Please click the image to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
Please can you help me reach my fundraising target, canโt believe thereโs only 7 weeks to go! ๐ฐ
Donโt underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! Itโs so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to comeโฆโค๏ธ
Letโs stop MS together! ๐ช๐ผ
Thanks to 3 donations last week (Harry, Daniel & Heather) iโm only ยฃ2 away from hitting 50% of my target! ๐ฒ ๐ช๐ผ
Here is the message i received from Heather taken from the FitBlitz facebook page and my replyโฆ
Heather Mertens Since we metโฆ wow back about a decade ago now!โฆ on our blogs, I was just impressed with your journey and your praise to God! It was my honor to donate to this worthy cause. As you know both my daughter and I suffer from chronic diseaseโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 7/12 โ Day 5โฆ3.27 Milesโฆ๐ช๐ผ
Hi all. Iโm not entirely sure how i managed to feel exhausted before i even left the houseโฆBut it seems to be harder to get going when i only have to do 1 lap, than when i do lots of miles over multiple laps! ๐ My lovely wife Sarah (my personal drill sargent) helps lots when she says โNo lapโฆNo flapjackโ, not only does she use my own quote against me, lolโฆBut it really gets me motivated and quickly out on the trail! ๐คฃ
The sun appeared to be ensconced in cotton wool which made the trail as dull and miserable as an empty flapjack container! ๐จ The bonus was there were hardly any people out so it was nice and quiet and a lot less taxing on my brain, lol! ๐คฃ
Iโll never get bored of this photo of my lovely wife Sarah relaxing in her fave seat in the world. Sarah sat here every night watching the Bajan sunset during our 2 week long stays at โSouthern Palmsโ in Barbados, and to say that we miss being there is an understatement. โ๏ธ
“The Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.” John 14:17
The world–that is, the world dead in sin, and the world dead in profession, men destitute of the life and power of God–must have something that it can see. And, as heavenly things can only be seen by heavenly eyes, they cannot receive the things which are invisible.
Now this explains why a religion that presents itself with a degree of beauty and grandeur to the natural eye, will always be received by the world; while a . . . spiritual, internal, heartfelt and experimental religion will always be rejected.
The world can receive a religion that consists of . . . forms, rites, and ceremonies. These are things seen.
Beautiful buildings, painted windows, pealing organs, melodious choirs, the pomp and parade of an earthly priesthood, and a whole apparatus of ‘religious ceremony’, carry with them something that the natural eye can see and admire. The world receives all this ‘external religion’ because it is suitable to the natural mind and intelligible to their reasoning faculties.
But the . . . quiet, inward, experimental, divine religion, which presents no attractions to the outward eye, but is wrought in the heart by a divine operation–the world cannot receive this, because it presents nothing that the natural eye can rest upon with pleasure, or is adapted to gratify their general idea of what religion is or should be.
Do not marvel then, that worldly professors despise a religion wrought in the soul by the power of God. Do not be surprised if even your own relatives think you are almost insane, when you speak of the consolations of the Spirit, or of the teachings of God in your soul. They cannot receive these things, for they have no experience of them; and being such as are altogether opposed to the carnal mind, they reject them with enmity and scorn.
Hi friends. I was checking my notifications this morning and I was stunned to have found this badge! As you may have guessedโฆI like to celebrate achievements and goals no matter how big or small!ย ๐ช๐ผย ๐ย
People who already know me (from my other blogs โRebus Photographyโ & โiChristianโ) know Iโve been struggling to beat all kinds of obstacles since I was registered blind 20 years ago, at age 24โฆ.. BUT now itโs time to face my nemesisโฆ Health & Fitness and itโs many enemies โ overeating, obesity, excuses not to exercise and many moreโฆ๐จย
Iโm now trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and learning even more about health, fitness, weight training, nutrition and If you want to follow my blog, Iโd like to share my adventures with you โ So that we can lose weight and getโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 6/12 โ Day 5โฆ3.2 Milesโฆ
Hi all. After the torrential rain yesterday i headed out in to the ultra bright sunshine again. My body felt good and energised (well as much as it can be, whilst being dragged out early morning, lol) BUTโฆAfter half way around my first lap iโd just had enough! My brain, eyes and head had simply had enough of the pain of struggling through the blinding sun. If i couldโve teleported home i would, but i had to stumble the rest of the way homeme! ๐ญ
After receiving 2 more amazing donations yesterdayโฆThatโs nearly half way towards my target! ๐ฒ Thank you all, and after jumping around and celebrating i felt good! ๐ I thought my down week next week would give my body chance to rest and repair itself for my next personal best in MarchโฆBut it will beโฆ
Please click the image above to read, donate and share my fundraising story.
