It is a fact that the Heavens are still open and God does speak to man still, even today, even at this very hour. The Heavens have never been closed. I contend that God at no time ever stop speaking to man; however, because of pride, man through his infinite wisdom and profound intelligence placed himself on a pedestal above God, thinking that he (man) knew best, and stopped listening to the voice of God. By denying the power and existence of God, man in essence also denied His Son, Jesus the Christ, and furthermore, squelched any and all promptings of the Still Small Voice, the Holy Spirit.
There is a vast difference between allowing something to happen and causing something to happen. For example, a mother may have a desire that her child not participate in or do a certain thing. However, because of the persistence of the child, the mother, with foreknowledge of what might happen, may allow the child to have his way. The consequences that follow because of the child's actions were not caused by the mother, but are a direct result of the child not listening and wanting to have his way.
The Church is not an exclusive social club where only a select few are permitted to be a part of an unsociable clique and all others are treated as social outcasts or lepers. The Church is a place of solace and comfort where the weary can find rest for their souls, the spiritual hungry can feast upon the Good Word of God, and the spiritual thirsty can have their thirst forever quenched as they drink from the fountains of Living Water.
How many people go through life thinking to themselves that they should have done something, would have done something, or could have done something? Unfortunately, the should have, would have, could have attitude does not achieve the goal of actually being able to be of service to another. There is this little thing called self that we need to get out of the way. When we are able to see past ourselves, those things that we should have done, would have done, or could have done, will soon become things that we will be able to say we have done.
Why is it that it is always easier to give someone else a spoon full of medicine than it is for us to have to take that same medicine ourselves? And so it is with giving advice. Some people are quick to give advice to others as if they were giving a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down, but when others try to give them advice, the medicine does not taste as good no matter how sweet one tries to make it taste.
In the ancient Greek theater actors were known as hypocrites which meant playing a part on the stage, or putting on a mask to misrepresent reality. Think of life as a theater and we are the actors on the stage. What are some of the masks that we wear to misrepresent to the world who we truly are? In any given situation, and depending on circumstances, are we all not guilty of being "hypocrites" at one time or another?
Instead of spending so much time and energy worrying about what we think others are or should be doing, why don't we exert some of that same time and energy looking in the mirror at ourselves and asking the question, "What am I or should I be doing?" Let us learn to be less judgmental of others and more attentive to our own affairs. While we are so concerned about the condition of the house of another, it may well be that it is our own house that is the one in need of dire repairs.
Lock a a man with only his intelligence and little common sense into a box and he may eventually figure out how to set himself free through his reasoning and logic for something as simple as using the key seems too simple to him and so he spends his time trying to solve a proverbial puzzle that does not exist except in his own mind. Lock a man with not so much intelligence, but who has common sense into that same box, and his concern is with being free and so he will use that which is available to get free as quickly as possible.
There are some very intelligent people in the world. They possess the knowledge of a myriad of facts and ideas. However, I humbly submit that intelligence alone is not enough. Along with that intelligence it is more important that they have some common sense. Not all answers to life's quandaries can be found in a textbook, through using sophisticated formulas, or even in a classroom lecture. There are many instances in life where good old common sense prevails.
Being silent and patiently listening to what is being said is not to be confused with acceptance of or compliance with what is being said. Remaining silent after hearing what is said often proves to be a greater sign of intelligence than standing on a proverbial soap box and giving what could become a nonsensical rebuttal. There are times when silence is golden. There are times when saying less is more and better.
My dear parents taught me several life lessons as a boy. One of those lessons is as follows: When someone else is speaking, we keep our mouths shut and our ears open. After the speaker finishes, and we still feel the need to speak, it then becomes our opportunity to do so, and not a moment before. We will get a lot further in this life by being courteous and polite then by being discourteous and ill-mannered.
If I have ever said, done, or written anything that may have caused offense, I humbly apologize to the one(s) who feel that they have been offended. However, may I also serve notice that I will NEVER apologize to anyone for standing up for what I believe to be TRUE and RIGHT. I will NOT bow down and cater to anyone who wishes for me to be silent. As long as God Almighty gives me breath and a voice to speak, I will proclaim TRUTH from the highest mountain tops or the lowest of valleys - to the many who may listen or to the lonely one, it does not matter. My life is in the hands of my Savior and I will not become a servant to the dictates and potentates of men.
It is high time that we put all the naysayers of the world in their proper place and let them know of a certainty that they are a minority, not the majority. Though they are free to lift their voices and offer their opinions, those opinions should not dictate to any of us how we should live our lives or sway us from standing up for what we know to be true and right. I am determined from this moment on that the more people try to knock me down, I will choose to get back up, and with a clarion voice I will proclaim that I cannot and will not be defeated. I will continue to stand my ground even if it means standing alone.
