Spirituality

Weak or Strong

We have no idea what challenges life is going to present us with. The one thing we can count on is that sometimes life will knock us down. But while you might be down, you are never out unless you decide you are.

Resilience is built in the darkness, when we are tested. These are the times you find your inner strength to keep going. The strong will not only survive, their confidence and courage will grow exponentially.

There has been a disturbing trend I have observed. Kids sports don’t keep score, and every child gets a “Participation Trophy.” No child has to feel the pain of loss. This is setting kids up to crumble when the shit hits the fan later on because they haven’t learned resilience. It’s not surprising that mental health among our young is not a pretty picture. Wrapping children in bubble wrap has had consequences.

Strong minded people aren’t offended easily. They tend to have a big picture view of the world around them. They help others when needed.

Be strong, even when you feel unsure. You will get through whatever life has thrown your way if you refuse to accept defeat…

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Spirituality

Beaten Down and Knocked Around

Yesterday I received a call from an acquaintance I hadn’t spoken to for a couple of years. She was distressed. Her situation is dire because she’s about to be evicted from her home. The purpose of her call was to ask me to loan her some money.

Due to a series of events that were partly her fault and some that couldn’t have been anticipated, she was in a bad spot. As I listened to her tell me what happened, there wasn’t any “poor little me” or victimhood tone in her voice, just fear.

Now I have a personal policy to not loan money. If I decided to send her some resources, I would just give it to her. I have found that this prevents me from having a false expectation of being repaid because I’m not expecting anything. I told her I would consider it.

This was when she started beating herself up. She was calling herself stupid etc. I immediately asked her to stop being so hard on herself with her comments. The world is going to knock us around and then pile on, I said. That’s just how it is. Hold yourself accountable, but stop the harshness of her self-criticism. It doesn’t help a thing.

My friend texted me last night that she had gotten things worked out, that she still had a ways to go, but she was grateful for my encouragement.

My encouragement to you is to keep going when things look the darkest. Daylight is coming…

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Spirituality

Battery Life

My phone runs on a battery. So do my car and my laptop. Flashlights, too. And don’t forget to buy batteries at Christmas so the toys will work!

Batteries eventually run out of power and must be replaced. I’m guessing the stores that sell batteries do well consistently. But what about our bodies?

Think of your body like it’s a machine. A well-oiled machine runs smoothly. It’s reliable. A little maintenance here and there and it will last a long time. Our bodies are similar. We need to feed them good, nutritious foods and keep ourselves hydrated. Otherwise our cells won’t communicate properly. There is really no difference.

One day our battery life will expire in our bodies. We need to make the most of our time here. Our lives need to mean more than just having a good time. We want our lives to count.

Go make a difference in this world. You are equipped for a special purpose. Get going before your battery runs out…

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Spirituality

Muscle Memory

You have heard the old saying, “use it or lose it.” This is especially true for our brains.

The brain should be treated like a muscle. Reading great works, engaging in stimulating conversations, and creating new neural pathways will grow your mind. And you must feed it and keep it hydrated. A tired mind equals a tired person.

Do something that is outside your normal routine. Go to an art gallery. Get outside in nature and don’t open your phone while you are doing these things. We have become too attached to our phones while becoming detached from what’s important.

You need more than crossword puzzles to keep your mind sharp. You need people. If something or someone isn’t enriching your life, move on. Let them waste someone else’s time and energy…

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Spirituality

Outdated

Foods have an expiration date. Software needs updates. And one day we will experience our last heartbeat. But there are some things that never go bad.

Manners are always in style. So is kindness, being thoughtful, and we must include doing what’s right even when the crowd is against you. Standing up for the weak is a good thing.

Scripture hasn’t lost its relevance and truthfulness, no matter what the New Age “gurus” say. Everything from our health to our finances is covered. You gotta read it and apply it, though. Otherwise it’s just another book gathering dust on your bookshelf.

