As Day #2 of the seven day black and white photo challenge continues, I thought I would share something that constantly changes my life. The more I learn, the less I know.
I know the rules of the Black and White Photo Challenge are to post a photo with no words, details, or information about the picture, but I have decided to change the rules. While a picture can tell a thousand words, explanations help to complete the story.
Day #2 – A Book for Life
I must confess something which several people already know – I graduated high school having never read a book. Throughout all the book reports, tests, term papers, etc., I escaped high school having never read a book. You can call it a reflection on the educational system or you can realize I figured out a way to make it happen. I never liked reading and could not find enjoyment thumbing my way through hundreds of pages for hours.
Then I read one book. It was my freshman year in college, and I decided to read a book. For whatever reason, I was going to make myself read. Within a few days, I had read my first book cover to cover. It was from those few disciplined days; I began reading more and more. I always read articles, magazines, etc., but books were different.
Today, the tradition of reading continues. I am usually reading 2 or 3 books at a time.
There is one book that changes my thinking every time I read it.
This book is the Bible.
It is a book of intrigue and challenge. Whether you have read it or not, it would do you well to spend some time in the Proverbs. These wise sayings apply to every aspect of life. From there, you might want to move to Matthew chapters 5-7 and discover the Sermon on the Mount.
Most people know of the Bible, but takes it words for granted. I would encourage you to spend a few minutes each day and open this book which has lasted thousands of years and see how it can change your life.
It will change you. Just give its words an opportunity.
Just some thoughts,
Several people have tagged me to post a black and white photo for seven days on Facebook describing some aspect of my life. While I typically pass on these things, this one does not sound to bad. Since I am going to write a small blurb to go along with the photo, I thought I go ahead and share these on the Preacher’s Pen website as well.
Day #1 – My Relationship with Coffee
Coffee is in my blood.
Several of my first memories involve my family sitting around and drinking a cup of coffee. It didn’t matter if it was a snowy West Virginia morning or if it was a blistering August day, there was always a cup of coffee to drink.
When I was younger, the thought of drinking coffee was pretty disgusting. I didn’t like the flavor, I didn’t like the taste; then in my college years I discovered the wonderful taste of coffee.
As a student at West Virginia University, I was walking about a mile and a half to campus everyday. During those times I would drink a cup of coffee on the way to class, then after class, make my way to the Student Center for another large cup of coffee. Those days began a habit which would last me for years. Even when I wasn’t drinking a cup of coffee, I still wanted one.
When I wasn’t living near campus, I was driving everyday from Bridgeport, WV and I would have a nice steaming cup of coffee along the way. After class, once again I found my way to the student center for another cup of coffee.
This continued to my travels at Freed-Hardeman University, where I actually burned out a Mr. Coffee 4 cup coffee maker. I called home one day and my mom asked me what I needed. I mentioned that I would really like a new coffee pot. A few days later, a new coffee pot arrived. This only made the matter worse because the next coffee pot was a 12-cup coffee maker.
Hence the relationship still continues.
Every morning I get up there’s a cup of coffee fixed by my beautiful wife.
I drink more coffee than most things these days. It may be a sign of getting older, but I happen to enjoy it.
There is more to coffee than caffeine and the aroma, there is an atmosphere about coffee. The atmosphere is a relaxed time with friends, family, co-workers or someone you want to get to know better. Hearing the words, “Want to grab a cup of coffee?” can take any stressful day and begin to make it better.
Coffee is pretty good.
Just my thoughts,
This morning it begins.
The first article in “A Search for a Better Life” begins with a personal glimpse and a personal challenge.
The words that follow are not meant to be a self-proclamation, but a simple revealing of someone trying to get better. While not perfect, I seek to do better.
These are not anyone’s word or thoughts but mine.
Grab your cup of coffee and hopefully enjoy.
Diamonds.
For years, Russell Conwell traveled the world sharing one simple story, “Acres of Diamonds” It would be this one story which challenged the
As the story goes, a man became infatuated with diamonds and sold all he had to search for the diamonds his heart desired. The man’s name was Ali Hafed.