We all at times have a tendency to want to take matters into our own hands and attempt to solve problems our own way without ever talking to our Heavenly Father about any of it. Prayer is our life line between us and Him. There is no prayer that is too large or too small for Him to handle. He is always there - ready to answer our every plea. He never turns a deaf ear to anything that we have to say. He listens and He cares.
We are more times than not our own worse critics and crushers of our own dreams. We oftentimes defeat ourselves by not even trying because we build up the belief in our minds that we can't. As a result we lock ourselves into a prison that we ourselves have built and hold the key to. At any time we could unlock the door and go free, but often convince ourselves that it is much safer to stay inside than face the chance of failure. We never know what we can do until we at least try. Many roads to success are filled with potholes called failure.
When faced with obstacles and challenges in life we basically have two choices. We can allow those obstacles and challenges to knock us down and keep us down, or we can choose to get back up and fight on one more day. We must be determined that we are the ones in control, and not allow life's challenges to defeat us. We may not be able to do everything, but there are some things we can do. And those things that we can do are the things we ought to do. We cannot lose hope, give up, or give in.
Just because the majority may appear to be doing something, it does not signify that what they are doing is correct or acceptable behavior. Our actions should not be governed by what the majority is doing, but rather our actions should be guided and directed by our moral compass. We indeed choose our own fate when we know what is right, but yet choose to side with the majority for the sake of not being considered an outcast.I am forever amazed at the number of people who cry and complain that one thing or another offends them, but yet those same people take no thought or have no concern for the fact that some of the things they do and/or say offends those whom they claim have offended them. They are quick to excuse their behaviors with "Everyone else is doing it so it must be ok." It appears that being offended by something only applies to their sensitivities and no one else. Another key example of the "it's all about me" syndrome.
I strive to live my life in such a way that I am kind to everyone I meet. As I journey through this life and cross the many bridges along the way, I like to be able to look back without any regrets, just fond memories of the days of yesteryear. I choose not to have to live with should haves, would haves, and could haves. Instead, I choose to do whatever I can to help lighten another's load as I pass along. If I am able to do just this much, then my living will not have been in vain.
Just because something has been written and perhaps published in a literary volume of sorts does not solidify the fact that what has been written is 100% truth. By the same token, just because certain events have never been written about and/or published does not solidify the fact that those events never occurred.
As long as there remains but one person who feels he must judge a man by the color of his skin rather than the content of his character, the embers of racism will forever glow. As long as those who have been wronged in the past will not learn to forgive, the fires of racism will forever burn. The only thing that will snuff out racism in this world is for all men to learn to love and forgive one another. Let us learn from the past, but let us not pitch our tents and dwell there.
It costs absolutely nothing to be kind to one another. A friendly smile, a warm handshake, a kind "hello", or even a warm hug speak volumes of the love and concern that we should genuinely have for one another. We may never know the effect that such gestures may have on a person that perhaps is feeling all alone. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, the Savior taught, that you have love one to another.
The Savior is the captain of our salvation, made perfect through suffering and obedience. Once we take our eyes off our Savior, perfection at once seems to be out of the realm of reality. Indeed without Him, perfection is impossible, but because of Him and all that He has done for us through the atonement, we can be made perfect in Him.
"Nobody is perfect" is a common expression that is used even among Christians. However, perfection is not an illusory goal; it is our daily way of life. Our every effort is directed toward becoming perfect even as He is perfect.
Dare to dream, study your alternatives and never give up and never lose hope. Although there may be times when you feel that you are wasting your time by being in school and want to quit, don’t give in and never give up. Stay the course. Always remember that the winner of the race is not necessarily the swiftest runner, but he that will stay his course and remained focused and endure to the end – to ultimate success!
Knowing where you are going and having a plan to get there can mean the difference between heading down a track that leads to a life of misery and woe, or one that leads to a life of happiness and success. You cannot stand in the ticket line at the train station forever trying to decide where your destination will be and which train to take to get there. Sooner or later you have to make a decision and get aboard one train or another.
I may not be the most intelligent man in this world, and I am for certain that I am ignorant of many things, but that which I DO KNOW, I KNOW of a surety. One thing that I DO KNOW is that God never turns a deaf ear whenever we speak to him. It is we who often turn the deaf ear because we don't want to hear His answers. He neither sleeps nor slumbers and is always there to listen to and answer our cries. All we need to do is call on Him. He is only a prayer away.
