Spirituality, Uncategorized

How Good Are You?

It’s been said many times that if you feel the need to point out how great you are, you probably aren’t. That’s just insecurity on display. It’s like the people who post their first class airline seat on their social media platforms. No one ever brags about scoring a coach seat!

Lou Gehrig is a name from baseball. Gehrig was called “The Iron Horse” because he played in 2,130 consecutive games which was a record. He did his work quietly, never calling attention to his individual accomplishments. For Gehrig, it was all about the team.

Politicians are always looking for microphones. The next sound bite is something they will try to use to their advantage. Most of them are full of hot air, their words meaningless. Yet some people hold onto their words like it’s the gospel truth.

Humility is not overrated. We admire the people who do great things but don’t go out of their way to put the spotlight on themselves. There is an art to self promotion without going overboard.

Gehrig’s record stood for 56 years until Cal Ripken, Jr. broke it. Lou Gehrig was a class act. Ripken is, too…

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Spirituality

Faithful

Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park. It erupts on average every 90 minutes. And it has done so since the year 1870!

What do you think of when you hear the word faithful? Perhaps you think about your dog, or a lifelong friend. Maybe you put your faith in your employer that they will pay you without fail.

Faithfulness or some variation of it is listed about 300 times in the New Testament alone. It’s a central theme. The Book of James says it best: “Faith without works is dead.” This is applied faith. You can say you have faith, but show me, the author writes.

Everyone uses faith in their lives. Atheists do, too. If you get on an airplane you have faith the pilot knows how to fly the plane. You have faith that other drivers will follow the rules and stop when the light turns red.

You were given a purpose. My encouragement is, take that leap of faith, get out of your comfort zone, and go accomplish your purpose. Don’t wait another minute. There’s no better time than the present…

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Spirituality

Information

When we were children, we went to school to learn not only information and knowledge, but how to apply them. We were taught how to think.

The amount of information thrown our way every waking moment is staggering. Who has time for all of it? This is where discernment comes into play. We must decide what is worth our time and what isn’t.

Clickbait enters the picture and we get distracted by it. The puzzling thing to me is, there are legitimate writers and filmmakers who use clickbait to try and draw us in. These people already have a significant following, so I don’t understand why they are lowering their standards.

There are tons of fake memes, too. Their goal is to divide us further. Please skip over them. These people who put out lies are not worth a minute of your time.

We need solid, reliable information to make decisions. Take the time to verify what’s important and relevant. Leave the rest behind…

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Spirituality

Idolatry

Today we will explore a difficult topic: idols. An idol is something we elevate to a position of greater importance in our lives than it deserves. We place our value in it, whatever it is, rather than seeing ourselves as children of God, which is where our real value comes from.

There are a lot of distractions in this world. Money, possessions, power, even sex can become an idol. There is nothing wrong with any of those things. God gives us every good thing we have. But when they become something we obsess over is when a problem arises.

Placing value in anything other than God will usually lead to disappointment. Our bank accounts can dry up. Our position in life can be lost very quickly. Even our good looks will fade over time. God remains the one true constant in every period of our lives. We change but He doesn’t.

Striving to get ahead is a good thing. Ambition is to be admired. My encouragement to you is to keep it in perspective. If something has become an idol in your life, you may not need to get rid of it. Just reevaluate your relationship to it…

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Spirituality

The Megaphone

A megaphone is a portable device used to amplify one’s voice. My first exposure to a megaphone was at pep rallies in school. The cheerleaders would use them to get the crowd revved up. Sadly, this didn’t always lead to victory on the football field.

Everyone has a voice. Some people in media have an international voice. Politicians are rarely shy when it comes to finding their way to a microphone. But are any of them saying anything worth listening to? You be the judge.

The loudest voice in the room is not necessarily the one to be listened to. If someone feels the need to shout, then perhaps they believe the only way to be heard is to talk over everyone else.

