Tag Archives: #spirituality

#inspiration, #spirituality

Practical Atheism

We just finished celebrating Christmas which, along with Easter, is the largest day of attendance in church. A sense of obligation brings some people in, but we are failing at keeping them.

It’s estimated that anywhere from 4% to 30% of people in the United States don’t believe in God. Surveys can show wide and varied differences, and these are no different. The truth is, only God knows who believes in Him. But there’s more!

How we act is a representation of our belief or disbelief. Worry is practical atheism. We worry because we want to be in control and not allow some unseen god to take the reins. We might be looking through the wrong lens. Having faith in an invisible spirit is real faith. We know God is in control so we don’t have to be.

Judgment, treating others as less than equal, and laying guilt trips on people is in opposition of how our Creator acts. By doing so, aren’t we holding God’s character in contempt?

Going to church won’t make you a believer. If you go for the wrong reason, it might make you resentful. Go because you want to. Nothing else is necessary.

And remember, God looks at the heart of mankind. He knows everything, and that’s a good thing…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Guidance

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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.” Recently I was reading this and it spoke to me in a whole new way.

Many times in this blog I have stated that the Bible is the best, most comprehensive self help book ever. It tells us how to live our lives without a bunch of rah rah. And there it is: “submit to him and he will make your paths straight.” It’s the submission part that trips us up. We don’t like being submissive.

God is in control of everything. When we submit to his ways rather than our own selfish desires, we have peace and contentment. Living in his will is often the road less traveled, and I admit it’s difficult. There are a lot of things to tempt us onto the superhighway to hell! And Satan knows exactly what appeals to each of us. He’s had a long time to observe human behavior.

Following God’s word won’t turn you into a religious nut. You won’t stop showering and start dressing weird . The change is inside. You feel it.

I encourage you to give it a try. The only thing you will lose is some chaos from your life…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Spirits

We know that God is Spirit. Are you aware that there are evil spirits all around us? Alcohol is called spirits. I believe this is because it weakens us. People do things they wouldn’t normally do while drinking.

There is a spiritual battle going on in the unseen world. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t make it less real. An impulse you get that might harm others or yourself originates in the darkness. God cannot cause us to sin. His nature is perfect. Evil causes us to sin and suffer.

Let’s face it, sin is fun. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be tempted to do it. Sinful behavior is only good in the short term. Righteous behavior allows us to be free of worry and guilt. We face the choice of good versus evil every day.

I encourage you to read and absorb God’s Word. Make it part of you. In this world we cannot avoid sin. Yet, God gives us a way to fight through it. Guaranteed…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Prophets

Ever since the beginning of recorded time we have had people who claim to be prophets. Some were real (Samuel, Elijah and others), while the rest are just trying to scam you out of your money. The “Psychic Hotline” is a beaming example.

The frauds are taking advantage of people’s need for hope. Palm readers can’t tell you your future any better than I can. There is one, sure fire way to weed out the fakes: someone who truly gets their gift from God will be right 100% of the time. God cannot lie so He wouldn’t pass along wrong or misleading information to a real prophet.

Find peace in your life by knowing that God has you in his sights all the time. Nothing goes unnoticed. He knows your future down to every minute detail.

Place all your hope in the One who is on your side, and always will be…

Standard
#spirituality

The Peacemaker

Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived. He redeemed and restored people. Everyone, including the hated tax collectors, prostitutes and adulterers came to him for the forgiveness of their sins.

Jesus healed people, too. Lepers, the blind, even dead people received healing. Jesus gave the people hope when they had little or none.

Jesus was a peacemaker, yet sometimes he raised some hell. He cleaned up the Temple (His Father’s House) and called out the hypocritical religious leaders. Jesus was a true rebel, a badass who lived his life fearlessly and with purpose.

I encourage you to get to know him. He will change your life…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

You Missed It

This morning I received an email with the words “you missed it” in the subject line. The email was from a site that was trying to sell me something. Delete.

The fear of missing out phenomenon is real. It evolved from our being constantly bombarded with information and data. Our brains can go into overdrive which might result in us missing something really important.

I encourage you to take time away from your electronics. Spend time in nature. Go hiking. Meet someone for coffee or Happy Hour and have a conversation. Volunteer for an organization that reflects what is in your heart.

You will be better off for your time away. And you won’t have missed a thing…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

The Real War

We are in a battle, a fierce battle, whether you realize it or not. Our enemy, although unseen, is very real. His name is Satan. He hates you and wants to destroy everything good in your life.

Think about it. In the world today there are children having their body parts removed because “they feel like they’re in the wrong body.” There are people who loudly praise this behavior, and we allow them to get away with it because they are doing it in the name of “freedom.” I call bullshit on this one. Where are the parents??? And what about the physicians who perform the surgery? Misleading a child is the most heinous thing you can do.

Our food supply is poisoning us through additives, fillers and pesticides. The cellular structure in our bodies are being artificially altered. Evil people are instigating this in the name of “profits.” More bullshit.

Things do not have to be this way. Turn off the television. Educate yourself. Eat good foods free of chemicals. Exercise your mind and your body.

And don’t forget to pray. It’s your only defense in this ongoing war. And the demons can’t take it…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

It’s Time

The Bible tells us that “faith without works is dead.” Dead. That’s a very strong word, yet the author, James, is speaking the truth. He goes on to say “you believe in God?” Good. Even the demons believe and they shudder.”

Our faith (and hope) gets activated when we are in crisis mode. We cry out to God to “help me” and we believe He will. In those moments of desperation we turn to the one source who can do something. Why aren’t we speaking to God when things are going well, too? If we believe He will help us in chaos, then we should know He will guide us during peaceful times. Let’s ask God to activate our faith and to help us make a difference in this life. Passive faith is like having no faith at all.

It’s time to speak up and take a stand for what’s right. Our world is devolving at warp speed. It’s up to the believers to move the world forward and not let their voices be silenced. Stop just “going with the flow” while the world burns.

Don’t wait. Tomorrow it might be too late…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Wholeness

Some babies are born with a small hole in their heart. This is called a septal defect and they typically heal on their own.

Everyone has a different kind of hole in their heart. It’s a spiritual hole. Oh we try to fill it with money and possessions, but those are only temporary fixes. So we chase more money and more stuff which, once again, provides only momentary relief. Then the chase begins again. And again. And again…

Only God can fill the spiritual hole. When you let Him into your life you will find peace and contentment. Your ambition doesn’t wane. It simply becomes more focused. You begin to look for fulfillment by pursuing your true purpose in life.

Start listening. God is always speaking to us…

Standard
#inspiration, #spirituality

Liked

Is it important to you that you are liked? I believe we all want acceptance more than anything. It is the rare few who will accept us as we are. Those people are a treasure.

I am reading a book right now about how a young woman learned about God. She was homeless at 15, a drug addict, lost in this world. Yet, through a sequence of events only God could orchestrate, she found acceptance by a family. The family had two rules: she had an 11:00 pm curfew and she had to go to church with them. She agreed, mainly because she wanted a warm bed and some food.

In her rebellion, the girl would come downstairs wearing her pajama bottoms, fuzzy slippers and a hoodie with obscenities written on it. She was testing them. The mom never told her to change. She went to church and found people who genuinely were glad to see her. These people didn’t look at her with shame in their hearts. They accepted her.

It’s not important to me to be liked or accepted. I cannot control how others feel about me. But I will be truthful. Perhaps the truth is what some don’t want to accept…

Standard