Monthly Archives: July 2025

Spirituality

Finding God

A couple of years ago, on a Sunday morning, I was driving through my neighborhood headed to church. I saw a family of four riding their bicycles going the opposite way. Dad was in front followed by two young kids who were probably 5 and 6. Mom was bringing up the rear. I thought to myself that what I was seeing was a version of church. They weren’t home sitting around watching television or playing video games. They had togetherness. Doesn’t that sound like church?

Everyone is trying to find God whether they acknowledge it or not. The 17th century French philosopher Pascal said we “had a God-shaped vacuum” in our hearts that only God could fill. People pursue spiritual connection through everything from prayer and church to yoga and spiritual retreats. We pursue the Divine yet He pursues us at the same time. Why are we missing each other?

We find God in the quiet. We find him in our service to others. We find him in nature. And we can see God manifest goodness when tragedy strikes. He’s there. We just need to look.

God wants our hearts. All through the Bible are references to God examining the heart. He doesn’t need anything more than our willingness.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Slow down. Get quiet. Find Him…

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Spirituality

Childlike Curiosity

We can learn a lot from toddlers. Yes, they ask a ton of questions, but they are just trying to learn. Everything catches their attention. You can almost see the neurons in their developing brains exploding.

Have you ever met someone who thinks they know everything? These so-called “experts” are draining to be around. They must weigh in on every discussion, letting us know how bright they are. These types of people rarely learn anything because they think they know it all already. Considering another point of view is foreign to them. Let them speak long enough and they will show you how little they actually know.

My encouragement to you is to approach life with the openness and curiosity of a child. Ask questions about everything. Children ask because they want to learn. Toddlers aren’t trying to show off how smart they are. They learn that behavior later.

Little children are pure and sweet, too. They are always watching, always learning, always curious…

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Spirituality

Baggage

The baggage I’m referring to in the title is unresolved trauma and emotional pain. When people say they don’t have baggage they mean they have been healed from their past. But what about those who are still carrying a heavy load?

From my reading and observation, over 80% of families in the United States are experiencing dysfunction. Emotional, physical and sexual abuse are spiking northward. Children, of course, are the most vulnerable. We can, we must reverse this trend.

Family values get ridiculed by some. But a solid family who resolves conflicts, loves each other and learns resilience provides the foundation for a better community. If you don’t know how to be a good parent, you can learn. There are multiple resources available through books and the internet. Even better, talk to people who have raised good kids. You can learn a lot from people who have been there before.

If you are dealing with issues from your past you need to heal from, I encourage you to talk about your life with a trusted friend. Find a psychotherapist who will walk you through it. There is peace on the other side of pain.

Most importantly, face it and don’t give up. It’s time to live fully…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

If You Need To Tell…

“Tell me about yourself” is a frequent question I ask people when I’m trying to get to know them. Most people speak humbly about themselves, telling me little about their accomplishments. Only when I probe a little deeper is when I find out what they are most proud of.

Social media has caused some people to do whatever they can to get noticed. The posts range from pictures of food or vacations to outrageous activities. Some are entertaining while others are disgusting. Either way, mission accomplished.

Then there are people who like to remind you they are a leader. These types will rattle off their professional resumes with very little prompting. If you need to tell others how great you are, you probably aren’t. But there are exceptions.

Humility doesn’t mean you go through life with your head down. Humility means you are in touch with who you are more than what you do. You do your work quietly and efficiently.

Work hard. Stay humble. People will notice your accomplishments without you having to say a word…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Condemned

When a building gets condemned it means it is no longer fit for occupancy. This could be due to a variety of conditions such as mold, asbestos, or the structure is no longer sound.

People judge and condemn others on the internet regularly. If your politics or religion don’t align with mine, then you are condemned and cast out. I hear people say, “we just aren’t the same” all the time. You are no longer fit to be my friend. And they say it with a moral superiority you can only find on the internet. Of course their words come from the safety of a keyboard or phone screen.

