Risk vs Reward

 In golf there are usually several situations in a round where risk vs. reward comes into play.  For example, when playing a par 5 and you hit a great tee shot you may be left with a situation where you have a long 2nd shot to make the green, but there are hazards surrounding the green.  The prudent 2nd shot is to lay up and have a safer 3rd shot.  The risk of hitting into the hazard on the 2nd shot has a great reward if you manage to hit it on the green.

I think we can apply that same scenario in our faith.  The risk of giving up and letting God take over has a great reward.  The safe thing that I did for years was to rely on myself because I'm predictable.  When we let go and let God there is a certain amount of uncertainty, but in taking that seemingly big risk the reward is freedom.

There is no real freedom without taking risks

 

On winning...

WINNERS...
ARE NOT THOSE 
THAT NEVER FAIL
BUT THOSE THAT
NEVER QUIT!
 

I can't think that way

I think it is my human inability to truly grasp what life in heaven will be like.  I've certainly read John the Baptist's attempt at describing heaven and for me, it is still insufficient.  We, as humans, can only describe things in our terms and we are definitely incapable of thinking like God.

I feel that is one of Satan's tools to try and use against us.  Feeding thoughts in our heads of inadequacies, our past, and the inability to truly fathom what heaven will be.  It is times like this in that I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

It is the basis of my faith.  Hebrews 11:1 (says it succinctly), Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

It is in the constant seeking of commune with my God where my faith is strengthened and cannot be marred, damaged, undone, or harmed.

Today my prayer is that the God of eternal love finds you and instills a grain of faith and that the seed would be nurtured until it bears fruits for others to see and believe.

Was-Is-Will Be

Life changes, and changes, and changes.  We do the same thing as people, or at least that's what I think we are supposed to do.

I can look in my past and see what kind of person I was.  Just as I can take an inventory of my life as it is.  Also I can look at myself and how I want to be.  Admittedly sometimes I am personally guilty of remembering far too often of who I was.  The mistake in that is that it keeps from seeing myself as I am now.  I've certainly changed over the years, and as far as that goes, I'm different than I was a few months ago.  I know who I want to be and I am getting there.  Perhaps I'm closer than I think, but again, looking into the future takes away some of the joy from my now.

This life can seem long and arduous when we think in it human understanding.  As a believer in Christ, I know the promises of eternity, but for the life of me, it's not really something I can fully comprehend. 

Isaiah 55: 8-9  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Since I can't understand it completely, I'll have solace in knowing that God has something so wonderfully delicious in store for me that humans cannot accurately describe it's grandeur.

NEW LIFE - Motivational Video

Knock knock

Opportunity comes knocking in many shapes and forms.  Sometimes it's in the area of work to get a better job.  Sometimes it's in the midst of family where we have the opportunity to guide those we love to a path that will help them avoid future strife.  At other times it's the people placed in our path that may need a kind word or a meal.  Knock knock happens nearly everyday, we just have to listen, open the door, and do what our heart tells us to do.

When I'm gone

As far as my belief system goes, when I'm gone I won't remember this world.  Sometimes I think it's a good thing and when I think of my family and friends and the love they have shared with me, I would like to carry those memories with me through eternity.  At other times, remembering the things that have gnashed at my heart and soul, I would never want to take them any further, even in the life I'm living.  We all have good and bad in our life and when we leave this earth, if you're a believer, there's an eternity of living without strife, pain, tears, broken bodies or anything else that troubles us here on earth.  Take the time to listen to the heart of those around you.

The single point of light

I would argue that there is no darkness.  Only the absence of light.  In the world in which we live the darkness of hunger, strife, terrorism, needless slayings, wars....yeah, it's a lot, would make it seem like the dark is taking over the light. 

To me, this couldn't be further from the truth.  People with good hearts and love of life can overcome the darkness by being that point of light.  Some say I'm overly optimistic, it's just who I am.  I believe that good will conquer evil and we do that by sharing our light.

Be gentle, be kind, be praying.

Can it be this simple?

The heart of all spiritual teaching is simple.

Be love.

Be peace.

Be harmony.

Be compassion.

Be joy.

Keep on truckin'

Sometimes it's the simplest truths that have the greatest impact. 

Just don't

I'm sure many of us have seen the Nike commercials with the slogan of Just Do It.  What I'm suggesting today for the do not's in life are...

Don't stop praying.  God answers prayers in His time.