There is not a day, nay an hour of any day when there is not a need for fervent prayer either for ourselves and the things that we are going through in life, or on the behalf of a family member, friend, or loved one who is in need. Although we may not be able to physically be at the side of the one in need, the sure thing is that God always hears and answers our prayers even across the miles. And it is of a certainty that the prayers of a righteous man avails much.
Some people love to play the "blame game" because they find it easier to point their finger at someone else and place the burden of guilt on their shoulders rather than admit any guilt themselves. However, they themselves are not found entirely guiltless because every finger they point at someone else, there are always three times as many fingers that point directly back to themselves.
11 September 2011 - Today in somber remembrance we look back to a decade ago when the unimaginable and unfathomable events of 11 September 2001 occurred and changed the course of our world forever. On that solemn day many innocent men, women, and children became fallen victims as a result of vicious attacks that penetrated our shores. May they always be remembered. For those of us who remain, may we never forget that it has always been and continues to be, the hand of Almighty God that preserves us.
I would much prefer to appear to be a man of some intelligence and guard my tongue in certain situations than to rush to express my opinion regarding a matter and be branded a fool. Intelligence is not necessarily measured in the things that we say, but rather in the time that we take to think before speaking. Sometimes silence sends a more intelligent message than a myriad of words ever could.
One important life lesson that my father taught me is that you cannot go through life always robbing Peter to pay Paul. No matter how you try to work it out, sooner or later you will still have to pay Peter his due. It is far better to learn to separate your wants from your needs and live within your means, than to always live a stressful life racing against the grains of sand in the hourglass that are about to run out.
Any person who walks through this life with the hopes and aspirations that everyone he meets will like him and befriend him is only deceiving himself. There are those who will be cordial and polite to you regardless if they like you or not; those who will genuinely like you; and those who need no particular reason, but will never like you. Nevertheless, we are to owe no man nothing in this life, but to love him no matter if he loves us in return or not, for it is love that conquers all.
The beauty of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the fact that if either I or you had been an audience of one, because of His tremendous love for each of us, our Savior would have still bled, suffered, and died at Calvary, just for you, just for me. No greater love than this hath any man.
It is a basic law of mathematics that one plus one equals two. However, when two hearts join as one, and the two people involved begin to walk in tandem, side by side, working together with the goal of reaching the same destination, that law is slightly modified and in turn, one plus one now equals one.
I have come to realize that one of the differences between the love of a mother and that of a father is that a mother's love is more of what I call a "heart song's love," whereas a father's love is more of a "tough love" in some cases. Both love their children, but handle different life situations differently. Mom is usually the first one on the scene in the event of any major happenings in their children's lives. Some dads are a bit more reserved and tend to stand back and wait.
In my humble estimation concerning getting into an argument with someone - it proves to be futile to get into the pig pen and wrestle in the mud with the pig. The end result is that you get all muddy and have to clean up afterwards. The pig on the other hand doesn't mind getting dirty. In fact, he loves it.
Someone may say, "God owns the cattle on a thousand hills". That is a correct statement; however, it would be better stated that, "God not only owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but He also owns the hills on which those cattle graze". Our Heavenly Father is not the partial owner of anything, He is indeed the full and rightful owner of everything.
We are the stewards of those things which God has entrusted us with. Therefore, we have a responsibility over that stewardship and will one day stand before Him and give an account of the same. Some will be entrusted with more than others. For them their responsibility and accountability is greater. For, to whom much is given, much will be required.
If in this life the only thing that a man seeks after is the favor of men, then he will need to look no further for any other reward, for the recognition and favor of men is the only reward that he will receive. However, if in this life a man seeks to gain the favor of God, he will enjoy the blessings of this life and the life to come.
We should never think of ourselves as being so holy and so righteous that we can walk around with our noses turned up to people or talk down to them. If it were not for the GRACE and MERCY of Almighty God, we would probably follow in the same shoes and footsteps as those we tend to snub. REMEMBER: EVERY righteous person has a past, and every sinner, because of the ATONEMENT of Jesus Christ, has a future.
In the morning of our lives, school is our home, students in the classroom are our siblings, and our teachers are our parents. In the afternoon, our school is a building outside the home, students in the classroom become our friends and confidants, and our teachers are those who have themselves studied and prepared to impart knowledge to us. In the evening, we continue learning in the school of life with the world being our classroom and life itself being our teacher.
I have been blessed to achieve certain things in this life, but it does not mean that I am better or more special than anyone else. No man is an island. Therefore, there are none who are better or more special than anyone else. We are all wonderfully and uniquely made. Some of us are the eyes, some the ears, some the mouth, some the arms, some the hands, some the legs, and some the feet. Each of us are different in our own way, but all are precious in our Father's eyes.
