Not a word? If not, consider it coined. To me, this is the foundation for the action of one who has integrity. When you check Webster to discover the definition of integrity you find: "...the quality of being honest and fair". Quality. When you discover some of the synonyms you read - virtue, goodness, decency, honesty, etc. The point is that you can trust the (person, thought, belief). Trust - another quality and one that underscores integrity.
'My country - right or wrong!' This use to be the stand of most Americans. Perhaps this was the belief some 50 years ago, but I seriously doubt that it still wholeheartedly exists. 'Back then' there was a trust in the leadership of our country - that they honestly were doing the best that the could and held a 'no harm' protection toward our country and its people. However, in recent years the leadership, defined as all branches of government (legislature, executive, judicial), has shown itself to be self-serving, greedy, lazy, etc. Basically, not deserving of loyalty or respect. No one seems to act unless it is in their best interest.
Now what do we do? We can't/don't trust the leadership so the saying of 'my country, right or wrong' has little validity because of our lack of trust in their honesty. We have seen too often that the leadership can be completely dishonest and duplicitous. One simple example is healthcare; our leadership has foisted upon the people of this nation a 'plan' but exempted themselves from having to adhere to it. Why would any of us follow someone we know isn't worthy our allegiance and holds a double-standard?
Another issue has been the sell-out by the leadership to 'political correctness', which should never trump our foundation. And one should never forget that political correctness is based on shifting sand. Remember the old saying that if you stand for nothing you will fall for everything? True. There's another saying by Burke, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." This is what political correctness robs us of when it is the basis to beat down any opposition to popular opinion and current 'correctness'.
Our country began with citizen lawmakers and now we have professional legislators. Perhaps it is their vested interest to remain in office that gets in the way of effective and fair legislation, or perhaps it's a belief in their own infallibility. Whatever the reason, our behavior as a nation toward other nations and toward our own people is unconscionable. Integrity shouldn't be something we have to think about - it should be the automatic basis on which we speak and act.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
Make or Break... You
Whatever you are facing, whatever is challenging you, whatever is the obstacle in front of you... how you respond, or don't, your attitude, and subsequent behavior will either make or break you. Perhaps not immediately, but it will continue to 'speak' into your life until you do face the results of your decisions and actions; and utilize those lessons or totally abrogate what they say to you. However, how you respond to your successes, your accomplishments, your triumphs, will make or break you too. Sound strange?
How can success break you? It can. Just as it is with problems, it all depends on how you respond and what you do with your success. Both trials and achievements can be temptations or the learnings and understandings can become attributes in your character. But we can become blind and puffed up when the successes focus us on the 'wrong' things - ourselves. Don't misunderstand... being pleased with our accomplishments should spur us on, it should add to our foundation. Success breed confidence and that's positive unless it makes us oblivious to all but ourselves.
Obviously, the point is you and how you respond... or attempt to deflect. Our attitudes provide part of the foundation to our character and Character with the capital C is totally in our hands. It is we who develop our character and continue to define, refine, develop who we are. You can blame no one for your character. So, what defines/describes your character when you are in situations that are difficult? Do any of these also influence when the situation is positive?
The make or break situation(s) are very important. And yes, if we make a mistake in our assumptions and subsequent reactions we will have the opportunity to discover a better 'answer'. I have experienced that those lessons I don't learn the first time seem to come around again. It is true that these situations aren't totally 'final' in terms of our character development, but they do slightly handicap us until we take the time to refine ourselves. And when we discover we have deliberately, or not, meandered into make or break times, we always have the opportunity to let the Lord teach us what we need to know... and turn a 'break' into a 'make'.
How can success break you? It can. Just as it is with problems, it all depends on how you respond and what you do with your success. Both trials and achievements can be temptations or the learnings and understandings can become attributes in your character. But we can become blind and puffed up when the successes focus us on the 'wrong' things - ourselves. Don't misunderstand... being pleased with our accomplishments should spur us on, it should add to our foundation. Success breed confidence and that's positive unless it makes us oblivious to all but ourselves.
Obviously, the point is you and how you respond... or attempt to deflect. Our attitudes provide part of the foundation to our character and Character with the capital C is totally in our hands. It is we who develop our character and continue to define, refine, develop who we are. You can blame no one for your character. So, what defines/describes your character when you are in situations that are difficult? Do any of these also influence when the situation is positive?
