Spirituality

Let The Light In

This world needs hope. Many people are carrying pain they don’t talk about. They keep their pain hidden in dark places. But they aren’t alone. No one escapes the difficulties of life.

But there is hope. Forgiveness has power. If you are holding on to something that needs to be forgiven, it’s important to remember that forgiveness takes time. You can’t force it. But I encourage you to keep the door to forgiveness cracked just a tiny bit. When the time arrives and you are ready to forgive, push the door open. Let the light in. The light will crush the darkness in our lives.

We don’t want to forgive. And why should we? The offenders don’t deserve it! But that’s the curious thing about forgiveness. Forgiveness is for you, not the other person. By forgiving the person who harmed you, you are releasing a weight you are carrying. At the same time, you aren’t letting the one who hurt you off the hook. You are letting go of any potential power the offense has over your life.

Forgiveness is powerful. You might have to face some darkness to get through it, but you will get there. Light has power over darkness, every time…

Standard
Spirituality

Urban Development

Since 1993, I have lived in Austin, Texas. When I first moved here, Austin was a quirky city with a bit of a small town feel. It’s not that way anymore.

Corporations were quick to notice that a lot of people wanted to live in Austin. Many tech companies built facilities there, complementing their main offices on the west coast. They were smart.

The cost of living in Texas was and is much lower than California’s. Not having a state income tax is nice, too. The mass migration to Texas from California caused our property values to soar. Californians could sell their cracker box sized homes and buy a 10,000 square foot home for less in Texas.

Not all development is good or bad. But the culture of the city has changed. Austin used to be a casual type community. Now it’s more stiff and pretentious. It happens.

Austin will continue to grow and thrive, no doubt. The state certainly will, too. We have been the beneficiaries of the mass exodus from California. My hope is that the people who move here leave their crazy politics behind. After all, it was their politicians who priced them out of their beautiful state.

Everything always works out the way it’s supposed to…

Standard
Spirituality

Going Viral

Some people will do anything to get attention. They want fame so badly they can almost taste it. What they really want is recognition and, sometimes, respect.

Self worth comes from within. There are those who have gained everything the world has to offer, but they still felt unworthy. So, they chase harder, only to be left unfulfilled. It’s time to stop chasing and start living.

In many prior columns I have written about working on ourselves. It’s hard, I know. Facing the demons of the past requires courage. Only when we exorcise the trauma can we heal from it. But you gotta pull it out by the root. Mowing over it doesn’t cut it.

If what I’m describing applies to you, then I encourage you to go down the road less traveled. This is the hard road, but it is the path to get you where you want to go. Write out the areas you want to improve on. Then find the right therapist to guide you.

There’s a wonderfully fulfilling life waiting for you. Pursue it and keep going when it becomes difficult. You can do it…

Standard
Spirituality

Do This First

Every day of our lives is filled with things we have to do. The list may be long or short, but it’s a constant. Here is some advice that will serve you well.

Do the hard things first. These are the items that might take the longest or even make you uncomfortable. Do them first. The rest of your day will feel like you’re almost coasting. But there’s more.

Taking on the challenges in your life will strengthen you and your resolve. Resilience builds. Confidence, too. Take your time to do things the right way. Hurrying through could cause you to miss something. Then you will need to fix it. That’s not necessary if you do it right.

If your habit has been to save the hardest task for later, you can reverse that. My encouragement to you is to start today. Then keep going…

Standard
Spirituality

Frozen

Sometimes I see people posting about the past, those times when life was simpler. But was life really that different from today? Maybe it just seems like it was.

Life is a progression. We grow and evolve. We marvel at technological advances which make our lives more efficient. To stay young we must use our minds in productive, challenging ways. Living in the past, longing for an earlier age can paralyze us.

Perhaps the people who regularly post about the past are reflecting on the opportunities they missed. It’s happened to all of us. We know that we are here for a great purpose. Eventually we will run out of time.

There is nothing random about your life. God didn’t create us and then forget about us. If you are reading this it’s not too late.

Find your purpose and live it…

Standard
Spirituality

Oh Our Sinful Ways

Most people are good. You will never convince me otherwise. They show up when shit happens. They give of themselves through monetary donations along with their service to others.

At the same time, we are all sinners. We don’t like to think of ourselves this way. I mean, most of us aren’t out stealing cars or robbing 7-11’s. We do what’s right and true. Yet, in the presence of God we wouldn’t last.

Jesus reconciled man’s relationship with God. His death and resurrection made it possible for us, the sinful ones, to enter Heaven. He sacrificed himself for us in the greatest act of love ever. And what gets me is, Jesus would have done it if I was the only person on earth. Think about that.

Take a moment to thank our Creator for all the good in your life. He is the source of everything. And thank Him for His son while you are at it.

Stay in gratitude…

Standard
Spirituality

Clickbait

There are a lot of fake ads on the internet. Outrageous headlines get our attention so we will click on the story, only to be disappointed.

If it’s truth you are seeking, why not open your Bible? It’s full of fascinating stories like Daniel, or Joseph. Toss Noah in there. Find the story about the talking donkey. You will be reading the truth, not stuff that’s made up.

While you have it open, skip over to the New Testament. Read about Jesus. Through him you will learn about the character of God. Jesus redeemed and restored the people who had been shunned by the religious authorities. As he said, “it is the sick who need a doctor.”

All of us need a spiritual doctor, a healer. Avoiding the clickbait and memes. Read what’s real…

Standard
Spirituality

Playing Keep Away

There’s a game children play called keep away. A group of kids grab a ball and keep one of the other children from getting it. It’s fun and lively, especially when the kid who they are keeping the ball from gets it.

In a way, some churches are playing the same game. But this is not a game. This is potentially messing with people’s eternity. Religious rules are a turnoff. They tend to keep people away from God. Perhaps that wasn’t their original intent, but that is how they evolved.

Jesus gave us two rules. Only two. Love God and love others. Even a child can follow those. He never said no dancing or covering your head. But here we are. Jesus didn’t bring more religion. He brought freedom.

Keep it simple. The other rules are designed to control. God gives us free will. Worship God, not religion…

Standard
Spirituality

Dysfunction Junction

My life at home was hell on earth when I was growing up. My father ruled through fear, intimidation and violence. My mother participated, too. Yet, much good came from it. I doubt that was their plan.

Parents are a child’s first teachers. There are many good parents out there who raise their children well. Their kids are prepared for adulthood. They will go on to raise successful families.

But there are others who continue the generational malady of abuse. Someone has to stop it. That someone was me. As a child, I knew in my heart that what my parents were doing was wrong. After having children, I decided to go a different route.

My life story is prevalent across more families than you realize. No one talks about it. People carry their pain in dark places to hide it.

Never waste your pain. God allowed it so He could use it for good…

Standard