Running on Faith

Father and son

2009-02-15T17:20:00.006-05:00

Today was a wonderful day. I had the privilege of spending a few hours with my dad. There’s something unique about what God has created within the relationship between a father and a son. Words can’t adequately describe it. It’s something that has to be experienced. The perfect depiction of this relationship can only be seen between God the Father and Jesus the Son. And the older I get, especially now that I’m a dad, the more I appreciate the uniqueness of this father to son relationship. Today was one of those days where dad and I talked about anything under the sun. I’m so very thankful that we can talk. I’m even more grateful that my dad takes time to listen. Now that I am older, I can see my dad not only as a respected father, but also as a fellow man and friend. Thanks Pops for being such a genuine father and friend. Thanks for all of the sacrifices you’ve made over the years for me. Thank you, Lord, for the uniqueness of this father to son relationship. And may the Zapp tradition continue with my son, Joseph.

Amen.

Me & Pops

Samantha & Sydney

2009-02-14T14:11:00.003-05:00

The 17th of this month is my daughters’ 5th birthday. Unfortunately, it also marks the 5th anniversary of their deaths. My identical twin daughters, Samantha and Sydney, were born still 2/17/2004. I’m not going to get into all the details as to what happened. If you want to read more, please visit my wife’s blog here.

At the prompting of my wife, I sat down and wrote them a letter last night. Initially I was a little resistant to writing the letter, but I did it any way, wanting to please my wife. Maybe my initial reluctance was a result of not dealing with some emotional baggage from the loss. Regardless, I’m glad I wrote the letter because it was a big step in emotional healing, and more importantly, it forced me to reflect on my own mortality; that the death statistic still remains 1 out of every 1 person will die. Don’t miss understand me. I’m not being flippant about death or dying, nor am I rationalizing my daughters’ deaths. Many times it takes a life-changing event to force us to face the stark realities in our lives. Am I afraid of dying? Well, I’m actually more afraid of how I’m going to die! Aren’t you? But, no, I’m not afraid of dying. The Lord Jesus himself tells us in the Gospel of John:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-4, New King James Version)

My pastor read this passage at our daughters’ funeral. Every time I read it, I am reminded of the promise of someday being welcomed into heaven by my two precious girls, whom I’ve never had the pleasure of knowing.

Thank you, Jesus. For without you and your sacrifice on the cross, there would be no hope in this world.

Samantha & Sydney – We love you both very much!! Happy Birthday.

Dad

Cabin Fever

2009-02-07T22:20:00.004-05:00

Oh, it's been a long time since my last post! I've been stuck in the daily grind for months now & the time has just slipped away. Here we are right smack dab in the middle of winter and I am trying to shake a little cabin fever. I've eased back into PT (physical training) and trying to shed some of those holiday pounds. Today, my son and I were breaking up huge chunks of ice from our driveway. The exercise felt great. What really motivated me was watching Joey clear away the ice so his sister could ride her bicycle. That was priceless! I'm sure if you live up here in the northern parts of the U.S., you too are looking forward to the more temperate weather of springtime. Me too.

I'll see you around here a little more often. /Jeff

Joey the workin' man posing for the camera

Getting er done!

God is faithful

2008-10-08T09:14:00.001-04:00

I was reading the story of Gideon these past few mornings. It's truly an amazing story how God uses 300 men to defeat an entire army! In fact, the Bible gives us many illustrations of people being up against seemingly impossible odds. Lately, I’ve felt like that – my back against the wall. Trying to make things happen according to my own timing and will, all the while wondering why God is allowing me to go through this season of my life. Then I reflected on the promises of God. God tells us in His word that He will never leave us or forsake us. He’s omnipotent and reigns supreme – over every single thing (big and small alike) happening in the world today. And, most importantly, Jesus Christ bore the punishment you and I deserve because of our sin; so there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Listen, my friend. Stop worrying about your situation, or what you are going through. The Lord has it all under control and He loves you more than you’ll ever comprehend. Maybe you’re going through a really tough time tough time right now. Do not fear. God is faithful. Maybe your spouse has walked out on you? Do not fear. God is faithful. Maybe you’ve just been told that you have cancer and you only have a few months to live? Do not fear. God is faithful. Maybe you lost your job and you’re wondering how you’re going to make ends meet? Do not fear. God is faithful. Maybe you’re having doubts about your faith, wondering where God is in all of this pain and suffering. Do not fear. God is faithful.

Maybe this post is more for me, than for you. But if it does strike a chord within your own heart, I truly hope it encourages you today. Do not fear. God is faithful

Go tell it on the mountain

2008-09-08T21:45:00.004-04:00

My mom recently shared an interesting story with me. Reporting to work after having a few days off, one of my mom’s co-workers mentioned that she had received a letter in the mail. Now receiving mail at work is not odd for most folks, but for my mom it’s rather odd because she typically doesn’t get mail at work. Mom opened the letter (it was addressed to her) and found a small greeting-type card with a picture of a lamb on the front. When she opened the card she found a crisp $100 bill inside. The card contained no handwriting or any printed type of any sort, just the c- note. What was really strange about the letter was that it was postmarked August 20th – the day my brother, mother, and I said our goodbyes (after a 10-year reunion – see this post). Mom quickly shared this surprising story with some of her friends. A few of her friends (followers of Christ) responded, “Oh, Ms. Gerri, that’s the Lord blessing you. He wants you to go and tell others of the blessings He’s bestowing upon you.” Well, when mom told me this story, I couldn’t help but think that I needed to share it with all of you. You see, God loves to bless His people. And many times we take His blessings for granted; we never thank Him for every good thing He provides. Over the past week, I couldn’t stop thinking about that card. Every time I’d read a Bible passage I’d think about how the Lord blesses me. Then I read the following New Testament passage:

