Great to be back!

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