The make or break situation(s) are very important. And yes, if we make a mistake in our assumptions and subsequent reactions we will have the opportunity to discover a better 'answer'. I have experienced that those lessons I don't learn the first time seem to come around again. It is true that these situations aren't totally 'final' in terms of our character development, but they do slightly handicap us until we take the time to refine ourselves. And when we discover we have deliberately, or not, meandered into make or break times, we always have the opportunity to let the Lord teach us what we need to know... and turn a 'break' into a 'make'.
Friday, February 20, 2015
People can be messy
It’s true. We are
messy. Even with the ‘best of intentions’ we are messy. I really don’t think
this is a great revelation to the Lord – but He chose to save us anyway. And
that’s what we need to focus on. Related to this is a question about how can we
love like God? Not sure this is attainable but I’m totally convinced
that this is a journey we all need to be on. He modeled this for us so we’d
have a standard. IF we are doing all we can to grow in love, which is always
demonstrable not just words, and act on our understanding – I think that is all He requires.
But is it really as simple as it seems?
Depends on what you look at. For example: do we have the ability to love like
God? Yes... because we have been born of Him. 1 John 4:
“You are of God, little children, and have
overcome
them, because He who is in you is greater
than he
who is in the world.” (v. 4)
“Beloved, let us love one another, for
love is of God;
and everyone who loves is born of God and
knows
God.” (v. 7)
“We love Him because He first loved us.”
(v. 19)
Those are
only a few verses that tell us that we have been born of God and God is love.
Thus, we have this ability to love in us.
If you aren’t convinced that, though you have
the ability to love, you are required to love. You are.
he who loves God must love his brother also.” (v. 21)
This is
only one scripture that affirms our love responsibility. The point is that in our walk, we must accept and act on this commandment. It doesn’t
always mean that our love is reciprocated, that’s not the point.
Love is always an act. People tend to be
messy. Actually, you also are messy but God decided you were worth the effort
and so He sent Jesus to provide a way back into relationship. This is true for
your brother as well, whether or not he accepts the gift Jesus brings. Our ‘job’ is to be His hand of love to
others. It is always their choice to accept this, but we still must be an
extension of love.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
The Finer You
Do you attempt to present your 'finer you'? The answer is - yes. We all do, especially when meeting new people. But... is there a difference between your 'finer' and your 'everyday'? Shouldn't be. Do you know the qualities that make up your finer you? How do they differ from your everyday? Or are the everyday's an 'in process' to become the finer? Not irrelevant or puerile questions. I would suspect that we all attempt to present our better or finer selves to the world we live in. The question is, what's the connect between the typical, everyday you and the better, finer you?
What qualities/attitudes/behaviors, for you, makes up your finer you? And, where are you on the 'typical to finer' continuum? Is there any reality to your finer? Is it 'in your nature' to attain this state? Or do you look at your 'finer' and decide it's too much trouble to work to develop, so you'll only bring it out when you want (need) to? No one can force you to 'work on' you, to become the best you, you can be. This is always a choice and there is a cost regardless of your decision.
Your finer you is based in some of the qualities you already have or have developed in you. That's one of the realities (and reliefs). But sometimes we can become so intent on 'improving' that we begin to reinvent the wheel (not realize the foundation on which we can build). That is a waste of time but it is also not growing from a position of knowledge. Thus, taking a hard, serious but fair look at who we are and who we want to be has to become our initial step. Besides, if you don't know who it is you want to become, how do you know if you're on the path to attain your 'finer'?
None of us are perfect. We are all on our way... it's a journey as much as a destination. We can all improve, become 'better' but none of us can move in the direction of our finer without a foundation in the author of perfect. We read in Matthew 5:48 that we are to be perfect. However, without knowing how the Lord defines 'perfect' and what is entailed in this, we won't be able to attain our finer self. We may not be able to attain the fullness of our finer self, but we can grow in this. And remember... He never asks us to do or be something we can't.
What qualities/attitudes/behaviors, for you, makes up your finer you? And, where are you on the 'typical to finer' continuum? Is there any reality to your finer? Is it 'in your nature' to attain this state? Or do you look at your 'finer' and decide it's too much trouble to work to develop, so you'll only bring it out when you want (need) to? No one can force you to 'work on' you, to become the best you, you can be. This is always a choice and there is a cost regardless of your decision.
Your finer you is based in some of the qualities you already have or have developed in you. That's one of the realities (and reliefs). But sometimes we can become so intent on 'improving' that we begin to reinvent the wheel (not realize the foundation on which we can build). That is a waste of time but it is also not growing from a position of knowledge. Thus, taking a hard, serious but fair look at who we are and who we want to be has to become our initial step. Besides, if you don't know who it is you want to become, how do you know if you're on the path to attain your 'finer'?
