A Better Me

Several days ago, an old church song came to mind. I cannot remember how long it has been since I last heard it. It just stuck in my mind and at least daily, comes back to me. The song lyrics are “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me. Mold me. Fill me. Use me”

Those lyrics are a prayer that most of us should probably pray. Whether you are a believer in God or not, these words can still apply to us.

MELT ME

Overall, I like who I am. Sometimes this is a problem. When we like ourselves, we do not always see the things that hold us back in life. We do not always see the hatred, jealousy, selfish ambitions, and strife that often cause us problems. We see them in others, but not in ourselves, because we tend not to look at the weaknesses we have allowed to become a part of who we are. We need to rid ourselves of the things that hold us back. Melt away the imperfections as fire melts away impurities. No one likes seeing himself or herself as they really are. Very few people like change when it comes to searching our hearts, minds, and attitudes. Letting go of bad ideas, regrets, and offenses is not easy. Change is not always fun, but in order to succeed in life, we cannot stay where we are. We must get better.

MOLD ME

Once we have moved past the melting process, we need to move on to the next phase. Become molded into something useful. Do not fall back into the trap of letting the ugly parts of your previous condition form again. We need to transform into something that is pleasing and acceptable. We need to renew our minds. We often claim to be open-minded, but often fall short of that when people disagree with us. Stop seeing others as less important. Start thinking about things that are actually true. Think about things that are positive and pure. Let us stop looking for things about which to complain and start finding things to praise. There is still so much good in the world. We need to start focusing on those things more often.

FILL ME

Being an empty vessel does not serve a purpose. Removing the useless stuff in our lives requires a refilling. An empty container does not stay empty forever. An unfilled container will eventually get dust and spider webs or worse. Do not refill your hearts and minds with the same bad stuff. Be filled with love. We say we love others but we often demonstrate the opposite. Love others as you love yourself. Put joy into your life. Step back and smell the flowers. Receive peace. Allow kindness and goodness to become a part of who you are.  Temperance is also something we need to add. Without it, we lose our way.

USE ME

We are here for a purpose. We may not realize what our purpose is, but it is not to sit around doing nothing. We need to be useful. We need to start rejoicing with those that rejoice and weep with those that weep. Help those that need help. Encourage those that need encouragement. Teach what you know. Show mercy. Help others rather than waiting for others to help you. Bless others even if they try to harm you. Associate with people that are not exactly like you. Think of others, regardless of who they are, to be important. Be a participator in people’s lives but not busybodies. Listen before speaking. There is a world that needs help, so find out what you can do to help.

I truly want the Spirit of the living God to fall upon me. I want to have God’s personality, love, and strength. That only comes when you allow him to melt, mold, fill and use you. We often try to become self-made people, but no one is entirely self-made. Someone helped us get to where we are. I would rather have God get me to where he wants me to be. 

An Inconvenient Truth

In 2006, the documentary An Inconvenient Truth premiered showing Al Gore's lecture series on global warming. To some, this was a rallying cry to fix the environment. To others, this was a work of fiction that was just a waste of time and a money-making scheme by the former vice president. However, this is not a politically motivated blog. We all have our opinions on the subject, and most will not change. 

The title is what caught my attention and makes me ask the question: Why is truth inconvenient? 

Most of the time we are caught up in our ways. We have created our own realities based on tradition, history, culture, superstitions, and even downright lies. We even try to rewrite our history to make it flow with our own personal convictions. When truth and our personal realities do not agree with each other, we often choose to believe what makes us feel better about ourselves. 

Truth does not change because you do not like it. Truth does not change because it hurts your feelings or makes you feel bad. Truth is simply true. 

Someone on hallucinogens may believe he can fly. That does not change the truth that the law of gravity is true. Unfortunately, the families of those that have attempted to jump off buildings believing they can fly have to face the inconvenient truth that truth overpowered the perception of reality. 

Truth can hurt. No one likes to hear that they are lazy or incompetent at their jobs during performance reviews. Most people hear bad things and jump to the conclusion that the boss does not know the truth about how great we really are. Maybe we should listen and see what we can do to improve. maybe the boss knows more about you than you think. 

