Monthly Archives: January 2026

Spirituality

The Breaking Point

Pain is a powerful motivator. You have possibly heard this saying: “When the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of change, you will change.”

Many people say they don’t like change. But life is in a constant state of change. Every day is an unknown. It’s true that much of life is routine, boring even. Then something hits the fan and you are put in a position you didn’t anticipate.

Many people cry out to God when they need help. I certainly have. Then we put him on the back burner after the crisis passes. I have done that, too. This happens because we think we are in control. But we are wrong.

God remains in control whether we believe it or acknowledge it. He doesn’t make bad things happen. That would go against his nature. But he allows evil to happen. This is where personal growth accelerates. Our resilience is strengthened. So is our confidence.

Welcome the unexpected in your life. Everything can be used…

Standard
Spirituality

Where Are They?

Sometimes I wonder what happened to the people who asked me for directions. Those poor souls may still be wandering around.

The “they” I’m referring to in the title are the people who are willing to take a stand for what’s right. Many are concerned, but they also don’t want to get involved.

There are heroes among us. These are the people who show up when they are needed. They aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Sometimes their involvement requires great risk. I’m sure they have a moment of hesitation, but they find their inner strength to help when help is needed.

Find the areas where you want to make a difference. Yes, you will be giving up some of your free time. But you will be helping countless unseen individuals. Everyone counts…

Standard
Spirituality

Truth Tellers

As a child, I was taught that George Washington “never told a lie.” The story about Washington and the cherry tree was made up by a biographer after Washington’s death. Was this story taught in school to teach virtue, or was it taught to little children so we would grow up trusting our politicians? I have my suspicions it was both.

Telling the truth is easier than lying or even stretching the truth. You never have to question what you said to someone because you simply spoke the truth. No spinning of a story, just the simple truth.

In today’s society, “living my truth” is a popular phrase. You may live however you like, but there is only one truth. Stick with it and you’ll live with more peace.

Back to our politicians, we expect them to stretch the truth. Fiery rhetoric without substance is hollow. Like everyone, watch the actions of people. Do they align with their words? When they do align, you begin to trust them more.

Washington was careful with his words. He was a brilliant general who used deception and lies to manipulate the enemy. And we can be grateful he did, cherry tree or not…

Standard
Spirituality

Divide and Conquer

The devil is real. He wants us to believe he is a fairy tale, but make no mistake, he is real and he is destructive. Everything good in this world has been destroyed or corrupted by demonic forces.

In the United States, the divide between our two political parties has widened to a point of no return. I say this because in past crises, we have put aside our differences and come together. But I ask you to consider the difference between how the country responded after 9/11 and the reactions during the pandemic. Night and day.

The demons know their day is coming. This is evidenced by the demons being startled by Jesus’ arrival in the Gerasenes when they cried out, “what have you come to do to us, O Son of God? Have you come to torment us before the time?” Torment sounds really unpleasant.

There are spiritual forces behind everything in this world. Just because we don’t see them doesn’t make them less real. We don’t have to let them divide us. Every citizen has a right to their own beliefs whether we agree or disagree. Let’s rise above and respect their right.

We are better together…

Standard
Spirituality

Nut Allergies

Approximately 1.8% of people in the United States are allergic to nuts. Although I can eat peanuts without a problem, I’m allergic to nuts, too.

People watching is an interesting way to pass the time in shopping malls and airports. Restaurants are a mecca for human interaction. The behavior of crowds has fascinated me for decades.

The nuts I’m allergic to don’t grow on trees. The nuts I stay away from are the people with irrational anger. These people get in your face to argue about every nutty thing they believe: boys can be girls, there are unlimited genders etc. Just because someone believes something doesn’t make it true.

Social media has given the nuts a voice. But we aren’t required to give them a moment of our time. Treat the crazies like a nut allergy. Stay away from them. You aren’t missing anything, but you are protecting your peace…

Standard
Spirituality

Graduation Day

This Friday, January 30th, I have the privilege of giving the Commencement Address for 130 graduates. This is a special group of students. You see, they earned certifications while serving their sentences in prison.

