Continue making God your first love

In Revelation 2:3-5, God tells the church of Ephesus not to let the hardness of the world and troubles of the ministry to overtake the love they had for God. He is and should always remain our first love, our main focus in all we do. 

Too often we allow the rough times to overtake our true faith and love we have doing God's work. 

This reminds me of Paul telling the Romans to offer our bodies as living sacrifices in all we do and not to conform to the world's ways. Instead, we need to renew our mind in Him so we can stay in His perfect will. (Romans  12:1-2)

50K Revelation

While running the You Don’t Know Jack 50K, God revealed the different areas on the Ruby Jack Trail that compare to life.  

• First, there are beautiful parts of the trail we ran across that truly made us appreciate the scenic view we had while running. These are the areas of our lives we accomplish beautiful things: graduations, awards, promotions, marriage, family, ect.
• Secondly, there are areas of the trail that had a nice wide path making the direction to follow easy to find. Some choices in our lives can be no brainers and the path is wide and clear.
• These same wide paths included firm chat making each step secure. This is similar to the areas in our lives we feel as if we are on stable ground due to good support systems God has provided us.
• Then, there are some areas that aren’t so wide and clear.  In fact, weeds and roots have overgrown and covered the path making it difficult to not only cross but to clearly see the direction to take unless you focus on the light ahead. I was so convicted on this part of the trail, I began to feel ashamed of myself.  God revealed to me this was the area I allowed the world to cloud my relationship with Him.  In fact, those overgrown roots caused hurdles to jump to avoid tripping. My idols I place before him cause a stumbling block to see the path clearly.  
• Even more difficult areas, such as the big, loose rocky paths that made each step difficult and unstable, reminded me of the areas in our lives that are problematic because we live in an imperfect world.  These times aren’t always our fault but necessary we endure fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-3). He reaffirms He has already overcame this world (John 16:33) and provides our strength and assistance to endure the adventure to firmer ground (Isaiah 41:10).
• On a nature trail like the Ruby Jack, there are wildlife as well as near by farm animals who sometimes share the trail whether seen or unseen.  Some may chase you as you see them clearly and others make noises staying hidden in the brush nearby.  Either of these instances causes fear and uncertainty.  God reminded me when I allow my fear to overcome my faith, the evil who one lurks to steal and destroy (John 10:10) uses the fear to block my view of how BIG God is and His protecting power over me. However, allowing my faith to be bigger than my fear reminds me God is with us everywhere we go (Joshua 1:9) and if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31).
• While running, we came upon aid stations which were needed physically and mentally.  Volunteers gave their precious time to serve each runner with encouragement as well as nourishment. There are times in our life we have to allow others to lift us up so we can go forward (Exodus 17:12).
• I passed a Marine with a 45lb. rucksack on his back he wore for the fallen soldier. He wore his combat boots and was completing the same 50K race I was running.  I was brought to tears over his sacrifice.  This reminded me of the great sacrifices our Lord Jesus endured for us. Each of us are fallen soldiers to sin but He carried the weight of our sins to Calvary where he endured the punishment on the cross to save each one of us from death (John 3:16).
• Because the nature of the race, there are different types of runners each going different paces based on their experience, physical capabilities, past training, and whether or not they endured a race injury. It reminded me not to just listen or depend on my body or training. God is at work in all of us and sets our pace in order to fulfill His good purpose. It is easy to become discouraged if someone passes us or to think we may be the last runner in line for the finish, yet, God’s purpose for us is right we He tells us to be even if it means to hold the anchor in the race (Philippians 2:13).
• The finish line could be seen from almost a half-mile back. There was a hill toward the end that made each movement forward difficult and more painful. Although every part of my legs ached and hurt, I moved forward asking God to give me strength for a strong finish. When I reached 100 meters from the finish line, I felt a rush and strength that could only have been from the Lord. I sprinted into the finish line praising God for the experience. Sometimes our difficult times are painful and it tough to see the finish but when we keep praying and praising God for His strength, He gives us a boost out of our trial and into a beautiful VICTORY (I Thessalonians 5:17-18, I Corinthians 15:57).