Don't stop believing.  This is vital to number the previous.  Belief, to me, is the backbone of Christianity.  We believe in a God we cannot touch or see.

Don't give up.  When I am at a point where I don't feel like my prayers are being answered, I get out my prayer list and keep praying.

Don't hate.  I know that's a tough one given the recent world events, but we are to pray for those that persecute us.  It's a bit easier for me than my Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world, but I have read numerous accounts of the killings of Christians around the world and I am strengthened by their strength of faith.

1 Peter 3:9  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

I have faith and believe that as a worldwide Christian community we can change the hearts of those oppressing Christians.

Keep praying for God's intervention in this world.  We can move the hand of God.

 

THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY - Motivational Video

The false peace prophecy

Micah 3:5-7
⁵ My people are deceived by prophets who promise peace to those who pay them, but threaten war for those who don't. To these prophets the Lord says, ⁶ “Prophets, your day is almost over; the sun is going down on you. Because you mislead my people, you will have no more prophetic visions, and you will not be able to predict anything.” ⁷ Those who predict the future will be disgraced by their failure. They will all be humiliated because God does not answer them.

From the year 44 to present date there are 242 "prophesied" end time events.  37 of these have been in the last 15 years.  Doing a web search for prophecy reveals in excess of 48 million results.

False prophets come in many forms.  Numerology, palm reading, seers,  and with the advent of the internet the number of doomsday-ers seems to be growing exponentially.  Is is just me or does the world that surrounds me seem to want the end of times in a nearly frantic rate?

These false prophets come from anything but God.  It's clearly stated that no man shall know when the end will be. I believe that we should be focused on living the life we have been given daily and not looking into the future.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

With gentleness

1 Peter 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect...

I know the reason for my hope in the Lord and quite frankly, I struggled with the message that I am to write about.  I feel that the reason for answering with gentleness and respect is to allow for the gentle nature of Jesus to sound through me and to not judge others for their non-belief or differing views.  

My job, when asked, is to tell my story and plant the seed.  I may not necessarily see the nurturing of the message planted or the bearing of fruit.  If you know anything about farming, you know that taking care of new seeds is vital to a healthy crop.

Be pleasant while planting your seeds.

Water doesn't run uphill...

Water doesn't run uphill....and words don't return to your mouth.

In the book of James, there are lessons in controlling one's tongue.  I know the difficulty of this personally.  It took many years after leaving the military to learn how to speak with gentleness and monitor my words.  

^{James 3:5} Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

We have the choice of speaking with the soft tone of honey and nectar, or blasting with the heat of a furnace with infuriated hate.  We shouldn't be part of any speaking that is degrading, gossip or negative libel or slander. 

Words have the ability to build up or destroy.  I choose the former.

 

 

5 simple rules

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.
After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window. “I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.
“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room …. just wait.”
“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged, it’s how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. It’s a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I’ll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I’ve stored away, just for this time in my life.”
She went on to explain, “Old age is like a bank account, you withdraw from what you’ve put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.”
And with a smile, she said: “Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less

-Mindy Schinnerer

Be a catalyst

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Attitude is infectious.  

Have you ever noticed how one persons attitude can change the way an entire group interacts?  I think it's the same way with many aspects of life.  When you are generous and giving (and happy about it), those around you tend to act the same.  

I've found it important to maintain the positive and generous attitude no matter the surroundings.  To me, this is what effects change.  People will see those that keep their cheerful attitudes and not only gravitate towards them, but over time, can develop the same characteristics.

Be a cheerful and selfless giver.  I know you will get more than you give.

The power of the dash

 Live every moment

We all want to live a long life. But more important than the number of our years is what we fill them with.

Like most every headstone, yours will likely be marked with the same thought-provoking inscription. Somewhere below your name will be your birth date on the left and the date you died to the right. But the most important symbol will be the dash in between those two numbers. You see, the dates will indicate when you lived and for how long. But the dash will reflect the life you lived. 

 

Some people strive to fill their years with meaning and purpose. Other people just live a really long time. Now, don’t get me wrong, I think the desire to live a long life is something we all understand. But none of us are guaranteed even one more day. So it’s important to fill this moment – and every moment – with things that matter. When all is said and done, that boils down to faith in Christ, a strong relationship with your family, and pouring your life into others. 

