Did you Qualify? Did you get accepted?

Did you Qualify? Did you get accepted?

These questions are frequently tossed about by marathoners in late September regarding the Boston Marathon.

Registration for the Boston Marathon now begins in mid-September and ends within approximately 10 to 14 days. Registration ends once approximately 28,000 runners receive acceptance.

Everyone eagerly awaits the email determining one's Marathon fate for the coming April.

For comparison, I registered for my first Boston Marathon, booked a room at the Sheraton near the finish line, and began looking for flights in February 1995. The following year, the BAA increased the field limit from 10,000 to near 30,000 runners to accommodate the 100th Boston Marathon.

Today, acceptance into the Boston Marathon requires running an unknown margin beyond the qualifying time or buying an entrance through charity fundraising. In fairness, it’s the BAA’s race and they have the right to set whatever standards they choose.

Conversely, I am relieved that eternal life with God does not require certain standards nor can anyone buy God’s favor and their way into an eternal relationship with God.

Rather, when we recognize and repent of our sin, knowing that it is only forgivable through belief in Jesus Christ, including His death and resurrection.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)

Rejoice!

Rather than looking for the famous BAA Boston Marathon logo and symbols, look for the cross to assure entrance.

You can do nothing to qualify for heaven on your own. Jesus Christ has qualified every person who turns to him for forgiveness of sins for an eternal relationship with God.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Through belief in and dependence on Jesus, the answer is always, "Yes."

Yes, you qualified and are accepted through Him for an eternal relationship with God.

Why do you run?

Every runner has been asked at least once, “Why do you run?” Most likely, you too answered this more than once? I began running in sixth grade because I loved sports yet I was absolutely lousy at playing baseball, football, and basketball.

You may have begun running due to an encouraging invitation from a friend or coach. Perhaps you have run competitively for many years or decades. Others begin running for health benefits such as losing weight or they simply set a goal to complete a specific race or race distance such as a 10K, half marathon, or a marathon.

Additionally, some begin as a way to relax after work as well as a time for reflection and meditation regarding work, family, life in general, the Bible, or all the above.

Our reasons to run often vary depending on our fitness and health, the calendar, experience, ability, and goals.

Regardless of why we run, we eventually enjoy, at least to some extent, all of the above reasons. Runners enjoy competing, covering miles with friends, the physical and mental challenges, health benefits, achieving goals, and relaxing.

What do you think about while running?

Additionally, our meditative minds sometimes drift into what I have longed called Lala Land, becoming oblivious to our surroundings as we soar into a near dream state of deep thoughts with a highly creative state of mind.

Powerful ideas arrive like flashes of lightning. Moreover, when in Lala Land, we swiftly and effortlessly cover the miles, feeling as if we could seemingly forever run fast. If only we could automatically record each of these original, insightful ideas while in Lala Land?

How we define and respond to our ultimate purpose(s) for running determines whether our running possesses eternal value or ends with our earthly life (1Corinthians 3:12-15). Do you, like me, easily focus on only the self-gratifying aspects of running?

Is my Life and my Running anchored in Christ?

Socializing, relaxing, meditating, goals, competing, and health benefits all represent wonderful pursuits in life as long as our primary purpose for each of these to serve and glorify God (Colossians 3:17).

Our sinfulness demand that we seek and accept forgiveness of our sins (Romans 3:23) and continually extend Christ’s grace and mercy to everyone we encounter (Ephesians 2:8). This includes our relationships with fellow runners, bicyclists, those in automobiles, pedestrians, race officials, along with anyone else we encounter. “We love, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Fortunately, we have an internal helper for this formidable task, the Holy Spirit (1Cor 3:16-23), sent to us by Jesus Christ from God the Father (John 14:16).

He reminds us that God created everything in existence such as you, those with whom you run, the ground and surfaces we run on, the chemistry and fabrics of our apparel, vehicles, fuel, the sunrise and sunset, as well as the stars in the sky that we enjoy while running in the dark (John 1:1-3).

