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 - Sometimes You Need to Run Against Traffic

This is our second to last week in this series. How can 9 weeks vanish so quickly? When I first signed up for the St. Jude Marathon, it was 6 months away. I thought I had so much time to train, I wanted to nickname myself Caboose. (Instead that will likely be an apt name for my finish position in the race...)

So far I have run about 350 miles in my training and by December 1st I will run over 200 more. I have coursed uneven trails, quiet streets and congested hills. But some of the most rewarding have been the ones I ran against traffic.

Last Saturday I set out to run a mere 9 miles. A half mile in I was dripping sweat from my breathless face. Nine miles might as well have been 90 miles. I decided to modify and run 6. It was the hardest Saturday run of my training thusfar. 

Maybe it was because I was alone.

Perhaps it was because the cool weather I'd longed for came but difficulty didn't go.

Regardless I found myself in a tough place, running against traffic and out of energy.

I was questioning my ability and even my desire when I saw her. There was no mistaking her identity. I know no one else whose smile electrifies, whose energy emanates like Bobbi. One friendly wave swiped away my doubt. Her presence intersecting with mine shot my heart full of encouragement. This run would not defeat me. I could finish.

Most people choose to run with traffic. But when you run the same direction as everyone else, you never get to encounter. Your interaction is with one more bumper, another set of heels or even another caboose.

Sometimes an encounter requires I give.

Other times an encounter allows me to receive. 

Both require me to run against traffic.

What do risk not giving and not receiving by running the same direction as everyone else? Is there an area of your life where you need to run against traffic? 

Lesson Learned on the Road - Sometimes I Have to Slow Down

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, 

as some understand slowness. 

He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, 

but everyone to come to repentance.

1 Peter 3:9

A blue sky embraced me as I strolled from the cafe to my car. With one hand on my door handle and the other poised to answer my incoming call, I pulled the phone to my ear to the words, "You're right, Dear, I have cancer."

Life slowed down for me that day. I breathed in release as I held my husband, family and future up to God's capable hands. Three months later my precious husband would undergo a radical prostatectomy to eradicate the cancer from his body.

His recovery slowed him down. That first Sunday back at church I dropped him at the front door, checked our little ones into the nursery, used the restroom and still made it to our seats before he did. It took him almost 30 minutes to walk a few hundred yards.

His new, slower pace changed his perspective. He saw people he never noticed before.

The elderly woman struggling through the paces of her day.
The homeless man praying for generosity and the strength to navigate another hopeless day.
The wheel-chair bound youth staring into a future a few feet short of the one he'd imagined.

Sometimes when I'm running I have to slow down too. A slower pace is necessary to cover the distance. When I decelerate I see things I wouldn't otherwise notice. 

The man whose need for achievement shouts at his son to keep the lawn perfect.
My anorexic neighbor who walks with her companion self-loathing for hours every day.
The elderly woman who watches life pass but doesn't participate.

I have to slow down to see the hurting - to connect at their pace. I have to slow down to connect my heart to God's so I can see the people for whom He patiently waits.

Is life flying by you today? Whom might you notice if you just throttled back a bit?

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. 

Lessons Learned on the Road - Don't Stop Breathing

Are you enjoying this new Tuesday series, as much as I am? Each lesson builds our strength and endurance for our unique run of life. Thanks for joining me on the journey!

Does God listen to his cry  when distress comes upon him? 

¹⁰ 

Will he find delight in the Almighty? 

    Will he call upon God at all times?

Job 27:9-10

One of the keys to successful long distance running is maintaining an even pace. Ideally miles 1 and 26 of a marathon are covered in the same amount of time. For me I have no chance of maintaining a steady pace if I don't achieve even breathing. 

We've all experienced the consequence of unlevel breathing - that sudden, stabbing pain in our side. In fact I know why people refer to it as a "stitch" because it feels like you're being impaled with knitting needles. Three things bring relief:

1. Slow My Pace - Even though a consistent gait is important, I must slow down when my breath is out of control. Those moments of rest recharge me for the miles to come.

