Monthly Archives: January 2025

Spirituality, Uncategorized

Salt of the Earth

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus told the crowd they were the salt of the earth. How many times have we read that and skipped right through it without any further consideration? Let’s examine it.

Salt is used millions, probably billions of times daily. It’s the most widely used seasoning on earth. Salt enhances flavor. It’s used as a preservative, a cleanser, a weed killer, and it can be used to remove stains from your teeth. During Jesus’ day, it was a rare commodity that was used as currency.

All the ways I just listed can be applied to us! We can enhance the lives of others and lift others through our words and actions. We can remove negative thinking (weeds) and, through changing our thoughts we can cleanse our minds. And when we consider the scientific marvel the human body is, we are worth more than any nation’s gold.

Yet, we have something salt doesn’t have. When salt loses its flavor, it is worthless. We can rise and reclaim our lives after setbacks and hardships. We never lose our value.

Be the one who encourages the hurting, the lost, and the ones who feel forgotten. Be like salt…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Dignity

What do you think of when you hear or read the word dignity? It’s defined as, “the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.” Dignity is something that must be earned.

In society today, we see the “look at me” impostors everywhere we turn. You might catch our attention for a moment, but if you don’t have substance you won’t keep it.

And we have the mediocre to contend with in the world. Those who are unwilling to go the extra mile because “that’s not their job” will never rise with that attitude.

The truth is, you can bring dignity to anything you do. This applies whether you are a CEO or a janitor. Consistently doing a good job will be noticed.

Dignity lies within the person. Be willing to give more than you receive…

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Spirituality

The Next Ten Years

Do you think about what your life will look like in ten years? You should. Making long-term goals is a wise decision.

I meet many people who aren’t looking too far into their future. Many of their goals are about retirement. But it’s vital to remember, there’s a lot of life to be lived after retiring.

Your first step is to write down your long-term plans on paper. Read it often. If it involves learning a new skill, focus your reading on the skill. Do you want to write a book, a novel per se? I encourage you to take a class on writing. A physical class where you can meet and interact with other future writers. You will learn a lot, and your creative juices will begin to flow like a river.

Take the steps necessary to create the life you want. Start today. In fact, start now…

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Spirituality

Merit

Being able to work is a privilege. Working in a career you love and find fulfilling is a gift. I say this because I have read multiple articles that cite the high number of people (80%+) who are simply going through the motions of a job they don’t really love.

Hard work requires dedication and commitment. You can only provide these when you are fully engaged as well as stimulated in your work. Going to a job just to receive a paycheck will turn you into a “clock watcher,” doing the bare minimum.

Do you want to advance in your career? If your answer is yes, then you must be willing to go the extra mile. When you give more of yourself than you are being paid for, it will be returned to you by a great multiple. This is true even if you are working for an ingrate.

It’s important to remember not to allow the pursuit of making money into your mindset. Money will come, but it shouldn’t be your focus. Your goal is to find fulfillment in your career and your life.

Everything else will fall into place…

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Spirituality

Are You Lonely?

Loneliness is on the rise in the United States. According to the most recent Gallup Poll, over 20% of adults are feeling alone. At the beginning of 2024, the number was 17%. The percentage of young people ages 15-18 is 25%. Something is wrong and getting worse quickly.

Everyone has experienced periods of loneliness during their lives. Feeling alone is typically a seasonal thing, but some people are having a difficult time moving through it.

Death and divorce are part of life’s process. The loneliness will pass, as will the grief. We were never promised that life would always be full of happiness. We must accept the bad with the good.

My encouragement to the lonely is to take inventory of your assets. You can see, think, feel and love. Your heart will still beat 36 million times this year. You have so much, but you are only finding your value in material possessions. You are so much more valuable than that.

Loneliness will pass. It’s okay to get down. Just don’t stay there…

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Spirituality

Daily Prayer

Here is my daily prayer. True story: it popped into my mind when I was sitting in church, checking out girls! When the thought grabbed me, I immediately wrote it down. If you like it, feel free to use it as your own.

“Use me. Work through me. Through my writings and through my words. Through my actions and through my deeds. Let me be a light to others in this dark world.”

Our world is dark. Be the one who brings light…

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Spirituality

No, Not Everything Happens For a Reason

You have heard people say, “everything happens for a reason.” Perhaps you have said it yourself. It just isn’t true if the person saying it is implying Spiritual influence.

God has given us the power to choose. In this way, we are given the choice to love God, hate Him, or be indifferent towards Him. He doesn’t force us to love Him. So, what happens in life is a direct consequence of our decision making. And our attitude controls everything. But let’s consider the things that happen when we have no choice in the matter.

God doesn’t make abuse happen, nor rape or sexual assault, and He doesn’t make bad things happen to good people. God does make a promise, though. He can bring good from evil. I refer you to Romans 8:28 if you want to read His promise.

Bad things happen, no doubt. We aren’t going to understand everything on this side of eternity. But we can trust God. His purpose is good.

Always…

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Spirituality

The Power to Change

Change is a funny thing. In one way it is self-contradictory. For example, many people say they don’t like change. Yet, the only constant in life is change. Those people are screwed!

Most everyone I meet is trying to grow. Growth requires change. Getting rid of bad habits, better decision-making or beginning an exercise program requires change and commitment. And it is difficult. But you can do it if you want to.

You don’t have to do it alone. Ask God to help you. He will show up. You might have to ask Him multiple times per day. God didn’t forget what you asked for. He’s wanting to see how badly you want it. And only God can change impure hearts. Let Him do His thing.

The road of life we are on will end one day. Make your life count…

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Spirituality

Angels Among Us

Did you know that Angels might be in your midst? It’s true! Hebrews 13:2 says, “ Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.“ So, there you have it.

It is my belief that we should try to show kindness to friends and strangers alike. Do it because that’s what is in your heart, not because you want something. God knows our motives because He sees everything. I’m not just talking about our actions. He sees beneath the surface.

When you are working on yourself, remember to ask God to remove any impure thoughts and actions from your life. He will.

God is the original heart surgeon. He can heal us and purify us…

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Spirituality

Desperation

There are innumerable people living with unfulfilled dreams for their lives. Trading one’s identity for security is nothing new. In the 1850’s, Thoreau wrote, “ the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, and die with their song still in them.”

We see the effects of this inner turmoil in our world. It is manifested by alcoholism, drug abuse and other destructive behaviors. Damaged people leave a trail of carnage in their wake. It doesn’t have to end like this.

Take control of your thoughts. Work on yourself. Break it down into manageable increments. If you get too far ahead in your thinking, it can be destructive. Stick with one day at a time. We can do anything for just one day.

When you drive by a cemetery, take a moment to consider all of the unfulfilled promise each of those lives offered. You won’t end up like them.

Don’t die with your song still in you. It’s time to start singing…

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