What will the dash on your headstone symbolize about the years you were given? A life filled with meaning that honors Christ and fulfills His purposes? Or just the number of years between two dates? Evan Esar once said, “You can’t do anything about the length of your life. But you can do something about its width and depth.” I think he’s right. 

For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly’s blog, Daly Focus, at JimDalyBlog.com.

The right way to quit

2 Corinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians


I think the most important lesson I've learned in my relationship with Jesus is to recognize my weaknesses and not try to overcome them on my own. I'm the kind of person that likes to achieve success in whatever I'm trying to do.  Of course there are failures along the way and over the years, it's in the midst of the downfall of the failure that I have learned to let God be strong for me. 

While growing up there were times that I couldn't lift a box, or carry something that was just too heavy for me, or get tired and not be able to continue walking.  My dad would be there to help.  Many times he just did the whole thing, sometimes he helped me carry the load, or pick me up and carry me.  I never felt like a burden in my father's arms.  It's the same way in my relationship with God.  When I'm in a situation that I can't seem to get through, I allow myself to seek help from my heavenly father.

I don't look to God only for those times when life seems too much for me.  My goal is to be in constant contact with God all day.  By allowing God to lift me up from my low points I am made stronger in my faith.

The right way to quit is to let go and let God. 

It takes courage to confess weakness.

Just Be Held

You're worth it!

During some prayer time last night, this was laid on my heart.  I'm appreciative that God speaks to me.

The fact of the matter is that you are not important enough to only think of yourself.  You're significance is determined by those that you serve.

Be lowly.

Be humble.

Be less.........................way less!

It is only through servanthood where your value is determined.

What is your value?

I am determined to be less :)

Do you have it all together?

Instead of admitting we don't have it all together, we spend massive amounts of energy faking it that we do.

I felt the need to share this audio message today by Rick Warren.  It's simplistic, yet hits to the core.

I hope you enjoy it.

Everybody's broken

Into the deep

This song holds special meaning to me. 

First, it is the song my wife and I chose for our wedding.  I can still recall how overcome I was when she walked into the library where our ceremony was taking place.  Every time I hear this song I am humbly reminded of that wonderful day and how deep our relationship has become.  I love her dearly, deeply and with all the good I could ever muster in my heart.

Second, it is a call to faith.  We can enter the ocean and swim and tread water, but for how long?  Keeping my heart and mind focused on my God allows me to not be concerned with my surroundings.  When I falter and start to slip beneath the waves, Jesus is there to pull me back up and keep my eyes above the waves.  While I was in the Navy I spent many, many days and nights at sea.  It is there, in the middle of the ocean on a starlit night that I came to realize how great and magnificent this world is.  I was virtually in the middle of nowhere and felt the presence of God.  I think that when we get those chances to be in the wilderness, or body of water, away from the hustle and bustle of life, that going deeper into a relationship with Jesus invigorates me, settles me, and allows me to just be an breathe. 

Go ahead, take the plunge into the deep.

Spilled milk always curdles

I know, I know, it's another idiom about life.  But you know that there is always truth in them.  Seemingly innocent statements can have a big impact on your life.

We've all been in situations where we've been disappointed over an outcome.  Sometimes those disappointments are from family, sometimes from friends, and sometimes at work.

I've been around long enough (yeah! retirement is looming closer) to know that a business is in business to make money and not all decisions about hiring, firing and advancements can be taken personally.  I also know that having the expectation that a person will behave in a particular form or fashion is often unrealistic.

What I've come to realize, and try to practice daily, is treating others with respect and kindness and doing my job to the best of my ability.  Should the person I'm treating kindly not care, nor respond in similar fashion, I know that I did what was right.  The same thing goes for work.  At the end of the day it's just a job.  It doesn't define me, limit me, or make me anything other than an employee.

Our focus should be on what God thinks us and how much he loves us.

Give without expecting and you will prosper.

Human clay

From conception to beyond death, we are constantly being formed, reformed, molded and remodeled.  During our time on earth, who we become is a result of our genetics, family upbringing, socioeconomic status and to a great deal, the influence others have on us. 

As we mature into adult hood, or perhaps even younger, we have the ability to remodel ourselves into what we want to be, even to the thoughts we think.  Of course remodeling isn't always a pretty process.  For example, right now there is work being done on our home; it's messy and noisy, but the end results are worth it.  Just as messy can be the change we wish to be done in us as an individual. 

