In Response To Ann Coulter
I don’t write about politics here on the blog (or on Facebook), but I couldn’t help but respond to Ann Coulter’s recent blog post, “EBOLA DOC’S CONDITION DOWNGRADED TO ‘IDIOTIC'”, which appeared on her blog August 6th. I don’t read her blog as a general rule, but I was pointed to this post by a missionary friend of mine, Caleb Suko. (For Caleb’s thoughts on Ann’s post, click here.)
Ann’s blog is not open to comments, so I figured the best way for me to respond might be through my own blog. While I seriously doubt Ann will read my post, I’m hoping you will read her post and develop your own opinion. Here’s mine:
For the record, Ann Coulter does not represent the opinions of all conservatives or all Christ followers.
Having just returned from a trip to Guatemala where I know we made a difference for at least two families, I can state certainly that our trip outside the US to Guatemala was exactly what and where we were called. And the trip may have made a difference in Guatemala, but it is making just as big of a difference here at home in Pennsylvania and the United States.
I agree that America is a mission field, but so is the entire world.
Wake up! Get your head out of your…., and go to a third world country. Your perspective will be altered, Ann Coulter. Maybe you will see that God created the whole world and not just the USA (although I am deeply grateful for my country). Maybe you will come home with a mission mindset far deeper than you ever imagined.
While I don’t know the whole story of Dr. Kent Brantly, I think it’s pretty bold for Ann Coulter to presume that Kent Brantly wasn’t following God’s calling for his life by going to Liberia.
Ann, I pray your eyes and your heart will be opened. Thank you for your compassion on those hurting inside our borders, but don’t forget the rest of the world.
Also, you might be a little surprised that God’s “rules of economics” don’t match up with your “rules of economics.”
Am I off target? What do you think? If you could speak with Ann Coulter about this post what would you say?
7 Keys To Getting Rid Of Distraction So You Can Accomplish Great Things
I think when things linger, that’s when they become a distraction. I don’t want any distractions.
Derek Jeter
We all have hopes and dreams. We all want to accomplish great things in our lifetime. We all have important things to attend to on a daily basis.
And we all get distracted.
Distractions sidetrack us from achieving our hopes and dreams. Distractions derail us from the things in life that really need our attention.
The world is full of distraction, and I am guilty of falling into the traps of distraction. This is not my intention, but it is the predicament I find myself in more often than I care to admit.
What can I do to get rid of distractions in my life?
It’s time we make a change. It’s time we deal with the distractions that derail us from doing great things. Here are some ideas to get you started:
7 Keys To Getting Rid Of Distraction So You Can Accomplish Great Things
- Step away from the phone. Let’s be honest. The latest smartphones are pretty amazing. They send and receive e-mails. They send and receive text messages. They give you access to the internet. They let keep you busy with stupid games (I just have to get to the next level of this game!). And oh yes, they even take phone calls. They are great, but smartphones are a major distraction. In order to get a handle on this, we must learn to put boundaries on our phone time. Maybe this simply starts by having a “No Phone At The Table” rule during mealtimes. But maybe you need more phone related boundaries, so you can concentrate on what needs to be accomplished next.
- Turn off the television. It’s easy to get sucked into the next show or series. And perhaps a little TV isn’t a bad thing. But what happens when you HAVE to get home on time to watch this show, or you put off something with great importance because you are glued to the television? I don’t know the statistics, but I know the average American watches way too much television. Imagine if what we could accomplish if we used those hours more productively.
- Make a to-do list. I’m a huge list guy. Lists help me keep track of what I need to accomplish, and it also shows me what I’ve completed so far. When we have so many things to accomplish, we sometimes don’t know where to start. We suffer from a type of paralysis, because we can’t clearing define what needs to be done. Taking time to write down the things you need to do is a great way to clarify what really needs your attention.
- Learn to prioritize. You’ve made your to-do list. Now you need to prioritize. What things need your attention first? What is urgent and important? This is probably where you should start. What is important but not urgent? This should probably be next. What is urgent but not important? Maybe this shouldn’t even be on your list. What is not important and not urgent? This would definitely be something to consider removing from you list. Dealing effectively with distractions improves dramatically when you learn to prioritize.
