Walk with the King!
Today’s guest post is written by Clare – a Certified Fitness Instructor. For more articles by Clare click here.I was cutting coupons yesterday and saw a cold and flu ad with pictures of nasty looking worm-shaped germs resting on a phone. Needless to say, it reminded me of how I need to be mindful of where these little fellas are! (Nice marketing work on behalf of the cold and flu company!) As if the seasonal flu wasn’t enough to think about, we now have H1N1 2009 to worry with–we can’t avoid disease!
It’s hard for me to “remember” where all those nasty germs lurk! We’ve got them on door handles, shopping carts, toys…you name it..they live there. And unfortunately the dangers of the germs aren’t only encased outside of our homes, but they make their way into our beautiful little houses!!
Thanks to modern technology, we are able to protect ourselves from the infiltration of the flu germs. Thank goodness for hand sanitizers, antibacterial wipes, and soaps!! We can’t forget the ever-present (and controversial!) flu vaccine either. So not only can you take care of these germs externally and momentarily, but you can get injected with something that will work internally ..at least until next year.
I can’t help but think of how Satan is similar to these hidden, nasty germs. How many times do I…a believer of almost 20 years…forget how dirty and powerful Satan and his evil forces are!! They lurk everywhere in my day…my attitude towards my husband, my unthankfulness towards my possessions, my lack of zeal for serving the Lord…the list goes on and on. You see, Satan comes in quietly and tries to eat away at our lives.
But just as modern technology has equipped us to fight the flu germs, our all-knowing Lord has equipped us with ways to fight Satan and his forces!! He has given us HIS armor!!
So, today, when you are cleansing and avoiding the lurking flu germs, be mindful of the one lurking to steal, kill and destroy our spiritual lives! Remember that we have been injected with THE Living, Breathing, Powerful PROTECTOR! The best part is we don’t have to get Him injected year after year–we’ve got Him on our side eternally!
This past Saturday many of my friends ran in the Akron, Ohio Marathon for a remarkable cause. On the Women Living Well home page you will find the story of sweet 9 year old Melana who is battling cancer. Diana (a friend of Melana and a friend of mine – pictured above after the race with Melana) began to dream – and her dream grew big. She started a blog and recruited everyone she knew to come and join her for this marathon. On race day 42 men and women showed up to do a 4 person relay, 16 ran the 1/2 marathon and 11 ran the entire 26 miles!!! And there were approximately 150 people who made pledges towards Melana’s fund. Praise the Lord!
Our goals were to show love and encouragement by raising funds to help her family with mounting medical expenses, to get as many people involved and praying for Melana and her family, and to motivate others to get fit and give running a try!
At first we planned to run the 1/2 Marathon but when the race was about a month off we decided to run the full 26.2! It was a great experience in so many ways!
I’ll never forget standing down town in the dark before the gun went off looking up at “Old Glory” and hearing our National Anthem! Then the prayer that was said asking for the Lord’s blessing over the run and giving our Creator God due credit for being “in charge” of the weather we would experience! It was very moving! Then we were off! 
There’s something a bit funny about a sea of bobbing heads all around you for blocks and blocks! Despite the dreadful forecast, the weather was perfect! The entire time I only felt a nice sprinkle for a few moments here and there! The crowds are awesome for the Road Runner too! Bands, choir groups, crazy outfits to make you laugh along the way! It definitely is a rough course though! 
We are so proud of all our runners! Kevin Somerville ran the 1/2 and came in 3rd overall with a time of 1 hour and 14 minutes! Many others met their personal goals set for that day, and many more have said they are “hooked” and are already running other races this weekend! It was such a blessing to be part of a team (those who ran and those who gave) of so many people who for the most part have never even met Melana! This was a true representation of love in action! 
If anyone would like to make a donation to MILES FOR MELANA, there’s still time! There’s an account set up at US Bank and it will be open until October 10, 2009. You can make a deposit at any local branch!
Psalm 139:13,14 “For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
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