Tag Archives: #spirituality

#inspiration, #spirituality

Why?

When the world doesn’t make sense, and that’s much of the time, we oftentimes ask “why God, why? The truth is, usually we won’t get the answer on this side of eternity. I’m okay with that because in my heart I know God is good.

I want you to know it’s okay to ask why, and it’s okay to wonder if God really knows what He’s doing. You won’t be the first to question Him. Faith and trust are built when we realize that God really does work things out for good. Good is God’s nature.

Questions are good things. They put us on the path to learning. Keep asking…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

The Most Dangerous Prayer

In the Bible we are encouraged to “pray continuously.” Admittedly I forget to do this sometimes. Most days I’m just talking to God throughout my day. Perhaps that is prayer, but I just consider it talking to a trustworthy friend.

Do you want to activate your prayer life? If your answer to this question is yes, and you mean it, here’s how: pray the most dangerous prayer you can. And it’s short. Use me. That’s it. And believe me when I say that God will answer quickly.

God is looking for people He can use to accomplish His will on earth. When we become willing, He will use us.

Here is my daily prayer. Feel free to use it for yourself. “Use me. Work through me. Through my writings and through my words. Through my actions and through my deeds. Let me be a light in this dark world.”

Be a light…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Where To?

People are struggling now more than I ever remember in my lifetime. Mental health was shredded from isolation during the pandemic, it’s expensive to live, and people are at each other’s throats over politics. Where do you turn to?

I want to encourage you to be the calm in the storm. Be the one others turn to for a kind word, some encouragement, or maybe just a smile. You are needed now more than you might realize.

I know that everyone faces challenges in their lives. No challenge is insurmountable. Have faith and believe in yourself.

Take care of yourself first. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t show up with your best. Self care is not selfish. It prepares you to be a light in the darkness.

And remember this: God is in control. None of this shit surprises Him. Find some peace in knowing that…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Ask

What do you really want from life? Have you asked God for it?

This is everywhere in the Bible. Jesus himself told us that “whatever we ask for in prayer, believe you have already received it.” Faith is ignited by our belief. But remember, our motives must be pure, not selfish.

In The Book of James, the author reminds us that when we ask and don’t receive, it’s because we asked with the wrong motives.

There’s no ambiguity here. Proper motives aligned under God’s will have power. We just need to ask and keep asking. Does God need a reminder? Of course not. He wants to see how badly we want what we are asking for.

And if you are unsure, ask God to align your request under His will. He will take care of the rest…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Influences

Who do you admire, and why do you admire them? You can learn a lot about yourself by answering this simple question. This is because what we see in others exists in us. We find our role models both inspiring and relatable.

This can work both ways. The two shooters at Columbine were infatuated with Adolph Hitler. They believed Hitler “got it right.” We know the aftermath of their warped admiration.

Set big goals and see yourself succeeding. Choose positive influences that will keep you inspired. You were born for greatness, not to live, work, retire and die.

Make an impact on the lives of others. Start now…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Aligned Properly

Recently, I replaced all four tires on my car. The dealership then aligned them so they would wear evenly. By having proper alignment, my tires will perform at optimum levels.

In life, how well we are aligned under God’s instructions will determine how effectively we live. God has given us a rule book for life on this side of eternity. It’s up to us to follow it. None of us are capable of living a sinless life, but we can sin less when we make the choice to follow God’s perfect advice.

Admittedly, it’s a struggle because as humans, we are selfish. We want our own way. If our way doesn’t align with God’s, chaos begins. And the chaos can be generational unless we choose to change.

If you are experiencing an area of life that’s causing you stress, I encourage you to study what God says about it. Rest in His advice. It’s good…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Rest

Most people are stressed to the maximum. Family responsibilities, work responsibilities, the high cost of living and the state of world affairs keeps us on high alert. Thus, most people are not well rested.

Rest is necessary for us to perform at our optimum. The example for the need for rest comes from God himself. In Genesis, it says that “God rested on the seventh day.” Now, God didn’t take a day off. He doesn’t need rest, but this was put in there as an example for us. I believe we should follow it as best we can.

Take a little time for yourself every week. The stressors of the world will be waiting for you…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Faith Over Fear

Faith is a verb, an action word. Worry is a verb, too. Why do so many people spend time worrying about things that are out of their control? Worry is useless, and you are able to eliminate it from your life.

Faith requires action. The Red Sea parted when Moses stepped into the water. Moses was showing the people who were following him that he knew God would provide a way. When we move in faith, not knowing the immediate outcome but trusting that God is good, things happen. Our challenge is that we want assurances. God provides assurance, but only He knows what he’s going to do.

Take a leap of faith in your life. And if you’re not ready to leap, just take a step…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Useful Metaphors

Some things are said so often we can start to believe they are real. I call them “useful metaphors”

“Separation of church and state” is one of those metaphors. Nowhere in any of our founding documents will you find those words written. Yet, there are people who would swear in court that they are there. They are not.

“Follow your heart” is another one. It sounds nice, and it even has a spiritual ring to it. The Bible tells us that we should guard our hearts. The heart is deceitful. We should pursue our dreams, which might be a better way of saying follow your heart.

A true useful metaphor isn’t really a metaphor at all. That one says, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is…”

Stay mindful…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Church

Church is kinda weird. Every week a group of strangers get together, sing, put money in a basket that goes who knows where, listen to someone speak, sing a little more and go home. And people do this voluntarily!

When life gets tough, when the shit hits the fan many people seek refuge in a church. This tells me they believe in a deity, and they believe he can do something about their situation. They are right on both counts, but the solution might not be what they want. Whatever it is, it is good.

Church should be a genuine, welcoming place. A desperate drug addict should feel as welcome as a guy in a suit. If there is a hierarchy of acceptance, I’m not sure God would go for that.

I encourage you to find a church home that allows a lot of margin for the sinful. And remember, that’s all of us…

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