Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Trading Places

Do you ever look at someone else’s life and wish that was you? Maybe you would love to trade places with them if even for just one day. That might not be a bad idea.

People are great actors yet they don’t receive awards for the parts they play in real life. They might be falling apart inside but you would never know it. The great comedian Robin Williams took his own life and he had everything so many want. His brilliant comedy masked the pain he was carrying inside, a pain that never goes away.

If you were able to trade places with someone who you believe has it all together, you would see that they don’t. Everyone has challenges. Others are dealing with different problems than you, but they still have them.

God gave you the life you have. He has equipped you with everything you need to thrive, to find fulfillment. God never said it would be easy, nor did he say this side of eternity would be perfect. He did say our faith would be shaken. Mine has been. Yours probably has been, too.

Keep your mind focused on your purpose. Everyone has one. Find yours and give it everything in you…

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Spirituality

Second Chances

There is a song by the group Shinedown that I really like. The song is called “Second Chance.” In the song is a lyric: “Sometimes goodbye is a second chance.” Perhaps there is something, or even someone in your life that it’s time to say goodbye to.

Everyone has a bad habit or two. They know it so you don’t need to point it out to them. They will break free when they are ready and not one second before. They will be doing it for themselves and not because of your nagging.

Sometimes there are people in your life who need to go. It might be a member of your family. It’s okay to say goodbye to them if they aren’t good for you. Maybe they constantly criticize you or cut you down. There’s a difference between constructive criticism which is done in private and criticism that’s designed to hurt you or embarrass you.

Do what you need to do to protect your mental and physical health. It’s your life. Make choices that bring out the best in you.

If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be any good to anyone else…

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Spirituality

Finding God

A couple of years ago, on a Sunday morning, I was driving through my neighborhood headed to church. I saw a family of four riding their bicycles going the opposite way. Dad was in front followed by two young kids who were probably 5 and 6. Mom was bringing up the rear. I thought to myself that what I was seeing was a version of church. They weren’t home sitting around watching television or playing video games. They had togetherness. Doesn’t that sound like church?

Everyone is trying to find God whether they acknowledge it or not. The 17th century French philosopher Pascal said we “had a God-shaped vacuum” in our hearts that only God could fill. People pursue spiritual connection through everything from prayer and church to yoga and spiritual retreats. We pursue the Divine yet He pursues us at the same time. Why are we missing each other?

We find God in the quiet. We find him in our service to others. We find him in nature. And we can see God manifest goodness when tragedy strikes. He’s there. We just need to look.

God wants our hearts. All through the Bible are references to God examining the heart. He doesn’t need anything more than our willingness.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Slow down. Get quiet. Find Him…

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Spirituality

Baggage

The baggage I’m referring to in the title is unresolved trauma and emotional pain. When people say they don’t have baggage they mean they have been healed from their past. But what about those who are still carrying a heavy load?

From my reading and observation, over 80% of families in the United States are experiencing dysfunction. Emotional, physical and sexual abuse are spiking northward. Children, of course, are the most vulnerable. We can, we must reverse this trend.

Family values get ridiculed by some. But a solid family who resolves conflicts, loves each other and learns resilience provides the foundation for a better community. If you don’t know how to be a good parent, you can learn. There are multiple resources available through books and the internet. Even better, talk to people who have raised good kids. You can learn a lot from people who have been there before.

If you are dealing with issues from your past you need to heal from, I encourage you to talk about your life with a trusted friend. Find a psychotherapist who will walk you through it. There is peace on the other side of pain.

Most importantly, face it and don’t give up. It’s time to live fully…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Condemned

When a building gets condemned it means it is no longer fit for occupancy. This could be due to a variety of conditions such as mold, asbestos, or the structure is no longer sound.

People judge and condemn others on the internet regularly. If your politics or religion don’t align with mine, then you are condemned and cast out. I hear people say, “we just aren’t the same” all the time. You are no longer fit to be my friend. And they say it with a moral superiority you can only find on the internet. Of course their words come from the safety of a keyboard or phone screen.

When tragedy strikes we get to see the good in people. Currently in the Kerrville/Hunt, Texas area you have Democrats, Republicans, Atheists, Jews and Christians working with each other for the common good. It’s sad that it takes a catastrophic event to bring people together. Maybe that’s why they are called acts of God events?