I remember one of my first reviews at a job. I knew exactly what they were going to say. I am detail-oriented but am old and slow. I even told the boss that before she started. I was right about what was written, though not in those words. You cannot tell someone they are old on the job for fear of legal ramifications. 

The bosses are normally told to tell mention complimentary thing about you and one thing upon which you can improve. To me, this is insane. I know there is more than one thing in which I can improve. I also know that I am better at more than just one thing. However, sometimes we do not want to hear the truth.

There are greater truths that are more inconvenient than those that are job-related. We need to stop trying to find truth in songs, comedy acts, social media or anything like this. Truth stands the test of time and does not change because of our ever-changing culture.

Many people disregard scientific discoveries because it does not coincide with their theological point of view. The inconvenient truths that science has revealed are that people may have misinterpreted the scriptures. Rather than go back and look at the scriptures to see if we missed the point, we choose to ignore science. 

Others choose to ignore the scriptures because they cannot believe in something that goes against their cultural biases. Many questions God and his word though they themselves have never read or studied it. Others avoid it claiming hypocrisy in the church. The inconvenient truth here is those same people believe professors, politicians, actors, and scientists forgetting about the hypocrisy that goes on in those professions. 

Some people say the truth will set you free. That is not entirely accurate. In order for the truth to set you free, you must know the truth. The Bible says, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

Truth is our there for us to know. Do not ignore it because you do not like what it says. Search for truth. Be willing to accept that you may be wrong. Let the truth dictate what you believe and not your own thoughts and feelings.  

Friendship

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey hitting Texas, I wrote about dealing with the storms of life. After just a short couple of weeks, Hurricane Irma brought a lot of damage and destruction to Florida. I have family that stayed behind because of job responsibilities. I have friends that were able to evacuate to my house for safety. Hurricanes are no jokes. They upset people’s lives.

Because of troubled times, we often see the best and the worst of people. Scam-artists take people for every penny they own or at least as much as they can swindle out of them. Price gouging becomes a reality. Thieves are looking for abandoned homes to see what to steal.

While there are plenty of bad characters out there, I prefer to see the good. The people who uproot their lives to help people tear down and rebuild homes.  The neighbors that stay behind to protect their homes as well as the surrounding houses that belong to others. The check writers that help finance the rebuilding, feeding, and schooling.

I am thankful that I had friends that allowed me to evacuate to their homes when I needed to leave. I am thankful for the family members that took my family and me into their homes for extended periods during the aftermath of our disaster. I try to provide the same opportunity to others who are in need of help.

This is where being a true friend is important.

Some friends are only there as long as everything is going smoothly. When the good times are rolling, they are there. Then they disappear at the first sign of trouble.

Some friends are only friends as long as you pay for everything. They never help and only seem to be friends because there is something in it for them. The trouble is that they never truly invest in the relationship. When the money runs out or you have given all you can give, those friends disappear.

Some friends are friends when you are around, but gossip behind your back. They are only friends now, so they do not feel alone. Normally they are insecure and just want people to like them, but as long as someone is around it does not need to be you. They use friends as a security blanket until the next cool person come around and then they go away.

I have a few good friends. Those that even when I have not seen them over extended periods will be there when I need them. I can communicate with them as if we were never apart. I can joke with them in ways that others may not understand, but it works for us. The friends that I let into my heart are true friends.

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

I try to be a reliable friend. I am not just a friend in the moment. I enjoy spending time with my friends. I enjoy a quick text. I enjoy sharing my experiences with them. I do not require them to do anything but be themselves and to let me be myself. Sometimes people cannot handle me truly being myself, though I admit I can be a lot to handle.

Friendship is a choice. Choose your friends wisely.  Be the best friend that you can be. Show yourself friendly to everyone. 

Labor Day

Labor Day is a day we celebrate the contributions of the labor force. It is a day we honor American workers. Many workers get the first Monday of September as a holiday from work. When attached with the weekend, some people enjoy a 3 - 4-day weekend. 

The day is celebrated in various ways. Some family or friends gather to barbecue. Some like to sleep late. Some prefer to go shopping and continue contributing to the economy. Unfortunately, the retail workers at the stores in which they shop do not get to celebrate this holiday. Neither do many other Americans, like first responders, medical personnel, and many others. To those that do not get to celebrate this holiday due to having to work, I thank you.