One of the tougher challenges in serving and glorifying God is our innate desire to depend on our human wisdom to rationalize our running ups, downs, and everything in-between rather than trusting God in everything (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Trusting and serving God includes pointing people towards the Lord Jesus Christ and His word in the Bible even when we perceive to risk embarrassment or rejection.

Trusting God initiates appropriate action (James 4:17), while rejecting complacency (Prov 1:32). While appropriate action varies from one interaction to the next, it always includes sincerely wanting Christ’s best for everyone.

Persistently thank God in Christ for the ability to run, the challenges along the way to remind you of your dependence on Him in all of life, those whom you met, and that you glorify Christ regardless of your ability, time, or placing.

Application:

1.     Take a deep, sincere interest in those with whom you run. Most of us get to know those with whom we run beside very well through the course of miles and conversations.

2.     Listen and ask how you may pray for them, their friends, and families. Record these prayer requests in a secure, yet convenient place to find them.

3.     Listen with the desire to serve and glorify God.

4.     Only promise to pray if you will indeed pray for them.

5.     Pray fervently (Acts 12:5; James 5:17). Check-in occasionally, whether in person or a quick note, reminding them of your prayers and for updates or changes to the request.

6.     With Love and Truth, share God’s word from scripture with your friends. This will soothe their and your hearts and hurts.

7.     Read the Bible ten to fifteen minutes a day, even more if you prefer. Seek the contextual meaning of the scripture.

8.     Continually pray for God’s guidance in your running and your running relationships.

9.     Ask God to shine through you at all times, ask that your face, gesture, and words may reflect Him to everyone you encounter, including drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

10.  When running alone or meditating, fervently pray that He guide your thoughts and that they each manifest to serve and glorify Jesus Christ.

11.  Frequently remind yourself of the above. It’s so easy to make our running mostly about ourselves.

For the cause of Christ, who may I serve today? ~ Charles Gibbs

 

For a contribution of any amount, you receive a pdf copy of Rick’s highly acclaimed booklet, The Holy Spirit’s Guidance in Max International (Business). This powerful book contains evaluations of other literature, insightful interviews with leading businessmen in various industries. Rick E. Meyer wrote the original version for his Applied Research Project at Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas.

Ø  How do leaders recognize, listen, respond and share this guidance?

Ø  How do leaders and believers know His non-audible voice (John 10:27)?

Ø  Is the guidance received audibly, in the heart, mind or soul?

Ø  Does God speak to us through other people?

Ø  Does God speak to us through physical events and/or circumstances?

Ø  What are three understandings of discerning God’s guidance?

Ø  The Christian’s Five Essential Daily Questions

 

"Thank you very much for sending me a copy of your Applied Research Project. I really appreciate the timeliness of the topic you chose, and I especially find helpful the insights you describe in your conclusions in the last paragraph on page..."

"It looks like you just provided me with something that I was looking for, but didn't know to ask for, so that's even better."
~T.M. Businessman, Omaha, NE

"I’m 15 pages in and this is EXCELLENT…thanks for sharing"

Run Long, Persevere, Finish Strong
~Mark M., Managing Partner
Dallas, TX

Receive Your Copy Today
 

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Rick

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Coach Lyle Claussen

During last night’s visit about upcoming workouts, Coach shared how he as a substitute teacher in southeast Nebraska put the local all-star football players in their place during class (keep reading). This caused my reflecting on his many lessons over the years. Too many to cover here.

I first met Lyle when I moved to Kearney, NE after graduating from Kansas State in 1990. Before a local 5K in June he turned around and warmed-up with me, we have been friends since.

He transformed University of Nebraska—Kearney, then Kearney State College, from an average men’s NAIA cross country program to one of the nation’s best, regardless of division.

I once asked this member of the South Dakota Hall of Fame who has spoken at a multitude of Coaching Clinics across America, “Is there is a race distance or track event that you have not been asked to speak about at a clinic?”