None of us are perfect. We are all on our way... it's a journey as much as a destination. We can all improve, become 'better' but none of us can move in the direction of our finer without a foundation in the author of perfect. We read in Matthew 5:48 that we are to be perfect. However, without knowing how the Lord defines 'perfect' and what is entailed in this, we won't be able to attain our finer self. We may not be able to attain the fullness of our finer self, but we can grow in this. And remember... He never asks us to do or be something we can't.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
It's in the doing
It may seem obvious but joy and delight is typically bestowed on the doer of the doing, from their doing. Not that the recipient isn't joyful at the unexpected blessing, but the person performing the act typically receives more. Rarely does just 'thinking' about (fill in the blank) create the same level of feeling that acting on our thinking does. And, unexpected (for the do-ee) typically is always a delight. But, truly, it is in the doing that makes the difference in the 'doer' as well as the 'do-ee'.
It's not the 'size' or cost of the doing that is of importance, nor whether or not it was a material object or simply words expressed that weren't expect. It's the mere act of doing something, that you weren't 'required' to do, that brought an unexpected delight to the receiver. Think about when you've been the recipient of some unexpected act by someone that brought you some happiness. What was your reaction? Were the first words out of your mouth, "Oh, you shouldn't have!" or "I didn't expect that!"? Probably, but then those words were followed by, "But, thank you so much!"
Obviously there are other aspects that one gleans from the experience of being on the doing as well as the receiving end. None are inconsequential, I just maintain that it is joy and happiness, delight that rise to the top. As important as it is to be a doer, it is important for the do-ee to express gratitude, pleasure, whatever is the emotion, because that too gives information to the doer. Doers need to know how their doing is being received by the 'object' of their actions.
Is this a frivolous post? No. I maintain that the winners in these situations really are the doers. The acts of doing and receiving are very important as are the feelings of those who are doing and those who are the do-ees. When you were the recipient and you expressed your pleasure, did you also see the other person beam with their pleasure? Did you do the same, when someone expressed appreciation for what you did for them? It's in the doing...
It's not the 'size' or cost of the doing that is of importance, nor whether or not it was a material object or simply words expressed that weren't expect. It's the mere act of doing something, that you weren't 'required' to do, that brought an unexpected delight to the receiver. Think about when you've been the recipient of some unexpected act by someone that brought you some happiness. What was your reaction? Were the first words out of your mouth, "Oh, you shouldn't have!" or "I didn't expect that!"? Probably, but then those words were followed by, "But, thank you so much!"
Obviously there are other aspects that one gleans from the experience of being on the doing as well as the receiving end. None are inconsequential, I just maintain that it is joy and happiness, delight that rise to the top. As important as it is to be a doer, it is important for the do-ee to express gratitude, pleasure, whatever is the emotion, because that too gives information to the doer. Doers need to know how their doing is being received by the 'object' of their actions.
Is this a frivolous post? No. I maintain that the winners in these situations really are the doers. The acts of doing and receiving are very important as are the feelings of those who are doing and those who are the do-ees. When you were the recipient and you expressed your pleasure, did you also see the other person beam with their pleasure? Did you do the same, when someone expressed appreciation for what you did for them? It's in the doing...
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Change.. from God's perspective
I read on Facebook - "The same boiling water that softens potatoes hardens eggs. It's all about what you are made of not your circumstances." Yes! Another statement that should cause us to rethink how we are looking at our life and times. It is our perspective that will determine our perception which makes these two very powerful forces. Without the 'right' perspective how can we ever develop any effective answers to our questions, problems, and wonderings? So what are you made of?
Do you look at your circumstances or your opportunities? Do you seek change? Or do you run from it? Granted that the title sounds incredibly presumptuous and or pompous, but the question is: if you are looking for change in your life, have you gone to the changer? Do you seek? Or do you expect change to be painless, smooth, and cost nothing? What value would change have then? On the other hand, if you aren't seeking change is the status quo a place you think will last indefinitely? If so, then you are in for a surprise.
"A leaf or a rock? Both are affected by change... just differently." Which describes you and your attitudes? Again, have you gone to the changer?
"And He (God) changes the times and the seasons; ... He gives
wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding,
He reveals deep and secret things;..." (Daniel 2:21)
Personally, I would prefer to be in the company of those God gives wisdom to. This appears to be a condition that focuses on positive outcomes. Change is an 'is' - the only question is how we respond to change and whether or not we are part of the change agency.
