Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Backroads

When I was a teenager, I used to love exploring backroads and Farm-to-Market destinations. The adventure of the unknown was exciting to me. Then “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” came out and I was a little more cautious! But the call of the mysterious kept me coming back.

Each of us is on a road, a different road than anyone else. Traveling down that road is an unknown. We aren’t completely certain where it leads us, but we must remain undeterred in our travels.

This is the road of our life I am talking about. It has twists and turns, ups and downs, happiness and sometimes, tragedy. But regardless of the uncertainty, we march on with a different drumbeat keeping us in time.

You can choose to copy others and try to travel down their road, but it won’t get you where God wants to take you. To find fulfillment, you must stay on your road no matter how difficult it gets.

Copying others will leave you feeling hollow. Find inspiration and strength from their stories, but stay true to yourself and your calling…

Standard
Spirituality

Watchers

I never watch the weather. You see, only old people watch the weather and I like to stay young!

Everyone is always watching something. We watch the road when we drive, watch television, watch the bats (in Austin, Texas), and we watch each other. There are always eyes on us.

God watches over us all the time. He is there when we sleep and He’s here right now. Some believe God is looking to catch us doing something wrong. That’s just not true. He sees those things, but He sees everything else as well. When we do something good for mankind we don’t need to blow our own horn about it. The only one who matters sees it. And He remembers.

The world is watching. Give them something worth their attention…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Remorse

Have you ever felt remorse? Of course you have, and so have I. By definition, remorse is a deep regret coming from a sense of guilt for past wrongs.

You can stop feeling remorse. If you have wronged someone, apologize immediately. Commit to not speaking rudely or judgmental towards someone else again. Then keep your commitment. Treat others well going forward. Accept them as they are, where they are in life.

Let go of guilt if you are truly sorry for your actions. You cannot change the past, but you can resolve to do better going forward. If you find yourself constantly beating yourself up for sins of the past, you can stop that now.

If you are working on improving yourself, keep working! And remember to be kind to yourself along the way. Growth takes time…

Standard
Spirituality

Rebirth

Are you fulfilled in life? If the answer is no, you are not alone. During the course of my life I have met countless people who want more, but fear going after it. The universal truth in each of their stories is that they know they have a greater purpose than they are living.

Here’s some good, no, great news! It’s not too late. You are still living and breathing. It’s time to rewrite your life.

You have been given a good mind with the ability to think. Take some time to consider what you really want from this life. Then decide to go after it. Turn your desire into a white-hot flame that no man can extinguish. Visualize yourself succeeding. Allow nothing to stop you, no matter how hard things get.

Be patient with your progress. Your new life won’t be created in a day. But it will come to fruition if you stay with it.

And remember to thank God along the way. He gave you your purpose as well as the tools to make it happen.

What are you waiting for? Get going…

Standard
Spirituality

Tumbleweeds

If you have ever traveled to the western parts of the United States, you have probably seen a tumbleweed. Tumbleweeds were brought to America by accident in the 1870’s, and we can’t seem to be able to get rid of them!

Tumbleweeds go wherever the wind blows them. They have no direction, no purpose, no plan. Some people are living their lives like a tumbleweed, with no direction, no purpose, and no plan. These people just show up for life and accept what comes their way.

Everyone has a purpose, a reason for being here. God created each of us with His plans in mind. We go off and do our own plans and when they don’t work out, we blame God and give up. What we should do is listen to the voice of God and follow His prompts. He wants us to live fully, doing the work we are uniquely qualified for.

It won’t be easy to accomplish, but it’s not too late to find your purpose. What, you say? If I’m doing what God put me here for, it should be easy. That’s a valid point, but there is an invisible enemy who is trying to stop you.

God remains on our side. He will prevail. Remember this when you are in the middle of the battle…

Standard
Uncategorized

Interview with Ashley Spence

Every 68 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted. Yet, less than 3% of the perpetrators will ever spend time behind bars.

Ashley Spence is doing something about it. At 19, Ashley was the victim of a home invasion rape that nearly took her life. She turned her pain into purpose and is leading the fight to use DNA to catch the criminals before they can harm another person, get justice for victims, and exonerate the innocent. Her first book, “Silent Witness” was recently published. We discuss that and more in the latest episode of The Determined People Podcast.

Standard
Spirituality

Choices Choices

You have power. You have the right to choose how you want to live your life. Along with this great power we possess comes a responsibility: we must be willing to live with the consequences of our choices.

You can choose faith over fear, love over hate, and light over darkness. No one else rules your life. God is in control, but He gives us the power of choice.

If there are things in your life that aren’t serving you well, make a better choice. Sometimes changing our ways brings some short-term pain, but the pain will pass.

Choose to follow the dreams you have for your life. It’s your choice…

Standard
Spirituality

Your Voice

Our voices are more than our ability to speak words. Our voices are shown through our actions, too.

It’s obvious that God cares for all of us. He especially wants us to take care of widows, the poor and the fatherless. By showing we care about others, we are using our voice. Sometimes the loudest voices are those that speak no words.

Use your voice for good. Lift others. Bring them into the light. Show kindness to those the world shuns. Everyone needs hope.

Speak the truth, always. Use words when necessary…

Standard
Spirituality

Transformation

I have read a meme that says, “You’re only one decision away from a different life.” I understand. Many people live their lives in frustration and disappointment. Life didn’t turn out the way they planned.

God didn’t create us and then forget about us. He’s present, always, and desperately wants us to find fulfillment. But we won’t find it in a bigger house, a healthier bank account or a hotter spouse. Those are nice, but they are rabbit holes that keep us chasing.

I have seen stories of drug addicts, alcoholics, even porn actresses who have completely transformed their lives into something meaningful. Embracing a relationship with God was the universal game changer. Putting God first will give you what you are searching for, but it takes time. First, He has to change us. By change, I don’t mean you will turn into some religious weirdo. No, God develops our character.

Do you want a different life? Make the one decision to place God’s plans for your life above your own. It isn’t easy because the world is always calling us. But it can be done.

Then you will be unstoppable…

Standard
Spirituality, Uncategorized

Home

What does home mean to you? In my mind, home should be somewhere you can be yourself. Your home should be a place of comfort, not stressful.

When I was a child, my home was full of stress and, sometimes violence. I grew up in a constant state of “fight or flight,” always fearful of both my parents. I could be severely punished for having an accident such as spilling water. Fortunately I got out alive, even though my dad put me in the hospital twice by the time I was two years old.

We can create the home life we want. It can be peaceful and comfortable. It took a lot of work for me to get there, but I did. In my speaking engagements I have found that a lot of people grew up like me. My story gives them hope. Never waste your pain.

Our real home lies in eternity. That will be our final destination. And it will be perfect. In fact, Heaven is so perfect that we can’t imagine what it will be like.

No matter what you have gone through or what you are dealing with now, this is only preparation for something better.

Stay hopeful…

Standard