Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Where Does Your Trust Lie?

More people are anxious today than at any time in history. People are worried about their finances, their safety and security, their health, and the future. Would you like to stop worrying and start living fully? Keep reading.

In Proverbs 3:5, Solomon encouraged us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Notice that Solomon used the word heart. The heart is the center of our emotions. Worry is an irrational emotion. It’s irrational because the worrier is trying to control outcomes. We are not able to control outcomes so it’s a never ending cycle. Too much worry will land you in an asylum!

The only thing the Creator gives us control over is our attitude. Admittedly I view the world with optimism and hope. It’s how I’m hardwired. But if someone is nervous about the future, they can flip the script on their beliefs and see the world through a bigger lens, one filled with hope and prosperity. Anything is possible if you believe it is.

My encouragement to you is to meditate on Solomon’s writings. And remember, most of the things you have worried about in the past haven’t come true. Change your attitude and change your life…

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Spirituality

Two Different Messages

This past weekend, in the United States we saw pride in our country on display. It was everywhere. But some people heard a different message.

Washington DC was lit up. The speeches President Trump gave all weekend had a constant theme: exceptionalism. The great experiment is working. People all across the political spectrum came together to celebrate. But not everywhere.

Some people in higher office chose to be overly critical of the country. For those people, anything Trump does means they are against it. Their hatred blinds them to the truth and the common good this administration is accomplishing.

I have questioned some of the things the administration has done, too. Some of the pardons don’t make sense to me. But I’m not in the Oval Office so I don’t know everything.

The success of this Constitutional Republic wouldn’t have happened without God. Our country has thrived beyond belief because our Creator was for it. There are some who are fighting hard to keep God out. So we must fight harder. Every single day…

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Spirituality

Our Constitutional Republic

At the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked what form of government had been created. “It’s a republic, if you can keep it,” replied Franklin. This was a stark reminder for future generations that to survive it would require civic virtue, active participation and vigilance of the people.

For 250 years, the United States has survived world wars, a depression, corrupt politicians at every level, protests and violence. It has not been easy, but nothing worthwhile is.

I’m hopeful for another 250 years. We can do it if the people are willing. I’m willing…

Happy Independence Day, America!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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Spirituality

A House Divided

Abraham Lincoln was giving a speech in 1858 after winning his Senate seat. Lincoln famously said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” But Lincoln wasn’t the first person to say it. Old Honest Abe was quoting Jesus.

Jesus was healing people and casting out demons. Some of the scribes and Pharisees accused Jesus of getting his powers from dark forces, specifically Beelzebul. Jesus simply answered their false accusations by asking, “why would Satan work against himself? That a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

If you pay any attention to news media you would think Americans are at each other’s throats. We’re not. Well, some are but they are the minority. Most of us respect the right of others to believe differently. It isn’t a threat.

At the same time, hanging out with only the people who are like-minded is living in an echo chamber. And it’s dangerous. You can become arrogant in your thinking.

We are more than our politics. Way more. Everyone has goals, dreams and desires for their lives. And everyone has struggles. People show up to help when disasters occur. Perhaps this is why they are called acts of God. This is when we see the good in others, which reflects the goodness of our Creator.

We are better together…

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Spirituality

When An Atheist Makes An Introduction

In 2025, a longtime client of mine referred me to an acquaintance of his. My client said, “he’s a Bible thumper like you (referring to me).” The introduction was made, and I immediately liked Brian, the referral. He’s a good, good-hearted man who, like me, believes in and worships Jesus.

Much good has come from the introduction. Yes, Brian became a client, but the relationship is much more than that. When we meet for coffee, we have meaningful conversations and I leave the meeting after learning from Brian.

God uses all of us to accomplish His purpose in this world. All of us includes believers and nonbelievers alike. God continues working on my atheist client, and He never gives up like humans do.

Never underestimate the power of our Creator. He is good all the time…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Make Algae Great Again

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was constructed in 1923. It sits prominently between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, and is managed by the National Park Service. It’s a beautiful, peaceful site.

