Keep On Improving
In an article for The Wall Street Journal titled “The Sprinter Who Hasn’t Lost in 11 Years,” Rachel Blackman writes about sprinter Grant Holloway.
“It might be the most precarious race in sports. To win the 60-meter hurdles, a runner has to start strong, clear five barriers taller than a kitchen counter and then outsprint everyone else—all in less than eight seconds.
It’s the sort of unforgiving endeavor where even the smallest mistake or tiniest hesitation can prove fatal. Unless you’re Grant Holloway. He’s won it 75 times in a row.
What makes Holloway so good? For starters, he’s tall—standing at 6-foot-2 and with long legs. But he also embraces routine, stays humble, and keeps improving. Holloway lives two doors down from his coach. Even with his pile of titles, he is working on tiny improvements to his form, like lifting his trailing knee higher over the hurdle and keeping his foot tucked closer to his body.
‘He doesn’t take anything for granted,’ said his coach, Mike Holloway—no relation. ‘He challenges me to challenge him daily.’”
What a perfect picture of discipleship… repetitious routine, humility, and a commitment to keep on improving. Think about how different your relationship to Christ can be in 2026 if you apply the practices of a champion athlete to your walk with Christ. Considers Paul’s insight in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Here are some practices to make part of your “spiritual” training routine that will help you improve your walk with Christ…
1. Consider reading through the Bible this year… you can find a reading plan to guide you through the year on our website at Rbcdothan.org/resources.
2. Start memorizing scripture… pick a verse to learn each week, or 2 weeks, or month. Just get started. Write it down, repeat it daily, sing it, pray it, or whatever helps you get it in your heart and head. You’ll be amazed at how God can bring it to mind when you need it the most.
3. Make a prayer card and keep it with you… I keep a 4 x 6 card with the most pressing prayer matters on my heart each week. It’s portable, mine sits in a vertical tray on my study desk… it is always in front of me and enables me to pray for matters and people all through the day.
4. Read… read, read, read... First and foremost, your Bible (see #1), but also books on spiritual growth, books that will help you improve in some specific spiritual area. Reading just 10 minutes a day will enable you to read up to 12 books a year.
5. Make your own list of growth areas and then create a plan to follow… use a journal or notebook to outline your “game” plan and record insights along the way.
Prove the tithe Sunday is coming on February 1st… you’ll be receiving a letter from me this week that explains what it’s all about. And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
“It might be the most precarious race in sports. To win the 60-meter hurdles, a runner has to start strong, clear five barriers taller than a kitchen counter and then outsprint everyone else—all in less than eight seconds.
It’s the sort of unforgiving endeavor where even the smallest mistake or tiniest hesitation can prove fatal. Unless you’re Grant Holloway. He’s won it 75 times in a row.
What makes Holloway so good? For starters, he’s tall—standing at 6-foot-2 and with long legs. But he also embraces routine, stays humble, and keeps improving. Holloway lives two doors down from his coach. Even with his pile of titles, he is working on tiny improvements to his form, like lifting his trailing knee higher over the hurdle and keeping his foot tucked closer to his body.
‘He doesn’t take anything for granted,’ said his coach, Mike Holloway—no relation. ‘He challenges me to challenge him daily.’”
What a perfect picture of discipleship… repetitious routine, humility, and a commitment to keep on improving. Think about how different your relationship to Christ can be in 2026 if you apply the practices of a champion athlete to your walk with Christ. Considers Paul’s insight in 1 Timothy 4:7-8, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Here are some practices to make part of your “spiritual” training routine that will help you improve your walk with Christ…
1. Consider reading through the Bible this year… you can find a reading plan to guide you through the year on our website at Rbcdothan.org/resources.
2. Start memorizing scripture… pick a verse to learn each week, or 2 weeks, or month. Just get started. Write it down, repeat it daily, sing it, pray it, or whatever helps you get it in your heart and head. You’ll be amazed at how God can bring it to mind when you need it the most.
3. Make a prayer card and keep it with you… I keep a 4 x 6 card with the most pressing prayer matters on my heart each week. It’s portable, mine sits in a vertical tray on my study desk… it is always in front of me and enables me to pray for matters and people all through the day.
4. Read… read, read, read... First and foremost, your Bible (see #1), but also books on spiritual growth, books that will help you improve in some specific spiritual area. Reading just 10 minutes a day will enable you to read up to 12 books a year.
5. Make your own list of growth areas and then create a plan to follow… use a journal or notebook to outline your “game” plan and record insights along the way.
Prove the tithe Sunday is coming on February 1st… you’ll be receiving a letter from me this week that explains what it’s all about. And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
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