So hard to believe but we’ve just completed week 6 of the 2024 Spring100 Challenge! Time flies when you’re having fun. ☺️ You all are doing a great job! I am excited to see all the photos from Spring100ers in various locations(Pompeii Italy, Lake Erie, North Carolina Mountains, and Sunny Beaches to name a few. 😍) grabbing their miles flooding in! THANK YOU for taking the time to snap your walking photos and send them my way. These photos make our weekly posts so much fun!!💯
FUN Spring100 Week 6 Facts:
As of Week 6, 238 Participants have finished their 100 miles and are waiting for us at the finish line!!
To date, 150,000 miles have been walked for the 2024 Spring100 Challenge!
Spring100 Featured Photographer: Clara H.
Spring100 Devotional
Looking Unto Jesus
Mr Leake || Week 6 Spring100 Devotional
Everyone likely has one chapter or a few verses in God’s word that resonate with them…a place to retreat to for spiritual encouragement and inspiration. For me, that one chapter is Hebrews 12. Although this entire chapter speaks to me on so many levels, our focus today is:
“…looking unto Jesus” Hebrews 12:2
The prominent teaching permeating our Church today is the false message that God’s exclusive desire is to ensure our happiness, health, wealth and all other creature comforts. By embracing this concept, we gladly find a god of our own making. As we consider Hebrews 12:2, “looking unto Jesus”, we must first “look unto” the true Jesus, the Creator of everything that is. As we truly seek Jesus, we find God Himself and not the deceptive “portrait” the world has cast their gaze upon. Jesus warns us of taking a false Christ to heart, “for many will come in my name saying I am Christ and deceive many” (Matthew 24:5). We can see this great deception as we look out on Christendom today. In the Gospel of John, we see crowds following Jesus as long as the following was gratifying but when the teaching became too difficult, they abandoned the Lord.
Secondly, we must examine ourselves. Romans 8:6 warns “to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” So many of us may even now be affected and deceived by the false messages of ease. It’s time to “look unto Jesus” and return to the true teachings of God’s Word as Jesus calls us to sacrifice as He sacrificed, following His example as in Luke 9:23, “if anyone should come after Me, he must deny himself take up his cross daily and follow Me.” As we consider this daily cross that we are called to take up, this emblem of death, “look unto Jesus” who calls us to die daily to our desires, calling us to a holiness “without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Reading further into Hebrews 12 as we must also “look unto Jesus” to understand that God chastens those whom He loves and scourges every son whom He receives. Even now many of us are experiencing this chastening in sickness, death, the death of relationships, the desertion of children, family or friends who find the good road too difficult to travel. “Look unto Jesus!” There is not anything that we have suffered or will suffer through that He has not experienced (and infinitely more).
Let us look to the Creator of this universe, who came to bring redemption to man. This Jesus was unlike us; He deserving honor but receiving shame. Let us lean into the chastisement and embrace the rod of the perfect Shepherd of our souls. Resist the root of bitterness “where by many are defiled” but rather let us, by the mercies of God, be trained by our trials and thank God for them…that they may produce the peaceable fruit of righteousness in our lives and…
let us remember in the easy times as well as the difficult to “look to Jesus” our Great Example!
QUESTION! Have the past 6 weeks of Spring100 been “smooth sailing” or have you had to overcome obstacles to get your miles in? Leave a comment and let us know below!!
Don’t forget! These posts are made possible by YOU!! Your photo submissions and comments make these posts extremely fun and my job of putting them together super easy. Thank you! So with that being said, don’t leave without commenting, and remember to send in your Spring100 walking/running photos for a chance to be featured in next week’s post. Thank you!
“Beautiful sunset at the ocean!” Kate W 🙌🏻🎉💯 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
“Walking with Mom in Black Mountain, NC” Cynthia R. — “I finished! A few years ago, I was bedridden and facing serious health issues. I’m so thankful for the healing that the Lord has brought me and that I reached my 100 miles.” Lauren W. 💯🙌🏻🙏🏼 PRAISE THE LORD!!!
“Family walks are the best, especially when you live 2,600+ miles apart!” Kaitlyn R.👏🏼🙋🏼♀️
“Enjoyed seeing some amazing Texas wildflowers while getting in a Spring 100 walk together!” Gabriel C — “A morning walk, and devotion in Revelation 22” Ryah Reynolds 🙌🏻LOVE IT!
