Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Weak or Strong

We have no idea what challenges life is going to present us with. The one thing we can count on is that sometimes life will knock us down. But while you might be down, you are never out unless you decide you are.

Resilience is built in the darkness, when we are tested. These are the times you find your inner strength to keep going. The strong will not only survive, their confidence and courage will grow exponentially.

There has been a disturbing trend I have observed. Kids sports don’t keep score, and every child gets a “Participation Trophy.” No child has to feel the pain of loss. This is setting kids up to crumble when the shit hits the fan later on because they haven’t learned resilience. It’s not surprising that mental health among our young is not a pretty picture. Wrapping children in bubble wrap has had consequences.

Strong minded people aren’t offended easily. They tend to have a big picture view of the world around them. They help others when needed.

Be strong, even when you feel unsure. You will get through whatever life has thrown your way if you refuse to accept defeat…

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Spirituality

Beaten Down and Knocked Around

Yesterday I received a call from an acquaintance I hadn’t spoken to for a couple of years. She was distressed. Her situation is dire because she’s about to be evicted from her home. The purpose of her call was to ask me to loan her some money.

Due to a series of events that were partly her fault and some that couldn’t have been anticipated, she was in a bad spot. As I listened to her tell me what happened, there wasn’t any “poor little me” or victimhood tone in her voice, just fear.

Now I have a personal policy to not loan money. If I decided to send her some resources, I would just give it to her. I have found that this prevents me from having a false expectation of being repaid because I’m not expecting anything. I told her I would consider it.

This was when she started beating herself up. She was calling herself stupid etc. I immediately asked her to stop being so hard on herself with her comments. The world is going to knock us around and then pile on, I said. That’s just how it is. Hold yourself accountable, but stop the harshness of her self-criticism. It doesn’t help a thing.

My friend texted me last night that she had gotten things worked out, that she still had a ways to go, but she was grateful for my encouragement.

My encouragement to you is to keep going when things look the darkest. Daylight is coming…

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Spirituality

Battery Life

My phone runs on a battery. So do my car and my laptop. Flashlights, too. And don’t forget to buy batteries at Christmas so the toys will work!

Batteries eventually run out of power and must be replaced. I’m guessing the stores that sell batteries do well consistently. But what about our bodies?

Think of your body like it’s a machine. A well-oiled machine runs smoothly. It’s reliable. A little maintenance here and there and it will last a long time. Our bodies are similar. We need to feed them good, nutritious foods and keep ourselves hydrated. Otherwise our cells won’t communicate properly. There is really no difference.

One day our battery life will expire in our bodies. We need to make the most of our time here. Our lives need to mean more than just having a good time. We want our lives to count.

Go make a difference in this world. You are equipped for a special purpose. Get going before your battery runs out…

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Spirituality

Good Friday

Good Friday is a strange way to describe today. It’s the day Jesus was put to death. So, we must ask, what’s good about that?

The death of Jesus Christ was predicted by the prophet Isaiah. He described death on the cross years before it was thought up by the Romans. Jesus himself told his disciples that he would be killed and his followers didn’t believe him. I can only imagine their confusion when they saw it come to pass. Even stranger, they had just witnessed Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead. The disciples knew he had power over death.

In my opinion, Good Friday is so named because it was the fulfillment of Scripture. No matter how crazy things were, Jesus remained in control.

Things aren’t always as they seem. Let’s try to see things as they can be…

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Spirituality

No Way Out

How many times have you painted yourself into a corner and felt like there is no way out? And yet, you have gotten through every situation. You may have experienced a setback, but you made it.

With God there is always a way. He operates outside of time and space as we know them. His realm is the supernatural where there are no limits to what God can do.

There is a way to bring the supernatural into the natural. It’s called prayer. Many times I pray as a last resort rather than trying to get in front of my challenges. Perhaps you do, too. I need to flip the script!

Hope is always with us. Let’s place our hope in the hands of the one who can accomplish anything. Let’s begin with prayer…

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Spirituality

Impressions

How many times have we been reminded that we need to make a good first impression? Probably too many to count. It’s true. We only have one chance to make a good first impression.

When something, not someone, makes an impression on you, pay close attention. It may be a key to your purpose.

One of my passions is children’s causes. My childhood was full of fear and anxiety. I don’t want any other child to feel like I did as a kid. Now I know I can’t control what happens in each child’s home life, I can make a difference by letting them know they aren’t alone. Many children have struggles they don’t talk about.

Today, I encourage you to be your best. Show up. You have an impression to make…

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Spirituality

Unquestionably Led

There are a few people who have unquestionably put their faith in government. If their favorite politician says it, then it must be true. Yet there is much evidence that shows this type of thinking is flawed, at best.

Oftentimes people align their politics with how they feel, ignoring the facts in many cases. Feelings can be deceptive.

The most intentional man who ever lived is Jesus Christ. He was led by the Spirit to do what the Father sent him to accomplish. I’m only guessing because I wasn’t there, but I bet Jesus was fun to be with. He must have been because no one wants to be around someone who is a drag. Yet Jesus never wavered from his mission.

This week we Christians will celebrate Easter. The resurrection started a new, different relationship between God and man. It has lasted over 2,000 years. Jews will celebrate Passover. The two are connected in history.

Whatever you celebrate, or if it is nothing at all, I wish you a peaceful, reflective time. When the Spirit calls, follow without question. You won’t be led astray…

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Spirituality

Dissatisfied

Over half of Americans are dissatisfied with their work. They feel underpaid, under appreciated and do not find themselves fully engaged. How can you be productive when half your workforce has an attitude like this? You can’t, but there is hope.

One of the challenges people face is believing they are locked in a lifestyle they don’t want to give up. You are in your 40’s with a family, mortgage and other obligations. There seems to be no way out.

When the pain of dissatisfaction becomes too strong, people change. Perhaps they step their lifestyle back a bit to follow their unique path. It takes courage and commitment. Maybe pride gets in the way. But a better way of living is available if you really want it. You must really want it.

If this is resonating with you, I encourage you to take a moment to consider what you really desire from your life. Write it down. Pray for guidance. Be fearless and take a step forward in faith.

You will succeed if you refuse to quit…

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Spirituality

Embarrassed

There came a time when my sons were embarrassed to have me in the same zip code. It happened practically overnight. One day I was their hero and the next day I was the goat.

Have you noticed how quickly some public figures are to apologize when they get caught doing something wrong? Their illicit behavior may have gone on for years but they immediately became contrite. Was it genuine? Only God knows because He searches the heart of man.

Public figures live in the spotlight. People Magazine and TMZ follow them around. Any moral slip up and it’s in view of the world. Yet, there are stories of people who have erred but genuinely redirected their lives. Those stories don’t make the news quite as often.

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s important that we change our thinking so we don’t continue doing the wrong things. And self forgiveness is part of the process.

Life is a long road with curves and potholes along the way. You gotta learn to drive through those conditions, too…

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Spirituality

Breaking Through

This morning I had the privilege of delivering the Commencement Address for 42 inmates who were receiving their high school equivalency certificates. This was the eighth time I have done this during the past year. The thing I always take home with me is the smiles on the graduates faces.

Not only were the young men graduating, for many they were breaking a cycle. Dysfunction is generational until someone changes. Several of the men were the first in their family to graduate.

No one sets out in life to go to prison or get divorced. Things happen. Life’s curveballs will only hold you back if you decide to let them. You get to decide, no one else.

This morning was a fresh new start. The inmates aren’t getting out today. But when they do, there is a brighter path forward…

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