Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

As Gentle as a Dove

Doves are peaceful birds. They make a soothing sound that even a child can recognize. Doves represent peace and hope. They are featured prominently in Scripture.

When Jesus came up out of the water after his baptism, the Bible says “the Spirit descended on him like a dove.” Jesus was a peacemaker, so it makes sense.

Jesus was a rebel, too, a real badass. He spoke the truth, always, and his truth was the truth. His teachings and his manner were oftentimes at odds with the religious leaders which made some of them hate him more. But Jesus brought peace and hope to the lost. He showed kindness and compassion to the most outcast. This went counter to everything and everyone the Pharisees stood against, but many of them were blinded by their own lust for power.

My encouragement to you is to show kindness to everyone. Be gentle in spirit. People are carrying pain and struggles we don’t know about. Your kindness may be their last, best hope…

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Spirituality

Let The Light In

This world needs hope. Many people are carrying pain they don’t talk about. They keep their pain hidden in dark places. But they aren’t alone. No one escapes the difficulties of life.

But there is hope. Forgiveness has power. If you are holding on to something that needs to be forgiven, it’s important to remember that forgiveness takes time. You can’t force it. But I encourage you to keep the door to forgiveness cracked just a tiny bit. When the time arrives and you are ready to forgive, push the door open. Let the light in. The light will crush the darkness in our lives.

We don’t want to forgive. And why should we? The offenders don’t deserve it! But that’s the curious thing about forgiveness. Forgiveness is for you, not the other person. By forgiving the person who harmed you, you are releasing a weight you are carrying. At the same time, you aren’t letting the one who hurt you off the hook. You are letting go of any potential power the offense has over your life.

Forgiveness is powerful. You might have to face some darkness to get through it, but you will get there. Light has power over darkness, every time…

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Spirituality

Going Viral

Some people will do anything to get attention. They want fame so badly they can almost taste it. What they really want is recognition and, sometimes, respect.

Self worth comes from within. There are those who have gained everything the world has to offer, but they still felt unworthy. So, they chase harder, only to be left unfulfilled. It’s time to stop chasing and start living.

In many prior columns I have written about working on ourselves. It’s hard, I know. Facing the demons of the past requires courage. Only when we exorcise the trauma can we heal from it. But you gotta pull it out by the root. Mowing over it doesn’t cut it.

If what I’m describing applies to you, then I encourage you to go down the road less traveled. This is the hard road, but it is the path to get you where you want to go. Write out the areas you want to improve on. Then find the right therapist to guide you.

There’s a wonderfully fulfilling life waiting for you. Pursue it and keep going when it becomes difficult. You can do it…

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Spirituality

Oh Our Sinful Ways

Most people are good. You will never convince me otherwise. They show up when shit happens. They give of themselves through monetary donations along with their service to others.

At the same time, we are all sinners. We don’t like to think of ourselves this way. I mean, most of us aren’t out stealing cars or robbing 7-11’s. We do what’s right and true. Yet, in the presence of God we wouldn’t last.

Jesus reconciled man’s relationship with God. His death and resurrection made it possible for us, the sinful ones, to enter Heaven. He sacrificed himself for us in the greatest act of love ever. And what gets me is, Jesus would have done it if I was the only person on earth. Think about that.

Take a moment to thank our Creator for all the good in your life. He is the source of everything. And thank Him for His son while you are at it.

Stay in gratitude…

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Spirituality

Clickbait

There are a lot of fake ads on the internet. Outrageous headlines get our attention so we will click on the story, only to be disappointed.

If it’s truth you are seeking, why not open your Bible? It’s full of fascinating stories like Daniel, or Joseph. Toss Noah in there. Find the story about the talking donkey. You will be reading the truth, not stuff that’s made up.

While you have it open, skip over to the New Testament. Read about Jesus. Through him you will learn about the character of God. Jesus redeemed and restored the people who had been shunned by the religious authorities. As he said, “it is the sick who need a doctor.”

All of us need a spiritual doctor, a healer. Avoiding the clickbait and memes. Read what’s real…

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Spirituality

Playing Keep Away

There’s a game children play called keep away. A group of kids grab a ball and keep one of the other children from getting it. It’s fun and lively, especially when the kid who they are keeping the ball from gets it.

In a way, some churches are playing the same game. But this is not a game. This is potentially messing with people’s eternity. Religious rules are a turnoff. They tend to keep people away from God. Perhaps that wasn’t their original intent, but that is how they evolved.

Jesus gave us two rules. Only two. Love God and love others. Even a child can follow those. He never said no dancing or covering your head. But here we are. Jesus didn’t bring more religion. He brought freedom.

Keep it simple. The other rules are designed to control. God gives us free will. Worship God, not religion…

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Spirituality

Dysfunction Junction

My life at home was hell on earth when I was growing up. My father ruled through fear, intimidation and violence. My mother participated, too. Yet, much good came from it. I doubt that was their plan.

Parents are a child’s first teachers. There are many good parents out there who raise their children well. Their kids are prepared for adulthood. They will go on to raise successful families.

But there are others who continue the generational malady of abuse. Someone has to stop it. That someone was me. As a child, I knew in my heart that what my parents were doing was wrong. After having children, I decided to go a different route.

My life story is prevalent across more families than you realize. No one talks about it. People carry their pain in dark places to hide it.

Never waste your pain. God allowed it so He could use it for good…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

What Can’t Really Means

When I was raising my children, they weren’t allowed to say the word “can’t.” It means won’t. I believe this because I also believe we can accomplish whatever we set our minds to.

Our mind is the portal to the spiritual world. Setting our minds to something, anything, is igniting supernatural power to guide us, help us, and protect us. We are acknowledging that we aren’t facing our battles by ourselves.

Force of will can only get you so far. Even atheists have victories that were orchestrated by God. The atheists won’t acknowledge it was God, but we know better.

To this day, my sons do not use the word can’t. They are adults now, so I guess it stuck. For this, I am grateful to God…

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Spirituality

Insane in the Brain

We will always have crime in America. The temptation to steal is too great for some. Petty theft is just that. It’s petty, but it doesn’t end someone’s life.

Cashless bail is popular with the left. So is illegal immigration. But the judges who release violent offenders back into the public without having to post bail are insane. People who are predisposed to violence will act again. Recently an old man was murdered in New York by a criminal who had been released an hour before. It’s so sad.

There are many people here who snuck across the border. They are good people. There is a solution to this, but the leftist politicians want to use them as pawns to get votes. People are important and they aren’t pawns.

Forgive me for ranting today. We have laws for a reason. I’m focused on solutions, not just complaining about things. Senseless crimes can and should be prevented when possible.

I’ll be back with some inspiration tomorrow. I promise!

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