Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

And The Beat Goes On…

Every time I tap into social media, it makes me think we are on the verge of destruction because of politics. We aren’t, and I’m being facetious. I don’t pay attention to the noise.

People have been fighting over their political beliefs since before the Constitution was written. And the people will be still be fighting long after I’m gone. For some, it seems to give them a sense of purpose. They dig their heels in and express their righteous indignation with a passion they weren’t aware they had.

Human decency should triumph over politics. People are what matters, regardless of their politics.

So, my encouragement to you is to take a break from political noise. Enjoy your life today and every day. Get outside. Take a friend you haven’t seen for a while out to lunch. Read for pleasure.

The noise will always be there if you want to return to it. I hope you don’t miss it…

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Spirituality

One Small Voice

Everyone has a voice. Some people use theirs to impose their opinions and beliefs on us, whether we want to hear them or not. Sometimes they yell.

Social media has given people a platform. How we use this opportunity is up to us. Do we spread optimism and encouragement, or rage and anger? Right now more than ever, people need hope. Mental health is fragile for many, suicidal ideations are the highest they have ever been, and the world is divided. A breaking point is in our future unless we right the ship.

We can turn things around. We can use our voices to encourage others, lift them when they are despondent, and our words can bring hope to the hopeless. One small voice, speaking collectively with other likeminded people becomes a force. And the momentum builds into a storm. A storm for good.

Remember to ask yourself before you speak, am I helping or hurting others with my words? You know what to do from there.

And one final thought, I encourage you to be a voice for the voiceless until they find their own…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Rush to Judgment

For as long as I can remember, some parts of society believe you are guilty until proven innocent. Our laws believe it is the other way around, thankfully. If we are accused of wrongdoing, we are still assured of our due process under the Constitution.

My favorite book (and movie) is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The book is fiction, and it is enriched by a great plot and subplots. In the main theme, a man, Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a woman. The story is set in Alabama in 1933. Tom is black. The woman is white. You see where the story is going. Tom was automatically guilty because he couldn’t be trusted around white women. This was untrue then and it is untrue now. Yet, because of this work of fiction as well as many real life stories, the south has forever been deemed to be racist. It isn’t.

Rushing to judgment clouds the thinking. It’s difficult to see truth when you are looking through the lens of guilt. Facts matter.

I encourage you to steer clear of judgment, all judgment. Put yourself in the same situation and treat others as you would like to be treated.

Freeing yourself from judgment opens you up to seeing people for who they are. And isn’t that what we all want?

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Salt of the Earth

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus told the crowd they were the salt of the earth. How many times have we read that and skipped right through it without any further consideration? Let’s examine it.

Salt is used millions, probably billions of times daily. It’s the most widely used seasoning on earth. Salt enhances flavor. It’s used as a preservative, a cleanser, a weed killer, and it can be used to remove stains from your teeth. During Jesus’ day, it was a rare commodity that was used as currency.

All the ways I just listed can be applied to us! We can enhance the lives of others and lift others through our words and actions. We can remove negative thinking (weeds) and, through changing our thoughts we can cleanse our minds. And when we consider the scientific marvel the human body is, we are worth more than any nation’s gold.

Yet, we have something salt doesn’t have. When salt loses its flavor, it is worthless. We can rise and reclaim our lives after setbacks and hardships. We never lose our value.

Be the one who encourages the hurting, the lost, and the ones who feel forgotten. Be like salt…

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Spirituality

Are You Lonely?

Loneliness is on the rise in the United States. According to the most recent Gallup Poll, over 20% of adults are feeling alone. At the beginning of 2024, the number was 17%. The percentage of young people ages 15-18 is 25%. Something is wrong and getting worse quickly.

Everyone has experienced periods of loneliness during their lives. Feeling alone is typically a seasonal thing, but some people are having a difficult time moving through it.

Death and divorce are part of life’s process. The loneliness will pass, as will the grief. We were never promised that life would always be full of happiness. We must accept the bad with the good.

My encouragement to the lonely is to take inventory of your assets. You can see, think, feel and love. Your heart will still beat 36 million times this year. You have so much, but you are only finding your value in material possessions. You are so much more valuable than that.

Loneliness will pass. It’s okay to get down. Just don’t stay there…

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Spirituality

Daily Prayer

Here is my daily prayer. True story: it popped into my mind when I was sitting in church, checking out girls! When the thought grabbed me, I immediately wrote it down. If you like it, feel free to use it as your own.

“Use me. Work through me. Through my writings and through my words. Through my actions and through my deeds. Let me be a light to others in this dark world.”

Our world is dark. Be the one who brings light…

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Spirituality

No, Not Everything Happens For a Reason

You have heard people say, “everything happens for a reason.” Perhaps you have said it yourself. It just isn’t true if the person saying it is implying Spiritual influence.

God has given us the power to choose. In this way, we are given the choice to love God, hate Him, or be indifferent towards Him. He doesn’t force us to love Him. So, what happens in life is a direct consequence of our decision making. And our attitude controls everything. But let’s consider the things that happen when we have no choice in the matter.

God doesn’t make abuse happen, nor rape or sexual assault, and He doesn’t make bad things happen to good people. God does make a promise, though. He can bring good from evil. I refer you to Romans 8:28 if you want to read His promise.

Bad things happen, no doubt. We aren’t going to understand everything on this side of eternity. But we can trust God. His purpose is good.

Always…

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Spirituality

The Power to Change

Change is a funny thing. In one way it is self-contradictory. For example, many people say they don’t like change. Yet, the only constant in life is change. Those people are screwed!

Most everyone I meet is trying to grow. Growth requires change. Getting rid of bad habits, better decision-making or beginning an exercise program requires change and commitment. And it is difficult. But you can do it if you want to.

You don’t have to do it alone. Ask God to help you. He will show up. You might have to ask Him multiple times per day. God didn’t forget what you asked for. He’s wanting to see how badly you want it. And only God can change impure hearts. Let Him do His thing.

The road of life we are on will end one day. Make your life count…

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Spirituality

Angels Among Us

Did you know that Angels might be in your midst? It’s true! Hebrews 13:2 says, “ Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.“ So, there you have it.

It is my belief that we should try to show kindness to friends and strangers alike. Do it because that’s what is in your heart, not because you want something. God knows our motives because He sees everything. I’m not just talking about our actions. He sees beneath the surface.

When you are working on yourself, remember to ask God to remove any impure thoughts and actions from your life. He will.

God is the original heart surgeon. He can heal us and purify us…

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Spirituality

LE CAFE Interview

Recently, I was privileged to be a guest on LE CAFE Podcast where we discussed the charity I serve on the board of, Rachel’s Challenge. We discussed how the organization creates safer, better-connected schools where students are free to learn. Stories connect us, and Rachel’s story has been changing and saving lives for over 25 years. Please click on the link to listen and learn more:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/le-caf%C3%A9/id1734295609?i=1000683769867

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