Ultrarunning has taken off in popularity recently and grown by over 345% in the past 10 years. But many folks would ask, “What does an Ultrarunning event even entail?” While a marathon is 26.2 miles, an ultrarunning race can include a 50K (31.07 miles), 50 miles, 100K (62.14) miles, 100 miles or even up to 3,100 miles (Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Race in New York City). The average age of an ultrarunner is greater than 40 years old! Only .03% of all the world’s total population has ever even tried to tackle an ultramarathon.

During the COVID pandemic my husband and I decided to take up running together as an activity. We both had more downtime because of pandemic guidelines and found running was a new passion we could share. We completed our first virtual marathon (San Francisco) during this time and then got bit by the ultramarathon bug. Ultrarunning was appealing because we had already conquered the distance of a marathon. As all the road races closed during 2020, the trails and state parks flung their doors wide open. We ran a 50K in December 2022 (Red River Gorge Ultra), another 50K in April 2023 (Bluegrass Ultra), a 50 mile race in April 2023 (Big Turtle 50 Miler), and we have a 33 mile race this Saturday (Yamacraw).

Three weeks ago, we both completed our first 50 mile race accomplishment and I felt compelled to share post-run thoughts. Why do middle-aged, educated individuals choose to run massive mileage amounts as a mid-life crisis? Many co-workers, friends and family members think we might have lost our minds. However, running for hours solidarity in the woods against time restraints certainly have mental effects. First, you question why you thought running for miles in the woods by yourself sounded like it would be a good idea? Then you begin to battle mental demons about quitting, not finishing, crying, or making excuses as to why you want to DNF (did not finish).

You are ultimately not in competition with other runners, whom you cannot even visualize because of the dense forest. You are in competition with yourself, with your time goals, and with your willpower. This mental struggle causes you to focus on the small things: the number of breaths you take in a minute, the small clusters of colored flowers beside the path, or the sound of the trees in the wind. It forces you to think, to contemplate, and to slow down. It is a break from the barrage of struggles the world brings, allowing you to meet God in the forest.

Why in the world does this remind me of Christianity? Ephesians 6:12 tells us that, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the ruler, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We are not fighting against non-believers around us following the ways of the world; we are fighting against the unseen forces of Satan. Just as we are not fighting against people in the races to win, we are fighting against ourselves to keep the course, to stay on the path, to follow through. Hebrews 12:1 compares Christianity to finishing a race because of similar reasons. It is easy to throw up our hands amidst a sinful world and give up, fleeing inwardly to our churches and waiting for Jesus to return. Jesus calls us to a greater purpose, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Time passes and children grow, we age, acquire more wrinkles, and before long we have lived half our lives. What are we doing with the time God has given us here on earth? I feel like I ultimately entered into the Ultrarunning community to be challenged.  Halfway though my life on earth I still want to be challenged, still want to live actively.

As Christians we need to view our journey on earth with the same vision. Whatever season of life you're in, are you running this Christian race with effort in your steps, or have you given up and ready to be a DNF? God desires for us to finish the race with strength. 2 Timothy 4:7 tells us to, "Finish the race and keep the faith." With the Lord we can accomplish greater tasks than we could ever imagine if we follow Christ and run with endurance until the end, just like an ultramarathon.

Five Races to Learn More:

Yamacraw Trail Runs
Red River Gorge Ultra
Bluegrass Ultra
Big Turtle Trail Runs
Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race

Have you ever had a great idea, shared it with others, only to be ignored? Do you have God-sized plans, cast your vision, only to be told it cost too much?

Jesus warned His followers in Luke 18:1 not to be discouraged. He spoke in parables to prevent discouragement.

Everyone will experience discouragement at times, maybe many times. I remember 7 years ago trying to launch a single adult ministry from scratch at First Baptist Moreland. A big party and movie was planned, spent $100 on food, many hours in outreach - only to have 2 people show up - and one was the leader - she didn't count. I was not only discouraged, but embarrassed.

Here are 3 steps to identify and prevent discouragement:

1). Stop making comparisons. God's standard is His Word, not other people. There's always someone prettier, better, stronger and wealthier than you. Whatever you do, someone can do it better.

When you're making comparisons, you'll likely miss God's unique plan He has for you. You'll be tempted to surrender to discouragement. God calls you to faithfulness - this means being faithful to someone else - God. We're faithful by fulfilling the responsibilities He has given you. These responsibilities include a follower of Christ, a husband, a father and a employee.

2). Stop being consumed. If you're going non-stop for 18 hours everyday - your defenses become weaker and things seem bleaker than they really are. If you're tired, soon you'll gripe, grumble and groan. Burning your candle at both ends doesn't make you brighter - rather you'll be burned up sooner.

