Tag Archives: life

Spirituality

Sold!

Years ago I attended an auction. The auctioneer was responsible for offering the crowd a variety of items that had been purchased from estate sales. It was tremendous fun! I even bought something and I have no idea why.

Everything has a price. There are trade offs. We pay what we consider to be a fair price, yet at the same time the seller believes he or she got a good deal. But what about our life? What value are we placing on ourselves?

God came to earth in the form of a man, a simple human. He showed us the character of God, a character we often get wrong. Jesus was a true badass, a rebel who spoke of wanting mercy and justice. He taught differently from many of the rabbis of his time. Unlike what the Pharisees preached, Jesus gave us two equally important rules: love God and love others.

At the end of his time on earth, Jesus had a choice. He could destroy the world and return to Heaven, or he could be a sacrifice for all mankind. I’m glad he chose us. He died a horrible death, yet was resurrected on the third day. God’s relationship with man had been restored. We have a way into Heaven.

Never sell yourself short. You were bought at a great price, the life of someone else. Consider the price Jesus paid for you. You have great value…

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Spirituality

Read the Instructions

Have you ever tried to put something together by just winging it? “There’s no need to read the instructions,” you might say. Then you get lost in the process and have to start over. I speak from experience.

We have instructions for how to live this life. It’s called the Bible. Every subject is covered, from health to finances. But if you don’t read it, you will never know what’s in it. And yes, there are parts of the Bible I don’t understand. But that’s not most of it. Over time, Scripture plants itself in our hearts and changes us from within.

God didn’t create us and then forget about us. He’s been here every step of the way of your life. And He will be here until the end of our time here on earth.

If you want a closer relationship with God, I encourage you to read some of the Bible regularly. You won’t become a weirdo or religious fanatic. But you will gain wisdom. Guaranteed …

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Spirituality

Rules

Think about it. Rules are for around 10% of the population. Most people do what’s right whether there are rules or no rules. It doesn’t matter if someone is watching, they just do the next right thing.

The Golden Rule is a nice one. It tells us to treat others as you would want to be treated. Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 7:12. It’s a good reminder when we feel compelled to lash out at someone. Take a couple of deep breaths and approach it differently.

A rule or law should not be required for us to treat others well. But some people are selfish. They are only thinking of themselves in every situation. The best hope for them lies in a change of their hearts. That’s God’s job, not ours.

Life moves on. More and more rules will be introduced. It’s our choice to live life the right way, rules or no rules…

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Spirituality

The Fear of Living

Surveys have shown that 20-30% of people have an intense fear of death. Death is inevitable for everyone. It will get me one day, too. I’m not ready for it and I don’t want it to hurt!

At the same time, I wonder how many people are afraid of living. Playing it safe might bring you some comfort, but you’ve gotta find some things that rev your engine. And you aren’t required to jump out of a perfectly good airplane to get the sense of elation I’m talking about.

You can begin to find more meaning in this life by getting out in your community. If you are a shy person, this takes some intestinal fortitude. But remember, you have survived every uncomfortable situation you have ever faced. Growth happens in the discomfort zone. Those butterflies you feel are exciting.

Your purpose in life won’t be accomplished by sitting home wrapped in bubble wrap. You were born to fly, to soar. It’s time.

You must go after what you want from life. Approach your life with a purposeful mindset. The end of the road will come one day. In the meantime, have no fear of death. Be afraid of not living…

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Spirituality

Be Happy

We love to be on the winning team, don’t we? The Seattle Seahawks are still reveling in their victory on Sunday night.

Happiness is a moment-by-moment event. We desperately want the feeling to remain, but eventually it fades away. That’s okay. Another happy moment is just around the corner.

When my children were young I loved seeing the smiles on their faces when their team won. Or when they received a high grade on something they worked hard on. Those memories are precious.

But no matter how hard they tried, sometimes my kids were on the losing side of the equation. Those are teaching moments. We must learn how to lose a game gracefully, pick ourselves up, and work harder. Resilience is built during these times.

Every experience we have in this life is worthwhile. All of it can be used. We can keep our attitudes right, even when we aren’t happy. We can be happy for each other every single day. It’s up to us…

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Spirituality

The Big Game

Super Bowl Sunday is almost here. The Super Bowl is the most watched game on television. People have parties while Las Vegas has a big day, too.

The game I’m referring to in the title is the game of life. This is the game we all participate in. Are we winning the game, or are we behind? I suppose the answer lies in which part of life and when are we checking in.

If you are having a difficult period, perhaps your teammates are carrying you through. Your team is your family and friends, so choose wisely.

On the flip side, when you are winning is the time to celebrate with your team. Victorious times are a lot more fun when shared with others.

Life can be hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone. There are a lot of good people in this world. Find them and place them on your team…

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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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