A Basket of Redeemables

When Hillary Clinton said that half of Donald Trump's supporters could be put in "a basket of deplorables," the backlash was immediate. After all, making broad generalizations about people is frowned upon in politically correct circles. Her comment was described as disgraceful and impolitic by some, while many of Trump’s supporters enthusiastically embraced the label. Others think Clinton was far too charitable to limit the deplorable description to only half of Trump’s supporters. 

Calling Out Deplorable Behavior

The meaning of the word deplorable is “deserving strong condemnation.” Dishonesty, slander, greed, cheating, sexual abuse and adultery are deplorable behaviors that deserve to be condemned. Racism, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, and other forms of hatefulness are disgraceful mindsets that should be condemned. 

I admit that I have placed Trump’s most avid supporters in my own “deplorable” basket. I can't help but question how people can condone the unethical and amoral behavior of a man who has taken advantage of so many people in his business life, a man motivated by anger, a man with no discernible conscience. I can't help but wonder if there are any moral lines Trump supporters won't cross. If not racism, if not sexism, what?

When confronted with Trump's deplorable behavior, his supporters attempt to avoid accountability or to deflect attention away from his rottenness by pointing fingers at others. But no matter how anyone else behaves, we are all individually accountable for every damaging word we say.

Trump’s guiding compass is not morality but his ego; it leads him to boast about how great he thinks he is, how rich he is, and about how large his crowds are as if fame and money are how you measure a person's value. His massive ego leads him to strike out in anger at anyone who disagrees with him. He measures his worth as a human being in external, material terms – winning, winning, winning - not based on internal measures of character.

Trump has said that he doesn't believe he needs to repent for wrongdoing. In an interview with a biographer, he revealed that he doesn't like to analyze himself "because I might not like what I see." But the only way to become a better human being is to look at yourself honestly, to practice introspection even when you don't like what you see. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. – Psalm 139:24

People who do evil hate the light; they don't want their deeds to be exposed. (Even when they are on tape!) But God sees every hidden thought. And there is no doubt in my mind that God is not pleased with Donald Trump.

Testing and Approving God's Will

Dr. Ben Carson is a respected man of faith. When I listened to him on Morning Joe recently, I was struck by how eager he is to put concerns of this world before the will of God. God’s will is that we love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and spirit and that we love one another as we love ourselves. 

Carson attempted to turn the discussion on Morning Joe away from the allegations women have made about Trump’s deplorable, predatory behavior. Carson suggested that we should not discuss Trump’s immoral behavior but should keep our “eye on the ball.” He said we should deal with the fiscal “train going off the cliff” and not pay attention to allegations of immorality. But money and power are risky distractions for a Christian. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36).

  

Carson said he would love it if we would have a discussion of Judeo-Christian values but not now, not during the campaign, not while we have huge deficits. Carson appears to be far more concerned with government regulations and fiscal matters than with matters of human decency and morality. He may have his eyes on a financial ball but he does not have his eyes on God.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Romans 12:2)

Ben Carson is just one of many examples of religious figures who have publicly supported and defended a man whose behavior is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God's people have a moral responsibility to denounce deplorable behavior and to uplift and promote behavior that is pleasing to God: to love one another as he commanded us. That means loving people regardless of national origin, gender, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, etc.

Shining Light on the Darkness

As disturbing as this presidential campaign has been, in some ways, it has done this nation a huge favor. It has shown how easy it is for a narcissistic con man to lead this country down a dark path of prejudice and self-interest. It has revealed the truth about the darkness of American hearts. It has shown that we have lost our sense of propriety and decency.

I grieve the loss of kindness, goodness, peacefulness, and equality. But as much as it grieves me to see a large percentage of this country willfully walking in the darkness of a demagogue's shadow, I am grateful that I have seen so many people stand up and say that what we are seeing and hearing from the lips of this man is wrong. This is deplorable. This is not the kind of people we were meant to be.

Men of faith have said Thank You, Donald Trump for revealing the hatefulness and intolerance people have kept hidden in their hearts until now. Trump’s supporters now feel free to express their prejudices so we can see them for who they really are. Those of us who reject his degrading, disparaging, self-serving message can see how much work we need to do to defend the inherent worth of all people.

Women have said Thank You, Donald Trump for exposing misogyny. His behavior towards women strengthens feminism by reminding us of how amazing and capable we are and reminding us that we do not deserve to be objectified by anyone. After hearing Donald Trump brag about assaulting women, women found the courage to speak out about sexual assault and about language that degrades women. Men have joined in to condemn the wrongness of so-called “locker room talk.”

Latinos have said Thank You, Donald Trump for reminding us of our history of immigration. By impugning the character of all Mexican immigrants and threatening to deport millions of people, including children who are here through no fault of their own, he has motivated them to vote in even larger numbers.

African-Americans have said Thank You, Donald Trump for making it “impossible to ignore racism.” I listened to Donald Trump spread lies about the first black president’s birthplace for years, then when pushed to admit he was wrong, shamelessly blame the Clinton campaign for his racism. The fact that he got away with race baiting for so long emboldens the racist alternative right. But those of us who believe in equality are thankful that racism has been exposed for the deplorable sin that it is. This is still not a nation where people are judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin.

The popularity of Donald Trump and his self-centered, mean, insulting rhetoric has revealed how much work we have to do to redeem the character of our nation. I never realized how lacking in character we are until I heard Donald Trump speak and listened to people praise him for giving voice to the dark thoughts in their hearts and minds. 