This Labor Day weekend has not been great. Many people are recovering from last week's hurricane. This week we see another approaching hurricane causing many to worry. Allergies have me under the weather, but nothing compared to those who have been stuck in hospitals having surgery.

Labor Day weekend does bring excitement for a lot of people. Football games that matter begin to take place. While Summer is not over, we see Fall starting to sneak in a little here and there. Don't believe me, check the shelves at your local stores and count the items with Pumpkin Spice flavor. Nothing like overdoing a flavor. How many Fall and Halloween items are already in the stores? I have already been to one store with Christmas stuff for sale. Never too early to prepare, I guess.

Soon the weather will not be so unbearably hot, here in the south. It makes you want to be outside a little more. The tree in my front yard is always the first tree in the neighborhood whose leaves change colors and fall off. I see that has already begun to happen. 

The world does not stop because of holidays. Life goes on. Good things will happen. Bad things will happen. Season come and seasons go. Only God remains the same regardless of how we try to manipulate him into what we want. 

As you enjoy your holiday or even if you have to work, treat those to whom you come in contact with love. It does not matter if you agree with them. Treat them with respect. Jesus spoke to people with whom the religious people would never speak. He loved them despite their background. He turned no one away.  He did not agree with many of their personal choices, but he loved them and wanted them to be set free. If Jesus loved the unlovable, who are we not to love each other. 

Riding out the Storm

Charley, Ivan, Katrina, Rita, Wilma, Ike and Harvey are names that many of us would like to forget. These are the names of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States since 2004. The winds and waves destroyed millions of dollars in property and cost thousands of lives. These were just the beginning of many problems that came because of these deadly storms. The aftermath of these storms changed lives permanently. Many families separated during the rebuilding process, some physically, some mentally and others emotionally. For some, the rebuilding continues. Many people left the areas for new opportunities while others remain homeless.  The worst part may be that dishonest people took advantage and stole thousands of dollars from the already victimized residents.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita changed my life forever. For nine months, my wife and children would be apart. One son went to college as expected, but my wife and other son lived 371 miles away. This is a result of my house being destroyed by floods caused by Katrina and failed levees. Local schools were barely an option. Thanks to the kindness of strangers who paid for his school and supplies in his temporary city. Thanks to our sisters who gave us shelter and more.

Just a few years later, a tornado damaged my new house in my new town.  Sometimes, I wonder if the storms will ever cease.

Now, Hurricane Harvey is flooding Southeast Texas. Rain continues to pour. As I watch the news, I relive many tearful moments that I experienced in 2005. My heart cries out to the newest storm victims. Rescue workers and neighbors are helping those in trouble.  Many lives will never be the same. Repairing homes while holding on to sanity is difficult. This may simply be a result of everyone needing help. The people they would most likely rely on for help is in need of help themselves. As for this storm, it appears to be looping around preparing to hit again and hitting other areas, as well.

During the storms that I have endured, I learned that things are just that, things. Everything I have is just a luxury, even my house. I do not need things, but I am glad to have them. I miss a few things that I previously owned, but I learned that I could do without.

Storms are temporary. People make repairs. People go about their lives to one extent or another. However, there are worse storms than hurricanes.

The winds and waves are nothing compared to the storms in our hearts and minds. Bad things happen, but how you process things can bring success or failure. Many people focus on the negatives. They only see the problems. It is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when the darkness envelops the tunnel. We need to refocus our eyes. We need to have faith. Rather than seeing problems, we need to see opportunities to improve. See a better tomorrow.

Storms that people face daily vary. Some deal with family issues, financial problems or bad health. Others face depression, regret, or bitterness. You are not the only one to face any particular storm. Unlike with hurricanes and tornados, we cannot see with what others are dealing. Someone has faced the same type of storm as you. Many are facing those same storms now. Do not be ashamed to seek help. Do not be ashamed to be a rescue worker for someone else. Some just need someone to listen.

I was just doing my job after Katrina and one woman seemed overwhelmed. She began to talk to me, and I just listened. As she told her story, it brought her some relief. She allowed me to pray for her. It is all I could do.

