Serve others and Praise God

Today was a day to get back to work. Actually I personally did a little volunteer work. May I suggest from time to time that all of you take time to do the same. We are, in my opinion, to learn to serve others! 

Early this morning I began with Psalm 150 and Praised the Lord. Make time to Praise Him every day.

1 Praise the LORD!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

praise him in his mighty heaven!

2 Praise him for his mighty works;

praise his unequaled greatness!

3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;

praise him with the lyre and harp!

4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;

praise him with strings and flutes!

5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;

praise him with loud clanging cymbals.

6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the LORD!

Praise the LORD!

 

(Rundown: ballistics, ran 2 miles, stadiums x 2, mile of lunges every 100 meter on then off, and then coached for two hours.) 

Designed for Partnerships

One of the things I love about running is the encounters you get to have with other people. I've found that many of them are so encouraging. This got me thinking about how important it is to have partners, teammates, and friends. It is especially important to have these that will push you to become the best.

Kinda cool today to "run into" my neighbor and his family at the track this morning. He has one of those awesome spirits that is filled with Jesus in a place of priority in his life. As I was getting ready to finish up he was asking about some of the sets I was doing. After a brief chat and an invitation to join in 5 minute abs we had a little group pushing each other.

Some days I struggle to keep going for the whole 5 minutes. But with the friends around me I pushed my self harder and finished the drill. We need each other to challenge, encourage, and motivate. The Lord designed us this way. We are designed for partnerships. We are made to take on this adventure of life together.

Come on think about it even the Lone Ranger has Tonto!

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 

10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  

11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?  

12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

(Rundown: Ballistics, 3 mile run, stadium x 2, stadium pushup x 1, 5 minute ab, stretch) 

What's the Plan?

Being of single purpose is very important in life. There are so many things that can distract us, interrupt us, invade us, and even derail us.  This is true of being fit, life goals, and spiritual journey. We must seek to maintain a balance in our life - almost like focusing on having a strong core.

Had a blessing this morning come my way in an unexpected set of circumstances. My son has been training some boys this summer in SAQ (Speed, Agility, Quickness). This morning he had a rare illness that opened the door for the old coach to step in and cover for him. The boys and I worked on core. Everything we did was designed to strengthen their core and keep them centered, balanced, and focused.

They had no idea this was the plan but they worked hard. I think sometimes we go through life wondering what God's plan is for us or if He even has one for us. Like a great coach He has a plan and it most likely deals with your core spiritually.

God's plan is to unite (center, balance, focus, drive, and direct) your heart to reverence him in all your ways. It is up to us to learn from Him and walk in His paths for our best. Every circumstance, situation, set back, and advance is a drill from Jesus that strengthens our core.

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. 

Psalm 86:11

(Rundown: Ballistics, ran 1 mile, stadium steps x 10, worked with boys - push-ups/sprint hill, stadium step push up, lunges across field, 5 minute abs, stretch - Light day!!)  

Opps that's the Wrong Way

Sometimes I like going the wrong way. Do you ever do that? Starting at the line then going clockwise on the track. It is especially fun when there are a bunch of other people there. The looks on the faces are sometimes classic. But the best was the kid in the stroller who yelled out - "Hey, you're going the wrong way."

It is a friend who will tell you when you are heading in the wrong direction. Many times that friend comes in the form of a teacher/coach. This is someone who knows the way, shows the way, instructs the way, and the corrects the way. They are invaluable in our lives.

Father God is like this teacher/coach for us. In fact, the psalmist gives him the praise for this fact. "Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way." Psalm 25:8. Praise the Lord that he is there to get us back on the right path! He cares so much for us that he will yell out - "Hey, you're going the wrong way."

(Rundown: Ballistics, Extra stretch, 5 mile run, 5 minute abs, long stretch and thankful for One who loves me enough to teach me the right paths. Only a few people will get the picture reference.)

Ever Get Anxious?

Do you ever get anxious? A sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, a sudden burst of concern floods your mind, or tension that rolls in like fog in your emotions. From time to time everyone has felt some sort of anxiety. The issue is not if we get anxious but what we do with that anxiety.

I've tweaked something in a small muscle. It's not pulled. It is aggravated.When I run it screams like a  mom who has told her kid for the last time to clean that room. Because of this there is a little bit of anxiety. Pain has a way of creating those moments for us doesn't it?

So now what?

It could be the root of anxiety is actually fear. Fear will paralyze you and keep you from being all that you are designed to be. So what do you do with this fear, this anxiety? Seems like I remember something in the Bible about this topic that might just help. 1 John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

Remember He loves you - I have no need to fear!
Realize His love is perfect - fear has to flee! 
Release His love in you - casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, 

with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

Philippians 4:6

(My Rundown: Ballistic Stretch - a little longer today, stretched out the legs, sprints x 5, 1 mile, stadiums x 20, core, extra stretch - prayer casting my fears on Him!)