A Basket of Redeemables

The truth is, we are all deplorable. We all deserve to be condemned for our unloving ways. But the good news is Jesus came into the world not to condemn it but so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He is able to save us from spiritual bankruptcy and to transform us into better human beings.

While I look at a fractured country and see a hopeless mess, God sees broken souls in need of healing. Where I see behavior and beliefs that are contemptible, God sees beloved children who have gone astray. Where I see a wicked basket of deplorables, Jesus Christ sees a basket of redeemables. 

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to  ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. - Titus 2:11-14

My prayer today is that no matter what happens in this election, God will shine his light on the darkness. I pray that we will have the courage to look at ourselves honestly, even if we don't like what we see. I pray that Jesus Christ will transform our hearts and minds.

Taking a Leap of Faith

I have been struggling with unhappiness with my job for a few years. Months go by with me passively looking for a different job, being picky because I am not really enthused at the thought of another corporate accounting job. When I get really frustrated, I start looking more earnestly for awhile, then fall back into complacency. In one year, I have only gone on a few interviews because I am just too stressed out and tired of sitting in front of a computer all day to take the time to fill out an application or prepare a cover letter. 

On many days, when I have felt especially stressed and trapped, I have cried and begged God to get me out of here. So many nights when I have struggled to get back to sleep after waking and worrying about the coming day, I have prayed that God would lead me to where he wants me to be. In the middle of the night, I have been comforted by songs that remind me that God is with me through this struggle, songs like the King and Country song "Shoulders."

When confusion's my companion
And despair holds me for ransom
I will feel no fear
I know that You are near
When I'm caught deep in the valley
With chaos for my company
I'll find my comfort here
'Cause I know that You are near
My help comes from You
You're right here, pulling me through
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders

One of my pleasant distractions from my job has been writing. I don't do enough of it. Writing has revealed a side of me that I have never shown the world before. I dream of a different life, a life of quiet solitude, sitting at my desk writing and using my mind to contemplate spiritual matters like prayer, faith, grace and fruits of the spirit. My dream is not chasing corporate profits, being pulled in too many directions, feeling like I'm nothing but a body valued only for my ability to complete a list of tasks. 

I have wondered as I have grown spiritually through writing whether God could use this side of me, the part that wants to transcend the meaningless pursuits of this life. I have felt God at work in my writing. No matter what I struggle with, God's presence shines through. Could God be calling me to write? He might be. I wish he would make his intentions more clear. I know I can't expect to hear his voice audibly. I can't expect him to draw a picture on the wall. I can only expect God to give me a gentle nudge in the right direction. I am feeling a nudge that won't go away no matter how distracted I am by other things, no matter what excuses I make that I am not good enough.

One of my problems is that I have always been a do-it-yourself-er. I am independent. In some respects, I am a follower but I am most definitely one who makes her own way. I want to solve my own problems, to carry my own weight. It is not easy for me to yield my will to someone else, especially if I am not told explicitly what that plan is. 

One of my other issues is being so darn practical. I can't seem to escape the part of me that wants to bet on sure things. Relying on the way I have always made my living is relatively safe and secure. I am not much of a risk taker.

So I find my desire for safety and security at war with my desire to do something more meaningful, something that fulfills and motivates me. I have battled to make the right decision even though my job has left me feeling trapped and unfulfilled. Sometimes it feels like the joy is literally being sucked out of my life.

When it dawned on me a few weeks ago how much of my life I have wasted being unhappy with my job, I became depressed. I prayed for courage. In my mind and heart, I knew what I needed to do but it was not an easy decision. I realized I need to stop making excuses. I have to stop worrying about letting other people down. I realized that if I am to have no regrets, I need to give myself a chance to achieve my dreams. I need to trust God fully.

I prepared for my work week by searching for inspiring quotes to place on my cubicle wall, images about taking a leap of faith. One of them said, "take a leap of faith, change your life." Another said, "sometimes your only available form of transportation is a leap of faith." I also printed out a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. who said, "Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase." 

Early that week, my boss called me and asked how I felt about having yet another change in my job responsibilities. It would mean changing my role on a big project and throwing me back into a project I was pulled off of just a few months ago. It would mean shifting work from a consultant who had been helping with that project.

I prayed that God would let me know clearly if it was time for me to leave. How about giving me a clue in my dreams, God? I went to bed and the next morning arose disappointed that there was no sign that I should stay or go. I got in the car for my drive to work. An upbeat song from Matthew West started playing, Day One. The lyrics say "I wish I wasn't wishing anymore. Wish I could remember that nobody's keeping score. I'm tired of throwing pennies in a well. I gotta do something. Here goes nothin'. It's day one of the rest of my life. It's day one of the best of my life." 

When I got to work, a coworker called me up to tell me he had given his notice. I thought to myself, I can do this too. I have to stop worrying about my job responsibilities and do what is right for me. I kept this thought at the back of my mind all day working up my courage to quit. At the end of the day, I took the only available form of transportation. I called my boss and resigned.

I don't know what my future holds. God has not shown me the whole staircase. I trust that He will reveal his plan when I take that first step.

On the first day of my new life...

On the first day of my new life, I said goodbye to thee: a cubicle on floor three.

