George MacDonald: The Fantasy Writer Who Shaped C.S. Lewis, J. R.R. Tolkien and Madeleine L’Engle

George MacDonald: The Fantasy Writer Who Shaped C.S. Lewis, J. R.R. Tolkien and Madeleine L’Engle

How little-known writer George MacDonald transformed the fantasy genre.
by Alikay Wood

One nineteenth century man defined fantasy writing for a generation of writers. W.H. Auden called him “one of the most remarkable writers of the nineteenth century.” G.K. Chesterton said his writing “made a difference to my whole existence.” C.S. Lewis referred to him as his “master.” He was close friends with Mark Twain and Lewis Carroll. His name? George MacDonald.

MacDonald wrote prolifically during his life—publishing more than 50 books and numerous essays. His most well-known books Phantastes, The Princess and the Goblin and Lilith, were groundbreaking works that used the medium of fantasy to explore faith and the human condition.

His books did not sell particularly well while he was alive, but later writers preserved his literary style for future generations. Here are a few authors who credited MacDonald with influencing their work:

Lewis Carroll
Lewis Carroll, the creator of Alice in Wonderland, was a close friend of the MacDonald family. In 1863, Carroll brought MacDonald a draft of a story he was working on about a girl named Alice who fell down a hole and went on an adventure. MacDonald gave the story to his wife and children to read—they loved it. MacDonald advised Carroll to lengthen the story and encouraged him to publish it. Carroll was also a photographer and took pictures of many of MacDonald’s 11 children.

C.S. Lewis
MacDonald died before C.S. Lewis had heard of him, but had a direct impact on Lewis’ faith and work. Lewis referred to MacDonald as his story “master.” In particular, MacDonald’s book Phantastes, had a huge influence on Lewis’ faith. He wrote about the experience in his book, Surprised by Joy, “It is as if I were carried sleeping across the frontier, or as if I had died in the old country and could never remember how I came alive in the new.” Lewis admired MacDonald so much he put together a spiritual collection of MacDonald’s words called George MacDonald: An Anthology. Lewis wrote, “I have never written a book in which I did not quote from him.” Many readers came to know of MacDonald’s work because of Lewis.

J.R.R. Tolkien
Although he would later criticize MacDonald’s work for being too moralizing (something he also criticized in his own novel The Hobbit), scholars believe MacDonald influenced Tolkien’s stories. Tolkien enjoyed some of MacDonald’s fantasy stories when he was young and read The Princess and the Goblin to his children. Tolkien said that MacDonald’s goblins and talking trees may have had a “remote” influence on the ents and orcs that inhabit his Lord of the Rings series.

Madeleine L’Engle
Madeleine L’Engle’s seminal work A Wrinkle in Time follows in the steps of Lewis and MacDonald by using using the genre of fantasy to explore faith. She said MacDonald gave her “renewed strength during times of struggle.” L’Engle even wrote an essay about how his work influenced her view of God called “George MacDonald: Nourishment for a Private World.” She called MacDonald “the grandfather of us all–all of us who struggle to come to terms with truth through imagination.”

MacDonald was not well-known in his lifetime, but his faith and legacy live on in the generations of writers he inspired with his fantastical stories.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 9: No One

The LORD redeems his servants; NO ONE will be condemned who takes refuge in him. ~Psalm 34:22

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness NO ONE can fathom. ~Psalm 145:3

In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, NO ONE can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ~John 3:3

I have come into the world as a light, so that NO ONE who believes in me should stay in darkness. ~John 12:46

When tempted, NO ONE should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. ~James 1:13

NO ONE has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. ~1 John 4:12

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 8: The Word

For THE WORD of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. ~Psalm 33:4

As for God, his way is perfect; THE WORD of the LORD is flawless. ~Psalm 18:30

Do not merely listen to THE WORD, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ~James 1:22

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept THE WORD planted in you, which can save you. ~James 1:21

He replied, Blessed rather are those who hear THE WORD of God and obey it. ~Luke 11:28

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through THE WORD of Christ. ~Romans 10:17

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 7: Righteousness

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a RIGHTEOUS man and he will add to his learning. ~Proverbs 9:9

For surely, O LORD, you bless the RIGHTEOUS; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. ~Psalm 5:12

I have not come to call the RIGHTEOUS, but sinners to repentance. ~Luke 5:32

The truly RIGHTEOUS man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death. ~Proverbs 11:19

For man's anger does not bring about the RIGHTEOUS life that God desires. ~James 1:20

The prayer of a RIGHTEOUS man is powerful and effective. ~James 5:16

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 6: Kingdom

Your KINGDOM is an everlasting KINGDOM, and your dominion endures through all generations. ~Psalm 145:13

In reply Jesus declared, I tell you the truth, no one can see the KINGDOM of God unless he is born again. ~John 3:3

He said to them, When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your KINGDOM come. ~Luke 11:2

But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the KINGDOM of God has come to you. ~Luke 11:20

The time has come, he said. The KINGDOM of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! ~Mark 1:15

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the KINGDOM of heaven. ~Matthew 18:4

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 5: Light

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a LIGHT for my path. ~Psalm 119:105

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of LIGHT. ~Matthew 6:22

Everyone who does evil hates the LIGHT, and will not come into the LIGHT for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ~John 3:20

Put your trust in the LIGHT while you have it, so that you may become sons of LIGHT. ~John 12:36

For you were once darkness, but now you are LIGHT in the Lord. Live as children of LIGHT. ~Ephesians 5:8

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is LIGHT; in him there is no darkness at all. ~1 John 1:5

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

Seven Ways to Experience the Comfort of Silence

Seven Ways to Experience the Comfort of Silence

How to step away from the busyness of life and immerse yourself in peace and quiet.
by Bob Hostetler

Silence is not just for introverts. Sure, I’m an introvert. And yes, my first prayer retreat to a monastery where silence was observed (except in corporate worship) was a prayer-life-altering experience for me. And okay, I took my extrovert wife along with me a couple years later to the monastery with fear and trepidation, unsure whether she would survive four days and three nights of silence.

