Author Archives: John Harrell

Spirituality

Who’s Piloting the Plane?

We make plans for our lives. We set goals for our careers. Young married couples talk about their future together. These are all good things. But what do we do when our best plans go awry?

Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” This is a solid reminder of who is in control. We have no idea how many car accidents or horrible situations God has protected us from behind the scenes. But we do know this: God has a plan and purpose for us being here. We can try to live it out or we can ignore it. That part God leaves in our hands.

One of the beautiful things about life is that everything in our future is unknown. Being an eternally optimistic man, I believe it’s something good. Even if whatever lies around the next corner turns out to be a dumpster fire, good can come from it.

When life throws you curveballs, swing at them. Remember who is in control, even when we think it’s us. You will get through whatever you are going through. Just keep going…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Holiday Legacy

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are fastly approaching. Are you ready? My office has a luncheon planned for tomorrow. I’m bringing salad which means I’m going to the store to buy three bags of salad. Oh joy!

The holidays bring on a sense of dread for me. By admitting this I know I sound like Ebenezer Scrooge or someone like him, and my personality is far from him. The holidays were always a disappointment for me when I was a child. So as much as I love the season, I’m glad when they are over. This is the holiday legacy my family left me with.

But…things can change. I have tried to flip the script for my children so they have a better experience. But I gotta admit those Hallmark movies are not the goal I’m trying to reach. I want to leave a legacy of warmth and love, not perfection. Togetherness over stress.

If you feel the same way about the holidays, know that you aren’t alone. Changing perspective is possible. It begins with our attitude…

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Spirituality

Am I Right?

Social media has given everyone a voice. The platform brings notice to people who have never been recognized for anything worthwhile. But now they are receiving the attention they always believed they deserved. Or do they?

We are selfish by nature. Adam and Eve were thinking about themselves when they disobeyed God and ate the fruit. We have had hell on earth ever since.

Memes have taken over the internet. They bring you in with flashy headlines that generate a visceral reaction. A visceral reaction is something you feel throughout your entire body before you take the time to think it through. I encourage you to be discerning, not reactive.

All of us have fallen for the lies. The internet throws so much garbage our way that no one has time to verify everything. But the question is, are we believing something we want to believe, or is it the truth? Usually it takes time for the truth to emerge.

My encouragement to you is, be judicious about what you allow into your mind. Think before you believe. Question everything except the Word of God. Everything else is suspect…

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Spirituality

Time, Energy and Heart

Every day I wake up I consider myself to be the most fortunate man alive. Not only have I been given another day to live, but I have an opportunity to make a difference in this crazy world we live in.

Did you know that 25% of the world lives on less than $2.00 per day? That’s 2 billion people! Over 36 million people live in poverty in the United States. The line on poverty is drawn at around $14,000 per year. People are struggling to make ends meet.

We can make a difference, both individually and collectively. Volunteering is a regular part of my life. I’m fortunate to have a career that gives me tremendous flexibility with my time. And the Creator gifted me with an enormous energy level. Put those two together, time and energy, and I pour my heart into causes that touch me emotionally.

The faith and philanthropic communities serve the least among us very well. They waste little and move heaven and earth with what they have. Those people are true role models, not our feckless politicians.

Find your cause(s). Get involved. We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Commit…

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Spirituality

Too Old

Have you ever suggested an activity to someone, only for them to say, “I’m too old for that?” Are they aware that former President Bush jumped out of an airplane well into his 80’s? Remarkable.

Age is only a state of mind. It only exists in your head and your heart. It’s true that as we age we might not be as limber and flexible as we once were. That only means you have to take a little longer to warm up. You aren’t out unless you decide you are.

Our only limitations are the ones we place on ourselves. The mind is powerful, and mind over matter is a real thing. Don’t place artificial limits on yourself. You can go as far as you are willing to go in life.

I have no plans to jump out of a perfectly good airplane anytime soon. It could happen, but it’s highly improbable.