When tragedy strikes we get to see the good in people. Currently in the Kerrville/Hunt, Texas area you have Democrats, Republicans, Atheists, Jews and Christians working with each other for the common good. It’s sad that it takes a catastrophic event to bring people together. Maybe that’s why they are called acts of God events?

And speaking of God, he’s the only one who never condemns us. Find peace in that…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Mistakes

Making mistakes is unavoidable. No decent person does it on purpose, but mistakes happen. Mistakes can be something we said or did, or it could be mistaken identity. But the question is, what do we do with it when we make a mistake?

Mistakes are learning tools. We learn what doesn’t work so we try to not make the same mistake again. When learning algebra, you go down a lot of wrong paths but eventually figure it out. This helps to form your mind and actually helps develop critical thinking.

There are those who like to throw out past in our faces, but only to remind us of everything we have done wrong. Those types of people are very small. They are insecure in themselves, so they try to make others feel insecure, too. Stay away from them, even if they are family members. They have their own issues to sort through and you can’t help them.

Keep your eyes on your future, not your mistakes of the past. You learned from them. That’s all. You live in the present moment.

Don’t allow the past to prevent you from trying something new. There’s a lot of life left to live…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

In Preparation

Every experience we have in life prepares us for something else. We don’t have the privilege to know what it’s preparing us for. Just know that it is.

Many years ago I had an experience in an al anon meeting that changed me. In an instant, I released all judgment of other people. This has freed me to see through people as they are, not just look at them with prejudice and misunderstanding. That moment in my life was awe-inspiring.

My al anon moment prepared me to go into prisons and share my life story. Many of the inmates open up and talk about what’s happened in their lives. You hear some things that are heartbreaking. Very sick people do horrible things to others, leaving the victim broken and living with a deep and constant pain.

When you are going through darkness, please remember that it can be used for good. It’s getting you prepared for a purpose, a purpose that will benefit mankind in ways we cannot imagine.

Just keep going…

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Spirituality

From Those Who Came Before Us

When you are young, you tend to be full of yourself. No one can tell you anything because you know what’s best. And typically you aren’t shy about offering others your “wisdom” and advice, whether people want it or not.

With age comes experience and some wisdom. Years of living and learning have taught you to be open minded about much of life’s experiences. Life is a great teacher. Sometimes the lessons are hard, even harsh. But you learn that you will get through your darkest days if you don’t give up.

I encourage you to seek out the life stories of older, probably much wiser men and women. You can learn a lot from them. Their experiences will help shape your best thinking.

Don’t brush off the old people. You will be one yourself one day…

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Spirituality

The Quiet Good

There are a lot of good people in this world. In today’s “look at me” culture you gotta look hard to find them. But they are there.

I have seen single women work two and three jobs to provide for their family. They aren’t looking for attention. They are just trying to make it. Yet, the example they set for their children is inspiring.

There are 37 documented miracles that Jesus performed, including restoring eyesight to the blind, exorcising demonic spirits from adults and children, and he turned water into wine. Yet, he told the recipient of his supernatural intervention to keep quiet about it. Jesus didn’t do a single miracle that benefited himself, only others.

I encourage you to go about your work quietly, staying under the radar. Help others when you are able. Just be good…

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Spirituality

David and Goliath

David was a small shepherd who would one day be King. Goliath was a freakishly tall, powerful and strong Philistine fighter. They were mismatched in every way except one, the most important one.

Every day, Goliath would taunt the Hebrew army, daring anyone to come battle him. No one took the challenge until David showed up with his sling and five stones in his pouch. Now Goliath was insulted which fueled his rage.

David was enraged that this pagan would insult his people, and, more importantly, his God. David yelled, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…and all the earth will know there is a God in Heaven.”

One shot is all it took. It’s estimated that the stone hit Goliath in his forehead traveling at around 180 mph. David took Goliaths own sword and cut his head off! And the Philistines ran.

When you are facing impossible obstacles, challenges and setbacks, remember that God is on your side. He wants us to succeed and when we do, give him the credit and glory.

Never underestimate the unlimited power of the God of the Universe. He is good…

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