Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Soothsayers

Do you ever want to know your future? If you could peer into your life ten years from now, much of it won’t make sense. This would leave you more confused than ever.

Looking for future signs goes back to Biblical times. King Nebuchadnezzar had his magicians, sorcerers and astrologers to advise him. So did King Darius and the Pharaoh of Egypt. In modern times, Nancy Reagan consulted astrologers. There are palm readers in every city and town across America.

There is only one who knows our future. His name is God. He knows because He’s already there. As humans, we use time as a construct to compartmentalize our lives. Time doesn’t really exist. God lives in the past, present and future at the same time. If this doesn’t blow your mind, I don’t know what will.

We can all take a lesson from the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. The authors encourage people to stay sober “one day at a time.” In other words, don’t worry about staying sober tomorrow or next week or next year. Just today. We can create anxious thoughts by thinking too far ahead. You have today. Stay focused on today.

When I look back on my life, I couldn’t have imagined how things turned out. God knew. He orchestrated my life in ways that still blow my mind. So, with that thought in mind I’ll trust Him more and trust my own designs less…

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Spirituality

In The Spirit

The Spirit is real. Very real. He prompts us, encourages us, and saves us from trouble.

There are two voices inside your mind. They compete for your attention. One voice is from the Spirit of God. The other voice is evil, reminding us of our past failures. It tries to keep us from fulfilling God’s greater purpose for our lives. The question is, which voice are you listening to?

Both voices will always be there. And it’s important to remember that every person you meet has the same two voices you have. Listen well and you can tell which voice is dominating their attention.

My encouragement to you is to pay more attention to the Spirits voice. He will guide you to where you want to go…

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Spirituality

Take A Holiday From Politics

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and Christmas is just around the corner. This is a time of great anticipation, excitement and celebration. Don’t miss it because you prioritize your politics over your family and friends.

In 2022, the American Survey Center published a study demonstrating that 11% of respondents had stopped talking to a family member because of political differences. The real question is why. People you have known all your life have been isolated from your life because of a politician you don’t know. I know a handful of politicians. They are decent people, but don’t fool yourself. They want your money and your vote, not your friendship.

Who shows up when the shit hits the fan, your representative in Congress? No. Your family and friends arrive, and they bring reinforcements and refreshments.

Please don’t make the mistake of severing relationships over political differences. If everyone agreed with each other on all matters then there would be no divorces or wars. But we know that’s not the case.

Strong people can handle conflicts. The politicians don’t spend one nanosecond think about you, no matter what they say. A family member in isolation does, and they miss you.

Conflict resolution is messy because of pride (arrogance). Be the bigger person and start the process of reconciliation…

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Spirituality

Thanksgiving Week

In the United States, this is the week of Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day (always Thursday), families and friends will get together to celebrate everything they are grateful for. The day is filled with food and football. Everyone takes a moment to appreciate what they have been blessed with. But why only one day?

My belief is that we should take time to reflect on all the good in our lives every day. It’s easy to fall into the trap of taking things for granted. If you have a few dollars in your pocket, you are better off than most of the world. Life is a struggle, but some people face challenges we have no concept of. In 2025 there are still people who have to walk miles to get fresh, clean water. Think about it.

It is my hope that our world begins to be filled with gratitude. Actively practicing gratitude changes the biochemistry of our brains. Change your mind and you change your life…

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Spirituality

War Games

In two World Wars the United States was dominant. Brave men and women fought for a common cause. Did our citizens have political differences then? Of course they did. They put their differences aside and fought.

There’s a war going on inside the United States. We are fighting each other over our politics. Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Candidate Trump had two attempts on his life (two that we know of). This madness must stop.

Before the country was formed our Founding Fathers had plenty of different ideas and beliefs about what this new experiment would look like. Things got so crazy that George Washington called for a three day recess for fasting and prayer. Perhaps this is a better way to handle our internal conflicts.