Every individual has a voice and at some point that voice deserves to be heard. Whether or not we agree with what is being said is not the question nor the issue. The least that we can do is give the voice an audience and allow it to express itself before immediately reaching for the emergency shut down button to turn it off. Amazingly, we could possibly learn a few things if we would only give the voice a chance.
In my young 52 years of life I have come to learn that the reason some people cannot face truth is because it oftentimes shines an unwanted spotlight on them. Some people do not mind standing in the spotlight so long as there are praises and accolades being sung unto them whether they are deserving of such or not. The moment the spotlight exposes them for who they truly are, they cower and run away.
Never apologize to anyone for standing up for what you KNOW to be right. Never compromise and reconfigure truth into a half-truth, which becomes a whole lie, simply to side with the multitude. Stand up for TRUTH. The truth remains the truth whether 10,000 people want to hear it and accept it, or one lonely soul believes it and protects its preciousness. Better to stand on the side of truth, then to be snared and entangled in an endless web of lies.
Just because we may wish that certain events in history did not occur does not erase the fact that they did occur. If we are to tell our history, then let us tell the whole story and not just those parts that are pleasing to the ears of the masses. Why should we continue to settle for a fragment of the story when all of the pieces fitted together tell the whole story? There is nothing that we can do to turn back the hands of time, but we can learn from the pages of our past.
Regardless of our race, regardless if we are rich or poor, regardless of our occupation and station in life, we are all brothers and sisters. We are all members of The Royal Family with a Father who loves each of us equally and unconditionally. It is impossible for a man to say that he loves his Father, but yet holds malice and ill will towards one of his brothers or sisters. If we say we love our Father, we must love all of our brothers and sisters as well.
I am not concerned about the color of your skin, for the color of a man's skin does not make the man. I have no interest in your monetary or financial status, for worldly riches cannot buy true friendship or true love. I choose to take an interest in your culture and heritage in an effort to understand you and to get to know you better. What does matter is that we treat each other like the brothers and sisters that we are with love, dignity, respect and self-worth.
It never ceases to amaze me that some people seem to believe that they cannot hold an intelligent conversation unless it is riddled with an over abundance of four letter colorful phrases. In my humble opinion the use of vulgarities to express oneself does not show how intelligent one is, but rather it sends a message that the exact opposite is true. Intelligent people know how to express themselves intelligently without the need for profanity.
If standing up for what is right means having to stand alone than I will choose to stand alone. I would much prefer to be found with my feet planted on the firm ground of truth, than to find myself sinking in the quicksand of compromise and uncertainty. He who attempts to win the favor of man in all that he does has already lost his race, but he who stands firm on the rock of truth shall be declared the victor in the end.
Some people may feel or think that I am old fashion and need to "let my hair down" and live a little and that is fine. They are entitled to their opinions as I am to mine. Personally, I would rather be thought of as being old fashion and standing up for what I BELIEVE and what I KNOW to be right than to live my life swinging on the fence of mediocrity for the sake of "living a little" or being a part of an "in crowd".
There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to be a success in this life so long as we do so remembering from whence we came. Just because we may achieve certain accolades in life, we should not forget those who helped us to reach our goal or burn bridges behind us. Not all bridges that are destroyed can be or are intended to be rebuilt. The same applies to friendships that are forsaken.
That which man cannot comprehend, or refuses to learn becomes easier for him to tear down and tear apart. There is no shame in being ignorant of certain things, for there are things which we all do not comprehend, but we all can learn if we have a mindset to do so. The shame is in those who choose to remain in their ignorance and not allow the light of knowledge to illumine their lives.
Why should we continue to ask God to bless us with more abundance when we do not show our gratitude for that which He has already blessed us with? We do not have an abundance based on our material wealth and possessions, but we are abundantly blessed when we realize the blessings that we do have and use those blessings not merely for ourselves, but to bless others as well.
When God created the universe He did not place any of us at the center and allow all of His Heavenly creation to revolve solely around one of us. He did not position the sun so that it would only rise and set upon just one of us, or the moon to only give light to one of us at night. Sometimes people tend to get so caught up in the "world of me" that they totally forget about all the others.
If you cannot be of help someone, then don't stand in their way and be a hinderance to them either. If you do not have any kind words to impart, then perhaps it is best that you say nothing at all. If you cannot be someone's friend, then don't try to put all the blame on them for the differences between the two of you when perhaps the blame is your own.
Do not expect people to stand with you and support you in the things that you endeavor to do when you barely, if ever, show any support for the things that they endeavor to do. As the old adage goes, "A little appreciation goes a long way." Don't be so selfish as to hog all of the glory for yourself all the time, learn to show some appreciation and support for what others do as well
One person pulling a cart alone can cover some distance in a day's journey. Several people helping to move the cart along can cover an even greater distance. This of course hinges on the fact that all involved are moving the cart in the same direction with the goal of reaching the same destination.