Please can you help me reach my fundraising target, can’t believe there’s only 8 weeks to go! ๐ฐ
Steveโs Blindman Trail Marathon Fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis SocietyIn Memory of my mum Valerie. Donโt underestimate the impact of the money you are donating! Itโs so important and it really does make a difference; today, tomorrow and for generations to comeโฆโค๏ธ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 6/12 โ Day 3โฆ6 Milesโฆ
Hi all. Once iโd dragged myself out of bed i saw the sun blitzing through the windows, i checked my weather app to see how cold it was outside so i could choose my layersโฆThe app said exactly what i was thinking as i thought about walking for 6 miles in the blinding sun! ๐จ
After the fallen tree drama yesterday i was happy to find it gone this morning, yay. But for some reason my legs and energy levels were just not happening and i almost gave up half way round, but realised i still have to get home and iโm miles away, lolโฆSo i gave it as much as i could to make it back home! ๐ฐ
In the middle of fighting myself not to give up i took this photo of the stew pond to remindโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 6/12 โ Day 2โฆ6 Milesโฆ
Hi all. After 3 storms last week iโd not managed to walk out to the trail until todayโฆAnd as i was making my way to the start of my trail lap i hit the brakes (a full emergency stop, lol) as i kicked this treacherous obstacle. To most of you guys this isnโt treacherous at all, but once iโd told myself i wasnโt turning around and going homeโฆI felt around it with my feet to make sure there wasnโt any branches sticking up etcโฆAnd simply stepped over it, yay! ๐
I then thought โIf this has happened on the path before i even start the trailโฆThen what is the actual trail going to be like?โ I had 2 laps (6 miles) to walk today and i was on high alert for the first lap making sure i didnโt hitโฆ
Hi all. Since we couldnโt walk to the local butchers on Saturday as the storm was giving it the beansโฆWe had to settle for some old M&S sirloin steaks from the freezer, lol! After Sarah had cut the disgusting fat off (Me and Sarah donโt like the elastic rubber stuff) we only had 6oz steaks. ๐ญ They were super soft once Sarah had done her secret magic to them and iโd already baked 4 jacket potatoes yesterday (we share 1 between us per meal) which had the carbs sortedโฆBut then Sarah did carrots, swede, garden peas, green beans, broccoli, onions, mushrooms and best of all brussels sprouts!! ๐ฒ Wow i love recovering over the weekend after training Monday to Friday! ๐ช๐ผ
I donโt have the hyperbole to tell you how tasty this meal wasโฆAnd how jam packed full of protein it was. Proteinโฆ
Click on the GRACE logo for more posts like this! ๐
(J.C. Philpot, “Strength Made Perfect in Weakness”)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.”ย 2 Corinthians 12:9
Not yourย strength,ย not yourย wisdom,ย not yourย prayers,ย not yourย experience;ย butย “My grace”–My free, My matchless grace: ย independent of all works and efforts, ย independent of everything in the creature, ย flowing wholly and solely, fully and freely, out of the bosom of Jesus to . . . ย ย ย the needy, ย ย ย the guilty, ย ย ย the destitute, ย ย ย the undone.
You who are tried in worldly circumstances, who have to endure the hard lot ofย poverty–“My grace is sufficient for you.”ย
You who areย tempted, day by day, to say or do that which conscience testifies against–“My grace is sufficient for you.”ย
You who are harassed withย family troublesย and afflictions, and are often drawn aside into peevishness and fretfulness–“My grace is sufficient for you.”ย
Ourย weakness,ย helplessness, andย inabilityย are the very things which draw forth the power, the strength, and the grace of Jesus!
Believer, your case is never beyond the reach of the words–“My grace is sufficient for you!”
The free, the matchless, sovereign grace of God, is sufficient for all His people–in whatever state, or stage, or trouble, or difficulty they may be in!
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in your weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Me in my waterproof gear heading off for some flapjacks! ๐ช๐ผ
Hi all. Just a quick post to let you know even the heavy rain storms and gale-force winds canโt keep me from collecting my flapjacks from the bakery, lolโฆYes making sure we have the adequate amount of fuel for our long walks is really that important! ๐ช๐ผ
After the British Gas man had been this morning to finally repair our boiler so we could have some lovely heating, i armed myself with my waterproof clothes and headed out. It was nice and cosy inside my lovely warm clothes and returned (without accident) with my supply of the amazingly tasty flapjacks! ๐
Letโs โFitblitzโ our goals togetherโฆNo matter the weather! ๐ช๐ผ ๐คฃ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 5/12 โ Day 4โฆ18.13 Milesโฆ๐ฒ
Hi all. I seriously didnโt think i was going to smash these personal best times yesterday, as i kicked a fallen tree and nearly went flyingโฆBut i managed to land ok without doing a triple forward somersault. The sun was so bright it was almost impossible to navigate a trail i couldnโt see at all and the muddy sludge was simply sapping my energyโฆAnd this was just the first lap! ๐จ
As usual i was telling myself not to be mardy and to stop making every excuse on why i was going to quit after 1 lap and go homeโฆI think it was knowing that after iโd done 2 laps i could break out the chocolate hob nobs! ๐ช๐ผ
I always message Sarah after each lap and she was fantastic at motivating me with her mighty messages. I reallyโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 5/12 โ Day 3โฆ6 Milesโฆ
Awww I love my new and ultra bright trail shoes!
Hi all. It was a whopping 12หC, overcast and super splashy wet after yesterdayโs heavy rain, but that is no match for my new super trail shoes my lovely wife Sarah gave me on valentineโs day. It was even warm enough to put my shorts on so i was ready and excited to try out my new shoes again.
I had my usual 2 laps (6 miles) to do today and i spent the first lap hoping i wouldnโt crash in to any fallen trees etc after the storm yesterday. Thankfully i didnโt hit anything unlike last time i steamed in to a fallen tree, lol! ๐คฃ My new shoes felt amazing again and just splashed through everything and stayed super grippyโฆSo after a clear trail and the weatherโฆ
2 x 8oz Dexter sirloin steaks sizzling in Sarahโs cast iron pan! ๐
Hi all. As you may know by now me and Sarah love steak. Itโs great for the obvious protein, iron and micronutrients, but also as it has no carbs itโs fantastic for Sarah as a T1DโฆWin win! ๐ช๐ผTonight as itโs valentineโs day and we saw the local butchers were selling something called a โDexterโ steak (no not Dexter the allusive serial killer aka the โBay Harbour Butcherโ), although thatโs why we wanted to try it (although not too rare itโs dripping in blood)โฆBut beef from the Dexter cattle, lol. ๐คฃ
We opted for the sirloin as always as itโs the leaner cut, and as always Sarah does dissect it and cut off the existing fat. But as weโd never had this kind of steak we didnโt know what to expectโฆAnd it was unbelievable!! The combination of theโฆ
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love Never Fails…
๐ Bible Verse…
Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
๐ค My Thoughts…
This is one of my favourite Bible verses that i try desperately each day to live up to. As soon as i first read this verse it convicted me straight away and i knew i wanted to be a husband like that!