In 2012, the pool was found to be leaking about 25-30 million gallons of water annually. A reconstruction project was considered successful, yet soon after the project was completed an algae bloom appeared. Where were the people who were recently singing to the algae in 2012?

Yes, you read the previous line correctly. There was a group of protesters at the Reflecting Pool singing to the algae and yelling, “grow algae, grow!” They were celebrating the failed restoration. Why anyone would celebrate this is beyond my understanding.

My hope is to lift others up, that they will see their own inner beauty and potential. Tearing others down or celebrating a failure is for the weak.

Be strong…

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Spirituality

Problems? No Problems

Have you ever been around someone who constantly focuses on problems rather than solutions? They are energy draining. Every solution you offer is met with, “the problem with that is…” Ugh!

Life will throw some stuff at you. Difficult days are part of the mix but so are the days when everything goes right. Enjoy the easy days! Be grateful for them. But there’s a better way to view those times when life is most difficult than wishing they would pass. Instead, look forward to them. Let me explain.

When life is easy, we aren’t growing. Our strength and resilience are built in the fire. We see how strong we really are when we are being tested. I know many people who have gotten through very difficult situations. They are to be admired because they kept going through the darkness. Eventually, they found the light.

And speaking of the light in the darkness, it’s always there. It may be a pin dot of light, but it’s there. Keep your eyes on the light when darkness appears in your life. It gives you renewed strength, focus and hope. Stay focused…

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Spirituality

The Miserable Few

If you have been reading my daily column for a while, you know that I believe most people are good. My faith in humanity will not waver. But what about the small number of people who defy logic?

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is undergoing more repairs. It’s possible that it was sabotaged. I’ll let the investigation play out and then decide. But there are some crazy people at the Reflecting Pool who are celebrating the return of algae blooms. Seriously. They are singing to the algae.

In 2012, extensive repair work was done on the Pool. It was due. The Reflecting Pool opened in 1923 and was leaking millions of gallons of water annually. Soon after the repairs were completed, algae blooms began to appear. Where were the celebrants then?

A few people in this world have lost their minds. They celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk, they wish ill will on their fellow citizens, and they tear down anything good because they are blinded by political ideology. These are what I call the “miserable few.”

Life is challenging enough without having to deal with the crazies. We should encourage others, not tear them down. We are better together…

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Spirituality

The Public Eye

People Magazine was created around feature stories of our favorite celebrities and the going’s on in their lives. We needed to know what Oprah was reading, and we couldn’t live without pictures from Julia Roberts wedding. When you are in Hollywood, keeping your name in front of the public is key.

Everyone is watching others all the time. You can’t escape the cell phone cameras to capture your worst moments. You and I are in the public eye, too, whether we make it into People Magazine or not.

Most importantly, if you are a parent, your children are observing your behavior. Little eyes are always watching, listening and learning. Children need to see that our actions are aligned with what we say.

A large number of families are experiencing dysfunction in the home. It could be alcoholism, drug abuse or emotional abuse. Children are learning about horrible, unsafe conditions at an early age. Their developing brains aren’t capable of handling this in the right way. Children know nothing about setting and keeping healthy boundaries.

My hope is that people will seek out the help they need to change their behavior. God didn’t create us to live in self-imposed prisons. We hold the key…

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Spirituality

The Manifestation of Evil

What is wrong with people? We have people mocking the assassination of Charlie Kirk, cheering the algae in the Lincoln Reflecting Pool, and hailing Luigi Mangione as a modern day hero. This is evil personified.

The spiritual battle is very real. Demonic forces want us to turn away from God. They cast doubt on the beliefs of people who cannot understand how bad things happen to good people. This much I know: the only way satan can hurt God is by hurting his children. God cannot be physically hurt but he is an emotional God.

When you begin to see the world through the lens of the Spirit, things become more clear. God allows bad things to happen. Otherwise we wouldn’t have free will. We choose to love and worship God. It’s not forced upon us. That’s what the pagans do.

Only God can bring good from the bad. When we believe and pray, we are assured that God will get us through the worst. I understand it’s difficult, but faith is strengthened in the fire.

Trust God. He is good…

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