May I go on record this day as stating two facts that are emphatically true. First, Jesus Christ is the Son of the true and the living God. Jesus is His name. Christ is His Royal Messianic title. He is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. The two names are never intended to be used together in a type of derogatory exclamation. And second, God our Eternal Heavenly Father does not have a last name.
Having read the complete canon of Scripture several times in its entirety in my young life, I have found no instance where the Savior ever sent a disciple out alone to do anything. Even during the preparation of the Last Supper, He sent two disciples into the city to make the preparations. We are not called to do the work of the ministry alone. We minister together in the spirit of unity.
When a person makes a promise they should be bound not only by their word, but by their honor. Promises that are made without any intention of the person who made them ever fulfilling them are empty, void, shallow, and vain. A person who consistently breaks his promises testifies of his own character.
The cover of a book can make the book appear to be of great interest. It is not until we open the cover and read its contents that we learn what the book is really about. Similarly, our covers (appearances) can sometimes be deceiving. The true person that we are is only revealed within our contents (character).
Think of the past as a farmers field were seeds had been sown, the fruits have yielded, and the harvest has been completed. Think of the present as that same field that has been freshly plowed and new seeds have been sown, and now we wait to harvest its fruits. Think of the future as the harvest time of the fruits that are yielded from the seeds that are sown in the present.
True success is not measured by the amount of "things" that we possess. At the end of it all those things really won't matter. True success is not measured by the number of "friends" that we have. Friends come, and friends go. The person who is truly successful asks not "What will you do for me?", but rather "What can I do for you?" It's not all about me, it's about serving others.
We are all prodigal sons and daughters. Having left our Father's home we are sojourners in a far land. Along the way we are prone to make mistakes, but we must be willing to repent of those mistakes and humble ourselves and return to our Father to ask for His forgiveness. He loves us and He will forgive us and He will welcome us home with open arms. (See Luke 15:11-32)
The only way to combat hatred in this world is to reciprocate with love. Hatred returned for hatred has never resolved anything, but such actions have caused ever glowing embers to burst into flames that eventually rage out of control. Once that happens, only the healing waters of brotherly love can bring those fires under control and quench any embers that remain.
She was my doctor and nurse when I was sick. She was my lawyer when I got into trouble, defending me to the end. She was my counselor, teaching me right from wrong. She was my first school teacher in the school of life. She was my first Sunday School teacher, teaching me to love my Savior. She was a friend and a true confidant. She was my mother. I miss her dearly.
In my humble estimation I am neither rich nor wealthy because I have a large bank account or possess jewels of great worth. I am rich because of a loving mother who was a rare and polished jewel. There are no jewels in all the world that are worth more than the unfaltering love that she gave me. I may not be rich in wealth, but I am richly blessed.
It has been said that behind every good man, there is a good woman. I testify that that is indeed a truism. Whether that woman is a dear mother, a dear grandmother, a loving sister, an endearing wife, or some other special person, each one has played and/or continues to play a vital role in some man's life. I, for one, am eternally grateful for all of the women in my life. God bless them all.
I have always been under the opinion that if you want to know how a young man will treat his wife some day, observe how he treats his mother. If he has no respect for his mother - the one who gave him life - he will not have respect for his future wife either. Learning to respect the sacredness of womanhood begins in the home.
On 8 May 2011 we will celebrate Mothers Day. My message today is to all men everywhere, and especially to those who may feel that they are somehow superior to women. No matter how macho you may think you are, never forget that if it were not for a dear, loving mother that gave you life, you would not exist. Give your mothers the love, honor, and respect due them. Make everyday Mothers Day.
I am now and will forever be eternally grateful to those who forged the trail before me that I might enjoy the life that I live today. Their hard work, sacrifice, dedication and devotion will never go unnoticed. It is not by accident or per chance that my life revolves around those things that my ancestors lived and in some cases died for. May my life always be a reflection of their hopes and dreams.
Just because we may wish that certain events in history did not occur, does not erase the fact that the event(s) did occur. We cannot just push certain things aside with the attitude of telling people to forget what happened or to just get over it and deal with it. There are some things from the past that are an integral part of who we are today. Those very things are the core of our roots. May we never forget.
Before rushing to pass judgment on another may I humbly suggest that we take a moment and pause to take a look at the reflection in our mirror and ask ourselves, "Who is the person that I see?' I submit that if we truly want to see change in this world, that change needs to begin with the person that we see in our mirror.
