Tag Archives: #hope

Spirituality

Giveaways

Companies advertise things like “buy one, get one free” and other offers to entice customers. Oftentimes the company is offering something really good. And we love a bargain or a sale, don’t we?

What about you? You have unique gifts and talents that were given to you by God. He doesn’t want us to hold onto them or hide them from view. No. God gave us special talents to benefit others. Keeping them to ourselves is selfish. You are uniquely qualified to influence others for good, thereby advancing God’s Kingdom agenda.

If you aren’t using your gifts, or perhaps you have allowed them to lie dormant for a while, I encourage you to begin using them. The world needs what you have to offer. Start now…

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Spirituality

It Was A Mistake

Have you ever made a mistake? Of course you have! It’s a rhetorical question. Here’s another one for you: Do you know people who continue throwing your past mistakes in your face? Move those people out of your life, far away.

Some people have a habit of looking for the worst in others. They revel in it. At their core, they are refusing to look at themselves so they spend their efforts pointing out the flaws and shortcomings of others. Their misgivings about themselves turn into projection.

It’s a beautiful thing when you trust someone to the point where you allow them to see you for who you are. Their acceptance of you can turn into self-improvement on your part. You want to be better.

Mistakes are part of life. They aren’t intentional. Don’t allow mistakes of the past to stop you from taking risks. Mistakes are vital for learning which leads to eventual success. Keep pushing forward…

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Spirituality

Devils Among Us

There is evil in this world. It may not always represent itself in murder, terrorism and other crimes of violence. Evil also comes in the forms of abuse, disease and loss.

Bad things happen to good people and we don’t understand why. People blame God and lash out in anger. That’s okay. He can take it. I have some experience with this. During much of my young life I hit him. Hard. Regularly.

But here’s a thought. When bad things happen in our lives, when the shit really hits the fan, we have a choice. We can hate God for allowing it or we can grow closer to Him. It doesn’t take away the pain. We still have to grieve and go through it. Even when we are at our lowest, when we have given up on God, He hasn’t given up on us. He doesn’t throw in the towel when he’s had enough of us raging at him. He still cares.

There are a lot of things we aren’t going to understand on this side of eternity. The spiritual battle that rages around us is just one of those things. We can’t see it, but it is happening. We can’t see gravity either, but I’m not going to jump off a high rise building.

Gravity works every time. So does God. He is the only one who can bring good from evil. Give Him a chance…

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Spirituality

Phones, Phones Everywhere!

Yesterday I flew back home. On the airplane and in the airport I couldn’t help but notice how many people had their heads down looking at their phones. I occupied my time with a book.

Since its introduction in 2007, Apple has sold over 3 billion iPhones. For several versions the company would introduce new features and capabilities. We met Siri, the voice recognition software. Every day I send or receive multiple text messages and emails on my phone. The handheld device is both a convenience and a nuisance at the same time.

With the rise in technology and instant “communication,” we are losing the art of conversation. Human interaction and connection is vital for us. We are meant to be in community with others. People aren’t robots. For us to fully function we need interaction with others.

There are eight billion people on the planet. Our phones allow us to communicate with almost anyone anywhere. Yet, we are living in the loneliest period ever.

Stay connected. Your well being depends on it…

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Spirituality

Reflecting

This morning I learned that a girl I used to know had passed away last night. While I haven’t seen her in decades, it still affects me. You see, she was a bright light in this world. Our world became a little darker without her in it.

We remember the people from our past. School friends, old girlfriends and even those who briefly passed through our lives are all in the mix. We hold them in our hearts. They have been a part of who we have become. I will always treasure the good people.

All of us are on the train to our final destination. The train ride began when we were born. It’s a great ride most of the time. There’s an occasional tunnel to pass through, but we come out of it. Then one day the conductor will say, “yours is the next stop.”

Life doesn’t end when we leave this world. We live on in eternity where there is peace and perfection. Make your difference on this side before the conductor stops by your seat.

Live with purpose…

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Spirituality

Armed and Dangerous

You and I are carrying a weapon of mass destruction. Did you know you are armed and dangerous? Very dangerous, actually.

The weapon I’m talking about is our tongue. The words we say to others, and ourselves, can be used to encourage others or they may be used for harm.