"God uses people who fail - cause there aren't any other kind around." (John Maxwell) That thinking appeals to me. God doesn't change but He is the ultimate change agent. He has changed our circumstances from loss and lost to inheritors destined to live an abundant life. God uses US to affect and influence change in our world - to make where we are a bit better for having been a part. And yes, sometimes our efforts don't bear good fruit. But, change is a growth proactive word... at least with God in control.
Do you look at your circumstances or your opportunities? Do you seek change? Or do you run from it? Granted that the title sounds incredibly presumptuous and or pompous, but the question is: if you are looking for change in your life, have you gone to the changer? Do you seek? Or do you expect change to be painless, smooth, and cost nothing? What value would change have then? On the other hand, if you aren't seeking change is the status quo a place you think will last indefinitely? If so, then you are in for a surprise.
"A leaf or a rock? Both are affected by change... just differently." Which describes you and your attitudes? Again, have you gone to the changer?
"And He (God) changes the times and the seasons; ... He gives
wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding,
He reveals deep and secret things;..." (Daniel 2:21)
Personally, I would prefer to be in the company of those God gives wisdom to. This appears to be a condition that focuses on positive outcomes. Change is an 'is' - the only question is how we respond to change and whether or not we are part of the change agency.
"God uses people who fail - cause there aren't any other kind around." (John Maxwell) That thinking appeals to me. God doesn't change but He is the ultimate change agent. He has changed our circumstances from loss and lost to inheritors destined to live an abundant life. God uses US to affect and influence change in our world - to make where we are a bit better for having been a part. And yes, sometimes our efforts don't bear good fruit. But, change is a growth proactive word... at least with God in control.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
MISSION
Seriously - have you ever thought about the
fact that since you are alive right now that this is your time? You are
uniquely placed right now, right here. It isn't an accident that you were born
for this time and you do have a mission to fulfill... if you choose to accept
it.
I must admit I always liked that line from "Mission Impossible"
because in the final analysis it always
is up to us to accept or decline the mission. We may be brought to this time,
this place but ultimately it is our decision to accept, or not. And the mission
never hides, it is always front and center. A mission is not 'cute' in that it
teases us to find it. A mission is born in the heart and soul of a person. A mission is a God-given assignment. It may last for a short time or it may be
a lifetime. But you always know the life of a mission because a new one is
always birthed in your heart and mind as the current mission is ending. Plus... there is NO little mission - time and place is never the definition.
Being human we often tend to hold on to a mission even after its time is finished because it does give us meaning and identity. And everyone searches for meaning. A mission is always exciting, always fulfilling and it is always, if it truly is a mission from God, fruitful. That is the key to knowing if the mission is one we'd made or one that God assigned - is it fruitful? In every mission we may not know the end from the beginning but we are always equipped - that's another key. God will always stretch us to our full potential but He will never leave us unprepared.
Actually, when you look back (we all do) you'll see that you, your mission and the timing lined up perfectly. As you made yourself available to God to do and be what the mission called for, you see that you were prepared and that you had everything necessary (equipped) to complete the mission. You also had the knowledge to complete your mission. You'll see that the mission had been birthed in you in advance so that, as you followed the Lord, you became prepared.
Notice that I didn't use the word - easy. A mission may be or become difficult, but it never is impossible. And that too is a key. So, if you aren't in a mission at this moment then take the time to stay prepared: pray, read the word, show yourself a workman prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). The mission will always show itself... when it is your time.
Being human we often tend to hold on to a mission even after its time is finished because it does give us meaning and identity. And everyone searches for meaning. A mission is always exciting, always fulfilling and it is always, if it truly is a mission from God, fruitful. That is the key to knowing if the mission is one we'd made or one that God assigned - is it fruitful? In every mission we may not know the end from the beginning but we are always equipped - that's another key. God will always stretch us to our full potential but He will never leave us unprepared.
Actually, when you look back (we all do) you'll see that you, your mission and the timing lined up perfectly. As you made yourself available to God to do and be what the mission called for, you see that you were prepared and that you had everything necessary (equipped) to complete the mission. You also had the knowledge to complete your mission. You'll see that the mission had been birthed in you in advance so that, as you followed the Lord, you became prepared.
Notice that I didn't use the word - easy. A mission may be or become difficult, but it never is impossible. And that too is a key. So, if you aren't in a mission at this moment then take the time to stay prepared: pray, read the word, show yourself a workman prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). The mission will always show itself... when it is your time.
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Good Life
Regardless of where you are on the age
continuum, are you experiencing your good life? Age really has little to do
with being in your good life place. Fame, fortune, peripheral ‘things’ are only
add on’s, they are not the essential and eternal values that demonstrate that
you are living your good life.