Did you forget something?

Today was hectic. A little bit of routine change. We started football camps for younger boys and then middle school. As I was running out the door there were several things that I had forgotten. Quickly turned to get my visor, shades, shoes, and finally after getting to the truck realized I forgot my cell phone. OO NO!!

Isn't it interesting the things we will go back in to get when we forget them. Many of today's necessities we feel like we could not live without them. Truth be told I would have been fine without my phone. The thought hit me as i was rushing to the field that are a few things I have to carry with me everyday. 

Early this morning my scripture mediation was found in Proverbs 3:3. The wise man wrote to us "Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart" Good word to keep when heading out for our days adventures. We must take with us loyalty or the better said faithfulness. And then bring along kindness because you might just need to share some loving kindness today.

So did you forget something?   

(Rundown of the day: 2 hours of active coaching - agility ladder drills. Then did hardCORE 30 minute in gym - found a new one I like here's the link to it...
http://www.youtube.com/user/sixpackshortcuts?v=QCqWeAL2xb4 
I did 10 sets!! plus 5 minute ab work - here's what I looked like halfway through...you should have seen the floor.)

Press On

Some days are harder than others. Athletes know this in their training and know the benefit of pressing on. I think we all know this can be true in life as well. Some days bring difficulty to them, some hardship, a few sickness, and many struggles. There is a great benefit in pressing on.

You have what it takes to press on. You have inside of you the ability to do more than you think, overcome more, and achieve greatness. You can press on.

I love what Paul told us in Philippians 3: 12-14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Press on...

(Rundown Monday-3 miles, stadium steps, core; Tuesday - 2 miles, stadium steps plus core, 5 minute ab, and bunch of humidity).  

I Slipped, He Secured, I'm Safe

British clergyman F. B. Meyer wrote about two Germans who wanted to climb the Matterhorn. They hired three guides and began the steep and treacherous ascent. They roped themselves together in this order: guide, traveler, guide, traveler, guide.

They had gone only a little way when the last man lost his footing. He was held up by the other four, because each had a toehold in the niches they had cut in the ice. But then the next man slipped and pulled down the two above him. The only one to hold on was the first guide, who had driven a spike deep into the ice. Because he held on, all the men beneath him regained their footing.

Meyer concluded his story by drawing a spiritual application. He said, "I am like one of those men who slipped, but thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands I will never perish."

All of us slip again and again as we walk the Christian pathway. But we are held securely by the Lord, and we can be restored to close fellowship with Him when we confess our sins. 

Prepare for Great Things

Today is July 2nd and a most important day in US history. This is the day that the Declaration of Independence was approved. Talking about preparing for great things! The founders placed their names and lives on the line literally when thy signed that document. They were prepared to give all they had for the defeat of tyranny and the establishment of freedom.

Sometimes I think we wander through life never really taking stock of the opportunities that we have for great things. We've not planned for anything great or prepared for anything great and we don't seek anything great. We wander through hoping to see, feel, and happen upon something.

Let's stop wandering and get in on the great adventures of life. Drop off the mediocre and the mundane and dare to jump in there for a difference in someone's life. Really do some great things. Here's some suggestions: Pray for someone today, encourage someone, challenge yourself and others to go the extra mile, find a cause and stick with it!

For many of us it means being who we are called to be and saved to be and that is like our Lord Jesus. Prepare to let him live through your day and your week. Put your life on the line for the cause of Christ.
Make a declaration of dependence on his spirit.

"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, 

but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it." 

Mark 8:35

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, 

but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." 

Mark 10:45

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. 

He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 

John 8:12

Welcome Back to Monday!

Hello my friends - I've been away for a week but carried my running with me. If you happen to be in Charleston last week you saw this old guy running through the streets and over the bridges. It was amazing!

Today was a tough one I must confess. Here's the rundown: Ballistics, 2 miles run (felt like 3 miles), stadiums plus pushups at top of each rep, then five minute core killer, stretch, and stumbled to the truck.

Ran today with a headache, just a little pesky sinus pain below my right eye. The pain reminded me that anything worth while is worth working hard to achieve. We are temporary as far as this earth is concerned. We have troubles and hardships through this life. But it is the strength of our spiritual life and foundations that we have built upon the Word of God that brings us lasting power.

Yes, we are temporary in the body. Yes, we wear out,
wear down, and even battle with disease. But the strength we need for eternity comes from the Lord Jesus. We find the source of our strength through the power of His word.

Isaiah said it well! The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (40:8)

"We are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of Nature has placed in our power…the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." 

Patrick Henry 

Footnote: While doing "Mountain Climbers" part of core killers and upside down! My headache went away!