Monthly Archives: September 2024

#inspiration

I Don’t Need That Kind Of Help

In his book, “The Vision of the Anointed,” Thomas Sowell explains how Congress decides they see something that merits their attention. Millions of dollars are spent studying the “problem,” while countless hours are wasted on something that, many times, was already getting better.

In 1950, less than 3% of people 14 and older were illiterate. The government decided that was too high and decided to get involved. Today, the illiteracy rate is 21%!

In 1960, 20% of black children were born in single parent homes. Congress wrote welfare laws that affected black families disproportionately. The laws were written so that if the welfare applicant had two parents living in the same home, they wouldn’t qualify for help. Fast forward to today and we have 80% of black children being born without a father. Thank God that this is starting to go the other way. Fathers are important.

When Congress decides to involve themselves in problems “only they can solve,” I’m not sure I want their help. My money is on the people. They will solve their problems better than anyone, especially the government…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Misfits

Everyone has felt like they don’t belong sometimes. The crowd wasn’t really your type, you were underdressed, or maybe you were just feeling insecure. All of us have felt that way. Somehow, some way we survived! (Sarcasm)

I believe being a misfit is a good thing. It’s your opportunity to stand out from the crowd, to speak up when others are being silenced. If a child is being harmed or misled, we have one opportunity to put things right. Take the chance and have no regrets.

Being different from the rest is how God made us. He must love variety because different heights, shapes and sizes are all around us!

Embrace the idea of being a misfit. You will be noticed and remembered. Make sure it’s for something worthwhile…

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#spirituality

A Day of Rest?

You are busy. I know you are. We cram so much into our lives that we feel overwhelmed by it all. My attitude is, I can sleep when I’m dead.

The Bible teaches us that on the seventh day, God rested. That’s funny to me because God doesn’t get tired. He doesn’t sleep. So, why is that in there?

The Sabbath is to be set aside for us to worship God and rest our minds and bodies. We need it. God knows that slowing down one day per week will prepare us for the next six.

Take one day off each week. Think about your Creator and all the good He has given you. The crazy busy world will still be there…

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#inspiration

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a kind of thinking in which you question, analyze, interpret, evaluate and make a judgment about what you read or hear. Great strides in science and technology have happened as a result of critical thought.

Emotions can block critical thinking. When Arnold Schwarzenegger won the governorship of California, people were screaming they wanted an amendment so he could run for president. This was before he even took office! My thoughts at the time were, let’s see how he does as governor before you anoint him with oil.

We should question everything. Now I understand there’s a lot of data thrown our way every day. Select what’s important. Do your research and dig beneath what the media tells you. You can’t trust them to tell you the whole truth. Your innate curiosity will keep you going when others might quit.

Thinking critically is vital for decision making in our lives. It applies to our decisions about our health and our safety. Take the emotion out and simply think…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Prophets

Ever since the beginning of recorded time we have had people who claim to be prophets. Some were real (Samuel, Elijah and others), while the rest are just trying to scam you out of your money. The “Psychic Hotline” is a beaming example.

The frauds are taking advantage of people’s need for hope. Palm readers can’t tell you your future any better than I can. There is one, sure fire way to weed out the fakes: someone who truly gets their gift from God will be right 100% of the time. God cannot lie so He wouldn’t pass along wrong or misleading information to a real prophet.

Find peace in your life by knowing that God has you in his sights all the time. Nothing goes unnoticed. He knows your future down to every minute detail.

Place all your hope in the One who is on your side, and always will be…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Planting

In school we learned about the work that farmers do. They plant crops in one season and harvest them in another. If a farmer plants potatoes, he expects to harvest potatoes. You reap what you sow, right?

There’s a solid lesson here. The farmer expects to harvest what he planted. In our lives, we should begin with the end in mind; what we expect to happen. Planting good seeds produces good outcomes. And we are reminded in Proverbs 16:9 that, “We make our plans, but The Lord determines our steps.” In other words, God will guide us and remove obstacles. We just do the work!

And thank God for the farmers. They work very hard and take great risks so we can eat!

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Accepted

We hear the news pundits and politicians refer to “average Americans.” Personally, I don’t know anyone who thinks of themselves as merely average.

People spend an inordinate amount of time trying to fit in rather than standing out. Oh we have the wonks who are constantly promoting themselves and saying, “look at me.” Many of those people are simply trying to cover up insecurities. Being liked on social media doesn’t take away feelings of inadequacy.

The only one who accepts us all the time is God. He wants us to find our true purpose He imbued in us, and then accomplish that purpose. God wants us to be ourselves. We don’t need to alter ourselves to fit in with the world. We are performing for an audience of one and only one.

If you’re going to perform, make it count…

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#inspiration

Literacy

Reading and comprehension are vital for a functioning society. Yet, adult illiteracy is at an alarmingly high rate in the United States.

Currently, around 43 million Americans cannot read at a fourth grade level. They cannot write or do math above a 3rd grade level, either. We can, and must do something about this before it’s too late.

In 1997, President Bill Clinton encouraged us to take on a tutoring role in elementary schools. Helping a child read opens their mind and imagination, too. And literacy has an economic impact. If all adults reach just a sixth grade reading level it would translate into $2.2 trillion of additional income in the United States. Personally, I can’t imagine my life without books.

I encourage you to volunteer to read with children. You will be helping the teachers by being an extra resource. By doing this, you will be making a difference in a child’s life, and you will be helping the country…

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#spirituality

The Peacemaker

Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived. He redeemed and restored people. Everyone, including the hated tax collectors, prostitutes and adulterers came to him for the forgiveness of their sins.

Jesus healed people, too. Lepers, the blind, even dead people received healing. Jesus gave the people hope when they had little or none.

Jesus was a peacemaker, yet sometimes he raised some hell. He cleaned up the Temple (His Father’s House) and called out the hypocritical religious leaders. Jesus was a true rebel, a badass who lived his life fearlessly and with purpose.

I encourage you to get to know him. He will change your life…

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