Category Archives: Spirituality

Spirituality

Habitat for Humanity

Millard and Linda Fuller found themselves looking for more purpose in their lives. Through a sequence of events that only God could have imagined, the Fullers founded Habitat for Humanity. And did they ever find purpose!

Many people believe Jimmy Carter was the founder. He wasn’t, but his and Rosalynn’s first habitat build in 1984 gave the organization new notoriety.

The recipients of Habitat homes must put in 200 hours of sweat equity building homes for others before they can be considered for a home themselves. They must qualify by having a job and a minimum credit score of 620 or higher. And they actually buy the home. Nothing is given to them. They earn it.

Over the years since its inception, Habitat has built or refurbished millions of homes. Lifting their fellow man from poverty and becoming citizens of a community offers hope. Habitat for Humanity is an excellent example of how to get things done.

I encourage you to volunteer for a Habitat build in your local community. Your life will never be the same…

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Spirituality

Smile!

Every day I wake up with a smile! Many people need to ease into their day, but not me. I’m ready to go when I wake up.

The trauma of my childhood has given me a lightning quick wit. For years it was a coping mechanism for me, a way to keep people from getting too close. Since working through the challenges of my youth along with the subsequent healing, my wit is a great way to make others laugh. Now I use it as a way to draw people in, not keep them away.

Use your smile to lift others spirits. People are hurting. Mental health remains shredded.

You never know. Your kindness might be someone’s last, best hope…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

What Are You Waiting For?

Patience is something I work on. It seems like I’m not alone because much of the world appears to be impatient.

There are passions in your life that you might be waiting to fulfill. You have a purpose and you know there’s more to life than what you are experiencing. What is stopping you? Your thoughts are preventing you from taking action.

There is always a reason to wait until tomorrow. Yet, we don’t know how many tomorrows we have left. They aren’t unlimited.

Change your thinking. Visualize. Just begin. God will direct your steps. You don’t have to have everything figured out ahead of time. This is the nexus where faith replaces fear.

Get started! What are you waiting for?

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Spirituality

Delete

We delete old emails and text messages when we no longer need them. Why aren’t we deleting bad habits and negative thoughts, too?

We have only so much time in this life. We can waste our time, or we can make good use of it. It’s our choice. No one else controls us or our thoughts.

The power of choice is one of the greatest gifts from the Creator. Free will is truly free. We can choose to be difference-makers, doing what we can to lift others. Or we can accept whatever life sends our way. Again, we have the power to choose.

My encouragement to you is to choose to think of others first. Be outward focused. Seek opportunities to help and encourage others. You will gain more than you give. Promise!

Delete the things that waste your precious time. You won’t miss them…

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Spirituality

Five Stones

Goliath, who stood around 9 feet tall, was feared by the entire Israeli army. Goliath taunted them daily. He appeared to be unstoppable.

A shepherd named David saw things differently from the others. David was insulted by “this uncircumcised Phillistine.” Goliath was an abomination to the Lord in David’s eyes, so he decided to do something about him. David’s brothers, along with the other soldiers tried to talk David out of his plan, but David was undeterred. He knew he had God on his side, and God would use David to kill the giant.

You know the story of David and Goliath. David took him out with one stone hurled at Goliaths forehead. The now-emboldened Israelis destroyed the Phillistine army after David had slain Goliath.

David believed. We should believe, too. God is on our side just as He was on David’s. So what stops our belief? We see things through our eyes rather than through God’s eyes. That’s the only difference.

People sometimes ask why David took five smooth stones instead of just one. After all, he was confident that God would show up, right? Well, Goliath had four brothers. David came prepared…

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Spirituality

Spring 2025

The season of Spring begins next week. In Texas, we have already seen signs of new beginnings such as flowers blooming. Spring comes early in Texas because of our moderate climate and short winter. Come for a visit but please don’t move here. We are full!

Every year people take on the task of Spring cleaning. It’s a good time to get rid of clutter, wash windows and clean out your garage. It feels great when you do that.

This year, why not do a cleaning of a part of your life you might not be pleased with? If you have a habit of watching too much television, turn it off and read a book. Sedentary lifestyle? Go for a walk. Junk food in your pantry? Replace it with fresh fruit, organic if you can find it and it’s affordable.

We spend our efforts cleaning the outside. Let’s be different and clean the inside as well. The results take a little longer to see, but you will see them…

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Spirituality

Take It Easy

In many ways we have become lazy. The proliferation of 7-11 stores was due to our desire to save time. We were willing to pay higher prices for convenience.

Fast food has become a staple of American culture and cuisine. Yes, we save time when we pick up a bag of hamburgers on the way home. But we miss the human connection we get from preparing a meal together. The loss is intangible so we don’t notice it as much.

Today, there are six obesity drugs available. Give yourself a weekly shot and you’ll lose much of your appetite. Yet, you also lose the satisfaction of taking the weight off naturally through exercise. The satisfaction of accomplishment is gone. Plus, weight loss through diet and exercise has no side effects, unlike drugs.

We are hardwired to grow, to achieve. This aids in the development of healthy neural pathways. God has given us every tool we need to live long, healthy, productive lives. Let’s not take His gift for granted…

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Spirituality

Wasteful Words

Politics has divided us in the United States in a way I never thought I would see. People who have been friends for decades have severed ties, as have families. And for what? You don’t like their politics so you can’t be associated. That’s shallow.

The funny part of this is, people make stuff up about the other side of the aisle. They post ridiculous memes designed to convince you of their moral superiority. You better get on board or you’ll not be allowed to sit with the cool kids.

We live in a world where everyone is an expert. Unless you have devoted your life to a cause, you are a casual observer. We aren’t a professional physician because we read a medical textbook.

Dying on the hill of politics is a waste of your time. Find a greater purpose…

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Spirituality

Why I Write

Why do I write? As I was driving home yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this.

I became a writer in 2015. A friend of mine encouraged me to write. He would say encouraged, but I say pestered! Yet, I’m glad I listened because without his constant harassment I would have never begun. And the truth is, I am the least qualified to write anything. I didn’t take English in college because I hated the subject so much.

My encouragement to you is to listen to those who encourage you to try something new, something that is worthwhile. You might really enjoy it, even when you believe you won’t.

The reason I write is to inspire and help people. In a divided world, my hope is to build bridges, not tear them down.

Anyone can criticize others and bring them down. That’s easy. I choose to lift them up through words and actions.

Be a peacemaker…

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Spirituality

Walk It Out

There was a time where I remember being told that the sun was bad for us. It isn’t. Have you noticed how the plants and flowers grow towards the sunlight? Animals and birds love the way the sun feels on their bodies. So do we!

Nature is there for us to enjoy. The endorphins in our brains come alive when we experience beauty. We will not get the same healthy energy from sitting and watching television. Experiencing natural beauty while moving our bodies will benefit us in ways that are indescribable.

Get outside every opportunity you have. Take a long walk. Breathe deeply. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that’s all around you…

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