This podcast is about presence, gratitude, attentiveness, and living fully in the moment God has given us—not worrying about tomorrow or longing for yesterday. Happy, sad, achievement, disappointment, gain, loss - our lives are a collection of “nows.” A collection of moments. A collection of choices, failures, successes, ups, and downs. Each one a piece of a bigger picture, like a mosaic, an image comprised of thousands of smaller colored tiles.

Modern culture is constantly pulling us away from the present. Being everywhere except here, in the moment. Many of us go through life on autopilot, often at warp speed. Constant distraction. Social media. Rushing through experiences. Not being not present in our thoughts at any particular moment. 

Our worries, fears, and anxieties about "what's next" can paralyze us into focusing on what is going to happen tomorrow, so much so we miss everything God wants to teach us today. From Matthew 6:34, “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” We are being instructed to live each day to its fullest because one never knows what will happen tomorrow. In fact, God has not yet granted that extra day. Each individual day can be hard enough to get through, much less worry about those coming.

In Mark’s Gospel, 1:14-15, we get a concise summary of Jesus’ preaching, life, and ministry. The message Jesus announces is “This is the time of fulfillment.” Mark uses the Greek word Kairos for time and not Chronos. That intentional use means Jesus is not thinking about the movement of time to this point, but rather he is speaking in terms of the appointed time, in this moment. Jesus is calling us to seek and search for God with each breath we take and with each moment that passes. Always living with an emphasis on being in the present, the now. "The time is fulfilled." Jesus wasn't talking about a clock. He was talking about God's appointed moment.

People like to define moments with big leaps, movements or stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Maybe for some of us it is as simple as staying in the moment right where we are. We typically don’t hear people say, “Hunker down and see what God has in store for us.” However, God has begun a great work in us, right where we were; we just don’t recognize it. God meets us in the present moment. Our challenge is learning to recognize Him there. Do how do we “Live the Holiness of Now?”

To start with we must ‘Slow Down.’ Slow down enough to notice. Slow down and we naturally connect better with what is happening inside and outside in the moment. What is happening right now becomes more vivid and not hidden behind thoughts racing in our mind about what’s next. 

Second, let’s make “Every Moment Matter” and give the ordinary our full attention. Every Moment Matters, Planned moments vs unexpected moments. We often think life is measured in years. I think it's measured in moments.

Every Life Is Built One Moment at a Time. Life is a mosaic of moments. Our entire life happens in the moment, and every ‘present moment’ is life itself. How we live each moment, what words we speak, what actions we take, how we relate to those we encounter is the whole of our lives.

Our mosaics will include moments we know are coming like a wedding, childbirth, first time driving a car, or possibly a first kiss. They will include unplanned moments that catch us off-guard like a surprise birthday party or running into a celebrity in the elevator or possibly a first kiss.

There are moments that seize us and those we must seize intentionally. If we are not intentional, the smaller and maybe more mundane moments will slide right on by and be a tile that does not get added to the mosaic. We must appreciate the quiet moments, the hoot of a barn owl in the distance, the warmth of the sun. Moments of service, friendship, and especially love.

How much of our lives revolved around memories, either making them or having them? Kodak had built a multi-billion-dollar empire around the tagline of “share memories, share life.” The heart of Facebook is tied to sharing photos and updates – memories. I love the Jim Croce song “Photographs and Memories” where the lyrics emphasize the little but memorable things in life – morning walks, bedroom talks, summer skies and lullabies. Moments that are not manufactured but created through presence.

The phrase “Right now” points to this exact moment. The single word “now” can feel slightly less immediate. In American English, “right now” is more common than in British English, reflecting our tendency to add a second word for emphasis—like saying “next up” instead of simply “next.”

The “right now” is a magical place full of great possibilities. We can do literally anything right now. In the past, the moment is over. In the future, we could do those things. Right now, is the oldest we've ever been and the youngest we'll ever be. Living in the present is empowering. Life may end one day; every other day it doesn’t. “Right now,” is relevant to the eternal destinies we all face. What we do today, counts – forever. Today is an opportunity to make our tomorrow better. We can’t have a tree to sit under tomorrow if it isn’t planted today. “

Abraham Lincoln said, "Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today." I want to qualify that quote a bit and note we don’t put off until tomorrow what we should do today. There are a multitude of things we can do today, but which things are priorities that we should not delay and get them done right now?
Teddy Roosevelt has a well-known quote, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” We must keep in mind that ‘what we have’ and ‘where we are’ changes over time but doing ‘what we can’ is universal. Over time, certain capabilities change and not always for the better. No matter, we still need to make the most of our capabilities; to get value out of our lives whatever the situation.

We must also let broken moments remain. Keep the broken tiles in the mosaic. We are fallen—not worthless. Even though the moment might be something we are not proud of, it is part of who we are. Irregularities in a mosaic do not “spoil” it. Removing a tile leaves a gap, an incomplete picture. To the whole, each one matters. I read where mosaics are made from broken pieces. I disagree, the pieces are not broken, what the pieces came from is broken. These moments in our lives are not broken, but our lives are. We are not perfect, we have flaws, we are sinners. In other words, “we have fallen” and when an object falls it often breaks. 

God doesn't discard broken things; He redeems them. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph speaking to his brothers who sold him into slavery, says, “Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people.”

Finally to “Live the Holiness of Now” - Trust today's grace. Max Lucado said, “Meet today's problems with today's strength. Don't start tackling tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today.” We cannot solve tomorrow’s problems if we don’t solve todays!

 We live in a downstream world with a bias for downstream action. We spend most of our time reacting to problems downstream rather than dealing with the source of the problem found upstream. Solving today’s problems will have a downstream effect on tomorrow’s problems. First responders focus on the problems that must be solved at that moment. It is a natural way to go about their job; prioritize what is urgent, solve one problem, then move on to the next.

