TommyRunByFaith

Planks And Proverbs

It is a new month! Are you up for a challenge? It is sure to benefit you physically, and spirituality.

First the Spiritual part. There are 31 days in the month of July. There are also 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs in the Bible. How about joining me in reading a chapter a day?

Now the physical part. I would like to invite you to join me on a journey to add plankng into your life. Planking is great for your core and upper body. Did you know, that with a plan, you can build up to a 5 minute plank in 31 days?

Here is my challenge. Let’s do this together! Simply follow this handy planking calendar everyday. This will show you exactly how long you should be planking daily. If 5 minutes is too daunting, simply modify the plan to best fot your fitness level.

In addition, I challenge you to read a chapter everyday in the book of Proverbs. There are 31 days in the month, so you just need to read 1 chapter of Proverbs everday. Or, at the very least, 1 “verse” in Proverbs. If you’re not too familiar with the Book or Proverbs, or have access to the Bible, there are several apps you can download. Or, just Google “Proverbs”.

If you join me in this challenge, I believe that you will see a change both physically and spiritually.

Are you in? Drop me a comment and let’s do this!

Planks and Proverbs! Go make a difference. Always run by faith!

He Heard My Cry

Lately, I have been struggling. It has been a grind for the last few months. I am well aware that trials produce maturity. But, the human side of me has been hit pretty hard.

My wife is still without taste or smell since October from last year due to Covid. We have had numerous technology issues behind the scenes where I work. I’ve lost 2 friends in 2 separate motorcycle accidents. It has just been tough.

I have been praying. I’ve been reading my Bible daily, and it has helped. That said, it has still been a grind.

A few weeks ago, I heard a speaker challenge the audience to read the Bible aloud. At first I thought, “That’s a cool idea. But, I doubt I will try it.” Well, when enough trouble comes your way, you find yourself trying ANYTHING!

So, I opened up my Bible to Psalm 6, which is entitled, “A Cry for Healing”. (Why Psalm 6? I truly believe God directed me to that one) It says things like, “Heal Me, Yahweh, for I’m falling apart.” “I’m worn out with weeping and groaning. Night after night I soak my pillow with tears, and flood my bed with weeping.”

Then, before verse 8, it says, “He Heard My Cry”. Check this out, “Turn from me, all you troublemakers! For Yahweh has turned to hear the sound of my weeping”.

WOW! Saying those words aloud really helped me “talk” to God. I was speaking those words directly back to God. Those words written thousands of years ago are STILL relevant today! God knew I needed these words.

While I am still not out of the woods with my, “problems”, I’m finding much more peace because of Psalm 6.

When is the last time you read the Bible aloud? God will hear your cry!

Read aloud. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

A Song That Only Went To #9, But Has A #1 Message

As I was out for a Father’s Day run, and heard the classic song, “Leader Of The Band” by Dan Fogelberg. It was written by Dan as a tribute to his Dad.

The song, which climbed to #9, was released in 1981, almost 1 year before his Father died. It has become somewhat of a “tribute song” to say “thank you” to Father’s for leading the way. What an honor for your son to write a song about your legacy as a Dad.

The chorus says, “The leader of the band is tired, and his eyes are growing old. But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul. My life has been a poor attempt, to imitate the man. I’m just a leaving legacy to the leader of the band.”

If my kids were to write a song about me, what would it say? If you could write a song about your Father, what would it say? What kind of legacy am I leaving?!

I am grateful that we have a Heavely Father who loved us so much that He gave his only Son, Jesus. Believe in Him and you will not die, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Now THAT is a #1 message.

I raise my coffee mug to Dads! Leave a legacy. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!

Quite Possibly The Best Lunch EVER!

I admit it, I’m a pretty routine person. I do many of the same things everyday. I pray. I run. I read my Bible. I parent. I work. I support my wife. All good things. Yet, sometimes routine needs to be changed up.

I’ve heard many experienced runners say, “Run a different route”. I’ve heard accomplished speakers encourage the audience to, “Turn left, instead of going right.” So, recently, I decided to break my everyday routine, and did something out of the norm.

For no reason whatsoever, I decided to grill some sausages…at 11:45am. Yep! I lit the grill for lunch.

First of all, they were delicious! And yes, every member of my house said, “You just grilled these?” “YES!” I said with enthusiasm. “I needed a change to my day. I’m kind of tired of being so routine.”

If you, like me, feel like you do the same thing, every single day, try something different. It is actually fun to mix things up. Run on a trail. Have breakfast for dinner. Make microwave smores. You get the idea. Just break the routine!

Oh, and don’t worry, God NEVER changes! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

I’d love to hear about your “routine breaking moments!” Drop yours in the comments below.

Have lunch on the grill. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

The Importance Of Listening To That Still Small Voice

Ever have that moment when someone pops into your mind completely out the blue? It happend to me just the other day.

I have no idea why, but a friend popped into my mind. Whenever that happens, I try to send a quick message and just touch base. It is a good thing that I did.

My friend, unbeknownst to me, is in the process of making a very difficult decision. I’m not going to go into detail, but I will say that this friend was super grateful to know that someone was reaching out. (I don’t take credit for this. This was all God)

It did get me thinking, how many times do we ignore the still small voice, and just blow it off? What if I didn’t reach out at just that moment?

I encourage you to not only listen for the still small voice, which I believe is the nudge from God, but act on it!

If you have a time in which you acted on “the nudge”, or someone reached out to you after getting “the nudge”, let me know in the comments below.

