Tag Archives: #commitment

Spirituality

Nothing But Net

When you nail a beautiful basketball shot and it slides through the net without touching the rim, the shooter says, “nothing but net!” But today I want to focus on a different kind of net, the safety net.

Many people say they don’t like change. Routines and predictability reign supreme in their lives. It’s like having their own built-in safety net. The truth is, all of us are living life without a net.

God shaped us with unique talents to accomplish His will on this side of eternity. He never said it would be easy or without risks. He did promise He could take any bad situation and bring good from it.

When you decide to pursue your calling, get ready to grow. You can’t avoid it. Stay committed and remain hopeful no matter how hard it gets. If you are pursuing God’s calling on your life, no force can stop you…

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Spirituality

Rigidity

In yesterday’s column I wrote about the value of discipline. Discipline, when combined with commitment, brings great accomplishments into your life. But don’t allow yourself to become boring and stiff in the process.

Life requires adaptability and flexibility. If something isn’t working, change and do it quickly. This is especially useful in team settings. Just because “we’ve always done it this way” may have worked for a time, it’s necessary to question and evolve. There may be a better way.

Young people bring creativity to the table. Enthusiasm, too. Older people have the benefit of wisdom, but that doesn’t mean they know it all. Combining creativity, enthusiasm and wisdom, in the right environment, brings life to projects.

If you already have discipline but are inflexible, you run the risk of becoming miserable. Expand your worldview. Take some risks. Remember to live while you are going through this life.

God created us for a purpose. Even He has flexibility. God altered his own physical law when he made the sun stand still. We aren’t that powerful, but our brains have massive, untapped potential.

Get disciplined and get going. Theres a great life waiting for you…

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Spirituality

Disciplined

We admire discipline, don’t we? For example, if our armed forces were overweight, lazy, and untrained, the safety of our country would be compromised, at best. We want our military to be “battle ready” if the need arises, hoping for peace on earth at the same time. Our military represents discipline.

Self-discipline is a challenge for many of us. People set New Year’s resolutions to change an outcome in their lives, yet 92% don’t stick with their new goals. They don’t lack the ability to change. The commitment to change, even for the better, requires discipline.

Discipline can be created. It takes around 21 days to form a new habit. Twenty one days isn’t a long time, but it may seem like an eternity when trying to move in a new direction.

If discipline is a struggle for you, I encourage you to start with one thing. Only one. Perhaps the one thing is committing to no longer hitting the snooze button on your alarm. Do it for three weeks and never look back.

You can do anything you set your mind to. Ask God for help if you feel weak or tired. He shows up every time. Promise!

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Spirituality

Graduation Day

This Friday, January 30th, I have the privilege of giving the Commencement Address for 130 graduates. This is a special group of students. You see, they earned certifications while serving their sentences in prison.

Life is hard. It’s harder when you are in prison. But the Texas Criminal Justice Department offers a path forward for the inmates while they serve time. The students have jobs while in prison, then go to school afterward. It makes for a very long day. The inmates aren’t forced to attend school. It’s their choice.

I wish everyone could attend one of these graduation ceremonies. This will be my fifth commencement, and they are all special moments in the inmates lives and in mine. A day they will never forget.

There is redemption and restoration of people’s lives happening in the Texas prisons. Their hard work and commitment to growth is to be commended and respected…

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Spirituality

Deciding Moments

In the movie, The Rookie, high school baseball coach Jim Morris has a serious talk with his team after a loss. Morris observed during the game that his team had given up. They quit on their coach, but more importantly they quit on themselves. Coach Morris challenged them to want more from their lives.

The boys on the team turned the challenge around on their coach. Morris had, at one time, shown great promise as a Major League pitcher but a shoulder injury cut his dream short. The team, which had previously only won one single game in the seasons prior, got their coach to agree to try out for a professional baseball team if the high school team won district. Morris agreed, and then the team won 17 straight games. They had a deciding moment which gave them purpose.

God gives us moments in life where we are challenged to do more than we have before. He gives us the right to decide to take the challenge or back away. This is where free will and purpose intersect. It’s always our choice which road we choose.

When your deciding moments present themselves, I encourage you to take a risk. You may be scared, but remember, God will be with you. He isn’t in the business of abandonment…

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Spirituality

Mind Shift

The new year brings a sense of renewed optimism because it means leaving the past behind. Our minds have shifted from holiday mode to the newness of 2026.

But life won’t change unless you bring your mindset along for the ride. Old thought patterns must be replaced with a new, different way of thinking. The old ways no longer serve you well. And you have to want it.

Make the decision to never go back. Live in the moment while staying focused on your future. It takes hard work, but anything worthwhile will not be easy. You must commit to your dreams, and this means you must commit to changing your thoughts.

Borrowing from Paul, “keep your eyes on what’s true, right and noble.” Aligning what you’re going after with God’s vision for your life will benefit mankind.

Every battle is won or lost in the mind. The truth is, it’s decided before you even begin because your mind knows if you are committed or not. Finding purpose brings commitment.

You really can do anything you set your mind to. A dynamic dream, powered by commitment and purpose while remaining aligned with God’s purpose for your life is unstoppable.

Wait no longer. It’s time to get started…

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