Tag Archives: #purpose

#inspiration, #spirituality

Prepared

Solid preparation gives you confidence. If you’re about to take a test and you have studied properly, the odds are you will do well. Just “winging it” isn’t the best strategy.

Every experience we have in life prepares us for something else. This applies to the bad experiences as well as the good. We rarely have the luxury to know what we are being prepared for. I trust that God knows how he will use the difficult times in my life. Some of my hardest times have been used to help others. When the purpose becomes clear it strengthens my resolve and my trust.

If you are in the middle of a rough patch, or even if you are going through hell, I encourage you to keep moving through it. Your pain has purpose, whether you see it now or not…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Fame

Andy Warhol is credited with saying, “in the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” Whether Warhol was the first to say this is up for debate, but it appears everyone is seeking their 15 minutes. Fame is not always pretty.

Why do people seek fame? Perhaps they want the attention that comes with fame. My belief is that wanting to be famous exposes a deeper insecurity. Fame follows accomplishment. Think of the great achievements of Lincoln, Ford, King and Musk. Two of them lost their lives because of their convictions.

Do your work. If fame finds you, all the better. If not, just do your work anyway. The only one whose opinion matters is God. Work with His purpose in mind…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Check The Box

A lot of life feels like we are just checking the box. We get to work on time. Check the box. Pick up kids and get them to their after school events. Check another box. It’s like we have a daily to-do list and then we do the same list the next day. As I have said before, much of daily life is routine and boring. It’s that way for everyone, no matter what People Magazine wants us to believe.

Let’s take a moment to consider our goals, dreams and desires. Are we checking any boxes in this important part of our lives? If we are just going through the motions or giving it lip service, we are cheating others as well as ourselves. We are built for purpose, God’s purpose. Let’s live like it matters because it does. Ignoring our purpose will not make it go away.

I encourage you to do something, even if it’s just one thing, every day to get you where you want to be. Start today. In fact, start now…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Shocked

As many of you were, I was shocked by the assassination attempt on former President Trump. Had he not moved his head at the last second, his head would have exploded.

People have become unhinged. No matter how you feel about Donald Trump, this was uncalled for.

What was equally appalling was the number of posts from people “wishing the shooter hadn’t missed.” I would not want to live inside the heads and hearts of those people.

We must do better and be better…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Requirements

In Luke 12:48, Jesus tells us “to whom much is given, much is required.” Notice that Jesus used the word required, not expected. Since Jesus didn’t make small talk, I believe this has deeper meaning along with eternal consequences.

We are here for a greater purpose than many of us are living. Our purpose is to do God’s will and work on this side of eternity while bringing honor and glory to God. This is our requirement, not merely a suggested activity.

I encourage you to get out of your daily routine, get uncomfortable and do what you are here to do. God wouldn’t ask us to do something we are incapable of. He equips us with everything we need. Will it be easy? No. Hell no. But it will be gratifying.

If you get nervous, and you will, remember Luke 12:48. You are given much. Now use it…

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#inspiration

Above The Law

Representative Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.) intends to introduce legislation to amend the Constitution. His bill? Reversing the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity while conducting official business. Mr. Morelle is treading into dangerous waters.

There is no hiding the fact that he’s targeting former President Donald Trump. The Supreme Court did not single out Trump. The ruling covers all former presidents. I doubt Morelle’s bill will get any traction, just sound bytes to rev up his base.

The Court assured Biden he won’t be held liable for the deaths of thirteen soldiers during the horribly botched Afghanistan withdrawal. Obama will escape liability for the drone strike he ordered on three innocent Americans in Yemen (2011), including a teenage boy. Bush can breathe easier because he gets off scott free for leading us into a war in Iraq under false pretenses (WMD’s).

We have three branches of government for a reason. The crafters of our constitution didn’t want any single branch to become too powerful. It works!

It is true that no one is above the law. But we need to allow the law to apply the way it is intended to…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Insults

Have you ever been made fun of? I believe we all have been, and much of it is harmless teasing. I certainly give people a lot to work with!

I have observed people making fun of how people look or calling people dumb, even deplorable. Most of these insults occur from behind a computer keyboard, but occasionally I have experienced people making fun of others to their face. Either way it’s wrong. When an insult is hurled at someone, the offender is ridiculing one of God’s creations. God doesn’t make mistakes, nor does He second guess himself. There is a purpose behind every creation.

Let’s think before we speak. If what we are about to say is harmful, let’s quieten ourselves. Remember, God knows what He’s doing. We don’t always…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Late

The word “late” has a lot of applications. For example, if a teenage girl tells her boyfriend “I’m late,” it might not mean she is late to their date. But if you tell someone you drive a late-model car it might promote status.

If you are reading this and are feeling some frustration with your life, it’s not too late to make a change. God is not finished with every single person who is alive and breathing. That includes you. His purpose for your life will bring meaning and clarity to your life. Your inner drive will be awakened.

Take inventory of what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. This will reveal what your purpose is. Then take a leap of faith and walk through that door.

Be brave. Be audacious. You’re going to need to be…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Lost

Every week, I encounter many people and have a lot of conversations. By the end of the week, I’m pretty exhausted, but in a good way. What’s more telling to me are the people I don’t have an opportunity to engage with.

People look lost, merely drifting through life without any real sense of purpose. Life has beaten them down. They are existing, not living. I get it. We all have highs and lows to navigate through. It’s very expensive to live nowadays, and there’s no end in sight to the effects inflation. But you gotta keep going.

If you are experiencing a dark period in your life, I encourage you to get rid of any negativity. Turn the television off. Read great works and listen to podcasts that feature inspiring stories. You will make it if you refuse to give up.

Just keep going, no matter what happens…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Finding Strength When You Have None

I started my podcast, The Determined People Podcast, in the middle of the pandemic. I quickly realized how badly people’s mental health was affected because of isolation and fear, and I wanted to provide encouragement, strength and hope to a world in desperate need of it. Since then, I have had an opportunity to interview people who found strength when they had little or none.

Our world is still compromised, living in fear and doubt. Stories connect us. You find yourself in the stories. Connection strengthens us. My hope is that you watch an episode and say, “if that person made it, maybe I can, too.”

If you have a moment, please go to YouTube and search The Determined People Podcast. Subscribe and get notified when new content posts. Find encouragement when you need it.

Sometimes hope is all we have. Hold on tightly to it…

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