On the second day of my new life I said goodbye to these: two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the third day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: three fish pens, two wide screens, and a cubicle on floor three.

On the fourth day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the fifth day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: five sleepless nights, four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the sixth day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: six bosses controllin', five sleepless nights! Four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the seventh day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: seven PM’s a plannin', six bosses controllin', five sleepless nights! Four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the eighth day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: eight years of changing, seven PM’s a plannin', six bosses controllin', five sleepless nights! Four cups of joe,
Three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the ninth day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: nine fires a burning, eight years of changing, seven PM’s a plannin', six bosses controllin', five sleepless nights!
Four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the tenth day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: ten accountants counting, nine fires a burning, eight years of changing, seven PM’s a plannin', six bosses controllin', five sleepless nights! Four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the eleventh day of my new life I said goodbye to these: eleven reminders flashin', ten accountants counting, nine fires a burning, eight years of changing, seven PM’s a plannin', six bosses controllin', five sleepless nights! Four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

On the twelfth day of my new life, I said goodbye to these: twelve systems crashing, eleven reminders flashing, ten accountants counting, nine fires a burning, eight years of changing, seven PM’s a plannin', six bosses controllin', five sleepless nights! Four cups of joe, three fish pens, two wide screens and a cubicle on floor three.

Yearning to Be a Better Person

David Brooks said that he wrote The Road to Character to save his own soul. In looking at his own life, he realized he was too concerned with "resume virtues" and not enough with "eulogy virtues." In telling the stories of people like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Frances Perkins, he hoped to learn how they developed character after descending into "the valley of humility." The people he chose to write about were interesting, but they didn't inspire me that much, perhaps because we each have our own passions and our own heroes. I found myself more interested in the idea presented at the beginning of the book - that human beings have two selves - one motivated by ambition and one motivated to seek a higher, moral purpose. 

The Two Selves

In the introduction, Brooks explained an idea that he read about in The Lonely Man of Faith - that we each have two conflicting selves. The author of that book, Rabbi Joseph Soloveithchik, described two sides to our natures, which he named Adam I and Adam II. Adam I is the ambitious, achievement-oriented self. He seeks status and wants to be victorious. He follows a utilitarian logic, pursuing self-interest and the rewards we expect to get from our efforts. This self keeps busy building, creating, and producing. This self asks "what's in it for me?" Adam I nurtures himself my cultivating his strengths and fiercely guarding his self-interests.

In contrast, Adam II, is the moral-seeking self. This side of us is motivated by a desire to love others just as we love ourselves, to do good and to be good. He wants to honor creation and his own potential, which means yielding to a "transcendent truth" and sacrificing the desires of the self to a greater good. Adam II lives by a moral logic that is completely contrary to the Adam I way of thinking. He wants to produce good fruits like kindness, love, and mercy. To nurture himself, he must confront his weaknesses. To fulfill this self, he must forget his own wants and think about himself less. For Adam II, achieving humility is the greatest success; pride is his greatest failure. This self asks "what's the right thing to do?"

I see these two selves at work in me. I want to achieve my goals and have the things that make me happy. I pursue my own wants and interests. I see the world from my point of view. I think my own thoughts. I make my own choices about right and wrong because I have the will and the freedom to do so. But the other side of me recognizes that I don't live in isolation. I am not the center of the universe; there are other people on my planet. Other individuals have their own wants and interests, their own ways of thinking and seeing and their own free will to make choices.

It is in my best interest to live in harmony with other people even though their interests compete with my self interests and even when it is not easy for me to yield to the wants of others. So I find a calling in me to look to a higher moral code that is above my self-centered ways. It may be in my selfish interest to lie or cheat to achieve the desires of the Adam I in me. But the Adam II in me sees that these behaviors are not good. Adam II sees that the best moral choices are honesty, fairness, respect for others and what rightfully belongs to them, kindness, patience and self-control.

When we truly desire for Adam II to be the victor in the battle within the self, it is hard to understand why Adam I continues to exert so much power over him. The apostle Paul attempted to explain the struggle for power over the self (from Romans 7). I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Paul recognized the warring sides of his nature - the inner being that delights in God's law and the sinful nature that is always right there with him.

The Road to Character

I always liked the quote, life is a journey not a destination. It encourages me to savor my everyday experiences instead of worrying too much about where I'm going. It reminds me of the Harry Chapin song, Cat's in the Cradle. The father was so busy pursuing the goals of Adam I that he missed out on the important things until it was too late. But when it comes to character, it is worth stopping to think about where you're going and how you're going to get there.


A road to character is a great metaphor for the process of developing character. It makes me think about bumps and potholes. Life can throw a lot of those your way and if you're not careful, they can do some damage - damage that points out the need for repairs. On mountain roads, you have to drive slowly because of sharp turns, steep grades, and blinds spots. Other times life goes so smoothly, you can drive on autopilot or maybe take the slower, scenic route. But on the road, you must be prepared for unexpected detours and changes in weather. Nothing focuses you like driving in a blizzard.

Then there's the issue of getting lost if you don't know where you're going. My pastor asked us the other day if we have ever gotten lost while driving and if we had, if we knew why we had gotten lost. He showed us the results of a survey that showed that 45% or so of people said they got lost because of bad directions. Almost the same percentage got lost because they missed a road sign. I've gotten lost for both reasons and I've gotten lost because I thought I didn't need directions! I foolishly thought I could figure it once I got there. I found that I had to stop and get my bearings and get the directions I needed to continue on my way.