Jesus’ ministry was a little over 3 years. A limited time to accomplish what He needed to do. Yet Scripture has Him taking extra time when needed (prayer time), making time for interruption (the bleeding woman, children coming to Him) and diverting his plan as needed (to be a guest of Zacchaeus). Jesus knew how to take timely breaks to replenish his soul. He was the master of balance, ministry with prayer. He lived each day full of that day’s grace. 

What do we lose when we lose the holiness of a moment? We miss the enjoyment from so many small things happening all around us. A long hug, a walk in the woods, a sunset or the full moon rising among so many stars in the night sky. Staying in the moment allows us to see more than just what is on the surface; it allows us to see the beauty within. It gives us the ability to see options and far-reaching impacts.

God calls on us to make the most of our moments, to use our gifts in the best possible ways, and to see everything as beautiful moments of His grace. Over time, these moments come together as a beautiful mosaic. God’s plan for our lives is less like a roadmap and more like a mosaic. No outliers. No random pieces. Unrelated fragments intentionally put together in a recognizable pattern we could never see, but He always does.

Don't wait for extraordinary days. Live ordinary days extraordinarily well. One day we’ll discover those ordinary moments became the most beautiful tiles in the mosaic God was creating.

Real life takes place in the here and the now. Our God is a God of the present. We need to be present in the moment as He reveals himself to us where we are most fully present.

It is our choice to do what we will do at this time. Make the days count. There is a divine purpose at work. Let God use us in ways we cannot fully appreciate. Our time is now, right now.

I look at my life in three distinct time periods (so, a hockey analogy as opposed to my standard football one). The first 25+ years were about investing in myself – the focus on growing, maturing, being educated, becoming an adult, building a strong mind and body; and starting a career and being a contributing citizen to society. The next 25+ years were about investing in my family – marriage, fatherhood, mentoring my children and all the roles that came with building the foundation of a home; and being a significant wage earner to provide.

This third and final phase is about my investing in others. Mentoring, motivating, building connections, raising the tide for all; establishing a better tomorrow. It's about multiplying my influence and becoming more useful to God and others – whomever I can be neighbor to.

It isn't centered on legacy, but leaving a legacy becomes the byproduct.

Let’s imagine we are attending our own funeral.Not in a morbid way.
Sitting quietly in the back of the church while family, friends, coworkers and neighbors stand up one by one to give a eulogy.What do we hope they say?
They are not going to list our positions and job titles.Nor how much money we made. They are going to discuss who we were.How we moved and inspired them. 
They are going to discuss - not our doing – but our being.

New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote about the difference between “résumé virtues” and “eulogy virtues.” Résumé virtues are professional and oriented toward earthly success – things I have done in my first two periods. They require comparison with others. Eulogy virtues are ethical and spiritual and require no comparison. Eulogy virtues are what we would want people to talk about at our funeral. Résumé virtues versus Eulogy virtues. One gets us hired. The other gets us remembered.

Eulogy virtues, although they should be a part of our early life, ought to be the focus of our final third. The opportunity to share gifts and make a difference in the world around us is one of the most profoundly fulfilling experiences we can have in life. Our kindness will outlive us.

Some of us can become attached, even addicted, to earthly rewards, to the chase we got up every morning to pursue, and our resume virtues.
Even to the point of living in yesterday's successes. We spent decades chasing: Promotions, Achievements, Recognition, Bigger titles, Bigger paychecks. None are bad.They're simply incomplete.

Instead of asking, "What can I accomplish?" ask "What can I multiply?"
We need to shift from a mindset of Achievement to a mindset of Investment
The story of Elijah and his mentorship of Elisha is a great example of refocusing one’s efforts on being a teacher and not a doer. Elijah, considered by many to be the greatest prophet in salvation history, played the role of mentor to Elisha’s protégé. Elisha went on to perform twice as many miracles as Elijah, yet it is Elijah that is more widely remembered and exalted.

Paul’s second letter to Timothy, written late in Paul’s life, is considered one of Paul’s “Pastoral Epistles” because it is related to Timothy’s work as a pastor caring for the community under his charge. Paul is mentoring Timothy: “So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will have the ability to teach others as well.” 

Stay focused on the "why" not the “how.” Where there’s a vision, I call it a ‘Why’; there also needs to be a process, or a ‘How’.  A vision implies we have a view of where we want to get to; but it doesn’t necessarily mean we know exactly the path to get us there. There can be lots of paths. According to a study, 70% of all successful new businesses end up with a strategy different than the one they initially pursued. There are a gazillion methods and tactics, but there are very few whys.  When we have a vision and believe in it, we see the discovery and growth amidst the daily grind and maybe even chaos.  Once we know our why, there will be a how. We then have to trust that process, in the day to day. The greatest example of this complete principle is Jesus himself.  His vision was on the Father and fulfilling His promise to us.  He achieved His vision despite significant circumstances, and His process was one of daily prayer.

Give More Than We Keep. Not because we're finished. Because we're needed. For my final third I adopted a “reverse bucket list.” My goal is to give things away. Things like: Wisdom, Encouragement, Experience, Time. How can I give it away? Mentoring; Serving; Blogging, Podcasting, speaking, writing. As Jimmy Buffet sang in his song “Souvenirs” – “Someone wants a piece of you; Never let 'em pay; What you do not give them; Time takes anyway.” Turning away someone that needs help – whether they ask for it or not -  is self-centered.  Matthew 5:42 “Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”

The first part of life asks, "What can I accomplish?" and then "What can I preserve?"
But the final season asks a better question: "What can I multiply?" “What can I give away that will outlive me?” Because God rarely measures success by what we accumulate or accomplish. He measures faithfulness by what we invest.
Jesus spent only three years in public ministry.  He wasn't in a hurry.He wasn't chasing personal significance. He invested deeply.Loved intentionally.Prepared others. And changed the world.