Life is hard. It’s harder when you are in prison. But the Texas Criminal Justice Department offers a path forward for the inmates while they serve time. The students have jobs while in prison, then go to school afterward. It makes for a very long day. The inmates aren’t forced to attend school. It’s their choice.

I wish everyone could attend one of these graduation ceremonies. This will be my fifth commencement, and they are all special moments in the inmates lives and in mine. A day they will never forget.

There is redemption and restoration of people’s lives happening in the Texas prisons. Their hard work and commitment to growth is to be commended and respected…

Standard
Spirituality

Deciding Moments

In the movie, The Rookie, high school baseball coach Jim Morris has a serious talk with his team after a loss. Morris observed during the game that his team had given up. They quit on their coach, but more importantly they quit on themselves. Coach Morris challenged them to want more from their lives.

The boys on the team turned the challenge around on their coach. Morris had, at one time, shown great promise as a Major League pitcher but a shoulder injury cut his dream short. The team, which had previously only won one single game in the seasons prior, got their coach to agree to try out for a professional baseball team if the high school team won district. Morris agreed, and then the team won 17 straight games. They had a deciding moment which gave them purpose.

God gives us moments in life where we are challenged to do more than we have before. He gives us the right to decide to take the challenge or back away. This is where free will and purpose intersect. It’s always our choice which road we choose.

When your deciding moments present themselves, I encourage you to take a risk. You may be scared, but remember, God will be with you. He isn’t in the business of abandonment…

Standard
Spirituality

Killing Conformity

Conformity kills creativity and individuality. Yes, people like to fit in, to be part of a group or movement. But where’s the excitement in that if you lose your identity for the sake of the group?

You were created to make a difference in this world. Your unique gifts and talents are yours and yours alone. No one like you has ever been created and never will be. Be willing to show yourself to the world without reservation.

Be prepared. The critics will be waiting to tear you apart. Pay no attention to them. Those people are small thinkers who are projecting their insecurities onto you. Keep pursuing your purpose and leave the critics in the mire.

Time on this side of life is finite. Fulfilling your God-given purpose will impact your life in eternity. Don’t waste another moment. As John Wayne said, “you’re burning daylight.” It’s time to begin…

Standard
Spirituality

The Quiet

Every day, I begin my morning by just being quiet. No music, podcasts or anything else. Just the quiet. It’s the best way I know to set the tone for the upcoming, busy, noisy day.

We have become accustomed to noise. Traffic sounds, television ads, even podcasts bring stimuli into our minds. Our brains require noise to feel “normal.”

Have you ever gone out to the country and walked around an open field? The only sounds we might hear are the wind or perhaps a cow mooing. It’s quite peaceful. It’s interesting how quickly our minds adjust to the lack of noise. Then we want more.

Some people are uncomfortable with the quiet. They get antsy or fidgety. If this is you, I encourage you to work through this. Just sit quietly for 30 seconds. The next day try for 60 seconds. It will take time to adjust, but you will get there if you don’t give up.

Enjoy your quiet moments. The world and its constant noise will be there when you’re ready…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Heads Down

Sometimes a person will yell “look out” or “heads up” when they are trying to get your attention. Oftentimes this is to warn the other person of potential danger. It has certainly helped me in the past.

We have a world filled with people whose heads are down. Their phone screens have dominated their attention. Countless times I have had to stop my car quickly because someone is walking in front of my vehicle in a parking lot, unaware of how close they got to ending up in a hospital.

There is nothing so important that it can’t wait a few moments until you are out of potential danger. The same goes for texting while driving. It can wait.

We only get one chance to make a mistake. Many are unavoidable, but some that are due to our minds being lost to our screens can be avoided.

Keep your head up…

Standard