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:38-39, NKJV, emphasis mine)

Sometimes, God wants us to proclaim what great things He has done for us. When was the last time you told someone what God has done for you? Or better yet, how about how He's working in your life right now?

God's blessings in my life makes me want to shout for joy. I can't help but think of that wonderful song we typically sing at Christmas time:

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

Go tell it on the mountain – Christ is King!

Amen.

If you are a music lover...

2008-08-28T23:41:00.003-04:00

If you truly enjoy listening to a variety of great music (regardless of your personal preferences), then I suggest you checkout Pandora. Simply visit the Pandora Website and search for one of your favorite artists. Then it's simply a matter of creating your own "station".

Trust me. Try it. Like it.

Later,
Jeff

P.S. I'm listening to Nora Jones Radio

The Three Amigos

2008-08-28T22:59:00.006-04:00

Today I had a brief phone call with my buddy Doug, aka Duke. I’ve known Doug since we were little tikes. I don’t get a chance to see him often, but when we do it’s as if time has stood still. Tomorrow I’ll have the chance to see Duke, along with some old familiar faces; we’ll be getting gathering this weekend to celebrate our twentieth reunion of Madison High School’s Class of 1988. I can’t wait to see some old friends. OK, if you are reading this post and are jealous because I have not mentioned you here, please don’t be jealous, you all have a special place in my heart!

Zapper & Bailes - the early days

One of my other buddies Jerry, aka George, whom I miss dearly and have not seen in a while, will not be around this weekend. George did not attend our high school, but along with Duke and me, we all became great friends while attending college almost 20 years ago. Doug, Jerry, and I are like the “Three Amigos”. Although time and distance separate us, the memories and laughter always bring us together. George &Duke – enjoy the memories in viewing the pics below…I know I surely did.

Rusty, Duke, George...The Three Amigos

What, no goatee for Zapper?

Go figure?

Peace brothers,
Jeff – aka “Rusty”

My brother, my friend (continued)

2008-08-20T13:25:00.004-04:00

After 10 years, I had the wonderful privilege of spending some quality time together with my mom and brother. If you saw my post from the other day, you may recall that I had not seen my brother in over 3 ½ years. Well, in an interesting turn of events - that I can only describe as being “arranged by God” - David, mom, and I laughed, shared stories, cried, and reminisced of times passed. And now, as quickly as it started, the time together has gone. David is headed back to his family, half-way around the world, and soon I will be headed back north to join my family too. If you are blessed to have family nearby, cherish the time you have together. To my own family, I can’t wait until we are all together - once again!

August 1997

My brother, my friend

2008-08-15T21:48:00.004-04:00

I haven’t seen my brother in over 3 ½ years. It’s not been easy. You see, my brother and I are very fortunate to share in a wonderful brother-to-brother relationship. I love him dearly. He’s my best buddy. He’s my big brother (literally – he’s big and I’m small). In fact, I can’t even describe our relationship in words. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always gotten along with my big brother. Oh sure, we’ve had our moments – but we’ve never been in a situation where we didn’t talk or had a fight that lasted any length of time. My brother and I shared a pact at an early age to stick by each other, through thick and thin, no matter what came our way. And to this day, when he needs me, I’m there & vice versa. So, here’s to you, bud. Although time and distance separate us, I’m looking forward to the next time we get to see one another.

Then

Now

Father and Son

2008-08-15T21:25:00.003-04:00

Today was a wonderful day. It had its fair share of ups and downs. For example, I lost one of my largest sales opportunities of the year. That really hurts – in more ways than one. But, on the other hand, I learned that another large opportunity took a turn for the better. (If any of you are in sales, or have been, you can certainly appreciate the anticipation of “closing” the deal, only to see it evaporate in front of you.) Throughout the entire day, I couldn’t stop thinking about how gracious and good God is to me. I have it so much better than I deserve. The God who spoke the world into existence invites me (and you too) into a personal relationship with Him. He accepts me because His only Son, Jesus, paid my sin debt in full at Calvary. This really hit me on the way home from the movies tonight. Joey and I had just spent some father & son time together; I took off a little early from work and we caught a matinee – The Clone Wars. The movie was ok (I am a big Star Wars fan, but it just did not measure up to any of the six original George Lucas films), but what I really enjoyed was a little quality time with my son. As I was driving home, through the back roads, I smelled that pre-dusk, fresh-cut grass, end-of-summer fast approaching smell, and my soul was just overwhelmed with the joy of our father & son relationship. It’s in these moments (of love for family & friends, having intimate relationships) that I think about how deep the Father’s love for us and that He desires to have the same relationship with us.The more time I spend time with my son, the more I think about the eternal love the Father has for Jesus. I can't imagine sending my only son to die on a cross. Thankfully I don't have to, because God already did it himself. Thank you, Jesus.

Amen.

I saw God today

2008-08-10T23:49:00.004-04:00

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know He's here, but I don't look
near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I'd just slow down to stop and stare
opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

- “I Saw God Today”, by George Strait

I missed church today…for too many weeks in a row now. Okay, some of you might suffer from legalism like me and can appreciate the “guilts” for not attending church, or tithing (enough?), or reading the Bible, or praying, or whatever activity that makes you feel worthy of God’s love, mercy, and grace [Reminder to self: you can’t earn what you don’t deserve – that’s why it’s called GRACE!].

Honestly, I’ve only been walking with the Master for about 5 1/2 years now and He has to keep reminding me that it’s all about a personal relationship with Him, and not necessarily about all those other religious activities. Now please don’t miss understand me. I do really believe in being involved in the local church and doing all of the activities I mentioned above, but lately I’ve been experiencing so much more of God through personal time with Him (relationship), and it’s been the most wonderful thing. In fact, the rejuvenation came when I read the book I plugged the other day, “The Shack”, by William P. Young. You have to read this book. It will (should) cause a deep stirring within your soul – it did for me.

So, I chose the chorus line of the song above from George Strait (ok, so maybe I do like country a little – maybe I’m just afraid to admit it? I’ve always been a Parrot head, though, and still listen to Mr. Jimmy Buffett!), because it reminds me of how important it is to see God’s fingerprint in all of creation. Oh, believe me, if you take time to stop and look at nature you’ll see God’s handiwork. (I’m not saying God is “in” creation, rather He is the One who created everything we see.)

The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork - Psalm 19:1, ESV

And,

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse

- Romans 1:20, ESV

OK, so what’s my point? Well, although we missed church today, we took the kids to the Cleveland Zoo and saw up close some of God’s handiwork. The exquisite details of His design, the variety of His creativity is simply breathtaking. I mean, have you ever stopped and looked at a Hippo? Or maybe a 500 pound Gorilla? (And no, the primates are not my distant relatives, thank you. And for those who follow Mr. Darwin’s theory, we did not evolve through random mutations as a result of an iterative process of time, plus matter, plus chance.) It was a fun day…and the kids rode a camel!

Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses…and thank the One who created them.

Blessings,

Jeff

Need a lift?

2008-08-09T22:59:00.006-04:00

I was cleaning up my home office and rummaging through some old files and photos last night, when I stumbled upon this snapshot, circa 1988. It’s a 1980 Datsun 310 GX - the car I learned to drive in. I know my dad drove it to work every day, and I want to say he eventually put over 200,000 miles on that car.

This photo brings back so many childhood memories, not only of this car, but also of growing up. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bore you with a “Jonathan Quail Higgins” style story (as in Magnum, P.I.). What I do remember about this car is that it had a manual transmission, which was no big deal since I grew up riding motorcycles (see inset photo), and quickly learned how to shift gears, manipulate the clutch and brake – without stalling the car. When we took long road trips the car was cooled by a method referred to as “2/60”, as in two windows down and driving along at 60 M.P.H. - it had no air conditioning. The car was a hatchback, which could be released / opened with a small lever located just left of the driver seat (next to the fuel cap release). The interior was cloth / velour, and it had rear-folding seats. Overall it was a great car to drive, although when dad did swap out the transmission, somehow the shifting sequence was now mirrored that of the original shifting pattern (right dad?). Actually, I think it was a different style transmission, but at any rate, the fact is that my dad is the best when it comes to vehicle maintenance. I learned from him that it’s easier to keep things well maintained as opposed to waiting for things to break and then fix them. Honestly, in these days of rising fuel prices, I’d be happy to drive the old blue Datsun.

My 1978 Yamaha GT80

Now if you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I had a pretty funny story to share last month (Dude…Where’s my brain?). Well, seeing this car brings to mind another funny story. I think this happened in 1982 or 1983, I can’t remember which year. One Saturday morning, while my dad and I took care of some early morning errands, we made a pit stop at the local bank. I think dad had to make a few quick transactions inside, so I decided that I’d just stay in the car while he went into the bank. Well, as I was sitting there alone in the car, I thought it might be nice to listen to some music. I noticed that dad had left the keys in the ignition, so I thought I’d just turn the keys over a notch to the Accessory / ACC setting and then turn on the radio. Well, the car was parked in a spot that was adjacent to and overlooked another parking lot that was separated only by a small concrete curb and a difference in height of approximately 2 feet (if you are from Madison, it was the old Bank One lot overlooking Lawson’s). Remember I mentioned the Datsun was manual transmission? Well, when I turned the key from OFF to ACC I went a little too far and turned the ignition all the way to START. The Datsun lurched forward, jumped the little curb, and then teetered on the embankment between the two parking lots. Needles to say, I was in a panic. But for some odd reason, I just sat there like nothing had ever happened! So my dad is inside the bank and he overhears one of the tellers say something to the effect, “Yep, someone’s gone and done it again – jumped the curb!” Much to my dad’s chagrin he quickly realized that his son had been the one that had “jumped the curb”. I can’t tell you how embarrassed I was when dad walked over to the car, opened the door and asked me “What in the hell happened?” I think I mumbled, “I don’t know – I was just trying to turn on the radio!”