“Yes, the javelin and the hammer throw. But those are easy, get out of the way…” Lol

As a coach, he modeled for his NCAA Div II teams with five top eight and three top four national championship finishes in six years little things such as to stand back from the luggage carousel at the airport until your bag has arrived. Many business people fail to understand this simple concept. It’s about awareness and respect of others.

He insisted that his top teams and All-American runners run absolutely no more than three abreast, preferably two abreast, keeping the pack in tight formation near the curb or side of the road while running down the streets and the roads facing traffic. It’s about awareness, safety, and respect for others.

Yesterday (Tuesday 08/29/2016), he stopped lecturing during class while serving as a long-term sub. He then stood in front of the class with his arms crossed. Most of the class focused their attention on him. The two star athletes continued visiting. He stood silent until they became silent.

“Have you two believed you’re deserving of special attention (or favor) all of your life or are you being obnoxious because I am a substitute teacher?”

They remained silent.

Coach continued, “Yes, I am a coach (he assists with cross country and track) and I like athletes. In fact, because I am a coach and like athletes, I have much higher expectations for those who are athletes in my classes. So far, you two have failed to reach the lowest standard for any student.” (May not be verbatim, yet close.)

The all-star athletes and the rest of the class were stunned.

“You should have seen some of their eyes and facial expressions.”

If you're a standout in any specialty, the more that is expected of you by your peers in all of life.

Choose high performance over highly arrogant and obnoxious behavior.

How Should Christian Athletes / Runners View Injuries?

How do we make sense of and respond to injuries and other challenges in life?

“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them (Psalm 139:16 —139 is a Wisdom Psalm of descriptive Praise).”

Trusting God’s sovereignty, rule and control over everything, is often easier said than endured; especially when His plans differ from ours. This Psalm and other Biblical illustrations of God’s reign over all of creation stabilize, encourage, and humble us in our perceived failures and successes.

“People try to deny God’s sovereignty to allow for randomness and evolution,” Dr. J. Lanier Burns, Sr. Professor of Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, TX.

God simply expects us to trust Him (Prov 3:5-7) and keep our eyes heavenward (Php 3:13-14, 20) His wisdom far exceeds ours (Ro 11:34), therefore we lack the understanding to explain the greater purpose of challenges and victories while swimming in the sea of life. For example, in May 2015, I gratefully received a Pro Athlete entry into the USA Masters Marathon Championship held in conjunction with the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4, 2015.

My excitement and determination to succeed escalated. I continued listening to Lyle Claussen, my coach of twenty–five years while preparing for this marathon. I once avoided any injury for eleven consecutive years. My fitness level provided a realistic opportunity to challenge my twenty–year old personal best in the marathon.

I humbly and joyfully prayed throughout the training cycle to glorify God in every way. We glorify God through our faithful love, obedience (Mt 7:21), enduring suffering (Php 1:29, 3:8), and extending Christ’s mercy to others whether we achieve secular greatness or utterly fail.

Conversely, the world promotes the errant Prosperity Gospel, the belief that God’s favor results in worldly success and astounding performances.

The intense training provided soaring confidence the week of the marathon.

Race day finally arrived. I felt strong and fast! The crisp forty–two degree October air offered ideal racing conditions. Mentally, the first six miles passed like two. Portent of the remaining twenty miles, my Garmin gps watch permanently lost satellite reception about the same time as I stepped on uneven pavement in the curb while running the tangent around the curving road near the 10K marker. My left glute muscle began cramping.

I nearly quit the marathon at each of the remaining aide stations due to perpetual cramping and the resulting limping. Despite the diligent physical, mental, and spiritual preparation for this race, the last twenty miles were the most miserable of my 124,000 lifetime miles.

As I ran the final stretch along Summit Ave in St. Paul, MN, I continued Running on Faith, trusting that my race would glorify the Lord Jesus Christ regardless of my time or place (Php 1:12-14). Faith also in eternal life with God only through Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins for those who believe in Him (John 3:16-18).