On the website for The Road to Character, Brooks wrote that he wants to have the "moral adventures" that lead to being a better person. Now, I wouldn't call the situations that lead to character "adventures." An adventure sounds like something fun and exciting. I would call the situations that develop character a refining fire that takes rough, impure material and turns it into something precious and beautiful.

Sometimes character develops from adversity, suffering or struggling through something difficult. In retrospect, you can see the benefits of the struggle, just as I learned to be a better driver by driving in less than ideal conditions. Romans 5:3-4 says "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."

Growing up poor made me a stronger person. My ambitious Adam I self became determined to overcome and succeed. I learned the value of self-sacrifice and self-discipline. The Adam II side of me learned to not think too highly of myself and to have empathy for others. Most importantly, adversity taught me that I am not defined by external signs of success - what I have or what I accomplish - but by who I am on the inside.

Adversity may lead to character but how we respond to challenges reveal our true character at that point in time. For example, I sometimes respond to frustrations at work with a lack of patience and a desire to vent my anger. But acknowledging and confronting this weakness in me leads me to think about how I might practice better self-control the next time the network crashes on me or someone derails my work plans.

Shifting the Conversation

Besides hoping to become a deeper better person himself, Brooks said that he wrote The Road to Character because he wants to shift our conversation away from the cultural focus on external success. The hope is that we will relearn the vocabulary that past generations used to describe virtues and that we would focus more on "the internal confrontation with weakness that produces good character." I agree. Many people don't spend much time nurturing their moral side, confronting the weaknesses of their characters. But facing up to our weaknesses, though painful, produces moral growth - just as pruning a branch produces healthy new growth.

Indirectly at least, we are starting to have this conversation whether we want to or not. We're talking about the dishonesty of political candidates. We're using words that were not part of our vernacular before - xenophobia, narcissism, misogyny. We're seeing an example of Adam I at his worst - pursuing selfish ambition, bragging about wealth and achievements while ignoring or denying weaknesses of character. Today, we're facing cultural struggles that reveal the moral weaknesses of that culture.

Let's talk about the kind of people we should yearn to be. Let's talk about the seven virtues or the nine spiritual fruits - love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Let's talk about our weaknesses and how we can learn to be better people. For me, one of the best ways to confront my weaknesses is to confess them. At church, they give us a moment to silently confess our sins. I often find it is not enough time! I have many weaknesses to confess - impatience, selfishness with my time, and even that old-fashioned word, sloth.

Confessions of a Salty Sweater

I love to run on trails. Trail running is not monotonous like running on the treadmill or out on neighborhood streets. I admire the wildflowers, listen to the sound of birds and squirrels, and feel connected to nature. I find the trails quiet and peaceful, unless I get stuck behind a bunch of non-stop talkers. But trail running on hills is hard, even with frequent walk breaks. It's rocky. It's harder to breathe. The heat makes the exertion even tougher. My spirit always feels refreshed after a run, but my body takes a pounding.

I confess that trail running in the heat makes me sweat - a lot. Although I sip water frequently from a CamelBak to hydrate and keep cool, when I exercise intensely in the sun, I sweat profusely. Underneath my CamelBak, the back of my shirt gets soaked with sweat. I put my hair in a ponytail to keep it off my neck but the hair gets as wet as if I had just showered. Sweating is my body's way of staying cool so I don't worry about how gross it is.

Not only do I sweat a lot, I am a salty sweater. After a hard run, I can feel the salt on my face, neck and shoulders - like a fine powder. According to Runner's World magazine, those of us "who drink more water and eat a fairly low-salt diet" tend to lose a lot of salt in our sweat. I do watch the amount of salt I eat. I tend to choose lower sodium alternatives when available. I have also noticed an increased sensitivity to the taste of sodium as I have gotten older.

Sometimes my muscles cramp after I trail run. After an intense trail run, I sometimes get cramps in my calves and feet; they usually hit me when I get home. I may drink some gatorade before I go to bed because I have learned to attribute the cramps to an electrolyte deficiency. The cramps from trail running are just like the charley horses I occasionally get while sleeping. When I get one at night, I immediately jump out of bed and stand up to release the cramp. 

I admit that sometimes I trip on the trails, probably because I don't pick up my feet enough. A couple of Saturdays ago, while coming down a rocky section of trail near the end of a run, I tripped on a rock. As a trail runner, I've tripped so many times, my body automatically puts on the brakes to keep me from falling. This time when my calf tightened up to catch me, I had the worst charley horse ever. I was unable to stand on my right foot for about thirty seconds because I couldn't get the cramping in my foot and calf to stop. I stood on my left foot crying out to my husband to help me; it hurt so bad. My calf muscle was sore for four days.

I don't want to carry Gatorade on the trail. Having such a bad cramp during a run indicates that I ought to be consuming something while I am still on the trail. The problem is I don't want to put Gatorade in my CamelBak because the sugar increases the growth of bacteria. I also don't like the aftertaste. I prefer to drink unflavored water. I decided to research electrolyte replacement to see if I could find something besides a sports drink to replace the electrolytes I lose through sweat.