๐ Prayer…
Holy Spirit, thanks for being a constant guiding presence in my life. Give me the faith to take practical and radical action to keep in step with You, so that You can love my spouse through me in a way that will sustain a fun, loving & trusting relationship. Amen.
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 5/12 โ Day 1โฆ6 Milesโฆ
Inov8 Terraultra G270 Trail Shoes in Super Bright Orange! Awww I love my new and ultra bright trail shoes!
Hi all. I hope you are as stunned as me this morning, as i opened this valentineโs gift from my lovely wife Sarah?! Now these bad boys really put the โMotivationโ in to Monday, lol! ๐คฃ My photos really donโt show just how bright the orange is on these super duper trail shoes, as when i walked outside of the house they seemed to have LEDโs in them! Anyway letโs take them for a test drive. ๐ช๐ผ
The INOV8 Terraultra G270 Trail Shoesโฆ
Wow just look at that grip! ๐ช๐ผ
As soon as i walked on to the hard tarmac of the road i knew these were going to be good. I thought the 4mm lugs, zero heel drop andโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 4/12 โ Day 6โฆCup Cake! ๐
Hi all. As i do my 5 days of walking on Monday โ Friday, i have the weekend to actively rest with my lovely wife Sarah. I still make sure i get my 10,000 steps in each day but take it easy and enjoy my time off from the trail. And what better way to enjoy this time than a trip to our local bakersโฆNot only to get my flapjack fuel for next week butโฆJust look at this pre-valentine love heart cup cake Sarah spotted for us to shareโฆWell i obviously have to eat more of it as i always like to help her out, lol! ๐คฃ โค๏ธ
The Cup Cakeโฆ
Mmmmm! ๐
Hope youโve started this new month smashing your health and fitness goals too? Letโs โFitBlitzโ February together!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 4/12 โ Day 5 โ 5.33 Milesโฆ
Hi all. Wow what a morning! It was ultra bright, ultra cold -1หC and time to break out the puffer jacket! I donโt know how but i still managed 1 lap (3.33 miles) this morning, not the 2 laps i had planned but i needed time on feet to reach over 30 miles this week again. I simply couldnโt have done 2 laps if i tried, the sun was so bright it burnt my eyes and they were finished, even the peak on my cap did very little to help so i call this a recovery day after my personal best walk on wednesday!
As i was going at a snails pace i managed to stop and take some photos. I thought the images would show a little of how bad the sun was as i pointedโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 4 โ Day 4 โ 6 Milesโฆ
Hi all. After smashing my personal best walk of 16.21 miles yesterday, i went out on a slow (really hard to go slow now) sauntering pace this morning. As i was shuffling round i thought iโd use this time to take lots of photos of the trail. I donโt normally take photos on my walks as i donโt normally have time as iโm concentrating on form, speed and trying my hardest not to get lost. Also my iPhone is 4 and a half years old and iโm trying to conserve as much battery as i can just to time my long walks, and i donโt want to use it for anything else thatโll drain my battery, lol! ๐คฃ
Having said all thatโฆI didnโt want to bore you to death with lots of images of boring trails, lolโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 4 โ Day 3 โ 16.21 Milesโฆ
Hi all. Yay iโve managed to finally smash through the 16 mile marker this morning, and manage 16.21 miles, and wow was it hard! I knew i had to pull a little bit more out of my legs to beat last walking wednesdayโs record of 15.85 milesโฆBut i somehow managed it even though the blinding sun was doing itโs best to end my walk. Sorry i canโt write too much today as iโm dying here! ๐คฃ
Todayโs Walking Statsโฆ
Although it doesnโt seem like much to beat last weeks record by just under half a mileโฆI managed to walk a little faster and do the walk in 4 hours 15 minutes at around 3.9mph. All this was non stop walking (incredibly without a toilet break) and iโmโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 4 โ Day 2 โ Tough Mudder Motivationโฆ
Hi all. I thought youโd like to look back with me on the day this blindman tackled the Tough MudderโฆAnd survivedโฆJust! Looking back on this post has given me some more motivation to keep smashing aways at my current fundraising challengeโฆThe Trail Marathon! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
Tough Mudder
Yayโฆ..We did it!
โงFrom left: Adie, Vini, Me, Josie & Ashleyโง
Tough Mudder 5K โ Saturday 13th October 2018โฆโฆ.Here Goes!
โง From left: Adie, Me & Josie โง
โง Me carrying Adie on the โHero Carryโ โง
It was amazing to have my friend of nearly 30 years Adie Monk join our โHard As Nailsโ team. I thought weโd sit and catch up over a coffeeโฆ.I didnโt have this in mind, lol!
Thanks John Atherton for taking another great photo. I canโt thank you and Sarah Atherton enough forโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 4 โ Day 1 โ 6 Milesโฆ
Hey thereโฆYep iโm still walking, lol! ๐คฃ
Hi all. Wow โMotivational Mondayโ has come around quickly once again, and i think iโve spent the weekend thinking up every excuse possible so i donโt have to go for my walk today, lol. It really is true when they say the hardest step is getting to (and out) of the front door! After my lovely wife Sarah had demolished every excuse i could think upโฆI slowly dragged myself outside.
