Spirituality

Dirty Laundry

A few weeks ago my washing machine broke down. It took a week to get a repairman out to repair it. My laundry started piling up in a way I hadn’t seen since my college days!

Conflict happens in life. While it is encouraging that the divorce rate has lessened in recent years, it still hovers around 40% for first marriages. People who are divorcing are usually angry. Rather than processing their anger in the proper way, they bring it out in public. It’s not pretty.

Tabloids like the National Enquirer try to find ways to expose people at their worst. The Enquirer found a market for dirty laundry because the publication is 100 years old this year.

There are many things that should remain private. Embarrassing someone publicly might make you feel good, even victorious in the moment, but it’s more damaging to you than good.

Take the high road, not the low…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Measuring Up

God has a purpose for you to accomplish in this world. He has fully equipped you to do His will. But the question remains, will you accept the assignment?

Many people doubt they could ever be used by God. They feel like they don’t have their act together, aren’t educated enough or worthwhile. If you are in this group, I want you to know that it’s a lie. God never created anyone He couldn’t use. There is a great design at work we cannot understand. We don’t have to understand it. We just need to know we have a part in it.

In your heart, you know what I am saying is true. You have always known. Consider today’s message to be a reminder.

You don’t need to have everything figured out beforehand. Just begin. God will guide you and no earthly power can stop you…

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Spirituality

Was It Worth It?

During my life I have observed people who spent more time trying to build wealth than anything else. In a moment of confession, I have been guilty of doing the same. I’m one of the fortunate ones. Having children changed my perspective.

When the end of life comes, no matter how much you have accumulated, none of it goes into eternity with you. Great fortunes have been built, only to be pissed away by future generations. Was it worth it?

The most important thing is people. Relationships, like wealth and resources, must be built. They require time and effort. And just like our bank accounts, they can be lost quickly.

My encouragement to you is, take the time to be close to those who are important to you. Do it before the relationships are too far gone to repair. Keep showing up, even if this makes you uncomfortable. You will be creating a lasting legacy no one can put a price on…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Bad Days

Every morning when I wake up, I’m either in Texas or Heaven. Even I can’t screw this up, and I can royally screw stuff up! Regardless, there is no such thing as a bad day. Stay with me.

All of us have had periods where things went smoothly. Those don’t last. Difficult periods will come. We were never promised this life would be easy. This is a broken, imperfect world we are inhabiting for just a short time when compared with our time in eternity.

Jesus told his disciples that “their faith would be shaken.” I believe he meant that for us, too. There are times I have wondered if God knew what He was doing. His redirections in my life weren’t in my plans. Yet, when I stay the course, over time I realized that God knew better than I did.

God doesn’t lose patience with us when we doubt or question Him. This happens all the time. Consider this: the Israelites wanted to throw in the towel within a very short period of time after witnessing supernatural power in the natural world. We can be short-sighted. God plays the long game.

My encouragement to you is, replace the term “bad day” with the phrase “difficult day(s).” Remember who is in control. And especially remember He is on your side, even to the end of the world…

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Spirituality

Think About It

Answer this question honestly: How much are you relying on your phone over the course of your day? My own answer is, too much. ChatGPT is just a moment away and I find it to be a great resource. But there are trade offs.

Too much screen time is impacting our brains, and not in a good way necessarily. It can cause dopamine overload, shortened attention spans (like I need more of that. I’m already easily distracted), and memory impairment. In a recent podcast interview, I learned that some children can’t self-regulate themselves without watching a screen while they ate. This is a 911.

Our brains are wired for community. No screens can take the place of the human connection that meaningful conversations produce. And we feel better when we spend time with good people rather than focusing our attention on our phones.

We need our phones, no doubt. But I encourage you to keep them in perspective. Go to lunch or Happy Hour with someone you enjoy being around. Your brain will thank you, but probably not verbally. And if you think you hear a voice, go see a psychiatrist!

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Spirituality

Awards

This morning I will be receiving the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award as the Windham School District Volunteer of the Year. It’s a great honor, but the true honor goes to the Windham employees.

Inside most Texas prisons, there is a school that inmates can attend. This is Windham’s district. I wish everyone could see what I get to see. People’s lives are redirected through the blood, sweat and tears of the teachers in Windham. This is where the magic happens.

Horace Mann, the man who founded the school system in America, set the curriculum to teach the head, the heart and the hands (intellect, emotion and application). Windham accomplishes his vision for public education. It works!

Today is a nice day, and the work continues. I will continue volunteering in the prisons as long as I have a breath in me…

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Spirituality

Trend Spotting

The disco era brought in a line of fashion that didn’t stick around. Man, I’m glad of that! But some things never go out of style. Let’s look at a few of them.

We can begin with manners. Saying please, thank you, yes sir and no sir, we notice when someone says them. And we notice when they don’t.

Kindness is always welcome. This world can be cruel. Our simple kindness might be someone’s last, best hope. The person you are standing in line with at the grocery store might be doing all they can to hold it together.

There is a trend of young people returning to their faith life. Everyone has a hole in their heart that needs to be filled. People try everything from sex to gambling to fill the void. Seventeenth century philosopher Blaise Pascal called it a “God-shaped vacuum.” The young are figuring it out earlier than most.

Some trends burn out quickly. The important trends are the ones that remain…

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Spirituality

Waiting on the Weekend

It is estimated that about 80% of the population goes to a job they don’t enjoy. They are simply getting a paycheck and living for the weekend. My question is, how can anyone be effective in a job they aren’t finding fulfillment in?

People get comfortable in their lifestyle, I understand. There’s a mortgage to pay, food to buy and family vacations are expensive. But you can still afford all of these things and more when you are engaged in your career. It’s possible if you believe it is. The only battle is in your mind.

What did your dream life look like when you were younger? It’s not too late to create it. You might have to take a step or two backwards, but the short term pain will reap great benefits if you stay committed.

The life you want is there for the taking. It will take time to create but remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. But it did get built…

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Spirituality

Small Groups

Since March of 2016 I have led a small group at my church. We meet from 7:00-8:00 am. Usually there are about six of us in attendance. I cannot tell you why I signed up for this, but I am glad I took the plunge.

Our group isn’t what you would call a typical Bible study. We do learn about Jesus and his teachings as well as other books from the Bible. But staying true to my style of leadership, it’s very much an open forum for whatever is on each man’s mind. It works. I call us the “Island of Misfit Toys.”

Each of us has had life experiences that help others. This is one of the strengths of the group. When you see that someone else has been where you are, it provides hope in the darkness. Everything said in the group stays confidential. Another strength of the group.

If you have ever considered joining a small group, my encouragement is to give it a try. Keep checking out different groups until you find your crowd. Then let God take over…

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