The article, Electrolytes: Understanding Replacement Options, lists electrolytes with symptoms that might indicate a deficiency. It says that muscle cramps are a symptom of low sodium and low magnesium. The electrolytes lost in high concentrations in sweat are sodium and chloride, found in common table salt. The article mentions the myth that low potassium causes muscle cramps; the amount of potassium lost in sweat is low. But the article also cautions against focusing on only one or two electrolytes because "all electrolytes work together to maintain fluid balance in the body at rest and during physical activity."

I admit that water is my crutch. Water isn't just my preferred way to hydrate, I use it to cool myself off. I get hot quickly even when it is not that hot outside. I take water with me even when I run short distances. I have three CamelBaks of different sizes and a couple of other hydration carriers. It's possible that I drink more water than I need but I almost always have water left.

I confess, it did not occur to me that there might be a connection between salty sweat and muscle cramps until I started reading about electrolyte replacement after the agonizing charley horse. I always attributed my muscle cramps to the myth that low potassium causes cramps. I tend to think of electrolytes as one homogeneous thing and not as individual nutrients. According to an article on the Running Planet website, the average daily sodium intake is 8 to 12 grams but the saltiest sweaters lose that much sodium in one hour!

I admit to being confused by conflicting information. The more I read about the possible connection between muscle cramping and electrolytes, the more confused I get. Some say to consume extra salt if you're losing it through sweat. Some say to consume sports drinks or other electrolyte supplements if you lose a lot of sodium through sweat. Some say that supplements don't do any good. Just listen to your body and drink when you're thirsty. Some say that muscle cramps are caused by low levels of sodium. Others say that muscles cramp because they're tired.

Here's a sampling of what I read about salty sweat, muscle cramps and electrolytes:

• Consume a sports drink when running in warm weather. (Running Planet)
• Experiment with electrolyte supplements such as EnduroPacks or Nuun tablets. (Runners Connect)
• The electrolytes in sports drinks make little difference. (The Science of Sport)
• There is no direct evidence that electrolyte supplements will help you avoid muscle cramps. (Ben Greenfield Fitness)
• Consume salty foods or sodium rich sports drinks before, during and after exercise. (Active.com and Runners World)
• If you have salty sweat, drinking plain water will further dilute the sodium concentration in your blood. (Running Planet)
• If your sodium level drops, it is not because you are losing salt; it's because you are drinking too much. (The Science of Sport)
• Your body is designed perfectly to regulate its internal environment. (The Science of Sport)
• Sodium should be consumed with other electrolytes to maintain proper balance. (Runners Connect)
• You should consume enough sodium to replace what is lost through sweat. (Human Kinetics)
• Don't worry too much about what you drink. Listen to your body and drink to thirst. (The Science of Sport)
• Cramping is the body's way of letting you know the electrolyte tank is empty. (Runners Connect)
• Carbohydrate depletion also leads to muscle cramps. (Active.com)
• Muscle cramps are probably caused by premature muscle fatigue. (Ben Greenfield Fitness)
• Exercise-induced cramps occur in muscles that contract repetitively.
• Drink pickle juice to treat muscle cramps (Women's Running)
• Pickle juice doesn't help because of the salt. It tricks the brain. (Ben Greenfield Fitness) 

I am my own test subject. The article that was the most dismissive of using supplements was also the most scientific. Yet even with its experiments on the differences in sodium concentration after drinking water alone or after drinking a sports drink, it did not convince me that there are no benefits to replacing electrolytes lost through sweat. Especially if you know that you are a salty sweater.

I have gone on a few trail runs in the heat since the day my calf cramped so badly. Now before I run, I drink about 12 ounces of Gatorade. Mid-run, I tried a sample Endurolytes capsule (Hammer Nutrition). I eat a small energy bar mid-run. I have not had muscle cramps again. Did the electrolyte supplements help or am I just getting acclimated to the heat? Or are my calf muscles getting stronger?

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Sources:

Are You a Salty Runner?
Are You a Salty Sweater? If you are, salt is your friend.
Salt and athletes: Shake it or leave it?
Sodium, Muscle Cramps and Sweat Loss: Tips for Sweaty Athletes
5 Scientific Ways to Stop Muscle Cramps (And what causes those annoying cramps in the first place).
Learn the connection between diet and muscle cramping (from Vegetarian Sports Nutrition)
5 Ways to End Muscle Cramps

Electrolytes for runners: The Definitive Guide

Sports drinks, sweat and electrolytes – part 1
Why Runners Should Drink Pickle Juice

Never a Resounding Gong or Clanging Cymbal

A few months ago, I wondered how it is possible that people who self-identify as Evangelical Christians could possibly support a presidential candidate who doesn't have a clue what Jesus would do. I concluded that most of them are not Christ's followers; they merely identify culturally with a Christian church denomination. But sadly, a man whose political message is completely contrary to Christ's command to love your neighbor as you love yourself has swayed some Christians.

One of the Bible passages I read when I considered this puzzling issue was John 10, about the Good Shepherd and His Sheep. Jesus said that his sheep listen to his voice; they follow him because they know his voice. A thief may sneak into the pen, but the sheep will not follow him. In fact, they will run away because they do not recognize the stranger's voice. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came so that we can have life and live it more abundantly.

In his beautiful and eloquent description of love in 1 Corinthians 13, Paul the apostle wrote, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." It doesn't matter how persuasively I speak, if I do not have love, I am nothing. 

