A Year of Significance I recently witnessed a sunrise while flying above storm clouds hovering the land below. I realized then that God had bigger plans for me that were above the circumstances of life. With the New Year here most of us desire to make this a significant year. The best way we can do that is to be drawn, driven, directed, and dedicated to the path that is laid out for us. “Along unfamiliar paths I will guide…..
New Year Opportunity Amidst the recent global tragedies that have blanketed a country in sadness and grief, there is hope for a better new year if we can embrace an opportunity to change. Healthy change is a direct result of a changed attitude and behavior. We have an undisciplined world that is running rampant with fuel from fear, anger, and depression. The only way to bridle an effective change is DISCIPLINE. Discipline is doing the things you know you should…..
Research has shown that we are hardwired with a negative bias. This bias causes us to notice negative events more than positive ones. Let’s cultivate a positive Christmas by incorporating positivity into our emotions, our spirit, and our actions. For every negative emotional experience, seek three positive emotional experiences to uplift you. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” (Peter Drucker) Positivity creates a great future. Be encouraged and have a great Christmas. M – Majestic…..
Holiday Harmony With the Holiday Season upon us, family dysfunctions can light up a Christmas tree. The Thanksgiving dinners and family gatherings are often full of friction and sparks from unresolved issues. The kitchen, dining room table, and living room can be a very awkward place of conversation. The reality of life is that there may never be unity. Everybody is unique and different in their opinions and perceptions. Something we can do is strive for harmony when there is…..
Unwrapping Your “Presence” The greatest gift we can give does not come in a box. It comes from our heart. “Love is slow to suspect but quick to trust; slow to condemn but quick to justify; slow to offend but quick to defend; slow to expose but quick to shield; slow to reprimand but quick to empathize; slow to belittle but quick to appreciate; slow to demand but quick to give; slow to provoke but quick to help; slow to…..
A thankful heart is the victory over selfish desires. The Garden of Eden was filled with every food and accommodation needed to satisfy Adam and Eve and thankfulness was at the core of their being. They were asked to stay away from one thing, the forbidden fruit. When temptation overcomes thankfulness, we are derailed from the direction we were created for. “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have,…..
“Thankfulness” The Perfect Cure for Venom Thanksgiving week is my favorite week of the year as we purpose in our hearts to be grateful. We have all been bitten throughout life with poisonous venom. The poisonous venom of a snake bite causes blood to clot and can be fatal if not removed quickly. The venom of pain and hurt in relationships can cause the same fatal clots between people if not dealt with. The perfect cure for venom is…..
Unleash the P’s Passion, Purpose, Path It was recorded that a young boy asked Michael Angelo why he was working so hard at chipping a block of marble that would become his greatest masterpiece: David. His reply was: “There’s an angel inside this rock and I’m setting him free.” So many of us are caught on the hamster wheel as we watch our life spin by. Our full potential is unused and hidden by the hustle and bustle…..
Do I have a song in my heart? I witnessed a Faith Filled resilient people on a recent deployment to Puerto Rico that reminded of this story. Chirpie’s owner was vacuuming his cage one day when the phone rang. As she reached over to answer the phone,” ssschloop”, Chirpie got sucked in. The bird owner gasped, putdown the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chirpie — still alive, but stunned. She grabbed him and raced…..
Your Journey Never Ends When I was 23 years old I witnessed something that changed my life forever. I was a very green rookie Chaplain in Las Vegas and I responded to the MGM fire in 1980 that resulted in 87 deaths. What I saw still haunts my memories. The smell, the visual, the pain, and the loss was overwhelming. Little did I know, that event prepared me for a life journey that I am continuing to live out……