Tag: JesusChrist

Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

I was going to title this post something about, “Do you see light or darkness?” It’s trying times like these when our true characters show through. And when we face the reality of where God really is in our lives. Are you are glass half full person, or one who sees it as half empty? Are you a person who always sees light, no matter how dark it is out, or do you just see the darkness—or at least the darkness overtaking the light? Good questions to ask as the coronavirus seems to be overtaking the world. Or not.

If God is a constant in your life, I don’t know how you see anything as empty—half or whole—or see anything as darkness. I love, love the beginning of John’s Gospel…

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5

That light, sent by God the Father, is Jesus, His only Son. He’s the glass that is always full, the light that no darkness can overcome. When your life is built on the foundation of God—Father, Son & Spirit—there simply can be no emptiness or darkness. It’s that simple. And, yes, I’ll say it again—God means life to be simple. We are the ones who complicate it.

When Jesus left this earth, He left behind the Spirit to empower us. The Spirit is that spark that keeps the light in us lit, especially when it starts to dim. It’s trying times like this coronavirus crisis—which will pass, and just be a mention in the history books—when we need to look at the fullness and light of life. And we have help if we just let God be a central part—THE central part—of our lives.

Have an AMAZING week ahead. Think full, think light!

Virus in the Desert

I’ve written a lot about the Israelites roaming aimlessly in the desert for 40 years. It took them that long to travel about a dozen miles to the Promised Land. And only two of the original Israelites made it. Even their leader, Moses, died before he saw the Promised Land. During that time in the desert all types of bad things happened—plagues, snakes, etc. The Israelites constantly turned their backs on God, and only when they needed God did they run to Him. We are roaming our own desert—and pretty aimlessly, at that—and bad things happen. Today it’s the coronavirus. Tomorrow it will be something else. But we’re not running to God. It seems we’re running away from Him.

I’m not suggesting that the coronavirus is some type of plaque sent by God. It’s a virus, and viruses are a part of life. Some are worse than others. But it’s how we react to this coronavirus that is so telling. We panic. Not that we shouldn’t mobilize to contain and “defeat” this virus. But we don’t need to panic, just like the Israelites did. It’s a surprise they didn’t stone Moses or burn him at the stake.

It’s a given that we are less tied to God than ever. I won’t bore you with stats, but “organized” religion is on the way down. People are increasingly simply not believing in God or turning to their own “spirituality”—whatever that is. Worship of self?

If I have said it once I’ve said it over a 100 times—read the Old Testament story of the Israelites wandering aimlessly in the desert. That’s us. This world is one big desert and we are certainly wandering—and very aimlessly! I have no idea where we are heading. Do you?

Least you think this is a depressing message, it’s not! My focus is on God—Father, Son & Spirit. I know my purpose from the Father, and am trying my best to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, and pray for the Spirit to empower me. I’m upbeat. I’m resolute. I’m out to find the Promised Land in life. I’m not a saint. I stumble all the time. But I’m doing my part to lead by example. We change the world one person at a time. It’s why I write this little blog, why I post Bible verses on my Facebook page ever day, and why I try to share with others.

I hope you know your way. Let’s help get everyone out of the desert!    

Purpose, Footsteps & Empowerment

I like catchwords. These are my three catchwords I try to start every day with: purpose, footsteps, and empowerment. Wherever I am, I start my day off at the gym or doing something athletic, except if I’m traveling really early (which happens a lot). Regardless, I start my day by saying “hi” to God and remembering the following: the Father created me for a purpose; I try to walk in the footsteps of Jesus; and I ask the Spirit for empowerment. Pretty simple.

I believe that each one of us was created with a special, unique purpose in life. Living by aimlessly wandering through life without any purpose is just too depressing to me. I have a purpose and always try to stay true to it. I do that by trying to walk in the footsteps that Jesus laid down for us. And that starts with His one commandment of loving each other (John 15:12). And to do all that I ask for the empowerment of the Spirit.

Purpose, footsteps, and empowerment. Simple. And it’s not religious mumbo-jumbo. It’s my way of taking each day one day at a time but with direction. I think the biggest problem we have today is simply lack of direction. As a human race we are aimlessly wandering. Just like the Israelites in the desert.

If you don’t know your purpose in life, simply ask God. He’ll tell you if you just listen. That’s why I list LISTEN as the 1st Secret to Life. You won’t hear God if you don’t LISTEN for/to Him. Once you know your purpose in life walking is easy by just following the footsteps that Jesus laid down for us. That’s why READ is another Secret to Life. It’s all laid out in the Bible. And asking the Spirit for empowerment is also easy once you know your purpose and start the walk following those footsteps.

