Monthly Archives: December 2023

#inspiration, #spirituality

Rebellious

We are rebellious by nature. Our natural tendency to be rebellious dates back to the beginning of mankind when Adam and Eve rebelled against God. Some things never change!

Not all rebellion is bad. Think about the American Revolution. Our ancestors rebelled against the British, they won, and what eventually became The United States was established. Abraham Lincoln rebelled against slavery. Our country became divided, yet Lincoln’s resolve abolished slavery and the country was restored.

In today’s culture, we have those who choose to rebel against good. They will not prevail. In the end, goodness wins every time…

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#inspiration

New Year. New Who?

The New Year is right around the corner. Soon it will be 2024. Many people set New Year’s Resolutions and go into the new year determined to change. But what really changes?

Starting anew and replacing a bad habit with a good one is always a good idea. Maybe you begin exercising after laying off for a while. Perhaps you start eating better. Whatever it is, commit to it and don’t quit. Do not let anyone, including yourself, talk you out of the new version of you!

Focus on improving one day at a time. Progress happens if you simply trust the process and keep going…

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#inspiration

Annoyances

We all have things (people) who get on our nerves. They just annoy us whether we understand why or not.

My brother had this irritating habit of chewing his food with his mouth open. Even worse, he made a loud smacking noise when eating. The more he knew that it bugged me, the more he did it. Ugh!

Yet I learned something. I learned to eat quietly so I didn’t bother someone with my eating. I was acutely aware of my behavior, and I still am.

Annoyances are there to teach us, not necessarily just to bother us…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Extra

We love extras, don’t we? Unless it’s extra weight, most extras are welcome additions.

A Baker’s Dozen is thirteen. Extra effort is easily recognized. “Extra Extra” meant something big was happening.

Let’s strive to be extraordinary in our lives. Set the example. Lead others well. You don’t need to use words for others to recognize you are exceptional. Show them…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Heart Reveals All

We all know people who have accomplished much in their lives. They have long, impressive resumes. But there is more to us than our accomplishments.

The heart of mankind tells all. What is our motivation? Are we selfish or selfless? Service to others shows true leadership. To effectively lead others, we must be willing to serve without calling attention to ourselves. God knows what we have done. He keeps an accurate accounting so we don’t have to.

Lead well…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Spirit of Christmas

We are nine days away from Christmas. Do you feel the Christmas spirit?

In today’s culture, many have replaced Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays. I’m fine with either greeting. After all, it’s just a greeting. No one is trying to force their religion on you by saying Merry Christmas.

The commercialization of Christmas has been going on as long as I have been alive and aware. Yet we long for simpler times.

Whatever you celebrate, keep the Spirit of Christmas alive in your heart because that’s where it lives…

Here’s a little perspective from Linus Van Pelt:

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Medicine

Laughter is the best medicine, isn’t it? There are some other great medicines we might overlook. Consider the following treatments: exercise, sunshine, sleep, human interaction and peace of mind. These help us recharge and heal. Our bodies were made for natural remedies, not pills.

Take your health into your own hands. Be your biggest cheerleader because you’re going to need a cheering section. Don’t quit when you feel like giving up, and you will. Prepare yourself for something great to begin…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Pleasantries

Oftentimes people greet us with, “How are you doing?” It’s nice of others to ask, but do they really care? I believe they do care.

I’m a greeter at my church on Sunday mornings. I like the volunteer work because I’m a friendly guy who likes to interact with people. Sometimes when I ask people how they are, they reply “okay.” One guy actually said “pretty shitty” and never broke stride! Mere pleasantries are not going to change these people’s day from just okay or pretty shitty to great. But I do offer a few words of genuine encouragement.

Check on people. Call them. Text them. Send them cards. People need to know that they are thought of and cared about…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Renewal

The beginning of the new year is right around the corner. Many people set New Year’s Resolutions, vowing to change some things in themselves. But why wait until January 1st? Start now.

Think of how far you will be in three weeks when 2024 actually arrives. Focus on how you will feel. You aren’t giving anything up. You are investing in yourself.

Start tomorrow on the renewal of you. Better yet, start right now…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Labeled

My older siblings were Straight A students all through school. Not me. I was an A, B, C and D student. Report card day was always a stressful day for me. My teachers and my parents labeled me as dumb. I wasn’t dumb. I was bored.

There are people who were labeled who accepted the label whether it was true or not. They have succumbed to external opinions rather than listening to their own inner voice. This keeps people from living fully. The judgments of others don’t matter. There is one judge and his name is God. He is the only one who gets to define who you are.

If you struggle to overcome being labeled, my encouragement to you is to find your confidence in yourself. Remember who created you. It wasn’t those who labeled you or want to continue to keep you boxed in. God made you, and that’s good enough for me…

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