Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Who’s The Boss?

Have you ever known a control freak? During the course of my life I have known several. They can be difficult personalities to be around, especially when you’re trying to collaborate as a team.

We live our lives, make plans, and we believe we have a good bit of control about what happens. And we take a lot for granted. But things don’t simply happen because of our efforts. We have a mostly silent partner!

Today’s reminder is that God is in control of everything. Literally everything. He even allows the bad things that happen in life. God doesn’t cause evil, but He does allow it to happen. And only God can bring good from bad, no matter how bad things are.

Take a moment to acknowledge and thank your silent partner during the day. Thank Him for the good, and thank Him for what you learned from the bad.

And remember, our silent partner is on our side. Always…

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Spirituality

Distress

At sea, an S. O. S. call is issued when imminent danger exists. It stands for “Save Our Souls.” Mayday is an internationally recognized call which signals a life-threatening emergency situation.

What are the signs you put out to let people know you are distressed? Perhaps you isolate yourself and keep others away so they don’t see you in your weakness. Maybe you throw yourself into a bottle, thinking that by numbing yourself out you won’t feel the pain.

The best way to handle the times you feel stressed and at your wits end is to reach out to your friends. Let them know what’s going on with you. There’s no shame in going through a dark period. Everyone has. You don’t have to do it alone.

I encourage you to go outward when you feel like going within. Human connection is vital for mental health. We are wired to be in community with others.

Never be afraid to be yourself when in the company of others. You aren’t alone…

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Spirituality

Late Admissions

It’s believed that people who are dying speak the truth. Their time has run out so there’s no reason to lie.

The first words recorded that Jesus said from the cross were, “Father. Forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Forgive them? Up until this moment, Jesus had been pretty quiet during his sham trials. Now, exhausted, beaten into a bloody mess, and dying he asks God to forgive the ones who were killing him.

The words of Jesus apply today as well. We usually don’t know what we are doing. We wander through life, trying to make it work out and find some meaning while we’re at it. God gave us a guide, The Bible, but we must read it and apply what it says for it to work. And it helps to talk to God during the day, asking for guidance and help when we screw up!

Don’t wait until it’s too late to find why you’re here. It’s not to make a bunch of money, retire and die. No. There’s more. Much more.

Find it. Start with the guide God gave us. He won’t steer you wrong. Ever…

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Spirituality

Through The Lens of a Miracle

“There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein

There are miracles all around us. We can get so caught up in the busyness of our lives that we miss so much. Consider that the earth revolves at a speed of around 1,000 miles per hour, yet we don’t get flung off of it. I would consider gravity to be one miracle we take for granted.

Everything from the leaves growing on trees to the laughter of a child are miracles. Our hearts beat 36 million beats per year without any effort from us. We can see, hear and breathe. And we have the power to speak, a gift that no other creature has.

I encourage you to let the artist in you come out. See the world and everything good in it as miracles. Slow your life down and expand your worldview…

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Spirituality

Wrong Way

We men are notorious for refusing to stop and ask for directions. There’s an old story about a husband and wife driving down the road. The wife looks at the husband and says, “You’re going the wrong way!” The husband replies, “Be quiet! I’m making good time!”

Some of us went the wrong way in life. We didn’t follow the dreams of our hearts. Instead, we settled for the life others wanted or expected us to have. That’s not living. That is merely existing. Knowing there is more to life than what we are experiencing is frustrating. People then seek fulfillment in a bottle. Or worse.

If you are holding on to the hope of a more meaningful life, keep holding on. And start doing something about it. The dreams of an earlier time are still there. You just need to bring them back to life! It’s possible if you are willing to take a risk.

And please remember to thank God along the way. After all, God gave you the dream and with His help and guidance, you will succeed…

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Spirituality

Habitat for Humanity

Millard and Linda Fuller found themselves looking for more purpose in their lives. Through a sequence of events that only God could have imagined, the Fullers founded Habitat for Humanity. And did they ever find purpose!

Many people believe Jimmy Carter was the founder. He wasn’t, but his and Rosalynn’s first habitat build in 1984 gave the organization new notoriety.

The recipients of Habitat homes must put in 200 hours of sweat equity building homes for others before they can be considered for a home themselves. They must qualify by having a job and a minimum credit score of 620 or higher. And they actually buy the home. Nothing is given to them. They earn it.

Over the years since its inception, Habitat has built or refurbished millions of homes. Lifting their fellow man from poverty and becoming citizens of a community offers hope. Habitat for Humanity is an excellent example of how to get things done.

I encourage you to volunteer for a Habitat build in your local community. Your life will never be the same…

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Spirituality

Smile!

Every day I wake up with a smile! Many people need to ease into their day, but not me. I’m ready to go when I wake up.

The trauma of my childhood has given me a lightning quick wit. For years it was a coping mechanism for me, a way to keep people from getting too close. Since working through the challenges of my youth along with the subsequent healing, my wit is a great way to make others laugh. Now I use it as a way to draw people in, not keep them away.

Use your smile to lift others spirits. People are hurting. Mental health remains shredded.

You never know. Your kindness might be someone’s last, best hope…

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Spirituality

Five Stones

Goliath, who stood around 9 feet tall, was feared by the entire Israeli army. Goliath taunted them daily. He appeared to be unstoppable.

A shepherd named David saw things differently from the others. David was insulted by “this uncircumcised Phillistine.” Goliath was an abomination to the Lord in David’s eyes, so he decided to do something about him. David’s brothers, along with the other soldiers tried to talk David out of his plan, but David was undeterred. He knew he had God on his side, and God would use David to kill the giant.

You know the story of David and Goliath. David took him out with one stone hurled at Goliaths forehead. The now-emboldened Israelis destroyed the Phillistine army after David had slain Goliath.

David believed. We should believe, too. God is on our side just as He was on David’s. So what stops our belief? We see things through our eyes rather than through God’s eyes. That’s the only difference.

People sometimes ask why David took five smooth stones instead of just one. After all, he was confident that God would show up, right? Well, Goliath had four brothers. David came prepared…

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Spirituality

Why I Write

Why do I write? As I was driving home yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this.

I became a writer in 2015. A friend of mine encouraged me to write. He would say encouraged, but I say pestered! Yet, I’m glad I listened because without his constant harassment I would have never begun. And the truth is, I am the least qualified to write anything. I didn’t take English in college because I hated the subject so much.

My encouragement to you is to listen to those who encourage you to try something new, something that is worthwhile. You might really enjoy it, even when you believe you won’t.

The reason I write is to inspire and help people. In a divided world, my hope is to build bridges, not tear them down.

Anyone can criticize others and bring them down. That’s easy. I choose to lift them up through words and actions.

Be a peacemaker…

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Spirituality

Walk It Out

There was a time where I remember being told that the sun was bad for us. It isn’t. Have you noticed how the plants and flowers grow towards the sunlight? Animals and birds love the way the sun feels on their bodies. So do we!

Nature is there for us to enjoy. The endorphins in our brains come alive when we experience beauty. We will not get the same healthy energy from sitting and watching television. Experiencing natural beauty while moving our bodies will benefit us in ways that are indescribable.

Get outside every opportunity you have. Take a long walk. Breathe deeply. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that’s all around you…

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