Tag: faith

Where Do You Fall?

Jesus said it all too well in the Beatitudes. This wasn’t some pretty speech. This was a checklist of living. In this current era of power and politics, the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-10) stand out in stark contrast to the world today and our leaders. Read these, think about them, meditate on them, and ask yourself if you are truly living these as a real Christian:

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
1Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Have a peaceful week ahead!

Rise of the Phony “christians”

I couldn’t help writing about this again because, unfortunately, the phony so-called “christians” are gaining. I won’t even dignify using an uppercase “C” to refer to these phony christians.

There is nothing complicated about this. A true Christian is just that—a follower of Jesus Christ. And Jesus gave us one simple commandment and that is to LOVE. Not just LOVE your spouse and family but to LOVE EVERYONE! You don’t LOVE, you are not a true Christian. You’re a phony christian.

There is no selection in the LOVE department. You LOVE all or you’re simply not a real follower of Jesus Christ—a true Christian.

Simple. Unfortunately, the phony christians spewing hate are winning out. You can stop them by being a real, true Christian. LOVE!

Have a great week ahead walking in LOVE.

Surgery, New Years, Blues & God

I had major surgery at the end of October. All went well and I fully healed. Great. But I couldn’t help feeling a little “down” going into this New Year. The surgery “blues” are a real thing but the New Year should be a time of renewal—a new beginning, an upbeat feeling. Not a time for the “blues.”

Whenever I feel a little down, I reach out to/for God. After all, He is always here less than a heartbeat away. And per my last post, I’m treating every day as Christmas. Letting Jesus Christ be reborn in me.

That said, it’s fine and normal to feel the “blues” on occasion. The trick is to look to God to pull you out before you sink further. Again, God is always less than a heartbeat away and waiting for you. This sounds simple but always rely on Him.

Have an UPBEAT week. And Merry Christmas!

Christmas Ever Day in 2026

That’s my New Year’s resolution. Make every day Christmas in 2026! I’m not talking about lights and presents. I’m talking about the birth of the Christ child. I’m talking about Jesus being reborn in me. Not just on Christmas day but every day.

What does this practically mean?

There is so much negativity in the world that I want to surround myself with positivity. That means keeping a positive outlook and shutting out all negative thinking. Not easy but that is my resolution.

Think about the Christmas story. Joseph could have renounced Mary. They could not have made the journey to Bethlehem. Too long, too hard. They could have stayed put there and not fled into Egypt. Negatives all around. But not totally comprehending the magnitude of what was happening, they stayed positive. They had to shut out the negatives.

Try it. Christmas in 2026. Not just on the 25th but every day.

Merry Christmas! And blessings for 2026!

The Real Meaning of Christmas

Trees, tinsel, lights, gifts, cards, etc, etc. That’s outward “Christmas.” But what is the real meaning of Christmas? I bet you say simply the birth of Christ. But it goes way deeper than celebrating a birth over 2,000 years ago. The real meaning of Christmas is seeking to have Jesus Christ reborn in you. Each one of us.

I know I have been reborn in Jesus years ago. But Christmas is about experiencing that birth again. Of course you can be reborn in Jesus any day or time during the year. But Christmas is just that check at the end of the year to experience that rebirth, or birth for the first time, again.

There are lots of crosses being worn, especially by the politicians, to show that they are Christians. But it’s not about wearing anything externally or living Christianity on your sleeve. It’s about Jesus being reborn inside of you and living in your heart. Following Jesus—what true, real Christianity is about—is not about words and wearing things. It’s about what’s in your heart and how you live your life.

Rebirth in you. Tha’s what Christmas is truly about.

I’ll be back before the rebirth of Christmas but let the rebirth start happening!

Jesus Just Shaking His Head!

Even though He knows how this all plays out, I can’t stop thinking that Jesus is just shaking His head in disbelief. I’m an optimistic person, always looking at the glass as half full. But this world of ours is a complete mess. It’s a powder keg ready to explode. We have politicians who just think of themselves, not the people who elected them to serve. We have war crimes across the globe and complete devastation in areas.

