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…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

What Can’t Really Means

When I was raising my children, they weren’t allowed to say the word “can’t.” It means won’t. I believe this because I also believe we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to.

Our mind is the portal to the spiritual world. Setting our minds to something, anything, is igniting supernatural power to guide us, help us, and protect us. We are acknowledging that we aren’t facing our battles by ourselves.

Force of will can only get you so far. Even atheists have victories that were orchestrated by God. The atheists won’t acknowledge it was God, but we know better.

To this day, my sons do not use the word can’t. They are adults now, so I guess it stuck. For this, I am grateful to God…

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Spirituality

Insane in the Brain

We will always have crime in America. The temptation to steal is too great for some. Petty theft is just that. It’s petty, but it doesn’t end someone’s life.

Cashless bail is popular with the left. So is illegal immigration. But the judges who release violent offenders back into the public without having to post bail are insane. People who are predisposed to violence will act again. Recently an old man was murdered in New York by a criminal who had been released an hour before. It’s so sad.

There are many people here who snuck across the border. They are good people. There is a solution to this, but the leftist politicians want to use them as pawns to get votes. People are important and they aren’t pawns.

Forgive me for ranting today. We have laws for a reason. I’m focused on solutions, not just complaining about things. Senseless crimes can and should be prevented when possible.

I’ll be back with some inspiration tomorrow. I promise!

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Spirituality

Mother’s Day

In 1908 Anna Jarvis held the first Mother’s Day celebration in West Virginia. By 1914 the movement to honor the sacrifices of Mothers had gained so much momentum that President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May as the official day.

Devoted Mothers should be honored longer than just one day. They can handle a lot of things at the same time and do them well. Women really can multitask while men are one trip wonders!

The celebrations will be held today. Families will gather to honor the Mothers in their lives. But it is my hope they celebrate quietly. There are women who wanted children but couldn’t have them, as well as those who lost a child. They grieve silently.

Anna Jarvis became critical of the commercialization around the movement she started. She was right. Yet it doesn’t change the honor bestowed on Mothers. Nor should it…

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Spirituality

Are You Rich or Poor?

Some parts of society are obsessed with wealth. Money is a tool, nothing more. The pompous, pontificating politicians will tell you, loudly, that the wealthy are greedy. They are lying to you.

In my professional career I am privileged to work with some people who have tremendous resources. Not a single one is self-centered or greedy. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. They have their philanthropic causes they support. And every single one I know is kind and thoughtful.

I’m certain there are exceptions. There always are, but it has been my experience that people of means are quick to help others. Again, the politicians are lying to you.

The political class is filled with useful idiots who want more of our hard earned dollars. Who’s greedy, you might ask?

If you have a little money in the bank, good friends and family and good health, you are already wealthy. Put the focus on people because all people are important. Everyone matters.

Take a moment to think the Creator for the good in your life. He is the one who gives us everything. Stay in gratitude…

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Spirituality

Live Music

There’s nothing like being able to attend a live concert. Music connects us. One of the ways we process our emotions is through great songwriting.

For over twenty years, some performers have been using the stage to share their “great wisdom” about politics they disagree with. I’m not interested. The reason I am there is to get away from the noise of the world for a couple of hours. If I wanted to attend a political rally, I would have chosen that instead.

Entertainment is just that. We want to be entertained. It’s a short vacation from our daily reality. Nowadays it costs a lot of money to attend a concert or sporting event. Keep your unwanted opinions to yourself and just play. Please!

I’ll continue going to live music performances, no doubt. But the political noise should be omitted from the set. I can read and think another time…

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Spirituality

Weight Loss

As we age our metabolism changes. When I was in my 30’s I could practically will weight off. Today? Not so much! Diet and exercise are the only sustainable ways to stay physically fit.

There are other weights we might need to shed. In my observation, some people are weighed down by feelings of guilt and shame for things they have been forgiven for long ago. The people I’m referring to have had a true change of heart, but bad religion or other people want to keep the offender mired in their past.

Weak people love to remind others of the bad decisions they made in their lives. The weak ones might need to look themselves in the mirror rather than focusing on others. Weak people tend to have massive egos which blinds them to the things they need to work on.

It has been said that we are all “works in progress.” Is this true? Growth requires discomfort. Staying the same while claiming that our societal ills are someone else’s problem is arrogance and complacency.

My encouragement to you is to be willing to get involved. Don’t rely on the politicians because many of them aren’t qualified to be the assistant manager of a garage sale. Throw off anything weighing you down. Sometimes the dead weight includes some people. Be willing…

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Spirituality

Break the Chains

Many people are facing real struggles. Some are allowing fear to take control of their thoughts and hence, their actions. This isn’t sustainable.

There are strongholds that can paralyze you. These are very real. The perpetrators are evil forces that are all around us. We can’t see them, but they are real and they are powerful. But take hope because the battle is not over.

There are angels of light present, too. You and I have the most powerful friend in the universe on our side. His name is Jesus. Nothing can stop him. It says in The Book of James that he makes the demons shudder.

If you are in a situation where you feel fearful, ask Jesus to help you. Even if you don’t really know him, ask him to reveal himself to you. He will. Jesus is on our side, always, and he brings light to our darkness and peace in our hearts.

Chains are strong. Jesus is stronger. Nothing binds or restricts him. Break the chains. Live freely…

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Spirituality

The Enemy Within

A couple of years ago I read two scientific articles that said, according to their research, around 80% of adults in the United States didn’t like themselves. Eighty percent? This shocked me. Then I thought about it.

Every day you see people tearing others down in the public forum known as the internet. People use their keyboards and phone screens to say things they wouldn’t say in person. Their passive-aggressive behavior reigns.

Jesus told us to “love our neighbors as we love ourselves.” When fear, anger and even hatred are settled in the heart of man, they will destroy you from within. How can you feel good about yourself with those ruling your inner psyche? You will do further harm by expressing yourself in a way that damages others. It’s a never ending cycle of futility.

Fear, anger and hate are rooted in unresolved issues that require forgiveness. Make no mistake, forgiveness is hard and it isn’t automatic. True forgiveness takes time. It cannot be forced.

I encourage you to continue working on yourself. When the enemy within needs forgiveness, face it. You, and your relationship with others, will benefit. After all, forgiveness is for you, not the offender…

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Spirituality

National Teacher Appreciation Week

May 4th-8th is National Teacher Appreciation Week, while Tuesday, May 5th is Teacher Appreciation Day. Teachers should be recognized all year long.

Dedicated people go into education because they want to make a difference in the lives of their students. It’s a calling. It has to be because they aren’t paid much for the effort the good teachers give. Their day doesn’t end when school is out. There are papers to grade, parents to deal with, and teachers take their students struggles home with them.

Not every student is a joy to teach. They aren’t engaged and there’s little parental involvement, if any at all. But the good teachers never give up on a child.

Take a moment to reflect on the teachers who made a difference in your life, today. They probably remember you, too…

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