Category Archives: Uncategorized

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AIP

Autoimmune Protocol is a restrictive eating plan designed to eliminate inflammation in the body. I’m beginning today. Why, you might ask? Because I have an autoimmune disorder that is causing me tremendous pain. The diseases comes and goes, but the pain has gotten progressively worse.

Pain is a powerful motivator. There are many foods I like that I cannot eat for the next 30-60 days. Organic tomatoes, black pepper and coffee to name a few. But the thing is, eliminating certain foods from my diet is nothing compared to being pain free. I’m ready.

Our foods have been infiltrated with toxins. Artificial manipulation has caused molecules to be introduced into our bodies that we don’t know how to digest. I’m trying to reset my biology.

If you have joint pain or stiffness, take a deep look at what you are eating. It may be nothing or it could be something. It doesn’t hurt to look…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Sadness of Forgiveness

Everyone has been hurt by others. That’s universal. And we have all hurt other people. That is universal, too. But what do we do with the pain?

Forgiveness requires a lot. We must get over our desire to hurt back. When we let go of our need for revenge we can move to the next step: Letting go of the past hurt. By letting go we aren’t giving the offender a “hall pass” for the offense. But we are releasing any potential power it may have over us. This is when the power of forgiveness accelerates.

There’s a sadness that can occur when we forgive. It’s almost like losing a friendship, even though it isn’t a good friendship. When the desire to let go overtakes the desire to hold on, we have arrived.

This takes time. It can’t be rushed or forced. Forced outcomes aren’t genuine. Forgiveness is growth, too. Forgiveness is for you, not the offender.

If you are holding on to a hurt from the past, it is my hope that you will move forward on the road to forgiveness. Keep healthy boundaries up so it doesn’t happen again. But don’t shut down completely. Isolation is as harmful as lack of forgiveness.

Everything begins with gratitude…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Price of Gratitude

For as long as I can remember, I have been a grateful man. This isn’t to suggest I haven’t been through some difficult times. There have been some, but I refused to give in to any anger or resentment. Those things will destroy you from within.

Actively practicing gratitude changes the biochemistry of your brain. You begin to see the world through a bigger, more beautiful lens. But this comes at a cost; a trade off, if you will.

You lose the mindset of lack, fear of missing out, and your mind shifts towards what you have. There’s a lot of good in your life and mine. For example, if you can read this, don’t take it for granted. A blind man would trade places with you in a heartbeat to be able to have his vision back.

Gratitude has a cost. But what you gain through gratitude is worth everything you will release from your mind…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Open Up

As awe-inspiring as Artificial Intelligence is, it will never take the place of human connection. We are hardwired to be with other people. We want this in our casual conversations, too. Ask yourself, when contacting customer service, would you rather talk to a chat bot or a real person?

All of us have a thousand acquaintances. But how do you move from the surface to knowing others at a deeper, more meaningful level? Here’s how: drop your guard. Be open with others while maintaining an open mind to their hopes, dreams and beliefs.

When we are unguarded it encourages others to lower their guard. Let the conversation flow. Listen well. Put your heart into it. People are moved when you connect with their heart. This is the moment you see the real person.

You don’t need a big circle of friends. But you do need some. Be willing to open up to others. Yes, it involves a little risk that they might not like you or accept you. That’s perfectly fine. Keep working on yourself and the right people will appear…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Into The Unknown

In the Bible, we are instructed to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). When you stop to consider it, we are doing this every day. Atheists are doing it, too!

Most of life is routine. You might even say life is predictable. But is it? If you have had an unanticipated event happen, then you know that sometimes things go awry and our said routine is disrupted. But the unknowns are part of what keeps life interesting.

Some people don’t like change. I get it. But change is inevitable, so we should embrace it, not dread change.

Remember that God is in control of everything. Everything! He knows what is happening with His children at all times. We might be traveling into an unknown day. But God is already there. He’s watching out for you…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Spiritual Manipulation

Some people return to church after something goes wrong in their lives. This tells me two things: 1) They believe in a Deity; and 2) They believe He can do something about their situation. For many, this reunion is the beginning of God reaching them in a deeper way.

But there have been those who were manipulated by the people they sought help from. Someone in a weakened, vulnerable position is more likely to be used. This goes against the teachings of Scripture. And it isn’t God at work in these situations. It’s the devil getting his grip and doing harm to others.

Most people are good. Most pastors are good. They enter the ministry because it’s their calling, not for fame, fortune or their own glory.

My encouragement to you is to stay hopeful. Continue to believe in the leaders of your church. And don’t hesitate to reach out to them when life goes awry. God placed them there for a purpose…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

What Can’t Really Means

When I was raising my children, they weren’t allowed to say the word “can’t.” It means won’t. I believe this because I also believe we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to.

Our mind is the portal to the spiritual world. Setting our minds to something, anything, is igniting supernatural power to guide us, help us, and protect us. We are acknowledging that we aren’t facing our battles by ourselves.

Force of will can only get you so far. Even atheists have victories that were orchestrated by God. The atheists won’t acknowledge it was God, but we know better.

To this day, my sons do not use the word can’t. They are adults now, so I guess it stuck. For this, I am grateful to God…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Search for Peace

Some people thrive in chaos. They love to stir things up. When things are calm, it’s almost like peace makes them uncomfortable.

Peace and contentment go together. Contentment gets a bad rap. If you are considered to be a contented person, people start to believe you are devoid of ambition. This may be true for some, but not for me.

My life is full. I’m still enjoying a career I love, and I have a few other things that not only keep me busy, but they bring fulfillment. Yet, if I never accomplish anything else, I’m at peace with it.

You create your own environment. Keep the chaotic people away. If someone doesn’t bring peace into my life, they will never be part of my inner sphere.

I encourage you to do the same. Peace is priceless…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Your Flight Is Now Boarding…

The airlines have an agreement with me that they sometimes break. When I buy a ticket they agree to honor the ticket with a flight to where I’m going. My part of the agreement is to show up on time. Sometimes I break my agreement, too!

But what about people? There are many people who are going here and there in their lives while not having a destination in mind. They are drifting at light speed. Every new shiny toy catches their attention, at least for a short time.

You must have a dream to propel yourself to greatness. Dreams are powerful. But they are only passing thoughts unless we take action. Putting your dreams in motion ignites something inside of you, an unstoppable force.

If you have lost sight of your purpose, take some time to recapture it. You have greatness inside of you. Feel it in your spirit. Then take action.

The flight of your dreams is taking off. It’s time to board the plane…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

From Dead to Alive

David Berkowitz was a serial killer, an arsonist and a Satan worshipper. You may remember him as “Son of Sam.” In the 1970’s, this one man shut down New York City’s nightlife for over a year.

Berkowitz was filled with demons. In the courtroom he bit law enforcement officers assigned to him and Berkowitz tried to jump out of a window. He was crazed to say the least.

Berkowitz was sentenced to hundreds of years in prison. But something supernatural happened there. Another inmate gave Berkowitz a Bible. Berkowitz placed the Bible under his pillow and forgot about it. Until…

One night, at 3:00 am, Berkowitz woke up in a start. The side of his head felt like it was on fire. He jumped out of his cot, pulled the Bible out and it opened to a Scripture that told him God can forgive and redeem the most evil among us (my paraphrase). David Berkowitz, Son of Sam, was reborn. He bawled his eyes out for hours, asking a God he didn’t know to forgive him.

Today, Berkowitz leads a Christian outreach from the confines of prison. His conversion has lasted and it is real. He has been brought to life by the living God.

God can do anything. Always remember this…

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