“The cool temperatures in this tunnel made for a refreshing stop on my walk. It’s a trail converted from a railroad.” David S. 🙌🏻👏🏼💯
“Memorable hikes with GREAT friends in Black Mountain, NC! Let’s keep it up, y’all! 😅👍”
“Three generations enjoying the sunshine on our neighborhood loop!” Mari H. 💯
“Went for a walk and did our devotions in God’s great creation!!! 😁🌳🍄” Gabriel R. — “Getting miles in with baby Ezra and a group of friends!” Maria S. 👏🏼
“Such sweet conversations on walks with siblings! We are loving Spring100. 💜” Baker Family 🙋🏼♀️💯 So glad you’re doing the Spring100 together!!
“Hannah and Elijah S. enjoying a fun sibling walk together one evening.🤗The sunset was beautiful too!”
“The best sister conversations seem to happen on walks!💗🥰” Grace
“Happy Birthday to Rebekah! She walked her 50th mile today.” Angela C. 🎉🥳 Happy Birthday!! — “Setting a personal goal of 200 miles!” Rosalyn B. 👏🏼👏🏼 Way to go pushing yourself above and beyond!!
“When you run into friends from church on your walk and then get to see the sunset!” Daniel Staddon Family🌅🙌🏻 LOVE IT!!
Annina F. checking in for week 6 of the 2024 Spring100!! 🙋🏼♀️ — “Crossed the finish line!!💯 Enjoyed a beautiful sunset by the ocean while finishing up my last few miles. I am excited for next year’s challenge!🎉” Hannah W. 🎉💯 WAY TO GO, Hannah!!
“Walking on my break at work!” Wendolyn R. 👏🏼💯 Great job!!
“A sunshiny day in Ontario (wind farms in the background)” Melodie K. — “Enjoyed a nice walk today with my fiancé, Aaron:)” Myra D. 🙌🏻
“The Little One’s walking with the cows!” Mary S. 🐮💯
“Halfway!” Michaela L. — “Enjoying a short walk at a conference in NC!” Rebekah R. 🙌🏻👏🏼💯
“It is a lot of fun to walk with friends so we are all getting our miles in.” Chyanne🏃🏻♀️🏃♀️
“The honeysuckle has been SO fragrant this year! 😍” Amanda S. — “Brenda and Brittany Sommer completed the Spring 100 in Spring, TX! Enjoying mother-daughter time!” 💯🎉 CONGRATULATIONS!!
“We enjoyed walking in the Upper Peninsula this weekend, looking for waterfalls!” Candi S 🙋🏼♀️ LOVE IT!
“Fun Saturday morning 5K with my siblings.” Carter W. — “Sunshine!☀” Emily B. ☀️💯
“Enjoying the incredible views while exploring the trails during my walk at Agua Fria National Monument!” Kayla M ♥️🙌🏻
“We really enjoy the time that we are able to spend together as we clock in our Spring 100 miles! It has truly been a blessing. 😁” Caitlin & Matthew N 🌊 Praise the Lord!!
“Taking a hike with Grandma! Someone said they saw a dinosaur print 🦕 🤷♀🤭😆 nothing like exploring God’s Creation while you get a few miles in!”Charity B
“I finished my 100 miles today with a 6.3 mile run!” Heather L. — “Enjoying an evening walk! ⛅” Lisa F. 🙋🏼♀️👏🏼💯
“A fun weekend outing. Always a plus to get some miles in. :)” Plocharczyk Family 👏🏼😃 Keep up the great work!!
“Getting my miles in as a firefighter” Caleb L. — “Got in 13 miles on the Ahnapee State Trail, and some quality time with my brother” Hannah L. 👏🏼💯
“Gorgeous evening for a run in Point Pelee😎” Margaret B.
“Michael wants to live outside, so he adores going on our Spring100 walks. Even in the stroller. Amelia, Mom and Abigail F. love to have him along. He is usually clapping or singing the whole way. :)” Julie F. — “Walked 2 miles through ancient Pompeii, Italy!” Libby B. 🙌🏻💯
“The M. and B. families took a fun walk together today which included a stop at the park and waving to the train as it passed!” Bethany M. 🙌🏻🙋🏼♀️
“We had so much fun hiking as a family at Sweetwater State Park viewing the fascinating ruins of a factory that was built during the Civil War!” The Bill Family 👏🏼
“An amazing 4.5 mile hike, including a quick selfie stop at a historic mansion!! (thank you to my awesome twin for agreeing to go with me❤)” Faith B.
