Tag Archives: #inspiration

Spirituality

I Get To

A couple of weeks ago I was having a conversation with a young woman who said something that stuck with me. She said that instead of “having” to do something, she changed the verbiage to “I get to.” This one little word is a game changer.

For the past couple of years I’ve been struggling to write a second book. There’s so much inside my mind and heart that I want to share with the world. Yet, I had become the Mt. Everest of coming up with excuses to avoid writing. It doesn’t matter how impactful my written words might be if I never put them into print. Graveyards are full of unfulfilled dreams.

Changing this one small word in our verbiage makes a huge difference. We approach life’s challenges with a willing attitude instead of one filled with dread.

And remember to thank God along the way. After all, He’s the one who gives us our time and abilities…

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Parents

When I became a father, I had no idea how to do the job. I had no skills because I had a terrible father. He was a cruel, angry, abusive man. All I knew was I didn’t want to be like him.

Fortunately, there are tons of good books available about parenting. So, I read many of them. And I sought out the advice of men I knew who had raised good children. I’m proud to say my two sons turned out well. They are good young men who have solid character. I will say their teenage years gave me a head of grey hair!

When my kids were in school, I saw parents who believed their children could do no wrong. If they got in trouble at school, it was the teachers fault. Some parents even lobbied the school to give their children better grades than they had earned. Those kids were being set up for failure later in life as they learned how the world works.

Parents are the first teachers children have. The little ones are always watching, learning their behavior from dad and mom.

If you are fortunate enough to be a parent, teach them well. And if you, like me, didn’t have good parents, you can learn…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

There’s Always a Critic

Have you noticed how the court of public opinion passes judgment without knowing all the facts? People can look at the world through a lens of biases which cloud clear thinking.

The “Make America Healthy Again” movement has no shortage of uneducated critics. Since it’s associated with the Trump administration, it must be wrong! No, it’s not wrong. Obesity, especially in children, has risen to epidemic levels. Autism has gone from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 31 children. Science is constantly asking why. It’s a good and fair question.

The pharmaceutical lobby is the largest in the world. They certainly have their own share of biases. Keep America fat and unhealthy and they have a customer for life. There is solid research dating back to the 1940’s that demonstrates the efficacy of psychedelics. They remain schedule 1 drugs because the pharmaceutical lobby says they should.

Do your own research. Remove bias from your thinking. If you conclude that your opinion is supported by facts, then stick with it. But if you learn something new that’s different from your prior beliefs, be willing to accept it…

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Spirituality

When Tragedy Strikes

Bad things happen to good people. When they do, we have a difficult time understanding why. People live their lives the right way, do good in their communities, and one day everything goes to hell.

People with good intentions will say, “well, it’s just God’s will.” They are wrong. God doesn’t want bad things to happen, and he certainly doesn’t will it. In fact, he can’t. Doing something bad would cause God to go against his nature.

What is true is this: God allows it. Did you realize that every awful thing that happens must be okayed by God? That’s right. He doesn’t give the demons free rein because that would mean that God wasn’t in control.

There’s some good news! Only God can bring good from evil. In fact, God alone has this power.

No matter what you are going through, trust God to bring you through it. He will. Just stay in faith and believe…

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Spirituality

The Meek

Being a meek person doesn’t mean you are weak or afraid to stand up for yourself. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. We think of the word in the wrong way.

Meek means strength under control. To display meekness means that when the crowd is losing their minds, you are the one who remains steady, the one who leads.

Meekness is strength of character, too. The meek don’t fold when things get tough. They remain steadfast in their convictions, sometimes running counterculture in the process.

Strive for meekness. Be strong when the world around you is weak.

And if you are a meek person, showing strength under control, you won’t need to tell anyone. Others will know…

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Spirituality

Care

There are a lot of causes I care about. The poor state of our world is almost overwhelming. Illiteracy, disease, hunger and child abuse are just a few needs to address.

No one person can solve all our societal ills. There are too many. Government is inefficient in solving problems. People tend to look there for solutions but the governments track record sucks. I have an idea!

If everyone alive who is capable took the time to work towards a problem they have a heart for, we could move the bar immeasurably. So few are fulfilling the call to help. My encouragement is for people to take one hour, only one hour per week to help. If less television turns into helping your fellow man, I believe that’s a good, worthwhile trade off.

I ask you to prayerfully consider what you can do. Then I encourage you to follow through and take action. Collectively we can make a difference.

Start today…

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In An Instant

We live life in a hurry, don’t we? We have instant grits, fast food and convenience stores. All of these things are designed to save us time. The less time we spend doing menial things, the more time we have to do other stuff. But there are trade offs.

Fast food doesn’t mean healthy food. Convenience stores offer fewer choices than supermarkets, and they are more expensive to shop in. And, of course, instant grits don’t measure up to the twenty minutes grits!

By taking shortcuts, we might be robbing ourselves of the sense of accomplishment we gain. There’s no quick way to get in shape and build muscle. Talk to text is a good alternative when we need to remember something. However, writing hits the same spot in the brain that meditation does. Taking an extra moment to write has more benefits than just the thing we need to remind ourselves of.

Slow down, just a little. Your effectiveness rises when you do…

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Spirituality

Equipping the Called

You might not believe that God has a great purpose for your life. Or you may believe it’s too late to fulfill said purpose. Let’s consider the disciples.

In Jesus’s time, Jewish boys would go to school beginning at five years old. They studied and memorized the Torah, the first five books of the Bible. After this time, the brightest students would continue their rabbinical studies while the kids who weren’t chosen would go off to study a trade. None of the disciples had been chosen to be rabbis.

Jesus chose the twelve and, for three years, taught them by example. He was preparing them to begin the church. The religious leaders of the time were puzzled by Jesus because he hadn’t continued rabbinical studies, yet he knew everything. Jesus taught with compassion and kindness which was different from the teachings of many others.

It’s interesting that Jesus chose the men he chose rather than men who were religious leaders. He saw what he needed in the twelve.

It’s not too late. Say yes to God’s call on your life. If you are still here, God isn’t through with you. Allow yourself to be used. Start now…

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Memorial Day

Tomorrow in the United States we will observe Memorial Day. The first official Memorial Day was in 1868 when it was called Decoration Day. It’s not a day of celebration, but a day of mourning and remembering those who died for the sake of freedom.

The day is also considered the beginning of summer. School is out, the flowers and grass are fully bloomed. It’s a bit ironic that life is in full bloom while we remember those who died. Yet, the cycle continues.

Please take a moment to reflect on what Memorial Day means. Say a silent prayer for the families of the deceased. Pray for peace in the world. And never forget…

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Spirituality

What Will You Say?

We are rebellious by nature. We have been this way since Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden. The inner battle continues all our lives.

All through history, including biblical history, when we say YES to God, great things happen. We aren’t waiting on God to show himself. God is waiting on us!

Be fearless. Get in the habit of saying yes. God will use us in ways we are well suited for. I used to be afraid that if I answered the call, God would make me be a missionary in India. I have no desire to do that! God is probably laughing at my silliness.

Say yes to God. Say the most dangerous prayer which is, “use me.” He will, and then the miracles happen…

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