You must make time for rest. It might mean missing a church event or cousin's birthday party. If it's Tuesday and you're looking forward to sleeping late on Saturday morning - your time is too consumed.

3). Stop being a casualty. Does everything you do seem to fail? Nothing goes as planned, problems persist, people are pessimistic. When you keep being passed over for the job, its easy to become a casualty. Just when you think you can make ends meet, someone moves the end.

Failure doesn't mean you're doing the wrong thing. You could be you're doing the right thing the wrong way. If something isn't working, change it. Try a new approach, change your friends, change churches, change careers - there is no reason to live your life as a casualty to discouragement.

If you feel discouraged, its your choice, no one is making you feel that way. Recommit your life to Christ - there's incredible motivating power in faith.

Does your church want to be more effective at reaching women for Christ? 61% of church attenders are women. If your church is going to reach it's neighborhood and nations for Christ - ministering to women must be a priority. Here are 5 keys to a successful women's ministry:

1). You need an active women's leadership team. Bethlehem Baptist Church blogs about the role and responsibility of their leadership team. If all the teaching, planning, and counseling falls on one lady - burnout and discouragement will soon follow.

2). You need Bible studies and discipleship groups geared towards women. Small group settings allow for sharing and developing close friends. The teacher/minister will also discover the real issues/needs sitting on a couch with friends.

3). You need women counselors available at your church. Not all women want to tell a male minister/deacon their problems (nor is that healthy) - here's a good book for women learning to counsel other women.

4). You need women involved in missions - including women-only mission opportunities. If your church does ministry towards people in your community, you'll notice the large number of women or single mothers receiving help. Ladies should prioritize missions towards other women - sometimes men are too prideful to ask or receive help - but a mother wants food, clothes and shelter for her children.

5). You need events, retreats and conferences available for women to attend. There are hundreds of women-only conferences, retreats and getaways for ladies to learn and grow. I attend at least 1-2 conferences a year - I always come home wishing everyone could have been there. Here's a women's conference coming up at First Baptist Moreland:

Women's Ministry Resources:

Biblical Woman
Living Proof Ministries
LifeWay Women
The Woman's Study Bible (coming April 2013)

Do you have a small group you meet with weekly? Many times we join a church or Sunday School class, but we're still "out there." Still looking to connect, wanting to grow, and seeking more.

Here are 4 reasons you need to join a Discipleship Group:

1.) A D-Group holds you accountable. If there are 12 ladies in your group and only 11 show-up, we're going to know you're missing and you're getting a Facebook message tomorrow morning. You could miss church and Sunday School for 4 weeks and your pastor or teacher never call. No so with a D-Group.

2.) D-Groups are biblical. This is how Jesus made disciples. He gave His time to 12 men (Luke 6:13). We're told in 2 Timothy 2:2 to pour our lives into others. Also, the Great Commission is really all about making disciples (Matthew 28:19).

3.) D-Groups allow you to address immediate needs. One of the "complaints" of traditional church ministry is its slow to change and respond. For example, if your wife is threating to leave you, you might not want to share personal information in a Sunday School or Wednesday night class (around guests and people you really don't know) - but in a small group setting in someone's living room, around people you know - you're more likely to open up and receive immediate help and prayers. The key to openness is members not having gossipy lips. This also allows other people in the group to minister to the person in need - the ability to learn from others.

4.) D-Groups multiply. If you cap your group at 12 (which is the number Jesus used). When 13 or more people begin attending, a new group needs to start. The goal of a D-Group is not to explode to 35 people one Monday night. The focus is on spiritual growth and multiplication. This is biblical evangelism (Acts 2:46-47).

Discipleship Resources:

    Gospel Centered Discipleship
    Multiply
    LifeWay Discipleship

Today is Cyber Monday - which means you need to buy something online. Christians need to read incredible books. Rick Warren says if you're in a rut, you need to read yourself out of it. Here are my "Book of the Year" for the last 5 years.

2008 - Crazy Love by Francis Chan - This book says we need to have an unbelievable love for God, above anything else.

2009 - This Momentary Marriage by John Piper - All married or soon to be married people should read this. The best marriage book available.

2010 - Radical by David Platt - This book says we need to give everything for the Gospel - become totally desperate and dependent on Him.

2011 - Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian - This is Billy Graham's grandson writing about the importance of Christ in everything in our lives. This book reminds us what the Christian faith is all about.

2012 - Deep & Wide by Andy Stanley - The story of North Point Church and Andy Stanley's life and passion for reaching the unchurched. I wish every Christian would read this.

2013 - my predictions...Follow Me by David Platt or The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken