Author Archives: John Harrell

Spirituality

Tough Talk

Once again, the Iranian leadership (what’s left of it anyway) has threatened the United States over the possible takeover of Kharg Island. The U. S. will face “serious consequences” if we continue down this path. Right…

Bullies talk a big game, too. Here’s a fact: people who engage in bullying behavior are the most scared people in the room. They are scared so they want you to be scared, too. Standing up to a bully is the quickest way to see them fold.

The Bible teaches us to use “gentleness and self-control” in our dealings. Those characteristics will reach the heart of mankind faster than tough talk will. And you make a lasting impression on the person you are dealing with.

The Iranians will continue to make false threats. They can’t back up their tough talk. But our leaders can. In the negotiations they use a different tone. Hopefully sprinkled with some gentleness…

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Spirituality

Building Strength

Proper weight training can make a person strong. There are many benefits to building muscle. Your body becomes a fat-burning machine while increasing your metabolism. It takes time but it is time well spent.

But today I’m writing about a different type of strength: inner strength. Inner strength is the ability to work through whatever life throws your way. We don’t know what the future holds, and most of it is good. But there will be times you will be tested.

Inner strength is built in the dark times, not when things are going well. Children need to learn that they can bounce back from failures and mistakes. Wrapping them in bubble wrap so they never have to feel bad is preparing them to crumble in adulthood. Mommy and daddy will not be around to pick them up every time they fall.

As a parent, I will tell you it is heartbreaking to see your child hurting. But it is necessary. My son makes a bad grade? He should have studied harder. Gets in trouble with the law for trespassing? Obey the law. Teach kids to get through the difficulties, not get out of them.

Life is usually pretty routine. It can even be boring. But when it brings you unforeseen challenges, you will handle them if you were prepared with inner strength as a child…

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Spirituality

The Middle Ground

It seems like some people have drawn their lines in the sand. For reasons I don’t completely understand, part of the population has decided their politics are the most important thing in their lives. Some people have sacrificed friendships and family over political differences. What happened to the middle ground?

Personally, I have friends all across the political spectrum. Our relationship is based upon our shared values and common interests. We may see the political landscape differently, and that’s okay. We respect each other’s right to vote the way we want.

Some people find joy in hurling insults at people over the internet. That’s weak. If name calling and pejoratives are all you have, then I question what you really believe.

Everyone wants to find purpose in this life. Each of us has been given special talents to accomplish our purpose. Perhaps yelling about political differences makes people feel like they are accomplishing something, and they are! They are driving others away.

Find the middle ground. Connect with other good people. Focusing on one lane of the superhighway might cause you to miss something. And that includes people…

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Spirituality

Think For Yourself

When my sons were becoming adults, they would sometimes ask me how to solve a problem they were having. My response was, “figure it out.” Now that may sound harsh, but I wanted them to get into the habit of thinking for themselves. Old dad wasn’t going to be around forever!

God gave us the most powerful, most incredible thinking machine. Our brains are capable of making tens of thousands of decisions in milliseconds. Our health is a function of our thoughts. Negative people tend to fall ill more often than the rest of society.

Our brains can atrophy, too. Watching mindless junk on television or the internet can, over time, slow down our ability to think. But the great news is, we can get it back. Quickly!

My sons would figure out the solutions to whatever was challenging them. Now they rarely ask me for advice. And I’m okay with that…

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Spirituality

Everyone Has A Story

Podcasting has allowed me to bring some fascinating stories to light. I’m naturally curious, so finding out about people and what drives them is a natural fit.

There have been a few people who turned me down to come on the show. They have an inspiring story to tell, but their shyness got the best of them. That’s okay. My life is better because I know their story even though they choose to keep it private.

In today’s culture, people have decided to be defined by their politics. We are way more than our political beliefs. People want to make a difference, but shoutout others down isn’t the way to do it. This type of behavior drives people away.

My encouragement to you is to listen to inspiring stories through podcasts. People tell it in their own words. Great stories will be preserved forever through digital technology. And that’s a good thing…

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Spirituality

Blindly Following

Who did you look up to? A good question to ask yourself is, what is it about them that makes you want to admire them.