You may think that you cannot help. You may not be able to see past your own problems. However, we are not in the storms alone. We need each other.

I have always hated the saying that "perception is reality". That is not correct. Other people perceive things about me that are inaccurate. Their perception of me or my situation does not matter, and it is not my reality. It should not matter to you either. The only thing that matters is what you perceive about you and your situation. Do you see yourself in a hopeless situation? Then you are in a hopeless situation. If you believe that there is a better tomorrow and the world does not revolve around your storms, then there is a better tomorrow.

Stay positive. Have faith. Trust God. Ride out the storm. Be strong. They may seem like they last forever, but they do end. 

The Solar Eclipse of 2017

Today, we experienced a solar eclipse. Here in the United States, many were able to see a total eclipse. The last time the United States experienced a total solar eclipse was in 1979. Unfortunately, for me, the moon only covered approximately 70% of the sun. 

I am not a person who looks for these sorts of things. There are people who stay up late watching for meteor showers and the like. It does not excite me. I love looking at the stars on a clear night, but I am not going out of my way to see them. 

I learned a few things because of this eclipse. First, 30% of the sun still exposed does not make it dark. In fact, at 1:29 pm during our peak moments, it looked like 1:29 pm on any given sunny day. I thought it would at least look like early evening.  I also learned that there are cities called Madras, Oregon and Carbondale, Illinois. I am sure they are great places, but I never heard of them until The Weather Channel showed their view of the eclipse on television.

People really get excited about these things. I witnessed people standing on buildings to get a good view. I saw stadiums full of people who gathered just for the moment. It does not matter to people that the totality of the eclipse lasted just over two minutes in duration. People were excited. Sometimes, I wonder why I am not as enthusiastic about such things as others are.  Not much really excites me.

I heard many warnings that we should not look at the sun with only our eyes. I hope parents teach their children not to do this even when there is no eclipse. Of course, my parents told me this from time to time, but being a stubborn boy, I would do it just to see how long I could endure it. It was never long. It is probably a good reason that I have worn glasses for most of my life.

I did manage to watch the eclipse for about 30 seconds with the special glasses that someone brought to work. It actually was cool to see. Not really enough of a reason to throw a party unless you just want a party.

Different people like to see different things. Many, like me, love to watch sunsets on the beach. Some like to see historical monuments, beautiful paintings, or maybe just a good menu from which to order dinner.

I wish we would see the more important thing. I wish we would see the faults in our own lives and try to fix them rather than see the fault in everyone else. I wish we would see the good in people and not the bad. I wish we would see everyone as human beings rather than the subgroups into which we have divided ourselves. I wish we would spend more time seeing our children and grandchildren growing up rather than spending so much time working or thinking only of ourselves.

Nature has many wonderful things to experience. I would love to see the Aurora Borealis, The Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef or The Daintree Rainforest. However, with all of the divisiveness that I see in this world. However, I would rather see peace and unity than all of the other things. 

Heroes

Is there anyone who hates Superheroes other than super villains? I remember watching my favorite heroes on television growing up. I would occasionally read some of their comic books. Like many others, I enjoyed Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, but I also enjoyed some lesser knowns such as Captain Caveman, Sgt. Rock, and Hong Kong Phooey. I would love to be able to fly or have x-ray vision. It would be great to protect people from evil. 

While I still enjoy watching movies about superheroes, I prefer to hear the stories of the real-life heroes. It has been 8 years since Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger managed to land his plane on the Hudson River saving the lives of the 155 people onboard. 

William Kyle Carpenter was 21 years old when he jumped on a hand grenade while in Afghanistan in 2010. His actions resulted in losing most of his teeth and his right eye. He shattered his jaw and broke his arm in a number of places. The result is that he saved his friend's life. He is the youngest living soldier to receive the Medal of Honor. 

Recently, I watched the film Hacksaw Ridge about how Desmond Doss rescued 75 wounded men during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II while refusing to carry a weapon or to kill anyone. 

There is no shortage of heroes during wars or times of catastrophes, such as the terror attacks on September 11 or Hurricane Katrina.

There are also heroes of the faith. 

Noah believed and obeyed God when no one else around him would. People thought he was crazy, but he never lost the faith that God knew better. As a result, God saved him and his family from death. This allowed humanity to continue to exist.