Who am I? I may not be who you think I am. I may not be who you think I think I am. I may not be who you think that I should be. I am definitely not all that I could be. Nevertheless, I know who I am. Though I may not be who you think I am or who you think I think I am, I am who I am.
Tolerance and acceptance are not necessarily the same. Tolerance is often the device that is used to maintain peace and to prevent an otherwise unacceptable situation from becoming hostile. There does come a time; however, when the voice of tolerance can no longer remain silent and must proclaim that what has been perceived as acceptable is indeed unacceptable.
Let us be careful to never take for granted the kindness of others and presume it to be a weakness that we can freely take advantage of. Instead let us accept kindness for what it is - an act of love and compassion toward another - and learn to be more appreciative, accepting, and loving in return towards those who demonstrate kindness toward us.
A true friend walks beside you and is there to help bear you up when necessary. This friend is there beside you when the skies are blue and the sun is shining, and especially when the skies are blackened with the storm winds of adversity. This friend loves you at all times, unconditionally, and for who you are. A true friend realizes that your past is history and leaves it there.
I will never understand why it is so important for some people to want to be the center of popularity and to have a myriad of friends in this life. In my humble estimation, a few good, loyal, dedicated, all weather, all seasons friends are worth far more than an ocean of sunshine weather, off season friends.
We cannot expect to walk through our entire life being held by the hand, fed from a bottle, given a pacifier to calm us, and never accepting any responsibility or accountability for our behavior. Sooner or later we must learn to walk on our own, remove the pacifiers, do away with the baby bottles and intake and digest the meat of life, and take full responsibility and accountability for our behavior.
There are people in this world who attempt to reason their way through life with an excuse for every one of their actions that tend to land them in trouble. In my humble opinion, excuses are nothing more than oxen in the mire and easy escape mechanisms that some people choose to use to keep from choosing the right and doing those things which they know they should be doing.
I shall never be faced with the decision as to which people to love for i strive to live at peace with all men and have a heart's desire to love everyone as my brother and sister. No barriers, man made or otherwise, can nor should separate us because we are covered by a common blanket of love. It is our love for one another that unites us and strengthens us.
Why should we pray and ask God to bless us with more abundance when we are unappreciative of the things that He has already blessed us with? Instead of wanting and expecting more, we must first learn to be thankful for what we have.
Why do some people spend so much time trying to emulate other people? The only person in this life that we have to be is ourselves. Each of us is uniquely and wonderfully created. When God finished each of His masterpieces, He commenced the next with something a little different in mind. There is not a single person in all the world exactly like you or exactly like me.
Why be angry or jealous hearted because others seem to achieve things that you have never been able to achieve? We are all blessed with different talents and abilities. You will be able accomplish things that I will never be able to accomplish and vice versa. It does not mean either of us is better or more loved of God than the other, it means that our purposes are not necessarily the same.
As we journey through this life it becomes wise counsel to: (1) as much as possible, live at peace with all men. Love thy neighbor as thyself, (2) love, honor, and cherish your family. Don't spend your life being bitter towards one another and harboring regrets, and (3) never burn any bridges behind you. You never know when you may have to cross that same bridge again.
In my humble opinion one of the biggest lies that we tell people is "I know exactly how you feel." How can I possibly know how you feel if I have never sat where you sit or stood where you now stand and viewed the world as you see it through your eyes, or have felt of the same pain, heartache, and suffering that you now endure? I cannot. To know exactly how you feel is virtually impossible.
One of the most important aspects that we often overlook when dealing with forgiveness is forgiving ourselves. We are our own worse critics and often harbor guilt and shame long after a matter has been resolved. As a result we make ourselves prisoners in our own prison with ourselves being the warden that holds the key that can open the prison door and set the prisoner free.
It is far better to have tried and failed then to never try at all. Failing at something in life does not necessarily equate to being a failure in life. It is from our failures that we gain the insight and wisdom that we need to achieve the successes that we desire. Many a great success has been achieved only after a myriad of failures.
I am thankful for the trials and tests in my life for they help to strengthen my faith and testimony. It is the winds of adversity in my life that keep me humble and dependent upon Him who is a very present help in time of trouble. Without conflicts in my life, I would soon become complacent and take life for granted. May I never be found doing so. May I always remember that my life is in His hands.
The cover of a book can give us some insight as to what the book might be about, but it is the actual contents of the book that tells the true story. In the same way, our "covers" or outward appearances may reveal somewhat of who we are, but it is the content of our character that reveals who we truly are.
The easiest way to be defeated in this life is to never try at all. Inside each of us lives a great potential of being someone that could have a great impact on the world. We may never know what we could have achieved if we never allow that potential to come to full fruition. It is not necessarily the voices of naysayers that prevent us from achieving our potential, but our own voices of defeatism.
