Confidence

"The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel, which means God with us." Isaiah 7:14



Christmas means we should have confidence in God! This year, read the Christmas story out loud with your family, especially, children or grandchildren. The story is in the second chapter of Luke or the first and second chapters of Matthew.

The Christmas story gives us confidence that God did, and does, break into history and into human lives in transforming ways. Think about it: Mary was young. Elizabeth was old. Zechariah doubted. Joseph wanted to make the whole thing go away and get on with his life. King Herod hoped it wasn't true. But, in the midst of all of that human drama, God was determined to make Christmas with us. That's the first and best part of our confidence, God is determined to be with us! It should give you a smile to know that God is exerting God's self to be with you.

The truth is, we are nobody, really, that God should want to be with us. But, God does want to be with us! Jesus' birth tells the whole story. And because God wants to be with you, now you can be sure that you have real worth. Because of my worth in God, now I have real confidence, a confidence that endures through the changes of life; a worth that the world can neither give or take away. You can have Christmas every day of the year when you finally realize that.

Wealth

"A man's/woman's true wealth is the good he/she does in the world."

- Mohammad

In many ancient African, Asian and Native American traditions, a person's wealth is measured by the well-being of his or her children. Tradition mandates that you bring children into the world to continue your work and to make additional contributions to the good of the world. If you have no children, your wealth is measured by what you do. Do you sell good products? Do you create good crafts? Do you provide a good service? Do people speak well about you? Do people seek you out to obtain what you have? Do you deal with people honestly? Are you a person of your word? Are you dependable? Reliable? Can you be trusted? Your reputation is your wealth. Your work is a part of your reputation. If you want to pile up riches, give your best to what you do.

You are your own greatest product ... You are your greatest service.

Mysteries

Life is a series of mysteries we must each unravel at our own pace. Our task is not to solve the mysteries but to use them along our way. No one can tell us what is good for us just because it worked for them. If we allow someone to give us our answers we create conflict deep within. Sometimes it gets confusing trying to figure out what to do. If the confusion is on the inside, the answer is there, too! No human being has all the answers, if they did they would not be here. One of the greatest mysteries we must unravel is our purpose, because that makes us clear. Let us take more time to listen to our hearts, filtering through the offerings that come in. Let us not be so willing to say "I know" when we have no idea where to begin. Let us know deep down that God loves us and use that knowledge along the way. Let us approach the great mystery of the meaning of life with a little bit less to say.


(Most people think they know the answer. I am willing to admit I sometimes don't even know the question.)

Value of the Valley

To be who you are and become what you are capable of is the only goal worth living.
- Alvin Ailey

Life is not hopping from one mountaintop to another because there is a valley in between. At times, the valley is a job you hate but need to feed the family. The valley might be a failing or toxic relationship. The valley could be a child who goes astray or a friend who betrays you. The valley could be an illness or the death of a loved one. The valley is dark, bleak, ugly and frightening. But there is value in the valley. When you are in the valley, you begin to muster strength and power buried deep within you. In the valley you begin to think, pray and tap into your incredible self. The valley gives you a time to rest, to heal, to rejuvenate your being. It is an opportunity to look up, to see and remember those powerful mountain climbers who made it before you: your grandmother, your hero, even yourself. You have been in the valley before. Remember what you did, how you got up and out. Let the thoughts and memories of that success be the rope you use to pull yourself up. Take the time to learn the value in the valley.

An Inch is a Cinch ... A Yard is Hard

My writings are not planned. They are shaped by life, lessons and the Holy Spirit speaking in my heart ... so there is no regular timetable with which I post my thoughts. My hope is that in some way these touchstone parts of me can aid your spiritual journey of faith based upon inspiration, journey and life's lessons.

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You must eat the elephant one bite at a time - Twi proverb.

You cannot get to the end from the middle. You won't find the beginning at the end. No matter what we are doing there is a process. Whether the situation is positive or negative, we must go through the process. When we rush ahead we miss important steps. If we become impatient, we can overlook details. We must be willing to move step by step, inch by inch to get to the end. There is no way to rush the process. When we are excited, we want to see how a situation will end. When the situation is unpleasant, we want it to end quickly. Whether anxiety or fear, the anticipation of benefits or pain, no matter what we do, we must be willing to do it one step at a time.

Your Divine Inheritence

Your crown has been bought and paid for. All you must do is put it on your head. --James Baldwin

There is nothing you need that you do not already have. There is nothing you need to know that you do not already know. There is nothing you want that does not already exist. There is nothing that exists that is too good for you. There is nothing anyone has that you cannot have. There is nothing more powerful, more intelligent, more sacred than you. You are the stuff life is made of. You are the essence of life. You have been chosen at this time, in this place to be among the living. You come from a long line of successful living beings. You are one of the king's kids. Born into the world to inherit the kingdom. You are equipped to handle anything. You live by grace, built by love. You are the cause and the reason of everything you see. You are one with God. You are creative. You are alive. What else could possibly matter? Are you claiming your Divine inheritence?

A Father's Possible Reflection

"Cycle of Life"

My reflections on a meeting with a father and his possible feelings
surrounding his daughter.

As I gaze upon your face, touch your hair and smell its sweet fragrance, look at your closed eyes and remember you calling me papa I am feeling your love for me. I am struck by how much life has in store for you. There are lessons that you must learn on your own and there are lessons that I hope I can teach you, to give you a firm foundation for whatever the years will bring. I ask myself, what can I tell you about life, what things are important to know, what little bit of truth can I pass on? What can I write that will have meaning, if not now, then in the years to come?

Life is more interesting and richest when it includes people who are not exactly like you. Everyone is different; everyone has their own beliefs and values. Not everyone will accept this -- ever. Be one of the ones who do. Understand that life is unfair, you can't change that. The idea of riding a pony may be a lot more fun than the ride itself. You don't always get to know why life takes the turns it does. Things happen and there's nothing you can do about some of it except persevere. Life does go gloriously onward.

It's important to mark the occasion, good or bad. Anniversaries, with their associated ceremonies and remembrances, are part of honoring the human experience. Things happen for no reason. When you feel yourself getting upset/angry/frustrated, ask yourself, "How much will this really matter to me in a day? A week? A month?" Asking helps you gain perspective. Screaming will not get you there any faster. I know this for a fact. Socks need not match to keep little toes warm. Spilled milk can be wiped up. Books were not meant to be chewed on. Entertaining ourselves takes many forms which I hope to be a part of for now and always.

There’s no shame in admitting that you need help. Don't be afraid to ask for it and don’t 'be afraid to help someone who needs it. A lot of bad things happen in the world because people are afraid to get involved. Care about others and give them a hand when they need it. Sometimes all they need is a chance to help themselves and you can be the one enables that!