Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Unstoppable

Watching your children learn to walk is both exhilarating and a little stressful. They pull themselves up, take a step or two, teeter and fall. And what do they do? They get right back up and try again! We all eventually got it right because we don’t see adults crawling around from place to place.

Adopt the mindset of a child. You have dreams and desires for your life. Big dreams. Sometimes they fade into the background because, well, life gets in the way. Or perhaps life has knocked you on your ass so hard you are afraid to get back up. Face your fears and get up anyway. You weren’t created to stay down.

When our dreams and desires are aligned with God’s purpose for our lives, we cannot be stopped. This doesn’t mean you won’t have setbacks, challenges or hurdles get in your way. You will. But when you have a white hot determination to succeed, you will.

It’s impossible to stop a person who refuses to give up. So, it’s time to rekindle the fire that lives inside you. Start today…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

In Agreement

When we were little children we were told we should get along with others. The teachers didn’t show us how to resolve conflicts, though. We learned how to do that through after school fights on the playground!

In life, we like to see the adults play nice. We hope our world leaders can resolve differences without going to war. And we really like it when our politicians show civility to each other after brutal, nasty elections.

In case you haven’t noticed, people are at each other’s throats over political differences. Self-righteousness is on display daily on social media. Lifelong friendships have been left in tatters due to unresolvable conflicts. I believe we can do better, if we are willing.

I don’t have to agree with you to like you. If you are a good person, doing good in the world and caring for your fellow man, I’m okay with you. Over the course of my life I have observed that most people are good at heart. And it’s the heart that matters most.

My encouragement to you is to look for the good in the world. It’s there! Sometimes you gotta look hard to find it, but it’s there. And if you aren’t seeing it, change the lens you are seeing through…

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Spirituality

Build That Wall!

You have heard the saying, “hurt people, hurt people.” Broken people try to break you apart. You are never good enough, smart enough or kind enough to satisfy them. There are some who will do whatever they can to tear you down.

Everyone has some brokenness in them. We are an imperfect people living in an imperfect world. Conflict is unavoidable, but you can protect your peace and calm. Here’s how.

You must be willing to set boundaries and say no to the people who aren’t good for you. Sometimes this includes family members. Saying no is only hard the first time, and it’s one of the most self-respectful actions you can take.

If standing up for yourself is difficult, my encouragement to you is to go to work on yourself. Find out why it’s hard to set healthy boundaries. You will find the reason if you keep looking.

Self-work is difficult, I know. I speak from experience and with conviction. Personally, I have worked with a brilliant psychotherapist for 15 years. The work is hard, but the growth makes it so worthwhile.

Remember, the healthier you become mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, the more healthy people you will attract into your life. It’s time to get to work!

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Spirituality

Delayed, Not Denied

Do you ever get frustrated with God’s timing? Admittedly, I do. I’m an impatient person and just because it’s God and his perfect timing doesn’t change my impatience.

There has been one constant in my life who has never let me down. Of course I’m talking about God. He is responsible for me waking up this morning, my heartbeat, getting me to work safely. Everything good is a direct result of God’s provision.

Knowing that God will consistently come through is a good reminder to trust his timing. If I received everything I asked for immediately I would be a spoiled brat. Being delayed has a reason behind it. Perhaps I’m not ready and God has some work to do on me. That’s okay because he only wants what is best for me. And you!

Ask God for patience in the waiting. Learn to trust Him more and yourself less. Keep your focus on what you are grateful for. Everything will happen in its perfect time…

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Spirituality

When Tragedy Strikes

Bad things happen to good people. When they do, we have a difficult time understanding why. People live their lives the right way, do good in their communities, and one day everything goes to hell.

People with good intentions will say, “well, it’s just God’s will.” They are wrong. God doesn’t want bad things to happen, and he certainly doesn’t will it. In fact, he can’t. Doing something bad would cause God to go against his nature.