Many people admired O. J. Simpson. He was a phenomenal athlete and he did a good job at Monday Night Football. But there was something dark in Simpson that he hid from the world, until he was exposed.

There have been a good number of TV preachers who fell from grace. Every time one of them falls it’s a victory for the devil. Anything that happens to give people a reason to stay away from God is a notch in his belt.

We the people like to pass judgment on our fellow man. But it’s more important to remember that God is the only judge who matters. Where we spend eternity is in His hands alone.

If you want to follow someone blindly, putting your faith and trust in them, make it Jesus. He is alive and will guide us. And following Jesus will never lead us down a dark path, only into the light…

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Spirituality

Where Does Your Trust Lie?

More people are anxious today than at any time in history. People are worried about their finances, their safety and security, their health, and the future. Would you like to stop worrying and start living fully? Keep reading.

In Proverbs 3:5, Solomon encouraged us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Notice that Solomon used the word heart. The heart is the center of our emotions. Worry is an irrational emotion. It’s irrational because the worrier is trying to control outcomes. We are not able to control outcomes so it’s a never ending cycle. Too much worry will land you in an asylum!

The only thing the Creator gives us control over is our attitude. Admittedly I view the world with optimism and hope. It’s how I’m hardwired. But if someone is nervous about the future, they can flip the script on their beliefs and see the world through a bigger lens, one filled with hope and prosperity. Anything is possible if you believe it is.

My encouragement to you is to meditate on Solomon’s writings. And remember, most of the things you have worried about in the past haven’t come true. Change your attitude and change your life…

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Spirituality

The Innovative Blacksmith

John Deere made an observation. He was born in Vermont, trained as a blacksmith and found work in Grand Detour, Illinois.

Farmers in the Midwest had a challenge. The thick, sticky soil slowed down their plows. The soil would stick to the blades, requiring farmers to stop often to clean the blades. Deere came up with an innovation that changed farming. He created a plow made from steel. The soil rolled off the steel blades instead of sticking to them. This adjustment not only saved farmers time, but it increased their productivity as well.

People can get stuck doing things the same way. You have heard the non-visionary types say “but we’ve always done it this way.” It’s the visionaries who change the world. You might have noticed that they are the ones who get ridiculed, too. That’s okay. Other people can’t see what the visionaries see.

Today, the John Deere company is a worldwide company that manufactures tractors, combines, harvesters, construction equipment and more. The company has over 70,000 employees. A simple blacksmith with an idea created a legacy that changed the world of farming. Not bad…

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Spirituality

Wasted Talent

All of us have talents. You might even call them gifts. God loves variety so no one has every talent. But a talent is only worthwhile if we use it to benefit others. Using our gifts for ourselves alone is selfish.

Some people are good public speakers while others are terrified to stand in front of an audience to deliver a message. Some are called to care for the sick while others steer clear of the sick.

What are your talents? Have you taken inventory? When you become outward focused you will ignite something inside yourself. You will want to serve others because this is why we have the talents we were given. This leads to a fulfilling life.

Take the inventory I cited above. Prayerfully consider how you can use them to make a difference in the lives of your fellow man. Then you will be really alive…

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Spirituality

Put It On The Shoulders of God

In my career, I have an administrative assistant who handles all service aspects of the job. Recently I discovered that she had let multiple things fall apart. To say she let me down would not scratch the surface of how disappointed I am.

It’s very rare for me to get angry. But on this one I was seething. Taking care of my clients is job one. On Wednesday night I was struggling to fall asleep because of my anger. I told God that I was putting this on His shoulders because I needed help. Then I slept soundly.

On Thursday my manager walked into my office and told me she was shifting some administrative assistants around, and I was getting a new assistant. The young woman who was assigned to me is the strongest assistant in the office. I couldn’t stop smiling. In one day, yesterday, she remedied every outstanding problem my prior assistant neglected. These were not easy tasks, but she got them done. Perfectly.

Whatever problems you may be experiencing, put them on God’s shoulders. They are big, strong, and can handle anything we are going through. And I mean anything…

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