CDA (Christ Does it Again) Marathon

I just finished running 26.2 miles in the CDA [Coeur D’Alene, Idaho] marathon. I sure had a lot of help. Mostly from old friends who were praying for me. The weather was perfect, and I know their prayers helped. And I met several new friends during the run. Also, I had 25 other “friends” to help me along the way—one for each mile of the run.

Sherry and I decided that I would think about one scripture for each mile I ran. When I got born again while at the University of Missouri in 1975, I started going to Bible fellowships, and was asked to go on an outreach program the following summer. I ended up in Hannibal, Missouri, along with two other men. After our house burned down the first night we were there (and God graciously made a way out for us over the rear second-floor balcony), I found myself walking some railroad tracks with Steve LeFevre. He taught me how to memorize Bible verses and had a pack of 25 key scriptures.

These verses have been my companions since that day. I can recite them without hardly thinking, kind of like mental muscle memory. But I do like to think about their great truths: Psalms 119:11; John 10:10; Timothy 2:15; I John 4:4; Acts 2:4; Matthew 21:22; Job 3:25; I Peter 3:15; Psalms 138:2; II Corinthians 2:11; Psalms 107:2; II Timothy 3:16,17; John 5:39; Romans 10:9,10; I Corinthians 2:14; Romans 15:4; Psalms 2:8,9; Ephesians 3:20; I Peter 2:24; Proverbs 3:5,6; John 8:32; Acts 17:11; Romans 8:1,2; I Corinthians 10:32; II Peter 1:20,21.

Memorizing parts of the Bible can come in handy when you need God’s pure promises. The marathon had a couple of pretty big hills to climb, and the scriptures helped me remember God’s goodness and care. On my left running shoe is “Isaiah 40:31” and on my right is “Philippians 4:13” in marker. These references helped me along with the other 25.

Isaiah 40:31:
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Philippians 4:13:
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

And I had two more words of encouragement in my memory. I knew that God was with me anywhere on the course; and I could be a “finisher” like my brother, Jesus Christ. Here they are.

Joshua 1:9:
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Hebrews 12:1,2:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Finally, Paul’s declaration of victory was mine as well.

II Timothy 4:7:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Thanks to all who prayed for me during this run. It was my first full marathon in 11 years, and my finishing time was almost exactly the same as the previous one. Grace, mercy, and peace.