Every Puzzle has an Answer Key

"Every decision you make isn't always going to be the right one, but you man up and lead your team anyway."  -Red Tails Movie

I wish I could say I've always made good decisions but that's just not the case, and if you're honest, you've made your share of blunders as well.  Bad decisions are inevitable; they're going to happen and beating yourself over the head will not fix your mistake.  Cry if you must, but then lift yourself up and own it.  Accept where you're at and the fact that you put yourself there; however, the story of your life is not over.  Acknowledge that the road you took was wrong and then after much prayer, take a different road.  The worst thing you could do is stay down or continue on the same path.  Someone once said, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.  Remember that God is in the business of fixing broken pieces.  The story is told of a young boy working on a puzzle...he tried and tried and tried to make this puzzle look like the picture on the box, but all his efforts were of no avail.  Finally, he broke down and asked his Dad for help.  Within 30 minutes the puzzle was done.  Many times our life seems like a puzzle we can't figure out, yet we never bother to ask our Heavenly Father for help.  Moreover, he knows what the finished product should look like.  Instead of looking in we should be looking up!

Yes You Can!

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."  -Unknown

For some reason, we as human beings tend to look at things with a "glass half empty" attitude; as a result, we defeat ourselves.  Just remember, thoughts precede actions.  If our thoughts are negative so will our results be.  Someone once said, "If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting golden delicious." 

Moreover, because we live in a fallen world, our minds naturally see the negative.  What does that mean?  That means we have to work to see the positive.  Stop allowing yourself to drown in the pool of "you can't" and fill the pool of your mind with "you can" and "you will."  Just yesterday I saw the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA title from a team much younger and much more athletic.  In fact, it was said that Dallas' age would be a factor, and their chances of winning a title now were impossible; however, they won.  According to one commentator, "Dallas played like a team that believed they could win."  One said, "Jason Kidd never looked shook up even when they're losing."  I believe their attitude strengthened their resolve.  You can't win if you don't think you can.  They thought they could and they did.  Their thoughts preceded their actions.  I dare say they must not have heard the experts predict they would lose. 

Success in a given area doesn't come without problems, but those who succeed see these problems as hurdles to be jumped and not barriers to stop progress.  You will face barriers in life, the question is:  How will you look at these barriers?  As hurdles or stopping points? 

I've posted two encouraging videos; please watch.  I would say the second one is better quality.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Life Is Tough; So Be Tougher!

The Mighty Oak

"The greatest oak was once a little nut that held its ground."  -Unknown

During the early years of America, people rushed westward to find the pieces of rock we call gold in hopes of  striking it big and then living a life of ease.  Unfortunately, neither gold nor ease were readily available.  At least not with out hard work and perseverance.  To this end, a story is told of an old man who had worked most of life trying to find that all elusive gold.  He, being tired of working so hard and coming up empty, decided to quit.  He sold his property for a small amount and lived meagerly off the earnings.  The story doesn't end there.  A day after the sale was finalized, the new owner struck it rich on that same property.  It turns out the old man was only a foot from obtaining that which he sought for if only he had persevered.  Please do not misunderstand me; I'm not glorifying riches but perseverance. 

Many times that is the way life is; victory is usually just inches away if only we will keep going.  Albert Einstein said, "it's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer."  An unknown author also said, "Don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock."  Unfortunately, that's usually the way it is; perseverance usually rewards us with success.  What is it that you're ready to throw in the towel on?  If it's worth living for, it's worth dying for.  Is it your marriage, your children or a relationship with family members?   Persevere my friend.  Be 100% committed and burn all bridges so as not to go backwards.  It was common practice of good commanders, during a siege of a city in the Middle Ages, to burn their ships down so as not to give their men a method of retreat.  It was a "succeed or die trying" mentality.  You can imagine the determination these men fought with.  I guess you could say they were committed.  That's the kind of commitment we need today!  When you stand at the altar, hand in hand with your spouse to be, you are making a life long commitment with that person.  As a side note, commitment is honoring what you said you would do at all costs aside from "feelings."  I say that because we live in a day where people want to dissolve their commitments on the basis of feelings. "You can't stop a man who won't quit."  -Dr. Bob Jones Sr.

Remember, anything worth while is worth the trial.  If you want to succeed in a given area, pay the price.  You'll reach the end if you do not quit!

Fear Can Rob You of Potential Success

"Never be afraid to try something new.....remember the Titanic was built by professionals, but Noah's Ark was built by an amateur."  -Unknown

One of the biggest robbers of dreams is not the lack of talent or opportunities but FEAR.  That four letter word has been at the forefront of hindrances that stop people from reaching their life's potential.  Fear is an emotion given to us by God to protect us from looming danger; however, we allow it to keep us from living our dreams and as a result, we live sub-par existences which eventually turn into nightmares.  Like an eagle in a cage, we feel trapped in our ho-hum careers when we should be soaring with the wings (gifts) God has given us.  Think of all the opportunities you've missed because you've made decisions based on fear instead of facts and faith. 