I think i need to read (and listen to) some of my older โMotivational Mondayโ postsโฆI need some motivation this morning!! ๐ช๐ผ Itโs week 4 of 12 of my trail marathon trainingโฆThatโs already a third of the way through! ๐จ
The sun was unbelievably bright this morning and my cap didnโt make things any better, so it was time toโฆ
“Affliction does not come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring forth out of the ground!” Job 5:6
“Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.” Deuteronomy 8:5
“I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me!” Psalm 119:75
“As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline!” Revelation 3:19
“For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6
“I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for You are the one who has done this!” Psalm 39:9
Dear Reader, I have come into yoursick-room, as it were, and wish to tell you a few things for your comfort and profit.
God has seen fit to stop you in the midst of your busy life, and to lay you aside for a while. It is not by chance that His afflicting hand has fallen upon you. It is not at random that He has chastened you. It may seem to be a mere accident that you are afflicted, and not another. But no; God has done it purposely!
Learn this then–that your present sickness or affliction is from God. It is His doing. He it is, who has brought this present chastisement upon you. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father’s ordering, and He prizes His redeemed children more than many sparrows.
Sickness usually comes as a messenger of divine love–it is sent to be a blessing, and may be made, by God’s grace, a very great blessing to the soul. God afflicts His children, because He desires to do them some great good.
The gardener cuts and prunes his tree, to make it grow better, and bear more precious fruit. In the same way, God often uses His sharp knife for some gracious purpose.
The wise and loving father thwarts his child, and sometimes scourges it, for its good. Just so, God uses His chastening rod for the very same reason.
The skillful physician prescribes nauseous medicines to restore his patient’s health. In the same way, God makes us take His bitter medicines, though at the time they are very distasteful to us.
Why does God afflict us?
Because He loves us, and wishes to make us holy as He is holy, and happy as He is happy. For, as it has been well said, “Fiery trials make golden Christians!”
God had one Son without sin–but He never had any son without sorrow.
God chastens purposely and lovingly. Affliction comes from Him; and He afflicts, not as a stern Judge, but as a Father and a Friend!
Before then you go a step further, ask God to convince you of this precious truth: “It is my Father who corrects me–even He who loves me! I will receive this chastisement then from Him, and remember that it is a loving hand that smites. I will kiss the very rod that scourges me. Father, not my will, but may Your will be done!”
A true Christian will receive affliction with submission. It is his Father’s doing, and therefore he quietly submits. It comes from Him, and must therefore be well. He feels that there is a needs-be for it. What a sweet pillow is this, on which to rest his weary head!
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 3 โ Day 6&7 โ Total: 36 Miles This Weekโฆ
The Brobdingnagian VEGETABLESโฆ
Thee really are carrotsโฆAnd not a pile of tree logs, lol! ๐คฃ
Hi all. As part of my 2 day rest from endless walking Monday to Friday, Sarah * i like to go shopping at our local market on Saturday to get some FAT vegetables as we both like really chunky veg. My lovely wife Sarah peels and chops them into monstrous sizes and then cooks them ready for the week. Sarah wanted to get Brussels Sprout stalks this week as they seem to last longer and are much bigger sproutsโฆAs you may or may not notice in the image belowโฆThey are like tennis balls and tasted amazing, iโm looking forward to chomping on the rest this week, lol! ๐คฃ
I also took a photo of the carrots Sarah was preparingโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 3 โ Day 5 โ 6 MilesโฆTotal: 36 Miles This Weekโฆ
Hi all. Now that was a freezing, soaking and horrific 6 miles today! The weather app only gave out light showers this morning, so i really wasnโt prepared for the absolute drenching that battered me 10 minutes into my walk. At this point there was no time to turn back as i was already soakedโฆSo i put on my 4mph pace playlist and charged around 2 laps for 6 miles!
It wasnโt all negative though as it was like the wasteland from the video game Fallout 4. There were no dog walkers blocking my path, cyclists flying pastโฆActually there were no other people out at a all which was amazing for me. Once iโd left the thought of it being a radiation rain storm (Fallout 4) behind i realised there was no glareโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 3 โ Day 4 โ 6 Milesโฆ
Hi all. Since when has the phrase โIโm only doing 2 laps (6 miles) todayโ ever been a standard by me in this house, or even been uttered, lol ๐คฃ I need to stop, get back in bed and go to sleep instead!
Wow that was hardโฆ
I felt like i was in the movie โThe Wrong Trousers โ Wallace & Gromitโ this morning, as no matter what my instructions were to my legsโฆThey just kept plodding on and ignoring my command to stopโฆMy mind was writing cheques my body wouldnโt cash. When i did eventually squeek to a halt i managed to take this photo of the stew pondโฆ
The smaller stew pond on my trail
It took me a minute to get going again as my lower legs felt like heavy blocksโฆWell they felt likeโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 3 โ Day 3 โ 15.85 Milesโฆ
Hi all. I canโt tell you how happy i am to have made it around 6 laps (15.85 miles) today. This is a life long personal record for non stop walking for meโฆYet iโm so glad itโs over, lol! ๐คฃ
Beta Blockers & Bendroflumethiazideโฆ
I was a little worried about todayโs attempt as not only do i have to fight โBeta Blockerโ medication but also โBendroflumethiazideโ too. This is a diuretic which makes you want to pee to help lower blood pressureโฆBut doesnโt help when you want to go for a long walk through the woods, lol! ๐คฃ Sorry to talk about this but i still canโt believe i made it for 15.85 miles for 4 hours 13 minutes non stop without needing to peeโฆAnother victory for me and is just one more obstacle on this epicโฆ
Blindman Trail Marathon Training โ Week 3 โ Day 2 โ 6 Milesโฆ
Hi all. I decided to do todayโs 6 miles at a faster pace of 4 miles per hour, this is apparently โSpeed Walkingโ but only just, lol. ๐คฃ It certainly felt like it to me, as being blind this feels like warp speedโฆIโm just glad i didnโt hit anything!
