Running on Faith

Running on Faith: Timeless Principles for Winning Life's Marathon

by Rick E. Meyer

Introduction

 My legs burn with fatigue! The Kearney Good Samaritan Hospital 5K starts in a matter of moments, and others question my sanity again! I quip to Erich and Tom, “This will be a good mental toughness workout.”

Perhaps the 5:30 a.m. 6-mile run and the 120 weekly miles of training contribute to the intense fatigue. As the gun fires at 8:06, Kearney High runners shoot out quickly.
Former UNK (University of Nebraska-Kearney) cross-country runners Tom Magnuson--a three-time All-American--and Erich Whitemore join me as our bodies transform potential energy to kinetic.

Tom’s experience and strength delay his assumption of the lead until near the quarter-mile mark. Erich and I move into the second and third positions after the first half-mile.
We pass the mile in 4:45. “I can hang out at this pace,” I reflect while viewing the split. Erich has other ideas; he quickens the pace. At the halfway mark, my legs begin to wobble and buckle. I struggle to remain standing, while Tom holds a commanding lead.

My mind, exhausted from the focus and concentration necessary for the demanding mileage and workouts, seeks relief and begs my body to stop. Erich looks back at me, and I call out, “Go ahead.”

 Erich yells back, “Come on!”

 Once again I plead, “Go ahead.” This mental toughness workout exceeds my expectations and desire. My legs wobble like a wheel falling off a wagon.

Erich bellows a second time, “Come on!”

I state consciously but not verbally, Lord, I need you! I cannot! Christ can! We are. It is not me, rather Christ who is in me. I repeat this as if playing on a continuous loop. Suddenly, my body fills with the strength necessary to continue this hasty cadence.

The perpetually intensifying pain resembles lightning bolts piercing my body’s every nerve. Our second mile split is 4:37; four minutes and thirty-three seconds (4:33) excruciatingly pass into history before reaching the three-mile mark.
Running on faith, I sprint the final 176 yards and pass Erich to win second place in 14:32.

In the hospital parking lot following the awards ceremony, a Kearney physician approaches me. “Congratulations, Rick. I could never run like you do. I hurt when I run.”

 His words leave me speechless! Little do I realize, 10½ years later, I will stand in this same parking lot, speechless, with excruciating pain zapping my body and mind: ‘Running on Faith.’

*****

Running on Faith Ministry Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com

If Winning Were Easy... Referral

Jasmine Schmidt                                              May 7, 2012
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Maryville University
650 Maryville University Dr.
Saint Louis, Missouri 63141

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter to highly recommend keynote speaker, Rick E. Meyer. Currently, I am a student at Maryville University of Saint Louis, Missouri. Here, I serve as president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Our organization is young and our campus is growing rapidly in the athletics.

While considering this, my team was praying for opportunities for campus outreach and Rick immediately came to mind. Two years ago, I met Rick as I was flying home from college. He struck up a conversation when he noticed that I was wearing a track jacket and being a runner himself, he wanted to ask about my team.

From this short meeting before our flights, I was inspired by how Rick relates to people. It is clear that his heart burns for Christ. From our short chat, I learned that he is a keynote speaker, who gives special focus on the competitive spirit and how we must fix our eyes on Christ to truly live.

This past March, my university hosted Rick to speak for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Our theme for our meeting discussed what it truly means to succeed. Rick presented his speech ‘If Winning Were Easy, Everybody Would Do It’. This event was truly a blessing; Rick speaks by the Spirit and lets the LORD define the direction of what is being discussed.

From this night, I learned an important and striking lesson: Rick Meyer is an excellent speaker because he is a careful listener. His passion to share Christ’s love with people is shown whether he meets just one person for a brief moment, or a large gathering for an anticipated conference.

In either case, Rick listens carefully for what Christ would have him share. I cannot express how much I enjoyed working with Rick to organize our event. He demonstrates humility, a speaking presence of the experienced and contagious joy. I highly recommend him and would absolutely host him at our university again.

Sincerely,

Jasmine Schmidt

Visualize

In the early 1980s, people looked at you as if you were very weird when speaking of preparing through visualization. Congo began instructing us to engage in this powerful technique to program our mind for success. He taught that our mind is unable to tell the difference between a real and imagined event. Interestingly, he received very low grades in Psychology courses at Kansas State. Perhaps his answers were correct!