- Focus on one thing at a time. Sometimes we have to multitask. I get it. Moms are especially good at multitasking. The reality though is we aren’t as effective when we are focusing on more than one thing at a time. Taking time to focus on one thing produces a better product, and it helps to alleviate the distractions that come from focusing on too many things at the same time.
- Ask for help. Get someone to hold you accountable to staying focused. The power of accountability is underrated. If you are easily distracted, tell someone about it. Tell them what you are trying to accomplish. Ask them to hold your feet to the fire as you work towards this goal.
- Pray. Prayer is often overlooked as a solution to anything. I believe there is tremendous power in prayer. If you are struggling with distractions in your life, start by praying about it. God cares for you, and I’m confident He can help you deal with your distractions. In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells His followers to ask and they would receive: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
What distracts you? How do you deal with distractions in your life? What is one thing you can do today to eliminate distraction from your life?
6 Ways the Holy Spirit is Active in Our Lives
We have two wonderful teenagers.
They aren’t perfect, but they are still pretty great in our eyes.
Last week, they were both away in Tennessee at Milligan College to attend the CIY Move youth conference with the high school youth group from our church. I know it was a life changing experience for both of our kids, and I’m excited to hear more stories about their adventures during this week.
In the middle of this past week, I received a phone call at 8:15PM from our son. I could sense from his voice he was tired and a little emotional. I asked him how he was doing, and he quickly responded by apologizing for not always talking nicely to Leanne and me. Initially, I was taken back. After all, Isaac is a pretty good kid. He can be moody sometimes, and he could be more prompt in obeying his parents, but he’s generally a good kid.
I told him I appreciated his apology. I told him he was a good kid. And I reminded him a few times how much he his loved by us.
We exchanged a few more words before he informed me he needed to get back into the evening program.
This conversation has haunted me (in a good way) ever since.
Isaac was speaking to me out of a spirit of conviction. It was obvious the Holy Spirit had spoken to him. His confession was prompted by the Holy Spirit in his life. I am so thankful he his open to God’s voice.
We don’t talk about the Holy Spirit very often, yet this is the gift we have been left by Jesus Christ when He left the earth. The Holy Spirit is quite active in our lives, and I think it’s important to see how the Holy Spirit takes action today.
6 Ways the Holy Spirit is Active in Our Lives
- The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s Word. There are many times in my life when I have gone through challenges. I am amazed when God’s Word comes to me during these times. This isn’t by accident. This is the Holy Spirit in my life. Jesus tells us in John: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.“ John 14:2 I love the word advocate here. We need an advocate for sure!
- The Holy Spirit provides life. Without the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are under the curse of the law. Since we are all sinners, this means we are destined to punishment in hell. But there is good news for those who make Christ the head of their lives. Paul tells us in Romans: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus are no longer under God’s sentence. I am now controlled by the law of the Holy Spirit. That law gives me life because of what Christ Jesus has done. It has set me free from the law of sin that brings death.” Romans 8:1-2
- The Holy Spirit gives us gifts. This isn’t a general gift. These are specific gifts just for you and just for me. When we decide to follow Christ, we are promised gifts. Paul shares about these gifts in his first letter to the Corinthians: “There are different kinds of gifts. But they are all given by the same Spirit. There are different ways to serve. But they all come from the same Lord. There are different ways to work. But the same God makes it possible for all of us to have all those different things. The Holy Spirit is given to each of us in a special way. That is for the good of all. To some people the Spirit gives the message of wisdom. To others the same Spirit gives the message of knowledge. To others the same Spirit gives faith. To others that one Spirit gives gifts of healing. To others he gives the power to do miracles. To others he gives the ability to prophesy. To others he gives the ability to tell the spirits apart. To others he gives the ability to speak in different kinds of languages they had not known before. And to still others he gives the ability to explain what was said in those languages. All of the gifts are produced by one and the same Spirit. He gives them to each person, just as he decides.” I Corinthians 12:4-11 If you don’t know your gifts, talk to your pastor who can help you in discerning your gifts. Then go find ways to use them.
