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Today’s Challenge

Oh Twitter.  Since I have actively started following people I don’t ever have to come up with an original thought. 🙂

And that is good for a Monday morning!  Today, I will let the great author Max Lucado speak to you as I steal a thought from him.

 That’s very similar advice that I use a lot when running hard, or racing.  As a runner, you don’t focus on the entire distance, you break it down – especially when it gets hard.  For instance, when I run a hard work out, I may break it down to just things on the road – like – just to the mailbox, and then to the next mailbox, and then to the mark on the road.  Short, attainable, focused goals. And before you know it you have maintained the effort for the entire distance!  YEAH!

So today, tackle the challenge right in front of you – today, or maybe just the next 5 seconds!

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34 New International Version (NIV)
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Fixed and Fast

Last night I went out for a 4 mile run on the nice soft flat top of the local levee.  Since it’s so flat it can be an easy run or a fast run depending on how you feel.  I intended to do something sort of in the middle – quick but controlled.

I started my run a few blocks from the trail head and just as I approached the start of the levee another gentlemen started down the path.  Uh-no!  a rabbit.   So as I rounded the first turn and could see across the levee for quite a distance I noticed there were several runners and walkers out in front of me.  One by one, I placed my eyes on the back of the individual in front of me and ran them down.  As I approached the first mile, I noticed another runner in the distance, maybe 1/4 mile ahead, and sub consciously I fixed in on him.  I traveled through the first mile 15 seconds faster than I wanted, but I was feeling so fleet a foot and completely in control.  I continued ahead, slowly gaining on the object of my fixation.   I come along side the final runner with about a third of a mile to my turn around marker, the two-mile.  We arrived together at the two-mile mark more than 20 seconds faster than my intended pace and even faster than the first mile. Yes!

He was continuing down the path, so we parted ways and I turned around.  Since there were no returning runners in front of me, I had nothing to focus on but to gloat of my achievements!  And as you can guess, my time greatly reduced on the two miles back in.

This morning, I came across these great proverbs

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

I could not help but be reminded of my trip across the levee last night.  As long as I had someone to focus on, to fix my gaze directly on, I was in the zone.  Moving efficiently and effectively towards the target – actually not even realizing the effort I was giving!  But as soon as I had no focus.  As soon as I could observe the grass, and the distance, and the birds, and get absorbing in myself gratifying thoughts, my efficiently was greatly reduced.

So it is with our spirits!  Make sure you are focused on the right thing today.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God Hebrews 12:2 NIV

 

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Content Whatever the Circumstances

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and today I believe that is so true.  Take a look at this picture a friend of mine shared on Facebook.  It’s from the Tough Mudder, which is dubbed “probably the toughest event on the planet”.  The new phenomenon is a set of extremely grueling obstacle courses, and this is the one of the latest endurance events that has swept the nation.  But anyway, here’s the picture from Tough Mudder. ‘Nuf said.

 10-14I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. Philippians 4:10-14 The Message (MSG)

 

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Transformers Friday

I saw on TV last night that it’s Transformer’s Friday.  I like that.  They said it is because that ridiculous movie is being release on DVD, I say, it is because I have another great example from a cross country runner to share, and I think it will create some transformation in you!

I was actually shown this clip on Wednesday night.  The group of men that I met with on Wednesdays are planning to spend the month of October talking about fatherhood, and more importantly being courageous as a father.  This study actually coincides with today’s release of the new movie “Courageous“, which I urge all of you to find some time to go see.  ( if you are in the Chattanooga area – there is a large group of men going to view this movie Monday night – please join us!)

So, back to the point. during our time on Wednesday, we reviewed this video about Ben Comen, a high school cross country runner with Cerebral Palsy.

Really, you need to check out this video.  It’s an ESPN piece from a few years ago.  This dude has a lot of courage and a lot of strength to push himself despite his physical disadvantage.  If you don’t have time today, please take the 8 minutes this weekend to watch this little clip, I think you will be glad you did.

And then you can take encouragement from Ben, as you fight against whatever uphill, unbalanced, and rocky challenge  you are dealing with as you run through your life.  Hopefully, you will be able to look at whatever is knocking you down with a little more courage and strength – after all, we have Him on our side.

9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

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In A Fog

I drove in this morning in quite a soup of fog, and no I am not talking about the inside of my mind.  Although that may also be the case, I was talking about a literal fog.  It was so thick I could not really see more than 2 cars in front of my for a little stretch.

That got me thinking about Hebrews 12.

1Therefore, 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, Hebrews 12:1 New International Version (NIV)
 
Yes, that large fog cloud reminded me of all the people who have lived these lives before us.  Those who have dealt with the same issues with deal with, who lived through similar joys and heartaches.  Those who found strength in the same Creator who we get our strength from!
 
So, wherever you are today, and whatever you are dealing with remember that great cloud from the past that surrounds you, take encouragement from them, and run with perseverance the path you are on!  Oh, and lighten that pack, by throwing out those thing with don’t help you move down the path!