What we say can reverberate for generations. Consider the quotes from history that were offered by JFK, Abraham Lincoln, Churchill and countless others. They have inspired millions for good. Those great men and their legacies are countered by Nikita Khrushchev who vowed that the communists would “bury us, and they wouldn’t have to fire a shot.” They haven’t quit trying.

God gave us free will over our words and actions. He doesn’t want us to use them to hurt others. We should offer constructive criticism in private and leave the ridicule and name calling to the low thinkers. Aim higher.

In prisons, I have met so many people who are carrying pain from the words of others, oftentimes from family members. Sadly, they believe they are worthless and don’t matter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone is important. Everyone matters.

My encouragement to you (and me) is to hold our tongues as best we can. Not everything needs a response. Not everyone deserves a response…

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Spirituality

Trading Places

Do you ever look at someone else’s life and wish that was you? Maybe you would love to trade places with them if even for just one day. That might not be a bad idea.

People are great actors yet they don’t receive awards for the parts they play in real life. They might be falling apart inside but you would never know it. The great comedian Robin Williams took his own life and he had everything so many want. His brilliant comedy masked the pain he was carrying inside, a pain that never goes away.

If you were able to trade places with someone who you believe has it all together, you would see that they don’t. Everyone has challenges. Others are dealing with different problems than you, but they still have them.

God gave you the life you have. He has equipped you with everything you need to thrive, to find fulfillment. God never said it would be easy, nor did he say this side of eternity would be perfect. He did say our faith would be shaken. Mine has been. Yours probably has been, too.

Keep your mind focused on your purpose. Everyone has one. Find yours and give it everything in you…

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Spirituality

Second Chances

There is a song by the group Shinedown that I really like. The song is called “Second Chance.” In the song is a lyric: “Sometimes goodbye is a second chance.” Perhaps there is something, or even someone in your life that it’s time to say goodbye to.

Everyone has a bad habit or two. They know it so you don’t need to point it out to them. They will break free when they are ready and not one second before. They will be doing it for themselves and not because of your nagging.

Sometimes there are people in your life who need to go. It might be a member of your family. It’s okay to say goodbye to them if they aren’t good for you. Maybe they constantly criticize you or cut you down. There’s a difference between constructive criticism which is done in private and criticism that’s designed to hurt you or embarrass you.

Do what you need to do to protect your mental and physical health. It’s your life. Make choices that bring out the best in you.

If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be any good to anyone else…

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Spirituality

Finding God

A couple of years ago, on a Sunday morning, I was driving through my neighborhood headed to church. I saw a family of four riding their bicycles going the opposite way. Dad was in front followed by two young kids who were probably 5 and 6. Mom was bringing up the rear. I thought to myself that what I was seeing was a version of church. They weren’t home sitting around watching television or playing video games. They had togetherness. Doesn’t that sound like church?

Everyone is trying to find God whether they acknowledge it or not. The 17th century French philosopher Pascal said we “had a God-shaped vacuum” in our hearts that only God could fill. People pursue spiritual connection through everything from prayer and church to yoga and spiritual retreats. We pursue the Divine yet He pursues us at the same time. Why are we missing each other?

We find God in the quiet. We find him in our service to others. We find him in nature. And we can see God manifest goodness when tragedy strikes. He’s there. We just need to look.

God wants our hearts. All through the Bible are references to God examining the heart. He doesn’t need anything more than our willingness.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, “you will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Slow down. Get quiet. Find Him…

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Spirituality

Baggage

The baggage I’m referring to in the title is unresolved trauma and emotional pain. When people say they don’t have baggage they mean they have been healed from their past. But what about those who are still carrying a heavy load?

From my reading and observation, over 80% of families in the United States are experiencing dysfunction. Emotional, physical and sexual abuse are spiking northward. Children, of course, are the most vulnerable. We can, we must reverse this trend.

Family values get ridiculed by some. But a solid family who resolves conflicts, loves each other and learns resilience provides the foundation for a better community. If you don’t know how to be a good parent, you can learn. There are multiple resources available through books and the internet. Even better, talk to people who have raised good kids. You can learn a lot from people who have been there before.

If you are dealing with issues from your past you need to heal from, I encourage you to talk about your life with a trusted friend. Find a psychotherapist who will walk you through it. There is peace on the other side of pain.

Most importantly, face it and don’t give up. It’s time to live fully…

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