2. Remind Myself to Breathe - Sometimes I just stop breathing well. I must consciously remember the importance of oxygen to my body. That brief reminder recalibrates me to the task at hand.

3. Take My Mind Off the Pain - Some pain doesn't cease even with the first two steps. My only recourse left is to let my mind go to another place. With less focus on my hurt and more focus on other things, my body returns to a place of normalcy.

In my life run, I also can't forget the importance of breathing. Prayer is breath to our spiritual well-being. When it gets shallow the road of life begins to stab at us. But when I slow my pace, I have time to pray. When I remind myself to breathe, I remember to pray. When I pray, I take my mind off the pain.

Is your life out of control today? Why not slow down, remind yourself to pray and take your mind off the pain?

Lessons Learned on the Road - Running the Race Marked Out for You

Welcome back to our Tuesday Series - Lessons Learned on the Road. Today I have the privilege of welcome Rosann who I met online at Voiceboks.com and am privileged to run alongside in my journey as a Christian communicator. 

Rosann is filled with contagious joy and a zeal for life. Click over and read her blog, Christian SuperMom and you'll see what mean. She also has a unique ministry to the unemployed at Unemployed Faith. Please join me in welcoming Rosann to Jesus & My Orange Juice.
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by Rosann Cunningham

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 tangles, 

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

Few things bring clarity, creativity, and joy to my heart like running. I've had a passion for it since childhood, but it wasn't until a recent particularly turbulent season of life, I actually labeled myself a runner.

When life's circumstances were too overwhelming to face, running became an escape. 

For 3 miles a day I was consumed by God's presence, lost in the worship experience my well-crafted playlist provided. With each stride, whispers from the Spirit reassured me.  I finished with less stress and a renewed outlook.    

Before I knew it, God planted the seed of crazy in my heart.  It was an idea…a challenge…that would stretch me beyond life's current struggles.    

Run a half-marathon? I laughed at the thought.

A 13.1 mile test of faith? My stomach knotted up.

Me? Surely, He must have the wrong person!

But when God calls, the answer needs to be obedience. 

And so it began. 

I became a runner. For real. 

God's lessons in my race were priceless. 

In Life, Be Purposeful

My purpose was an act of obedience, but it was also a mission to regain hope and strengthen my faith. To do so meant approaching it with one goal in mind. To glorify God. 

In Life, Be Equipped

Preparation gives joy a place to settle in, suffocating fear. A training plan, proper gear, and the best nourishment, are all significant factors in equipping ourselves for the journey.

My race wasn't just physically demanding. I had a mess of emotions to deal with. To be an overcomer and effectively equip myself, I learned to do three things.

• Push myself (painfully) out of the mental and physical comfort zone of a 5K.  It was the only way to build endurance. 
• Prepare for unexpected weather or tough terrain. I didn't just shop for gear at the Nike store. I spent hours reading and memorizing the powerful promises in God's word. 
• For  proper nourishment and soul fuel, I met God daily in heartfelt prayer and quiet listening. 

In Life, Be Disciplined

Self-discipline determines victory or defeat.  Our mind is powerful, so eradicating the stream of negative thinking or a poor-me attitude is one of the most complicated tests we face.  

Being purposeful and equipped is the foundation for strong self-discipline.   

Mile four was a common battle zone between body and mind. With knees aching and  heart pounding fast, my mind sputtered lies.

You can't do it.

You're too tired.

You aren't strong enough.

To employ self-discipline, I refocused my mind on God.  I remembered why I was doing it - for His glory. I grasped for His truth - I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)  I closed my eyes, sensing His Holy Spirit. I wasn't alone.   

No matter how rough the road, He is always there carrying me. He'll carry you too.  

What race has God marked out for you? 

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Rosann Cunningham is a Christian Author, wife to the man of her dreams, and stay-at-home mom to two delightful little girls. When she’s not out for a jog or having energy burning dance parties with her daughters, she can be found writing for her blog ChristianSuperMom, and ministering to women whose husbands are in a season of unemployment, at her other website UnEMPLOYED Faith.  Her writing inspiration for both projects comes from a strong desire to glorify God while sharing the heart of her journey through a life of faith.