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"My God will use his wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need." Philippians 4:19
It's almost here. Two weeks from today my journey towards completing my first marathon since 2009 will start. Additionally, a new program for training will crank up as well and the focal point of managing it will rest on my shoulders.
A couple of weeks ago in my men's bible study group I confessed to the guys that I was a little scared and nervous and I asked them to pray for me. So what am I afraid of?
- Fear of failing - I am afraid of failing not especially in my physical endeaver of completing a marathon, for I realize that if God wants me to do this, he will open that door for me. No, what I fear is letting my fellow runners down, that I will revert back to my foolish ways. A few years ago when I was running Woodlands Fit I failed everybody because I didn't always give my best or I was too wrapped up in my own personal challanges.
- Fear of the unknown - I really don't know what to expect this time around, it's been three years so I'm not sure how my body will react to the difficult training regime. We don't have the deep resources available that Fit offered so will I be able to make the right decisions so people will complete their training goals?
- Fear of criticism - I know I should not be afraid of this because one thing I have realized throughout my life is you cannot please everybody and there will always be somebody who will not like what you do or say. It's just part of human nature. But still I'm nervous about this and wonder if I can take criticism?
One thing all of you should know is this; Fear is not going to keep me from being successful. Why do I say this? Because I will rely on my faith to get through this and to give my best because I know that is what God expects of me! I also know that God is and will be with me ALWAYS and that NOTHING can every separate me from the love he has for me.
"Yes I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will EVER be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
What powerful versus! It's my suit of armor! It's so joyful to know that nothing can ever take that away from me.
So the key to success this season is simple, always do your best, pray before every endeaver for this and God will grant it.
Finally, as it says in the opening verse above, God is going to give me all the tools to complete this. So my personal guarantee to all of you is you will get nothing but my best!
Running
Some quick thoughts about training.
It's hot!
So we all need to be extremly careful over the next couple of months. Many of you who have known me over years know how I feel about this. So I'll say it again. "Hydrate, Hydrate and Hydrate." Drink before, during and after your workouts. In our Saturday morning runs, look out for each other other. Look for signs of dehydration. If you see somebody who appears to have symptoms of heat injury, stay with that person and if needed get help. If you are not feeling well before your workout, than take the day off. Remember, the goal is to get to the race.
Heat can kill! And if you don't carefully watch yourself the goal of getting to the race will go away.
We need to help each other get through these next couple of months. Don't get discouraged when you have a bad workout. Instead focus on the fact that you completed it! We all have bad workout days and I'll tell you right now that in this weather, every one of you is going to have days when you struggle. Put it behind you! Because how you do today or tomorrow is NOT going to determine the results of your race! Stay focused on the end goal, if you do that, I have no doubt in my mind that you will be successful.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July and I'll see all of you next week.
Coach Rich
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15
Fathers Day is my favorite day of the year, not because it's the one day I get to take off as a Father, or receive gifts, no it's my favorite because I get to celebrate not only being a Father, but celebrate all our Fathers.
When I was growing up, as like all kids, I had dreams of what I wanted to be someday. My dream was to one day have a wife, a couple of kids and house. The idea of being surrounded with love just really appealed to me. But now I know it was something that God placed on my heart because he created Fatherhood with an eternal purpose: to reveal and represent Himself.
Being a Father is the ultimate statement of being a manly man! We are commanded by God to be the spiritual leaders of our house. We are to protect and defend our family, we are to take care and provide for them. We are responsible for the success of our marriage and the raising of our children.
Being a Father takes courage and resolution to do the right thing and to set the standard for being a good person in this world. I want my boys to know that as they grow their place on earth is to love God first and then love others as much as themselves. I essentially want them to understand that one day they will be modern day knights. The Knights in the middle ages who served their kings were seen as men who lived pure, spoke the truth, righted the wrong and served their king to the death.
So I want my boys to grow up to be Modern Knights. The knight always treated women and people with respect that's what I want my boys to do. And who weill their King be? Their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Being a Father is the hardest job I have ever had but it is the most rewarding one as well. I love being a Father and a Husband and I wouldn't trade places with anyone!
My Dad went to be with the Lord a little of a year and a half ago, and I miss him terribly, but I also know he is in a perfect place now. I remember him telling me to live everyday like it's my last one. It's the same advice I remind my boys.
So to all the Dads out there, enjoy tomorrow but also make sure and thank The Father for what you have, because it is a privalege and a Gift from him that you get to be a Father! We have the greatest job on this earth!
Have a great day, and I'll see all of you out on the Road!
Coach Rich
"Be strong and brave. Don't be frightened, because the Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you." Deuteronomy 31:6
Last week I wrote about coming back to my love, running and coaching. A lot of you know a little about me but I thought today I would tell you a little bit my story and how I came to the faith I have today. My faith is everything and I strongly believe that it applies to every aspect of my life.
So here we go! I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my life at the innocent age of 17. I was a junior in high school and had joined a high school christian youth group named "Young Life." The youth pastor Nick would meet with me every Wednesday morning for breakfast to talk about my life and how accepting Jesus into my heart would change everything. So one night, in my room I got down on my knees and prayed, I asked God to forgive me for my sins because Jesus had given his life so that I may have everlasting life.
