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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Spirituality

Skilled

When we watch great athletes play, it is a thing of beauty to see. Or a masterful guitar player. They make it look easy. We can only dream of being so good.

What we don’t see are the thousands of hours of practice that went into the performance we witness. We can’t put ourselves into the minds of the great ones to consider the times when they wanted to quit. They found their inner strength in those moments and pushed through the wall.

You have a great purpose in this life. You were created by God to make a difference. So many people miss their calling because they give up. Don’t quit. Never surrender.

You know what I am saying is true. You know that you have a unique purpose and were imbued with certain abilities to accomplish your calling. I encourage you to find it in yourself to pursue your purpose with everything you have in you.

It will take all you have. But just like a sports contest, leave it all on the field…

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Spirituality

Dissatisfied

Over half of Americans are dissatisfied with their work. They feel underpaid, under appreciated and do not find themselves fully engaged. How can you be productive when half your workforce has an attitude like this? You can’t, but there is hope.

One of the challenges people face is believing they are locked in a lifestyle they don’t want to give up. You are in your 40’s with a family, mortgage and other obligations. There seems to be no way out.

When the pain of dissatisfaction becomes too strong, people change. Perhaps they step their lifestyle back a bit to follow their unique path. It takes courage and commitment. Maybe pride gets in the way. But a better way of living is available if you really want it. You must really want it.

If this is resonating with you, I encourage you to take a moment to consider what you really desire from your life. Write it down. Pray for guidance. Be fearless and take a step forward in faith.

You will succeed if you refuse to quit…

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Spirituality

Unlimited Visibility

What are your limitations? Are you more focused on what you can’t do rather than what you are capable of achieving? If you answered yes to this question, it’s time to flip the script.

The human brain is the greatest gift God gave us. Inside the brain are 86 billion neurons, each connected to thousands of others. Our brains make over twenty five thousand independent decisions per second. Your heart will beat 36 million times this year without any help from you. Our brains can help us or limit us, but we get to decide.

Every battle is won or lost in the mind before we begin. When you are facing a difficult challenge, you must adapt the mindset of relentlessness. No one can make you quit. No one, no matter the odds, risks or hills you must climb.

See the possibilities that exist. Train your mind this way. See people as they can be, not as they are. In time, your mind will begin to think about what’s possible. You will see the solutions that exist in every problem. Then you are dwelling in possibility…

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Spirituality

Metaphorical

Sometimes we speak using metaphors to describe a situation or a person. This can be both good and bad. Let’s take a look.

Metaphors aren’t meant to be taken literally. For example, “time is money” is a popular saying. But time isn’t really money. The purpose of this saying is to remind us how valuable our time is. You cannot get it back.

Another common way to describe a good person is to say they “have a heart of gold.” Now we know that the heart, physically, is live tissue, not gold. But the description fits the do-gooders in life.

Metaphors are useful when the context is clear. Some could say Jesus’s parables were metaphorical, but they were more than that. His parables were stories designed to teach which is different from a metaphor.

Speak clearly, using metaphorical language only when necessary. The world is already confused enough…

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Spirituality

Embarrassed

There came a time when my sons were embarrassed to have me in the same zip code. It happened practically overnight. One day I was their hero and the next day I was the goat.

Have you noticed how quickly some public figures are to apologize when they get caught doing something wrong? Their illicit behavior may have gone on for years but they immediately became contrite. Was it genuine? Only God knows because He searches the heart of man.

Public figures live in the spotlight. People Magazine and TMZ follow them around. Any moral slip up and it’s in view of the world. Yet, there are stories of people who have erred but genuinely redirected their lives. Those stories don’t make the news quite as often.

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s important that we change our thinking so we don’t continue doing the wrong things. And self forgiveness is part of the process.

Life is a long road with curves and potholes along the way. You gotta learn to drive through those conditions, too…

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Spirituality

Enough Already!

Have you ever struggled with self-esteem? Many of us have, or we went into a situation where we weren’t feeling as confident as we should. It’s normal, nothing to worry about.

Confidence is built over time. You learn a skill by repetition, always striving to improve. No one walked perfectly when they first started, but we figured it out.

Proficiency is another thing. Let’s say you are trying to learn how to play guitar. Daily practice will make you better, even when the progress seems to go slowly. You might not play as well as Eric Clapton, but that’s not the goal. You play because you love music. That’s enough.

The Creator of the Universe thought you up before the earth was formed. Yes, He had you in mind. Specifically you. When you consider this, remember, you are enough…

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