Stacy Johnson is changing the world for our most vulnerable citizens, children. Recently I had her back in the studio to share an update on Grace365, a new standalone property for up to 24 kids who have aged out of foster care but aren’t ready to be on their own. Prepare to be inspired and to learn about more miracles God has performed in her life.
Tag Archives: #inspiration
Givers and Takers
You have probably heard all the sayings: “it’s better to give than to receive.” And “it’s the thought that counts.” If these are true, and they are, then why are we so damn greedy?
The culture of the United States is greed. Yet, we are the most benevolent country in the world. Greed and kindness can coexist. The greedy part of our psyche is insecurity while the benevolence comes from the heart. The heart is what really matters. It’s the heart of mankind that God searches.
Publications like People Magazine give us a glimpse into the lives of our favorite celebrities. The images are showing us a carefree life with no worries. It’s a created image that doesn’t exist in real life. Everyone has challenges in their lives whether they are famous or not.
Giving of yourself and your resources is good for the spirit. When you help someone who can never do anything for you, you get a feeling that is impossible to describe. I believe this is how we were created in the image of God. He’s the only one who gives and gives.
My encouragement to you is to try to be more giver than taker. Find a cause that touches your heart. Get involved. See how your life gets even better than it is already…
Aging in Reverse
So far, no one has been able to reverse their biological clock. But in the technologically advanced world we live in, anything is possible.
There are several things we can do to slow down the aging process. Intense exercise that incorporates strength training along with some cardio builds muscle and reduces inflammation. Exercise also enhances your cellular function. I encourage you to work up a sweat at least four times per week.
Our diet can help as well. Organic foods, olive oil, fresh vegetables and nuts are in the optimal mix. Reduce alcohol consumption, too.
Prayer and meditation are good for easing your mind and taking away worries and stresses. Undue stress can cause inflammation. You really can prevent it if you take the steps to reduce it. But you gotta believe.
Keep your mind active. Have meaningful conversations. Listen well. And keep an open mind to new possibilities.
Take the time to take care of yourself. You will be better for it, and your quality of life will improve dramatically…
Revealed
Social media has given people a public platform. People who thought they never had a voice now have one. It isn’t always pretty.
Most recently, the assassination of Charlie Kirk had some people practically dancing on his grave. These people didn’t like what he said or what he stood for, so, to them, he won’t be missed. What has happened to the heart of mankind? The man was a husband, father, son, friend and an inspiration to many young people.
I have heard people say that social media has changed people. I disagree. Social media has revealed what lies in the heart of people.
Since the beginning of time as we know it, the world has been in a spiritual battle. The battle has intensified. Don’t believe me? Look around. Keep the people angry and divided and fuel whatever evil fire burns inside them. Don’t fall for it.
Agree or disagree, we are better together. It’s all about the heart…
Unseen Protection
It’s estimated that there are around 1,000,000 law enforcement officers in the United States. They have one of the most dangerous careers you can have. Even a simple traffic stop for speeding could be their last.
Law enforcement is a calling. It has to be. Any of us would risk everything to save our families. Police do it for strangers. They keep the peace when insane, chaotic conditions exist all around them. They protect the people who are protesting them as well.
In 2014, Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri by a police officer. The officer, Darren Wilson, claimed that Brown assaulted him and made a play for his gun. After an intense investigation, the grand jury found no evidence to indict the officer. Same for the DOJ. Yet, Wilson had to move his young family away from Ferguson.
Say a prayer for our brave officers. They have a sometimes thankless job, but I am thankful for them every day…
Seasons Change
Fall is here! This conjures up thoughts of cooler temperatures, leaves changing color, and we begin looking forward to our first fire in a while. Yet in Texas it’s still hot as hell.
My 50th high school reunion is coming up next week. I won’t be attending. High school was a fun period in my life. I had a lot of friends and an active social life. But that was then.
Today my life is different. I have new friends and keep myself busy with work, writing and my podcast. And a few more projects as well! The people from my high school days that were most important I am still in communication with.
Seasons change. People change and grow. Sometimes people are in your life for just a period. They weren’t meant to stay around.
Keep going, and keep growing. Life is a beautiful learning experience…
Demand More
You and I are in competition, but not with each other. We are competing with ourselves, striving to do better. I can only run my race and it’s the same for you.
Comparison is a dangerous trap. When we compare ourselves to others we have a tendency to look at life through an out of focus lens. God gave us our life, and he created us to do his will on this side of eternity. When the day arrives when we meet our maker, God will ask us what we did with the talents he gave us. He’s not going to compare us to anyone else.
If you feel like you are just going through the motions in life, it’s time to change. We aren’t going to find fulfillment if our life consists of going to work, coming home and watching television, going to bed and doing it again the next day.
It’s time to demand more from yourself. God won’t put us in a position to fail. But he will stretch us and grow us into the man or woman he created us to be.
The time is now. Don’t wait and don’t worry. God doesn’t demand anything of us he hasn’t equipped us for. It’s time…
Shocked
The country is in trouble. There’s no margin for differing opinions or beliefs. While I refuse to give up hope, I’m watching the division widen. This doesn’t look like the country I grew up in.
We have always argued about politics. The old saying was, if you want to get along with others, don’t talk about politics, sports or religion. Sports and religion have taken a backseat to politics. In some ways, politics has become some people’s religion.
The recent assassination of Charlie Kirk has brought out some real ugliness in people. The comments and celebrations about this mans death are inhumane. It doesn’t matter what his politics or what his organization stood for, a 31 year old man was killed, leaving a young wife and two toddlers behind. I cannot understand how decent people could be happy about this. Perhaps they really aren’t decent, just sick, twisted and dark.
It would be wonderful if bad things didn’t happen in this world. But that would mean this world would be Heaven. It’s not Heaven, just an imperfect place for us to live until we reach eternity.
Take care with your words. The tongue is a dangerous weapon…
The Power of Gratitude
Are you someone who looks for the good in life? Perhaps you have been described as a “glass half full” kind of person. That’s quite a compliment.
Everyone has challenges in their lives. Everyone struggles occasionally. But we can always find something good within the difficulty. Can you see? Is your mind still working? If you answered yes, you have all the tools necessary to bring you through the mess. Add some active faith to the mix and you will be unstoppable.
Actively practicing gratitude changes your brain in a good way. You focus on the good in your life and not on what you lack. Comparison is no longer part of the equation. Peace and contentment reign, not chaos and anxiety.
Take inventory. Write, physically write down all the good in your life. Keep the list with you and add to it when something comes to mind.
Try it for 30 days. Your outlook will change greatly. What do you have to lose other than a little chaos? And that’s a good thing to lose…
Caution
Are you a risk taker? Before you answer, consider that every day you are alive is a risk. Driving to work has risks. So does going out to eat. Anyone who has ever had food poisoning will attest to that.
Calculated risks are part of life. If I don’t risk driving to work, then the consequence is I don’t get paid. Life is full of trade offs. We just don’t think about them.
Consider the hell you will live with when you don’t pursue your purpose. Yes, it can be scary and difficult. There are hurdles to leap over and setbacks to pick yourself up from. But the truth is, when you are pursuing what God wants you to do, you cannot fail. God isn’t in the business of failing. We do the work, with applied faith, and He does the behind the scenes work. Trust him.
Doing what you were put here to do is going to be full of challenges. Our unseen enemy wants to keep us from living a fulfilling life. Giving glory to God, even during the painful times really pisses Satan off.
So, throw caution to the wind and believe. Believe in yourself and believe in the one who created you. He’s our biggest cheerleader…
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