Tag Archives: #spirituality

#inspiration, #spirituality

Divorce

The divorce rate for first marriages is around 44%. The percentage goes up from there for second and third marriages. Why are so many couples getting divorced when things start off so well?

There are many reasons ranging from infidelity to finances. And let’s face it, living with someone else can be stressful. But the number one reason couples divorce is lack of commitment. Their commitment might seem strong at first, but it starts to dissolve when the stresses of life kick in. The way someone pictures their spouse goes from partner to adversary.

With statistics like these, it makes you wonder if it’s possible for marriages to survive and thrive. There is hope. Couples who pray together regularly have a divorce rate of about 2%. You read that correctly. Couples who open their hearts and pray together not only defy the odds, they crush them.

Biblical teachings of love, forgiveness and mercy are parts of prayer. I enjoy gambling and sometimes bet on a long shot, but I like the odds in this case…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Self-Help Books

The self-help industry can trace its roots all the way back to 1830. Surprising, isn’t it? The industry generates over $10 billion in annual sales, and there’s no sign of it slowing down.

People have engaged in all kinds of activities designed to conquer their fear. These activities include jumping out of perfectly good airplanes to walking on hot coals. Unless the change is internal, the only fear they conquered was one of a physical nature. The underlying trauma of the past remains.

Self-help authors have taken advantage of people. Everyone has dissatisfaction in their lives. “Read my book and never be unhappy, disappointed or afraid again,” they promise. But they are making promises they can’t keep.

The only comprehensive self-help book is the Bible. It covers every area of life, offering true solutions for every challenge you face. It doesn’t make false promises that you won’t experience some unhappy times, but it tells you how to find peace and clarity during those times.

If nothing else has worked for you, give the word of God a chance. Start with Proverbs. You won’t turn into some religious fanatic. But you will find wisdom…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Revelations

As I grow in wisdom and understanding, God reveals things to me. I’m in a constant state of fascination and awe at how God expands my understanding. Things become crystal clear. It’s up to me to use what God has revealed.

In The Book of James the author tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James further reminds us that if we ask, we should believe God will answer.

He does answer…

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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

The Great Escape

Are you running from something? Maybe an unsafe situation, an ex, or perhaps you are running from yourself.

As a young adult, I couldn’t wait to get away from my family home and leave my dysfunctional past behind. I threw myself into making money and chasing women. My pursuit of both had no limits, and I was pretty good at both. But I was empty. No matter how much success I had in the business world, it was never enough. Same with women.

We can run from ourselves but we can’t escape who we are running from. I really didn’t like myself but my ego refused to recognize it that way. Arrogance blinded me. God humbled me. Only through psychotherapy was I able to recognize why I made the poor choices of my past. When I took ownership of my part I changed. And I became free from the trauma of my childhood and my fucked up history after childhood.

Today, I am free to be who God created me to be, who I am. Now I’m ready to be used for whatever God has in store for me.

Stay tuned…

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#inspiration

Say It Ain’t So!

Why are we hesitant to call things what they actually are? For example, in a little less than two months we will commemorate the 23rd anniversary of September 11th. People refer to it as “the events of September 11th” rather than calling it what it was: a terrorist attack.

Not to be overlooked but the news media are calling an assassination attempt on President Trump “the events of last Saturday night.”

Sugar coating things doesn’t make them more palatable. The two incidents I cited were horrible. Dumbing them down is irritating and insulting. We need to be bold about speaking the truth.

Yes, the truth hurts sometimes. But we can handle the truth…

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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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Plus One

I’m invited to a wedding in October. The young man getting married is someone I’ve known for about 25 years. I refer to him as “my other son I didn’t have to send to college!” The invitation is to me plus one.

I have no plus one, and I don’t feel pressured to go find one in the interim. There is no dishonor in being single. Over the course of my life, I have traveled to resorts, seen movies, and I have gone to dinner by myself. Making conversation comes naturally for me, but solitude has a different kind of peace attached to it.

If you have insecurities about being single, I encourage you to work on yourself to learn why. Facing your inner challenges can be scary, but there is freedom on the other side. The obstacle will remain until you decide to remove it.

The times you are single, in a committed relationship, or you are married have a season in your life. Make the most of them. Most importantly, never try to force outcomes in life. Just keep working on what you want from life. Then, you will be putting yourself in a position to succeed…

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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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Timid

Wherever I am I notice everyone. I make eye contact and speak to others. It is remarkable to me how many people are timid about saying hello. Perhaps they have a lot on their minds and can’t take on anything else. The truth is, I don’t need to know.

We weren’t timid as children. We were outgoing and friendly. Then life happened. Life can knock you on your ass sometimes. Life can make people reticent to try one more time. But I say don’t quit, no matter what you’ve been through or what happens in your future. You are here for a purpose.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, it says “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Recapture your inner power. It’s there, it’s just muted.

Start today. Rekindle the fire that burns within you. Go make your mark on the world…

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