The Discordant Sound of a Resounding Gong and Clanging Cymbal
In voting, I must often choose between the lesser of two evils. Many politicians are dishonest and self-serving and hold political views that I cannot align with my conscience. But the Resounding Gong has taken evil to a level we have not seen in decades. To the ears of Christ's sheep as well as to the ears of many who are not remotely religious, his words are disturbing and painful to hear.

Deception. PolitiFact, a fact-checking website, rated the Clanging Cymbal's statements for truthfulness. Based on their analysis, about 75% of the time, his statements are mostly or completely ("pants on fire") false. The Clanging Cymbal has been called a pathological or compulsive liar. Does he believe what he is saying? I don't think so. I think his lies are calculated to make himself look better than he his, to make other people look worse than they really are, and to manipulate his audience. I don't think he lies out of habit; I think he lies to get his own way. He has no conscience. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say, he lies like a sociopath?

Sociopaths are often charming and charismatic, but they use their talented social skills in manipulative and self-centered ways... 

Even without fact checking, it is easy to spot manipulation in the deceiver's speech. He frequently uses hyperbole, the language of exaggeration. The Clanging Cymbal calls this technique "truthful hyperbole" but this is an oxymoron. In the article Trump & Truthful Hyperbole, Mike LaBossiere writes that "hyperbole is by definition untrue" and it "lacks logical force." While hyperbole is not necessarily harmful, it can be, particularly when it is "mixed in with fabrication." The author illustrated this with the example of the fabricator claiming that "thousands and thousands" of Muslim residents celebrated the fall of the World Trade Center on 9/11.

It is sad that so many people are so easily deceived. I shake my head when I hear people say they like the sound of the Clanging Cymbal because he tells it like it is. Some even go so far as to call him honest. Yes, the manipulator expresses the truth about what his admirers are thinking and feeling. He exposes the anger and resentment in the hearts of those who are nostalgic for the way things used to be. But to call the great deceiver honest for exposing the ugly truth of the state of American hearts while ignoring his lies is selective hearing. 

Boastfulness.  Egotistical people have always turned me off so it is no surprise that I am repulsed by this braggart. A truly admirable person does not have to toot his or her own horn. But those who have excessive pride do not see themselves honestly in relationship to other people and to God. They give themselves too much credit for their achievements and do not admit their need for improvement. 

Here's what the Bible says about boasting (Jeremiah 9:23-24):

This is what the Lord says:

"Let not the wise boast of their wisdom

or the strong boast of their strength

or the rich boast of their riches,

but let the one who boasts boast about this:

that they have the understanding to know me,

that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,

justice and righteousness on earth,

for in these I delight,"

declares the Lord.

The real worth of a man is not determined by wealth or power or business success but by how he treats other people - with kindness, justice and mercy. A righteous man is good and decent, treating others the way he wants to be treated.

Self-worship.  The braggart has been called many things but narcissist is probably the most misunderstood. In Why Narcissism is a Profoundly Misunderstood Psychological Disorder, George Dvorsky writes that narcissism isn't just about having an out sized ego; it is "a serious psychological disorder" characterized by an excessive sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. The narcissist reacts to criticism with anger and by humiliating the critic. He takes advantage of other people and primarily pursues selfish goals. He exaggerates his achievements and talents. He needs constant attention. Sound familiar?

In The Mind of Donald Trump, Dan P. McAdams acknowledges that narcissists can be very charismatic and successful, possibly even good leaders. I am not so easily charmed and impressed. But for those who are easily persuaded to follow a narcissist, many will eventually get tired of the narcissist's self-centeredness.  McAdams says that, "When narcissists begin to disappoint those whom they once dazzled, their descent can be especially precipitous."

The personality of the narcissist who wants to be president is highly disagreeable. McAdams says that anger is at his emotional core. In fact, anger may be the operative emotion behind his low agreeableness. His anger is revealed in his lack of basic human decency and kindness and in the way he tears down anyone who does not mirror back to him his excessive love of self.

Mean-spiritedness: Name-calling, insulting, and bullying are the hallmark behaviors of the Clanging Cymbal. Anyone who challenges his sense of superiority, whether a political opponent, a reporter, or a member of a different religious or ethnic group, is ridiculed, denigrated, and disparaged. The cruel man demeans others in an attempt to elevate himself but instead shows how low, mean-spirited and emotionally bankrupt he is. His words reveal the ugliness of his heart. Just as a good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, an evil man brings out the bad things out of the evil in his heart. 

The wanna-be bully in chief clearly does not believe that all men are all created equal. He promotes ethnic bigotry and xenophobia with his slanderous comments about immigrants and his fear-mongering comments about Syrian refugees. He promotes religious bigotry with his prejudicial comments about Muslims and his dismissal of non-mainstream religions. He demonstrates a lack of respect for women by judging us based on physical appearance. This is not treating others the way you want to be treated, with dignity and without prejudice. His eagerness to build up of walls and shut out people who are not white Protestants is not being a good neighbor.

One of the central themes of Christ's gospel is loving your neighbor as yourself. I challenge anyone who harbors resentment of another race, religion, or ethic group to read The Parable of the Good Samaritan with fresh eyes. This is not just a story about helping a random stranger. The parable was Christ's answer to a man who asked, "who is my neighbor?" In those days, Samaritans and Jews despised each other. Yet the Samaritan put aside this cultural hatred and demonstrated love towards his fellowman. Today, the Good Samaritan might be called the Good Mexican or the Good Muslim.

