Rainbows and Butterflies

I had a different run this afternoon.  I had planned to run 9 miles after work but when I got home a storm was starting.  The sky was black and the radar was ominous.  I decided I was going to get my workout in regardless of the conditions so I headed downstairs to the treadmill.  After about three miles I came upstairs to tell my wife something and she said why are you running down stairs when it is beautiful outside.  I looked outside and couldn't believe that it was sunny.  I thought why not run the last 6 outside.

Just after leaving the house I noticed God's gift of a rainbow.  I started my communication with God by thanking him for his greatness and the rainbow he provided.  I had a nice run and it remained sunny the rest of the evening, but my runs are not always about rainbows and butterflies.  Last week I had a run that was very difficult.  I just didn't feel right.  My joints felt still and my legs were heavy. Mentally I wasn't wanting to run and I thought about stopping.  A couple of miles into the run I ran into this guy.

The picture doesn't do him justice. He was over one foot long and looked like the meanest snapping turtle I have ever seen.  It reminded me of a verse from Galatians 5:7 You were running a good race.  Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?  I certainly wasn't going to let this guy stop me from finishing my run, but how often do I let material things cut in on me and keep me from having closeness with God?  As I continued to run I thought about this over and over.  Why would I let anything come between me and the Lord?  Why slow myself down with things of this world?  I want to run my race with strength and focus and not let anyone or anything cut in on me as I run with God.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Running Towards a Strong Tower

Yesterday was a perfect day for a long run.  It was 65 degrees and no wind.  This was my view at the start of my run.

I know it doesn't look like a picture but this is a picture of the sky.  It was a perfect blessing from God after a long winter.  My playlist started with a song by Kutless titled Strong Tower.  During my run I thought about what I was running toward.  Am I running towards God or am I running towards material gains that wont last.  Proverbs 18:10 says The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.  I want to remember what I am running towards and that the Lord is a strong tower.  I want God to be blessed by my running.

I also took a picture at the end of my run.

Again the picture was of a perfect blue sky.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

God gives Perseverance

This past Satruday I was fortunate to have my long run in Bloomington,IN on the B-Line Trail. 


The trail starts just north of the center of town and has its first few miles through the heart of
Bloomington.

  It then runs through some wooded areas for 3 miles until you reach the southern trail head.

 Most of the trail is paved but there is a two mile section that is a nice dirt path. 

At the south end the B-line connects to the Clear Creak Trail.   This is a 3 mile paved path that is through some small open fields.

  I was able to run the entire length out and back and loved it. 

The run started at 50 degrees but during the last 6 miles a cold front came through and the wind picked up.  By the end of the run it was 39 degrees with a wind chill of 31.  My hands and cheeks were blue at the end.  At times I wanted to stop but I continued to press on thinking about Isaiah 40, ... but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

I greatly enjoyed running in Bloomington.    I would love to get back and see how beautiful the trail is during summer time.

Running With God as a Winner

Most people who take up running as a hobby or to get into shape will at some point run in a race.  For many the race will be a local 5k, but for others it may be a longer or larger event like a half marathon or marathon.  Most people who run in these races do not win and have no chance of winning.  They don't even win an age group award.  Still we run because we run for ourselves.  We really don't race against others in the race.  We are challenging ourselves and we run against the clock.

Now imagine stepping up to the line before a race and knowing that you are going to win.  How would it feel to know that you have the ability to be the winner and all you have to do is to complete the course.  That would be an awesome feeling.  I have competed in many races over the years.  I have had the fortune to run the Indianapolis mini-marathon 4 times.  There are typically around 33,000 runners each year in the Indianapolis Mini and it would be an unbelievable experience to be the winner.  But I tell you I have an even better experience.  That experience is to be a winner with Christ.  If we give our lives over to Jesus Christ we will be winners everyday.  We will be winners in our homes and in our communities.  Our race has already been won.  All we will have to do is Run our race.  Just like in Hebrews 12:1 ...let us throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Jesus has already fought the battle.  All we have to do is to give our hearts to him and claim our prize.

I have added a new song to my playlist that emphasizes this point.  The song is Holding Nothing Back by Ryan Stevenson.  In the song He says "Jesus I don't want anything coming in between between me and you. Jesus I will do what I got to do I 'm holding nothing back."  1 Corinthians 9:24 tells us this, Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. The prize is yours if you want it.  Run to be a winner!


Run Your Race
Hebrews 12:1

Run Your Race

My tag line in the last few months has been "Run Your Race Hebrew 12:1.   I love that verse and how it pertains to running.  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Yesterday my race took me to a one mile run.  It was a new event that was put on by Newburgh Christian School.

The race was a flat 5 lane road on what is called the Warrick Wellness Trail.  