If we're going to finish well...we'll do the same. Not by chasing résumé virtues...but by building eulogy virtues. Not by accumulating more...but by giving more away. Because in God's Kingdom, our greatest achievements are rarely what we accomplish; they're the people we help become who God created them to be.

Paul writes: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith..." Paul wasn't trying to keep racing forever, nor does he tell us in what place did he finish. He also didn't merely finish. He finished faithfully. That's an important distinction. I intend to finish this final third well.

Let’s make sure we are doing our part and trust we will set the world on fire. Let’s answer the call, let’s finish well, and make a difference in His Kingdom. Rejoice and Godspeed

Have you ever noticed how casually we say goodbye? "See you later." "Take care." Or how we end our communications with “Sincerely yours” and “Best Regards.” They're pleasant enough, but they don't really say much.

For years now, I've ended conversations differently. My salutation is ..."Rejoice and Godspeed." Those three words are far more than a farewell. They've become something of a personal creed. They express what I desire for every person I meet. That they would live with genuine Christian joy and that God Himself would guide every step of their journey. Because if those two things are true, everything else eventually falls into place.

One evening, while standing in line for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and going through an examination of conscious, I found myself reflecting over the previous several months and was struck that so many of my failings and sins could be traced back to the lack of joy.

When we let joy disappear or fail to recognize its presence; that is when patience disappears and then gratitude disappears. Complaining becomes easier. Soon judgment creeps in. Pride grows. Envy grows. It's amazing how quickly and easily we surrender something priceless.

I remember hearing a sermon once about a man who allowed a seven-dollar overcharge to ruin his entire day. Seven dollars. Not seven thousand. He couldn’t move past being upset at the overcharge and allowed his joy to be taken away for a mere $7.It made me think of the value (or lack of) I sometimes place on my Joy.

St. Paul gives us one of the shortest commands in Scripture. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice." Notice Paul doesn't say, "Rejoice when life is easy," "Rejoice when we get the promotion," "Rejoice when our health is good," or "Rejoice when everyone agrees with us." He says, "Always." Which can seem impossible to rejoice always despite our moods/weather/situation, until we notice Paul’s next words, "...in the Lord." Christian joy is never built upon circumstances. It is built upon a Person, Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite observations comes from G.K. Chesterton. He called joy "the gigantic secret of the Christian." The saints understood this. Paul certainly understood it. Remember, he wrote Philippians while sitting in a Roman prison. And in that short letter he tells us to rejoice again, and again, and again, thirteen times. Not because prison is enjoyable. But because Christ had never left him.

In Matthew’s Gospel, the final Beatitude from Jesus Sermon on the Mount is different - because we are not pursuing it, but it is there for us to understand that when we seek the life that Jesus lays out for us, persecution will pursue us, “Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of me.” Then it closes with “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

Depending on our Bible translation, the words “happy” and “happiness” are used approximately 30 times in Scripture; the words “joy” and “rejoice” appear over 300 times. Happiness depends on what happens. Happiness can be circumstantial; it has the same root as the word “happenstance.” Yet, despite how unreliable it is, many of us base our lives on the pursuit of happiness (I know … I know… the Declaration of Independence guarantees our right to do so).

Joy is something entirely different. Joy is a decision, a choice and a bold one at that. Having joy is an enduring sense of well-being with confidence that God is present. Joy dependent upon Christ never changes.

Father Pierre Teilhard de Chardin wrote, "Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God." I think that's true. Because the closer we walk with Christ, the more confidence we have and the less control our circumstances have over us.

C.S. Lewis: "Joy is the serious business of Heaven." Fun, happiness, laughter will all eventually end and we will move to other earthly circumstances – they are like a short recess. In contrast, heavenly joy is a true, lasting reality.

Joy belongs to the Christian and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This is why the Church, in her liturgical wisdom, gives us Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent — glimpses of joy along the way to the joyful celebrations of Christmas and Easter.

Read about the Saints, even in the midst of their sufferings, they did not lose their joy because it was anchored not in comfort, but in Christ.

"Gospel" literally means "Good News." Christianity begins with joyful news, not merely moral instruction.

If joy is a choice, how do we cultivate it? I've found four simple questions help me reset my perspective:

- What's right in my life?

- What am I grateful for?

- Who has God placed in my life as a blessing?

- What has God already done today that I would have overlooked yesterday?

Those questions pull our eyes away from scarcity and back toward abundance. Away from irritation and toward gratitude. Away from ourselves and toward God. As St. Ignatius taught, gratitude is one of the surest defenses against discouragement.

Now let's talk about the second half of that greeting. Godspeed. Many people think it simply means "good luck." It doesn't. It comes from the old English expression, "God spede you." Literally, "May God prosper our journey." Not merely success. Not merely safety. But may God accomplish His purpose through our life. It's actually a prayer.

One of the most famous examples came during the launch of Apollo 11. Just before mankind began its journey to the moon with three astronauts, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin sitting atop a 363-foot tall, 7.6-million-pound thrust Saturn V rocket. Mission Control said, "Godspeed." How fitting. 

Every one of us is on a journey far more significant than going to the moon. We're making our way toward eternity. I used the expression in the title of my book, Godspeed and Guideposts for Your Journey. I felt the content of the book was an ideal opportunity to impart my blessing on one’s journey and for that voyage to be successful.

When we put those two words together, they become something beautiful.

"Rejoice and Godspeed" is a profound expression of Christian love. It says simultaneously: Be rooted in the joy that is Christ — and — May God's hand guide and prosper us on the road ahead. It honors both the interior life and the journey outward.

This expression, in its fullness, is a miniature act of faith: it trusts that joy is real, that God is sovereign over every journey, and that the person being sent is held in divine providence.

Rejoice. Be rooted in Christ. Protect our joy. Guard it carefully because the world will gladly trade us anxiety for it.

And...