Do you ever ask yourself something such as, “Why did this injury happen in this big race after all of my preparation?” Or, “Why does God allow suffering?”

The Bible, both in specific passages and as a whole, beautifully illustrates and assure us of God’s sovereignty. For example, Psalm 139:1-16 explains that God knows our thoughts and words before we know them; as well as the number and our activities of each of our days before we existed. We often struggle in life with understanding why God allows tough, seemingly impossible challenges; whether injuries, financial, relational, or loss of loved ones. The Bible also teaches that God’s wisdom far exceeds all of man’s wisdom (Job 38-41; Ro 11:34).

Dr. Chuck Swindoll succinctly summarized God’s sovereignty when I visited with him a few months later. “Rick, God knows the precise timing, placement, magnitude, duration, and effects of our every injury before we are born.”

God allows our suffering for purposes beyond our understanding. Our suffering reminds us of the suffering Christ endured while dying on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Forgiven sins eternally restore each believer’s relationship with God.

However, due to my pride and ego, devastation struck for the next several hours after crossing the finish line. Because, I focused on my failure to achieve my goals instead of focusing on God’s greater plan established before I was born.

This includes glorifying Christ by remaining joyful, prayerful, and grateful (1 Thess 5:16-18) through suffering, such as enduring an unexplained injury during a major championship. My attitude brightened once I refocused on scripture and glorifying Christ in all circumstances.

Through diligently internalizing scripture and persistently praying, God directs the necessary thoughts and people into our lives to achieve His will. We obey with prudent action because we strive to please God whom we love (1Jn 4:19). The resulting journey and destination often differ from our original expectations.

Let’s examine a few other biblical examples of God’s sovereignty. For example, Zechariah (Lk 1:1-13) is chosen by lot (Prov 16:33) to serve as the priest to offer the incense in the temple where an angel informs him of God hearing his long-time prayer for a son, John the Baptist. Elizabeth gave birth to John six months before Mary delivered Jesus.

“The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33).

Because approximately 18,000 priests vied for the position of entering the temple, priests were chosen only once in their lifetime. The prophet Isaiah (Is 40:3; Lk 3:4) announced the future arrival of John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ approximately 725 years before Zechariah’s encounter with the angel (Isaiah prophesied from 742–701 BC).

Since God operates within His decreed and permitted will, how should we respond to life’s challenges and setbacks such as an injury that disrupts our dreams and goals?

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

We do so because we know loving God necessitates obeying Him, and because He is God, we trust Him (Romans 8:28).

God uses a variety of circumstances, including injuries to athletes, to transform us into His image, growing closer to His character—a lifelong process which we never complete.

Obviously, no athlete seeks or initially welcomes an injury. However, if or when you suffer another injury, remember that God knew about and permitted this injury, in this moment of time before the world knew about you.

Therefore, pray, rejoice, and give thanks. Ask God to reveal how this disappointment advances your spiritual maturity, deepens your relationship with and serving of Jesus Christ who offers salvation for all who believe in Him.

Ultimately, know that God loves you and reigns over your entire life. Expend your every ounce of energy in serving Jesus Christ whether performing at your highest level or enduring injuries.

Because, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17).”

http://rickemeyer.com/running-on-faith.htm

Additional Bible Study:
Other Biblical examples of God's Sovereignty:

1 Samuel 9 -- Having grown-up on a Kansas farm, I don't recall any of us getting excited when livestock got out / lost.

Yet, isn't it amazing how God used Kish's donkeys getting lost to connect Saul and Samuel?

1. What happened during today's Run or Race that God may use to direct you in serving Him?
1. Who did you meet today?
2. What did you learn about them?
3. How may you serve them or someone they know?
4. Record your thoughts during today's run. Share if appropriate
5. Do today's thought topics, beyond running, correlate with past thoughts? If so, how, how many, frequency, common donominator on prompting this topic?

