Category Archives: Spirituality

Spirituality, Uncategorized

I Know You

Do you know people? I mean really know them? You see, people show you what they want you to know about them. They hide the things they want no one to see.

God knows us all the way down to our DNA. He knows everything, and nothing escapes his view. It’s inspiring to think that God was with us all our lives, even when we were infants and didn’t know him. Or maybe we did but we just don’t remember.

People put guards up. Many fear that if we truly knew them that we wouldn’t like them. God not only loves us, he likes us, too. And there’s nothing we can do to change that. Nothing.

I encourage you to let your guard down. Be open with others. Allow them to see you for who you are, not the version that’s not the real you.

When you open yourself up, that’s when you find true connection. And that’s what we want, to feel connected…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Come As You Are

I remember seeing restaurants advertise that you were welcome to “come as you are,” a sign that all were invited in to enjoy the food and experience. It was great advertising because it made me feel welcome before I went inside.

The church I go to is this way. Everyone is encouraged to come as they are and experience God’s grace. And true to their word, all are welcome. It’s a non-judgmental, no guilt or shame allowed place.

And there are other churches that are just plain churchy. They have good intentions, but the message gets lost because people are paying more attention to how the congregation is dressed than they are the Word of God.

Church is the one place where everyone should feel comfortable just showing up. It shouldn’t matter whether you are in a big building or meeting under a tree. You are welcome.

Jesus never turned anyone away. He even touched lepers! All could come to him and experience the kindness of God. Only this time he was in human form. What a truly magnificent Creator we serve…

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Spirituality

Like Minded

Have you noticed how people are always looking for things to agree on? This is rooted in people’s aversion to conflict. Some people will compromise their beliefs just to get along.

Conflict is going to happen in an imperfect world. That’s okay. Conflict doesn’t mean argument. It means disagreement. You can disagree without becoming disagreeable with someone else.

After Jesus’ crucifixion the disciples scattered. They were afraid for their own lives, and they had an internal conflict. Everything they had seen the prior three years wasn’t a lie. So how could this man, the Messiah be put to death when they knew he could stop it? The answer came later.

After the resurrection, the (now)apostles started the new way. It wasn’t called Christianity yet. They went far and wide, telling the world about Jesus. Many of the apostles died horrible deaths. You don’t die for a lie.

Be who you were created to be. Stay open minded, but that doesn’t mean you will be in agreement with everyone. Just stay true to yourself…

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Spirituality

Punishment

The home I grew up in was filled with chaos and violence. Both of my parents were abusive. The physical wounds heal, but the emotional pain just scars over.

As I grew into my teenage years, I became angry and withdrawn at home. I couldn’t show my anger, so I held it inside. At school, I was the happy kid who was friends with everyone. No one knew the pain I carried inside.

In my young mind I believed God was punishing me. I understood punishment because that was the world I lived in. But I had no idea what God was punishing me for. Had I known what I had done I would have corrected it. And He wasn’t telling me.

Only much later on did I learn the character of God. He wasn’t punishing me. In fact, everything I felt, every hurt, every pain and every sense of hopelessness, God felt that way alongside me. He was giving me a story that I could share which would bring hope to others who grew up the same way. For this, I am grateful.

Today, I spend a good amount of time in prisons, sharing my story while focusing on the power of forgiveness. My volunteer work gives me a great amount of fulfillment. My story is relatable, and it has given the inmates hope.

Everything can be used for good. God has given you a story. I encourage you to use yours, too…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Modeling

Who do you admire? And why do you admire them?

Abraham Lincoln was a great figure from history. Lincoln had perseverance (he ran for office unsuccessfully nine times before winning), wisdom, and he did what was right through the Emancipation Proclamation. It cost Lincoln his life.

The coming of the Messiah had been foretold through Scripture. Yet, when Jesus arrived on the scene many of the religious leaders at the time didn’t recognize him for who he was. Jesus’s teachings were aligned with the law, but many were counter culture to the religion of the Pharisees. They were all about religion while Jesus was teaching us to love God and love others.

Parents are their children’s first role models. Kids watch everything and learn how to act from mom and dad . Being a parent is the role of a lifetime.