Walking at this pace helps improve fitness, endurance and strengthens legs and abdominal musclesโฆWho doesnโt need that, lol! ๐คฃ
When i arrived home i heard an extra bing from my apple watch to say iโd won yet another award. Although it wasnโt much of a challenge this time, as i only had to complete a 20 minute walk and had 2 weeks to do it (my walk today was a 90 minute one)โฆBut it still feels good to get another award for all of my efforts and muscleโฆ
Week 3 โ Day 1 โ Blindman Trail Marathon Trainingโฆ
Hi all, After spending all morning and most of the afternoon with Sarah up in London at the diabetic eye hospitalโฆJust checking up on the not so good laser treatment they did in December (donโt get me started), there isnโt enough hours of daylight for me to get some mileage done todayโฆBut i do have a 6 mile walk tomorrow, Thurs & FridayโฆAnd a personal best 15 miles on Wednesday if i can manage it which should help put the miles back up this week. ๐คฃ
But as today is โMotivational Mondayโ iโd better give a little something to help motivate you, lolโฆSo here are a couple of badges/awards my fitness app sounded to tell me iโd achieved them over the weekend!! ๐Do you have a fitness tracker etc to help you? Iโd love to know if you do andโฆ
Hi all. After walking to the local butchers yesterday and getting 2 9oz sirloin steaks, my lovely wife Sarah prepared them and did her secret, special and tasty steak lunch with potatoes, 7 vegetables and her super secret mushroom sauce! Sorry i canโt get her to release any information on her secret recipes, lol! ๐คฃ
I donโt have the hyperbole to tell you how tasty this meal wasโฆAnd how jam packed full of protein it was. Protein is essential for keeping our hair, nails, skin, bones, cartilage and blood in good shape. Itโs an important building block for increasing muscle mass and repairing tissues, and is also needed to create hormones, enzymes and other chemicals within the human body. It also has lots of iron and other micro nutrients tooโฆPerfect! ๐ช๐ผ
A huge thanks to my lovely wife Sarah for this amazing meal!
LISTEN to audio!ย ย Download audio (You will find it helpful toย listen to the audio above, as youย read the text below.) “I will rejoice in Your salvation!” Psalm 9:14
The minds of the wicked find joy from the mostย trivialย causes–causes which the Spirit of God has taught the Christian to estimate as mere “vanity and vexation of spirit.” To the enlightened mind, the pursuits of this world, and the possessions of the most wealthy, dwindle into insignificance when compared with the value of the soul and its great salvation. If a sinner finds cause for joy in his career ofย iniquity, the end of which is damnation–then surely the believer hasย an unfailing source of joy and consolation in God’s salvation!
No one can rejoice in salvation, unless heย understandsย it. There will be a knowledge . . .ย of theย necessityย of salvation, arising from the conviction of one’s fallen, guilty, and condemned state before God;ย of theย accomplishmentย of salvation, by the atoning death, resurrection, and intercession of Jesus Christ, 1 Timothy 1:15;ย that when received, salvation willย grantย . . .ย ย ย pardonย to the guilty,ย ย ย justificationย to the condemned,ย ย ย libertyย to the spiritual captive,ย ย ย healthย to the spiritually sick,ย ย ย sightย to the spiritually blind, and, in short,ย ย “all spiritual blessingsย in heavenly places in Christ Jesus!”
No one can ever rejoice in salvation, unless he has felt hisย needย of it. The Spirit has opened the eyes of his understanding, and revealed to him his great guilt and need of the Savior. He now knows the plague of his own heart. He now feels his utter helplessness, and perceives the adaptation of the Savior to his state as a perishing sinner.
True salvation alwaysย produces joyย and rejoicing!ย “I will rejoice in Your salvation.” Theย sickย person rejoices when his disease departs, when the bloom of health again mantles his cheek, etc.ย Theย debtorย rejoices when his debts are discharged, etc.ย Theย culpritย rejoices when reprieved, when he hears the opening of the doors of his prison-house.ย And shall not the penitent and believing sinner rejoice? He is saved! Saved from . . . ย theย guiltย of sin,ย ย theย condemnationย of sin, ย theย dominionย of sin, ย theย powerย of death,ย ย theย dominionย of the grave, andย ย theย vengeanceย of everlasting fire!
This joy springs from the realization of divine mercy, through the sin-atoning death of Christ. This rejoicing is over . . . ย an infinite soul,ย ย redeemed by an infinite price,ย ย ย fromย an infinite damnation– toย infinite joys, realized first here, and then to be realized fully in an infinite Heaven.ย
What a possession! What a prospect!ย “I will rejoice in Your salvation!”ย
1. The believer rejoices in theย originย of salvation. It is the result of distinguishing grace–the sovereign goodness and unmerited compassion and favor of God. Man . . . ย did notย deserveย it, ย had no equitableย titleย to it, ย neverย solicitedย it.ย God beheld him as an outcast, pitied him, and condescended to save him!ย
2. The believer rejoices in theย procuringย of salvation. When he sees his Redeemer in the garden and on the cross, he weeps–but they areย tears of joy.ย There he sees Christ’s astonishing love. There he sees Him bearing his sins and dying in his stead, etc.