But that’s when she and I both discovered that silence is a boon for everyone: introverts, extroverts and ambiverts.

Don’t believe me? Try it. You’ll probably be surprised at the effects of silence, even if you never take a silent retreat. Here are a few tips for beginners:

1)  Don’t Be Afraid
Silence can be intimidating at first, simply because you’re not used to it. How often do you experience real silence? Hardly ever, as we’re constantly surrounded by muzak, traffic sounds, radio and television, etc. But no matter how strange it may seem at first, try embracing the quiet.

2)  Start Small
Find a quiet place and set the timer on your phone for five minutes. Try spending those minutes without external stimuli. Your mind may whirl frantically in the silence, but that’s okay. With time, your brain will begin to make adjustments.

3)  Breathe
One way to channel mental distractions is to focus your mind on your breathing. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Feel your lungs expand. Let your breathing affect your posture. Make each breath a one-word prayer, perhaps asking God to “fill” your life with good things as you inhale and “cleanse” you of stress, fear, or illness as you exhale.

4)  Try a Daily or Weekly Technology Fast
Instead of reading on your smart phone during lunch, try eating in silence, savoring every bite. Or program your phone to block calls and your computer to “sleep” for a certain period every day; use that time to slow down, breathe deeply and think freely. You might even fast from technology on your day off or all weekend—people survive such rigors, you know.

5)  Take a Walk
Find a park or woodland path, silence your phone and take a stroll. When’s the last time you actually strolled?

6)  Observe
Freedom from aural stimuli can focus other senses. So, while you spend time in silence, set your other senses free. Notice the shapes and colors that surround you. Touch different textures. Breathe deeply of various scents.

7)  Write
Silence need not mean inactivity. You may find (as I always do) that a little silence ignites your creativity and organizes your mind. Keep a pen and notebook handy to write down ideas, memories and prayers that occur to you in the silence.

After her first day at the silent monastery, my wife was alone in her private room and heard talking in the hall (where people were supposed to maintain the silence). She tried to be patient, but the “noise” soon disturbed her so much, she opened the door and shot a look at the offenders! She told me afterward of how surprised she was to learn that silence had so quickly become so important to her in that place. I nodded. I understood completely.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 4: Hope

Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future HOPE for you. ~Proverbs 24:14

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my HOPE in your word. ~Psalm 119:114

Be strong and take heart, all you who HOPE in the LORD. ~Psalm 31:24

Be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ~Romans 12:12

Now faith is being sure of what we HOPE for and certain of what we do not see. ~Hebrews 11:1

In his name the nations will put their HOPE. ~Matthew 12:21

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 3: Truth

The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the TRUTH is not in him. ~1 John 2:4

They exchanged the TRUTH of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator. ~Romans 1:25

But when he, the Spirit of TRUTH, comes, he will guide you into all TRUTH. ~John 16:13

Jesus answered, I am the way and the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ~John 14:6

Jesus replied, I tell you the TRUTH, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ~John 8:34

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 2: Trust

Those who know your name will TRUST in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. ~Psalm 9:10

Do not let your hearts be troubled. TRUST in God; TRUST also in me. ~John 14:1

I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I TRUST." ~Psalm 91:2

Do not put your TRUST in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. ~Psalm 146:3

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you TRUST in him. ~Romans 15:13

TRUST in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. ~Proverbs 3:5

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

How Knitting Can Inspire Prayer

How Knitting Can Inspire Prayer

There are many ways to invoke a meditative state by moving your hands.
by Bob Hostetler

A pen-and-ink study by German painter Albrecht Dürer in 1508 has endured as a popular depiction of prayer. A study for a larger work of art, it depicts two aged hands, clasped. The home I grew up in had a painting of it on the wall and a small statue of it on a shelf.

But there are other ways to pray with your hands. An episode of the popular BBC television show, Call the Midwife, portrayed one such practice.

In the final episode of the second season, nurse Chummy goes into labor herself, and soon is in such serious danger that she is taken to the hospital for surgery. The nurses and sisters of Nonnatus House sit together through a long and agonizing night, hoping and waiting. Conversation and prayer soon dwindle, but the women stay together, knitting small colorful blanket squares. The inexpressible meditations of their hearts and movements of their hands combine into a silent vigil, a concert of wordless prayer.

It’s an affecting scene, showing that it’s possible—and sometimes preferable—to pray by actively using your hands. When words fail, when emotions overwhelm, the click of knitting needles can turn into as heartfelt a prayer as any psalm.

Knitting, of course, isn’t the only way to pray with your hands. Many Christians through the ages and around the world have formed a prayer by tracing the sign of the cross with their fingers. A friend of mine occasionally expresses his needs with his hands in his wood shop, cutting and carving shapes that echo the cry of his heart. Some who are skilled in the use of sign language find deeper expressions of prayer in the use of their hands, whether or not they say a word. Others clap their hands in prayers of joy or lift their hands to the sky as if in so doing they can caress the face of God.

