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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Spirituality

Speak The Truth

Yesterday, I watched a United States Senator tell a blatant lie on one of the Sunday morning news shows. It was so telling because even the Senator stumbled over his words and looked away. What’s more disappointing is, the host didn’t challenge him or offer any pushback at all. No wonder no one trusts the media.

We expect our politicians to stretch the truth. That’s been their way all my life. We don’t expect them to lie. Lying is not okay. People can handle the truth better than you may think they can.

When people lie, it destroys trust. It’s very difficult to regain trust once it’s gone. Having the trust of another person is a high honor.

There are times when delivering the truth is uncomfortable. Speak with gentleness and self-control. And picking the right time is crucial.

There is only one truth, no matter what people may say. And the truth is always the best…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Keeping Score

When little kids play sports, sometimes they don’t keep score. “They” being the officials. The kids know the score. If you didn’t want them to, you shouldn’t have taught them how to do simple math!

How do adults keep score? Perhaps we do it by measuring wealth or status. Maybe fame or lack of notoriety goes on the scorecard. The truth is, those are hollow victories. You can lose your wealth so therefore it’s not sustaining.

God’s scorecard is the heart of mankind. He sees us at our purest level. Nothing is hidden from God.

If your heart is troubled, go to work on getting it right. Ask for guidance from above, then believe you will get an answer. We are all works in progress.

When you get your heart right, good things happen…

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Spirituality

Breaking Through

This morning I had the privilege of delivering the Commencement Address for 42 inmates who were receiving their high school equivalency certificates. This was the eighth time I have done this during the past year. The thing I always take home with me is the smiles on the graduates faces.

Not only were the young men graduating, for many they were breaking a cycle. Dysfunction is generational until someone changes. Several of the men were the first in their family to graduate.

No one sets out in life to go to prison or get divorced. Things happen. Life’s curveballs will only hold you back if you decide to let them. You get to decide, no one else.

This morning was a fresh new start. The inmates aren’t getting out today. But when they do, there is a brighter path forward…

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