The fact is you know what you're gifted at and what you're passionate about.  Don't lose faith in the gifts or talents God has given you.  I say God because our talents were not achieved by us but ascribed to as at birth.  I can draw you a mean stick figure, but that's the extent of my drawing skills.  I could work on my drawing skills, but I will never be a Picasso.  My brother, on the hand, has the natural ability to draw you just about anything and leave you in awe.  God never intended us to live by fear but by faith.  Fear is like the check engine light in your car......it tells you when something isn't right but it shouldn't control the car.  The light serves its purpose until it turns on when it shouldn't.  Fear is good at the right time, but some people suffer from false fears.  They're called phobias and are destructive.  Case in point:  I used to have a car that had a bad check engine light.  This light would come on when nothing was wrong according to my mechanic; however, I always feared taking the car on long distances.  Many of us have broken check engine lights in our lives.  We live by fear when we should be living by faith.  Again, don't dismiss fear, but once the fear has been checked out and turns out to be self-doubt or false fears, plow forward in faith in your God given abilities.  When God means something to fly, he gives it wings.  God gave you your abilities to use; so use them.

What's the worst than can happen...failure?  Perhaps, but then again many have used failure to propel them into success in a given area.  Lance Armstrong failed at football in Texas where football is king; however, that lead him to success in the area of biking.  Failure can be a stumbling block that needs to be climbed over, but worse is never reaching your potential because you never tried and living with the regret that you buried your talent.  You'll never see the Beauty of other lands if you're afraid to leave the coast.  You can't learn to swim if you won't let go of the ledge.  Christopher Columbus was considered a fool to attempt something that had never been done before, but he had faith in his gifts of navigation and he sold out.  May I remind you, he lines the books of history while his detractors remain unknown.  Did he have struggles?  Absolutely, but living our dream never guarantees us a struggle free life but then neither does living a "drag your knuckles" life, but only one bring happiness.   

One last thing.  Make sure your chasing the right dreams.  Some dreams benefit you and others and some dreams amount to destruction.  Just like God puts things in your heart; ole smutty face, the devil, also tries to have his way.  So examine your decision and if you determine it's right, let go of the ledge you're holding onto and chase your dreams.

The Truth Sometimes Offends

Jesus stood against wrong.

"Pray God to send a few more men with what Americans call "Grit" in them; men, who when they know a thing to be right, will not turn away, or turn aside, or stop; men who persevere all the more because there are difficulties to meet or foes to encounter; who stand all the more true to their Master because they are opposed; who, the more they are thrust into the fire, the hotter they become, who just like a bow, the farther the string is drawn back, the more powerfully it sends forth arrows, and so the more they are trodden upon, the more mighty they become in the cause of truth vs. error" - Quote by Charles Spurgeon  (Think of David's Mighty Men - 2 Samuel Chapters 22-33).

Before I go any further, let me state that this applies to women as well as men.  We live in a day of political correctness and non-controversial speech.  Men used to stand up for the cause of right; now, we are taught that it is honorable to cower so as not to offend while the proponents of wrong spread their misleading policies and ideas.  Yes, God wants us to be careful with our words, but never was it His intent that we remain silent and not confront the misleading ideas being spread.  God expects us to shed light in darkness and reveal truth when a deception is presented; if the truth offends, so be it.  Jesus said in Matthew 24:10, "And then shall many be offended....."  By what?  The truth.  Yes, even at the risk of losing friendships.  Jesus addressed this in Luke 6:22, "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake."  As far as I can tell, Jesus spoke the truth without hesitation.  He called some Vipers, Serpents, Liars, etc.  He never spoke with doubt or weakness when confronting wrong, but spoke with boldness and authority.  As the men of old would say, "Thus saith the Lord."  Jesus said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but BY ME."  What authority and boldness; what "True Grit."  Again, I'm not talking about being brash and ugly; let's stay decent but by all means STAND.  He also stated "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven....."  How do you state that nicely and without being controversial?  Could you hear the authority in His words?  He didn't say, "Well, I'm not sure" or "We'll see."  I got news for you; if you stand for truth in this world, you will be viewed as proud and controversial.  For some reason some people don't like folks who are sure of themselves and what they believe in.  If you stand on the Bible and what is right, you have something sure; so, don't be afraid.  I know what you are thinking because I've thought it too; I don't want to lose my friends or I hate being in the minority.  I like what Martin Luther said, "God and I make a majority."  By the way, the only friends you'll lose are friends who weren't truly friends or at least friends you won't have much in common with.   On the day you stand before God, he'll know where you stood and with whom you stood.   He'll not ask to see how many friends you had on Facebook. 