God spoke to Elijah. He didn’t yell or make a spectacle. No, God spoke in a whisper. Scripture tells us about a donkey who spoke. Now that will get your attention!

Oftentimes less is more. Actions are louder than words. Even louder than the most amplified megaphone. Use your voice for good…

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Spirituality

Noises

In yesterday’s column I wrote about how important quiet time and solitude are. But I wasn’t suggesting all the noise is bad. Some might even be life saving.

Our cars are equipped with a horn. I know we rarely use them, but they are meant to ward off potential trouble. Sometimes we lay on the horn if someone is paying attention to their phone rather than starting to drive when the light turns green.

God gives us warning signs, too. They might be subtle or even unknown to us. I’m curious how many times God has intervened to save me from something unforeseen. It might number in the millions of times. One day I will know.

The politicians and the talking heads are full of noise. We might say they are full of nonsense, too. Their kind of noise I can do without!

Pay close attention to your surroundings. Everything can be used, even the smallest noises have use..

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Spirituality

It’s Quiet. Too Quiet

Are you uncomfortable when things get quiet? We live in a “go-go” society and it’s gotten to the point where people need constant stimulation.

We have 24/7 news available, hundreds of television channels along with endless texts and emails. Our brains can handle quite a lot, but overload can be damaging. Our brains never quit working, but they do need time to recover and recharge.

My encouragement to you is to make time to enjoy the quiet moments when you can. If you have to schedule downtime, do it! Whatever works for you is what you must do.

At first, the quiet might make you feel uneasy. If this is the case, then consider it confirmation that you need some peace and quiet. It gets easier the more you do it. Then you will feel the benefits of solitude, and you will make it a priority.

Give it a try. Then keep trying. The only thing you have to lose is some anxiety. And that’s a good thing…

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Spirituality

Reasons For Optimism

If I spent much of my time listening to the news or reading print media, I might be disheartened about the future. But the truth is, I don’t watch the news or read print media or any newspapers. My best time is spent observing.

The younger generations are a true treasure to watch. They spend more time experiencing life than my generation did. They aren’t missing out on getting ahead or building net worth. They will be just fine.

For as long as I have lived I have observed some older people blaming the young for everything wrong in the world. The young see the world differently, and I love their creativity. Those who are looking for someone to blame should look no further than themselves. We all bear responsibility for the shape of our world, good and bad.

And by the way, I get my world news from Al Jazeera. They report objectively and accurately. There’s one caveat to this. I pay no attention to their reporting on Israel. The Arabs hate the Jews so they have a bias, a very obvious bias.

Take time to engage young people. Listen and learn from them. They do see the world through a different lens. And it’s a beautiful sight to behold…

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Spirituality

Counting Clicks

The so-called influencers among us are click counters. A group of people have learned how to make money by getting people to check out their activities. The more clicks they get, the more they earn. Let’s take a closer look.

Andrew and Tristan Tate are horrible examples for young men. Their posts about male dominance, amassing wealth and power along with their misogynistic views are beyond controversial. Yet they have over 10 million followers on their social media platforms. Disgusting.

When you have a national or even international following, it’s important to set a good example. People are following you for a reason. You have the ability to truly influence others, to make a difference in their lives and in this world.

Use it for good. Mankind will benefit, and so will you…

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Spirituality

Be Patient

Patience is a virtue. Or so it’s said. Does this mean that when I lose my patience I’m an immoral person? Of course not.

Being patient takes work. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” as the saying goes. But it did get built. If I’m stuck behind a slow driver, I will eventually get to my destination. Babies grow in the womb for about nine months before they are ready for birth. Early deliveries can create anxious parents.

When we are impatient, we are showing our frustration with our inability to control a situation. I can’t make someone drive faster or process my paperwork more quickly at the DMV. But I can show the light of Jesus in my interactions with others. They might be going through a rough period and are doing everything possible to hold it together.

Patience is a lifelong pursuit for many of us. Forgive yourself for the times you are impatient. But don’t make excuses for yourself. Vow to keep trying to be better…

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