Moses led the people of Israel out of Egypt. The people he helped save would eventually want to kill him. He continued to believe God and the Israelites would be able to go to the Promised Land. 

No one is perfect. Superheroes have their weaknesses, like Kryptonite. Real life heroes are just people with their own problems who respond in situations and put others before themselves. The heroes of the faith had their own issues, as well. Some drank too much. Some acted promiscuously at times, some even killed for the wrong reasons. However, they put aside their reputation and even their lives for the sake of God and his people.

What about the unsung heroes in this world? The unsung heroes work behind the scenes to make things happen. The people who do not get movies made about them. Those who do not get medals.

Dr. Megan Coffee has been working in Haiti since the earthquake in 2010. She established a medical facility for those with long-term illnesses. She is not paid, and she takes public transportation to work so she can treat people. 

John R. Fox died in World War II when he called for an artillery strike on his own position when he realized the Germans would overrun them. This strike caused the enemy to delay long enough for other American units to organize a counterattack.

Heroes do not risk their lives for fame or money. They simply do it to help others. They do it for a just cause. They put themselves out there, regardless of what others will think. 

Anyone can be a hero.  We just need to put down our pride. We need to fight for what is right. We have to put others first. There are so many that need help. There is a lot of injustice that occurs. When the opportunity arises, do not be afraid to do the right thing. People need a hero. Be that hero.

The Kite

Have you ever had a decision to make and wanted to make the right one? It is not always easy to make the right choice. We see wrong choices being made every day. Even in the scriptures, we see bad choice after bad choice. Lot chose the wrong place to live and lost his possessions, his wife, and his freedom. King David chose to commit adultery causing him to lose an infant son, his daughter to be molested by her half-brother, and a rebellion led by his own son.

All decisions can have blessings or curses. We need to make the right choices. Sometimes we make all the choices ourselves, but we should rely on godly counselors that God has placed in our lives. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, the people fall, But in abundance of counselors there is victory.” But who can you trust?

God has given every one of us a set of parents. They have more experience in this life and will often be glad to share their wisdom. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. (Col 3:20) It is amazing how smart I became when my son went to college. Even in my forties, I consulted my dad for his opinions. However, parents are not the only ones God has in our life to consult.

For many of us, he has given us a spouse. Too seldom do we consult each other in decision making. The Bible tells us that we need to “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph 5:21) This passage talks about our spouses. We might think that we rule the house and are to make all decision, but those decisions should be a joint effort.

God has also given us spiritual leaders. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Heb 13:17) Your leaders want you to make wise decisions that will help you succeed and please God.

Another group of people from which we can seek help is experts. Attorneys, doctors, auto mechanics can give much better advice in their fields than the average person.

Probably the most important counsel that we receive is the peace of God. When we are guided by God, His peace is on the scene. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Col 3:15)

We may not like the counsel we get because we think it may hold us back. “My parent/boss/pastor doesn’t understand and is holding me back.” Statements like this are made all the time. What we soon forget is that they want us to succeed. They do not want us to be held back.

There is a story about a kite that loved to fly high. It would fly as high as it could possibly go, but it would always feel this tugging. It was the string. The kite thought that if the string would just let go than it could fly even higher. One day, the kite tried really hard to fly higher and higher. It kept pulling and pulling until the string finally broke. The kite thought that with the string now gone it would be able to fly higher. The problem, he found out, is that without the string, there was nothing to guide it. The kite would crash into the ground.

The moral of this story is: The thing that holds you back is the thing that holds you up.

If Men Are Dogs, Are We God’s Best Friend? (Life Lessons Learned From My Dog)

I have heard all through my life that men are dogs.  I have seen many times when some men seem to confirm this notion. Some people may disagree with this, but my concern is not only with men but also with mankind. As the saying goes, dogs are man’s best friend. I want to be God’s best friend. I want to be what God wants me to be. This may be strange, but I learned a few things about mankind’s relationship with God by watching my old dog's relationship with me. Her name was Zephyr.