Fortunately, one of the benefits of growing up in a small town is everybody knows everyone. My uncle owned an auto parts store across the street from the bank and one of his buddies owned a towing company across from his store. So, the Datsun got a little “lift” from the tow truck off the curb and we were on our way, once again. It was another lesson in humility, but the lesson didn’t last too long because I seem to recall doing something very similar a few weeks later, but this time I almost ran over my dad! I do recall his reaction being a little different from this one!

Dad, you’re the greatest! Sorry about some of the stupid things I did as a kid. I guess with kids of my own, maybe someday Joey or Gabby we’ll be able to share some of their stories with me someday.

You are the best dad in the world. I love you!

The way things out to be…

2008-08-06T13:52:00.001-04:00

I had a chance to stop and enjoy a few peaceful moments while gazing out over the Biscayne Bay, from a little metal park bench under the cool shade of a coconut tree. When I have a few minutes before heading off to another appointment, or leaving for the airport, I normally make these pit stops. Using my GPS makes it easy to find these “out of the way” spots, and most of the time it just helps me step out of the hustle and bustle. Today was no different. I sipped a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee while relaxing in Kennedy Park (Coconut Grove, FL) and watching a few Labrador Retrievers swim in the bay.

Now, the reality sets in. I’m here at MIA (Miami International), awaiting my flight home. As CNN Headline News squawks in the background, I hear the din of the crowd nearby. Yesterday, a man was shot and killed in nearby Pembroke Pines. It reminds me of how messed up things are in this world. This isn’t the way things out to be. And, it’s certainly not the way things should be. But when our first descendants of humankind, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God, sin permeated our world with poisonous effects. The reality is, I can’t look at others and blame them for this mess. Because if I take an honest look at myself, I find that I’m not a very good person either. Oh sure, I am not as bad as I could be and I haven’t killed anyone – but I came real close once. I agree with the Apostle Paul, I am the chief among sinners. So, don’t fool yourself. You might feel real good if you keep comparing yourself to other people, but there will always be someone just a little “better” then you. That’s why I have to zoom out and focus on the One who is perfect – Jesus Christ. Jesus took on human flesh, lived a sinless life, and hung spread-eagle on cross-beams out on the town garbage heap so that you and I could be reconciled to a Holy God. He lived the life I could never live and He died the death I deserve, but through His amazing grace, He gives me newness of life.

Someday, He’s coming back; to make things the way they out to be.

Burning the candle at both ends

2008-08-05T23:01:00.002-04:00

I am exhausted. I feel like I’ve been on the road for weeks – burning the candle at both ends…with a propane torch! Today I delivered a sales presentation to a large group of professionals in the greater metropolitan Miami area. What started out as a normal day, ending up being a classic unfolding of ‘Murphy’s Law’. I won’t bore you with all of the details, but needless to say, driving in large cities like Miami helps remind me as to why people experience road rage!

Okay, so short and to the point. I am going to read a few more pages of this new book, “The Shack” by William P. Young. So far, it is a good read. The author has my creative juices flowing, and now I want to write that book that I am always putting off. You see, I’ve always wanted to write a novel or two. So last year, I figured I better get busy and I enrolled in the Apprentice Level Course through the Christian Writers Guild. I have really enjoyed it thus far, but I am about a month behind in completing my lessons! I am just wondering if I should continue taking the classes or not. I’m not one to give up, so I know I need to put my nose to grindstone and git’r done. We’ll see. Maybe that book is a whole lot closer than I originally thought. You tell me what you think.

Peace,

Jeff

Happy Birthday, son

2008-08-03T08:35:00.010-04:00

Tomorrow is my son’s 5^th birthday. I am very proud of him. I’m sure most dads are proud of their sons, but I am so thankful for the wonderful blessing the Lord has bestowed upon us in Joseph Alex. With a smile that can light up any room, a heart the size of Texas, and the energy level twice that of mine (you have to know me to understand), he’s a terrific child. Certainly, I’m biased because he’s my kid, but if you ask anyone that knows Joey, they’ll be quick to tell you he’s a special boy. I knew that the moment I laid eyes on him. When he came out his mother’s womb, it was as if he came out with a big smile on his face, and saying, “Hey, dad, how’s it going?” No kidding, that’s what it seemed like to me. I can’t even describe it. Even now, while I type these words at 35,000 feet, with a lump in my throat & tears flooding my eyes, the emotions are so strong as I recall the many things we have done together since his birth: first feeding, first diaper change (what am I suppose to do here, honey?), first bath, first steps, first trip to the grocery store, first words (dada?), first vacation (he’s flown more air miles in 5 years than I flew during my first 20 years of life), first time fishing (he caught a large-mouth bass), first trip to the ER, first day of pre-school, first road race, and the list goes on & on…

Happy Baby!

Sooo Big!

Oops!

Big Brother

Growing up fast

Now, in case you are wondering, I do not play favorites with my kids. I’ll have a separate post for daddy’s little girl (you know how much I love you, Gabby!!!). Joey, your mommy and I wish you a very Happy Birthday!