“A Spring 100 walk turned into an opportunity to help a neighbor remove a snake from her house! Thankfully it was not venomous.” Lori C. 🐍– “Enjoying a walk with my niece today!” Lynn S. 👏🏼🙋🏼♀️
“Fitzgerald sisters enjoyed a beautiful hike up Roan Mountain to have some pictures done along the way!” Avery F. — “Weight Challenge! I didn’t realize how much weight can make the difference with walking one mile. 🥵😉” Megan J.
“We love after rain walks! The air is so fresh and clean!” Elisabeth M. 🙌🏻🌧
“Esther, Mom(Linda), and JoAnna Mitton. Joanna and Esther out on a windy day training for a 5k!” Esther M. — “Enjoying a beautiful evening walk with my brother Mark after a full day of work on the farm! So grateful for siblings that love Jesus!💖” Sarah Wilkes
“Took a very muddy Sunday Spring100 walk with three of my kiddos!😀” Dana S.
“First time hiking in North Carolina.the view was magnificent!” John S. — Lydia + Ruth L. grabbing miles together for week 6!! 🙋🏼♀️🙌🏻
This past week has been filled to the brim and overflowing for me as I was able to meet so many Spring100ers and walk a couple of miles with a few of them!! 👏🏼 A fun night walk up the North Carolina Mountains for a gorgeous view closed out week 6 for me. Keep up the FABULOUS walking/running!! You all are blowing me away with your dedication!! Let’s conquer week 7!!🙋🏼♀️
This week’s post is brought to you by:
Radiant Homeopathy
If you are struggling with symptoms from allergies, long COVID, hay fever, anxiety, autoimmune conditions, pediatric problems or female health issues, our knowledge of natural healing methods can help you find lasting solutions. As a mother-daughter team, at Radiant Homeopathy, we take the time to discover the root problems to your symptoms from a Christ-centered perspective. We are certified homeopaths and use homeopathic remedies to help you live the life God has called you to the fullest and to achieve your health goals.
A huge Thank you to Radiant Homeopathy for supporting the 2024 Spring100 Challenge!
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
Elizabeth Ford
This was a very fun post. I enjoyed seeing you at the CFL! God bless you!
Elisabeth M
It had been fairly smooth to get miles in. We went on a long road trip which did make it a little harder sometimes, but we also were able to get miles in some very cool places!
John Silvey
Between work and other projects I have going on it has been a struggle to get miles in, but I am not too terribly far behind so I think I should make it!
Emma H
It was great seeing you and your siblings at the conference!! 🙂 Hope you had a safe trip back!
shericlaude
Absolutely loved the devotional this week from Mr. Leake. Thank you, sir, for sharing your go-to chapter and emphasizing looking unto Jesus! He is our Rock; in everything and through everything, we need to look to Him for our needs, guidance, and preservation. All to Jesus!
As I shared last week, I hurt my foot on day one of Spring100, due to my own over-exuberance. It has vastly improved, and even though it has been painful and difficult, I praise God that by removing my shoelaces and opening the shoe tongue, I was able to keep going. 🙂 The only thing now is age-related swollen ankles. 😉 I only have 3 miles left but hope to keep going after I reach the goal! All praise to God!!
Sarah H
I have had some sickness derail me for a few days, and I also have been struggling with bad heel pain/possible plantar fasciitis. I really have to be careful to wear supportive shoes, or else I have been hobbling and limping by the end of the day.
I’m thankful to still be on track, though!
Martha Joy
It was so much fun to see so many familiar faces in this 100MileMonday post, and all the group walks that were enjoyed!! I’m grateful that I haven’t had any huge challenges this time through, so I’m just trying to keep a steady pace with my miles as I’m able. Whether you’ve already finished or you’re just chugging away (like I am😄), ya’ll are doing amazing!!! Keep up it everyone, to the glory of God!🙌
Thank you so much for the encouraging devotional, Mr. Leake!!