Godspeed. Walk faithfully. Trust God's direction. Move courageously. Whether the road is smooth or steep. Whether we're beginning a new career, or starting retirement, or raising children, or grieving someone we love, or simply trying to become a little more like Christ today.

Rejoice. And Godspeed. May our joy remain rooted in Christ. May our steps follow His pace. May our journey bring glory to Him. And may we one day rejoice together at the destination we've been walking toward all along.

Until next time... Rejoice and Godspeed.

I have always believed the old saying: "Defense wins championships." And in sports, that's often true. But over the years I've come to realize something important: Defense may win championships, but offense is what moves life forward.

Think about it. A defender reacts. An offensive player initiates. A defender responds to circumstances. An offensive player creates opportunities. A defender protects what already exists. An offensive player builds what could be.
Life does require some defense. We all face unexpected challenges, setbacks, illnesses, disappointments, and interruptions. But if our entire life becomes reactionary, we spend our days putting out fires instead of building something meaningful.

The question is simple: Are we playing to win, or are we merely playing not to lose?

Most people drift into defensive living without even realizing it. We wake up and react to emails. We react to the news. We react to deadlines. We react to problems. We react to other people's priorities.

Stephen Covey described this reality through his famous Time Management Matrix that he built from the Eisenhower Decision Principle with the Four Quadrants. Quite simply, living in Quadrant 2 (Important/Not Urgent) is living on offense. It is the quadrant of being proactive, planning and critical thinking. This is the quadrant for long term achievement. Whereas living in Quadrant 1 (Important/Urgent) is living on defense. It is the world of crises, emergencies, firefighting and being reactive. Many people spend a majority of their lives there.
Every day becomes another problem to solve; another issue demanding attention. The danger is that living this way creates the illusion of productivity while producing very little progress. We're busy. We're exhausted. We're stressed. Yet we often aren't moving forward.

It's like being a football team that spends the entire game on defense. We might stop the other team, but we'll never score. We'll never advance the ball.We'll never dictate the pace of the game. Eventually life becomes maintenance instead of mission. Survival instead of significance.

Living on offense doesn't mean becoming aggressive. It doesn't mean being reckless. It means becoming intentional. It means choosing our direction rather than allowing circumstances to choose it for us.

And nowhere is this more important than in our faith. God never called us merely to avoid sin. He never asked us to only listen to His word. He called us to pursue purpose. Not simply to survive the culture. But to influence it. Not simply reacting to darkness. But bring light into it.

So how do we begin living life on offense?

First, spend more time in Quadrant Two. Quadrant Two is the realm of important but not urgent activities. The domain of Long-term growth. Most people know these things matter. The challenge is that they don't scream for attention. They require intentionality. Yet these are the activities that prevent future crises and create long-term success.

Second, make our second move first. The expression “make your second move first” was a favorite used by one of my College Football coaches. He was our defensive coordinator and valued preparation, anticipation, and being proactive. A rule of football is, 'he who makes his second move first wins.'

Healthy marriages often employ this mantra. A good marriage involves couples that know the right things to do. Thriving marriages build off the first move with impactful second moves. Turn date night into a lifelong memory. Turn a routine weekday dinner into a catered feast. The best way to learn how our partner thinks and acts is to be intentional and notice patterns and habits. Know what is going on, be aware. 

In business it can be referred to as "staying ahead of the game." Adapting quickly to market trends, meeting new government standards before they go into effect, and implementing technological advancements. Anticipation is the way to stand out. Customers remember those businesses that take care of them before the need even arises. It is selling value and providing solutions to problems, even before a customer voices a concern or, better, before they even realize they have a problem. 

Being one step ahead in our thinking is particularly effective in strategy games like Chess and Mancala. We are acting as opposed to reacting. We anticipate future events or needs by considering potential outcomes and plan accordingly.

Third, focus on being different, not merely better. The greatest breakthroughs come from doing things differently, not simply doing them better. Henry Ford didn't create a faster horse. Netflix didn't build a better video store. Uber didn't improve taxi dispatching. They changed the game.

I love how Christianity is different. Every other religion teaches being better and earning God’s glory. Other religions have laws or pillars to appease their god with the hopes of getting into eternal paradise. Christianity teaches that God came to us. He sent His Son to die for us. We don’t have to appease God to receive His favor. No other religion has an empty tomb. Christians are not asked to be better, we are asked to be different. We are not meant to simply "try harder" with outward actions and rule-following, we are asked to experience a fundamental transformation of the heart, to change from the inside out.

Living on offense means being willing to think differently, act differently, and trust God enough to walk through new doors.

Fourth, Call Strategic Timeouts. If the entire message is "be on offense, take action, move forward," some may hear that as "go faster, do more, stay busy." That's not what I am really saying. As part of living on offense, we often need to stop, pause. We need to take a timeout. Only after stepping out of the noise can we regain perspective and decide what offensive plays matter most. The timeout is not just a practical tip. It can be the turning point of the entire message. In sports, a timeout is a key strategic tool. It can serve many purposes: stopping the clock, extending the game, allowing readjustment, avoiding a penalty or turnover, and providing the opportunity to talk things through and regroup mentally.

A family going 90 miles an hour in five different directions needs a timeout to slow down, reconnect, and remind each other of the priority of family. Companies will use an annual kickoff meeting as a timeout where they pull everyone off the floor and into a huddle. A personal timeout allows us to pause, reflect, and pray. We can take the off-ramp from life’s highway and evaluate the road we are on.

A timeout can keep us from making a bad decision because we don’t have a clear perspective. A timeout isn't removing oneself from the game, it isn't retreating. It's preparing to run the next play. It's alignment. It's making sure the next play is the right play.

The timeout becomes the bridge between where we are and where we want to go.
The art of pausing can be as simple as breathing, stretching, drinking a coffee, or gazing out the window or at a photo of a loved granddaughter. The act just needs to be done with intention to allow for clarity, rest and realignment. 