When my family and I went to buy our new puppy, she was only eight weeks old. We saw the puppies playing next to the mother. As we were deciding which puppy we wanted, my eleven-month-old son grabbed this one small puppy by the tail. It did not bark, cry or try to run back to its mother. Instead, it sat in my wife’s lap, and if taken away would keep coming back to sit on her lap.

When Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Peter and Andrew and said, “Come, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It says, “at once they left their nets and followed him.”

The same way my dog left its mother and Andrew and Peter left their way of living, is the same way that we need to follow Jesus. He has called us to follow Him. We are not to moan and complain along the way.  John 1:11-12 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. When the Holy Spirit led us to Jesus, we had to make a decision to follow Him. When we believed on Jesus, we became children of God. We are to realize that we have a new family and not look back to the past but look to the hope of the future.

My family and I picked this puppy as our own. We had to give it a name. We gave her the name Zephyr and her name was never changed.

When we put our trust in Jesus and make Him our Lord, we receive a new name. He gives us His name. We receive our identity from Him. I am no longer Larry, son of Richard. I am now Larry, a child of God. I am a Christian. When people see you, they will also see Christ. Be proud to wear the name, Christian. Be the representative of Christ that you are called you to be. 1Thessalonians 2:10-12 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Zephyr was a puppy with a lot of energy. She was playful and could not relax. She was still the same for all fifteen years of her life.

When we first receive our salvation, we want to tell everybody about what has happened.  We will tell family, friends, and strangers about this life changing experience. We go to Bible studies and church services. We may have even gone witnessing in the streets or on our jobs. Over the years, we may have won a few or many to the Lord, but our energy is not at the same level. We want to let others do the work. We get so busy with other things that we forget what we should be doing. Romans 12:11-13 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. The verses following these continue with more ideas that are practical. We need to keep the zeal, energy, and joy for the things of God. Do not shrink back. Finish the race the same way you started it. Go wire to wire for God.

Zephyr had blind loyalty to me. She will follow me anywhere, even when I am not going anywhere.  If I stand up, she stands up; if I walk to the kitchen, she follows. If I go to the restroom, she comes and lies at my feet. I tried an experiment with her one time. I was watching television and at the commercial break, I stood up and walked backward and forward across the living room about 20 times or more. She never stopped following me. 

When we accepted Jesus’ invitation to follow Him, our journey did not end. Throughout the rest of our lives, testing and trials of our commitment to Him will come.  Salvation is not the end of the road. It is the beginning.  We need to say yes to the Lord no matter what he is asking us to do or say. It takes a walk of faith to do this, but we are supposed to live by faith. John tells Gaius in 3 John 1:3-4 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. God wants to tell us the same thing. He wants to know that no matter what He has told us to do we will obey. If He brings us to places that we may or may not like, we will go. If He wants us to stay where we are, we will stay.  God wants us to trust Him with all of our hearts, not just a part of it. When I meet Him, I want him to say, “Well done.”

Zephyr went through a bad time for a while. She quit eating. She just laid there. We thought she was about to die. One day, my wife and I had gone to the pet store to buy some fish. While waiting for someone to help us, we spotted a dog for sale. It was a miniature Border collie mix. Since Zephyr, weighing over 45 pounds and was too big to be a lap dog, we decided to buy this smaller dog and bring it home. What we did not realize, is that bringing a new dog into the home was the best thing for Zephyr. She started eating again. She started playing with the puppy, Layla. Zephyr came to life.

Sometimes people get the idea that they can go through this life all by themselves. We cannot. We need encouragement from our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we are down, we need someone to pick us up. When others are down, we need to pick them up. We are one body that needs each other to function properly.  Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Zephyr was a great and loyal dog. Some may call me a dog, but I want to be God’s best friend. Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

REFRESHED

For the last several years, I have worked very long days and became used to very little sleep. I amazed to what the human body can become accustomed. During the little time that I did get off, I would try to find something entertaining and relax if nothing important was pressing. I took a nap on most of those days. However, during those naps, I would only get about five minutes of actual sleep. It was enough to refresh me for the next few hours.

I took a vacation last week. The first three days of vacation, I attended a conference. Now I know most people do not consider that a vacation, but it is a time that I am able to see some friends that I only see once a year. It is also a time to get away from all the responsibilities at home. I used the remainder of my vacation playing tourist in my hometown. I enjoyed several things for the first time or for the first time in a long time.

