The Runner's Devotional: Inspiration and Motivation for Life's Journey . . . On and Off the Road
368
The Runner's Devotional: Inspiration and Motivation for Life's Journey . . . On and Off the Road
368Paperback
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781414348124 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Tyndale House Publishers |
| Publication date: | 09/01/2011 |
| Pages: | 368 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d) |
Read an Excerpt
THE RUNNER'S DEVOTIONAL
INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION FOR LIFE'S JOURNEY ... ON AND OFF THE ROADBy DANA NIESLUCHOWSKI DAVE VEERMAN
TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC.
Copyright © 2011 Livingstone CorporationAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4143-4812-4
Chapter One
WEEK 1DETERMINE YOUR PURPOSE
in order to reach your goal at anything in life, you need to know your purpose. Without a purpose, you will lack focus and are destined to run aimlessly. You can go for a run one day, but without having a reason for running (staying fit, losing weight, etc.), the chances are slim that you will continue for more than a couple of days. Your purpose is what will keep you going.
Paul encourages Timothy, his ministry protégé, to remember his purpose—to glorify God and serve Jesus Christ, and in doing this, to be an example to other believers even as a young pastor. In order for Timothy to develop into a good servant, he must grow spiritually, teach others the truths of the gospel message, and model a life of faith and purity. That would be his race.
Train yourself to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. (1 Timothy 4:7-10)
The Runner
My doctor's appointment was supposed to be a normal physical exam. I felt great and had no concerns. Sure, I was a little out of shape since my college football days, and my wife had mentioned that I was putting on some weight. But no big deal; I'm just getting old, right?
Then the doctor came in and gave me news that rocked my world and changed my life. "I just did a quick read of your blood results. It shows that you have developed type 2 diabetes," he calmly said.
"What?" I replied. "But I feel great! I'm not tired.... Well, I get a little bit winded going up the stairs, but who doesn't? Are you sure?"
"Yep, I'm sure. You are going to have to make some big changes to your lifestyle—starting with exercising, eating better, and losing some weight. Did you know that you have gained twenty pounds since I saw you last year?"
I barely heard the instructions as the nurse told me how to take my blood sugar levels, how to trace them, and what I needed to get started. (Thank goodness she gave me a pamphlet.) I kept thinking, How can this happen to me? I've always been the athlete and in great shape. What went wrong? I prayed, Lord, I don't have to have diabetes, do I? I want to see Darcy and Evan finish high school, graduate from college, get married, and have their own families. And what about Pamela? I need to be there for her. To support her and love her. To help her raise our children.
I needed to make some changes and fast. So together Pamela and I developed a new eating plan. But the toughest part was starting to exercise. I hadn't tied my laces and stepped out to do any aerobic activity in years. Could I do it? Would I hate it? It didn't matter. I had to get healthy. I knew that running is a good way to lose weight quickly ... and it is free. I made the decision: I was going to run. The next day I got up early, put on my shoes, and headed out for my first run since college fifteen years earlier.
The Race
Everyone starts running for a reason. For some it could be a sport that requires them to run a mile at a certain pace. Others receive news from a doctor that underscores their need to exercise. Or maybe a father's new baby girl makes him want to live a healthy life so he can watch her grow up. No matter what your reason, your purpose, at some point you decide to run.
In the same way, as Paul points out, we need to remember our purpose and choose to grow in our faith in God. The message of faith must reach into the heart.
Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Just watching others run won't change your fitness level; you have to do it. In the same way, to become spiritually fit, you must make a decision. And in this way you can "be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
The Result
To be a better runner and have more effective workouts, you need to push your body, challenge yourself, and train effectively. But more important than having a good workout is being healthy spiritually—strengthening your relationship with God and persevering in your faith. Do you spend more time focusing on your running routine than on your spiritual practices? Are you using your God-given abilities to minister to others and help them grow in their faith, or do you spend most of your time thinking about Christ instead of being Christ to those around you?
Remember your spiritual purpose. As you strengthen your legs, increase your breath capacity and develop a good stride for running. Remember that you are also training for godliness in your spiritual race.
My Story
I'm not saying I was drifting through life, but I definitely wasn't living with purpose. In just about every area, I would do what I thought was best for the situation and for me—relationships, career, personal finances, diet, running, and even my faith. and I thought I was doing okay for a twenty-five-year-old. I had plenty of friends and a good job, and I was in good health. But then one Sunday the sermon got me thinking about my purpose for life, why I was on this earth, what I was living for. The pastor preached on 1 Corinthians 10, and highlighting verse 31, he said that the main purpose for all of God's creations should be to glorify him. Paul wrote, "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
"All for the glory of God"—that includes every aspect of my life. So I asked God to help me do that, and ever since I've tried to remember my purpose. Now at meals, on the job, in the gym, at church, and everywhere else, I consider how I can glorify God through this. I'm not always sure of the answer, but at least I'm asking the right question. Now I live with purpose.
Brian
Think It Through
1. What can someone do to glorify God in a relationship? How about in a marriage and family? What about on the job?
2. How can you, like Timothy, be an "example to all believers"?
3. What's your ultimate purpose for running?
4. What can you do to run "for the glory of God"?
On Running
What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic activities?
The biggest difference between aerobic and anaerobic activities is how the body supplies energy for the action. Simply put, aerobic = oxygen, and anaerobic = without oxygen; however, it is much more complex than that. Our muscles have a certain amount of ready-to-use carbohydrates in the blood system. Anaerobic activities (weight lifting, activities that take less than one minute, sprints, etc.) quickly use that stored energy. Aerobic activities are longer and require more than just the quick supply in the muscles. Because the body constantly needs energy, more oxygen is needed to create the energy, thus developing the heart and lungs.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from THE RUNNER'S DEVOTIONAL by DANA NIESLUCHOWSKI DAVE VEERMAN Copyright © 2011 by Livingstone Corporation. Excerpted by permission of TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC.. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
INTRODUCTION....................XITHE STARTING LINE....................XIII
DETERMINE YOUR PURPOSE....................1
CREATE A GOAL....................13
DEVELOP A PLAN....................25
GET ADVICE....................37
GEAR UP....................47
ESTABLISH A ROUTINE....................61
JUST DO IT....................75
WARM UP....................87
DEAL WITH IT....................99
START SLOW....................111
CHOOSE YOUR OWN PACE....................123
RUN THE ROUTE....................135
MONITOR YOURSELF....................151
INCREASE YOUR SPEED....................163
FIND A RHYTHM....................175
BEWARE OF COMPARE....................187
PUSH AHEAD....................199
FUEL UP....................211
ENJOY THE JOURNEY....................223
MAKE ADJUSTMENTS....................235
BREATHE DEEP....................249
BE PATIENT....................265
RECEIVE ENCOURAGEMENT....................281
GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT....................295
KEEP PRESSING FORWARD....................307
FINISH STRONG....................321
"MY STORY" CONTRIBUTORS....................335
SCRIPTURE INDEX....................337
5K RACE TRAINING PLAN....................339
10K RACE TRAINING PLAN....................340
BEGINNERS' HALF MARATHON TRAINING PLAN....................341
EXPERIENCED RUNNERS' HALF MARATHON TRAINING PLAN....................342
BEGINNERS' MARATHON TRAINING PLAN....................343
NOTES....................345