This is also very biblical. Before God sends people forward, He often pulls them aside first. Moses in the wilderness. Elijah under the broom tree. Jesus in the desert. The disciples being told to "come away and rest awhile" in Mark 6:31.
Jesus regularly called timeouts. Not because He lacked urgency, but because He understood priorities.

This week I want to challenge us to identify one area of our life where we've been playing defense. Maybe it's our health. Maybe it's our marriage. Maybe it's our career.Maybe it's our faith.

Ask ourselves: What would an offensive approach look like here? What conversation needs to happen? What phone call needs to be made? What habit needs to start? What opportunity have I been waiting for instead of pursuing?
Don't try to redesign our entire life. Just move the ball forward. One intentional play. One deliberate step. One faithful act of obedience.

Jesus never lived reactively.He was never rushed by the crowd. Never manipulated by circumstances. Never distracted from His mission. He always operated with purpose. With clarity. With intention. Even when others saw chaos, He saw opportunity. Even when others saw obstacles, He saw a path forward. The beautiful news for us is that the ultimate game has already been won. Christ secured that victory. Our job is not to earn it. Our job is to faithfully play the position we've been given.

Let’s make sure we are doing our part and trust we will set the world on fire. Let’s stop waiting for life to happen; stop spending all our energy protecting the status quo. Let’s take the field; run the play; call a timeout when needed. Let’s live life on offense, leave a legacy and make a difference in His Kingdom.

Rejoice and Godspeed

We had a sign in the high school football locker room, “Discipline is not what I do to you, it is what I do for you”. As a high school football coach, an unexpected requirement of the job was to convince young men that discipline is not a bad word. Until that point in their life for most, discipline had become synonymous with punishment. When they hear the word discipline from a football coach, they envision endless wind sprints or up/downs.

Even the dictionary definition paints that picture - the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
Somewhere along the way, we turned discipline into a dirty word. We hear it and think punishment, restriction, or someone taking away our freedom. But what if discipline isn’t the enemy of freedom? What if it is actually the doorway to it?

Discipline is really a positive exercise around choice that not only prevents negative consequences (that bad stuff like ‘time out’ as a 3-year-old or those dreaded wind sprints) but more importantly makes good stuff better and prepares us or our team for the challenges ahead. It is a good thing that grows us. 

There is a conscious part of discipline, it is the mindfulness and awareness to self-regulate. Managing our own thoughts, feelings and actions – is the cornerstone of a successful life. If we are an effective manager of ourselves, our discipline comes from within. Most people can prioritize and even organize around their priorities, however many lack the discipline to choose and execute according to their priorities.

When discipline is imposed from the outside (a coach, parent, manager) it will eventually wane and dissipate when there is no desire to match from within.
Making better mental choices (accountable choices) requires mental discipline. Mental discipline is essential to the process of winning, especially in times of uncertainty (change). Mental discipline is key to finishing what we start.
Discipline to not eat the second piece of cake; to exercise no matter what the weather; to say I am sorry or to bite my tongue (so I will not have to say sorry later); to call my mom once a week; to not engage in negative office small talk; to manage my time effectively and so on. 

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments; discipline takes us from wishing for success to achieving it. We cannot just talk our way to success; we need to discipline ourselves with action to make it happen.

It was interesting to learn that the original Greek word used for discipline is also where we get the English word gymnasium. Training, practice, discipline - all are required for success in sports, work and in life.

I am a big proponent of showing up early. Being early reveals integrity and self-discipline, it shows respect for others, it assures us we are ready to be at our best when called, it shows we are dependable. There is the concept of “Lombardi time.” Vince Lombardi, the Hall of Fame Green Bay Packer Head Coach, always taught his players and coaching staff they should arrive fifteen minutes early for a meeting or an appointment. Many former Green Bay players and coaching assistants claim that “Lombardi Time” taught them discipline and helped them to appreciate how the value of time. As a subtle nod to Lombardi’s expectations, the Packers organization honored their legendary coach and paid tribute to “Lombardi Time” by setting their clock outside of Lambeau Field fifteen minutes early.

Cadence be it with prayer, exercising, our work routine –can build discipline and sets the pace for life.  Consistency is the quality of being logical, consistent, and sound; there is unity, and clarity between the vision and mission, roles and goals, priority and a plan, and desires and discipline. It is a unified whole. Being dependable means putting work in every day. Rome wasn’t built in a day, but they laid bricks every hour.

Patience and discipline are required virtues to grow something great. Ignoring any of the minor details till the due date, then expecting to collect a reward, is foolish. An unexamined or unmaintained field soon becomes unusable due to weeds.
Small undisciplined decisions rarely destroy us overnight. They slowly drift us off course. Direction not intention determines destination; discipline not desire determines destiny.

Aesop’s fable of the ant versus the grasshopper is centered on discipline. The ant is symbolic of discipline. Diligent in its approach to life – storing food for winter, working as part of a colony and supporting others. While the grasshopper is carefree and overly individualistic, lacking in discipline.

Note that being obedient is not the same as being disciplined. Obedience is following the rules, meeting deadlines and checking the boxes that we did what we were supposed to do (being competent). Discipline is more than following rules, it is about doing the right thing (there is no rule that says if we used the last of the toilet paper, put on a new roll), about living a code of accountability to exceed expectations and being “excellent”.

Modeling a disciplined life is far more effective than correcting disobedience. Honoring our word each and every day is discipline mentoring in its simplest form. Any individual can dole out the punishment form of discipline, especially from a ‘leadership’ position. However true leaders strive to provide understanding and to actively help deal with the larger issue that resulted in the mistake. 

John Wooden said that ‘effective discipline’ has two elements: it does not antagonize and it does influence. It is very difficult to antagonize and influence or teach at the same time.

‘Making a difference’ is a continual long-term disciplined effort that requires work and sacrifice; ‘making a scene’ is easy and convenient. I did a blog on how today too many people are concerned with making a scene and not focused on making a difference. Society often lacks the resolve and patience to follow up with consistent disciplined action, because it is hard and takes time.