- The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. We don’t always know how to pray or how to respond. God knew our ability to articulate our thoughts, feelings, and response to life would be impossible without the help of someone in our lives. This is part of the reason He gave us the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us in Romans: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
- The Holy Spirit comforts us. This doesn’t mean we won’t endure trials and tribulations. We will. In fact, these things will still cause us great sorrow and pain. But God promises to be close to those who are brokenhearted. This should be a comfort for us. “The Lord is close to the brokenheartedand saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
- The Holy Spirit convicts us and ultimately convicts the world. I think this is what my son was dealing with last week. We need the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us see the areas of our life that need attention. Jesus explains in John: “When he [The Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” John 16:8
Does any of this resonate with you? How have you seen the Holy Spirit in you life? What else would you add to the list above?
Shut It Off – A Reminder to Find Times of Quiet in Your Day
It has been a while since I featured a video blog post. Today seemed like a good time to bring it back. I share some thoughts following my morning run.
It’s true. We don’t take time to shut off the noise in our lives, yet this is such an important discipline. It’s important to practice the discipline of quietness, solitude, and listening.
I hope you’ll be encouraged today to take time to turn off the radio, take off the headphones, put down the lid on the laptop, and listen to the quiet.
When was the last time you shut off the noise? What did that look like for you? And why would you encourage others to practice the discipline of quietness?
If it’s been a while, what is one thing you can do TODAY to carve out a time of quietness?
3 Ways To Respond When Someone Is Unkind To You
What do you do when someone says something unkind to you?
What is your natural tendency when someone bites you with their words?
If you are anything like me, you probably have a less than honoring reaction. You bite back with unkind words. Your goal is often to put the person back in their place with words that sting.
It’s a vicious cycle.
Someone says some unkind to you. You return it with more unkind remarks. It goes back and forth until relationships are damaged often beyond repair. Feelings are hurt, and emotional scars have been left as permanent reminders of the pain inflicted by someone’s tongue.
You are guilty of it, and I am guilty of it too.
So how do we stop the cycle?
I think we can learn a lot from Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” Jesus (Matthew 5:38-40)
Here are some things we can learn from these words:
3 Ways To Respond When Someone Is Unkind To You
- Resist the urge to respond in kind. I know you want to snap back, but you must resist this temptation. This takes practice, patience, and persistence. When you respond in a similar manner, you are only throwing kindling on the fire.
- Take it, and take it again. Expect more unkind words from the verbal perpetrator. In fact, welcome these words. Sure it will hurt, but you will put the fire of unkindness out by avoiding a response. A fire needs oxygen to be effective. Unkind words are like oxygen on a fire. When you decide not to add unkind words to the exchange, you are helping to put out the fire.
- Respond with generous kindness. It’s hard to frown at someone who is smiling at you. Similarly, it is hard to keep throwing unkind words at a person who is lifting you up. Decide today to be an encourager.
How do you respond when people treat you unkindly? What is one thing you can do to improve your response?
Donald Sterling, The NBA, The Clippers, and The Zipper
Have you been following the news in the NBA this week?
I’m not talking about the playoffs, wins, losses, or Lebron James. This week, the news has been filled with reports and opinions about Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. I don’t know all the details, but Sterling apparently made some significant racial comments that were caught on tape and broadcast across the country.
His comments set off a firestorm of calls for him to be removed from the NBA. His own players protested before their last game by taking off their Clippers shirts and wearing black wristbands and socks. Sponsors have quickly been pulling away from the Clippers organization unwilling to be associated with a team owned by such a bigot.
Clearly, Sterling’s remarks were completely wrong, and the NBA has dealt swiftly by banning him from the NBA for life and fining him $2.5 million (which is the maximum fine permitted by the league constitutional bylaws).
Do you think Donald Sterling would like to take back his words? Do you think he was really thinking when he spoke?