When my first grandson was born prematurely and placed in a small hospital incubator, my wife and I joined his parents in reaching fingers into the small space to stroke his limbs and—often silently—pray for him to gain strength. Though wordless, those prayers may have been among the most heartfelt and effective we’ve ever prayed, as the boy is now nearly 13 and as healthy and happy as we barely dared to imagine those few days in the hospital.

Do you pray with your hands? If so, how? If not, why not try it?

40 Days of Bible Verses by Word(s) or Theme(s): Day 1: Love

He who pursues righteousness and LOVE finds life, prosperity and honor. ~Proverbs 21:21

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in LOVE. ~Psalm 145:8

Let those who LOVE the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. ~Psalm 97:10

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "LOVE your neighbor as yourself." ~Galatians 5:14

LOVE must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ~Romans 12:9

Jesus replied: LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ~Matthew 22:37

Be sure to read surrounding verses in your Bible for a better understanding of the complete context.

Six Life Lessons from an Old Log Cabin

Six Life Lessons from an Old Log Cabin

How renovating an old, rundown place ended up restoring her life after divorce
by Roberta Messner

The divorce, at midlife, left me disillusioned, hurt and afraid.  After 24 years of marriage, my dog Spanky and I started life anew in a century-old log cabin I purchased “as is,” which just so happened to be the same condition the cabin found me in—very ill, with a brain tumor that had returned.  Never had I felt more alone.

Time had forgotten the rundown place.  Virtually every surface needed renovation.  As I began the intense rehab on my home of yesteryear, God started his work on me, too.  Turns out, in His good time, we were both restored.  Here’s what I learned:

1. Listen to your heart.  When I hired a contractor to refinish my hardwood floors, he quipped: “Do yourself a favor, Lady, and strike a match to this old shanty.”  But I adored those heart pine boards and knew they could be revived to glorious effect.  The same went for taking a crowbar to the drywall, revealing the original chestnut logs harvested from the property.  Ditto for me.  Folks would quote statistics about what happens to a woman after divorce.  Their grim predictions were unsettling.  With God’s help, I learned to ignore them and invest in His plan for my life instead.

2. Celebrate the era you’re in.  When I asked the cabin what it wanted, I learned it needed timeworn treasures popular at the end of the 19th century.  It didn’t want to be something it wasn’t.  This taught me to celebrate my own era as well, and to take care of my health— the emotional, physical and spiritual, too.  I was in my early forties, in the middle place of life.  It was a time for looking back and looking forward.

3. Less can be a whole lot more.  At first, I was so excited to own an antique house. I bought everything that charmed me at flea markets and estate sales.  Soon, I had so much stuff, there was no place to rest the eye.  The cabin was suffering from a lack of white space just like my life.  God taught me to pare down my possessions and commitments to include only those things I loved the most.  We both flourished.

4. Always look for the story.  Whenever I purchased a step-back cupboard or pie safe, I asked the seller to tell me its history.  Knowing that an old farmer crafted a table from wood he had on hand added to the experience and made me less concerned with perfection.  The same went for people.  I began to accept their weaknesses more and to include those different than me in my circle of friends.  Everyone, I found, has a great story tucked inside their heart.  If I engaged them in conversation and eased in the right questions, I usually found it.  My world grew and I felt less alone.

5. Don’t discount unexpected places or people for solutions.  Some of my best finds for the cabin have come from the curb on trash day or a dumpster.  I also became more open to hiring our culture’s “throwaway” people.  A trustworthy, disabled guy was the strongest mover of furniture I ever had.  He also had great ideas and became a dear friend.  And when I needed another helper, I took a friend’s stellar recommendation on a recovering alcoholic.  He encouraged me at every turn—reported to work early and left late, refusing to take any extra money.

6. You’re never alone if you have God on your side.  I moved in in September, and come Halloween night, the cabin still was not terribly secure.  I climbed into bed with a headache, my arms around Spanky.  My room was on the front of the house, and I could hear the kids come and go, only to find the lights out.  Keep us safe, Lord, I prayed over and over, fearful that I’d fall victim to property damage or a break-in.  The next morning, when it was time to go to work, I couldn’t find my car keys.  Searching the cabin to no avail, I checked my car.  Nothing.  When I returned to the cabin, I found my car and house keys in the door lock.  God had kept me safe and sound, despite my foolishness.

Five Ways to Avoid and Repair Relationship Strain When Caring for a Loved One

Five Ways to Avoid and Repair Relationship Strain When Caring for a Loved One

Take steps to prepare for the changes in your relationship when you care for a loved one
by Julie Hayes

Caregiving for your loved one involves a host of challenges, not least of which is the shift that occurs in the relationship dynamic between the two of you. This is a factor whether you are caring for a spouse, offspring, brother or sister or a friend. On the upside, the caregiving experience can strengthen and deepen your bond. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the responsibilities of caregiving can strain even the closest relationship. There are things you can do as a caregiver, however, to keep stress at bay and avoid potential pitfalls, in order to improve your overall wellness and that of your loved one.

If relationship strain caused by caregiving has become an issue for you and your loved one, it is crucial to find ways to rekindle and maintain the good aspects of the emotional bond you had to begin with, and even to build upon them. Studies show that the quality of your relationship with the loved one you care for is one of the most important variables in the degree of the negative effects of burden you may experience as a caregiver, such as depression, poor physical health and high mental strain. A close relationship can also improve your loved one’s satisfaction with the care they receive, as well as their physical and mental wellness (Jeanne R. Snyder PhD (2000) Impact of Caregiver-Receiver Relationship Quality on Burden and Satisfaction, Journal of Women & Aging, 12:1-2, 147-167).