The words ‘discipline’ and ‘disciple’ share the same Latin root word for ‘pupil’. The concept is that we surrender ourselves to something or someone, similar to an athlete surrendering his will to a coach or a student to her teacher. As disciples our surrender is to God and His wisdom. Every disciple of Christ must practice discipline as we “train ourselves to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7). 

Proverbs of Solomon is written for us to gain discipline for wise conflict management “for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair” (Prov. 1:2-3). Solomon also said that we should love discipline “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” (Prov. 12:1).

Also referencing back to Aesop and the Ant, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.” (Prov. 6:6-8). 

Spiritual growth knows no shortcuts; it too requires effort and hard work. No quick fixes or hacks will allow us to skip the difficult steps.  At the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:24-27), Jesus contrasts the lives of those who exercise discipline and expend spiritual energy to grow in faith to those taking the easier way. Busting up rock and digging a deep foundation to build a house on solid rock is hard work. Building a house on sand is a spiritual hack doomed to fail.
St. Augustine preached that availing ourselves of the disciplines and rituals of the Church are channels for receiving God’s grace, they are not avenues of performing for God.

Whether cheating on an exam, at work, or on in life, we are not just cheating ourselves out of being more educated, more trusted; we are missing out on God's blessing. Diligent preparation and practice reduce the temptation to cheat. The risk in cheating can range from a failed exam, a speeding ticket, to the destruction of a marriage. Living a life that honors God requires hard work and discipline; but the reward of God's inheritance is immeasurable.

In 2 Timothy 2, St. Paul’s reminds Timothy of soldiers, athletes, and farmers having incredible discipline and hard work to stay the course and produce an outcome. The soldier working within the boundaries of the hierarchy of command to win a battle; the athlete adhering to the rules of the game to win a race; the farmer working the soil, planting, and reaping a harvest. In each of these, quitting is not an option.

Nobody applauds discipline in the moment. Yet everybody wants the harvest. Few people love the daily plowing, weeding, and watering. Discipline is ordinary faithfulness repeated long enough. Nobody accidentally becomes strong—physically, mentally, relationally, or spiritually.

Discipline is not what life does to us. It is what God is trying to do for us.

“With the help of thy grace” – we say it often or at least we should as it is in the Act of Contrition. "I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin." Interestingly, the phrase “firmly resolve” means having a strong, unwavering determination, commitment, or fixed purpose to do something. It indicates a person has made a firm, final decision and is committed to acting on it, often despite obstacles, doubts, or difficulties. Yet the prayer adds – “with the help of Thy grace.” Despite us making a firm and final commitment to act even in the presence of obstacles, doubts, or difficulties – we need God's assistance.

We always have at the “ready” God's assistance to avoid temptation, to prevent missteps, to overcome sins. Yet too often we choose to rely solely on personal willpower. Most of us, especially men, go through life like everything depends on us. We act like God’s up there watching while we hustle down here. However, our job isn’t to be the source of strength. It’s to be a conduit. A channel. A servant. Our strength is borrowed. Stop asking, “What can I do for God?” and start asking, “What is God doing in me and through me right now?” What am I allowing him to do? And “Where am I taking control?” In a world where we are told to “make our mark,” we need to flip the script. We are not self-made. We are not the source. However, we fear that dependence is weakness. But with God, dependence is the gateway to power. Real power. Power not fueled by ego or performance—but by love. This demands trust, Surrender. We are not removing effort—we are redefining where the power comes from. 

Christ’s yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30) but the way is hard (Matthew 7:14). Are these contradictory metaphors from the book of Matthew? No. We are carrying light burdens on a hard path. Why? We are yoked directly alongside Jesus. It is a shared burden where Jesus carries the heavy load along the hard path.

Paraclete – Para – along side (where we get the word parallel) and clete – “called” – the Greek meaning is “summoned, called to one’s side.” Paraclete is also a legal term and in effect means someone called alongside to help, defend, or console. The original meaning is more akin to a legal counselor, especially in the context of enduring trials. We can think about it like a divine defense attorney. The Holy Spirit is on our side, not to convict us (that’s the role of the accuser), but always to help us recall who we are. And to help us walk in the reality of who we are. The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, brings and activates God's grace in our lives. Grace is God's unmerited favor and enabling power, the Holy Spirit is the divine agent who delivers that power, enabling us to do what we cannot achieve on our own.

When we say “Let God do the Heavy lifting” it isn’t necessarily defined or limited to a major incident. It doesn’t have to be an immediate or instantaneous life-changing event. A subtle allowance to let God do the lifting, even in the smallest of ways, can set us on a new course/path. Ever so slightly we amend our path and that creates a new destination.

Consider traveling a due east path around the world that leaves from New York City. Staying on this path, without deviation, will result in a return to New York City. However, if we adjust this path just one degree, we end up Montreal Canada – a different city, even a different country. The slightest change creates a new destination.

Sometimes we grasp, grab, and hold on for dear life. Especially in moments of fear. However, His hands are infinitely bigger and stronger. Let Him hold us. St. Paul’s notes his reliance on God to provide in Philippians 4:13, “I have the strength for everything through HIM who empowers me.” We can do whatever He is calling us to if we walk with Him and rely on His strength, wisdom, and love to see us through. God wants to work with us. He wants to walk with us. He wants to carry the load. So why do we go solo and do it alone?

We often start a project or a journey based on a calling. Then we get so caught up in the doing and literally take control to do it all on our own. We let the excitement of what God is doing envelop and carry us, that we don’t continue to reflect, pray, or discern with God about His direction. God led us to it and then we decided somewhere along the way to do it ourselves. We end up overwhelmed, consumed, maybe even confused or frustrated because things aren’t working. We need to pause and give it back to Him and ask for His direction. Allow Him to lift that weight from us.

