Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Waiting on the Weekend

It is estimated that about 80% of the population goes to a job they don’t enjoy. They are simply getting a paycheck and living for the weekend. My question is, how can anyone be effective in a job they aren’t finding fulfillment in?

People get comfortable in their lifestyle, I understand. There’s a mortgage to pay, food to buy and family vacations are expensive. But you can still afford all of these things and more when you are engaged in your career. It’s possible if you believe it is. The only battle is in your mind.

What did your dream life look like when you were younger? It’s not too late to create it. You might have to take a step or two backwards, but the short term pain will reap great benefits if you stay committed.

The life you want is there for the taking. It will take time to create but remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. But it did get built…

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Spirituality

The Consequences of Infighting

Right now there is a battle going on between popular conservative voices in the media space. Instead of keeping it behind the scenes, they do what media people do: they are fighting in public.

Those of us who aren’t in media or politics are fighting, too. Facebook and X are filled with insults being thrown at each other. Lifelong friends have become enemies. Nothing gets resolved and it is exhausting.

The Pharisees were in a quandary about this radical rabbi, Jesus. Some believed he was the Messiah who had been foretold while others didn’t. Of course they didn’t have the internet, only word of mouth. In the end, they put him to death on a cross, and they didn’t realize this fulfilled prophecy, too.

As it was written, Jesus arose on the third day. He hung around for 40 days and appeared to many. Yet some still refused to believe.

When you have a dispute with a friend, it’s best to keep it private. Work things out as best you can. Don’t sacrifice a friendship. It’s okay to see the world through a different lens…

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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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