Below are some ways to help you both avoid and repair relationship strain that has been brought on by the stresses of caregiving:

1. Allow yourself respite time for a better perspective 
When you don’t take breaks from caregiving, you can quickly become tired, overburdened and unhappy, and these turbulent emotions can spill over onto your loved one. Giving yourself some respite can go a long way to reduce your feelings of burnout, exhaustion and isolation, and give you the opportunity to gather your thoughts and emotions. Find workable times you can set aside for relaxing activities or hobbies, or take time to rest. You can ask someone else in the family or a friend to step in to briefly take over your responsibilities while you take a break. You can also find programs and services that support caregiver respite by using the U.S. Administration on Aging’s Eldercare Locator.

2. Be more sensitive when communicating
Proper communication is key to heading off and resolving relationship strain. Keep the following tips in mind:

• Be patient. Don’t interrupt when your loved is phrasing thoughts. Wait to respond until he or she is finished speaking
• Try not to raise your voice or speak in an angry tone.
• Use tact when bringing up difficult topics, but do not avoid them altogether as this may lead to stress in the future.
• Save conversations that can wait until the person is feeling well rather than tired, upset or stressed out.
• Use a close friend or relative as a sounding board instead of unloading your negative emotions on your loved one. If you think you need additional help, consider scheduling an appointment with a counselor, or enrolling in a program such as BRI Care Consultation™to help you manage your loved one’s care.

3. Take your loved one’s preferences into account
Your loved one may not agree with many of your caregiving choices, which may result in distress or frustration. Make an effort whenever you can to consider the person’s preferences and respect what he or she values most. Ask yourself, “What matters most to my loved one?” Whether it’s independence, safety, participation in especially meaningful activities, not being a burden or having a say in who helps with certain tasks, be sure to reflect these values in the care you provide.

4. Separate the disease from the person
Keep in mind that people who have dementia or another chronic health condition that may lead to challenging behaviors are being affected by something outside of their control. It is understandable to be angry at the disease, but taking it out on your loved one may only upset and confuse him or her. It is also important to recognize that difficult behavior is often a form of communication, and listening and trying to determine what someone needs may solve the concern faster than getting frustrated or upset.

5. Accept help
If you are still struggling to maintain a positive relationship with your loved one, do not be afraid to seek outside help. Many caregiver support groups offer a safe environment in which to discuss your concerns and frustrations with peers who may be undergoing similar challenges. Caregiver coaching programs, such as Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging’s BRI Care Consultation™, can also assist you in finding solutions to your concerns, and access community resources that can provide additional support.

Meb Keflezighi: A Marathoner’s Strong Finish

Meb Keflezighi: A Marathoner’s Strong Finish

The decorated Olympian honored his gift to run until the very last finish line.
by Meb Keflezighi

Mile 12. The 2017 Boston Marathon. I was cruising, a mile short of the halfway point in one of the most prestigious races on the planet. Besides the Olympics, it doesn’t get any bigger. For once I’d done everything right. The diet. The training. My mental and spiritual focus.

The fans along the tree-lined streets of Wellesley, Massachusetts, were cheering like crazy: “Let’s go, Meb!” “USA! USA!” I’m no longer surprised at people recognizing me. I’d run marathons since 2002, the only runner to have finished first in New York and Boston and medal at the Olympics.

No American man had won here in more than three decades before I crossed the finish line in 2014, the first Boston Marathon after the horrific bombings. A few days before the race, I met the Richard family, who had lost their eight-year-old son. Their strength inspired me. Even for someone used to the spotlight, it was an unforgettable experience. God’s hand had surely been working through me.

Now I was back. At 41, I was way older than the other elites. Still, a top-three finish seemed possible. I was firing on all cylinders, almost to Wellesley College, where the students mass along the route, hollering like mad—the Scream Tunnel, it’s called.

Just before a little hill, the runners ahead of me began to pick up the pace. No problem. I pumped my legs harder. But the other runners pulled farther away. Pick it up. I had nothing. There was no soreness. No tightness. My quads were just dead. Like a car stuck in second gear.

I pray constantly when I run. Running 26 miles is mentally and physically taxing for even the most experienced runner. Every time I take it on, I vow never to do it again. Every muscle in my body aches. It’s days before I’m able to walk normally again. But exhaustion wasn’t usually an issue until the last two or three miles. I still had half the race to go. Like any marathoner, I’d lost way more than I’d won. I didn’t expect God to give me a victory every time. But I’d always been competitive. Until now. Lord, I’m done. I can’t do this anymore.

Growing up in San Diego, California, I’d never imagined myself as a world-class runner. I’d been born in Eritrea, a small war-torn country on the Horn of Africa. We lived in a stone hut with no running water, no electricity. When I was five, my father—a freedom fighter in a war against Ethiopia—had fled for his life. He’d walked 225 miles over seven days to get to the Sudan—the equivalent of a marathon every day for a week.

Seven years later, we immigrated to the United States. “God has great plans for you,” my father said. He insisted my siblings and I excel at school. He woke us up at 4:30 a.m. to study.

I’d been in America for a year when my seventh-grade gym teacher said, “Today we’re going to run the mile. Do your best and I’ll give you an A.” I finished first. The teacher stared at his stopwatch. “You ran a 5:20 mile…without any training,” he said. He called the high school coach. “We’ve got a future Olympian here.”