3. The believer rejoices in theย glorious propertiesย of salvation . . .ย ย theย freenessย of it, requiring no qualifications nor conditions, ย theย purityย of it, unto holiness, ย theย powerย of it, saving him from the guilt, dominion, and pollution of sin, ย theย extensivenessย of it, investing him with every spiritual blessing, ย theย certaintyย of it, assuring the soul, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish–ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand.” John 10:28ย
4. The believer rejoices in the prospectiveย consummationย of salvation in Heaven. He anticipates with joy . . . ย the full harvest, ย the fruition of hope, and ย the vision of gloryย in which faith shall be lost.ย
“You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!” Psalm 16:11ย
Hi all, after yesterdayโs trail closure setback i was a little hesitant to venture out this morningโฆWell as i held a hot fresh coffee (made by my lovely wife Sarah), it was 1หC and i didnโt know if the trail would be open again, these were just some of the reasons i didnโt want to go out again this morning, lol! ๐คฃ
When i did finally drag my lazy self out onto the trailโฆYes youโve guessed itโฆThe dreaded barrier was still there!! ๐จ
I turned around again thinking i could do the trail backwards until i reach the other side of this barrier, then turn around and come back to get my mileage up for the day. Well i thought it sounded like a good idea untilโฆThe sun came out really bright with a nasty glare and i simply couldnโt stayโฆ
Hi all. After yesterdayโs 13.5 miles my legs were still a little sore, so i wanted to just do a normal 6 miles today but at a really slow stroll to take care of my legs microtears. I was keeping a really slow pace (itโs really hard not to speed up) and i was walking around the first quarter of my route whenโฆ
I bumped straight into the road block (well path, lol) as i donโt notice anything is different until my nose is on itโฆBut when i do i can stop very quicklyโฆThankfully, lol. I stopped for a moment and thought how i could get past it without damaging anything, then when i was satisfied that i just had to turn back and go home, i did just thatโฆAnd thenโฆ
How on earth did this barrier get here i thoughtโฆ
Hi all. Wow that was hardโฆBut i managed 5laps non stop in 3 hours 45minutesโฆThatโs 13.5 miles which is just over a half marathon!! Yay iโm happyโฆWell now itโs over anyway, lol! ๐คฃ
I bought a SIS (science in sport) energy gel for the first time last Saturday to try on my walks, it was orange flavour and was very tastyโฆIt tasted like a orange lucozade but with a viscosity of thick custardโฆMMMM perfect for me as i love custard! I also had my fave โ chocolate hob nobs with me too as they are simply delicious and work really well for me. I love all of this walking as i can eat and burn off my fave biscuits, cake and gels as iโm going round the lapsโฆWin win, lol! ๐คฃ
When i eventually arrived home i was greeted with anotherโฆ
Hi all. I donโt know if it was my beta blockers crushing my adrenal glands to the point of feeling comatoseโฆOr the -1หC freezing tempurature that was making me feel like staying in bedโฆOr am i just making excuses for not wanting to do another 6 miles today!
I did eventually โman upโ and drag myself out there, and once i did i started to feel betterโฆWell after a few miles anyway once iโd warmed up, lol!
I finished my 6 miles in 1hour 34mins and was totally ready for my lovely warm fresh coffee made by my lovely wife Sarah. ๐ช๐ผ ๐
As itโs WEEK 2, DAY 2 of my 12 week trail marathon training plan, iโll be increasing tomorrows walk to 14 miles from 12 miles last wee! I hope i feel much more lively tomorrow morningโฆIโm really notโฆ
Hi all. Yay itโs a blistering 1หC this morning, thatโs almost tropical temperatures, lol! ๐คฃ It was also cloudy which is perfect conditions for me as there is no blinding (pun intended) sun to slow me right downโฆAnd it didnโt. I did the 6 miles and was 10 minutes faster getting home to my lovely coffee freshly made by my stupendous wife Sarah!
It was eerily quiet on the trail this morning so not too many people to crash into! I hope it doesnโt mean all of the โNew Year Resolutionersโ havnโt quit already?! Donโt get me started on how health and fitness is for lifeโฆNot something you start and stop Yoyo etcโฆSorry rant over, lol! ๐คฃ
And ThenโฆA Donationโฆ!
I was about 5.5 miles into my walk when the happy muppets theme tune started playing over my audiobook. I thought โNo way itโฆ
(J.R. Miller, “Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ” 1890)
“Whenย a woman who had lived a sinful lifeย in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume . . .” Luke 7:37ย
It is wonderful howย genuine goodnessย draws to itself: ย the unfortunate,ย ย the troubled, ย the friendless,ย ย the outcast, ย the fallen.ย
Wherever Jesus went, these classes always found Him out and gathered about Him. It was because He was the true, unselfish friend of all men. They foundย sympathyย in Him. He wouldย listenย to their story. Though He was the sinless One, there was yet no air of, “I am holier than you” about Him. He was just as gentle to an outcast sinner, as to a religious Nicodemus. No matter who reached out a hand for help, He was ready to grasp it. One of the truest things ever said of Jesus, was the prophetic word concerning him,ย “He shall not break a bruised reed!”ย He always dealt most gently withย sore spiritsย and withย bruised hearts!
