Crossfit For Your Soul

This is a "soft" one for today... Some think “gratitude” is just saying thanks for something someone did. But it is so much more than that. Sincere gratitude is deep. It is a choice, rather than just a feeling. Gratitude is a core leadership trait that will have you praising the good in the people you lead; have you encouraging those on your team to complete your mission in excellence. It is expressing to those around you, your intense and personal appreciation for them being part of the extraordinary missions you will accomplish.   Leader or follower, we all need to develop an ongoing expression of gratitude. Choosing to focus on the positive, the good and the excellence in our surroundings has proven to benefit our health, relationships, levels of satisfaction, even our sleep! Gratitude will help you bring out the best in yourself and in others. Now that is a winning combination. Be grateful.  

 Ever feel like you're being pummeled left and right in life. Just think of the Navy Seals and the Army Special Forces trainees. They go through punishing training days and nights. Physical extremes like we can't imagine. Does the military do that to punish them...of course not. These men and women volunteered to do some of the most dangerous, sacrificial, life-threatening missions to protect the Homeland and those who are in need in far away places. It's like that for those of us who have given over our lives to the Lord. If you are serious with Him, be prepared, for you may go through some rigorous training. You may not have the luxury sometimes of the softer things in life; you may be pushed beyond your limits, physically, mentally and spiritually. But, if you are led by the Spirit of God, it will be for a perfect result.  As I shared with a friend the other day, "You are destined to be a strong warrior in the Lord. Satan knows that, and is badgering you to death. I

It is a hard thing to do to rejoice when everything is falling apart or not going our way. It's not a joke, or something casual. It is a practicing that puts us IN God's presence. That's where the peace and wisdom comes from to get through the challenge...or even just a tough day. Pray, work, rest...repeat. Now, go get to it!!

 Nobody likes to change. We think we're just fine...it's everybody else that has the problem. We pray for others to be kinder, to get a life, to get off our back and on and on. All very normal...that is if you're living with the broken "Adam nature" ruling instead of God's nature. P.S. You can't have the God nature rule if you've never asked Him to come into your life and heart and forgive you...but that's for another blog! Back to the change problem...We always need to check what we pray for. We may ask God to remove something that He wants us to fight! So often, we want God to do everything. Well...He's not broken...WE are. We need to change, not Him. He doesn't need the practice...WE do. We have to practice asking Him for peace, strength and comfort within. Waiting is always hard but if we hand Him a set of blueprints for our lives that we designed, we'll always be disappointed because He has something better. He's not building t

 I'm going to continue sharing some of the wise things God has me share with others in replying to their cry for help. If it helps others, it just might help you... Years ago, I asked the Lord why so many jerks and miserable people came across my path. He told me I couldn't learn to love the unlovable unless they were right there in front of me. And believe me, I've had lots of practice. And sometimes, in a search for a friend or close relationship, people will compromise their belief system or even their spiritual foundation, just to have someone around. It's not good to act one way to attract someone and then not be the real you. Rather, just relax. Being alone doesn't have to mean being lonely. Keep developing your best in Christ. Stop looking to the details of your life to give you peace and happiness. Ain't gonna happen, people!  And you surely don't want to be in a close relationship or want to be married if you're still bleeding all over the place

 In a recent conversation with a Veteran friend, some wisdom actually flew out of my mouth! Must have been God, if it was wise!! I always did say, "Your best day with me...is when I'm not me!" So I thought I'd share this with you, I said... "Your road is tougher than many, but will make you stronger. When the snowflakes faint to the side, we'll be able to keep going. Breathe, let God's perfect flow come from you today, not the hurt, 'you owe me', imperfect part come forth. Fight it with all your might. Our greatest battles are with ourselves, not others. God is with you." That may have been hard for that person to hear, but they totally agreed, noting that the ego is the problem ( E dging G od O ut). That Vet went on to say that humility, through service and sacrifice to others is key. Easier said than done! There...now get up and get going. No crying and whimpering, Buttercup! Just do it.

 Geesh-with COVID-19 closing down our lives, are you feeling a bit lonely or isolated? Many people are. It is causing emotional distress, often leading to physical distress. So what are YOU doing...popping pills, living life on your laptop screen, gaining weight, losing contact with the rest of humanity? Why? Where is your foundation? If you built it on theories, ideas, broken dreams...you're lost and lonely, for sure. If your life is built on the Lord, there is a way out, a hope for the future. I'm not talking about "religion" here, they are a dime a dozen, so to speak. I'm talking about a real  relationship, with a real  God. Have you taken a moment of time in your life to "have a little talk with Jesus"? A talk where you humbly, yeah dude and dudette, humbly come before Him. Admit you don't know it all, that you may not understand all the spiritual side of life, but you confess that you have sinned, have done wrong. Have you asked Him in that quie

 Is your "to do" list longer than your leg? Mine is, and I have long legs! But I want to encourage you to learn to seek a simpler life. Less cluttered, less Facebook, less lost time in digital world. We need you alive and well, here in the present. I don't know about you, but I find a more uninterrupted communication with God smooths the way. Take each day as it comes, but look for God in the midst of it all. Talk with Him about everything as you go through the day. Heck, the rest of the world is out there talking to themselves, you can too! The best thing is to stop trying to fix everything around you. Let God do that, it's like His area of expertise, not yours. Don't let that "to do" list drown you each day. Rather, let God guide you. I don't mean that you don't plan anything...go ahead and plan, but be willing to have it change.  That unexpected phone call, that unplanned visit...on and on, can cause you stress, for sure. I saw something someo

 I just posted this on Facebook...thought I'd repeat it here: Very important lesson for us all: spend time with God! Just you and Him. Put down the phone the news, the music, the to do list and just sit in His presence. Don't feel guilty about it...it's the most powerful thing you can do every day. God can miraculously work out your "schedule" in and around your intimate time with Him. Talk to Him...complain, rejoice, ask questions, praise Him. Keep going until you long for and cherish those awesome moments with Him. After giving time to God first, I so often find that I end up doing even more in less time. Be careful with being inundated with meaningless works. Someone else's poor decisions don't make it your emergency. God said He would instruct us in the way in which we should go. Let's stick with that. Have an awesome day!