I was very aware of who I wanted to be versus who I really was.  The positive changes that have been occurring in my life have come with angst, anxiety, emotional turmoil and struggle.  As humans, we sometimes only focus on where we want to be when it comes to making changes in our life.  If you're in the midst of a personal remodeling, might I suggest you take a moment and see where you are compared to where you were.  You may be closer than you believe.  For my life, I've allowed Jesus to enter my heart and be the sole (soul) contractor.

Peace be with you.

A pick axe and a shovel

I've always wanted to change the world into a better place where there is no conflict, no broken hearts, no disease, no famine....the list is long.

In my younger years I would figuratively get my pick axe and shovel and attempt to make a "grander canyon".  What I didn't realize is that one person couldn't do all the work.  It took about 10 years, thousands of workers and 30 million pounds of explosives to dig the Panama Canal.  How silly of me to think that my not so well thought out attempts would make a grand impact.

As I've grown closer to God my understanding of changing the world is to have an impact on one person at a time.  Sure, we all learn of the cascading effect of multiplication in school, but what I didn't do was apply that simple tool.  The "plan" is so much easier now.  Be kind, be generous, be loving, let God work and speak through me.

Keep digging!  

Stained glass souls

When you see light shining through stained glass what do you pay attention to?  The details of how the craftsman meticulously leaded all the pieces together to make a magnificent picture or, the multi-colored light shining through?

What comes to mind for me is how we are all fractured in some way and if we allow Jesus to weave the fragmented pieces of our life together for good and let His light shine through us, no piece of man-made artwork could ever compare to that!

As for me, I've been fractured, broken, kicked around some and yet, I allow my God to weave me into a great piece of art for His love to shine through.  Everyday is a chance to shine and I hope your light is shining brilliantly!

One and done.

No, it's not about a sports tournament.  It's about life.  Yes, for Christians, we believe that life on earth is a one shot deal.  What do we do while we are here to make life bearable, fun, justified, or want to leave a positive legacy?  I don't know about you, but I am sometimes guilty of running through my daily life trying to accomplish everything I can. 

As I get older I find myself purposefully slowing down the pace of my life.  Not in an attempt to make it "last" longer, because I could die at any moment.  The reason for slowing down is to take the time to interact with those in my path to listen, to commiserate, to console, to pray for and with, to be compassionate, and to be less about me and more about others. 

For me, I'm 100% sure how this all ends and what's in store after my physical body is no longer needed, or for that matter useful.  My hope is that those that I interact with will find the same path to heaven.  When my time comes, I'll be waiting for you on that golden shore cheering for you!

Just listen

God speaks to me.  Really!  Sometimes it is nearly audible, but most of the time it's just stuff He tells my head and heart.  There are other times that He speaks to me through others.  I've received some pretty awesome messages delivered to me by others.

Why am I telling you (the world) this?  Because if you take the time to be still and just listen, God will speak to you.  I can't say in what manner, but He will.  God has spoken to me about me and sometimes gives me a message for someone else.  It's a thrilling event when I get to deliver a message to someone from God.  You should see their eyes sparkle once they realize that what I've told them could have only come from God.  You see, God puts people in our paths to love, to give messages, to be kind to, to help...always to help.

Slow down today and listen for God's voice.

Click here to listen and quiet your mind.

Outta my mind

For such a long time my head and my heart have been battling about how to live life.  My head is logic and fact based living.  That's all well and good until such time that emotion, which has absolutely no logic, forces the heart to take over.

Quite frankly, I'm tired of living in my head.  I'm worn out with thinking everything through to the nth degree and trying to figure it out.

In the words of Matthew West, "I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind".  It's long overdue for my heart to rule my life. 

What about Lazarus

We are all familiar with the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead after being in the tomb for four days.  The opportunity to have his story chronicled would have provided some evidence for nonbelievers of the afterlife.  I believe that if that story would have been part of the bible, then our faith wouldn't be as strong.  It is by faith that we have a relationship with God, not by knowing of events.  

In a sense, every Christian that has accepted Jesus as their savior is Lazarus.  We are changed into a new life with new hope. We were saved from an afterlife of trouble and turmoil and brought into the loving arms and grace of God.

Be Lazarus everyday for each day we have a new beginning.

Unclench your fists

As a Christian there have been many times in my past that I felt unworthy of God's love and forgiveness.  I clung onto that feeling for so long that it owned me.  It can be the same situation with pride, money, holding on to the mistakes of the past, or acquiring material things.