Unfortunately, some people apply this same reasoning to parenting.  Many parents are afraid to stand up for right in their homes.  I've never seen so many parents afraid of their children.  As a result, it is the children that run the home.  They fear they will lose their kid's friendship and as a result, they lose their respect.  Our job as parents is not to meet our children's every whim, but to build arrows for God that will go further than we have (Psalms 127: 3,4).  Our job is to teach them about God and right from wrong, as well as, provide, protect and lead them in the right direction.  It is when they are out of your home and out of your control that friendships are built.  You say, "but they'll hate me."  They'll hate you when they end up living a destructive life.  They'll say, "Why didn't mom or dad tell me this could happen?"  or "I wish they had kept me from doing these things."  By the way, kids always have a heart for their parents.  I've heard stories of kids who grew up in horrible situations who still love their parents.  As a young child, I always thought my parents were strict.  "They must like making my life miserable," I thought.  "Why won't they let me hang out with certain people" I would say.  Today, a parent of six wonderful kids, I know why they stood firmly where they stood and I love them all the more.  Stand for truth and when you can no longer stand, get some crutches and stand some more.     

All Suffer, Not All Complain

Dave Roever

This morning while on a little trip to the Grocery Store, I had the privilege of hearing an encouraging story by a Vietnam Veteran, Dave Roever.  He told his story of incredible, physical and mental suffering he experienced as a result of the Vietnam War.  He and twelve of his men had walked into an ambush that resulted in the death of all his men with the exception of Mr. Roever.  He was left with a badly disfigured face, a gaping hole on his chest and many other burned parts and complications.  The following months would bring much suffering and pain.  He even had moments where he died and then was brought back.  Despite the hard times of suffering, bouts with depression and guilt and times where he wished he were dead, he made it through.  He was not ashamed to admit that his faith in Christ and his loving young bride were what helped him make it through.  Jesus Christ was always there to give him enough strength to make it through the day.  His young bride would be his faithful companion through his many ups and downs.  What stood out to me as I heard his story was his joy and peace with which he told it.  As a Christian, I understand and have experienced the joy and peace that comes from God, but it seems that lately even we as Christians tend to complain about our unfair circumstances.  Like the Apostle Peter during his walking on water episode, he was doing the impossible until he started focusing on his circumstances.  Having Joy and Peace as a Christian in the midst of trials is our "walking on water moment" but it is not automatic; even Christians are subject to sinking under the circumstances if we place our eyes on the rough seas instead of Jesus.  Well after hearing his story, I couldn't help but think, "I have nothing to feel sorry about."  If he can find joy in Christ despite his circumstances, what is my excuse?

The story didn't end there.  During his time in the Veterans Hospital, he met a soldier who had suffered major burns throughout his whole body.  He was so badly burned that he would no doubt die within weeks; however, he would live long enough to see his wife.  Mr. Roever goes on to tell how this man's wife came in and placed her wedding ring between his feet and said to him, "you are embarrassing and I could never take you out in public."  That was the last time this soldier would see his young bride.  Again, I was left thinking, "what right do I have to complain and feel sorry for myself."  You see, in this life we will all experience suffering and some more than others, but the questions is how will you react to those circumstances.  Complain and Pout?  No one cares.  Feel sorry for yourself?  That only leads to a lonelier path.  Be angry and bitter at the world?  The world will pass you up and you will stay in the same mud hole until you change.  Maybe do a little crying?  Crying will bring a little relief, but crying never changed the circumstances.  The truth is we complain and pout because we feel like the only ones going through hard times and it just seems unfair.  Well, I got news for you; you are not alone.  Every person that goes through this life will experience hard times.  No one leaves this earth untouched.  I'll tell you this; Dave Roever had a reason to feel like his circumstances were unfair.  He didn't ask to go to war or be blown up.  If the truth be known, we as Americans have so much to be grateful for.  I have never missed a meal like some of the little ones in parts of Africa and South America.  I have air conditioning to comfort me during the Summer months and heat to keep me warm during the Winter.  I have running water at the turn of a valve and at the flick of a switch, I have light.  There are people who live in oppressive countries who truly have no hope of change.  If you are a Christian, you have a God who loves you, who promises to meet your needs if you believe and gives you the strength needed to make it through those hard times.  Although, sometimes our hard times are really just times of spoiled discomfort because we may lose the cable or we don't get to wear the expensive brands of clothes our friends do.  If things never got better for us, as Christians we have the greatest inheritance known to mankind. 

So how will you respond to life's heartaches?  Will you focus on the Sorry Times and complain, or will you focus on the Savior and thank Him for His help in the time of need?  If your going to cry, cry to the one who cares for you and has the power to calm the storms you face.......Jesus Christ. 

What Will You Take With You When You Die? Nothing.

What Will You Take With You When You Die? Nothing.

A Father's Joy

A Father's Joy