We don’t need another World War to arise so we can be united. We must examine our own hearts and decide to be better. It starts with me…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Enemies

Who are your enemies? Do you really have any? Generally speaking, an enemy is someone who is actively hostile towards you or someone who betrays you. We stay as far away as possible from those people. Or do we?

In this life we are surrounded by people from all walks of life. For the most part we exist together peacefully. Some days we get cut off in traffic. While we might be upset temporarily, we don’t make an enemy out of the offender.

Holding grudges might make us think the offense made someone an enemy. Unresolved problems can lead to shortened, less fulfilling lives. When the time is right, let it go. Forgive when you are ready.

Jesus taught in a counter-cultural way. He told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Huh? Pray for them? I want to see them suffer for what they did to me!

Prayer changes us. If you are harboring people you consider to be enemies in your mind, give prayer a try. Do it even if you don’t mean it. Watch how you change…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Holiday Legacy

The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are fastly approaching. Are you ready? My office has a luncheon planned for tomorrow. I’m bringing salad which means I’m going to the store to buy three bags of salad. Oh joy!

The holidays bring on a sense of dread for me. By admitting this I know I sound like Ebenezer Scrooge or someone like him, and my personality is far from him. The holidays were always a disappointment for me when I was a child. So as much as I love the season, I’m glad when they are over. This is the holiday legacy my family left me with.

But…things can change. I have tried to flip the script for my children so they have a better experience. But I gotta admit those Hallmark movies are not the goal I’m trying to reach. I want to leave a legacy of warmth and love, not perfection. Togetherness over stress.

If you feel the same way about the holidays, know that you aren’t alone. Changing perspective is possible. It begins with our attitude…

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Spirituality

Time, Energy and Heart

Every day I wake up I consider myself to be the most fortunate man alive. Not only have I been given another day to live, but I have an opportunity to make a difference in this crazy world we live in.

Did you know that 25% of the world lives on less than $2.00 per day? That’s 2 billion people! Over 36 million people live in poverty in the United States. The line on poverty is drawn at around $14,000 per year. People are struggling to make ends meet.

We can make a difference, both individually and collectively. Volunteering is a regular part of my life. I’m fortunate to have a career that gives me tremendous flexibility with my time. And the Creator gifted me with an enormous energy level. Put those two together, time and energy, and I pour my heart into causes that touch me emotionally.

The faith and philanthropic communities serve the least among us very well. They waste little and move heaven and earth with what they have. Those people are true role models, not our feckless politicians.

Find your cause(s). Get involved. We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Commit…

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Spirituality

Hanging Around

Death will get all of us one day. It’s inevitable, and I have three thoughts on death: I’m not afraid of it. I know where I will spend eternity. I’m not ready for it. And I don’t want it to hurt!

Heaven is perfect. There’s no disease. We get new bodies that never ache. Most important, we are in the presence of God. The things we don’t understand will be made clear.

Why do we fight so hard to hang on to this life? Knowing what we know, we can accept that it will happen and everything will be okay. God will continue to work on us until He is through with us on this side of life.

I tell my children not to mourn me when I’m gone. My eternal home is not here, it’s in Heaven. Theirs is, too. So is yours.

Treat people well while you have them in your life. Nothing is random in this life. Everything can be used…

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Spirituality

Come As You Are

Our churches should be open and welcoming places. We are there to worship God together, not to make a fashion statement. Yet that happens.

In the Book of James, this very thing is addressed. James cautions us against showing favoritism towards someone in “fine clothing and jewelry.” What about the people who don’t have similar resources? They are equally important.

Every Sunday I volunteer as a greeter for my church. I see people who are dressed in their best clothes, and I see people who look like they just closed down a bar. Everyone gets a friendly greeting from me. (Well, beautiful women might get a bigger smile, but let’s move on).

God is glad we are there. He is who we are there for. It’s relational, not transactional. Our attention should be focused on him, not the crowd around us.

Find a church community where you feel free to come as you are. Then you have found your home away from home on this planet. Our true home lies in the next life…

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