Spirituality

The Big Game

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here. The Super Bowl is the most watched game on television. People have parties while Las Vegas has a big day, too.

The game I’m referring to in the title is the game of life. This is the game we all participate in. Are we winning the game, or are we behind? I suppose the answer lies in which part of life and when are we checking in.

If you are having a difficult period, perhaps your teammates are carrying you through. Your team is your family and friends, so choose wisely.

On the flip side, when you are winning is the time to celebrate with your team. Victorious times are a lot more fun when shared with others.

Life can be hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are a lot of good people in this world. Find them and place them on your team…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Near or Far

“Objects in your mirror may be closer than they appear to be,” the warning says. It’s a gentle reminder for us to pay attention. Good advice when you’re driving a 5,000 pound vehicle.

But what about our relationship with God? Sometimes he feels close while others it seems like he’s not there. I know it’s me because God doesn’t move or change. We do.

The Israelis must have felt abandoned when God went silent for 400 years. Then he showed up in a big way through his servant Moses, parted the Red Sea, and freed the Jews from captivity. That must have been awe-inspiring to see.

All through Scripture God promises to never leave us or abandon us. He shows up when I ask him to bring me closer. Every time. Yet I sometimes return to my old ways and wander aimlessly.

In Jeremiah 29:13, God says “you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” The heart matters to God. It’s all about the heart…

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Spirituality

Seriously, Though…

I’m eternally optimistic, grateful for everything good in my life, and I don’t have bad days. Even though my attitude is different from most people, there are things in this world that concern me.

It’s expensive to live. Costs are rising at a much slower pace, but a lot of strain was placed on family budgets because of hyper inflation. Affordable housing is part of the mix, too.

There are a lot of good people in the United States who are living in the shadows. They go about their business quietly, doing what’s right, contributing to their community, yet they are afraid. I don’t want anyone to feel afraid. There is a viable path to citizenship for them.

Our food is getting fixed, thanks to HHS Secretary Bobby Kennedy and his team. Obesity is off the charts, especially in children. Kennedy’s efforts continue to face great opposition from the food industry lobbyists. When profits are threatened, the solution becomes more challenging.

There are other areas of concern, but for the sake of brevity I will save those for future columns. My motivation is to leave this world better than I found it.

More government is not the solution. Our politicians created much of the mess. It’s time that we the people run the show and demand the politicians either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. Seriously…

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Spirituality

Win Some. Win Some More

We are never down and out unless we decide we are. Every project we venture into will not be successful, but it’s not a total loss, either. We learned something from it.

When life is going well it’s easy to fall into a trap. The trap is our ego. An ego built on false confidence is fragile. Any misstep can cause it to crumble.

Confidence is built over time. No child learning to walk is ready to walk a mile after he takes his first steps. Repetition brings progress and confidence.

When you have success, give thanks to God. And remember to thank him for what you learned from the failures. Everything can be used…

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Spirituality

The Breaking Point

Pain is a powerful motivator. You have possibly heard this saying: “When the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change, you will change.”

Many people say they don’t like change. But life is in a constant state of change. Every day is an unknown. It’s true that much of life is routine, boring even. Then something hits the fan and you are put in a position you didn’t anticipate.

Many people cry out to God when they need help. I certainly have. Then we put him on the back burner after the crisis passes. I have done that, too. This happens because we think we are in control. But we are wrong.

God remains in control whether we believe it or acknowledge it. He doesn’t make bad things happen. That would go against his nature. But he allows evil to happen. This is where personal growth accelerates. Our resilience is strengthened. So is our confidence.

Welcome the unexpected in your life. Everything can be used…

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Spirituality

Where Are They?

Sometimes I wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Those poor souls may still be wandering around.

The “they” I’m referring to in the title are the people who are willing to take a stand for what’s right. Many are concerned, but they also don’t want to get involved.

There are heroes among us. These are the people who show up when they are needed. They aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Sometimes their involvement requires great risk. I’m sure they have a moment of hesitation, but they find their inner strength to help when help is needed.

Find the areas where you want to make a difference. Yes, you will be giving up some of your free time. But you will be helping countless unseen individuals. Everyone counts…

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Spirituality

Truth Tellers

As a child, I was taught that George Washington “never told a lie.” The story about Washington and the cherry tree was made up by a biographer after Washington’s death. Was this story taught in school to teach virtue, or was it taught to little children so we would grow up trusting our politicians? I have my suspicions it was both.

Telling the truth is easier than lying or even stretching the truth. You never have to question what you said to someone because you simply spoke the truth. No spinning of a story, just the simple truth.

In today’s society, “living my truth” is a popular phrase. You may live however you like, but there is only one truth. Stick with it and you’ll live with more peace.

Back to our politicians, we expect them to stretch the truth. Fiery rhetoric without substance is hollow. Like everyone, watch the actions of people. Do they align with their words? When they do align, you begin to trust them more.

Washington was careful with his words. He was a brilliant general who used deception and lies to manipulate the enemy. And we can be grateful he did, cherry tree or not…

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Spirituality

Divide and Conquer

The devil is real. He wants us to believe he is a fairy tale, but make no mistake, he is real and he is destructive. Everything good in this world has been destroyed or corrupted by demonic forces.

In the United States, the divide between our two political parties has widened to a point of no return. I say this because in past crises, we have put aside our differences and come together. But I ask you to consider the difference between how the country responded after 9/11 and the reactions during the pandemic. Night and day.

The demons know their day is coming. This is evidenced by the demons being startled by Jesus’ arrival in the Gerasenes when they cried out, “what have you come to do to us, O Son of God? Have you come to torment us before the time?” Torment sounds really unpleasant.

There are spiritual forces behind everything in this world. Just because we don’t see them doesn’t make them less real. We don’t have to let them divide us. Every citizen has a right to their own beliefs whether we agree or disagree. Let’s rise above and respect their right.

We are better together…

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Spirituality

Nut Allergies

Approximately 1.8% of people in the United States are allergic to nuts. Although I can eat peanuts without a problem, I’m allergic to nuts, too.

People watching is an interesting way to pass the time in shopping malls and airports. Restaurants are a mecca for human interaction. The behavior of crowds has fascinated me for decades.

The nuts I’m allergic to don’t grow on trees. The nuts I stay away from are the people with irrational anger. These people get in your face to argue about every nutty thing they believe: boys can be girls, there are unlimited genders etc. Just because someone believes something doesn’t make it true.

Social media has given the nuts a voice. But we aren’t required to give them a moment of our time. Treat the crazies like a nut allergy. Stay away from them. You aren’t missing anything, but you are protecting your peace…

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Spirituality

Graduation Day

This Friday, January 30th, I have the privilege of giving the Commencement Address for 130 graduates. This is a special group of students. You see, they earned certifications while serving their sentences in prison.

Life is hard. It’s harder when you are in prison. But the Texas Criminal Justice Department offers a path forward for the inmates while they serve time. The students have jobs while in prison, then go to school afterward. It makes for a very long day. The inmates aren’t forced to attend school. It’s their choice.

I wish everyone could attend one of these graduation ceremonies. This will be my fifth commencement, and they are all special moments in the inmates lives and in mine. A day they will never forget.

There is redemption and restoration of people’s lives happening in the Texas prisons. Their hard work and commitment to growth is to be commended and respected…

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