May the Lord bless you and keep you;

May the Lord make His face to shine upon you,

And be gracious to you:

May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

Glory and power and honor and dominion to the Almighty King!

Amen.

Father & son

I'm coming home

2008-08-02T20:30:00.004-04:00

All I keep singing in my head is that Ozzy Osbourne song, “Mama I’m coming Home” This old boy’s ready to saddle up and head back to the ranch. I am in the homecoming phase, or maybe it should be properly called gethomeitis. That’s Get Home “itis”. No it is not a disease, that’s road warrior code for I’m ready to see my wife & kids. I know some of you think I’m loopy. Well if you traveled like me, you’d feel the same way. Business travel can be brutal and not for the faint-hearted. When the TSA agents start calling you by your first name (without even looking at your I.D.) then you either on the “Terrorist watch list” or you just travel too stinkin’ much! At any rate, I am sitting here in the Orlando Regional airport, watching all of the families coming and going – mostly to visit Disneyworld or Universal Studios. On occasion you’ll see the typical business traveler dressed in a suit. Not me – not today. I am in my Merrell sandals and a nice new pair of shorts and matching shirt that my cutie-pie wife bought for me. (She’s such a sweetie.) I am sitting here, next to another computer-techie-geek, sharing the electrical wall-outlet to power our computers, cell phones, and MP3 players. Perhaps it will be just a matter of time before airport officials start charging us rent. My flight has been delayed, so I thought I’d post a a quickie. For those of you that are wondering what it’s like for me while I am on the road, I have put together a list of 10 must-have things while I’m on the road (not arranged in any particular order):

Garmin Nuvi GPS (It’s the only way to travel, plus I’m a guy – are you thinking I’ll actually ask someone for directions?)
BlackBerry & Jawbone Bluetooth headset (Oh, I’m sorry, I know you’re honking because the light just turned green, but I’m still waiting for my CrackBerry to show the weather forecast for Orlando!)
MP3 player (Creative Zen Micro – It’s older but works great!)
Sony Vaio Laptop (and corresponding cords & roller-briefcase)
AT&T Wireless Card (Ubiquitous Wi-Fi)
Hampton Inn or Courtyard by Marriott (either is fine!)
Walgreens (there’s one on just about every street corner, whether you need just a bottle of water, some Advil, or a Heath bar)
Subway (need I say more?)
Holy Bible (New King James Version)
Starbucks (not that I need any caffeine…)

Hey, the plane is here...and now we are loading...it's only 2 hours late. Just a walk in the park.

Adios amigos.

Anchor for your soul

2008-07-31T00:49:00.004-04:00

While peering out my airplane window at just over 7 miles above the earth’s surface, I’m reflecting on the new day God has given me. Sometimes I take for granted each new day God has given me. How about you? I assume that's true for most of us. That’s until some illness or tragedy strikes close to home.

On this morning’s flight, I was thinking about the obituary I read last night for the Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Professor, Dr. Randy Pausch, who died last Friday after an almost year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Dr. Pausch, as you may have read, decided to courageously face the cancer head on and shared his experience with his students through a lecture titled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”. You can view this on youtube or read the book published earlier this year.

I strongly encourage you to read the book. It’s a quick read, but more importantly, it’s a powerful reminder of how our attitudes determine our responses to life’s adversity, trials and tribulations. The reality is someday we are all going to face death. That’s a fact. So, my question is how now shall we live in light of this fact?

I don’t listen to country music all that much, but many of the country songs do tell a good story. And for today’s illustration, I’ll use Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dying”. Take a look at the lyrics written below, sung during the bridge portion of this song:

Like tomorrow was the end
And ya got eternity to think about what to do with it
What should you do with it
What can I do with it
What would I do with it

My dear friend, this life is a gift from God. Every minute we have been given us is from God. This isn’t a dress rehearsal. What we choose today counts for all eternity. Please don’t tune me out. I’m pleading for you to listen because I care for you. Your life is more than your physical body or the “stuff” you’ve accumulated thus far. Your soul will live forever in one of two places: Heaven or Hell. Whether you believe this or not doesn’t change truth. To reject this truth would be like a person that rejects the law of gravity and decides to leap from a 10-story building. We all know the results of the decision to reject truth are disastrous.

I know, some of you might be petrified by the topic of death and dying, perhaps even avoid talking about it. Maybe you’ve tried to pour yourself into your job, a relationship, or a hobby. Listen to what Jesus says about this topic, as recorded in the Bible;

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” - Matthew 16:26

I’m sure some of you have your own opinions about what happens after death. Please remember my first blog posting where I mentioned that “My basis for truth is God’s word. I believe that the Holy Scriptures are inspired, inerrant, and infallible propositional truths of our Lord.” Again, God speaks this truth, not me. I am just the messenger pointing to the One from whom all truth is given. I also described that I would share my walk with Christ, who is the anchor of my soul.Let me show you a few reasons why I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ.