Spend some time—real time—with God this week. You won’t be disappointed.

Have a FANTASTIC weekend!!!

We Can’t Get Along

I guess nothing has changed since the dawn of recorded history. We can’t get along. As a human race we constantly let us be divided rather than united. We fight, we war, we annihilate. And it seems to be getting worse rather than better. I know. Rather bleak picture. But there’s always that constant light in the darkness. No matter how dark it seems the darkness can’t overcome the light. Never. Ever. That light is Jesus. (See John 1:1-5)

Whenever I get discouraged—especially in high political season, when the daggers of darkness come out—I focus on the light of Jesus. I may not understand why God gave up His only Son for us when we can’t even come close to listening to Jesus’ one command to us…

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12

Forget about love. Imagine if we were just civil with one another. Better yet, imagine if we put down all the guns and bombs and looked up at the stars. If we worked together we’d be exploring other worlds, not trying to destroy this one.

I’m not trying to be bleak or pessimistic. I do wonder on occasion why God loves us so much when we can’t love ourselves. But in the beginning and in the end there is always Jesus. The alpha and the omega. The light in the darkness. The true king who will come again. Our savior. That thinking turns the bleakness to hope, the cold to warm, and the darkness to light.

Jesus. Say the name; think the name. Salvation in any darkness in your life. Not religious mumbo-jumbo. Just practically living life.

Have an OUTSTANDING day (in the light)!!!

You Need a Vision!

The Israelites had no vision. They aimlessly wandered the desert for 40 years before the next generation made it to the Promised Land. They had no vision. The same can be said of this country. We’re aimlessly wandering the desert of politics and hate with no clear path or end in site. But the same doesn’t have to be said about you. You need a vision for your life, as do I. As does everyone.

You need an understanding of the God-given, unique, special purpose for your life. Then, you need a vision of how to fulfill that purpose.

Jesus is our model. He knew what His purpose was in life—to save us from our sins. To wipe the slate clean with His death. And He had a vision of how to fulfill that purpose. And that fulfillment of the vision came only at the end of Jesus’ life. There’s a message in that. It’s never too late to understand your purpose and have a vision of how to fulfill that purpose.

I have ended up in the world of cancer, especially relating to policy and politics. My purpose is to somehow do my little part to help people with cancer, now and generations to come. I know my purpose and have a vision of how to fulfill it. Along the path, I want to do everything to become a better person. Trust me—I’m no saint!!! The vision get’s cloudy at times and I’m far from a good person at times. But I am trying. And I have a vision.

I have written before that the Father shows us our purpose in life (if we’ll just listen); Jesus shows us the path by His footsteps, which provides the vision; and the Spirit empowers us to keep the vision clear in order to fulfill it. Purpose, footsteps, empowerment. You have a lot of help if you just look for it!

I hope you have your vision.

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Psalm 138:8

Have an EXCEPTIONAL day!!!

Grace

The total untethered grace that God gives us is all about unconditional love, favor, mercy, and empowerment. It is that grace that has saved us, through God’s Son Jesus, and gives us the power to do anything in life with that grace. But that grace is tied to giving our own “grace” to others. Life is a two-way street. It’s not all about taking. It’s even more about giving. Want to feel God’s grace in your life? Give your own grace to others.

I know this sounds like more religious “mumbo gumbo” but it’s actually about life. Life that should be a two-way street with you taking in all that God has to offer through His grace while giving back to others through your own “grace.” This isn’t difficult. It’s pretty simple. Give and take. Don’t just take. Give.

I don’t know how to make this message simpler. Give. And I’m not just talking about money or other things. I’m talking about giving yourself. Start with a smile. Lend someone a hand. Pay forward a cup of coffee. Give to those in need. Go beyond yourself. Just give as God gives.

Simple.

Have an AMAZING week pouring out your grace!

Nails In or Out?

Sorry for what may sound like some heavy religious mumbo-jumbo but this is my new visual. Nails in or out? Meaning, Jesus was nailed to the Cross for our sins. Yes, yours and mine, as well as every other person, dead, alive, and to be born. So, we’re either there helping to nail Him to the Cross or trying to take the nails out. Pretty compelling visual, at least for me.

It’s that simple, We’re either sinning and effectively hammering those nails in or doing our best to repent and pulling those nails out. If Jesus died for our sins—past, present, and future—we’re either sinning or trying to stop sinning. We’re either indifferent or trying to fix our failings. Nails in or nails out? It’s either one of the other. There is no in between!