Co-Worker for God

The apostle Paul tells us we are all just co-workers for God ( 1 Corinthians 3:9 ) working together using our unique gifts as service work ( 1 Corinthians 12:5-6 ) helping fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12) to win the VICTORY of salvation of the Lord's children. Jesus already won the victory (1 Corinthians 15:57) but many of our brothers and sisters in Christ still haven't truly understood his great love and redemption. Therefore, we should encourage and be patient with one another in all we do (1 Thessalonians 5:14). What is your spiritual gift you are using for His kingdom? My gift he has given me is fitness training and education.

Nutrition Tip

Strength Training Moves for Runners

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1570&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=colorful&utm_campaign=social-share-button

Ab Workout without Crunches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mq2IOAEQwk&index=6&list=PLjBNLlkNUvarLI4TuTXQMfoQUAuoOEKon

Best Lower Ab Workout

Fitness programs: Protein: Building Block Of The Human Body

Fitness programs: Protein: Building Block Of The Human Body: Protein: Building Block Of The Human Body Fitness Blender THE HUMAN BODY NEEDS the regular intake of protein for a number of r...

Clean Eating in 12 Steps

Check this article out.  It gives 12 steps to clean eating.
http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=12_simple_steps_and_strategies_for_clean_eating&utm_source=sparkpeople&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-spark

Devo from FCA

Take a Break


When I was an assistant at Northern Illinois, I was out recruiting with another coach named Julie Brown. We were in St. Louis in the middle of July and it had gotten to the point where we were very tired. One Sunday morning, we decided to read about the Sabbath in an attempt to justify working that day. As we read different Bible passages, it became very clear that we could honor God or we could turn our heads and continue on the recruiting trail. We made a decision to take the day off, and from that time forward, I’ve made rest a priority as a coach.

The Sabbath isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a command. When I started to schedule a Sabbath day into my week, that’s when my career really took off. It wasn’t always on Sunday, but it was always a day that was committed to rest. Ever since, it’s been a central point of balance in my coaching career.

When you take time to rest, it’s like the analogy of sharpening your saw. If your blade is dull, it takes longer to cut down the tree. But when you take time to sharpen your saw, the tree comes down quickly. Rest and solitude sharpens my saw. I can spend less time getting the same amount of work done. I can be more effective in working with people than if I’m tired or rundown.

It’s okay to work really hard and get after it, but it’s equally important to obey God and take that time of rest and solitude. In your obedience, He will give you the strength to work harder, better, and smarter. – Sue Semrau

1. How often do you take time away? What does that time look like? 


2. On a scale of 1-10, how effective do you feel after you’ve had targeted times of rest and solitude versus times when you’ve gone long periods of time without a break?


3. What steps can you take this week to plan a Sabbath day into your schedule?

Workout


Exodus 20:8-11; Psalm 23; Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 58:13-14; Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 6:30-32


Father, reveal to me the importance of giving you significant amounts of my time in rest and solitude. Give me the practical tools to implement a Sabbath day by which I can honor You and in turn receive strength, renewal, and peace. Amen.

Six Best Stretches for Runners

Here is a great article with photo demonstrations of running stretches you would do after a run or during a run if you need some stretching to loosen up.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1565

Dynamic Warm Up for Runners

Webster

TCI Relationships PSA

Run for Hope

Supporting an area race who gives to three amazing charities! For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

ACE - ProSource: September 2014 - Dynamite Delts: ACE Research Identifies Top Shoulder Exercises

ACE - ProSource: September 2014 - Dynamite Delts: ACE Research Identifies Top Shoulder Exercises

Fitness makes you feel good!

Prenatal Yoga

I recently had a request for prenatal yoga.  There are several free videos on youtube.com.  Here is one that is around 30 minutes long. 

http://youtu.be/pdI8CCxStP0

Gift Cards

A co-worker and pastor shared this devotional at work yesterday.

"The average American family has $300

In unused gift cards in their household

Between the years of 2007 and 2012

There was as much as $41 Billion

In gift cards that went unredeemed!

It’s one thing to be given a resource

It’s another thing to redeem it

One of the hardest parts of this job

We issue gifts of grace

Gifts of peace

Gifts of mercy every day

And so many of them go unclaimed!

