Together, We Can Be Visionary

I know, “opportunity of a lifetime”, is a pretty big phrase that is often thrown around. But I have to say, this time, I think it fits.

I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to help others. Each year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) launches its “Visionaries of the Year” fundraising campaign, and this year I was honored to be nominated as a candidate. I am writing today to ask for your support of LLS’s mission in its efforts to find cures for blood cancers and to assist patients and families as they battle this disease.

From the kickoff on March 6,2025, to the Grand Finale May 16, 2025 our team goal is to raise $15,000 which will go directly to LLS in support of its longstanding goal: a world without blood cancers.  If we can raise $50K by the end of the campaign, we can connect our team’s name to an LLS-funded research portfolio to honor our efforts to help people with blood cancers.

I’ve seen cancer impact too many lives and families. This year, as I step out of my comfort zone to bring change to those affected by blood cancers, I’ve decided to do what I can to help. At this moment in my life, I feel called to support this incredible organization.

I am particularly passionate about Patient Support and will be representing this area of LLS during my campaign. LLS works tirelessly to provide hope, guidance, education, and support when it’s needed most, so no one must face cancer alone. They help patients and families throughout their entire cancer experience.

This is an organization that is making an impact with the dollars it raises, and I’m proud to be associated with LLS. This is where you come in.

to make a tax-deductible contribution to LLS.

All donations received will support LLS’s overall mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. I thank you in advance for supporting this incredible need. I’ll keep you posted on how the campaign goes. For now, I am grateful for your friendship and support.

Let’s be Visionary. Go make a difference, Always, run by faith!


To make your donation go further—check if your company matches charitable gifts.http://www.matchinggifts.com/lls/

See The Unseen

When you see a picture like this, (people holding signs at the corner) which words come to your mind? Here are some of the words I have heard. Homeless. Beggar. Loser. Lonely. Hurt. Reject. Bum. Addict.

I often see these “friends” while out on a run. I always try and say, “hello”. I feel it is a small way to help them feel ‘seen’.

I took this picture the other day at a stoplight. The 2 gentleman were holding signs. While the signs weren’t visible, I imagine it said something about needing help to eat.

Often times we will just look the other way, in hopes of not making eye contact. But that is not God. Despite the challenges, God sees these friends.

There’s a story in the Bible of a woman named Hagar. Hagar was not being treated as a person. She was being treated as a slave. She was NOT treated as a child of God.

Yet, despite her being an abused woman, she is the first person to ever give God a name. In Hebrew, she calls God, “El Roi” ‘You are the God who sees me’.

Isn’t that amazing?

God sees. And more specifically, God sees those who are suffering.

What about you? Do you believe that God sees you? Well, if you’ve ever received a text from someone on a bad day, that reveals, “The God who sees you.”

Those moments when you’re weak. Lonely. Rejected. Alone. Well, don’t believe that lie.

God’s eyes are on the the suffering. The powerless. The unseen. And, God wants us to see the unseen, too–and do something about it.

Let’s keep our eyes open and be ready to partner with God. How? Through a simple hello. Through offering help. Through a kind word of encouragement.

See the unseen. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!

How to Soar in Life: Renew Your Strength in 2025

I have a question for you. How are you doing? I ask that because we often have a quick response to that question. We will say things like, “I’m good”, or “eh I’m OK”. So, how are you doing?

I asked myself, “What do I want to see happen in my life in 2025?” More specifically, “What do I want God to do in my life in 2025?”

After praying about it, God dropped this Bible verse from Isaiah 40:31 on me.

“but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”

I will admit it. I have been tired. I have been weary. But, I have my hope in the Lord. And, as I continue to put my hope in the Lord for 2025, I am ready to SOAR.

I don’t want to settle, I want to SOAR.

It reminds me of the feeling I’ve had when running a marathon. (26.2 miles) Those miles are brutal, both mentally and physically. But, when you see the “25 mile” marker, and know that you’re 1.2 miles from the finish line, there is just something inside of you that awakens. You get a renewed sense of determination and hope.

