Run Scheduled - Saturday, July 31st @ 7:00 a.m.

Hello Runners!  We'll be doing a 5ish mile run this Saturday, July 31st.  We'll meet at 7:00 a.m. in the Horizons Church parking lot.  Hope you can join us and please email me should you have any questions.  I do want to give everyone some advance notice that the scheduling of runs may change a little bit over the next few months as marathon training is in full gear now.

Horizons sends out a devotional to their leaders and based on the topic, I asked Rich's permission to share the one he sent out last week.  It's obviously geared to those in leadership, but I think there is a lot that has application in whatever roles we find ourselves in.  Here it is...I pray it encourages you.  Blessings, Karen

I’m doing a lot of running right now – 5 days a week. I’m preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon – my first one. Do you know the thought that keeps haunting me during my runs – like the one this morning?  If I am struggling through this run of 6 miles which is only about ¼ of a marathon - then how in the world am I going to run 26 miles?  I believe the key is endurance. Day after day, week after week, I am slowly teaching my body to endure more than before and the idea is that it culminates in a cycle of building blocks that ultimately empowers you to do more than you could before. I couldn’t run a marathon tomorrow, but I believe I will on October 31.

In 1 Corinthians 15:58, the apostle Paul encourages all of us, but I think it is especially true for those of us who lead…be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. As a leader, you are engaged in guiding and caring for others that are on the journey of learning how their commitment in ministry will someday empower them to do more for God’s kingdom, maybe even more than they ever thought or dreamed. There are a lot of distractions and excuses I could offer each morning when it’s time to lace up the shoes and go our for another run – but I have committed to a path of endurance for 18 weeks that will lead me to my destination. So keep at it, keep abounding in the work of the Lord because what you are doing is making a difference for eternity.

Rich Pennington