Those who want to be useful in this world, must have the same qualities as Jesus. There is a kind of false “holiness” which draws nobody to itself–but rather repels. Genuine holiness, however, wins its way everywhere into men’s hearts. The secret of it all is in livingย “not to be served–but to serve;”ย in considering one’s self not too good to serve the most unworthy of God’s creatures. If we live in this world toย beย served, we shall be of no use to anyone. But if we live to minister to others, yearning to be of service to everyone we meet–then our life will be of great worth. Theย hungry-heartedย and theย soul-needyย will be drawn to us, and God will love to put work into our hands.
We need, too, to train ourselves toย exceeding gentlenessย in dealing with human souls in their spiritual crises. Many earnest people, in the excess of their zeal–do incalculable harm to those whom they greatly desire to help.ย People with sore and bruised hearts, usually need loving sympathy and strong, kindly friendship–much more than they need a lecture in theology!
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28ย
Hi all. i really didnโt want to let go o my lovely warm coffee this morning after checking the weather appโฆIt said it was -2หC but feels like -5หC! ๐จ I dragged myself towards the front door wearing my puffer jacket and bobble hatโฆMy ears were not going to freeze off today, lol! ๐คฃ I managed the 6 freezing miles today which made a total of 35 training miles this week which was my goal of this 3 month marathon training plan!!! ๐
More uphill on my trail marathon route!
I was out for around 1h 40mins and averaged 3.5 mph. This pace is good for me and also enables me to take a few photos on route, so you can hopefully enjoy some of this beautiful scenery too! ๐ฒ ๐
The stew pond in the freezing frost on my trail marathon route!
Hi all. After checking the weather app yesterday it said there was a cold snap moving in until SundayโฆIt wasnโt joking, lol! ๐คฃ My lovely wife Sarah had made me another one of her fresh coffees and a slice of wholemeal toast with Grenade chocolate spread to fuel me on my journeyโฆMmmmmm! ๐ I knew i had 11 miles (4 laps of my trail marathon route) to complete today and i really didnโt want to go outโฆBut i did and i nailed it and feel much better now iโve done it! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
I was out for a little over 3 hours and didnโt have any dramas this time, only the amazingly bright sun again which melted my brains (drained so much of my mental strength just trying to figure out where i was going). Looking forwards toโฆ
Hi all. Wow itโs 0หC again this morning and i really wished iโd done a summer trail marathon, lolโฆBut where is the challenge in that! ๐คฃAfter a tasty slice of wholemeal toast with Grenade chocolate spread on top and a fantastic warm coffeeโฆI managed to do another 6 miles again today, yay! I wonโt be laughing for long though as iโve got a 12 mile one to do tomorrow! ๐จ
Hope you have had a great time so far this year and you are either starting to set goals? Or youโre already smashing them?! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
โYou do not rise to the occasion, you simply fall back to your level of training.โ
Hi all. โAwww thatโs betterโ i say whilst drinking a soothing hot fresh coffee made by my lovely wife Sarah. Even though it was -1หC, white and frosty ground which was also slippy and blazingly bright sunshine burning my eyesโฆI still somehow managed to drag myself out of the front door and do my 6 miles today! ๐ช๐ผ ๐
I have 2 hats to choose from when i go out โ A baseball cap with a nice long peak to stop the incredible sun, or a beanie hat that keeps my ears and head warm. I chose the baseball cap today as i needed to stop some of that intense glareโฆBut my ears got frozen off! ๐จ Which one would you have chosen? ๐ค
Reading the messages you guys have written on my fundraising page always inspires and motivates meโฆAnd having to write one of these blog posts each timeโฆ
โBE DIFFERENT! Donโt go with the flow!โ we are urged. โDonโt follow the crowd! Even a dead fish can float downstream.โ It does not take any effort or work on the part of a fish to go with the flow and drift downstEven a dead fish can float. Only a living and healthy fish can swim against the current and travel upstream. In the same way, any weak Christian can live like the world; it takes a vital, healthy faith to enable someone to stand on their convictions, firm against the tide of opinion and the example of unbelievers.
Perhaps we can carry the analogy a bit further. With the polluted condition of many of our modern streams and rivers, it is not only dead fish that float downstream. Trash, industrial waste, and pollutants of one kind or another floats downstream. A fish that travels in that direction finds itself swimming in increasingly fouled and filthy waters. The purest, cleanest waters are found farther upstream nearer the source, where people rarely go. What kind of water would you rather swim in? What kind of life would you rather have? Pure waters are reached only by swimming against the current!
Obviously, we do not want to be one of those wimpy, weak-willed, dead-fish Christians; yet it is so easy to go with the flow and follow the crowd. If we carelessly live like everyone else, we will find ourselves surrounded by the pollution of sin. Is there any way out of this mess? What does it take for us to be able to swim against the current and move farther upstream? I suggest that we need to concentrate on five main points.
Convictions
We will have to know what we believe and then hold to it strongly, for, as it has often been said, those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. We are given the teachings of the apostles and prophets so that we may โno longer be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrineโ (Ephesians 4:14). We must read our Bibles, accept the principles we find there as our standard of conduct, and then stand firmly on scriptural convictions! How rare it is to see that today! Most of us are so caught up in feelings and tradition, we do not allow truth to shine through.
Courage
The unbelievers will not make it to heaven: โBut for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second deathโ (Revelation 21:8). When they see that Godโs way will require them to leave the false security of doing what all the rest of the world is doing and strike out on their own, their hearts will fail them. Rather than standing against the crowd with the courage of convictions (Romans 8:31), they take the easy way out, turning back to the world, to sin and condemnation. Joshua said, โBe strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord you God is with you wherever you goโ (1:9).