The longer we hold onto something that we think will give us fulfillment, yet still feel empty, the harder it seems to let go.  The "thing" that is being held onto reminds me of the Stockholm Syndrome.  It's being comfortable in misery.

Today, more than ever before, I know that I am a loved child of God.  I have learned to unclinch my fists, which held onto those negative feelings, and accept the fact that God has already claimed me as His own and that I am truly and unconditionally loved.

1 John 3:1-2

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

 

On the other side

We can sometimes think we are on the wrong side of life, a situation, or event and we think we are on the inside looking out, or the outside looking in.  I think that's just basic human nature and I know I've felt that way plenty of times.  

What I've come to realize is that when I am feeling a certain way and I have thoughts that being on the other side of whatever it is I am encountering would be better; I am reminded that situations and events in life will always occur and the strength and power to get through them is not left entirely to me.  I have a relationship with Jesus and when I pray to Him for guidance and humble myself, I am given that bit of hope and light to lead me through.  

I've been lead through many valleys in my years on this earth and know that I have some more that will come.  The difference for me between then and now is that I know I'm always on the right side of everything with Jesus on my side.

Philippians 4:6-7New Living Translation (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Not easy

Faith does not make things easier, it makes them possible.

Luke 1:37

Sugar Coated

Last night while attending church it occurred to me that as humans, we often sugar coat our lives.  I know that I did, and it was for a variety of reasons. On the outside I portrayed confidence or joy, when on the inside I was scared and sometimes sad.  My main reason is that I didn't want anyone to get close to my heart.  I was afraid to show the love and compassion inside because I didn't feel like I was worthy enough to be loved.

I was living my life from the outside in instead of from the inside out.  I was basing my worth on what I thought others thought of me.  Throughout the past few years I have come to believe that God loves me just like I am and that gives me confidence to be who I truly am.

The end goal is to have the sweetest parts of life come from the inside.

Take the next logical step

Several years ago I was reading a book titled "The Dead Sea Scrolls" and in it I came across one line that has stuck with me.

Whenever I am faced with a tough decision or some struggles in this earthly life I am reminded of that line, "Take the next logical step".  In my left brain logic world what I am referring to doesn't always make logical sense.  My next logical step is to pray.

If you've read any of my blog entries, you must have come to the conclusion that I am a Christian and I believe in the peace and power of prayer.  From all I have discerned about the prayer is that there are 3 possible answers; Yes, No, and Not Now.

Even if the answer is No, the bible teaches us that we can move God's hand with prayer.  If you're getting No's and Not Now's, take the next logical step... 

Triple Dog Dare

There comes a time in life when you just have to kick the life you are living to the side and live the life that gives you purpose and drives you to be the very best.

Take a chance, take a leap of faith, take the first step and just keep moving.  Getting to where you are going is always a journey and you can dictate it by keeping your attitude in the right place and committing yourself.

I am in the midst of that journey right now.  It is my faith that allows me walk boldly into this stage of life that gives my heart pure joy.  I think that some of my life embodies Don Quixote.  I know there are no real dragons to slay, but there are those that need someone to bridge the gap for them and that is what I do.  I am also the caring father, loving husband, appreciative son and  compassionate brother that my family deserves.

I triple dog dare you!  

Cue the calliope music!

I once gave myself the title of The King of Jumping to Conclusions.  I would worry and fret over a situation trying to figure out every possible outcome.  So much so that it was driving me bonkers.  All it did was make me anxious and usually the situation wasn't even a mole hill compared to the mountain that I created in my mind.

Yesterday, it occurred to me that sometimes the events in our life that seem dramatic at the time they are happening, end up being silly in the grand scheme of life, and after the imagined crisis has passed, we can laugh at the angst we caused for ourselves.

When I think of the silliness, calliope music plays in my head and I have to laugh. 

How to be a dinosaur

It's no secret that I'm officially a middle aged person.  With that comes some facts of life that are sometimes hard to accept.  I've come to realize that due to my age, I'm not as marketable in many facets of the business world and there is always someone younger, hungrier, smarter and cheaper to employ than me.  I truly have come to terms with it.

What I do have to offer usually only comes with age and experience.  Those are wisdom and patience.  It is difficult to put a price tag on these things I've earned and learned, but I can tell you I paid for them.  Those were paid through life experiences and getting up each time I was knocked down.

My advice on how to be a dinosaur....keep living!