I have been frustrated at times

Remembered something that happen to me

I hold doors for people – it’s one of the things I do

Insulted one year around Christmas

Lady told me thank you

And went on to tell me how she LOVED Christmas

That at Christmas people did nice stuff like this

Sharing this with a friend –

Told me – if you get one in ten to say thanks

That is as good as Jesus

Two in ten – you out perform Him

Don’t do what I do for the thanks

But started keeping track

He was right – about 1 in 10 is the average

So Jesus asked about the other nine – right?

But He didn’t lose any sleep over them

How’d He do that?

Jesus set a bar – given by God

The bar NEVER moved

Even when they didn’t thank him (blind men)

Or receive his healing (home town)

Or receive his teaching (birds have nest…)

But it wasn’t a PERSONAL rejection for Jesus

He was JUST doing the will of the One who sent Him

He knew Who He was and Who’s He was – baptism

It’s tempting for me to “lower the bar”

To run after – to negotiate with

You will NEVER find Jesus doing this

When the rich young ruler walked away –

Jesus let him

When the multitudes left –

Jesus let them

When His home town rejected Him

Jesus let them

When the crowds turned on Him

Jesus forgave them

HOW?

They had NO influence over Him

They had NO control over Him

They had NO vote in what He did or didn’t do

His job – His mission – His purpose in life

Was to do the will of the One who sent Him

And when God was happy –

It didn’t matter what anybody else thought

So today, we will issue more “gift cards””

We will love the unloveable

We will speak life

We will speak the truth

We will speak the name that is above every name

That at His name –

Every knee will bow

Every tongue will confess

In heaven – on earth and below the earth

And some will never cash them in

They will put them in their pocket

They may not even be that respectful

They may throw them away

Or back at us

And we will smile and offer them another and another

At the end of the day –

We won’t be judged on who ACCEPTED our “gift cards”

But on the fact we issued them!" - Pastor Greg Spink

No turning back

I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back!

Leave the past in the past! No turning back, remember? 

We can't go forward toward our destination without leaving where we have been. God is leading us with his divine plan and we can thoroughly put our faith in his GPS! 

Therefore, 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 NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 NIV)

Breathing while running

Here is a video that gives good advice about breathing while running: https://youtu.be/WLrKpw4ggE8

An article about breathing while running can be found here: http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Breathing-Running-1062247

Running Form Part II - Running Drills

https://youtu.be/wRkeBVMQSgg

Running Form Part 1

Here is a video produced by a couple of athletes who help demonstrate and explain good running form:
https://youtu.be/wCVSv7UxB2E

Joplin Memorial Preview Run

There is a group run on Sunday, April 12th at 2:30 p.m. for a Joplin Memorial preview run. Meet at Memorial Hall in Joplin, MO. Here are the routes: http://joplinmemorialhalf.com/run/courses

Update Your Nutrition Habits

Can you add these five to your diet?

Read this article: https://www.acefitness.org/acefit/healthy-living-article/60/5259/5-foods-you-should-add-to-your-diet-in-2015/

Give Away

I have a FREE day pass to Spring River Wellness Center in Riverton, KS.  If you are interested in trying out the gym and/or exercise classes, post your favorite type of exercise class under this post then, share this blog URL on your Facebook page.  I will do a drawing from the posts tomorrow morning.

Example:
"Zumba fitness is one of my favorite types of fitness classes."

Nutrition

Besides staying active and exercising regularly, nutrition is very important in weight management and wellness. When fixing meals, your plate should be half fruits & vegetables. You can get more resources here:http://www.choosemyplate.gov/print-…/dietary-guidelines.html

Flyer

Leaders Grip

I want to share another devotional today.  Our executive director at Watered Gardens shared this with us today.  It was so good!

https://jamesmarvels.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/a-leaders-grip/

Believers in Acts

I'm impressed with the believers in the book of Acts.  In Acts 2:44-47 and Acts 4:32-37, believers ate meals together, served with cheerful hearts, sold their possessions, and gave to those in need or to the ministry of the apostles. Because of their obedience, the number of people saved increased daily. They shared all their land and property with each other. Now, that is true charity at work!

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

Stretch Your Faith

Tonight, Tuesday, March 3rd: Stretch Your Faith at Victory Ministries and Sports Complex will be held from 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. upstairs above the gym.  (Free for members)

Day Pass: $5

Zumba Fitness will still be at 5:30 p.m. in the cage courts.