I kept winning races, in high school and college, at UCLA, running 5Ks and 10Ks. In 2001, I set the U.S. record for 10,000 meters. My coach convinced me I had potential as a marathoner. I started training and, in 2002, finished ninth in the New York City Marathon. It was November. I was cold, my body stiff, aching. I was miserable. My parents had come to watch. “You don’t need to do marathons,” my mother said.

Two weeks later, I traveled with my mom to rural Eritrea for the first time since I’d left. I watched how people carried water from wells miles away. How they searched constantly for wood for fires for cooking and heat. I remembered again the distance my father walked so we could escape this life. Running was the talent God had blessed me with. I would honor that gift.

Two years later, I finished second in the world at the 2004 Athens Olympics marathon. My hard work had paid off. But when I told people I was a marathoner, they’d say, “You’ve run Boston?”

So that’s what I set my sights on. When my wife, Yordanos, and I were looking to buy our first house, I considered how many hills were nearby, thinking of the Boston Marathon.

I ran Boston in 2006 and finished third, with a time of 2:09:56, more than a minute faster than my Olympic time. I got why Boston was such a big deal. The hills, a steep drop at the start and the legendary Heartbreak Hill at Mile 17, were killers. But what really set it apart were the crowds lining the course almost the entire way: loud, raucous, seriously into it. For the first time, I wore a USA jersey and a bib with my first name. I felt part of something way bigger than me, like I was being welcomed into an entire community, all of us bonded by a love for running and country.

Now, in 2017, as I entered the Scream Tunnel, I needed that encouragement more than ever.

The races that followed that first Boston Marathon were some of the toughest of my career. Seven months later, I finished in twentieth place in New York City after having food poisoning. Then at London I dropped out when my Achilles tendon began bothering me, the only marathon I ever quit. I struggled through two marathons after that. I thought about retiring. I suffered a pelvic stress fracture. I was 33. The average age of an elite marathoner was 29. Was I past my prime?

I prayed on it and searched deep within myself. I felt as if God still had plans for me. I had to get smarter. For a time, I quit running and took up water aerobics. I met some amazing older folks who inspired me with their own determination. I went to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I was more careful about what I ate. I designed my workouts to be kinder to myself. I took more time off, seeing the value of resting my body. I focused on consistency rather that pushing myself harder. One of the best tips came from Yordanos. “You’re too aggressive at the beginning,” she said. “Pace yourself.”

Late in September 2009, I woke with a start. “I dreamed I won the New York City Marathon,” I told Yordanos. She looked at me sympathetically.

“You haven’t heard,” she said. At a British half marathon that morning, two runners from Kenya and Morocco had set a blistering pace, faster than I could run.

I thought about the changes I’d made. New York was two months away. “They’re peaking too soon,” I said. “I’ll be ready.”

That November, I won the New York City Marathon, just as I had in my dream, 40 seconds faster than my third-place finish in Boston three years earlier. Then came a first-place finish in the 2012 Olympic trials, then that incredible day in Boston in 2014. All those people cheering me on. Age was just a number, I told myself. I felt invincible!

How wrong I had been. I felt as if I were 81, not 41. Somehow I managed to keep going, through the Newton Hills, over Heartbreak Hill, past Boston College. At last I made it to Boylston Street, in the heart of Boston. The crowd was six, seven people deep, everyone calling my name. “You’re the man, Meb!” “Go get ’em, Meb!” It was as if they didn’t even realize how badly I was doing. I crossed the finish line in thirteenth place, with a time of 2:17, more than eight minutes slower than my victorious run just three years earlier.

I saw the Richard family and ran over and hugged them. “Great race!” they said. “Thanks,” I said, forcing a smile.

Flying home, I dissected each mile of the race, looking for what I could’ve done differently. “You’ve had a great career,” Yordanos said. “Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and thank God.”

Thankful? For thirteenth place?

I thought about the crowds. The incredible support they’d given me every time. They didn’t care how I did. They’d carried me across the finish line. Yes, being a marathoner was about something way bigger than me. It was about inner strength, perseverance, discipline, faith. The same traits I’d admired in my father. The people of Eritrea. And the survivors of the Boston bombing. It took me coming in thirteenth to understand what it all meant. God had blessed me in ways I could have never imagined as a boy in Africa. It was up to him how I used my gift.

Seven months later, I ran my last marathon, my 26th, in New York City. I finished eleventh out of 50,766, but this time I didn’t mind. I’d done my best, just as I had that day in seventh-grade gym class. That’s what mattered. I’ve retired from professional running, but I haven’t left the sport. I serve as a race ambassador at marathons, encouraging amateurs and pros alike, and even running the occasional charity marathon. For me, it’s a kind of ministry, a way of paying forward all the people who were there for me.

Nine Inspirational Quotes for Caregivers

Nine Inspirational Quotes for Caregivers

Caregiving is such a special, challenging and rewarding opportunity to show God's love to others. Allow these words of encouragement to lift your spirit and give you strength for your journey.

"God has enough grace to solve every dilemma you face, wipe every tear that you cry, and answer every question you ask." --Max Lucado

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." --Dolly Parton

"Never hold on to anything tighter than you're holding on to God." --Jeffrey Demenna

"If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.” --Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I never knew God was all I needed until God was all I had." --Debbie Smith

"When I was at the end of my rope, God was holding the other end." --Patricia Balcom

"Faith does not come from striving; it comes from surrender." --Bill Johnson

"Fear says we can't. Faith says we can." --Wanda McDaniel

"What God brings you to, God takes you through." --Rev. Sharon Connors

Ten Bible Verses for Alzheimer's Caregivers

Ten Bible Verses for Alzheimer's Caregivers

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's can be overwhelming. We hope you'll find strength, comfort and inspiration in this slideshow featuring uplifting Bible verses for caregivers.