I have often heard it said that "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." What that means in layman's terms is that we should not rush to hold a white glove inspection on the cracks and crevices of someone else's house until we have cleaned all of the dust and cobwebs out of our own. We should ensure that our house can pass inspection before trying to inspect someone else's.
Respect is a reciprocative process. We cannot and should not expect others to support us and give us due respect when we at every turn find ways to undermine, demean, embarrass, or utterly disrespect them. If you want to be respected, you must FIRST learn to respect others.
It is never correct practice nor principle to want to always put others on the spot or use them as the subject of our object lessons. If we wish to put someone on the spot, let us take the witness stand ourselves and allow the prosecution to begin questioning us as to how we are living our lives. Are we completely living up to the standards that we attempt to hold others to?
Let us not be so hasty as to want to tear down and tear apart the labors of others without ever taking a look at what they have put in place and actually testing to see if what they have presented will satisfy the overall objective. Make CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions if you must, but do not deliberately reject an idea because it was not developed according to your own plans and agenda.
Wanting to always voice one's opinion for the sake of recognition and acknowledgement from others does not necessarily equate to possessing a certain level of intelligence or maturity. Sometimes it is best to keep our opinions to ourselves so as to avoid undue conflict and strife, and even the possibility of having to eventually eat our own words.
If we have no desire to be a part of the solution to a problem, then we should not cause additional problems by rushing in at the eleventh hour to offer our proverbial "two cents".
Far better it is to be found following after and standing for that which we know to be truth, than to be found weighing in the balances because of misguided decisions to follow after the approval of the world. In every situation seek to follow after truth, and not the favor of man. Let truth be your moral compass.
When standing at the crossroads faced with the decision as to which diverging road to travel, let your moral compass be your guide and choose the road that leads you in the direction of the north star of truth and righteousness. Better to follow the road which leads to truth, than to be forever lost following the road that leads to the unknown.
Thee basic foundation for the structure of any society is the family. In the home mother and father become the first school teachers, teaching their children the basic fundamental principles necessary for survival in the larger learning institution called life. It is the praying family that is the hope of building an even better society. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
If we desire to have friends in this life, we must first show ourselves to be friendly. If we desire to live at peace with those who would otherwise prove to be our enemies, then we must not show hostility and malice towards others. If we desire that people trust us, then we must prove to them that we are trustworthy. To live at peace in this world requires the efforts of many, not just the few or the one.
I will never comprehend why it is that some people feel as though they have a God given right to berate, belittle, criticize, or otherwise demean other people for no apparent reason. Yet, when the proverbial shoes are placed upon their feet, their laughter turns into anger, bitterness, and scorn, and they are quick to cry unfair, unjust, foul play, or that they are the victim of maltreatment.
I often hear people remark about how lucky they are. I must admit at 52 years young I don't fully comprehend what one implies by luck. I don't see myself as being lucky at anything, but I do see myself as being blessed by the hand of Almighty God. It is not by luck nor per chance that I have my being, but it is because of His love, His grace, and His mercy shown to me.
When upon life's seas the storm winds begin to rage and the billows cease to roll, and your ship is being tossed to and fro, be very sure that your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock which is Christ Jesus Our Lord. He who commands even the winds and seas to obey His voice is our very help in time of trouble - our shelter from the storm. In Him there is safety. In Him there is peace.
Why must our love for one another be riddled with qualifications that seemingly must be met in order to be worthy of that love? Why do we have to pass the tests of satisfying the declaratives - "I love you when", "I love you because", or "I love you if" for example? Why can't we just love one another with no strings attached?
Life is very similar to taking a train ride. As the train moves along the tracks it stops at various stations allowing some passengers to get off and others to get aboard. You cannot ride the train forever seated in the comfort of neutrality. At some point you must decide which station is your destination or else have your destiny decided for you by riding the train to the end of the line.
Sometimes we cannot see the proverbial forest because of the trees that impair our vision. We sometimes exert our energy in concentrating on what makes us different and fail to recognize the commonalities which should help to unite us as brothers and sisters. We may not agree on everything, but our differences should not cause us to become bitter and mortal enemies, but friends who are willing to live together, learn from one another, and most of all love one another.
Christmas is not about the brightly decorated tree nor the beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree. Christmas is not about the size nor the cost of the gift. Christmas is all in the heart. The true joy, blessing, and spirit of Christmas is not in the getting, but in the giving. We may never realize how many lives we touch if we but make room in our hearts for others that might otherwise be forgotten. The greatest gift that we can ever give to anyone is to love them. It is a gift that keeps on giving long after Christmas is over.