You know you’re “this close” to leaving the pain behind. You’ll soon hear your name called out as your cross the finish line and celebrate the accomplishment!

I feel like I’ve been running a marathon for quite a while now. It is as if I’ve been stuck at mile 18. I’ve been moving at a slow crawl instead of getting closer to the finish line.

I have been tired. I have been weary. I need my strength renewed so that, through the Lord, I will soar!

I posted this on the wall of my closet. It serves as a daily reminder of what I want to see happen in 2025.

In 2025, I am also praying for…

  • To have more Courage
  • A Deeper Faith
  • Friends who don’t know Jesus
  • Discovery of new things
  • Wisdom
  • Growth
  • Career Breakthrough
  • To have a greater Godly Influence
  • Clarity in situations
  • Opportunity
  • And for a Fresh, New outlook

I’d love to know your word, or thought, about 2025. Feel free to drop it in the comments, and let’s connect.

Let’s Soar! Go Make a Difference! Always RUN by faith!

What Are You Waiting For? Embracing Life’s Delays

And just like that, Christmas has come and gone. Whew! All of that waiting, leading up to one big day.

In my “musical mind”, I cannot help but think of all of the songs that relate with “waiting”. It was the prophet Tom Petty who sang, “The Waiting Is The Hardest Part.” Since 1981, Foreigner has been, “Waiting for a girl like you”. But, For King and Country asks, “What Are We Waiting For”?

Well, I can tell you that John Mayer is “Waiting for the world to change”. But J-Lo is “Waiting For Tonight”. While Richard Marx is, “Right Here Waiting For You”. Because alas, George Michael And Aretha Franklin, “Knew You Were Waiting for Me”.  Now, I will wait for your applause.

How do you feel about waiting in line? Whether it’s a drive-thru, a phone message saying, “your wait time is 22 minutes”. Or going through customs at the airport.  All of that gets under your skin.

We have two choices when it comes to waiting:

We can wait in frustration about what hasn’t happened, or we can wait in anticipation of what God’s going to do.

Waiting is hard especially when we live in a microwave world. We can’t even let the microwave countdown all the way to zero. We got 3 seconds left and are like, Good enough! So how do we, as Jesus followers, deal with the wait? Waiting takes patience. Maybe you feel heavy or abandoned.

I asked a few people what they’re waiting for. Here are their honest answers.

After over 30 years of doing the same ministry, I am waiting for God to reveal where to use my gifts in a new fresh, enjoyable way.

I’m waiting for a hot Italian man to enter my life!

I’m waiting for greater independence for my child with special needs.

I’m waiting for a sense of peace to learn to let things go at my job.

I am waiting to confidently say yes to the next piece of the Big Plan puzzle as I continue to trust the picture to unfold.

I’m waiting for freedom from food. I have been binge free for 12 months.

I’m waiting to be called home and sit at the foot of Jesus and worship.

Waiting is often a season of longing for something to be set right. A friend of mine was wrongly accused of something. He was let go from a job, told he could go to jail. And he was 100% innocent. He was told this wouldn’t be resolved overnight. He had to wait to be cleared for integrity sake. For his career, and his reputation. Maybe you’re waiting for a certain situation to start making sense.

Have you ever received a “Fast Pass” to an amusement park? It is pretty awesome to be able to jump to the front of the line. Yet, if you’ve ever been to Disney or Universal Studios without a fast pass, you miss some beautiful stuff like this:

It’s called “the que”.  Companies spend millions of dollars making your “wait more enjoyable”. And if you skip it with the fast pass, you really miss a lot of the detail that makes the full story worth it. Now, I’d much rather have the fast pass, but there is something about experiencing the “coming attraction” before the main event.

I mentioned my friend who was wrongly accused of something. During that time of “waiting for the truth”, there was a prayer text thread that was started. Sometimes the prayer was thankfulness for a breakthrough, sometimes it was praying for more truth from lies. Sometimes, it was simply songs like, “I’m Gonna See A Victory” or “Hard Fought Hallelujah”.  Sometimes songs speak our heart.  