Someday, when I die, I’ll stand before God, the righteous judge. (And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. - Hebrews 9:27). Since I am a BIG sinner and have rebelled against God, my own sinful actions have separated me from God, and the results of my disobedience demand justice - my Death. (The soul who sins shall die. - Ezekiel 18:20; Also, For the wages of sin is death. - Romans 6:23A)

My separation from God is my own fault, but out of God’s great love and mercy He provides a righteous substitute to pay for the wages of my sin and deserved punishment (but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8, emphasis mine)

God’s payment for my sin (and yours) is accomplished through the atoning sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, on the Cross at Calvary. (For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16; Also, For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus died on the Cross, was buried, and then was raised from the dead three days later. God promises eternal life to all that come to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. ("I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” –John 11:25-26)

I hope you ponder these truths. Don’t let another second go by without thinking about your life and how you will live. Life is too short and you never know when your time will be up.

I like reading the account of Jesus raising His friend Lazarus from the dead, as detailed in John chapter 11. Only God can do the impossible. After all, Lazarus had been dead four days! How do you think Lazarus lived after he was raised from the dead? Fearful? Scared? No way. I am guessing he lived with a radical freedom only known to those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ. Jesus has conquered death once and for all and He freely gives eternal life to all that turn from their sins and run to Him.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9

God is the One, by his Holy Spirit, who calls us unto Himself. He doesn’t need me to do his work for Him, that’s for sure. But I am so grateful that He does allow me to share His message of hope and love and redemption with you. I am truly just a beggar showing other beggars where to find the bread. It's my hope and prayer that you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Thank you, Lord, for your amazing grace. Amen.

A new day has come

2008-07-26T23:49:00.003-04:00

This morning I had the chance to do something I truly enjoy – an early morning run on the beach. Actually, I was able to run on the beach twice. This past evening I watched the evening’s dim light give way to dusk, and then darkness. And then this morning, I welcomed the beginning of a new day as the sun crept over the horizon, shooting its rays through a layer of grayish-blue, broken clouds. The only noticeable sounds were those of the waves crashing along the seashore, the rhythmic pounding & crunching of my shoes against the sand / shell combination (not many shells on this stretch of Fernandina Beach, FL), and the occasional calls of the seagulls flying overhead. It was fantastic.

Maybe there’s something symbolic about the beginning of a new day. It’s a fresh start, a clean slate. It reminds me of the redemption God provides for each one of us through the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the Cross.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

That’s amazing! The God who spoke all creation into existence, humiliated Himself by taking on human flesh, lived the perfect life that I could never have lived, and then died the death I deserve to die. In doing so, He reconciled a sinner like me, like you, to a Holy God through the sacrifice of His one and only Son, Jesus.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Bible tells us, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (NIV)

So remember, if you know Jesus as your Savior, when God looks at you He sees the righteousness of Christ. You’re a new creation. And someday, when Christ returns, a new day will be ushered in for all eternity.

I have heard the following poem multiple times by Bible teacher Ravi Zacharias. I believe it was written by an elementary school teacher. I could not find the author’s name, so my apologies. It is most appropriate in closing.

He came to my desk with a quivering lip,
the lesson was done.
"Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher?
I've spoiled this one."
I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted
and gave him a new one all unspotted.
And into his tired heart I cried,
"Do better now, my child."

I went to the throne with a trembling heart;
the day was done.
"Have you a new day for me, dear Master?
I've spoiled this one."
He took my day, all soiled and blotted
and gave me a new one all unspotted.
And into my tired heart he cried,
"Do better now, my child."

Author unknown

Dude…where’s my brain!

2008-07-25T10:52:00.004-04:00

I’m sorry – yesterday I mistakenly informed you all that my rental car had been stolen. Well, the reality is, if I had kept walking another 2 blocks, I would have found my vehicle - right where I had parked it! Oh, to have had a picture of my facial expression as I drove passed the car this morning, rubber-necking, if you will, to see if my eyes were deceiving me. Could that be the Chrysler Pacifica I had driven only yesterday? The license plate number looked familiar, but I was off to a meeting a did not have time to verify that the car was indeed my former rental car.

After parking in the garage today (LOL), I had my meeting and then made the trek back to where I had seen the Pacifica. Low and behold, as I looked in the back windows, sure enough my gear was laying there, still in the vehicle. I made the necessary calls to the police, insurance agent, my boss, and the rental car company. Now I'm just waiting for the tow truck to arrive. In fact, here he comes. Ace towing!

You gotta love wireless network cards! I am sitting here, drenched in sweat, logged into my AT&T account, sitting under a shade tree in front of someone's apartment complex, writing this blog, checking my emails, and surfing the web. The neighbors, I guess, are staring to look at me a little suspiciously. Maybe they are thinking I locked my keys in the car. I suspect it sounds something like, "Who's the moron sitting in my front lawn, wearing a suit in this this 90 degree heat, and working on his laptop?"

All is well though. Nothing hurt but my pride. Actually, I have a more humiliating experience to share with you, but I'll have to save it for another day. Perhaps my dad will tell you his side of that story, from long ago. It's funnier than this story. Although this one is pretty hard to beat.

Wow! This is a great illustration as to what NOT to do when visiting a hospital on a sales call.

That’s ok, you can laugh – I did. And I think I heard Him laugh too.

Dude…where’s my car!

2008-07-25T00:39:00.003-04:00

I know most of the road warriors reading this blog have interesting stories to share themselves, but my travel stories always seem to have unique twists.

