Tag Archives: #jesus

Spirituality

Laurels

In ancient Greece and Rome, laurel (evergreen) wreaths were placed on the heads of those who were victorious, the poets and heroes. The wreaths symbolized great achievements in their respective fields.

There’s a saying you have probably heard before, that someone is “resting on their laurels.” It means they are relying on past work to propel them forward without continuing their work. It’s a dangerous trap, one I have fallen into myself. Be on guard that it doesn’t catch you, too.

We should take the time to celebrate our accomplishments in life. Nothing great happens without sacrifice and commitment. But if we are still here, God isn’t finished with us and our work to advance His kingdom agenda. Let’s finish strong.

I do encourage you to take time for rest along the way. You will be better for it. At the same time, don’t rest too long. You might start to enjoy it more than you should! There’s much to do, and only limited time to do it. Get to work!

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Spirituality

Pretension

Have you ever noticed that if someone is flying in First Class from here to LAX they will announce their seat on social media platforms? You never see someone post “Hey everyone! I scored row 29, center seat for my flight to Los Angeles.”

Pretension is, simply put, showing importance that isn’t genuine. It’s rooted in insecurity and that leads to an inflated ego. Arrogant people are difficult to spend time with. They lack substance yet portray themselves as an expert on just about everything. I hope they find themselves, their true self, someday.

God doesn’t care if we fly First Class or take a slow boat to China. He does care about developing our hearts and minds. He reminds us to care for the poor, the marginalized and the hurting children, the non-pretentious people. And we are reminded through Scripture to do it quietly. Our audience is just one.

This world will always have people who love to show the world all their greatness. But inside they might have the mindset of a scared child. Be kind to them. They need kindness, too…

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Spirituality

Heading Home

Since Christmas Day I have been in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you have never been here, I encourage you to plan a visit. The city is full of character and charm. Truly, one of a kind.

But all good things don’t come to an end. That saying is wrong because life is a progression. Every moment of each new day is filled with awe and wonder. I’m grateful for every experience life throws my way, even the bad ones. We learn from each and every experience. Nothing is wasted.

We have a few more days until the holidays are finished for 2025 and life becomes routine again. Enjoy your time off and make it count.

Austin is where I will land tonight, but it’s not my eventual home. That home is in the eternal realm. But the work I accomplish here is preparing me for the next life. It’s the same for you.

The world should be viewed through the eyes of a child. They notice each and every little thing, and they are in awe of it, whatever it is! Keep practicing gratitude daily, and the lens you see the world through will expand. I promise…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

Lead Me

Our world needs strong leaders. The kind of leadership I’m talking about are people who are moral, ethical, and they do what’s right. And those types of people are rare.

It has always fascinated me when I see the actions of cult leaders. Jim Jones enticed and forced over 900 people to drink liquid laced with cyanide. Three hundred of them were children. Everyone died from the poison except Jones, who died from a single bullet to his head.

The kind of leadership we desperately need is found in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” In other words, dedicate your life to serving God and follow His guidance in everything. It’s difficult, but possible.

Keep your focus on things above. You will not be led astray…

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Spirituality

A Message of Peace

Today is Christmas Day. For Christians, this is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. There is no one like him.

Jesus’s ministry on earth only lasted for about three years. Yet during that short period of time he transformed the lives of countless people. The disciples recorded some of Jesus’s miracles, but according to John, if they wrote all of them down they would “fill all the volumes in the world.”

During Jesus’s era, the Israelites were living under Roman rule, but the citizens were being oppressed by their own religious leaders. Jesus changed everything, yet he never sinned. He shook things up, and they killed him for it.

Jesus rose on the third day. He left a legacy that has lasted over 2,000 years. If he was a fraud, as some say, he was the best fraud ever.

Jesus was a peacemaker. Let’s follow his lead and bring peace, too…

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Spirituality

Strength Through Pain

Are you experiencing a difficult time in your life? If not now, the odds are that you will sometime in the future. I want to encourage you to flip the script on it when it happens.

Life can be very hard sometimes. God didn’t promise us an easy path. But He did give us a way through. Translation: rely more on God and less on ourselves during the dark times.

Resilience is built in the darkness. We learn that we can bounce back from the troughs of life. Our pain turns into strength. We might not like it at the time, but it can be used for good.

No matter how much social media wants us to believe that everyone has a perfect life, we know the truth. See pain as opportunity. Don’t dread it. Welcome it because better days are ahead…

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Spirituality

Built to Last

In today’s society, customer service is an oxymoron. Postal service and efficiency? It doesn’t exist. Consumers remain frustrated. Personally, I will avoid calling AT&T as long as I can.

But God built us to last for 80-100 years on earth. In eternity we will live forever. As the artist Prince said, “forever is a mighty long time.”

We must make the most of our time here. It’s preparing us for the next life. We aren’t meant to work a little and then just watch television, existing until the weekend arrives. There’s more, much more if we’re willing to go after it.

Find your purpose and start living it. No excuses. Just do it. And keep going on no matter what. Be relentless…

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Spirituality, Uncategorized

The Lost

Somewhere along the road of life people lose their identity. Instead of focusing on who they are, they try to make their career their identity. That is only what we do.

When my children grew up and left home, I lost a bit of my purpose. For such a long time I had been dad, the guy they could rely on. The truth was, I was still dad, just in a different sense. I had to let them grow up and learn to fly solo.

Do you ever feel like you aren’t sure who you are? Perhaps you are struggling to find your way. It happens. It’s normal. When the moment arrives that you know why you are here, you have reconnected with yourself.

If this is where you are in life right now, I encourage you to pray about it. Ask God for guidance. Then you must believe that He will answer. It might not come immediately, but it will come.

Take inventory of what you love to do. Ask yourself why you love certain aspects and why you have those gifts. You will find your purpose if you keep moving forward…

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Spirituality

A Gentle Reminder

I have spent the first three days of this week speaking in prisons. This is some of the volunteer work I do, and it’s very fulfilling.

This week has been all about the inmates. Most are living with pain they keep inside, in the dark places. Sometimes they will start talking about their struggles. Opening up about painful memories is the first step toward healing. I’m always encouraged when this happens.

Today’s message is a gentle reminder to be kind to everyone. We don’t know what lies beneath the surface. And while you’re being kind to others, be kind to yourself as well…

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Spirituality

Just Visiting

Everyone has a past but we live in the present. Mistakes, failures and regrets are forever stored in our subconscious mind. The past tends to make an appearance when we are trying something new or changing a habit.

We cannot allow past mistakes to stop us. We were created for a greater purpose than many are living. We stop ourselves. No one else has that power. The truth is, the fear of failure has stopped more people than lack of talent ever has.

We learn from the mistakes we made. They can be used if we are willing to try again. And again. And again.

When the past rears its ugly head, and it does for everyone, remember that it’s just paying a visit. Keep it where it belongs. Stay focused on the future while living in the present.

The world is waiting to hear from you…

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