John 14:27
"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Psalm 71:12
"O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!"

1 Corinthians 13:7
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Psalm 90:17
"May the grace of the LORD our God rest upon us and confirm the work of our hands upon us; yes, the work of our hands, confirm Thou it."

Psalm 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Colossians 3:15
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful."

2 Corinthians 4:16
"We are not discouraged. Even though our outer nature suffers decay, our inner nature is renewed day after day."

Philippians 2:13
"God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

Psalm 55:22
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

Colossians 1:11
"May you be strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy."

An Alzheimer's Caregiver Learns a New Way to Love

An Alzheimer's Caregiver Learns a New Way to Love

Her husband's diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's presented a daunting challenge, but she learned to be the caregiver he needed.
by Luanne Bole-Becker

Our lost year. Looking back, that’s what I consider it, that first year after my husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. A gerontologist at the Cleveland Clinic broke the news to us one afternoon in January 2012. “Bob has what’s known as early-onset Alzheimer’s,” he told us.

I was stunned. Yes, Bob had been having some memory lapses and uncharacteristic moments of anger—worrisome enough that he’d undergone neurological testing at the clinic—but I thought it was because he was spreading himself too thin with work, volunteering and his Bible study at church. He’d never had major health issues. There was no history of dementia in his family. And he was only 58!

You’ve probably heard people say 60 is the new 50. Bob and I definitely felt that way. We were in the prime of our lives. Our two sons were grown, and this was supposed to be our time to pursue our own interests. There was still so much we wanted to accomplish.

That’s why both of us worked multiple jobs. Bob loved his career in broadcasting. He had a number-one-rated radio talk show on WTAM every Saturday morning. Once a week he hosted the Ohio Lottery drawing on live TV—everyone in Cleveland knew him for that.

I was a manager for a nonprofit organization that served refugees resettling in our area. Then there was the creative work we were proudest of—the videos and award-winning documentaries we made together.

Even though we were partners, we each focused on the aspects of the business that we did best. I handled the research and writing. Bob was the cameraman, editor and all-around tech guy.

Whoever was most passionate about a particular project would take the lead on it. I was in charge of a documentary about the stories in quilts. Bob drove the ones about baseball in Cleveland. Our offices were across the hall from each other, but we got together when we needed to.

That was also the secret to our successful marriage of 37 years: Each of us was able to maintain independence and find fulfillment within our partnership. We weren’t attached to traditional roles in our marriage.

Bob always encouraged me to pursue my professional goals, and he didn’t shy away from housework or taking care of the boys. He was even willing to put my career ahead of his. When I was working with a nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. (and commuting there regularly), our older son was in kindergarten only half days. Bob watched him the rest of the day so I could focus on my job.

Honestly, Bob was more of a natural caregiver than I was. He was that ideal mix of optimistic, dependable and easygoing. Nothing ever seemed to faze him. If the boys acted out, if some glitch happened on air, if I got aggravated, Bob rarely showed a hint of frustration (that’s why I got concerned that he’d started yelling lately when he misplaced something or couldn’t load a program).

I wasn’t even-keeled like that. I was prone to worrying, overthinking things and getting overwhelmed.

Which was exactly what happened after Bob received his diagnosis.

“I can’t say with certainty how quickly his memory and cognitive abilities will decline,” the Cleveland Clinic specialist continued. “Every patient is different. There are medications that may slow the disease. But there will come a point—sooner rather than later—when Bob won’t be able to work. Eventually he will likely need full-time care.”

Bob nodded, looking pensive. Did he understand the ramifications of what the doctor was saying? I couldn’t tell.

I felt sick. The work Bob loved depended on his verbal fluency and quick thinking. How incredibly cruel that those were the skills Alzheimer’s was already eroding. Even someone as easygoing as Bob would be devastated to lose the career he’d devoted himself to for decades. And if he broke down, that would break me.

The drive home was a blur. It was only mid-afternoon but I went straight to bed. I didn’t want to move. Didn’t want to think about what was going to happen to Bob, to us.

Bob sat beside me and held my hand. “What’s wrong?” he asked. There he was, putting me first, trying to take care of me, like always. That made me feel even worse. I pressed my face into my pillow. I wanted to be alone with my tears. But I couldn’t tell Bob that.

Soon after, I told my boss I needed to take an indefinite leave of absence. I felt I had to fill him in on Bob’s diagnosis, but I kept it a secret from everyone else. If Bob’s condition became public knowledge, I was pretty sure he’d be let go. Our health insurance came through his job with the lottery, and we couldn’t afford to lose it or our primary income just yet. I had to come up with a plan.

But I couldn’t. I was paralyzed by anxiety and depression, unable to figure out what to do first. Should we try to work more while Bob was still able, to build a financial cushion? Or less, because of the added stress? What were our medical choices? What were we legally bound to tell Bob’s employers?

Bob was happy most of the time. He never missed his weekly Bible study. He was still going to work at the television studio and the radio station. I was thankful for that. But part of me was waiting for the other shoe to drop. When would he make a mistake on the air? Would he end up being publicly humiliated? I could tell he wasn’t quite on top of everything—could others?