Surviving the Swirl

Sometimes I find that my mind is racing about everything I think needs to get done, and then all the things that I haven't done, and things I should do, and, and, and...get the picture? 

When my mind and body get into that anxious swirl, and I can't focus on just getting one thing done, I realize that it's time to just sit, be still, and pray.  In these times I close my eyes, focus on God, listen to Christian music and I am instantly covered with the grace and love of Jesus.

There are those that get caught up in the whirlwind of life and can't seem to get out of it and I wish I could give them some of the peace that I experience.  I want to teach them how easy it is to be at peace while the swirl of the world rages around them.

"Peace.  It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart." ~ unknown.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” – unknown - See more at: http://www.theresaceniccola.com/conquering-overwhelm/finding-peace/#sthash.QZflAUf2.dpuf

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” – unknown - See more at: http://www.theresaceniccola.com/conquering-overwhelm/finding-peace/#sthash.QZflAUf2.dpuf

“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” – unknown - See more at: http://www.theresaceniccola.com/conquering-overwhelm/finding-peace/#sthash.QZflAUf2.dpuf

Side Step

I can't remember where I first heard the saying, "There's a fine line between being in a groove and rut", but I do understand it. For a very long time I lived in a rut of existence.  Wake up, go to work, come home, cook, clean, laundry, go to bed, and repeat ad nauseum.  That this isn't living, that's existing until I die. 

It didn't take much to get out of the rut.  All I had to do is take one step to the side from the rut to where the groove is.  The groove is made smooth and polished by attitude. 

Truly, about the only control I have over anything in life is my attitude.  Yes, occasionally I have a pity party and have a snotty attitude, but it's still under my control.  These are only momentary though.  I choose each day, each hour, each minute what my attitude will be.  Sometimes my dip back into the rut is adjusted by meeting someone that is having a tougher time coping with life than me.  It's that moment of choosing to take a step to the side and be compassionate that gets me back into the groove of living the life I love.

Mr. Roboto

I have listened to "Mr. Roboto", by Styx, since it's release in 1983.  Yes, I'm that old :) 
However, listening today, the lyrics struck me in a peculiar way.  I realized that I am quite capable of hiding my emotions behind a mask.  The mask is what I chose for the world to see.  For me, it was a bit of a protective mechanism.  I thought if I never showed my heart, then it couldn't be broken.  It was a meager existence of who I truly am.

I think, without sounding too general, a lot of men can do this.  We can compartmentalize life by placing things in boxes in our minds. The problem is that when we put our hearts and emotions in one of those boxes is that sometimes lose track of the the box.

The inherent challenge is to open the box where our heart and emotions are stored , and never put them back in there.  

To quote the song...

"The time has come at last
To throw away this mask
So everyone can see
My true identity..."


Psalm 143:9 "Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in you."

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God-Being-Our-Hiding-Place#sthash.zcr2fuEn.dpuf

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/God-Being-Our-Hiding-Place#sthash.zcr2fuEn.dpuf

This makes me laugh

Rantings of a craving

If you're like me, you have a weakness that you can't seem to fight all the time.  For me it's breads and chips.  I prefer original Dorito's and Wendy's french fries.  I'm not allergic to any of it, but I know that if I eat those starches I'm going to blow up like Mount Kilauea in Hawaii.

I've struggled with my weight for a very long time and thanks to my wife, I was able to lose 50 pounds.  Right now, I've gained a small portion of it back because I thought a little here and there won't hurt.  Oh how wrong I was.

Oh sure, there are times when I can't seem to fight the craving and give in to it, and as soon as I do, I regret it.  But, for just that little moment of time, it satisfies some crazy thing inside my head.  I wish I knew how to fight it better and each time that I give in I feel like I'm starting over.  The truth is, I'm not starting over each time, I'm just disappointed in myself.

When that happens, I do go back to eating healthier.  Your healthy eating and my healthy eating may not be the same and if you're fortunate (from my view) you may not have a food struggle at all.

Whatever the struggle, we get the opportunity to restart!

Lamentations 3:22-24 "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." 

Seems like everyone wants one

With all the advertisements with which we are bombarded it seems that the economical push to have one's own business is at the forefront.  Of course, there are a zillion commercials to buy products, but it seems to me that the underlying message is to spend your money on a website, social media campaigns, and advertising to promote a business that you may (or may not) have.

