#inspiration

Perspective

We celebrated Valentines Day a few days ago. Restaurants, florists and candy manufacturers got a healthy boost of cash flow, allowing them to survive until Easter and Mother’s Day. I believe if we care for someone, we should show them regularly. But before I start sounding like Ebenezer Scrooge, let’s take a look at where this big day comes from.

Saint Valentine was a 3rd century bishop who cared for Christians who were persecuted during the Roman Empire. He is associated with courtly love, and was martyred on February 14, 269 AD. We honor his memory on Valentines Day every year.

I want to encourage you to take a moment every day to show your loved ones that you care about them. Maybe it’s a quick phone call, a short note left where they can find it, or flowers for no reason at all. People need to know they are in your thoughts, and in your heart…

Standard
#inspiration

My interview with Christian Moore, Part 1

Christian Moore is an internationally renowned speaker, author and founder of the WhyTry program which teaches resilience to kids in schools.
Christian is an expert on resilience. He wrote “The Resilience Breakthrough,” selling well over 100,000 copies. But Christian Moore is a name we probably should have never heard of.
Moore grew up without much structure in his home. He has multiple learning disabilities, reading at only a 7th grade level. Yet through hard work, perseverance and yes, resilience, Christian holds a master’s degree from Brigham Young University.
In part one of our three-part interview, you will learn about his crazy upbringing, and about the wonderful people God placed in his life that shaped and guided him.

Click on the link to watch. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel while you are there!

Standard
#inspiration

Inside Job

All of us have “stuff” we need to work through. Trauma from the past or pain from the present, when left unresolved, don’t just magically disappear. We can even try to hide it by making ourselves look good from the outside. That doesn’t work.

We must work on ourselves from the inside. Get to the heart of the problem. Self-work sucks when you’re doing it, no doubt. If it was easy, everyone would do the work. But the life and peace that await you make it so worthwhile…

Standard
#inspiration

Why Forgiveness is Important

Have you been hurt by someone else? Most of us have, and we will be hurt and disappointed by others again. Why should we forgive them? After all, they are the ones who caused the damage.

When we choose to hold onto the hurt and not forgive, it damages us, not the offender. Unresolved conflict becomes bitterness and resentment. We focus on what we have lost, not what remains. Having a strong sense of gratitude reminds us of how much we have. Our focus goes from distressed to blessed. We recognize and remember all of the good in our lives.

Forgiveness is hard, and it takes time. If you try to force it, forgiveness won’t last. You will know when you are ready…

Standard
#inspiration

The Rebel in Us

Surrender is a word we do not like to consider. We like to believe we are in control.

Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord directs their steps.” God will have His way, no matter what we want. And He’s on our side, not out to get us. Trust Him.

We are naturally rebellious. When we align ourselves with the Spirit, and surrender our will, we find meaning and fulfillment…

Standard
#inspiration

Seeking…

Everyone is seeking, searching for two things: our identity and our purpose. In other words, “who am I and why am I here? We are trying to fill what 17th century French philosopher Blaise Pascal referred to as a “God-shaped vacuum.”

Ask yourself, what am I good at? What causes my heart to overflow in richness and fulfillment? This is a key to finding your purpose. Once you have found your true purpose, you know who you are…

Standard
#inspiration

Cuts…

Why do people feel the need to criticize others and put them down?

The genesis of criticism and cut-downs is the critics own self esteem. When you feel good about yourself inside, you look for the good in others. And if you find yourself in a position where you need to offer some constructive criticism, choose your timing well and use gentleness and self control when delivering the message.

Bring light into the lives of others…

Standard