After 11 months of waiting, 11 months of false accusations, he went into the courtroom. And we all prayed…and waited. Then we all received a text. (ding)

We won. They dropped the case. It’s over.

The judge looked at him and said, “you are 100% innocent”. He got the job back. He got his name cleared. He got 100% victory! He praised and battled for almost a year believing God would see him through. And, our faithful God did.

The prophet Isaiah says, “Blessed are all who wait for him” Isaiah 30:18

Is there something in your life that you’re “waiting for”? I wish I could gift you with a fast pass and allow you to jump to the end of the story. But, perhaps there is something in the “que of your story” that you’re overlooking which needs to be seen, or expereinced.

Watch the wait. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

I’d love for you to subscribe and share it with someone who needs encouragement while they wait.

(Inspired by a conversation with Steve Place)

Can You Do This Without Grumbling?

From the moment my wife, Patty, and I  established our home, our goal was to make our house a welcoming place.

We love to entertain and open our doors to friends and family. From Friday night Pizza nights, to Holiday dinners, we love to host!

Perhaps that’s why I love Thanksgiving.  It doesnt involve presents. It is just a simple focus of being grateful.

So, when I received this text, it completely warmed my heart.

“Would you mind if my brother joins you for Thanksgiving Dinner?”

“Really? ABSOLUTELY!”

We had a wonderful day together! And, a deeper friendship was formed.

There are two things about this that I love.

#1 A friend felt comfortable enough to ask a question like this.  It is never easy asking for help. Or, asking for help for another family member. So, the fact that there was such a great level of trust was humbling.

#2 We were able to open our doors to someone who, otherwise, would be spending the holiday alone.

As everyone left our house, Patty and I were so thankful for having an open door. We had a house full of family and made new friends. We’ll have a story to tell forever. “Remember that year when we got a text on Thanksgiving eve…”

May I encourage you to create an “open door” policy? You won’t regret the time, or the text!

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling ” 1 Peter 4:9

Open your doors! Go make a difference.  Always run by faith!

Why, “I Am Right”, Might Be Wrong

Well, this has certainly been a wild few weeks, huh? Political signs. Political opinions. Politics straining relationships. Safe to say, we’re all tired of it all!

Whether your candidate won, or lost, I  been saddened to see how people have been treating one another.

It is OK to have a differing opinion from your spouse, your family, and your friends. What is NOT OK is treating another person with disrespect, harsh words or criticism. We can do better than that!

What if we took time to sit together,  have a conversation, and get to know why someone feels the way that they do?

When you’re surrounded by people who are struggling, how can we meet them in the middle?

I hold fast to the truth of Jesus. I know that I don’t always get it right, but I know that He does.

There’s a wonderful truth in the Bible from Galatians 5:22-23 which says, ” The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.” 

Just think how things would change if we learned to use this as the model for posting on social media? How would it change for people you don’t agree with? How would it change the way that we treat the hurting, the marginalized, the brokenhearted?

“I am right” can be a pretty selfish statement.  I’ve learned that simply listening and having a discussion can change perspective on things. But, it takes 2 ears and 1 open heart.

The holidays are coming. So are the differing opinions. How will you welcome them to your table?  How will you meet them in the middle? How will you show love?

I have a chair for you at my table.

Love well. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!

This Simple Hack Has Changed My Running

In my years of being a runner, there are many thing that I have discovered that have helped me. There are the athletic things like training, proper gear, and drinking lots of water. And, there are little hacks that have made a big difference, too. Today, I’d like to introduce you to my favorite hack!

I love having music while I run. It is a great way to take my mind off of the monotony of the mileage. For as far back as I can remember, I ran with earbuds. But that has changed, thanks to a suggestion from my wife.

