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 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

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