What else does the Bible say about Suffering:

"More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law,

but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8–11)

"For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me." (Philippians 1:29–30)

• Are you willing to share in Christ's suffering?
• How are you currently suffering for His sake?
• How have you suffered for Christ in the past?
• Does your type of suffering differ over time?
• How does your suffering relate to other areas of your life?
• Will changing anything in your training (or life) alleviate your suffering?
• Who else do you see suffering for Christ? How are they suffering, from your perspective?

Enduring Peace vs In-Grown Eyeballs

Despite running at least 40+ minutes slower than anticipated & desired in Sunday's Twin Cities Marathon, the inner-peace that began weeks before this marathon remains as powerful this Friday morning as it was last Friday morning.


God does not give us false peace, or false anything else. He is truth, therefore everything from Him is true and pure (James 3:17). Authentic peace--originating from God--always points towards God: the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.


God provides indescribable peace and joy through the Bible, prayer, gratitude, praise and other people.


I nearly extinguished this peace a few times this week with the great extinguisher of peace otherwise known as, "In-Grown Eyeballs."


Let's keep our eyes on Christ. For the cause of Christ, who may I serve now? Let's enjoy God's peace (Eph 6:15)!

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NASB95)


Keep the Faith, Trust God!
Rick


Rick E. Meyer
www.rickEmeyer.com
Running on Faith Ministry Inc.

Do you use age an excuse or God as a reason?

Feeling Blessed:
Despite wounding my foot in the 2nd mile of a 19 mile run on Sunday (orig'ly supposed to run 22M) and waking-up with it a little sore each of the last two mornings; this morning's 400s are very comparable to my 400 workouts in 1996.


Normatec and CryoSauna at CryoUSA yesterday all enhanced the recovery of the foot, along with icing before going to bed.


Internalize God's word--the Bible, trust God in everything. This necessarily includes the people, opportunities, desires and challenges that He places in your life.


Whatever your calling, focus on God instead of your age or other external circumstances.
Remain Joyful, Prayerful and Grateful in everything as this is God's will (as opposed to an off-hand suggestion) for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess 5:16-18).


Keep Running on Faith in Christ


Rick E. Meyer
Running on Faith Ministry Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com

"Lord, I need You!"

Have or do you recognize your complete dependence on God? In this podcast, I describe times I have pleaded for Him, as well as the result of a time when I thought I could depend solely on myself.





Podcast downloads available:
http://runningonfaith.libsyn.com/rss


"Always Trust  God. Remember that son. Trust God, Always."


God = Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit

Glutathione

In July 2011, my ability to focus and concentrate in studying and meetings improved. I began sleeping even deeper than before with increased REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. I previously thought that I slept soundly. 

Even when I consumed extra beverages (non-alcoholic) before bedtime, I slept soundly the entire night. My dreams increased in vibrancy, and remained memorable in the morning. My running consistently improved, and I no longer suffered frequent injuries as I had for the previous several years. 

 

I entered a world-renowned seminary on academic probation in August of 2011. I had been a poor student from kindergarten through the fifth and final year of my undergraduate studies. I previously lacked focus, and desire to apply myself.

 

The two years of graduate school to date, have resulted in my receiving more 'A's than I did from kindergarten to receiving my Bachelor's degree, combined. Previously schools gave 'A's for anything at or above 90%--often times with curves, conversely graduate school requires a 94% (A-) or higher—with no curves.

 

I returned to competitive training in December 2012. I now recover from workouts as I did during my hay days of late twenties. The increased energy enabled me to lose over forty pounds.

My resting heart rate beats at an all-time low of 31 beats per minute (bpm), compared to 36 bpm in my twenties. My allergies affect me less and less each of the past two years.

 

The increased intracellular glutathione levels provide amazing benefits!

 

My Applied Research Project (equivalent of a thesis) for my Masters in Christian Leadership discusses business leaders receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit, including those associated with the company making and distributing this product.

 

My professor who serves as the primary reader of my Applied Research Project, and has an additional Ph.D. in neuroscience, encouraged me to share this company and product with the world.