Several years ago, my wife introduced me to Shokz. If you’re not familiar, Shokz are “Bone Conduction Sport Headphones”. These headphones sit on the outside of your ear, not inside like an earbud. They use vibrations to transmit sound to your inner ear through the bones in your upper cheek and jaw. Crazy, huh? According to the Shokz website,

Bone conduction headphones work by transmitting sound vibrations along your cheekbones instead of through the air. It’s the same technique that sea mammals use underwater and composer Beethoven used to make music when he lost his hearing. It all comes down to sound vibrations.

I find myself wearing them all day. In fact, I barely even notice that I have them on. I also can be completely hands free with wonderful sound quality for phone calls and safe driving.

Every time I see someone running with actual earbuds, I feel sorry for them. I once saw a runner struggling with their earbud cords. They were trying not to get their arms tangled up on a windy day.

I also feel safer running in Shokz. I can hear everything happening around me. From police sirens and animals, to bicycle bells and even other runners.

Every month, I am asked about my Shokz. Anytime I give them to someone to try-on, they always have the same reaction, “How much were they?” My pair was only $130. And, did I mention that I wear them all day? And yeah, the battery holds its charge for days!

Whether you’re a beginner, or an experienced runner, your local running store usually has them at the counter to demo. I highly recommend them! (I got mine at Striders in Jenison)

Spend the $130. Go make a difference. Always run by faith!

I am not being paid to write this. However, if the Shokz marketing team happens to see this, my wife and I are available as Ambassadors)

I’d love for you to drop a comment and share your experiences with running gear or music while jogging.

It’s Time To Check Your Pantry. Trust Me!

Question for you. How closely do you follow the “best by” date on a product in your fridge, or pantry? Do you chuck it out the very next day after it expires? Or, do you let it roll for a few more days?

Recently, my wife and I were in the basement by our storage pantry stocking the shelves after a grocery haul. Just like a grocery store, we tend to put out most used items at eye level. Oftentimes ignoring what’s on the bottom shelf. Well, that leads to a problem. (Pssst. I’m a bit embarrassed to reveal this.)

On the bottom was a very large can of kidney beans. This is where we discovered the problem. The back side of the kidney bean can was actually rusting and leaking through. It was so old that the juice inside the can dried up. AND, the label we so rotted that we couldn’t see the expiration date. How GROSS!

There it sat for all of those months…um, years. The front of the can looked perfectly normal. Yet, the back revealed a bigger problem we never noticed. Yep. Sometimes you need to do a little deeper digging to reveal an issue.

After an immediate trip to the trash can, I had a thought. “How many things in life appear to be perfectly normal? Yet, after further investigation, you find a bigger issue?”

Here’s good news, God will never ignore you. You are NOT on the bottom shelf. And unlike the kidney bean can, He will never let you run dry.

I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.

Jeremiah 31:25

Do you feel like you’re on the bottom shelf being ignored? Maybe you have an issue that others notice, that you don’t. Or, perhaps you are wondering why YOU feel dried up?

Check your personal pantry. See if there’s anything that might be “expired”. Look for items in your life that have been sitting on the “bottom shelf” far too long. You may think that you look just fine. Meanwhile, something’s rusting.

Don’t expire. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

I would love for you to share this with a friend who needs some encouragement. Thanks for subscribing!

Transform Your Prayer Life with a Simple Jar

I’ve heard it said that praying is a way to connect with God. He isn’t looking for big words or phrases. He just wants us to talk with Him. It’s not a “magic thing”, He desires to hear from us and help us.

That said, I swear to you, there is no “abracadabra” involved with my prayer, or even with this jar. But, this jar sure has created some unbelievable connections with people! This jar is just, “My Prayer Jar”.

A few years ago, every time I would go out for a run, I would pray for my neighbors. I would also pray for different people who would pop into my mind. That was wonderful. But, unless I stopped and spoke with my neighbor, I never really got a chance to make a connection. I never got a chance to make a connection unless I intentionally texted them. So, I decided to take things a little deeper. I created a Prayer Jar.

The jar has no magic wand. No secret potion. No special phrase. Just names of people who are contacts in my phone.