So how do we improve ourselves in this area and rely on God’s grace to lift us? Prayer – prayer and discernment make it present/top of mind. 

St. Francis de Sales employed a simple three-step method for a "Direction of Intention" prayer, designed to sanctify the day by beginning tasks with – Ask, Offer, Accept -  1) Ask: Before beginning any task, Ask for God's grace to be present and to perform the action for His love, 2) Offer: Offer all our actions, both interior and exterior, to God, along with our heart. Give Him the honor/glory, and 3) Accept: Accept whatever outcomes, challenges, or sacrifices result from that time in advance – thy will be done. I have used this methodology in my life before business meetings and presentations, before critical conversations, before a Coach Mahr talk – and found great peace in it. 

Choice & Intentionality – not that we choose against the use of God’s grace, we simply do not choose for it. Personal responsibility and the idea that inaction is still a deliberate, consequential decision. If we do not choose, we have ultimately chosen to let the situation be decided by other factors. Be intentional and choose to ask for God’s grace.

And if we want to be more attuned to God’s grace, we should strive to emulate Him by exhibiting grace with others – our family, friends, co-workers, and our neighbor. “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

We still row the boat… but we stop pretending we can control the current. We have to do more than ask God to do the heavy lifting, we have to let Him. In the words of St. Bede - “open our sails let God steer us where He will.”

“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?” What if the very things that irritate us. The moments that frustrate us. The friction we feel. The disappointments we didn’t see coming. What if those are the exact tools God is using to refine us?

We live in a culture that avoids discomfort at all costs. We numb it. We cancel it. We run from it. But Scripture tells us something radically different. “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” So maybe the question isn’t:“Why is this happening to me?” Maybe the better question is:“What is this doing in me?”

A mirror that is never rubbed becomes distorted. Gold that never enters fire remains impure. A pearl exists only because of irritation. And yet — we’ve built a culture allergic to failure. We lower standards. Give trophies for participation. Remove suffering from the developmental process. Somewhere along the way, “trying” became and acceptable replacement for doing.

Failure is not our enemy. Disappointment is not our ending. They are data points. We don’t grow without resistance. Why? Because suffering, correction, and failure are teachers. God wastes nothing. Not our failures. Not our wounds. Not our disappointments. Not even our scars. The rub is refining us.The fire is shaping us.The disappointment is revealing our heart. God doesn’t always rescue us from affliction — sometimes He saves us through it. 

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples — with scars. God raised Him from the dead… but He left the scars. Why? Scars are evidence. That we were wounded. That we healed. That we grew. Scars tell the story of redemption. They prove healing happened. They remind us of the price paid. Our scars matter — not because of the wound, but because of the healing.

There is the adage that if a poisonous snake bites us, would we chase the snake or address the wound? The correct answer is to address the wound. We need to remove the source of the wound if it is still present, we need to clean and disinfect the wound site to prevent contamination. Today, too many of us want to chase the snake. 

We may not control what happens to us. But we can choose not to be reduced by it. We are going to be rubbed.We are going to be tested. We are going to be disappointed.That’s not the exception. That’s the process. So don’t waste the rub.
Let it polish us. Let it refine us. Let it redeem us. Because God is not done with our story yet. God is refining our character. Strengthening our faith. Preparing us for something greater. Ask ourselves a better question.“What is God trying to produce in me through this?”

Imagine sitting in a concert hall. The musicians are all there - talented, trained, accomplished. The violinists are ready. The brass section is polished. The percussionists are dialed in. But there’s no shared direction. Everyone starts playing their own piece. Individually, it might sound impressive. But together? It’s just noise. Now imagine the same group, same people, same instruments, but this time they are aligned. Operating off the same sheet of music. One direction. That’s the difference unity makes. Here’s the question: Are we playing our own songs… or are we part of something greater?

Unity sounds great in theory—but in practice, it’s hard. Really hard to bring people together. Because the default setting of the human heart leans inward. We protect our turf. We defend our position. We have our ego. We prioritize our agenda. We form inner circles. We build our own power base. And if we are not careful, before long, we’re not building something together, we’re protecting something individually.

There are hundreds of potential negative forces and factors that can sabotage unity and it only takes a few to accomplish the disruption. We see it everywhere. In marriages where “me” creeps ahead of “we.” In teams where cliques quietly divide the locker room. In companies where departments compete instead of collaborate. In churches where disagreement replaces compassion. In a nation where extremes pull harder and the middle sags.

And there’s another danger that arises - when we start thinking unity requires sameness. But it doesn’t. Unity is not uniformity. Nor does it require assimilation. It’s harmony. Unity is not about losing who we are. It’s about aligning who we are with something greater.

Think about marriage. Not two people disappearing. But two people become one in purpose. Or think about a football team. Different positions. Different skill sets. Different personalities. But one heartbeat. One Heartbeat is more than just a motto. To have one heartbeat, there must be a higher calling than being just a team.  Higher calling requires respect, compassion, brotherly love.  For a unified company there needs to be a strong corporate culture, a culture based on more than stated values and mission statements. It’s essential that all members of a team or company are moving with a shared vision, focus, purpose and direction. When it works, it’s powerful. No hidden agendas. No divided loyalty. Just a shared mission.

There is a need for diversity in unity.  The human body is the perfect model. Different parts. Different functions. All essential. Unity isn’t weakened by diversity—it’s strengthened by it. Diverse perspectives allow people to learn from each other, to understand each other, be corrected by each other, and form a community to live in peace with each other. Being “additive” does not destroy objects in the current blend, nor does it destroy that which is being combined.  Variety gives richness to our existence. We integrate the best of what each has to offer.

“We the people” are the ones striving for a more perfect union. The well-being of a community, a nation, a society is a result of the choices and actions of mankind working together.

Are we living life as a follower… or as a participant? There’s a difference. To follow means to come behind, accept direction, comply with what someone else sets in motion. To join means something deeper. To connect. To unite. To become part of the mission.