 

 

At an annual business convention in Salt Lake City in early September, I met Dr. Herbert T. Nagasawa who developed this breakthrough technology, which enhances intracellular glutathione levels by 300% greater than all other known methods.

 

My entire life consists of exercising caution to speak boldly, until acquiring knowledge beyond certainty.

My word, conviction and reputation illuminate my representing Christ, living in His image. He calls us to do the Will of the Father (Mt. 7:21).

 

I BOLDY stake my word and reputation—how I represent Christ—in saying, everyone owes it to themself, their family, business associates and friends to check out the health benefits of glutathione.

Visit www.max.com/337072

 

 

• Do you desire better health?
• Would you like more energy?
• How would live differently if you could recover from workouts or any activity more quickly, perhaps similar to how you did ten to twenty years ago?
• Would enhanced health, quicker recovery and more energy positively influence interactions with your children, grandchildren, family, friends, co-workers and clients?

Increased intracellular glutathione provides increased energy, and enhanced health. Glutathione levels inversely affect the severity over seventy diseases according to the U.S. Government's website PubMed. Increased glutathione levels improve the probability of lessening the diseases.

 

Visit http://www.max.com/337072

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

 

 

  

Mentor Wisdom: Dream

"God, show me the Dreams you have for me." ~ Charles M. Gibbs

 

As an eight year old, God provided five Dreams for me as I stood by the old windmill tower between our two story white farm home and the red barn virtually straight west. I failed to recognize these dreams as God-given at the time of their reception. However, the evidence only strengthens, illuminates and deepens with time and a perpetually increasing relationship with God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

 

Four of the five dreams have materialized, while the fifth nears achievement. These five core dreams serve as the hub and ignition of additional sub-dreams and peripheral dreams. God's dreams create an internal fire of desire, causing you to do whatever is necessary to attain the dream. God's dreams ALWAYS correlate with scripture, and benefit others as well as you.

 

His dreams for you fail to indicate in any way indicate that life becomes easy.

 

Rather pursuing God's dreams for our lives, seeking His will for our lives, thus obeying Him to the best of our ability enables us to live with internal peace despite the outward circumstances. Moreover, pursuing His dreams for your life opens opportunities and resources previous unseen or unavailable to you. People and opportunity suddenly appear or appear in new perspectives.

 

As I pursue the fifth dream revealed to me as an eight year old on our Kansas farm, the Holy Spirit provides the necessary wisdom, knowledge and understanding along with then necessary mental and physical energy. Pursuing God's dream in your life will energize you beyond belief, increasing the spring in your step, spark in your voice, and twinkle in your eye—yes, a literal increase of these attributes, which attract others to us for God's glory.

 

God revealed a sub-dream to me approximately ten years ago, perhaps twenty years ago, however I doubted my ability to acquire this dream. In the past two days, two Christian men have independently assured my need to focus on this dream / vision that continues surfacing despite defying human / secular logic. All things are possible with Christ, when in obedience to Christ because this operates in cooperation with God's will for your life (Mark 10:27; Luke 18:27).

 

Right now, ask God to show you the dreams and visions He has for you. Record them in writing and vocally to the best of your ability, keep a recording advice available always—including by your bed to write as He reveals greater clarity. Record how these dreams benefit others. How will this dream enhance you serving others for God? Pursue these God given dreams with every ounce of energy you possess to the glory of God. Regardless of your current level of attractiveness, you will increase your attractiveness because of the Holy Spirit's radiance shining in and from you to the world—to each person with whom you interact.

 

"God, show me the Dreams you have for me." ~ Charles M. Gibbs

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com

 

Running Goals

Runners frequently identify our key races, times and finishing places in these races. Additionally, we seek weekly, monthly and annual mileage goals. Whether the former influence the latter, or the latter influence the former depends upon our most limiting factor.