So, I ask myself all the time—Nails in or out?

Hope this helps. ENJOY the day!

Yes, There Are 7 Secrets to Life!!!

I started writing this blog almost eight years ago to share what I have found—seven Real Secrets to Life. Not some catchy, gotcha, “I have the secret to life” hype. Just what I have found that has worked in my life. They have helped me get through the chaos and clutter of life, as well as helping me simplify life. Life that we always manage to complicate, regardless of how simple God intends it to be. I don’t spend any time “promoting” this blog. I don’t make any money off this blog, which is not a bad thing, but I just keep it simple. My thoughts are as much for me as for those who read them. So, I thought it was a good time to briefly review what are the seven Real Secrets to Life that I have found.

LISTEN, READ, LOVE, FIGHT, BELIEVE, LIVE & PRAY. There you have them. My Secrets to Life. For me they are a steading influence, helping me put life into perspective and serving as a map going forward.

LISTEN because God is calling to you—yes, you! READ the Bible because it has life answers (It’s God’s handbook on life, in case you don’t know it.). LOVE because God is love and commands us to live in love. FIGHT because the devil is all too real and whispering doubt and other temptations in your ear. BELIEVE that you can do anything—because you can! LIVE knowing this life is just the opening act to eternity. And PRAY simply because it works. God is listening (as well as calling to you, which loops you back around to the first Secret to Life).

The utter simplicity of these Secrets to Life says everything. They boil life down to its simplicity—the way God means life to be. They help me focus my life—what I did yesterday that needs correcting and the course changes I need to make today. They help me focus on what’s important and what is not. They help order the life chaos.

I hope these help you as they help me. But whatever you do, find your Real Secrets to Life. And have a GREAT day, and an AMAZING year, in the process!

 

Mulligans

I like to think of the New Year as giving me a second (and third, fourth, fifth, etc, etc.) chance at renewal. There’s something psychological about the fresh start the New Year brings. Dieting, exercising, being a better person, doing something different with your life, whatever. The New Year gives us another chance at changing. But then it hits me that God gives us a second chance every day. In fact, every second of every day. And God doesn’t count how many mulligans (sorry; that’s golf for “do-over”) He gives us in life. They are infinite.

I love the fact that Christmas is a week before New Year’s Day. It reminds me that God gave His only Son for us to give us all those mulligans in life. Jesus wiped out all our sins—past, present, and future. They are all forgiven if we just acknowledge them and ask for that forgiveness Jesus was born into our lives on Christmas morning. So, the new year may be psychological but it’s not important because, in a way, every day is New Year with Jesus in our lives.

We all screw up. Some  more than others (I’m in that camp!). I love what St. Paul says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15). Bingo!!! That’s me. I know what I should do but I don’t do it. That’s why I need a lot of mulligans. It’s pretty amazing that the guy (Paul) who almost singlehandedly spread Christianity to the world knew that he screwed up. Guess I’m in good company.

Thank you Jesus for those mulligans!

Wishing you the very best of the New Year ahead. Blessings, joy, health, and prosperity!!!

The Season of Expectations

If there’s one holiday that’s about expectations it’s Christmas. Whether child or adult, there’s that expectation of Christmas morning and the opening of presents. Whether you focus on getting or giving, there are expectations all the same. I get it and have the same expectations. But this season I’m trying to focus my expectations on Jesus truly being born again in all our lives. I’m not taking the fun out of Christmas. Just trying to focus on what Christ(mas) is all about. Christ, birth, and beginning.

It’s harder than ever to not get swept up with the commercial side of Christmas. Putting up the tree and all the directions, shopping online or at the store for presents, and baking those Christmas cookies. We even ventured into New York City for dinner with friends and we’ll be back for a family dinner next week, when my niece turns 21 the day before Christmas Eve, when my brother turns 50. Great time of year!

But in all the season rush, I’m trying to stay focused on the main even. The birth of Jesus Christ. Because that’s what this is really all about. Not a birth that took place 2,000+ years ago but a birth that should take place in each one of us on Christmas. Our expectations should be met by that birth and the joy, peace, and gratitude that comes with it.

Try to keep your expectations focused on the really important thing this year. Spend some time thinking about it and taking it all in. Seemingly “insignificant” people from an “insignificant” part of the world giving birth to a child in a barn in a manger where the animals feed. It’s a seemingly “insignificant” event that was the most important event in the history of the world then and ever to come. Try to make it the most important, significant event in your life!

I’ll try to write again by Christmas but if I don’t, let me wish you all the peace and joy of Christmas. Enjoy!!!