Some people never take vacations. They do not want to fall behind at work. They have too many responsibilities. Vacations are too expensive. I have heard all of these excuses and more. However, I believe time off would benefit everyone. The companies that hired us survived before we worked there, and they will survive while we are gone. I believe the benefits of taking a break outweigh the troubles we think it may cause.

Physically, the rest is refreshing. I may have only slept six or seven hours a night while on vacation, but that is much more than I normally get. I feel refreshed. I feel awake. I am ready to start the day with more energy than I have in a while. I feel like I can do much more now than I did only a week ago with the renewed energy.

Mentally, I was able to reset. I enjoy my job, but sometimes it is a strain. I was able to separate myself from my job. None of the worries consumed me. I have not always been able to get away and not think about the problems waiting for my return. There are times I had to force myself not to think about the job, but my mind was mostly job-free. I thought about the questions “where to eat”, “what to do”, and “do I want to get out of bed”. This week was a much-needed mental vacation that allowed me to rid myself of certain frustrations and attitudes that had become a part of me.  

A person has three parts: body, mind, and spirit. Often, we take care of the first two but forget about the most important part.

This week was also a spiritual refreshing. It was a time when I could step away and appreciate what God has done for me. It was a time to get my mind off me and look closer at God. Too often, we focus on what and who we are rather than how great He is.

When we take a break, let us not forget to take care of the whole person. Do not think the world will fall apart without you. When you return, you can be refreshed. You can come back with more energy. You can have new or renewed vision. You can even have an improved attitude.

Take some time to take care of yourself. 

Game of Thrones

For those unaware, the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones is the story of several noble houses fighting each other to determine who should be king or queen of the “seven kingdoms.” That is the most simplistic way of summarizing it.

Sometimes, real life feels like a game of thrones. So many people and things trying to take control. Some things are trying to imprison you while others try to set you free. Both wanting you to yield to their way.

For those unaware, the award-winning HBO series Game of Thrones is the story of several noble houses fighting each other to determine who should be king or queen of the “seven kingdoms.” That is the most simplistic way of summarizing it.

Sometimes, real life feels like a game of thrones. So many people and things trying to take control. Some things are trying to imprison you while others try to set you free. Both wanting you to yield to their way.

As children, we cannot wait to be an adult so that no one can tell us what to do. As adults, we realize that never really happens. Someone is always lording over us in some way.

If you are in school, teachers dictate your workload. They decide if your work is good enough to continue with your course of study.

If you are employed, you have various levels of management telling you what to do. They also decide if your work is good enough and how you should be rewarded or held back.

At home, our spouses have things for us to do. Sometimes our children’s schedules dictate what we do. Homeowner’s associations can even dictate what type of mailbox you must install.

We may let our television programs dictate when we do things. There is no shortage of things that want to rule our lives.

Here is the question we must ask ourselves. To whom shall we listen? What if the school, work, home and everything else are all telling us something different? We must decide who or what we will follow.

Often times, we choose not what we really want, but on what will cause us fewer problems. We choose the path of least resistance. It is the safe way to go.

We all must decide who or what will reign in our lives.  We all need something or someone to trust. Some live by a code. Others live by faith in a deity. Many just seem to live according to what is popular at the moment.

No one but you can make the choice who you will serve, but like it or not we all serve another.

Conflicts arise when you try to serve more than one. We cannot please everyone. It has been said that a kingdom divided cannot stand. So, to which kingdom will you yield?

I personally yield to who I consider the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. That is my choice that I freely made. I let his teachings guide my decisions at home, work, and school. That does not mean I do not sometimes surrender to another. However, when I do, it does not take long for me to see the error of my ways.

No one can make the choice for who you serve but you. The person who does not choose becomes unstable in everything they do. Often something forces them to yield even when they do not wish to do so.

Who sits on your throne? Life is a battle for control, but it is no game to be played lightly.

Do Good Things Really Happen To Those That Wait?

I have heard it said that good things come to those who wait. Recently I began to wonder how true that statement really is.  I know of people that have waited for something good to happen to them, but good seems to be just out of their reach. How can something good keep missing the same people? How long does one have to wait before good finds them?