Christmas is not about the brightly decorated tree, the beautifully wrapped gifts beneath it, nor the cost or the size of those gifts. Christmas is all in the heart. The BEST gift that we can give anyone is to love them. Christmas is about remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is His birthday not ours. He is the real reason for the season. O' Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord!
When we are truly able to forget about ourselves and center our focus on helping others, we become true servants of our fellowman. The world does not revolve around just you nor me. It is not all about us. Living life to the fullest is about doing whatever we can to be of service to others. Christ our perfect exemplar did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
God is not looking for extraordinary people to do extraordinary things. He is instead looking for ordinary people who are willing to serve Him with all of their might, mind, and strength. He is not looking for self-centered people, but people who are willing to look beyond themselves and minister to other of His children in need.
The central core of the foundation of any society is the home. The home is the first institution of learning in which children are automatically enrolled as pupils. The fathers and mothers become their first school teachers and help prepare them to one day enter that larger institution of higher learning called life.
What is the necessity of always having to have a personal engraved invitation to do things that need to get done? If there is something that needs to be done and we are capable of helping to get it done, why can't we just get it done? In that same vein, why must we seek personal recognition for the things that we do? Sometimes it is the silent recognition that yields the greatest dividends.
The learned man cannot begin to fully understand all of the beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the unlearned man dare not attempt to explain it away for the fear of the reprisals of the incorrectness of his interpretations.
It is important to know who I am, but it is even more important to know whose I am. I am a child of Almighty God. I am His son, an heir to righteousness. I must stand for what is right even if standing for what is right means standing alone. It is not he that is most popular who will win the victor's crown, but he who is faithful and obedient.
I had a blessed Thanksgiving Day. In my younger years it was always traditional to have a large family gathering with a bounteous meal that was lovingly prepared. As I have grown older I have come to realize that it is not the size of the gathering or the abundance of the meal that matters. What matters most is being with those you love and giving thanks for the many blessings that you have.
Every day I become more convinced that nothing happens by chance in life. To everything there is a time and a purpose. We may not understand why things happen or turn out the way that they do, but God knows. He has already seen the outcome of today and He holds our tomorrows in the palm of His hands. Let us "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
As long as those who know to do what is right do nothing, the opposition will continue to press forward until it has obtained complete domination. We must stand for what is right in the midst of any and all adversity, even if it may sometimes mean that we have to stand alone. And after we have done all that we can do, we must continue to stand.
Trials in our lives have their purpose. They make us struggle - they bring us to our knees. Like a butterfly struggling to get out of its cocoon, our trials are the cocoon in which we often find ourselves. It is in the cocoon that the life's blood of faith in God helps us to spread our wings.
It is one thing to be able to preach a sermon, but often that same sermon falls upon deaf ears when needed to apply to our own lives. It is one thing to give counsel to another, but often that same counsel becomes bitter sweet when applied to ourselves. Let us resolve to live our lives as to become "living sermons" and "living counsel" that those around us will want to listen and follow.
Why do we overly concern ourselves with the "dust" in the corners of the houses of others when our own houses are in dire need of cleaning from top to bottom? Let us clean our own houses first and then we will be better suited to help others clean theirs.
Sometimes we cannot see the forest because of the trees that impair our vision. We exert our energy in concentrating on things that make us different and fail to recognize those common things which should help to unite us. We may not agree on everything, but our differences should not cause us to become mortal enemies, but friends who are willing to live together and learn from one another.
Today is yesterday's tomorrow. Tomorrow will become yesterday's today. Yesterday has already come and gone and has taken its place amongst the annals of history. Tomorrow is a part of the future that has yet to be revealed. What we have been given is today which is called the present. Why is it called the present? It is called the present because it is a gift from God.
Do we really take the time to listen to ourselves when we are giving "advice" to others? How easy it is to tell others what they should do and how they should do it, but in reality oftentimes we never follow that same advice ourselves. Someone has wisely said, "The best way to succeed in life is to act on the advice we give to others."
There is a time to speak, and a time to remain silent. Wanting to always "speak our minds" does not necessarily demonstrate wisdom. Though good intentions may be meant, sometimes what we think we need to say, and more importantly, how we say it, can cause unnecessary hurt feelings, contention, and strife. The tongue is a very powerful instrument. Let us guard our words prayerfully.
If you say that you are my friend, and you think that you know me so well that you can freely judge the things that I do or evaluate my character, I only ask one small favor of you. I ask that you walk a mile in my shoes, face the same obstacles and challenges in life that I face, and view the world through my eyes. Afterwards, return to honestly decide if your judgment of me is true and fair.