And speaking of God, he’s the only one who never condemns us. Find peace in that…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

In Preparation

Every experience we have in life prepares us for something else. We don’t have the privilege to know what it’s preparing us for. Just know that it is.

Many years ago I had an experience in an al anon meeting that changed me. In an instant, I released all judgment of other people. This has freed me to see through people as they are, not just look at them with prejudice and misunderstanding. That moment in my life was awe-inspiring.

My al anon moment prepared me to go into prisons and share my life story. Many of the inmates open up and talk about what’s happened in their lives. You hear some things that are heartbreaking. Very sick people do horrible things to others, leaving the victim broken and living with a deep and constant pain.

When you are going through darkness, please remember that it can be used for good. It’s getting you prepared for a purpose, a purpose that will benefit mankind in ways we cannot imagine.

Just keep going…

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Spirituality

David and Goliath

David was a small shepherd who would one day be King. Goliath was a freakishly tall, powerful and strong Philistine fighter. They were mismatched in every way except one, the most important one.

Every day, Goliath would taunt the Hebrew army, daring anyone to come battle him. No one took the challenge until David showed up with his sling and five stones in his pouch. Now Goliath was insulted which fueled his rage.

David was enraged that this pagan would insult his people, and, more importantly, his God. David yelled, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…and all the earth will know there is a God in Heaven.”

One shot is all it took. It’s estimated that the stone hit Goliath in his forehead traveling at around 180 mph. David took Goliaths own sword and cut his head off! And the Philistines ran.

When you are facing impossible obstacles, challenges and setbacks, remember that God is on your side. He wants us to succeed and when we do, give him the credit and glory.

Never underestimate the unlimited power of the God of the Universe. He is good…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Yes or No

There are a lot of things we aren’t going to understand on this side of eternity. Why do bad things happen to good people? Why did my life go left instead of right? Why am I even here?

God doesn’t owe us an explanation. The truth is, if he explained things to us we wouldn’t understand. Look at your own life. If ten years ago you had been given the opportunity to look at your life today, it wouldn’t make sense how you arrived here.

God is good and he is just. We just need to trust him. This includes trusting God during the shitty times in life. It’s easy to trust when everything is going well. He has been with us during every moment of our life, no matter what we were going through.

My encouragement to you is to say YES to whatever brings you closer to God. Say no to the things (and the people) who keep you apart from him. Look for God’s influence and direction in your life and other people’s lives. It’s there…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Look Beyond What You Can See

In The Book of Genesis we learn the story of Joseph. Joseph was a young dreamer who had a good heart. His older brothers sold him to some Midianite traders who sold Joseph to an officer of Pharaohs in Egypt. His brothers faked his death and thought they were rid of their troublesome brother, the “dreamer.”

Joseph was a righteous man and did well In Pharaohs eyes. God opened Joseph’s eyes to interpret dreams which saved Egypt during a long drought. The Egyptians had food while the rest of the world was starving. Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food, not knowing that it was their little brother who would be the one selling it to them.

Through a series of fascinating events, Joseph and his entire family were reunited. Joseph informed his brothers that “what they intended for harm, God intended for good.” The story is worth reading. You can find it in Genesis, Chapters 37-50.

The story of Joseph, and many others, is a great reminder that God is always working in our lives. We do not see it, but it’s happening.

God didn’t create us and then forget about us. He’s working…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Miracles Happen Every Day

In several instances, Jesus healed people on the Sabbath which, in doing so, sent the religious leaders into orbit. You see, it was against the law to do work on the Sabbath. Healing someone was considered to be work.

There was a lot at play here. First off, Jesus created the Sabbath and was in control of it. Further, by doing good on this day in particular he showed his mercy and compassion for mankind. Jesus is at work all the time, not just six days per week.

We can get confused about religion. In its essence, religion is a set of beliefs. We believe and have faith in someone we can’t really see. Or can we?

While Jesus was among us, he performed incredible miracles. He wasn’t showing off, and he never did a miracle that benefited him. He was demonstrating the character of God. And miracles continue happening today. Childbirth is a miracle. So is the position of the sun.

Slow down and take a look around. Miracles are everywhere. In fact, you are a living miracle. Don’t take it for granted…

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