Do you like criticism? I believe most of us would say no. But the only way to avoid criticism is to hide from the world.
Playing it safe might sound appealing. You never ruffle anyone’s feathers. But you never achieve anything, either.
In today’s world people get criticized for doing what’s right. Our world has turned upside down, and that’s not progress. But I say, stand up and speak up for goodness. You might get some pushback, but keep doing what’s good and right…
Aren’t we all looking somewhere for validation that we are important and valued? Many people are looking in the wrong places.
Money, position, sex and power aren’t enough. If you are chasing those things you will always be chasing.
Our value comes from knowing who created us. His name is God, and God doesn’t create junk. If the God who created everything that is beautiful made us, too, that’s good enough. See yourself the way God sees you. Then see your fellow man in the same way. God made them, too!
We are made in the image of God, the one who creates everything. We are given the gift of creativity which can, and should be used for good. We can lift others or bring them down.
I read that someone in Hollywood has plans to remake “The Wizard of Oz” and “It’s A Wonderful Life,” two great movies. They plan to make the stories about people of color. No problem here, but why bastardize these classic works of art? Create something new, something unique. Most of the storylines are the same common theme. Come up with your own story.
I encourage you to tap into your creative talents. The world is waiting…
Those of us who set goals have a desired outcome, an end point. Setting a time to accomplish our goals gives us a different dynamic. We aren’t just drifting along hoping for a successful outcome.
One of my friends is about to begin a chemotherapy protocol. His desired outcome is complete eradication of the cancer, and his doctor has set the time frame for his treatment.
How do you pray in situations like this? If you pray for success, you might be disappointed. I pray for a God-ordained outcome. Further, my prayer is that my friend will see God’s hand in his situation. It’s all in God’s control anyway. My hope is to see His Divine power work.
Remember, even God can’t please everyone all the time. Stay in communication with him anyway. He likes that…
In 1965, the late Paul Harvey recorded “If I Were The Devil.” Harvey was simply noticing what was going on already, and he knew we would continue to devolve. Here is what he said:
If I were the Devil if I were the Devil
If I were the Prince of Darkness
I’d want to engulf the
Whole world in darkness
And I’d have a third of it’s real estate
And four-fifths of it’s population
But I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized
The ripest apple on the tree – thee
So I’d set about however necessary to
Take over the United States
I’d subvert the churches first
I’d begin with a campaign of whispers
With the wisdom of a serpent
I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve
“Do as you please”
To the young I would whisper that
The Bible is a myth
I would convince them that man created God
Instead of the other way around
I would confide that what’s bad is
Good and what’s good is square
And the old, I would teach to pray after me
Our Father – which art in Washington
And then I’d get organized
I’d educate authors in
How to make Lurid literature exciting
So that anything else would
Appear dull and uninteresting
I’d threaten TV with dirtier
Movies and vice versa
I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could
I’d sell alcohol to ladies
And gentlemen of distinction
I’d tranquilize the rest with pills
If I were the Devil I’d soon
Have families at war with themselves
Churches at war with themselves
And nations at war with themselves
Until each in it’s turn, was consumed
And with promises of higher ratings
I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames
If I were the Devil I would
Encourage schools to refine young intellects
But neglect to discipline emotions
Just let those run wild!
Until before you knew it
You’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and
Metal detectors at every schoolhouse door
Within a decade i’d have prisons overflowing
I’d have judges promoting pornography
Soon I could evict God from the courthouse
Then from the schoolhouse
And then from the houses of congress
And in His own churches I would substitute
Psychology for religion and deify science
I would lure priests and
Pastors into misusing
Boys and girls and church money
If I were the Devil
I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg
And the symbol of Christmas a bottle
If I were the Devil
I would take from those who have
And give to those who wanted
Until I had killed the
Incentive of the ambitious what will you bet
I could get whole states to promote gambling
As the way to get rich
I would caution against extremes
In hard work, in patriotism, in moral conduct
I would convince the young that
Marriage is old fashioned
That swinging is more fun
That what you see on TV is the way to be
And thus, I could undress you in public
And I could lure you into bed
With diseases for which there is no cure
In other words, if I were the Devil
I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing
Pay attention. We can change course if we are willing…
I’m known by friends and acquaintances as an encourager. It’s a mantle I’m happy to carry. People have called me all hours of the day and night looking for a word of encouragement. A couple have been hanging on to the last amount of hope they had in them. I’m glad I answered my phone.
When you see an opportunity, encourage others. Take the time because you don’t know what people are going through, or what they’ve experienced. Mental health was shredded during the pandemic. Many are hurting.
Take the time…
Do you ever feel different, like you are an outsider? You are, and that’s a good thing.
You are an outsider because of your uniqueness. There’s no one else like you. There’s no club of people exactly like you.
Be proud of this. It’s the outsiders who change the world….
From an early age we learned to express ourselves. Babies have different cries. They have one cry when they are hungry, another one when they are tired, and yet another when they want attention. As a parent, you can distinguish the subtle differences and meet their needs.
When I was a child, boys (and men) started growing their hair long. From most parents reactions you would have thought they had started worshipping the devil! . They weren’t, they were simply expressing themselves.
Today we see more and more people displaying tattoos and piercings. These, too, are self expressions. If I am in a Starbucks (or wherever), I try to be served by the freakiest looking person who works there. I treat them as an equal, with respect because they are equal in God’s eyes. I want to leave an impression on them that they are seen.
Look beyond what you see on the outside. Look at the heart…
In the Bible, to repent means to “change your mind.” We think of it as punitive, but it isn’t.
I have often written about controlling your thoughts in this column. It’s easier than you might think. We make it harder because the battle is in the mind. You might be thinking, “that’s just how I am.” Yet you are how you think. You become how you think, too.
Do you want to be healthy? See yourself in shape. Read something about fitness/wellness regularly. Your thoughts will take a turn for the better, especially at mealtime. You will unconsciously begin an exercise regimen. Your mind will plant these seeds and you will act on them.
Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s automatic. Your old thought patterns will hang around. They are powerful but your mind is more powerful. Push them away. Change your mind about your health (or whatever).
Start today. In fact, start now. You can do anything you set your mind to…
Religion is defined as, “the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.” In current culture, the word religion has become a negative term. There’s support for this.
I believe religion is one of the devil’s greatest tools. Many religions have created rules and rituals that don’t necessarily advance God’s Kingdom, but it certainly advances their own. Examine the religious leaders during Jesus’ time on earth. Some (not all) of the Pharisees saw Jesus as a threat to their power over their people. As scholars they should have recognized Jesus as The Messiah but were blinded by their own pride. It’s interesting to note that the demons recognized Jesus as the “Holy Son of God.”
The rules of religion keep people away from church and true worship of Jesus Christ. Thus, this is why religion has, in some cases, become pejorative.
Just follow the teachings of Jesus. He didn’t bring more religion. He restored and redeemed the people. Yes, he performed countless miracles, yet he never benefited personally from them.
And those are my thoughts on organized religion…
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