Today, for instance, I arrived for my early morning appointment at a Jacksonville-area (FL) hospital and quickly found a parking spot on one of the many nearby residential streets, about 250 yards from the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) entrance. (SIDE BAR: I visit many different hospitals every year, so I have this routine I go through; from where I am going to park, to my building entry / exit points, making notes of the landscape, architecture, neighborhood, etc… essentially formulating a mental map of the area.) I grabbed my briefcase on wheels, closed the door, made a security sweep of the area, and then locked the doors by pressing the lock symbol twice on the keyset (verified “locked” by the audible honk /chirp of the rental car’s horn).

After I finished my meeting (it carried over a little longer than anticipated) I decided to grab a quick bite and a coffee. So, I said goodbye to the staff and headed for the exit. As I stepped through the ED’s doors, I was immediately blasted by the 90+ degree temps and high humidity of Florida. I walked briskly to my car, sweat pooling on my forehead, while I though about where I was going to eat for lunch. “I’ll have to punch something into my GPS and see what I find. Maybe Panera”, I thought.

I looked down the street to see if I could spot the silver Chrysler Pacifica. Nothing. “That’s strange. I thought I had parked the car right there.” Now I have to tell you. For just a microsecond, the thought crossed my mind that maybe I was mistaken about where I had parked that morning. After all, I’m human. I make mistakes. Right? So I lifted my right arm way up in the air and start pressing that handy lock button on the keyset, multiple times, in hopes of hearing the audible honk of the vehicle’s horn. Nope. The only sounds heard was the roar of passing cars and now, my elevated heartbeat. As the sweat saturated my dress shirt, I thought to myself, “Maybe the car was towed! That’s it. The car was towed because I parked in a 2-hour spot and I was about 20 minutes late leaving the meeting. So, someone must have towed the car!”

I did an abrupt about face and marched back towards the hospital. As I approached the hospital, I stopped and asked a lady (she was on her smoke break) if she had seen any tow trucks today (or ever, for that matter). She replied, “I’ve never seen anyone towed on this street before.”

“OK, thanks”, I uttered and kept strolling to the hospital, my mind racing through various what-if scenarios.

I stopped at the hospital security shack and inquired the security guard if he had ever seen anyone towed in the vicinity before.

“No, sir”, he replied. “I’ve never seen any car towed from here. Only if a car is disabled, would they tow it.”

There was a long pause. “You missing your car, sir?”

Another long pause.

“I think someone stole my rental car!” I blurted. I said it once more, just to hear my own voice. “Someone has stolen my rental car.”

“There’s a police officer right over there,” he pointed 20 yards from us. Sure enough, there was a deputy sheriff seated in his patrol car, enjoying the cool air conditioning of his police cruiser.

The security guard and I walked over to the police cruiser. The officer rolled down his window and asked what the problem was. I explained the situation to him and he said he was going to run the license plate, just to verify that the vehicle had not been towed. The officer was very professional and friendly.

The report came back quickly. No tow companies had the 2008 Pacifica. The vehicle was stolen.

The next few hours were filled with phone calls, reports being filed, and many asked questions. I had a late lunch (in the hospital cafeteria) and then finished my afternoon meetings at the hospital. Fortunately, one of the staff members offered me a lift to the airport to pick up another rental car.

So I now have another set of wheels (Dodge Magnum). Truth be told, the situation could have been a lot worse. Some of the hospital staff said that the crime in Jacksonville is really high; including four murders this past weekend and multiple car-jackings.

As of this posting they still haven’t recovered the vehicle. Someone is now a proud owner of my Garmin C340 GPS unit and our company’s pull-up display banner.

Am I angry or upset? Nope. Actually, throughout the entire experience I was pretty relaxed and calm. Maybe I was just a little agitated about having to file all the paperwork, but not too bad. Why? The reality is we live in a crazy, messed-up world. Things aren’t the way they should be. I don’t control much of anything, except my attitude. God is sovereign. He reigns supreme. And because of that, I gave the entire situation to Him. And you know what is really cool? He placed a few gracious, loving people in my path today and they made all the difference in the world. Thanks again Tom and Suzi! Your graciousness and kindness was appreciated.

God is good. And although He allows things to happen in our lives that we may not understand or seem to be "good" for us, He's got a plan. He's working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). He’s good all the time. He truly has the whole world in His hands.

Hey, I’d like to hear some of your stories. Please share them.

Signing off for now, but still running on faith.

Contentment

2008-07-21T01:06:00.006-04:00

Do you ever find yourself having a difficult time slowing down in today’s fast-pace world? I often find myself getting caught up in the craziness of warp-speed living; business trips, honey-do lists, shuttling kids to sporting activities, and the everyday hustle-n-bustle of family living.