I wrote their name down on a slip of paper, and placed it into a jar. Each morning, I reach into my Prayer Jar and pray. I ask that God would help me pick out the name of someone in my life who needs prayer. I pray for the person. Then, I call or text to let them know that I’m praying for them. I write something like this.

“Hi there! I just wanted to let you know that I pulled your name out of my prayer jar today, and I’m praying for you. Is there anything specific that I can pray for you about?”

Pretty simple, right? But the stories that I’ve heard are more mind blowing than a, “Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed” TV special. Here are just a few text responses that I have received.

“Freaky timing! I am actually on the way to the ER right now. Wow! God is just so cool sometimes!”

“It is great to hear from you. I’m actually in the process of moving”.

“Oh Wow! This is wonderful timing. Our son is dealing with some heavy things”.

Crazy, right? This can only be attributed to God. And, it always leads to a deeper story because we are ALL in need of prayer!

I see this prayer jar as a simple way to connect with people. It helps me stay in contact with those I wouldn’t normally see or talk to on a daily basis.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth. -Psalm 145:18

How have you seen answer to prayer in your life? And when did you have a moment in which you thought, “Wow, God! That was some crazy timing!” Was it by chatting with someone in the store? Sending a text? Making a call?

I highly encourage you to start your own prayer jar and watch what God will do through you. Drop me a comment and let me know if you do. I’d love to add your name to my prayer jar!

Pray continually. Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

How to Find Meaning and Purpose in Your Work | Reflecting God’s Design

Do you remember your first job? 

For me, I worked at Dutch Village in Holland. I had to wear a Dutch costume and clean “the canal”. I walked around and picked up cigarette butts and pretended that “if you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much!” I think I made $1.75 an hour. That’s a Dutch West Michigan wage if I ever heard one. I think I quit after 2 weeks.

It was a pretty thankless job. I will say that it gave me new respect for people who do jobs like that.

How do you feel about work?  Do you live to work, or do you work to live?

Often times, we are known for what we do. “I am a waitress”. “I am a Construction Worker”. I am a Stay-At-Home Parent. Many people see me as, “that guy on the radio”. But, I can not let THAT become my identity. But people see me as “that radio/runner/blogger guy”.  What would happen if I lost my job. That title?  If you’ve ever lost a job or would lose the one you have – would you wonder who you are?   A friend of mine was let go from a job, and really struggled because the job became the identity.  How you answer that question is an indicator.

in Colossians, Paul talks about work in this way, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Paul is saying do whatever it is we do – do it with all our heart as working for God.  No matter if it’s changing diapers, or changing items on the shelf at the store. Paul is saying that what we do needs to have the heart of doing the work as if for God. Whew!

You were created by God.  He made you with a specific personality, talents, experiences and interests – these are the foundations of the identity of God in you.  I have a gift of communication, so I speak on the radio, and have this little blog.  And when you use your God-given gifts in the unique way only you can, you bring him glory.  You’re reflecting how God created you.

I worked at a radio station, along with a few others, who were also Jesus followers. We realized it wasn’t all about being on-air. So, we weekly got together and prayed. Eventually, our numbers grew. We used the purpose of our work to help reach others.  We used our gift of communicating and morphed it into something else.

I spoke to someone the other day who also started a small group Bible study at his workplace in a factory. That group has grown so much that it has now formed into another group. That is doing your job for more than a paycheck.

Or, a Mom who volunteers at the school serving Hot Lunch. She isn’t there to just scoop fries onto a plate. She said, “When I see those kids, I smile and give them a hug. It might be their first hug all day!”

I spoke to someone else who is a housekeeper. She doesn’t just clean the house, she prays as she walks through every room. She has seen kids go from crib to college. And, she has befriended each of them. It’s not all about shining the floor, she is trying to be a shining light for them!

You are God’s creation, you are his doing.  He has a purpose for you to use what he’s given you. And, when you do that work as a way to honor God, there is a result.  Others see Him, too

Whatever You Do! Go make a difference. Always run by faith.

How do you find ways to bring meaning and purpose to your career? Let me know in the comments.

(idea for blog inspired by my friend, Steve P.)