Modern technology has given us some helpful shortcuts to get us where we want to go. Artificial Intelligence is in its infancy, but will soon lead us to new ways to battle disease. And when that happens, say thank you. Being thankful never goes out of style, either…

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Spirituality

Good Friday

Good Friday is a strange way to describe today. It’s the day Jesus was put to death. So, we must ask, what’s good about that?

The death of Jesus Christ was predicted by the prophet Isaiah. He described death on the cross years before it was thought up by the Romans. Jesus himself told his disciples that he would be killed and his followers didn’t believe him. I can only imagine their confusion when they saw it come to pass. Even stranger, they had just witnessed Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead. The disciples knew he had power over death.

In my opinion, Good Friday is so named because it was the fulfillment of Scripture. No matter how crazy things were, Jesus remained in control.

Things aren’t always as they seem. Let’s try to see things as they can be…

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Spirituality

No Way Out

How many times have you painted yourself into a corner and felt like there is no way out? And yet, you have gotten through every situation. You may have experienced a setback, but you made it.

With God there is always a way. He operates outside of time and space as we know them. His realm is the supernatural where there are no limits to what God can do.

There is a way to bring the supernatural into the natural. It’s called prayer. Many times I pray as a last resort rather than trying to get in front of my challenges. Perhaps you do, too. I need to flip the script!

Hope is always with us. Let’s place our hope in the hands of the one who can accomplish anything. Let’s begin with prayer…

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Spirituality

Impressions

How many times have we been reminded that we need to make a good first impression? Probably too many to count. It’s true. We only have one chance to make a good first impression.

When something, not someone, makes an impression on you, pay close attention. It may be a key to your purpose.

One of my passions is children’s causes. My childhood was full of fear and anxiety. I don’t want any other child to feel like I did as a kid. Now I know I can’t control what happens in each child’s home life, I can make a difference by letting them know they aren’t alone. Many children have struggles they don’t talk about.

Today, I encourage you to be your best. Show up. You have an impression to make…

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Spirituality

Unquestionably Led

There are a few people who have unquestionably put their faith in government. If their favorite politician says it, then it must be true. Yet there is much evidence that shows this type of thinking is flawed, at best.

Oftentimes people align their politics with how they feel, ignoring the facts in many cases. Feelings can be deceptive.

The most intentional man who ever lived is Jesus Christ. He was led by the Spirit to do what the Father sent him to accomplish. I’m only guessing because I wasn’t there, but I bet Jesus was fun to be with. He must have been because no one wants to be around someone who is a drag. Yet Jesus never wavered from his mission.

This week we Christians will celebrate Easter. The resurrection started a new, different relationship between God and man. It has lasted over 2,000 years. Jews will celebrate Passover. The two are connected in history.

Whatever you celebrate, or if it is nothing at all, I wish you a peaceful, reflective time. When the Spirit calls, follow without question. You won’t be led astray…

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Spirituality

Faith Healers

There has been a long line of people offering miracle cures throughout history. Men in covered wagons would go town to town selling their magic elixir designed to cure almost anything. The elixir was 25% alcohol mixed with something else for taste. It didn’t cure what ailed you, but for a while you didn’t care!

Oral Roberts was the leader in televised faith healing. Roberts was quick to grasp the power of television. People could write to Roberts and, for a donation, request a prayer for a miracle. It’s questionable how many people were healed, but Oral Roberts became very wealthy.

Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying that faith can’t heal. It can. We oftentimes limit God’s power to act by our disbelief. God can do anything. He’s not limited by time or space. If God desires it, then it happens.

Our faith may not produce an immediate, miraculous cure from, let’s say, cancer. But our faith will lead us to a gifted surgeon. God acts through us to make things happen. It’s up to us to give Him the thanks and the glory.

If you are searching for a miracle, ask the one who can give you a solution. The answer to your prayers might not come exactly as you want, but God answers every prayer. Look for His influence in your life. It’s there…

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