I've been down that path and haven't been successful at it.  What I have come to realize is that, for me, my role is to be a servant to others.  Not in the literal since where I work at the beck and call of an owner, but to perform kind acts and to encourage others.  I know I'm good at that and that is what my calling is, thus, what I'm doing.

We aren't all meant to run a business, just as were aren't all meant to be a great singer, producer, inventor, etc...  Find out what you are good at and give it away. 

Are your wheels spinning?

If you've ever seen an old western, I'm talking from pre-1970, there is inevitably a scene where a steam locomotive is at a dead stop and taking off.  The camera shots generally include a scene where the wheels are slipping on the tracks.  Just like a worthy endeavor, the wheels slipping at the start, and the fuel consumption being greatest at the start (or take off), is considerably higher than the remainder of the journey. 

So, with that, I am saying, keep spinning your wheels until you have full traction.  Once that occurs, the efficiency of your endeavor adds to the momentum and excitement of your journey.



FYI
Moving freight by rail is 3 times more fuel efficient than moving freight on the highway. Trains can move a ton of freight nearly 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel.
The space shuttle used 90% of it's fuel for take off and can nearly endlessly circle the earth below.

It's okay

It's okay to show weakness, to ask for help, and to lean on others.  In our moments of doubt, turn to someone you trust that will help you see your way through.  I don't doubt for a minute that everyone on this list has been a strong shoulder for someone else.  Did you see that person as weak?  No, you did not.  What you saw was someone you care about suffering and you offered to help.  It builds bonds, strengthens relationships, and helps us all to be better.

Go be better today.

There is only one finish line

Perseverance, stick-to-it, determination, grit, stubborn...  In some form or fashion, the similarity between those words exists.  If you have a dream, chase it down, draw it close, will it to happen.  I've also heard that this marathon of life we are in is made up of hundreds of thousands of shorter races.  Keep moving forward! 

In the end, and I mean the real finish line, I want to be content that I've run the race(s), made a difference in a life, let the people that I love know it.  When that time comes, I will be waiting for you on the other side.

"If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence. Determination. The will to endure to the end, to get knocked down seventy times and get up off the floor saying. "Here comes number seventy-one!" Richard M. Devos

"Good ideas are not adopted automatically. They must be driven into practice with courageous patience." Admiral Hyman Rickover

"For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again." [Proverbs 24:16] Bible

A little bit goes a long way

I've heard this saying at least a million times, "A little bit goes a long way".  I think that applies to lithium grease, hybrid cars, sarcasm, exaggerating, and from personal experience, rhubarb pie. 

If you're reaching for success, to be a better person, to show love, to be loved, to care, be compassionate, a little bit does make a difference.  The catch is that you have to do a little bit every day.  Soon you will be so far from where you started that the little bit has amassed into something grand.   

The personal gain is what you become, not what you make financially.  At the end of my days I want to know, to my the depths of my soul, that I gave from my heart.  At that point, the amount of money in my bank account will not matter to me. 

My daily challenge for myself is to share my personal perception of success, love people for where they are in their journey, and to reach out ---- way out and help someone.

Conflict

You know, when you get a message, an inspiration, or the answer to a burning question that seems perfect for the moment?  Well, it is.  The messages to me this past week are about having a peaceful heart, being focused on others and forcing me to look at myself first for answers to what I deem as problems in my daily life.

When you are faced with a conflict, instead of accusing, attacking, or blaming the other person, begin with humility. This is true even if the conflict is 90% their fault.

Everyone has blindspots. No one is perfect and there are things we do that contribute toward a conflict that we have difficulty seeing. 

So, before I start attacking and blaming, I need to do a frank evaluation and ask, "How much of this conflict is my fault?" I need to do an honest checkup and admit my part. When you're wrong, admit it.

And when you're right, shut up! 

Be honest with yourself. Jesus says to look at what is in your own eye first and that will help you see the conflict clearly.

Ask, "Am I being unrealistic? Am I being insensitive? Am I being over-sensitive? Am I being too demanding? Am I being ungrateful?"

My experience as a pastor: the number one excuse for divorce is: "We're incompatible!" The Bible teaches that any two people can learn to love each other if they will grow up!

But our nature is to be self-centered and stubborn, unwilling to change! More relationships die from inflexibility than anything else

The Bible teaches we must lead with humility. How do you break a logjam in a conflict? Say, "I'm sorry, I was only thinking of myself." ~ Rick Warren