I write often about experiencing one’s good
life because it really isn’t something to put off for a later time. If your
good life doesn’t infuse your ‘now’ life, then you are missing the point. If
that sounds harsh, it is only to startle you into looking at you and your life.
And if it is only the peripherals of life that define your good life, then you
need to reassess what’s truly important to you and why.
Obviously, you need to identify and define
what composes your good life but I would suggest that values, attitudes, and
character are part of the definition. Peace, joy, love, and fruitfulness are
evident in this life. The person living this kind of life is guided by the
fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and by Paul’s admonition in Philippians
4:8-9. This is a life that is rich and full.
Can this be simply adopted? Not certain. I
tend to think of it as a journey... something to be pursued. And it is never
too early or late to start. However, don’t think that pursuing such a life is
painless or simple. You will encounter frustration, challenges, obstacles in
your pursuit. They may be times you wish you never had begun. But there are
also successes, new opportunities, and surprises. No one can make this trip to your good life for you. But you
will encounter others on their paths. Some will be with you for a while because
your paths are similar. Enjoy the company, but never mistake others’ paths as
yours.
To attain your good life is impossible
outside of a relationship with the Creator of the Universe. He is God, the God
of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac... and us, as we accept Jesus as our Lord. Apart
from this foundation, there is no possibility of a good life. But from this
foundation, everything springs that is necessary and important for your good
life.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Expedient and Easy
Let's face it. We ALL look to discovering the expedient and, hopefully(?), easy way to accomplish (fill in the blank). This 'mindset' is true for us in a variety of situations, but it is especially true when it comes to extricating ourselves from a 'bad' situation. This may sound harsh but I think it's true of us all. We want to experience the least amount of pain, agony, disruption, and obstacles to whatever it is that we want to do, experience, and/or accomplish. Not new information.
The problem with this idyllic state is that it never exists in real life, or at least not for long. While we want the expedient and easy to attain whatever it is we want, this may not be the best approach. What we should be seeking is that we find the safest, quickest, and most efficient and effective resolution. Those two words - efficient and effective - may not always be evident nor painless. But they often are the best learning tools. And if you counter that argument with, 'you only want to get out of (fill in the blank) not necessarily to learn' I suspect you are doomed to repeat the lesson.
If 'doomed' sounds ominous, it is if it's how you approach 'issues' and resolving them. If all you do or want to do is to remove yourself from The Situation, then even your method of removal gets lost in a non-learning approach. Expedient and easy may be marked with great relief once it's been accomplished, but they never will provide you your learnings, understandings, discoveries about how you go about living your life unless learning is intentional. Ironically, if your desire is to not repeat these types of situations you find yourself in, then intentionally learning from them has to occur.
You really do need to appreciate that expedient and easy may occur, it just shouldn't be the basis on which you make your decisions. Likewise, taking a more proactive approach doesn't necessarily mean pain and suffering. Too often we view the 'other' approach as being totally the opposite. Sometimes this is true and I don't advocate seeking pain and suffering but learning isn't always comfortable. Then again... repeating past mistakes and errors doesn't seem to be an expedient or easy way of living.
The problem with this idyllic state is that it never exists in real life, or at least not for long. While we want the expedient and easy to attain whatever it is we want, this may not be the best approach. What we should be seeking is that we find the safest, quickest, and most efficient and effective resolution. Those two words - efficient and effective - may not always be evident nor painless. But they often are the best learning tools. And if you counter that argument with, 'you only want to get out of (fill in the blank) not necessarily to learn' I suspect you are doomed to repeat the lesson.
If 'doomed' sounds ominous, it is if it's how you approach 'issues' and resolving them. If all you do or want to do is to remove yourself from The Situation, then even your method of removal gets lost in a non-learning approach. Expedient and easy may be marked with great relief once it's been accomplished, but they never will provide you your learnings, understandings, discoveries about how you go about living your life unless learning is intentional. Ironically, if your desire is to not repeat these types of situations you find yourself in, then intentionally learning from them has to occur.
You really do need to appreciate that expedient and easy may occur, it just shouldn't be the basis on which you make your decisions. Likewise, taking a more proactive approach doesn't necessarily mean pain and suffering. Too often we view the 'other' approach as being totally the opposite. Sometimes this is true and I don't advocate seeking pain and suffering but learning isn't always comfortable. Then again... repeating past mistakes and errors doesn't seem to be an expedient or easy way of living.
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