Listen for “the nudge”. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!

Running IS Universal

Happy global running day! A day that is worthy to be celebrated.

On my run this morning, while at a conference, I snapped this picture to commorate the day.

It seemed fitting, since running is a universal thing!!

I’d love to see a pic of something you spotted on your run today. Please share it in the comments below.

Celebrate your health. Go make a difference. Always Run By Faith!

Make Memorial Day, Memorable

This Memorial Day weekend, I spent a wonderful time in Traverse City, Michigan. I went there to run the Bayshore Half Marathon, but left with more than a medal. I left with wonderful, lifelong memories.

Because I am an early riser, I went and ran along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay as the sun was making its way into the day. I love a sunrise!

After i finished my morning run, I walked the shoreline, and came across this interesting little spot by a tree. It appears to be a memorial to someone.

Someone was remebering someone. Perhaps, marking an occasion. Whatever it was, it was their way of “remebering”. How fitting for Memorial Day Weekend, huh?

I love the story in the Bible in Joshua 4, where God commands the Israelites to cross the Jordan River, which he miraculously stopped. Afterwards Joshua built a monument made of stones to remind the people of God’s love and miraculous victory.

My challenge for you is this, “If today, you could build a memorial to remember someone, or something significant in your life, what would it be?” And, more importantly, why?

Would it be a memorial to remember the day you quit your addiction? A landmark to commorate a special occasion? This is not a trick question, it is just something between you and God.

Make Memorial Day, memorable. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

This P.F.A.S. Is Good For You!

What do you do when you lose something of importance? When you’re in a tough situation, what is your first response? If you answered worry, start stessing, or anything similar, this blog is for YOU!

A few years ago, I heard a Pastor say that anytime we are in need, skip worrying. Stop looking everywhere. Simply stop and pray about it. Yes, we should pray first, act second. An easy way to remember this: P.F.A.S. (Pray first, act second)

While praying is not the first thing that comes to our mind when we have an immediate need, I am learning daily that it does work!

Just this weekend, I was missing my headphones. (I have to have music while I’m out for a run). I spent a few minutes retracing my steps from the night before. I put them somewhere. I checked several rooms, and couldn’t find them. Aftet several minutes, I stopped, prayed for wisdom as to where they were, and kept looking. Within moments I found them! Guess where they were? I feel asleep with them on, and they were wrapped in the blankets. I would’ve never looked there. Oh the power of PFAS!

I love how The Passion Translation puts the power of prayer, “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 TPT

Here is my challenge. The next time you find yourself in need, PFAS. All it takes is a few moments of your time. Pray first. Act second. Give it a try.

I’d love to hear your PFAS stories! Your story might encourage someone else to try praying. God is listening, and He loves you! (Post your comments below)

PFAS. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!

Winter: The Longest Ever?

Spring. The promise of a new season. Birds begin to sing. Grass goes from dead, to living. It is the start of something new.

Easter. The promise of a new hope. People begin to sing. Jesus went from dead, to living. He is the start of something new.

Are you in a “season of winter?” Have you been praying for the birds to sing? For the “grass to green?” To run on dry sidewalks? What in your life needs the reminder that Spring does come?

Trust that Jesus will walk you through the valley of the shadow of death. He’s been there. He knows a thing about death. He knows a thing about new LIFE! He knows a lot about making All Things New!

Winer ends. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

Would Judas Have Been Forgiven?

Judas. That name is synonymous with betrayal. Judas, a disciple of Jesus, is the one who betrayed his friend, Jesus, with a kiss, and 30 pieces of silver. While the silver might have brought him immediate satisfaction, the weight and severity of what he did was heavy on his heart.

“When Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself” (Matt 27:3-5)

Judas made the biggest mistake of his life. He was so distraught with guilt, and filled with so much shame, that he took his own life.

But, imagine for a moment, if he didn’t. What could’ve become of his life?

What if, after he threw the money back to the chief priests, he ran back to the rest of the disciples and said, “I cannot believe what I just did. I betrayed our Lord!”

I imagine Peter saying, “Judas, I did too. 3 times I said, “I don’t know him. I wept bitterly for denying our Lord.”

I also picture another disciple saying, “Me too. I ran, and hid, due to fear!”

And over by the trees, 9 other disciples are huddled up, shaking their heads, and wiping tears from their eyes, because they betrayed him, too.

Judas wasn’t the only one who betrayed Jesus.

Those next few days would’ve been very dark. Not only for Judas, but for all of the disciples, too. They all dealt with shame, guilt, and denying they ever knew Jesus.

The difference? Judas took his own life. He couldn’t take the heaviness and the weight of it all.

Days after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter, and three times reiterated his love for him. Why three times? Because Peter denied Jesus three times. Peter then went on to help change the world!

I wonder, if Judas hadn’t taken his own life, what that first encounter with the risen Savior might’ve been like?

“Judas. My friend, I love you. I forgive you. Now, go tell others that despite any mistake you have made, you are loved! I died for you. I would do it again. You have a future. You have a hope. You have forgiveness.”

Judas robbed himself of experiencing the same grace Peter received from Jesus. Today, I tell you friend, Jesus offers grace to YOU!

If you feel hopeless, because of something you did, Jesus stretched out his arms for you, and said, “I love you.”

Today, I encourage you, seek Jesus. He will restore you. He will give you hope. He loves you.

Forgiveness awaits. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

I welcome your thoughts in the comment section, and I’d love for you to subscribe!