Lately, I have been trying to simply pull back the throttles and enjoy whatever the day brings. It seems strange to me how much work is involved in resting. That sounds weird, doesn’t it? I am not talking about the kind of rest where you plop down in a comfy chair, kick up your heels, turn off your brain, and chill out (although that’s nice too). I am talking about being content with whatever you have or wherever you are in life’s journey. I’m talking about an effort to stop striving, to be still, to rest and be silent before God. (Psalm 46:10)

My morning routine normally consists of spending about an hour with the Lord; feasting on His word, praying, and meditating upon Him. I don’t mention this to be a Holier-than-thou type, rather this routine has helped me slow the pace of living and focus on all of the good things God has blessed me with. In 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul, speaking to young Timothy, reminds us of the wisdom of being content;

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

1 Timothy 6:6-7, ESV

There is something wonderful about being content. Maybe it’s acknowledging God’s providential care in our lives. He really does have the whole world in His hands. That’s so reassuring because it helps remind me to keep an eternal perspective when life starts to shift into high-gear. As a salesman, I am constantly looking to land that next big deal or to hit my monthly, quarterly, or yearly sales targets. It’s exhausting and the stress can wipe me out quickly if it is not met head-on. So, I remind myself that this life is passing by with blazing speed. Someday I will close my eyes for the last time and I’ll open them in heaven. I won’t be taking any of this “stuff” with me. Neither will you.

I was thinking about all of this when the song “You’re Gonna Miss This”, by Trace Adkins, played on my MP3 player. As I listened to the chorus lines, I thought about being content in where I am today. If you have never heard the song, you can click on the link above and watch the video. Here are the chorus lines:

But you're gonna miss this

Your gonna want this back

Your gonna wish these days

Hadn’t gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you’re gonna miss this

There is something really powerful about enjoying the now. It sounds simple, but in reality it's so hard not to rush headlong into the next phase in life. Or maybe it's about trying to acquire that next gadget or "thing" we want so badly. Today, I am going to be content - wherever I am and whatever I am doing. I hope that's true for you too.

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Best Friends

2008-07-20T13:07:00.004-04:00

My 20th High School Reunion will be held next month. Wow! I can’t believe 20 years have passed already. It seems like only yesterday that I walked across that high school auditorium to grab that diploma. (Madison High School Class of 1988)

My wife will tell you that I’ve been giddy with excitement lately, anticipating the connection with some old friends. She, however, does not share my enthusiasm for this event. I can’t say that I blame her. She mentioned something about not getting a second chance to make a first impression. As soon as she mentioned that, it struck a chord in my own heart because there was a time when I tried to please all people, all the time. In fact, I still struggle with trying to please others most of the time (have a hard time saying NO). I guess we all have a deep-down desire to be affirmed, liked, and recognized. I love my wife – unconditionally. I accept her just as she is. She’s an amazing woman who’s taught me so much about love and life.

Thank you, Lord, for bringing such a wonderful woman into my life. And thank you, Laurie, you’re my best friend!

P.S. You can read the “rest of the story” at It All Started at Kent State University

Early morning run

2008-07-19T13:20:00.008-04:00

Early morning runs are my favorite. Actually, early morning runs on the beach are my favs, but this morning I had the privilege of running a quick four-miler with one of my buddies. In fact, Paul and I’ve lost track of the number of trails and miles we’ve trodden over the past six years. We’ve conquered a few marathons and a 30+ mile trail race - the Buckeye Trail 50k.

You might be thinking we’re nuts for running such long distances, but it’s all relative to how far you have ever run. Believe me, I used to think marathoners were crazy; that is until I completed my first marathon (The New Las Vegas Marathon) in December 2005. Now, (and this is going to sound like I’m boasting, but I’m not) I am looking to the next challenge of running an ultra-marathon, perhaps a 50-miler. I don’t know yet, but have been kicking around the idea. So, if any of you have completed a 50 or 100-miler (Western States 100 anyone?), please drop me a line.

I hope you have a hobby or activity that you really enjoy. I know running is one of many activities that brings me joy and where I can feel God's pleasure. I’ve been running for over twenty years and I pray God continues to bless me with good health so I can continue to run well into my old age – or until He takes me home.

Good running with you this morning, Paul. See you out on the trails - soon.

Finally, a post to publish

2008-07-16T01:43:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my Blog. I’m glad you decided to stop in. My hope is that the words contained herein will be inspirational, encouraging, and thought provoking. We’ll cover a variety of topics, but primarily my focus will be on glorifying the Lord through the sharing of my life’s experiences and the impact they’ve had upon me.

What’s with the name, anyway? Well, it’s really a pun. Running - I am a big runner and have been for the past twenty years. On Faith – this is the gasoline that fuels the Blog. Although we all place our faith in someone or something, I’ll be sharing the journey of my faith through my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And before you discount me as another “Bible thumper”, I encourage you to stick around, regardless of your world view. In fact, if you are skeptical about God, have questions about Christianity, or other beliefs and philosophies, then this might be just the place for you. After all, our lives are built on relationships, whether with family or friends, and what is more important than a personal relationship with God?

Oh, and to set the record straight. I don’t profess to know everything. You won’t find glib answers to difficult questions here. I am not going to preach to you, but I am going to show and share events in my life. I’ll be earthy, transparent, and authentic in all of my discussions. My basis for truth is God’s word. I believe that the Holy Scriptures are inspired, inerrant, and infallible propositional truths of our Lord.

So wherever you are in life’s journey, I hope this site encourages you. Remember, we all have a story to tell, regardless of our fortune or fame, title or background, race, creed, religion, or nationality.

Peace,
Jeff