Meanwhile, I was barely functioning. Some days I would lie in bed, replaying what the doctor had told us. Sooner rather than later. Those words echoed in my head like a death knell. The death of the future Bob and I had imagined. The death of the wonderful, creative work we did together. It was as if I were grieving an incalculable loss, one that hadn’t happened yet but I knew was inevitable.

I couldn’t talk to Bob about it. Our sons knew about his diagnosis, but I didn’t want to burden them with my issues too. I couldn’t tell our friends what was going on. I’d never felt so alone.

One evening Bob came home from drawing the lottery numbers and found me crying. His cheerful expression collapsed. “You’re sad all the time, Luanne,” he said. “How come I can’t make you feel better?”

His distress cut through the haze I’d been living in. These days Bob’s mood was heavily influenced by mine. No matter how sad I felt, I couldn’t let depression overwhelm me. I couldn’t bring him down.

My most important job now was to be Bob’s caregiver. Not something that came easily or naturally to me. God, help me to be the kind of partner Bob has always been in our marriage, I asked. To put him first. To give him the care, comfort and love he needs.

I went into research mode. I looked up everything I could online. I called the local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The woman who answered told me Bob could qualify for Social Security through a program that extends benefits to people with chronic diseases. She took down our address to send us some brochures.

“We also have a support group for people with early-onset Alzheimer’s and their spouses,” she said. “You could get a lot of good information there.”

A support group? I didn’t think I could handle sitting around talking about our problems. I’d just get more depressed. I needed to be active, to do something.

From what I’d read, activity would be good for Bob too. That became even more imperative when he lost his job at the radio station as part of a companywide downsizing in March 2012. Then the lottery decided not to renew his contract.

That was somewhat of a relief because I didn’t have to worry so much about hiding his condition. I searched for ways to fill Bob’s day productively, especially while I was at work (I had gone back part time).

I looked into an adult day-care program. The people there were in their seventies and eighties. Bob wouldn’t be into playing bingo and singing songs from our parents’ generation. The Alzheimer’s program at a local nursing home was more promising—people took turns reading aloud and doing simple math problems to maintain cognitive function.  Unfortunately it was only for nursing-home residents.

I looked for volunteer work Bob could do, like walking dogs at the animal shelter. But it was too complicated for him to learn which dogs were safe to walk and how to record the walks in a log.

We began to tell friends about Bob’s Alzheimer’s. They were really supportive, but it wasn’t as if they were free during the week to spend time with him. They had demanding jobs. They were still in the prime of their lives.

That might have been the biggest challenge—transitioning from a very busy, work-focused lifestyle to a much slower one with little stimulation. I couldn’t come up with enough activities to keep Bob occupied. Sometimes I felt trapped at home, and then I felt guilty, as if I was failing as a caregiver. His Bible study was the one respite I got each week.

Going through the materials the woman at the Alzheimer’s Association had sent I came across a note about the support group she’d mentioned. Bob was a people person. He might enjoy the social interaction. At least it was something new we could try.

The group met at a senior center. “I’m so glad you’re here,” Sally, the coordinator, said. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”

Bob was way ahead of her. He went up to a man sitting at a table and stuck out his hand. “I’m Bob Becker,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”

The man’s eyes widened. “I know that voice,” he said. “You’re really him! Bob Becker. I can’t believe it. I’ve been listening to you for years.”

Bob sat down next to him. His whole persona seemed to brighten. We hadn’t been here two minutes and already he’d connected with someone.

There were about 15 of us. Sally asked those with Alzheimer’s, almost all men, to sit in a circle with their spouses behind them. She made eye contact with each of the men and asked, “Tell me something funny you’ve heard.”

“My doctor said, ‘If you’re going to write that novel, now’s the time,’” one man said, chuckling.

“You have to laugh,” another man said. “There’s just so much great material.”

Bob leaned forward, listening, engaged in the conversation.

I looked on in wonder. These men weren’t being ignored, talked down to or pitied. The focus was on them, and they were responding. They felt accepted. Valued.

We moved on to how we could better communicate with our spouses. Tips like speaking in a calm, soothing voice. Going slowly, using simple sentences, not paragraphs. Asking what they wanted to do instead of deciding for them. It was so freeing to let down my guard and discuss my struggles openly.

The other couples talked about activities they did together, trips they were taking. Of course there was frustration. Heartache, even. But their lives weren’t over. Far from it.

Hope surged through me for the first time since Bob’s diagnosis. We weren’t alone in this. I could learn from the others in our group and be the caregiver my husband needed. We could live again.

And we have. Just a few days after that meeting, Bob and I went to the zoo. We hadn’t been there since our boys were little. We took our time, strolling hand in hand, like teenagers on a date. Bob took it all in, laughing at the monkeys’ antics, counting the penguins, reading aloud the fun facts that were posted.

At each fork in the path, I asked him what he wanted to see next. It was a wonderful day. I didn’t feel like a caregiver. I felt like a wife.

We’ve gone so many places since then, sometimes with friends from our support group, sometimes just the two of us. The art museum. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Bowling. Bob and I even took our dream trip to Alaska.

We’re more active now than before the diagnosis. We volunteer together, delivering meals to the elderly. Once a week, we visit that nursing home with the innovative Alzheimer’s program, where I work with two residents and pick up techniques I use with Bob at home.

I no longer feel trapped, even as Alzheimer’s takes its inexorable toll. Bob rarely speaks now. He’s more easily agitated. We rely on our faith even more to bring us peace. Before breakfast, we read from God Still Remembers Me, a book of devotions written by Paul Hornback after he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

We listen to music: the Beatles, the Who, Peter Gabriel. Sometimes we hold each other and sway to the beat. These little moments are when I feel closest to Bob, as close to him as I have ever felt.