Life is full of surprises. I do not believe that good things happen to people by chance. I believe things happen to people depending on the waiting process. In other words, the things you do while waiting makes the difference.

If you are waiting for the bus and get distracted by your phone or something that is around you, it is entirely possible that you miss the bus for which you have been waiting. Being distracted can lead to missed opportunities. Keep focused on what it is you want. Do not let immaterial things stop you from achieving your goals. Wait without being distracted.

Sometimes people are waiting for good things to happen but are not in the right place. If you wait for a bus at the wrong bus stop, the bus you need will never come. Make sure you put yourself in a place where you can find good opportunities. Sending in resumes for jobs in which you are not qualified is similar to that situation. Better use of your time is to seek jobs for which you are qualified, but you should continue to expand your qualifications whether taking classes, volunteering or job shadowing. Wait at the right place.

I went to a big box store last year for a few things. The line at the register was so long and was not moving. I became frustrated, put my items back and went to another store. Many opportunities are missed because we grow impatient or frustrated. We need to learn to keep our heads in the game. We want to take the fastest approach which may not be the best way to go. Sometimes it is more beneficial to wait for the right opportunity then to just take the next opportunity. We may need to ask ourselves if the opportunity in front of us will help me achieve our goals. If it does not, we may need to wait for the right one. Wait with patience.

It is said that no news is good news. That just means that you still have a chance because you have not been rejected. Some people will try for what they want because they assume they have no chance. If you want something, go for it. Believe in yourself. Do not lose confidence because the wheels in a situation are moving really slow. Slow wheels are still turning. Some opportunities may take longer than others. Good opportunities are worth the waiting. Wait with hope.

Keep your eye on the prize. Do not forget what you want to achieve. Be consistent in seeking what will help you accomplish your goals and leave aside things that may hinder them. In the Old Testament, the people were waiting to hear the word of God, but because it took longer than they expected began to serve golden idols. Keep moving in the right direction. Wait while remaining faithful.

Good things will come to those that wait, but how you wait matters.

The Ups and Downs of the Job World

My life is never dull. I hear people say that about me all the time. While this is true, it does not always seem to be a good thing. My life, like everyone else, is filled with peaks and valleys. Fortunately, I have good people surrounding me to keep me hopeful in the low times. They also keep me grounded in the high times.

 

I remember after college it took about ten months before I found a decent job. I held jobs, but they were nothing in which I wanted to launch a career. I finally started my career in 1988. During that career, I have held jobs, that while I enjoyed them, most people would not want or could not handle. A common refrain I heard was, "it takes a special kind of person to do what you do." Actually, I always thought it would only take someone with bills to pay and a willingness to do their job.

 

Everything went great until 1995 when my department became contracted out. I was given a buyout package and worked for the contractors for four and a half years. During that time, I put in several applications to get rehired by the company. Three out of four positions were given to someone else for a job I was already doing. Politics was always involved. However, the fourth application, the hiring supervisor told me he would fight the politics to get me hired. It took a few months, but he succeeded. I was rehired by the company I started with in 1988.

 

The supervisor told me that the reason he continued to interview me and fight for me was because during all of the rejections, I maintained a great attitude and continued doing my job correctly.

 

I have had several up and down situations arise while at this company. Life would not be an adventure if everything went the way I planned. I have learned that no matter what comes your way, tomorrow always comes. You may be knocked down. You may need to pick yourself up. You may be celebrated. You may need to humble yourself.

 

Attitude and job performance keeps me going. I do my job. I do it to the best of my ability, and I am willing to go above and beyond what some are willing to do to make sure things work smoothly. Someone asked me the other day after putting in my notice at my second job, "who will replace you and do what you do?" My answer was simple. Whoever does there job the way it was meant to be done. The company survived before I arrived and will remain that way after I am gone. I am thankful for the opportunity they gave me when others would not.

 

Laziness will get you nowhere good. You need to take the bull by the horns and make it do what you want it to do. Obstacles will always arise. Jump over them. Push them out of the way. Take charge of your career and make no excuses.

 

Keep a good attitude and don't let people or circumstances define who you are. Overcome. Endure. Finish the race.