Jesus has to be shaking His head in disbelief. Is this what He really died for?

I’d like to be more positive but that’s tougher by the day. Sometimes I feel that we just need to do everything all over again. Start over again. And that may well happen as the nukes keep increasing.

It’s tough to be positive but that’s what I am trying to be. If I can at least shine my light and follow what God wants me to do, then maybe I can make a difference in my corner of my world. It’s tough to do but it’s the only way to be. Positive.

Think about shining your light in a world that is getting darker by the day!

Reflect God

I learned years ago that when looking at another person—and I mean anyone, regardless of who they are—I should be staring into the face of God. After all, if God made each one of us, then God is in each one of us. Look at someone else and you should see God.

God is in us—intertwined with our DNA—but we need to reflect God outward. That makes it easier to see God in us. Pretty simple. And once again, God means life to be so simple. We are the ones who complicate it.

The easiest thing to do is ignore God in others and to judge them. No doubt that’s the easiest way to walk through life. But it’s not the way the God intends us to live. Unfortunately, we live in a time of judges, where more people, especially the politicians who should be our leaders, simple judge, look down on others, see themselves as superior, and totally ignore God in others. Are they in for a big surprise when facing God at the end of life!

Remember, you need to do your best to reflect God in you!

Enjoy the weekend and do your best to see God in everyone around you, regardless of who they are!

Humility Lost

We live in a world where humility is increasingly lost, especially among so-called “Christians.” Jesus was pretty clear when he said, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Let me tell you, there will be a LOT of people in this world who will be forced humbled because they exalt themselves.

It’s tiring to hear co-called “Christians,” especially politicians, exalt themselves. They are always right, and put themselves up as the paragons of righteousness and virtue. They exalt themselves over and over again. And they judge.

There isn’t a lot of rocket science to this. If you want to be exalted, and into eternity, humble yourself. If you want to humbled, and into eternity, exalt yourself. Simple.

Jesus tells us about the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple. Jesus was teaching that true righteousness comes from humble repentance and a plea for mercy, not from self-righteousness and comparing oneself to others. The Pharisee exalted himself whereas the tax collector humbled himself.

Are you the Pharisee or the tax collector?

Enjoy the rest of the week in humility!

Be A Model!

Dollars to donuts that some (many?) will think I am talking about a fashion model. No. I’m talking about being a model for others in how you live your life. Just like Jesus while on this earth was a model for all of us on how to live. Be a model!

I’m far from perfect. What I’m really good at is sinning. But I try to correct those sins and serve as a model for others, starting with my family. I do my best to be a model.

What does being a model mean? It means living the life that Jesus called us to live and showed by His life. That starts with LOVE, as Jesus commanded us to LOVE.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Jesus took being a model of LOVE to the Nth degree. He gave His life for us to absolve our sins, when we acknowledge them. Hi paid the ultimate price for us. He was our model!

You don’t have to die to be a model to others. Just be nice. Smile. Help. Give. Don’t sleep on your anger. Forgive. The list goes on. Aspire to live how Jesus lives. Just be a model for others that reflects Jesus in your actions.

Be a model! And think about that this weekend and next week. Enjoy!

Seal the Life Cracks Now!

When there is a little crack in a roof, water finds a way to seep in. Then, the crack expands, and more water seeps in. Pretty soon it can be a deluge of water. The same holds true of your life. Seal the cracks before negative thinking and the devil—or whatever you want to call evil—finds a way into your life and takes over.

Just like a roof or any other outside structure, you need to do a checkup on your life to find the cracks. Then, you need to seal them ASAP. If not, the cracks will become holes, even gaping at times.

I am far from perfect, so I’m not preaching. But every morning I try to think back to the other day and week to find any cracks. Most often the cracks are negative thoughts—even actions—about a situation or person. Then, I pray on it, filling the cracks with prayers.

It’s not always easy being honest with yourself. Don’t I know it! But when I’m not honest about the cracks they always start expanding. And the situation always gets worse. So, fill those cracks today. Pray. Be honest with yourself. And pray some more. God is always listening.

Have a GREAT rest of the week. And fill those cracks!