We were to lay in bed two nights before every race, visualizing the upcoming race. First, we are to see ourselves arriving at the meet, in our meet sweats and uniforms; then unload from the bus with calmness and confidence. We continued visualizing warming-up, and lining up at the starting line maintaining our calm, confident attitude. Congo then instructed us to visualize racing the course to the best of our ability, including half mile and mile splits. This was followed by a strong finish, running through the finish line, exerting all of our available effort on that day. He explained how this enabled us to arrive and race with confidence, absent nervousness; since we had successfully ran the race in our mind.

The Bible says, as a man thinks in heart, in his inner belief, so is he. Congo intuitively taught us to implement Biblical success principles. Visualizing is etching one’s desires on the stone of your heart and mind. Etching in your heart and mind, like etching in physical stone, is virtually permanent, due the commitment; and requires great effort. It is impossible for a double minded person to etch in either stone or using visualization. When Jesus sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, God’s law became written on our hearts. These writings on the heart influence our every thought and consequential words and actions. Similarly, visualizing our goals, internalizing them by etching on our hearts and minds; influences our every thought.

What are you visualizing? Are you visualizing success in correlation with scripture? Are you beginning to understand the damaging effects of visualizing any thought or activity in disagreement with the Bible?

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

In Christ,

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com

Are we in Control?

Do you ever have those moments when you believe that you are in control of your life? Do you ever think you have "all the answers?"

Do you ever encounter others who pontificate on how they have planned out their life! Perhaps continuing on about how they are in control, because they KNOW everything, they can make just about anything happen they desire.

Perhaps others nag you for the "answers" regarding your life and circumstances. Have you been around those who are relentless for an answer even after you admit to having limited understanding of various events. The limited understandings often include, "Why did this occur?"

May be you are tough on yourself when you are unable to verbalize of the "Why's?" in your life.

Next time you encounter someone who seemingly has it "all figured out," believing they are in control of life; whether youself or someone else; inquire of their plans for earthly arrival and departure.

If they are suicidal that is a whole other issue, they need help NOW.

These inquisitions should remind each of us that while we do bear responsibility, there is much of life out of our control; good and ugly. When submitting to God, it is all good and beyond our understanding.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
http://www.rickemeyer.com/

THINK INSIDE THE BIBLE!

(This written message is from personal notes recorded in 2004-2005)


Do you frequently hear, “Think outside the box?”

When introduced, the concept initiated expanding our possibility thinking. Unfortunately, many now “Think outside the box” of right and wrong, outside of morals and ethics.

Lucifer / Satan originated "Thinking outside the Box" of God's wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. The serpent then convinced Eve and Adam to "Think outside the Box" of Godly wisdom, God's Word, resulting in the introduction of sin. “Outside the Box” equates to outside of the Bible!

I researched scanned various job postings. Few, if any, list honesty and integrity as requirements for their respective positions. Perhaps, one may argue they lack specific listing because management expects these attributes.

Does management also expect excellent communications skills, serving customers, meeting and exceeding goals, etc? Most job descriptions frequently specific these attributes. Prudence mandates these necessary characteristics as equally necessary.

A great deal of interviewers flinch with the idea of mandating honesty and integrity. Secular organizations and businesses prefer candidates who forgo these concepts to reach and exceed corporate goals. “Profit always, integrity when convenient.”

Rather than, “Think outside the box” of morals and ethics, wisdom suggests we, “Think inside the Bible.”

“Thinking Inside the Bible” generates:

· Love of God

· Love of People

· Righteousness - being right with Christ.

· Morality

· Honesty

· Pure heart and mind

· Integrity

· Forgiveness

· Faith

· Humble Spirit

· Gentle

· Hope

· Peace



These fruits cause self-imposed limits of achievements to disseminate.

The Bible illustrates this barrier elimination in an array of passages including, “Nothing is impossible with God” and “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens us.” Consider this profound revelation: ALL means ALL.

God defines and contains the limits of all good.

The COMPACT OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY defines All, “the greatest possible.” We simply must act in accordance with Christ, the Word made flesh.

Our greatest successful achievements reside in “the greatest possible” from Christ. I invite you to Think Inside The Bible!

Quickly repent, reject thoughts and actions contrasting biblical righteousness and fruits of the Spirit. Forgive yourself and others. Love your peers, family, friends, and competitors as much as you love yourself.

Love desires the absolute best, the deepest possible personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This includes communication with the Holy Spirit.

Love God—Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit—with all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind. If and when anyone invites you to “Think Outside the Box,” rebuke the originator of wicked thoughts, Satan and all his works.

Your greatest possible success hinges upon your ability and willingness to:

Think Inside The Bible!

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
(402) 984-1586 (cell)