It was a perfect day for a run.  Unseasonably warm with a temp of 63 degrees.  I really appreciated the 2:00 start time.  This was the first organized mile run that I had participated in and it was nice to do something different. The course was out and back and the turn around was a wide around -about.  

I met several nice people that were associated with the race and I hope to run it again next year.

During the mile run and my run afterwards I thought about how we each have our race to run, and for today this was mine.  I thought about what my race in life was and what God has set out for me.  I think we all have a specific path in life that God wants us to take but I also think we all have the same starting point and ending point.  I think the starting point is that we are to be the best witnesses to our families and friends.  We are to be loving parents, siblings and friends.  Our race in life is to stay close to God and lead our families.  

God then gives us different paths and abilities.  We all have different talents to be used during the race that he has set out for us.  In the end we all have the same goal and that is eternal life with Jesus Christ so go out and run your race.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Running at the end of Winter

I have been running again for the last two weeks and feel fine.  Yesterday I had my first longer run and things went well.  I am not in the shape I was two months ago but that is fine.  I am coming out of winter and hopeing I am in a better place spiritually and physically than when winter started.  I had a post back in November that discussed how winter is not a season of death.  Winter is a time of preparation.  During winter we can prepare for the Spring of our lives.  Winter is not as ugly as it may seem.  I have taken many beautiful pictures this winter to attest that there is beauty during winter.

Fire and Ice

This picture is from two weeks ago just after an ice storm.  The tree is completely encased in ice.

I recently had a situation that reminded be of the spiritual winter of my life.  I believe that my struggles during that time have prepared me for now.  Those struggles have made me a stronger christian.  I can see that Spring in my life is here and I don't want to go back to winter.  I know things will come up but I have the strength to weather any storms that come my way.  

I have seen Spring.  I know it is coming.  I want to be prepared for what God has for me as Winter ends.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Running with a Son Lover

I only ran once in January.  It was a long month and I really missed spending time with God while running.  I have been trying to rehab and keep up some activity so that I wouldn't loose much endurance during that time.  Yesterday was my second run in three days and it felt great getting outside.  This is what I saw as I left the house.

I love running in the snow and I love seeing the Sun come up in the morning.

But most of all I love running with the Son.  The Son of God, Jesus Christ.  I love the fact that he died for my sins and has done so out of Grace.  I am looking forward to more running and more time with God.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

How to Run with God

If you look you can still see ice on the lake.

It was a beautiful day to be outside today. I just wish it was a little bit warmer.  42 degrees and 15 mile per hour wind makes for some less than ideal biking.  I biked about 8 miles and then walk/ran 2 miles.  I had a little discomfort so I may take tomorrow off and see how things feel on Tuesday.  

Church today was about worship.  Our Pastor spoke about ways that we worship God.  I quickly thought about my running and how I interact with God.  Often I will just start running and listening to my christian music.  Sometimes I will have some organization in my prayer and use the A.C.T.S. prayer model.  I would tell you what that means but I think there are some others out there that have a great explanation of this prayer model.  Click here to read from the Billy Graham website to get a great explanation.

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Continuing to Run with God

No running for me again today.  I still have an odd feeling in my left calf so I thought about giving it a couple of more days before trying to run again.  I decided to ride my bike today.  It was a balmy 42 degrees today so I had to bundle up to ride my.  It was a short 5 mile ride.  I really didn't feel very cold once I got started but I can tell I'm not in very good biking shape.  After biking I decided to walk for a mile.  It was nice to get out.  I had some time to pray and think about running.  I haven't made any New Year's resolution but I thought about what running might bring for me in 2014.  I thought about what my goals were going to be for the year.  I started to think about what events I want to compete in and what my time goals were going to be.  Before I came up with anything specific I thought why have it all planned out?  Why do I have to pick certain times I want to beat?  How about this year I give my running to God and be happy just running?

There are a few events I will end up running.  There is a Marathon in Louisville in April that I have planned on doing and have been preparing for so I think that will be something I will do.  There are several local runs that I like to do and if things are going well during the year maybe a month or two before each one I might sign up.  I think I will let God lead me this year and I will try to use running to be closer to him and use running to be an example of God's love to the world.  At least my little world.  

Hopefully I will be running soon!

Run Your Race

Hebrews 12:1

Persaverance

After having some of the best running months of my life I am now injured. I think on one of my runs in the Great Smokey Mountains I pulled to many hills.  I actually cut my run short because of discomfort but I guess it wasn't soon enough.  The problem was the hills.  I had not been doing any hill training and one certain run was probably the hilliest run I have ever had.  So as I type now I haven't ran in the last 5 days.  I was in training for a race in April so this may be a bit of a set back.  The thing that I really miss is my time with God.  The blessing of running and being in communion with God has become a special treat in my life. I will be resting the rest of this week and looking forward to the next time I get to Run with God.

Run Your Race
Hebrews 12:1

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