“You two seem more like a married couple now than before,” a friend said recently.

I know what she means. Bob and I have lost so much to Alzheimer’s. It truly is a devastating disease. Yet it has also been an unexpected blessing. Instead of each of us running off on our individual pursuits, we have had this time together to discover a new way to love. And to live.

In Silence, God Speaks

In Silence, God Speaks

Feeling powerless over a deployed son's despair, a military mom goes for a walk and finds spiritual solace.
by Edie Melson

I remember that week in early spring years ago—it had been hectic here at home. No catastrophes, just normal life with two active sons in school and sports. In the midst of it all, we’d heard from our deployed son twice. Usually getting to talk to him that often would be a gift, not as much this time. Instead he’d shared the heartache and despair he was battling with.

He wondered why he was there, if he was doing any good, if everyone back home had forgotten him. On and on he went, sharing his worries. I loved that he turned to us, but it broke my heart that I couldn’t do anything more than listen and reassure him of our love…and of God’s.

In the days that followed my mind churned with unthinkable places his despair could lead him. I prayed…some…but mostly I fretted and worried. Over and over I tried to come up with ways I could really do something to help.

I felt powerless, weak and certain I was somehow letting him down.

Finally, unable to endure inaction any longer, I took a walk. Not helpful to my son, but being outdoors has always been a place of solace for me, even when it’s just a stroll in our neighborhood. I hoped it would clear my head and help me come up with a plan of action.

As I walked, my mind quieted. Instead of the what-if’s, I heard the songs of birds, smelled the promise of spring as the trees around me began to send out new leaves and buds. I looked up and watched the clothes scudding cross a brilliant blue sky.

As my struggle for a plan disappeared, it was replaced with something else. In the silence of my mind, I heard God speak. He whispered reminders from His Word. He asked me to look back and recall all the times He’d provided for me—and more importantly for my sons. I felt the worry fall away like a cloak of doom I’d been wearing since the last phone call.

The last thing I heard Him say was reassurance that my son was now in a good place, safe in body, mind and soul. And that I’d hear it in his voice the next time we spoke. He asked me to hold onto that with faith and then remember His assurance the next time I found myself running toward this place.

Sure enough, that very night our son called again. This time, he was at peace. He’d found his reasons for being there and was no longer living in the pit of despair. I learned that sometimes I have to come to the end of my power before I hear God speak.

Footprints in the Sand

Footprints in the Sand

by Mary Stevenson Zangare

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you."

30 Inspiring Christian Quotes and Five Inspiring Bible Passages

Inspiration is subjective, as different people will find different things to be inspiring. However, Christians can unite around one inspirational source—God himself. God is the basis for all of our inspiration because He is the basis for everything good and everything worth imitating.

Here are 30 quotes from a variety of influential Christians that inspire us and point us back to Christ. Enjoy these many different thoughts on the Christian life.

30 Inspiring Christian Quotes

1. “Life is wasted if we do not grasp the glory of the cross, cherish it for the treasure that it is, and cleave to it as the highest price of every pleasure and the deepest comfort in every pain. What was once foolishness to us—a crucified God—must become our wisdom and our power and our only boast in this world.” –John Piper

2. “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.” –Augustine

3. “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.” –Max Lucado

4. “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” –Hudson Taylor

5. “God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.”  –Tony Evans

6. “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” –Corrie ten Boom

7. “Christ literally walked in our shoes.” –Tim Keller

8. "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." –Jim Elliot

9. “Remember who you are. Don’t compromise for anyone, for any reason. You are a child of the Almighty God. Live that truth.” –Lysa Terkeurst

10. “If you can’t fly, then run, If you can’t run, then walk, If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” –Martin Luther King Jr.

11. “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.” –Francis Chan

12. "If God is your partner, make your plans big!" –D.L. Moody

13. “You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.” –John MacArthur

14. “We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face...we must do that which we think we cannot."  –Eleanor Roosevelt

15. “He who lays up treasures on earth spends his life backing away from his treasures. To him, death is loss. He who lays up treasures in heaven looks forward to eternity; he’s moving daily toward his treasures. To him, death is gain.” –Randy Alcorn

16. “God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.” –Dietrich Bonhoeffer

17. “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'” –Billy Graham

18. “Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one” –A.W. Tozer

19. "If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.  It is we, of course, to whom things look 'little' or 'big'." –Elisabeth Elliot

20. “There is no one who is insignificant in the purpose of God.” –Alistair Begg

21. "Relying on God has to start all over everyday, as if nothing has yet been done."  –C. S. Lewis

22. “This is our time on the history line of God. This is it. What will we do with the one deep exhale of God on this earth? For we are but a vapor and we have to make it count. We’re on. Direct us, Lord, and get us on our feet.” –Beth Moore

23. "The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time." –Abraham Lincoln

24. “Your potential is the sum of all the possibilities God has for your life.” –Charles Stanley

25. "The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart." –Helen Keller

26. “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” –Chuck Swindoll

27. “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” –Mother Teresa

28. “The greater your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life, the more likely you are to praise Him in the storm.” –Matt Chandler

29. "Continuous effort—not strength nor intelligence—is the key to unlocking our potential." –Winston Churchill

30. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” –John Piper

5 Inspiring Bible Passages

1. "The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." –Zephaniah 3:17

2. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” –Isaiah 40:28-31

3. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” –John 15:13

4. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” –Romans 8:38-39

5. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” –2 Corinthians 4:16-18