The Sweet Sound of Love
Above the resounding gong of self-adulation and self-worship, I hear an infinitely higher and sweeter sound of love and mercy. The Lord commands: you shall have no other god before me. I hear Jesus say, love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. I am not looking for a mere human to solve the problems of this world. I am not looking for a savior. I already have one. 

Above the clanging cymbal of hatred, bigotry and divisiveness, I hear Jesus say, Love your neighbor as yourself. Love your enemies; anyone can love people who are like them. I hear the words of Paul explaining what love is. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

A Stressed Out Introvert

I used to have a job that was pretty routine and predictable. I liked knowing what to expect. Now I spend most of my time working on special projects. A few weeks ago, I was assigned to work on a project that has to be completed in a few months. Unfortunately, I have a lot of other competing priorities including work from my old job that was never transitioned to someone else. And because I have been with the company for eight years and so many people have left the company in that time, I frequently get pulled into something just because no one else knows anything about it.

My manager's boss initiated the new project. He has that pushy, abrasive East coast management style - where everything is urgent. He talks and talks, often repeating himself, and doesn't listen. Every time I have to work with him, I feel anxious and stressed.

I feel overwhelmed. I feel like everyone wants a piece of me. I feel like I am being pulled in too many directions at the same time. When there is too much going on, I can't think. Sometimes I just want to scream. It makes me angry. I have always watched my language, but when I am stressed out, I curse to myself or angrily write out nasty words on paper.

I think I understand my introverted self pretty well by now. I know that I am happiest working alone. I don't mind collaborating as long as I'm given the space to work things out on my own. I'll do my piece; you do yours. I am good at the kind of detailed work that requires focus and concentration, the kind of work that you can do alone. I don't like to be rushed. When I am rushed, I cannot think. I am not a person who excels in a fast-paced, hectic environment.

All of my colleagues work in other cities across the country. We have web meetings and conference calls. I can handle being in meetings an hour or two everyday, especially if I do not have to lead them. But lately it seems like meetings are taking up more and more of my working day and it is driving me nuts! When I have to sit through meeting after meeting, it drains my energy. Thoughts of the more productive things I should or could be doing distract me. And meetings that drag on past their allotted time frustrate me.

On one of my projects, my patience has been tested by an IT guy whose extroverted working style is a lot different from my independent style. I really like him but he will call me or invite me to a meeting to spend a half hour or hour going over his work step by step instead of just asking me specific questions. It is a waste of my time. I am having a similar issue with a person on the new project. A phone call that I think will only take a few minutes ends up taking more than an hour as he asks me question after question.

Why is my job stressing me so much? I think it is because, as an introvert, my brain is not wired to handle so much stimulation.

• I prefer to communicate in writing because it gives me the space to formulate my thoughts.
• I become exhausted from too much verbal communication, especially if it doesn't accomplish anything.
• I like to be prepared. I don't like to be put on the spot.
• I do not like to be rushed.
• I don't like to be interrupted.
• I need time alone to restore my energy. Without it, I get irritable and depressed.

The stress is impacting my ability to sleep and it has also kept me from exercising as consistently as I usually do. I usually get to sleep okay but I almost always wake up at 2 am or so needing to use the bathroom. Once I wake up, I can't get back to sleep easily because I think about all the things I need to do and I worry about how I'm going to get everything done.

Even worse, on days when my frustration builds up so much that I can't stand it anymore, when I am finally by myself and able to let my pent up emotions out, I have this awful impulse to take my anger out on myself. I want to hit myself. I didn't used to be this way. I don't want to punish myself. I don't want to hurt myself. I may be mad at myself for not being more in control, I suppose. I just feel so trapped and helpless. I have given into this urge a couple of times, and of course, it didn't make me feel better. My emotions have to be released somehow and this is not the right way.

Knowing how unhealthy this stress is, I tried to quit my job this week after a restless night. I worked up the courage to talk to my manager and to tell her that I was resigning. She promised to work on getting some work off my plate so I would have more time for the latest project. I have such a strong sense of responsibility that I couldn't say no to that. Besides, I have only been working for her a few months and she is a good boss. But I also know I have to do what is best for me, so if things don't improve soon, I will leave.

Someone on Facebook said that if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed and irritable, it is because you are spending too much time with concerns of this world and not enough time with God. I'm not sure how I feel about that statement. Isn't stress the body's natural response to being threatened in some way?

Somehow, I have lost my coping skills and need to find a better way of releasing my emotions appropriately. I can't continue to get so stressed out. I have gotten too close to my breaking point. Until I can leave my current situation, I need to find better coping strategies.

1. Set boundaries. That means leaving a meeting at its scheduled end time even if people want to let the meeting run over. Insist on a hard stop. Schedule blocks of time on my calendar to work on specific tasks and stick to it. (I have a tendency to put one thing off if something else comes up).
2. Give myself permission to opt out. I can change my status to Do Not Disturb in the instant messaging application if I need to focus for an hour or two. If I don't want to be disturbed, then I shouldn't answer the phone or respond immediately to emails. I don't have to accept every meeting invite.
3. Get in some extra quiet time when no one else is around, like early in the morning or on weekends.
4. Write it out. When I am at work and get overwhelmed, I can scream out my anger and frustration on paper. I give myself permission to curse!
5. Walk it out. Sitting too long isn't healthy anyway but I need to get up more often and just walk around the office.
6. Work it out. When too much is going on,  I tend to stay later than usual so I end up missing my end of day workout. I need to stick to my workout schedule even if I am in the middle of something. Whatever it is can wait until the next day.
7. Talk it out. I tend to keep my struggles to myself but friends at work have told me I can talk to them about it. They know what I'm going through. It helps.
8. Pray it out.  Praying reminds me that I am not alone, that I don't have to carry my burdens by myself. In one of those crazy, self-destructive moments, I stopped and prayed God, please help me. I immediately felt calmer.
9. Recite a verse. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). 
10. Repeat a calming mantra or the words to a favorite song. I can do this. I am doing the best I can. I am not alone. Just breathe.

