I apologize for the late post. I took a day off to prepare for a speech I gave tonight. The opportunity got dropped in my lap at the last minute.
I’ll see you tomorrow!
Tag Archives: #challenges
Insecure People
People will try to tear you down, sometimes to your face but more often behind a computer keyboard. They are insecure and unfulfilled in their lives, so they want the rest of the world to feel the same way.
Don’t take the bait. Stay on the high ground. Aim higher and think higher.
The naysayers and doubters will always be there. Stay true to who you are…
Knocked Down, But Not Out
Some days life hits you. Hard. Stress is always present in life. I’m talking about those unexpected, unanticipated hits. Consider how life changing the loss of a child is.*
Our resolve is tested to the maximum in those circumstances. The pain is constant, sometimes overwhelming to the point you can barely breathe. You don’t know if you will ever feel normal again.
The pain gets worse before it gets better. But it does get better. Hope remains alive, like a tiny ember of a dying fire.
We don’t know how strong we are until we get leveled by life. If you are going through hell right now, keep going. Rise…
*This post is dedicated to two families I know who lost a child last fall. Their identities will remain anonymous.
Inside Job
We love to be on the inside of things, to be “in the know.” We might believe this gives us a leg up on the rest of the world.
Here’s some truth for you: change is an inside job. We cannot fix anything about ourselves by changing something external. Botox might make you think you are staving off the aging process, but it is a temporary solution at best. The only way to slow down aging is intense exercise. Hard exercise changes your biochemistry, your inner organs.
Every one of us needs inner work. This never ends. But take heart! We grow when we change from within…
Advice
Do you like to give advice? Are you willing to listen to advice?
Many well-intentioned people offer their well-intentioned advice, usually without being asked for it. I’m a parent to two young men (30 and 28 now), and they weren’t too receptive to my advice when they were teenagers. That’s part of growing up, though. Making mistakes and, hopefully, learning from them.
Something I learned in al anon was that I should mind my own business. If someone asks for my thoughts or my opinion, I will offer it. But it doesn’t bother me if they don’t do a single thing I recommend. I’m honored that they think enough of me to ask.
Stay in your lane. Focus on yourself and don’t try to fix the rest of the world. You can only fix yourself…
Prestige
Prestige is defined as “widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a perception of their achievements or quality.” We revere people of prestige.
Have you ever met a famous person or celebrity? I have met many. I have had dinner with multiple people of prestige. The interesting thing is, they are just people. They might have special talents to entertain us, but their lives aren’t free from struggles and stress. There are some famous people who want you to worship them, but they are the minority. Most just want to be seen as regular people.
In the eyes of God we are all the same. No one reaches Heaven in a different way because of their earthly accomplishments. No one should feel diminished by another person because we are here to do God’s work. Sometimes fame comes with that, and sometimes not…
Misguided on Purpose
Where can you go to get reliable news nowadays? It seems like every national media outlet has their own agenda, and they pervert their news coverage to influence their audience. Many times they flat out lie with no consequences.
The big three, CNN, Fox and MSNBC are guilty as charged. Yet some people still believe what they say like it’s the Gospel. If their viewing audience stopped tuning in until they told the full truth, then their behavior might change.
I encourage you to read and observe. Actions are more reliable than empty words…
The Next Day
Once again I spent my day speaking in two prisons. It’s a very fulfilling experience for me.
The pain and suffering people lay on each other is almost indescribable. Hurt people are creating their legacy by hurting their children. People are either seriously angry with God, have drawn closer to Him, or they don’t consider Him at all. My message is one of forgiveness, acceptance and gratitude.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect with prisoners. There are people who will reject them after they have finished their sentences and are released. I won’t…
Law & Order
We have laws to keep us safe and protect us from harm. Obey the law and you have no negative consequences. Breaking the law has a different outcome.
There are physical laws, too. I know if I jump off a building that I will fall. I have no plans to test that!
God created the universe with structure and laws to guide us. Following His lead will take us where we want to go. God only wants good for our lives. Let’s follow Him…
Marathon Runners
Life is a long journey, a marathon if you will. It seems to pass slowly and then one day you wake up and wonder where the time went.
If you are reading this, I have a revelation for you: God isn’t through with you. Or me! He wants to grow us, even stretch us to become who He created us to be. It’s not easy, but anything worthwhile is not going to be easy. We grow from our discomfort.
Pursue your true purpose. Stop wasting time and start living the dream God has for your life. Start now…
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