It’s easy to point the finger at public figures like Donald Sterling – after all, leaders are expected to be above reproach, and they should know better. And they are easy targets. Upon further thought, I know we’re all guilty of this kind of speaking without thinking. Hopefully, we don’t say things with such hatred, but I’m sure we say things we regret.
I was reminded today of a time when I was in junior high, and I was at a dress rehearsal for a musical that I was in at our church. Believe it or not, I was selected to sing a solo (who would have thought). As a result, I was equipped with a wireless microphone. During one of our breaks while I was in the men’s room, I said some things that I later regretted. When I returned from the break, I discovered from one of the sound people that my initial words were shared loud and clear in the sanctuary thanks to the wonders of wireless technology. Thankfully, they quickly muted my microphone. But it didn’t stop the feeling of embarrassment and regret that swept over me when I found out.
In all the cases above (including mine), the regret came after being caught. Did we ever stop to think that God can hear us even if no one else can? Did we ever stop to examine our hearts? I’m reminded of two passages that speak to this. First, in the first few verses of Psalm 139, we’re told that not only does God know our words, but He even knows our thoughts:
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. Psalm 139:1-4
Secondly, in the first chapter of James, instructions our given that we should be slow to speak:
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 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 1:19-21
Sounds easy?
I’m not so sure.
I know that my thoughts and words are not always what they should be. So where do I go from here? I think it starts with being more in tuned to God, becoming more aware of times we think and say things that aren’t appropriate, and seeking God to help make a change.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Have you tasted shoe leather recently? How’s it taste? What did you do to get that taste out of your mouth?
What’s Your Perspective?
Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude. Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moments we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines. Not just in the moments when life seems easy.
Henri Nouwen
In the picture above, it looks like I’m holding a giant pencil. In reality, it’s the Washington Monument held by my strategically placed hands.
Perspective is an interesting thing. We all come at life looking at things from a slightly different perspective.
In the world today, people seem to be convinced that perspective drives truth. Or better said, “Truth is based on my perspective. If you don’t see life from my perspective, you’re wrong.”
Absolute truth has essentially been thrown out the window, because today’s “truth” is based on our own perspectives.
There is something wrong with this when taken too far. If you think I can hold the Washington Monument between my two hands because of the picture above, you would be wrong. You don’t see the whole picture. I think this is true for many aspects of life especially in today’s culture.
The only way to truly have the correct perspective is to keep searching for the truth.
Readers could argue that this is my perspective, but I’m convinced that absolute truth comes from a perspective build on God and His Word.
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
What’s your perspective on truth?
5 more days until the release of On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field!
No Regrets
“Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind.” C.S. Lewis
What do you regret?
We’ve all done things we regret.
To get you thinking, here are four different kinds of regrets.
- Foot in the mouth regrets. I can’t tell you how many things I’ve said something I regret. It’s not that I like the taste of show leather. It’s just that I don’t always think before I speak.
- Lack of words or action regrets. How many times have I kept my mouth shut when I should have spoken up? This happens when I don’t speak up or stand up for someone or something when I could have made a difference.
- Bearer of bad news regrets. This is typically started with a phrase like, “I regret to inform you that….” This is a regret that we are in a position of responsibility to share difficult news.
- Regrets from sinfulness or poor decisions. We’ve all done something that’s wrong. We’ve lied. We’ve stolen something. We’ve cut someone down physically or verbally. When we come to the realization that we did something wrong, we are left with regret, embarrassment, and the consequences of our actions.
We’re all human. We all deal with regret.
Dwelling on our regrets leaves us in a position of hopelessness. When we stay in the land of regrets, we fail to grow, we get depressed, and we demonstrate a lack of faith in God.
I don’t know what you have in your past. I don’t know what you’ve done (or not done) that leaves you with regret.
It’s time to move forward. You need to know that God still loves you – even when you mess up.
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
How do you move forward after doing something you regret?
