion.  Also you are risking injury if you are always pushing yourself.

Running during Winter

I had a nice run two days ago.  I haven't had a chance to blog about my thoughts since then.  In the last two weeks I have been running in the cold and when I run in the morning I have often been running in the dark.  As we move through fall and into winter the days are getting shorter and colder.  This is what autumn often looks like.

Fall in the Midwest

Winter is a part of life.  At least here in the Midwest it is. My thought when I ran two days ago were about this time of year.  We often think of winter as a bad thing.  Some times we think of things as dead during winter.  As I ran I realized winter is a necessary part of life.  Things are not dead during this time of year. Winter is a time of preparation.  If it wasn't for winter we wouldn't have spring.  There are many things in life that look gray or dead.  We just have to remember that these are times of preparation and times that are building towards Spring.

Fall Caterpillar

I have been seeing a lot of these in the last week.  They are not very colorful and many people would say not very pretty. I know that they will be wrapped up during the winter in preparation for Spring when they will burst open in all of their splendor.  When you find yourself in a dreary place call upon God to help you prepare for the Spring.