It's a Long Way from THERE to HERE!

On my Facebook status today, I posted the following:

"Live today! So many of us wish our lives away by declaring that we want another day to come soon. Live today! God has blessed you with this day to do with it as YOU will. Once you spend that time, you can't get it back. Don't spend today on wishing for the future. Live the moment and cherish the time that God has given you!"

My quote of the day on my status update sort of sums up my inspiration for this edition of GRACERUNNER JOURNAL.

The picture at the top of this entry is of the booth at one of our first expos as a ministry. We were at the 2003 Azalea Trail Run in Mobile, Alabama. It was a successful show for us but, as you can see, we had very little information and just a few cotton t-shirts. It was the beginning and we had no idea where we would be seven years later. Honestly, we had NO idea what we were doing!

As we move forward to 2010, we have come so far. Yet, we still have so much further to travel as we strive to reach the level where God wants us to be. We believe that our ministry will continue to be a very visible and viable entity in the worldwide running community. And, we believe that God will continue to give people a way to share their faith in words and actions as they run with, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" on their back!

The second picture above is our booth at the 2009 Country Music Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. Our Chief Administrative Officer, Mark Eldridge, and core team member, Donnie Maner, are there to share the ministry with thousands of people who walk by the display.

Looking at these two pictures gives you a "snapshot" of how far we have come as a ministry. It's an amazing miracle of God's grace! What a gift!

I'd like to thank all of you for helping us grow and encourage you to continue to support this very important ministry. Team 413 - GRACERUNNER MINISTRIES is recognized by people from all over the world. More than 25,000 people run under the name of TEAM 413. Looking back at the picture from 2003, it might have been 100 people! God has moved us forward in HIS timing. We look forward to the things God will do in our ministry today and in the future.

Grow with us!

Under HIS Grace...

Chris