Be willing to stand up for what’s right. Don’t go along with the crowd if the crowd is doing something wrong. You might be cast out from the crowd, but there are better people to surround yourself with.

Be a role model for good. Our world needs you…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Fear of Life

Some people can be so safety minded that they never take a chance on anything. They will miss out on the thrill of a rollercoaster, the excitement of whitewater rafting, traveling to exotic destinations and falling in love. Such a shame…

Do you know anyone who lives by the “what if” principle? What if this happens or what if that happens, they say. My mother was this way and it drove me crazy. One day I said, “so what if this happened?” I would figure it out. She didn’t like that too much because it took away her excuse making.

It’s good to exercise caution in life. Just don’t take it too far. And if you’re a fearful person, start small. Do something new to take you out of your comfort. Enjoy the thrill. Lean into it. You might like it!

Growth comes when we are willing to get uncomfortable…

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Spirituality

Complete

One of the dumbest lines ever comes from the movie, “Jerry Maguire.” In one scene, Tom Cruise says to Renee Zellweger “you complete me.” The audience swoons, and everyone lives happily ever after!

You are complete already. God created you and gave you every skill, every talent and every ability you need to do what he created you for. He didn’t send you to earth partially done.

It is true that we are born with a hole in our hearts. The 17th century French philosopher Pascal called it a “God shaped vacuum.” Only God can fill that void. Another broken human being won’t fit. And we are all broken.

Search for the God of the impossible. You know who I’m talking about. He’s waiting.

I leave you with Jeremiah 29:13 which says, “You will find me when you seek me with all of your heart…”

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Why Do You Believe What You Believe?

Growing up, I was taught that Christopher Columbus discovered the new land which became America. Imagine my shock when I learned the truth! Columbus never made it here. It was a lie I believed for a long time.

Do you ever question your beliefs? I believe it’s a good idea to test our beliefs and convictions. If you are one of the ones who questions whether God exists or not, well, you wouldn’t be the first to do that.

It has been demonstrated that we are wrong more than we are right. And the most glaring examples of this are the people who believe they are always right about everything. A massive ego combined with some intelligence creates a self-righteous ass.

Having faith in a God we can’t see takes courage. Society today grasps onto New Age BS which tells us the answers are “within.” Yet, the New Age devotees are still looking for a Higher Power for guidance. They just don’t call him God.

I believe in the God of the impossible. My belief comes not only from personal experiences, but the miracles I have seen happen in the lives of others. He has redeemed the lives of addicts, restored families, and caused money to appear when there was none.

It’s a good thing to question yourself. We are like science experiments. In science there are no answers, only more questions…

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Spirituality

Never Too Late

Are you one of the many people who are struggling right now? Mental health has been compromised while the cost of living skyrocketed the last four years, adding to the stress. People need hope right now like never before.

There is always hope, no matter how bleak it may appear to be. Don’t fear the future. There is something around the next corner, and you have to believe it’s something good. Keep taking one brave step after another. You will make it if you just keep going.

Surround yourself with good people. Read inspiring biographies and autobiographies. Turn the television off and go outside in nature. Tell God everything you are feeling. You can tell him if you’re angry with him, frustrated or disappointed. God can take a punch and he won’t hit back or hold a grudge. You don’t have to sound all spiritual or righteous. Just be yourself.

Believe in yourself, and believe that your future is bright. See the life you want. Pray for it. Keep your vision in the forefront of your mind.

You will make it happen if you refuse to quit…

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Spirituality

Allowances

When I was a kid a lot of my friends received an allowance every week. I didn’t. When I asked my parents about this, they told me I could ask for money anytime I needed it. “I didn’t need an allowance.” I never asked because I was afraid to.

God gives us the greatest allowance: free will. We are free to choose whatever path we want to take in life. But free will doesn’t mean we can escape the consequences of our decisions. There is cause and effect at play. Good decisions lead to good outcomes. You know the other side

Yet God gives us more. You see, everything good in our lives is a gift from God. Fresh air, sunshine, our minds, literally everything comes from God. And He gives generously to believers and nonbelievers alike.

Take nothing for granted. If you’re reading this, take a moment to thank God for another day. Then use today to make a difference in the world. Allow others to experience your kindness…

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