Lessons Learned on the Road - Don't Run to Train...Run to Know

Today is the final edition of Lessons Learned on the Road. Today's guest is the ultimate finish line banquet - Mary DeMuth. After you drink in the refreshment of her wisdom today, you should hop over next Monday to your favorite retailer to buy her newest book, Everything. Everything is a an invitation to let go of the try-harder Christian life and to truly experience the richness of life that comes when we make Jesus our Everything. Watch the book trailer now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eVfl-L6xv4 & don't forget to order her book next week!

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by Mary DeMuth

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

1 Corinthians 10:41, NLT

On my run a few weeks ago, training for a half marathon using this plan, the Lord spoke so plainly, I wondered if He ran nearby. He said, "Don't run to train, run to know."

I felt near elation in the mention because, of course, He was right (again).

I should not jog to train for this half marathon. I should hit the road because it's a perfect time for me to reacquaint myself with the Almighty.

You can also substitute a few words and personalize it for you.

How about:

• Don't work to get ahead, as you work, discover Jesus.
• Don't create art to produce something, create to grow closer to the Creator.
• Don't sing to impress, sing to understand your heart before Jesus.
• Don't check off your to do list to feel satisfaction, check it off while thanking Jesus for the ability to do so.

We can turn everything around in our hearts and minds when we refocus on Jesus. Then life becomes a surprising adventure, full of hushed discoveries of our amazing God.

When I run, I hear God.

When I jog through my neighborhood park, ideas pop into my head that I hadn't had before. It's like a laboratory for ideas, and often those ideas come from Jesus. While it is super fun to get in shape and accomplish a goal, inevitably, it's even more fun to feel like I've communed with Jesus during all that sweat and gore (if you watched me run, you'd understand this; and perhaps "run" isn't the right word.)

So whatever you do today, don't just do it to do it. Do it for the glory of God, to know Him, to find Him, to be near Him.

What activity do you do today where you could refocus on Jesus?

Lessons Learned on the Road - Run...At God's Pace

I am truly excited today for you to meet my new friend Wendie. She is in a word - inspirational. She dares you to dream bigger, pusher farther and go deeper with God. This weekend I will get to hug her neck in person for the first time at the Refine Conference. We'd love to have you join us and there's still time - http://therefineconference.com/ for details!
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by Wendie Pett

When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; 

when you run, you will not stumble. 

Proverbs 4:12

I run, because I have to.

WendiePett.com

Or so it goes for those who live to run. As a fitness expert, however, I must admit that there are things I’d much rather do for exercise than run. But run I do, and for a number of reasons — the excellent cardio rewards, an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, and that lasting sense of accomplishment that stays with me throughout the day.

More importantly for me, however, is running provides as much time as I want to silently pray and listen to God. How often we pass through life without a thought Heavenward. The One who created us runs alongside us, every determined step of the way. Removed from phone, doorbell, TV, and the Internet, I am able to carve out a niche of time not only to hear from Him, but to experience His presence in the solitude of nature.

On more than a few occasions, I’ve found myself reaching out to pluck a lonely leaf simply to appreciate holding something completely God-made. Stretching my calves as I lean against a tree, I marvel at how the Lord thought ahead in ensuring we had everything we would need in this world. Trees, for instance, were created not only for ascetic appeal, but to construct houses, furniture, buildings, and to serve as a source of energy. I can’t help marveling at the Lord’s forethought in creating us for His purposes too.

While God never said this life would be easy, He did provide us with enduring families, friends, and mentors to help navigate our paths. Years ago, my own path appeared ideal at first glance:  a promising career in sales and marketing for a publishing company, followed by authoring my own book on fitness - the result of a tragic snowmobile accident that, in the end, equipped me to help others realize that their bodies are their gym and they’re self-healing if utilized properly.

The path I’d created would take a devastating turn for me in the years to come, however, when I lost my job, my company car, a steady income and even my home. Negativity pecked loudly at my heart. It was then that I forced myself to take a leap of faith and follow a new direction – one I’d prayed about and I felt certain was divinely orchestrated. Seven years later, God has continued to clear the path set before me, both on the running trail and in the running of my Visibly Fit™ business – in hosting a national TV show, speaking engagements, books, articles, radio spots, and popular fitness DVDs.

Whether we are running from something or desperately chasing the purpose for our lives, traversing a path alongside our Heavenly Father affords a pace that allows us to see the finish line He has envisioned. Faith-filled determination will get us there, and gratitude and thankfulness will be our rewards. Lace up those running shoes and be prepared to cross a magnificent finish line. Your name is on His banner.

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WENDIE PETT is a nationally renowned fitness expert and coach, mother, speaker, author and creator of the Visibly Fit™ exercise program. Her many Visibly Fit™ instructional DVDs teach wellness maximization through the balance of mind, body, and spirit as well how to use your body as your gym To learn more about Wendie and her program visit -  www.wendiepett.com.