#inspiration, #spirituality

You’re Right

There are people in this world who believe, truly believe they are always right. They are difficult to talk with because you are unable to have a true conversation with them. In reality, these type people aren’t intellectually stimulating at all.

No one is right all the time. In fact, multiple studies have demonstrated that people are wrong more than they are right. This reinforces what we find in Scripture from The Book of James: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” Listening and then thinking before speaking is showing wisdom. Getting angry because someone doesn’t see things the way I do is wasted energy.

Leave the low-thinking people where they are. Seek out people who make you think, people you can learn from…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Spiritual Abuse

People seek out spiritual leaders when they are in a crisis or they need discernment. The leaders in our churches and synagogues should be trustworthy. People share intimate details about what’s going on in their lives, putting themselves in vulnerable situations.

There has been a multitude of abuses reported in my lifetime. Big names like Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker and others disgraced themselves due to sexual misconduct. This has caused many people to turn away from the church and seek help elsewhere. Who can blame them? Yet many good people experience “guilt by association.” If one was bad then they all must be bad.

If you have been hurt by anyone in a position of leadership or influence, I’m sorry. I encourage you to not turn away from God. Turn back to Him. Follow the life and teachings of Jesus as a way to begin.

There are great spiritual leaders in this world. Find them…

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#inspiration

As Good As It Gets

There’s a saying that I absolutely cannot stand. When people make reference to “back in the day” I want to pull my hair out. It’s a subtle admission that their best days are behind them. They aren’t.

We have a lot of great memories, no doubt. But our best days are ahead of us. We aren’t done with living. We can make our lives whatever we want them to be.

It’s up to us to choose to live life fully. Or we can fade into the sunset. It’s up to each of us to decide…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Leave Me Alone

Teenagers usually like their parents to leave them alone. That is, until they get hungry, need money or want to be driven somewhere.

Adults like for God to leave them alone, too. That is, until they need his help to get them out of some mess they created. And when he comes through, we put him on the back burner where we think he belongs until we get into another mess. But is that really right?

God knows what is good for us. He wants to mold us into who he created us to be. Sometimes the molding and the work is painful. But God only wants what is best for us, and he never stops trying or gives up on us.

I’m grateful to be able to worship a God like this. Even when I feel like being left alone…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Talk To Me

What are your most dominating thoughts? Whatever they are will become your reality.

If you spend time doubting yourself, you will be filled with fear and trepidation. You will be hesitant to try something new, and you will become uneasy standing up for yourself.

Conversely, filling your mind with great dreams, fueled by emotional energy will make your dreams soar. You might not fulfill all your goals, but confidence will get you much farther than self-doubt ever could.

Focus your thoughts on what you want to achieve. Do not allow negativity to creep in, either from your own thoughts or from the people you hang around with.

Stay true to what you want from life. And believe in yourself. Confidence begins in your mind…

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#inspiration

War

We are closer to World War III than at any time in my life. All the bad actors in the world are being aggressive at the same time. Sometimes you gotta fight, but hopefully things will cool off.

The United States is stretched thin. We continue to supply resources to Ukraine, and the weapons we are sending them are getting more and more powerful. I feel horrible for the Ukrainian people, but their efforts have been on fumes for over a year. Former comedian Zelenskyy is a nice symbol, but he’s out of his league.

Our biggest concern is in the Mideast. Israel doesn’t have many allies other than us. And who knows how many terrorists are in the United States due to the open borders? FBI Director Christopher Wray warned the Senate in April about coordinated attacks here similar to the ISIS-K attack in Russia.

It is my hope that the world cools off from its elevated status. Until then, I encourage you to keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. Be aware…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Weights

Lifting weights is probably my favorite way to exercise. You can work up a great sweat while building muscle and toning your body. And unlike the cardio we do to strengthen our heart muscle, we can see our results.

Are you carrying excess weight on your shoulders right now? Painful memories, hurts, and just the daily struggles of life can weigh you down. Sometimes it seems there is no end in sight. But there is.

Any metaphorical weight you are holding onto can be released, freeing you to live more fully. Find the right psychotherapist and go to work on yourself. Financial stresses can be overcome through a change in spending habits. Whatever it is that occupies your mind the most is what you need to address. Start now.

You can do anything you set your mind to. Anything…

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#inspiration

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh was a fictional character that the author A. A. Milne created for his son, Christopher Robin. The inspiration for Pooh came from a stuffed teddy bear that Milne gave his son for Christmas. And oh the wisdom that came from the “bear of very little brain.”

Hollywood has a history of creating fictional histories about actors. They clean up the real stories and sell the public a bunch of BS so we will love and accept their creation. The politicians have followed the lead of Hollywood and work hard to make people presentable to the public to gain votes. In some cases they make the politicians to be larger than life superheroes. They aren’t.

Do your own research and see for yourself. Don’t be afraid to see the truth. You might be surprised at what you find…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Decency

A bit of decency dies off with every generation. The older generation knows how to tell us off without insulting us. It’s almost an art form in how they do it. The younger generation shows their lack of intelligence by using profanity and vulgarity. Of course I’m generalizing, but I’m telling the truth.

The art of listening is something everyone should learn. Listening is active. It’s much more challenging than simply hearing someone. Active listening requires thought, and it can be exhausting. But when you listen and engage, your conversations become more meaningful. You learn.

I encourage you to practice listening to others. Remember the old Chinese Proverb: Seek first to understand before trying to be understood…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Olympic Games

In my opinion, the opening ceremony of the Olympics was long, kinda weird, and a bit dark. Was it representative of Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” painting? Maybe. Some reports from the production team say yes while others are walking it back.

The Olympics are about the athletes. The competition is fierce and we get to watch the greatest athletes in the world. I know a few former Olympians. The discipline and training they went through for years was grueling. Every one of them will tell you it was worth it when they got the opportunity to stand on the podium, representing the United States.

I wish the opening ceremony had focused on the athletes. If it was a mockery of Christianity, they will have to deal with their Creator on that. My only focus is to watch the athletes and celebrate with them. Nothing more…

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