Strength
We must have power and might to stand firmly against the flood of evil that would swiftly sweep us downstream to our destruction. Paul said, โBe on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strongโ (1 Corinthians 16:13). We could not successfully withstand temptation and sin that threatens our spiritual well-being by ourselves. Therefore, we are called to โbe strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His mightโ (Ephesians 6:10). Fortified with power that comes only from God (Ephesians 3:16), we can say with Paul, โI can do all things through Him who strengthens meโ (Philippians 4:13).
Endurance
For most of us, the Christian race is not a brief sprint to the finish line, but rather it is a long, grueling marathon. Listen to the words of the Hebrew writer, โYou have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised … โMy righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in himโโ (10:36, 38). It is so sad to see those who have started on the Christian way later give up, forfeiting the race. They did not have the the long-distance endurance to run the race through to the end. Therefore, โlet us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesusโ (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Heavenly Goals
The reason we want to travel upstream is because we are seeking something better and higher than the careless world around us. We are not trying to be different from the world just for the sake of being different. We are different because we are pursuing different goals. We have to keep these goals continually before us. Paul said, โKeep seeking the things above, where Christ is … Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earthโ (Colossians 3:1-2). Raise your sights! Donโt follow the foolish crowd!
Hi all. I hope the photo above (taken this morning) shows just how muddy this tiny section of my trail marathon lap really was?! As i was slopping through the mud i heard that loud popping sound, whilst at the same time feeling my shoe being ripped off from some monster underneath the mud!! ๐จ Thankfully i was wearing my INOV8 X-Talen 190 trail shoes (Sarah bought them 4 years ago for the Tough Mudder) which fit like a glove and didnโt get ripped offโฆPhew! Otherwise it would have been a very sloppy, freezing and different outcome to my walk today. Just thought iโd share this with you guysโฆThereโs always drama when this blindman decides to go out walking, lol! ๐คฃ
Hope youโre having a great time so far this year and you are either starting to set goals? Or youโre already smashingโฆ
Itโs now the start of the โDiet-Seasonโ whenmillionsenthusiastically begin a diet onJanuary 2nd and. . .usually fall off that bandwagon three weeks later. Why?
Failing on a diet plan is usuallynot because we donโt know what we should do.Most realizewe: 1. eat less 2.exercise more 3.slow down and 4. drink water, etc., etc. . . .Yet we failtime andtime again, even when we believe we are doing the right thing! Thatโs frustrating and self-defeating.
Weight loss ismuch morethanmere willpower. There is no magic formula. Since we are each uniquely created, itโs primarily an individually mental, physiological, and spiritual challenge. Itโs also a matter ofunderstanding the scientific reasons behind theโwhyโwe can self-destruct.
My book, โLifeโs Too Short to Eat Bad Cheese. . .โ will make the perfect motivational New Yearโs gift this year. Itโs available for only $4.99 on Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SKQ3HYV
Itโs not simply another diet book. With over 241โฆ
๐ YAYโฆA BROBDINGNAGIAN NEW YEAR TO YOU!! We pray you have a monumental, inconceivable and definitely memorable time smashing your health and fitness goals in 2022โฆLove Steve & Sarah! โค๏ธ๐ช๐ผ๐พ๐ฅ๐๐โ๏ธ
Hi all! Just wanted to say a quick hello and hope youโre all smashing your health and fitness goals?! ๐ช๐ผ๐
Oh and itโs nearly Christmas so i hope you wonโt forget to do some carb loadingโฆTo help towards fuelling your extra long walksโฆObviously!! ๐ช๐ผ ๐คฃ ๐
Today, a form of excommunication called โcancelingโ is taking place on the basis of opinions, not sin or a destructive lifestyle. A canceled person is shunned or snubbed when he or she offends the sensibilities of some group for cultural, political, or religious reasons. When Christians are canceled today for their biblical values and views, we find ourselves in good company. Jesus Himself experienced the ultimate form of cancelation by being crucified. The day is coming when those who hold biblical views will be canceled, even killed โ as pictured by the persecution of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. The Antichrist will forbid the preaching of the Gospel during the Tribulation and โcancelโ followers of Christ (Revelation 6:9). If you experience being โcanceledโ for your faith, take heart. It is nothing more than what Jesus predicted (John 15:20).
Commentary from the David Jeremiah Turning Points magazine and devotional, Octoberโฆ
The great nineteenth century Baptist preacher, C.H. Spurgeon, once confessed: โOn a sudden, the thought crossed my mindโwhich I abhorred but could not conquerโthat there was no God, no Christ, no heaven, no hell, and that all my prayers were but a farce, and that I might as well have whistled to the winds or spoken to the howling waves.โ
The above quote reminds us that nearly all Christians, even those who seem strong and confident, face periods of doubt about what they believe. Indeed, sometimes those doubts can swell up into a crisis of sorts. Even Spurgeon admitted his doubts were difficult to conquer.
So, how do we handle these doubts when they come? Or, how do we help others who admit they are struggling with what they believe? Hereโs a five truths that can perhaps help us be more careful and more compassionate inโฆ
Hi all. Iโve been a little quiet around here over the last few weeksโฆBut iโve now found โRuck Marchingโ. Some of you may have seen this coming as i do lots of walking through my local trail, but i seriously didnโt see it! Iโve always loved rucksacks (i have a few) and iโve always loved the armed forces as i have family who have served and are still serving to this day.
As you know i donโt run at all as iโm always on my own, and my eyes just go crazy even at slow walking speeds never mind jogging or running. Iโve managed to do 14.6 miles in 4 hours (my longest non stop walk so far) whilst training for my โBlindman Trail Marathonโ in April 2022. Now iโm upping my walks with loaded marching and taking my walks to new heightsโฆ
March 4, 2022 
iChristian 
Recent Comments