God's Relay

When God gives us a race to run, we should consider it to be more like a relay.  In a relay there are normally four other teammates who assist getting the baton across the finish line.  There are passing zones that are 20 meters long.  The baton has to be exchanged within those passing zones are your team can be disqualified.  Also, if a runner drops the baton during the exchange, the runner who dropped the baton has to pick it up not the runner who needs the baton.  This is similar to God's plan for us.

In God's divine relay, runners are staggered along the path.  If you are discouraged because it appears your competition is ahead of you starting out, remember if God put you in lane one, you have the advantage in the corner.  In addition, don't try to start too early before God fires the gun.  Teams are only given one false start in a relay race.  The second false start will disqualify them completely.  Once you reach the passing zone, it is important we don't hang on to the baton too long.  God has directed our teammates to complete the rest of the course.  God can only bless us for the path he has marked out for us individually. However, the whole team depends on us as an individual!  In fact, if we drop the baton in that passing zone, we have to be the one to pick it up and hand it to our teammate.

In Hebrews 12:1-2, we are reminded of our race marked out for each one of us:

Therefore, 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,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our 80's Zumbathon

The Zumbathon today was a big success regardless of the weather today! Next Saturday, March 7th, we have Victory for Congo at Victory Ministries and Sports Complex from 9 am - 12 pm! Registration is any donation. 

Discount Code for Hospital Hill

Have you ever ran the Hospital Hill Half-Marathon, 10K, or 5K?  It was named one of the top 20 races in the nation (http://www.hospitalhillrun.com/downloads/RW_Feb_2013.pdf).  My husband and I ran this race in 2012.  It was a ton of fun, had great pace setters, awesome race swag, and amazing race support.

I was given a discount code to share with my followers.  If several sign up with my code, we may earn two FREE registrations to give away for future races!

If you go to http://www.hospitalhillrun.com/ to register, use HUGHES10 for a 10% discount.  This code will also work for the Re-Run races unless the races sell out.  

Comment if you register so we can track how many use the code.  God bless!  

Praising God

1 Thessalonians 5:7 says to give thanks in all circumstances. And I am so thankful for the date night He provided my husband and I over Valentine's weekend at Victory. In addition, we rarely get photos taken beside random cell phone pictures because we are the ones with the camera most of the time. 

God is so good and blesses me with not only an amazing husband but awesome family members to pray with at Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission and Victory Ministries and Sports Complex. 

Total Body Workout

Nike Training Club has some great short and longer workouts you can do about anywhere you have room to move. 

Here is a 15 minute total body workout you can do with a medicine ball and a set of dumb bells. 

http://youtu.be/hlmUlCDbTgA

Stay Connected to the Vine

In John 15:1-2, 4-5, Jesus is talking to the disciples before he is arrested.  He tells them this:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful...4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

If you try to succeed in your own power or drift away from daily connection with God, you will fail because you aren't connected to our life source - Jesus!  

Colossians 2:6-7
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Victory for Congo

This a little glimpse of the ministry you can help by attending the Victory for Congo Zumbathon on March 7th at Victory Ministry & Sports Complex.

http://youtu.be/fc6fMkDWryE

The Run Around - Are You In? Challenge

https://www.facebook.com/runaroundjoplin/app_403834839671843?ref=page_internal

Alternative Ingredients for Indulgent Foods / Beverages

Do you like to indulge every once in awhile on brownies, sweet flavored tea, or cappuccinos?   Try this ingredients as a replacement so you don't have to cut your favorite item from your diet.  Make sure to try these in moderation.

http://youtu.be/n6k49jhPrl8

Crunchless Abs Workout - Crunch Free Ab Workout Routine

What is charity?

Charity – What is it?

The dictionary says charity is "the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need."

What does God say about charity? 

In Acts 20:35 it says: "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

In Hebrews 13:16 it says: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

In Proverbs 19:17 it says: "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."

In Deuteronomy 15:7-11 it says:  “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. 9 Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly[a] on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the Lord against you, and you be guilty of sin. 10 You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. 11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’"

In Matthew 6:2-4 it says: 

“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

In II Corinthians 9:7 it says: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

In Matthew 25:34-40 it says: “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

So when did God say anything about the state taking tax payer money to help the poor? 

Effective charity starts with you and me. If we all were practicing what God commanded us, we wouldn't need the government welfare programs that seem to be creating chronic poverty and entitlement issues.