I was reminded of that distinction years ago when I heard Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly speak at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes dinner. During his talk he shared his faith journey and the loss of his son Hunter. It was raw, powerful, and deeply personal speech.

But the line that stuck with me most was when he said: “Don’t ask people just to follow. Ask them to join.” Jim Kelly explained that people often told him to follow Christ, but he already believed. The real shift came when he understood the invitation wasn’t simply to follow from a distance — it was to join Christ more deeply, to enter into relationship, commitment, and mission.

Our problem is that much of modern life encourages us to be spectators. Think about social media. We literally “follow” people — celebrities, influencers, strangers we’ve never met.

But as the great baseball player Jackie Robinson once said: “Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life.”

Following can easily become passive. I’ve seen this “passive following” with the high school football players I coached. A player can walk into the weight room, look at the workout written on the board, check the box, and say, “I followed the plan.” But only going through the motions doesn’t necessarily make one stronger and it certainly doesn’t make one a better teammate. I want the player who shows up and joins the workout mentally and physically. He pushes, focuses, engages with his teammates — and he improves. Same activity. Two completely different mindsets.

Scripture challenges us to move beyond passive following. One example appears in Mark 10:17–22, the story of the Rich Young Ruler. This man had faithfully kept the commandments. In many ways he was a model believer — someone who followed the rules. But when Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and join the mission, the man walked away grieving. 

Another example appears in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Romans 15:30, St. Paul writes: “Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” Notice the language. Not “watch me.” Not “follow from afar.” “Join me.” Paul understood that real faith is participatory. It’s relational. It’s shared struggle and shared purpose.

Even the disciples eventually moved from followers to something more. The word disciple means learner or follower. But after Jesus’ resurrection they became apostles — which means “one who is sent.” Followers learn. Joiners go forth.

There’s a phrase from my alma mater, Lafayette College: Cur Non. It’s Latin for “Why not?” The phrase comes from Marquis de Lafayette, the French nobleman who defied his king, bought his own ship, and crossed the Atlantic to join the American cause for freedom. He didn’t sit in France following the news and cheering from the sidelines. He joined the fight. Cur Non.

In Luke 5, when Jesus calls Simon Peter, Peter experiences the miraculous catch of fish and suddenly realizes who Jesus truly is. In that moment he stops seeing Jesus merely as a teacher. He calls Him Lord. Peter didn’t stay in the boat as an observer. He joined the mission.

Leadership expert John Maxwell uses a powerful analogy. A travel agent sells the trip. A tour guide goes on the journey with us. A travel agent points the way. A tour guide joins us along the path. Jesus is the ultimate tour guide. And the invitation of the Gospel isn’t just: “Follow from a distance.” It’s: “Come with Me.”

What if the thing holding us back in life isn’t that we’re moving too slowly—but that our steps are too big?

Most of us feel pressure to cover ground; Fix it fast, Get there now, Make decisions quickly, Move on to what’s next. But what if speed isn’t the issue at all?

Years ago, my wife and I followed through on something we’d talked about for over twenty years—taking dance lessons. I instinctively felt the need to move around the dance floor and cover ground. The problem was my wife couldn’t match those steps and follow my lead.  All I kept hearing from the instructor was: “Take smaller steps.” The smaller the steps, the smoother the dance became.

Then I began to realized—this wasn’t just about dancing. That phrase kept showing up everywhere. I saw it the very next weekend doing acre’s worth of springtime edging, weeding, transplanting and mowing.  As I started early and at a feverish pace to get it all done in one weekend, my wife looked at me and said, “take smaller steps”.  She knew that at my desired pace I would be wiped out in six hours and need three days to recover; where with a “smaller steps” attitude I would cover more ground (pun intended). Big steps burn us out before the job is done.

When I was a defensive back coach in football and taught backpedaling, I stress smaller, quicker steps.  It keeps the player’s feet underneath them allowing the player to react quicker to changes in the receiver’s route as well as tackle better. On rainy days, it helps prevent a player from slipping. Smaller Steps – Feet underneath us – adapt to changing conditions. So, it is not about the pace of change or movement, but the size of each piece of change or movement. Think about it, smaller steps give us more balance and control. We are less likely to get out of whack.

When we take big steps, we overcommit, miss details, lose balance, get Blindsided by life’s uncontrollable events, Struggle to recover from mistakes.

The solution isn’t to slow life down completely. A former boss once told me, “Go slow to go fast” – strategic speed as opposed to operational speed. This thought process ties into form over speed. I learned that hiking the Appalachian Trail with my daughter Beth in Maryland. We came upon a hard rock scramble—gray area between hiking and rock climbing. She coached me with three words: “Form over speed.” With a weighted pack, one rushed move could mean a fall and pain. I needed to be taking smaller steps and be more aware of my form – strategic speed not operational speed.

Taking Smaller steps means paying attention to the little things. Little things can make a significant difference. We often have more input and choice over how we handle the small things in life. Throw a tiny pebble into a pond and the entire pond surface will have ripples of waves across it. A horse with a bit can plow a field; a ship with a rudder can sail across an ocean; a person with an empathetic tongue can share kindness, compassion and love.

It is important to appreciate life’s little things- a smile, a hug, a song bird chirping, the sunrise or sunset. It is also important to do the little things- say hello to someone we pass in the office or on campus; hold the door open for a person walking in behind us; a compliment for no reason. 

People like to define moments in faith with big leaps, movements or stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Maybe for some of us it is as simple as staying in the moment right where we are. We typically don’t hear people say, “Hunker down and see what God has in store for us.” However, God has begun a great work in us, right where we were; we just don’t recognize it.

Small steps aren’t weak steps. They are disciplined, intentional, faithful steps. They create roots. Take smaller steps. Build deeper roots. Trust that God handles the distance. Rejoice and Godspeed.