At that very moment, I felt lifted up. I literally felt something enter me and my heart was filled with joy, it was one of the most incredible moments in my life.
Fast forward 26 years. It was 2009 and I had just gotten laid off from my job, I was very worried about what the future held for me. I was a beaten man because professionally and personally my confidence in myself was at an all time low. Then at the suggestion of a friend, he recommended I check "The Between Jobs Ministry" so I attended a meeting and it put everything in perspective.
In this meeting they talked about how God would never leave me and that he wanted nothing but good for me. The bible verse they quoted said it all.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I broke down in tears. I felt so ashamed that I had forgotten about Him and what he could do for me. So at that moment I asked for forgiveness and pledged to never put him second in my life.
I was out of work for 6-months but over that time God helped me to become the spiritual leader of my family. My confidence in myself professionally came back and he opened doors for me that I never thought would open. Over that time he provided for us, we never struggled financially, he provided for all our needs.
Today things couldn't be better. Our family is stronger than ever. My career is at an all time high and physically I am in great shape. I feel so good that I'm going to run the Houston Marathon this year. He has opened up a new door for me with the coming start of the Volte Endurance Training program.
Are there days when things are hard? Yes.
But the differance between now and five years ago is I know he wants nothing but good for me and my family. I also know in my heart that his plans for me are far greater than I can EVER imagine. In fact, I told Billy this just last month. We are thinking too small, God's plans for our group are limitless! We're focused on our little group here in the Woodlands, but God wants it to impact everybody!
When I reflect back on that faithful night 32 years ago, I realize he NEVER left me and over that time he was watching over me and protecting me. The only regret I have is that I didn't realize that. But that's ok.
I'm so excited about the next 9-months. I can't wait to get to know of each of you and hear your stories. I truely believe every step of the way, God will guide me in leading our group. I know there will be some tough days but I also know this;
"If God is for us, NO ONE can defeat us." Romans 8:31
So hang on friends, this is going to be a great journey.
Have a blessed day, and I'll see you out there on the road!
Coach Rich
It's great to be back!
So what do I mean by that? For the last 12 to 18 months I really didn't know what direction my running was going to take me. But, most importantly the message I have been hearing is that God give us talents and abilities. I know that he gave me the ability to run and coach and inspire people to go out and overcome physical challanges in their life.
Up until 2009 that is exactly what I had been doing for Woodlands Fit. Then all of a sudden that came to screeching halt when I was told that the program needed to go a different direction. I was devestated and very hurt. So I withdrew from the running community and did my own thing. For three years all I heard was you should get back in the game, but I really didn't think I was ready.
In January of this year, I was having dinner with my good friend Billy Dwyer and he told me he wanted to start a new training program and that he needed me to help out. We were with a few people who I had known for several years, they all looked at me and nodded.
Now this is something Billy and I had been talking about for the last three years. In a way, it was a dream for both us. You see, we wanted to design a program that would be different than any other program in the area. It would be a program that would give back to the community. It would be a program where every runner would be made to feel special and most importantly it would be a program that would help people strengthen their relationship with God.
So the moment of truth was finally upon me, it was time to get off the pot! It was time to stop thinking about myself and help others change their lives.
In Hebrews 11:23-29 the word faith is mentioned five times about how Moses had to put his faith in God when it came to overcoming difficult situations. Now it's my turn to put my faith in God knowing he will guide me through this journey I'm about to take. You see, I'm not only managing this program, I'm running the Houston Marathon in January 2014. When I complete this race it will be my first one in over 3 years, also it will 3 days after my 50th birthday.
What excites me most about this journey though is how we will have the opportunity to make a difference in the community. We will encourage everybody who enrolls in the program to pick a ministry or cause to raise money for it. There will be no minimum on how much has to be raised, the point will be to give something back to people who need our help.
What's scary to me though is how I will have to take that step of faith to show people how deep my love is for our Savior Jesus Christ. It will start off with a quick prayer before our Saturday runs, but I'm hoping that will soon develop into something much more, what that is, only God knows. I won't be afraid to mention scripture in newsletters or while talking to people (although I'm terrible at remembering exact versus). The point is people will know how I feel about God and how great he is.
In today's society, we are told that it's politically incorrect to be public about our faith, but the bible says that as Christ followers we need to be bold and that we need to spread the good news.
So will people be uncomfortable with my beliefs? Probably. Will there be criticism because of what I believe? More than likely. But you know what, I don't care! Because if only one person becomes closer to Christ because of what I say and do, than I'm doing my job.
I'm excited about this opportunity because I'm back! I'm finally going to get to do what I was doing 4 years ago except it will be even better. My life has changed for the better since 2009 and I know I can help people because its what God put me on this earth to do. And I know God will direct me every step of the way.
Isaiah 30:21 says "If you go the wrong way - to the right or the left - you will hear a voice behind you saying this is the right way. You should go this way."
So here we go! It's time to start running and praying! See you on the road!
Coach Rich
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