What is true is this: God allows it. Did you realize that every awful thing that happens must be okayed by God? That’s right. He doesn’t give the demons free rein because that would mean that God wasn’t in control.

There’s some good news! Only God can bring good from evil. In fact, God alone has this power.

No matter what you are going through, trust God to bring you through it. He will. Just stay in faith and believe…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Confession

It feels good to talk about things, doesn’t it? There’s much freedom that comes from unburdening yourself of your troubles.

Trigger warning: this is a dark story I’m about to tell you.

Last week, I was doing a round of volunteer speaking in prisons. On Wednesday morning, a few women inmates were sharing stories about their lives. One of the women said, “I was raped by my father from the time I was 3 until I was 13 and I ran away from home.” She went on to say that she had never told anyone until that moment. It’s heartbreaking to think about what she had been carrying inside for years, never talking about it. I cannot imagine what causes someone to harm an innocent child. He was a very sick fuck.

Everyone has a story. They aren’t always pretty. The woman I described above took her first step toward healing by talking about what happened to her. I asked her how it felt to tell someone and she said it felt good.

We need good people in our lives, people we can confide in who won’t judge us. Confession is a good first step to becoming whole…

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Spirituality

Care

There are a lot of causes I care about. The poor state of our world is almost overwhelming. Illiteracy, disease, hunger and child abuse are just a few needs to address.

No one person can solve all our societal ills. There are too many. Government is inefficient in solving problems. People tend to look there for solutions but the governments track record sucks. I have an idea!

If everyone alive who is capable took the time to work towards a problem they have a heart for, we could move the bar immeasurably. So few are fulfilling the call to help. My encouragement is for people to take one hour, only one hour per week to help. If less television turns into helping your fellow man, I believe that’s a good, worthwhile trade off.

I ask you to prayerfully consider what you can do. Then I encourage you to follow through and take action. Collectively we can make a difference.

Start today…

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Spirituality

Equipping the Called

You might not believe that God has a great purpose for your life. Or you may believe it’s too late to fulfill said purpose. Let’s consider the disciples.

In Jesus’s time, Jewish boys would go to school beginning at five years old. They studied and memorized the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. After this time, the brightest students would continue their rabbinical studies while the kids who weren’t chosen would go off to study a trade. None of the disciples had been chosen to be rabbis.

Jesus chose the twelve and, for three years, taught them by example. He was preparing them to begin the church. The religious leaders of the time were puzzled by Jesus because he hadn’t continued rabbinical studies, yet he knew everything. Jesus taught with compassion and kindness which was different from the teachings of many others.

It’s interesting that Jesus chose the men he chose rather than men who were religious leaders. He saw what he needed in the twelve.

It’s not too late. Say yes to God’s call on your life. If you are still here, God isn’t through with you. Allow yourself to be used. Start now…

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Uncategorized

Memorial Day

Tomorrow in the United States we will observe Memorial Day. The first official Memorial Day was in 1868 when it was called Decoration Day. It’s not a day of celebration, but a day of mourning and remembering those who died for the sake of freedom.

The day is also considered the beginning of summer. School is out, the flowers and grass are fully bloomed. It’s a bit ironic that life is in full bloom while we remember those who died. Yet, the cycle continues.

Please take a moment to reflect on what Memorial Day means. Say a silent prayer for the families of the deceased. Pray for peace in the world. And never forget…

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Spirituality

What Will You Say?

We are rebellious by nature. We have been this way since Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden. The inner battle continues all our lives.

All through history, including biblical history, when we say YES to God, great things happen. We aren’t waiting on God to show himself. God is waiting on us!

Be fearless. Get in the habit of saying yes. God will use us in ways we are well suited for. I used to be afraid that if I answered the call, God would make me be a missionary in India. I have no desire to do that! God is probably laughing at my silliness.

Say yes to God. Say the most dangerous prayer which is, “use me.” He will, and then the miracles happen…

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