And like the song says, you’re only as pretty as you feel. Feel empowered to live and thrive…

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Uncategorized

Scammers

In 2024, people lost around $12.5 billion to scam artists in the United States. Worldwide the number is greater than $1 trillion. Scammers are everywhere.

We don’t know how many scammers get caught. There is no reliable way to verify the number. It gets complicated further because not everyone reports it when they get ripped off.

In the past the only scam artists were the palm readers, the psychics and the people selling magical elixir to cure what ails you. The magical elixir can be found at your local liquor store! It was simply rebranded.

My encouragement to you is to be alert and be aware. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Discipline and hard work will get you where you want to be. Leave the scammers behind…

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Spirituality

Hanging Around

Death will get all of us one day. It’s inevitable, and I have three thoughts on death: I’m not afraid of it. I know where I will spend eternity. I’m not ready for it. And I don’t want it to hurt!

Heaven is perfect. There’s no disease. We get new bodies that never ache. Most important, we are in the presence of God. The things we don’t understand will be made clear.

Why do we fight so hard to hang on to this life? Knowing what we know, we can accept that it will happen and everything will be okay. God will continue to work on us until He is through with us on this side of life.

I tell my children not to mourn me when I’m gone. My eternal home is not here, it’s in Heaven. Theirs is, too. So is yours.

Treat people well while you have them in your life. Nothing is random in this life. Everything can be used…

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Spirituality

Come As You Are

Our churches should be open and welcoming places. We are there to worship God together, not to make a fashion statement. Yet that happens.

In the Book of James, this very thing is addressed. James cautions us against showing favoritism towards someone in “fine clothing and jewelry.” What about the people who don’t have similar resources? They are equally important.

Every Sunday I volunteer as a greeter for my church. I see people who are dressed in their best clothes, and I see people who look like they just closed down a bar. Everyone gets a friendly greeting from me. (Well, beautiful women might get a bigger smile, but let’s move on).

God is glad we are there. He is who we are there for. It’s relational, not transactional. Our attention should be focused on him, not the crowd around us.

Find a church community where you feel free to come as you are. Then you have found your home away from home on this planet. Our true home lies in the next life…

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Spirituality

The Playbook

Players in the NFL are issued a playbook when they join the team. They are told to learn it and guard it with their life. If the playbook were to fall into the wrong hands, it could be catastrophic for the team.

But what about those of us who aren’t professional athletes? Well, God gave us a playbook, too. It’s called the Bible. It is our official guide to life on this side of eternity. In fact, it is preparing us for Heaven.

In the Old Testament days, God spoke to Moses and the prophets. They wrote down what the heard from God and it has been preserved for us.

Moving on to Jesus’ time on earth, his disciples recorded what they observed about the life of Christ. Paul wrote letters to the churches, as did James and Jude. It’s there for us to consult with anytime we want. We just have to open it and read.

Trying to navigate this crazy world we live in is difficult at best. Some are operating on their own with no regard to the playbook. Living by the Word of God will always turn out well. And we will have a peace that’s indescribable.

God didn’t create us and forget about us. If you are frustrated with life, take a moment to open the playbook. Read a little every day. It will grab ahold of your heart and change you from within.

Try it! The only thing you have to lose is stress, anxiety and worry…

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Spirituality

Personal Glory

We like to call attention to ourselves when we win at something, don’t we? We bask in the spotlight and never want the feeling to end.

When we are on the winning side of life, it’s the best. The strength of our character is formed in the difficult times. This is what gets us to the top eventually. The battle has been worth it.

Jesus had more wins in his life than anyone. He healed people, restored them, cured leprosy and raised the dead. Yet Jesus never called attention to himself. He wasn’t seeking his own glory, but gave it to the Father who sent him. Jesus was a great example of how to win with character.

I love it when athletes give credit to Jesus for their gifts. They do influence young people.

My encouragement to you is to keep the wins in perspective. Give credit to God. After all, everything good comes from him…

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