 

If our greatest limiting factor rests in fitness, then the mileage and training influence our times and positioning. If our desire to seek and utilize time in our schedule for training, or the necessary health to achieve the training lacks, then the mileage becomes the greatest limiting factor. Perhaps inclement weather appears to limit mileage. Hall of Fame Coach Lyle Claussen frequently states, There is no such thing a tough weather, only weak people. Physical fitness mandates mental toughness.

 

A frequently omitted goal component resides in our average pace for our weekly, monthly or annual mileage. In the words of Lyle Claussen, If you want to run fast, you have to run fast. I believe Don Kardong is the one who once wrote that all mileage is not equal. Whether running fifty-miles per week or one-hundred miles per week, we must examine the internal components of our mileage.

 

For example, I ran only 70 miles per week while training for my first marathon with a disappointing time of two hours and thirty minutes (2:30). I trained with one of America's top collegiate cross country teams, University Nebraska at Kearney. Years later, I trained for another marathon running 70-100 miles per week with a much slower average pace of 6:30 per mile.

 

I attained my highest fitness level in between these marathons, running 80-135 miles per week with an average pace, door-step to door-step, of 5:55 per mile. This included regular long runs, frequent intervals and up-tempo mid-week runs.

 

As you probably suspect, as the mileage increases and the pace quickens, my prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit during training intensifies. For years, I have declared that adequate goals mandate intense prayer. Any goal seeming achievable without prayer remains too low.

 

Friends, consider these factors when evaluating your goals throughout 2013:

• Mileage
  
  • Daily
    
  • Weekly
    
  • Monthly
    
  • Quarterly
    
  • Annually
    
• Pace
  
• Long Run
  
• Fastest Training Pace
  
  • Distance at that pace
    
• Slowest Training Pace—We benefit from recovery runs
  
  • Distance at that pace
    
• Body Weight
  
  • Rule of Thumb lose only 2 ½ pounds per week
    
  • Body Fat
    
• Recovery time
  
  • Pace
    
  • Mileage
    
  • Sleep
    
  • Social
    
• Diet
  
• Spiritual Life
  
  • Worship
    
  • Bible reading
    
  • Prayer
    
    • Specific Prayer time
      
    • Conversational Prayer during training and day to day activities
      
  • Fellowship
    
  • Devotional
    

    
     

Seek the Lord in setting and achieving each goal, regardless of size or apparent significance. This includes the above Spiritual Life actions, as well as discerning the Holy Spirit's voice in your life and consulting with a spiritually mature mentor. Godly goals please God, and glorify God. Consequently, the questions to consider in discerning your goals include:

• Does this achieve goal please God, if so how?
  
• Does achieving this goal glorify God, if so how?
  

The answer to these two considerations should correlate with one another.

 

In other words, do your mileage, pace, and race goals please and glorify God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit? Invest considerable pondering—to the best of your ability—in defining how achieving your running goals provide an affirmative response.

 

Do you need to gain, or sharpen, personality or communication skills to optimize serving God in achieving these goals? Does your entire life reflect the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in your life? If not, are you fully submitting your life to Christ? Do you and I please and glorify Christ more when we fully submit to Him or our selfish desires? Who possesses greater wisdom and power, you and I or the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit?

 

As seniors at Manhattan High in Kansas, we sought to become the first team in years to repeat as the best cross country team in Kansas. Dan Schneider led our fifth and final prayer three minutes before starting gun of the championship race, "Lord, help us run a race to glorify you, whether first place or last place (12^th)." Our team never considered anything less than second as a possibility. However, Dan's prayer submitted our results to the Lord. He also reminded our team of our ultimate purpose. We did win, and The Harrier later alphabetized us among the best high school cross country teams in America.

 

Because of God's love for you—beyond human comprehension—He strongly desires involvement in every aspect of your life, including your running. In 2013, either begin to trust or increase your trust in God. Trusting Him beyond human understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

 

Running on Faith
Power of Light

 

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

The Leader Servant

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.

www.rickEmeyer.com