As Christians we are called to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. If you are anything like me, this is an extremely difficult thing to do. There just never seems to be a good time to broach the subject. To be honest, I am afraid of the awkwardness this discussion might cause.

Running has torn down the awkwardness and created a platform for me to talk freely about my faith. It is my hope that these stories will help draw you closer to our creator – through whom we all have the strength to move mountains.

God has given me a body built for endurance. Over the years, I have run a few races and met many wonderful and interesting people. These posts contain my stories. You do not need to be a runner to relate to these events. We are all running the race of life. We all have our peaks and valleys that we have to climb and descend.

My Family

My Family
My Lovely Wife Christina & Sons: Chase, Cruz, & Dash Dexter

YouTube Video of 2010 McNaughton 200 Mile Trail Run

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Strong Enough?

I know that I alone am not strong enough to run 145+ miles in a 24 hour period this weekend. I also know that I alone am not strong enough to do and deal with a lot of what happens to me each and every day. But it is so uplifting to know that I don't need to be.

There is a song by Matthew West that is currently on my playlist (because my loving wife Christina found it) called Strong Enough. The song has a great bible verse in it that I often use a mantra during my long runs: "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)

I will set a new record at this weekend's race but not because I am an amazing athlete or because I am any different from anyone else. It will be because of God's grace and hopefully it will stand as an example that anything is possible.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

The following are other prayers/verses that I have often though about before, during, and after I have placed a huge challenge or goal in front of me:

DEAR JESUS, help me to spread Thy fragrance everywhere I go. Flood my soul with Thy spirit and love. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of Thine. Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I come in contact with may feel Thy presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me but only Jesus. Stay with me and then I shall begin to shine as you shine, so to shine as to be a light to others. (Mother Teresa)

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind & 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. (Philp.3:13b-14)

Let us run w/ PERSEVERANCE the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus…so that you WILL NOT GROW WEARY & lose heart. (Heb.12:1b)

Be strong & courageous & do the work. Do not be afraid or DISCOURAGED, for the LORD God, my God, IS WITH YOU. HE WILL NOT FAIL YOU or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. (1Ch.20)

Have I not commanded you? Be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Do not be terrified or DISCOURAGED, for the LORD your God WILL BE W/ YOU WHEREVER YOU GO! (John 1:9)
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