You Have A Story Worth Sharing
Yesterday in the lunch room at work, I was eating lunch with one of my co-workers. I was in the middle of a very busy day, and my quick lunch provided a brief opportunity to catch my breath before heading into the afternoon. We talked about work for a few minutes and about one of our customers. I was in somewhat of a zone as I thought through my morning which consisted of non-stop meetings from 7AM until 12:30PM. My co-worker turned the conversation to another subject when he asked me what I did in my free time.
I had to chuckle. This isn’t a question I get very often at work. So I asked him if he really wanted to know.
He nodded, and I proceeded to tell him that I was getting ready to release my first book.
This opened up a broader conversation. I showed him a picture of the book cover, and he began asking more questions. After several minutes, the conversation concluded with a request for an autographed copy of my book.
My book is called On Track – Life Lessons from the Track & Field. The book is an intersection of my love for running, my interest in writing, and my faith.
I’m learning that my book will open doors to conversations I may never have had before. I’m excited for these new opportunities. I pray I’ll be prepared and open to each new conversation and opportunity that results from the book.
You do interesting things as well. You have a story worth sharing.
Make the most of the opportunities to share your story.
You could change someone’s life!
What do you like to do in your free time? How have you made the most of the opportunities to share your story?
On Track will be sold on Amazon.com starting April 22, 2014, and there will be a special discount available for subscribers to the Stretched Newsletter. Check out this post to find out how to sign up for the newsletter.
7 Ways To Get Unstuck
Do you ever feel like you’re stuck?
You keep doing the same things over and over again. You get up, you go to work, you come home, and you go to bed. The next day you repeat the cycle. Over and over again, the cycle repeats. It’s as if you are stuck on the merry-go-round of life. Will it ever stop? Will the horse you are riding on ever dislodge from the carousel allowing you to explore new territory? Will you ever get out of the rut you’re in?
We’ve all faced this feeling at one time or another. While routine is good, I don’t think we were meant to feel stuck. I believe we are meant to feel excitement for life. If you feel like your stuck in a rut, here are some ideas to help you break free.
7 Ways To Get Unstuck
- Change up your routine. This may sound crazy coming from a guy who thrives on routine. But here’s the reality. When we feel stuck in a rut, it can be helpful to do things differently. If you’re struggling to get things done, try getting up 15 minutes earlier than normal. On the other hand, if you’re really tired, give yourself permission to sleep in an extra 15 or 30 minutes. Drive a different way to work. Eat lunch in a different spot. You get the idea. Sometimes you need to change your routine just a little bit in order to break out of the feeling of being stuck.
- Take time to breath. When we feel stuck, it’s often because we haven’t given ourselves time to rest. Most of the time, I wolf down my lunch and get back to work at my desk. Yesterday, I did something different. After I ate my lunch, I grabbed a book and walked out to my car where I read for 15 to 20 minutes. I came back into the office feeling refreshed and ready to face the afternoon of work.
- Lean into other people. When we isolate ourselves from others, it can become more and more challenging to get out of the stuck feeling. We need people in our lives who can bring new perspectives to us – who can be a sounding board when we’re facing the monotony of life. Who are the few people who know the true condition of your heart and mind? You and I need people in our lives who can speak truth and can lift us up when we’re down.
- Try something new. This doesn’t have to be anything extravagant. Maybe you need to sign up for your first 5K. Maybe you need to write your first blog post. Maybe you need to try out a new restaurant or a new recipe. Trying new things can inspire us to break free from the ruts of life.
- Count your blessings. Take time to list out all the great things about your life. When we list out our blessings, we can begin to see how great it is to be right where we are. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking the grass is greener on the other side. The reality is we actually have it pretty good most of the time – even when we feel like we’re stuck.
- Change directions completely. I don’t necessarily recommend this to everyone; however, there may be times where we need to completely switch it up. Maybe you need a new job. Maybe you need a new location. You’ll have to put some effort into this. You might have to send out your resume, or you might have to move across the country.
- Trust in God. Regardless of your situation, you must put your trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 is my go to verse for times when I feel stuck or worried about life. It says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” I love The Message translation of this passage:
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this.
Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)