Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

When Life Gives You Lemons

You know the saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It’s all about your perspective. Do you view your challenges as setbacks or opportunities?

The word “problem” is not in my vocabulary. Challenge is a more suitable word. That’s all problems are, simply challenges to overcome. Let’s not make them more than they are.

Were you born into poverty? Poverty is a mindset you can conquer with the right attitude. Control your thoughts and you will change your outcome. Was your family abusive? Stop the cycle. You can do it if you’re willing.

It really is up to you. You aren’t a victim and you aren’t powerless over your circumstances. And as you are changing your thoughts and beliefs, God will place people and opportunities along the way to help you. Have faith in this. But you must take the first step.

Have you decided to make lemonade today? Maybe throw a little tequila in there to make it taste even better. That’s your choice, too…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Living Large

If you live in the United States, you probably have a pretty good standard of living. Having a few dollars in your pocket makes you better off than over 90% of the world. But have you gotten comfortable?

There are many people who are struggling to get by. Mental health is at its worst. We are naturally selfish so if we give into our selfish ways we can easily ignore the problems of others. But that’s not how God intended us to be.

God cares for widows and orphans. The oppressed have a soft spot in His heart. He loves all of us the same. We are most like our Creator when we are using our talents to help mankind. Even a kind word makes a difference.

Scripture tells us that God wants the heart of man. He cares more about this than our offerings. We must prioritize justice and mercy, showing kindness and compassion even when we don’t feel like it.

I encourage you to look for opportunities to help others. Our actions are the best Gospel we can spread…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

How Good Are You?

It’s been said many times that if you feel the need to point out how great you are, you probably aren’t. That’s just insecurity on display. It’s like the people who post their first class airline seat on their social media platforms. No one ever brags about scoring a coach seat!

Lou Gehrig is a name from baseball. Gehrig was called “The Iron Horse” because he played in 2,130 consecutive games which was a record. He did his work quietly, never calling attention to his individual accomplishments. For Gehrig, it was all about the team.

Politicians are always looking for microphones. The next sound bite is something they will try to use to their advantage. Most of them are full of hot air, their words meaningless. Yet some people hold onto their words like it’s the gospel truth.

Humility is not overrated. We admire the people who do great things but don’t go out of their way to put the spotlight on themselves. There is an art to self promotion without going overboard.

Gehrig’s record stood for 56 years until Cal Ripken, Jr. broke it. Lou Gehrig was a class act. Ripken is, too…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Say What You Think

When you find someone who speaks their mind, with poise and eloquence, that person is a rare find. There are many out there who are quick to tell you what’s on their minds, but once they open their mouths you know there’s little substance behind their words.

Yes, the blowhards are everywhere. Even in the professional ranks. Groupthink is just as dangerous. Going along to get along is not using your brain. God gave us the greatest supercomputer ever built. It’s up to us to use it.

You have heard that “knowledge is power.” No, the truth is knowledge is potential power. Knowledge is meaningless if you sit idly by and never use it. And it’s usually a solid idea to verify your knowledge. It could be wrong.

Intellectual honesty is a dying art. Speaking the truth, with some gentleness and self control, is valued by your counter party.

Stay true to yourself and always being honest with people. You will piss some people off by having a different opinion or belief. That’s okay…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Evolution of the Ages

The Pony Express was created on April 3, 1860. It was a remarkably fast way to send mail in those days. Yet, the Pony Express only lasted about 18 months, ending on October 26, 1861. What killed it? That damn technology called the transcontinental telegraph which connected the country.

We are living in an age where you can send massive amounts of information to another person in an instant. And you don’t have to leave home to do it. In some ways the advances in technology have made us lazy. Why pick up the phone and call someone when you can send them a text or email?

We have exited the Information Age and entered the next phase, the era of Artificial Intelligence. This period doesn’t have an official name yet, but it will. And I wonder what will be next.

Technology makes our lives more efficient. There are trade offs that come along with it. The thing we cannot lose is human connection. We need to be in community with each other. Mental health is the worst it’s been in my lifetime, and I suspect replacing people with technology plays a big part in that.

Get outside. Call someone for lunch or Happy Hour. Find a reason to laugh every day. Check on people you haven’t heard from in a while. They will benefit but so will you. Stay connected…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

No Time to Waste

When we are young we believe we are immortal. While we have all felt that way, the truth is that our time on this side of eternity is finite. So, the burning question is, what am I doing with the time I have?

I’m not focused on death. Not at all. My focus is on living every moment I have while keeping my mind on the eternal. In 2 Corinthians 4:18, we are reminded to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

The unseen realm is unknown to man. We get glimpses and Scripture reminds us that there is a spiritual battle raging all around us. Then there is Heaven. Jesus described it as paradise. Even with this description we cannot fully comprehend it.

You and I have no time to waste. God gave us a purpose for being here. He doesn’t deal in randomness. If this side of eternity was random, all hell would be breaking loose. But there is order. And He gave us enough time to accomplish His purpose for our lives.

It’s time to get started. As John Wayne said, “we’re burning daylight.”

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Make More Mistakes

In order to do something great with our lives, we must be willing to take risks. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” as the saying goes. The fear of failure can be a deterrent, but only when you believe you gotta get things right every time.

We learn through our mistakes. When we do something correctly we aren’t required to learn a new, better way. Mistakes and setbacks are part of this imperfect life we are living.

Years ago, I was asked to be a guest teacher for a business principles college class. The curriculum I put together for the class was a list of eighteen lessons I learned during my career from mistakes I had made. We only got through five of them. Teaching the class is something I will always remember.

Success is a growth process. It rarely happens overnight, but it will happen when you work hard, work smart and refuse to quit when things get tough. You must be tougher!

Edison made mistakes. So did Einstein. Musk has blown up a lot of rockets while trying to figure out how to get one into space. We remember these individuals and others for their accomplishments. None of them published a memoir of their mistakes, but they could have.

Be willing to try and fail. Then be willing to try again. And again. And again. Until you find success. A dream without action is a waste…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

The State of Discontent

People change when they want to. I’ve heard many alcoholics say they “got sick and tired of being sick and tired.” They embraced sobriety, worked the 12 steps of AA and changed their lives.

Contentment can be an ambition killer. We are here for a purpose, a purpose that impacts others for good. Going to work, coming home and watching television then doing it all over again the next day won’t get you where you want to be. When you get discontented with your life then you will change. The pain of staying where you are is worse than the uncertainty of moving forward.

Fulfillment comes when we are working at something greater than ourselves. We are contributing to the greater good. And when you see someone trying to make a change, offer some encouragement to them. Your words might be what they need in the moment.

Find your purpose. You have one. In fact, you may have several. Keep going when you find it, no matter what happens. God gave you the purpose. He will see you through…

Standard