I will get through this. When it starts to fall apart, in my heart, I hear You say, just breathe. Chaos calls, but all you really need is to just breathe.

💜 💜  💜 💜  💜 💜  

I’m hanging on tight to another wild day

When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear You say just

Breathe, just breathe

Come and rest at My feet

And be, just be

Chaos calls but all you really need

Is to just breathe

- Jonny Diaz

Happy Mother's Day in Heaven

Dear Mom,

Happy Mother's Day! I looked up "Mother's Day when your mother has died" to find out how other people survive this day without their mother. Someone suggested writing a letter. As you know, I wasn't very good about that. Although I don't think you'll read my letter in heaven and I don't even know if you can see me or hear me, writing is a good way for me to pour out my thoughts and feelings.  So here goes...

This isn't really a happy day for me now that you are gone, though I am happy that you are no longer suffering and are now with Jesus. I knew when you died that this day would be one of the hardest days of the year for me to get through. Honestly, even the anticipation of Mother's Day has been hard. Especially this year, because the loss is too fresh. I'm not used to the idea of you being gone.

After my mother-in-law died, eight years and four days before you, I bought her a Mother's Day card. It was my way of saying we still love you. The love of a child for a mother does not stop when she is gone. I bought a card for you on a quiet day when no one was around to see my tears as I read card after card before selecting the right one. The one I chose this year explains what makes a mother beautiful. It's her love for her family, her welcoming hugs, her pride in your accomplishments, her interest in your life, the emotional love and support that she provides over a lifetime. It's the memories that you hold close in your heart.

I always loved picking out a Mother's Day card for you. You kept the cards we gave you over the years so I know you treasured them. I do the same thing with birthday and anniversary cards. Cards express sentiments much better than I do. Here are some words from a card I sent you one year that explained why Mother's Day is so important.

Somehow we always say the least

to those we love the best

And hope our thoughts are understood,

although they're unexpressed -

That's why it means so very much,
when days like this are here,

To say how very much you're loved

each day throughout the year.

I don't have the poetic skills of a greeting card writer. But I don't have to be poetic to say the three simple but priceless words that aren't said often enough - I love you. That's "love" in the present tense. I will always love you and I know you're still with me in my cherished memories; you're just not physically present on this earth.

Mother's Day is important to me, even though you're no longer here, even though it is now a painful day, because you were important to me. I will miss not being able to see you smile, to hear you laugh that silent belly laugh that shook your body! I will miss the sound of your voice and the long phone calls - especially the long phone calls.

I am so grateful that you were my mother. You were always kind and understanding. You listened. You weren't judgmental or critical. I have never known a more generous person, especially one who had so little to give. You were always proud of my accomplishments.  I want to spend the rest of my life making you proud of who I am as a human being. That's the best way I can honor your memory until we're together again.

I am so grateful that you gave me such a beautiful family. Your greatest joy in life was being a mother. You often said how blessed you were to have such good kids. We were blessed to have such a loving, supportive mother. I see the lasting legacy of your love in your children and grandchildren. Your daughters and granddaughters are good mothers; your sons and grandsons are good fathers. Your children all get along and love each other.

This Mother's Day, I celebrate all of the mothers in our family for the joy and comfort they provide their children just like you did - Cindy, Amy, LouJuana, Annie, Robin, Jamie, Tish, Ashley and Justine. And all the mothers who have been welcomed into our family by marriage - Mary, Yumi, Ashley, Nicki and Maisie.

This Mother's Day, I will drink my morning coffee out of a cup you gave me because it reminds me of our visits. I will wear some of your jewelry, including the star sapphire ring that is always on my right hand. I will go to church and probably cry a few tears as mothers are celebrated. Later, I'll light a candle and look at some old photos. Maybe I'll watch the video of you singing Amazing Grace - how sweet the sound! Kent and I will have a quiet dinner at home. I will remember the last meal I had with you - the lunch that Jamie and Cindy picked up from Sonic, just a week before you died. When you finished your limeade, you put a slice of lime over your teeth and smiled, just like a kid. You made me laugh.

I cherish my happy memories knowing that Mother's Day is not a happy day for many people. Some, like me, mourn the loss of a mother or mother-in-law. Others mourn the loss of a child. Others grieve because they weren't able to conceive. It is a sad day for mothers who have been rejected by their children or separated from them by divorce. As I grieve my own loss, my thoughts and prayers are with them.

On March 26th, I became a member of the Motherless club - a club no one wants to join. Grief is the price we pay for loving our mothers so much. It didn't take me long to figure out that the members of this club support each other like no one else can because they share the same grief. Today, when people celebrate how special their mothers are, I give myself permission to cry as much as I need to. And I thank God that you are my mother.

Love you always,

Cathy

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