Upon a lifetime of searching, Ali did not find the diamonds he desired. In the process, he lost his health and all that he possessed. Finally, discontent with his search and his failure, he took his own life in the sea.
In the meantime, the farmer who purchased Ali Hafed’s farm stumbled across an object in the garden brook. Upon inspection, the new landowner noticed the beautiful colors reflected from the stone. He decided to set the stone his mantle.
A little while later and village priest noticed that stone on the mantle. “It’s a diamond!” shouted the priest.
Sure enough, the new landowner had bought a farm full of diamonds.
Ali Hafed, while searching the world for the diamonds his heart desired, sold they very field that possessed all the diamonds he would ever need.
As simple as the story Russell Conwell traveled the world sharing, the principle is true. Many people will travel the world searching for a better life when they are standing in the middle of the best life available. The problem is, they do not recognize the opportunity.
Searching for a better life amid a chaotic world means one should do so with open eyes. Some of our greatest opportunities to improve our lives are right before us; all we must do is notice.
Personally, speaking
In my search for a better life, I have been made uncomfortable.
Honestly, I do not like to be uncomfortable. I like to find myself doing what I want to do, in the routine I want to do it, at the time that I want to do it. I like things to fit my comfort. The things that I find uncomfortable frustrate me. They break me out of my shell and force me to reach beyond my abilities into areas I do not want to go.
I still dislike being uncomfortable. I must leave what I know and begin a journey into the unknown. But guess what, 99% of times, I learn something I never had before.
Life is Uncomfortable
I hated learning to ride a bike.
My first bike was an old painted green bike bought a garage sale. I thought I could just hop on the seat and start pedaling away. Little did I know there is more to a bike than hopping on it and riding. You must learn balance.
Balance was more than sitting on the seat. Balance had to do with body position, steering the bike and moving your feet – all at the same time.
Well, my frustration of five minutes turned to anger. I remember taking the bike and slamming it into the retaining wall at my grandparents’ house and asking God to reign down fire upon the bike. I hate it.
In my mind, I not only hated riding a bike. I figured riding a bike was the dumbest thing known to man. I was done.
Well, a few weeks later, I was back on the bike and flying down my grandparent’s driveway toward the ramp I had made from scrap wood. What changed?
I had decided that riding a bike was not as bad as I first thought. I knew that once I got going, I could go places faster, jump from ramps, do wheelies and even wreck. It would take a little while, but being uncomfortable for a better reward was worth it.
Life makes us uncomfortable, but the rewards are worth it.
Searching for a Better Life is Uncomfortable
When I first started searching for a better life, it was uncomfortable. Not only did I had to leave what I found to be pleasing to what I wanted and liked, but I also had to begin making sacrifices.
Sacrifice is not a word we typically associated with a better life. Usually, when we hear the word “sacrifice” we know what we are going to give something up, and sometimes it might hurt.
However, a sacrifice is not always negative. Many times, when we see the opportunity, the sacrifices we make are worth it. We may not see an immediate benefit, but the long-range benefit outweighs the short-term sacrifice.
When I learned to ride a bike, I made a sacrifice of time as well as skinned knees and hands. Those sacrifices led to knowledge that would benefit me later in life. Those short weeks of learning to ride propelled me into times spent riding around town with my friends, and even jumping a ravine at the local city park which did not turn out too well, but makes for a great story.
Making a sacrifice to reap long-term results is something we all have made at various times in our lives. It is also something we will do again.
My Sacrifice While Searching for Truth
At various points, I decided to give up certain things was well worth the cost of a better life.
See, I grew up in a conservative, non-political, religious home. I am the oldest child, which means I am the first to travel many paths in life. My upbringing was unique, and I would not trade it for any other. There were struggles along the path, but I look back now and see that each struggle was just me finding my way in the world.
Growing up in the time and place I did, was different than most people I know, but that does not make it any less significant. I am thankful for the way that I was raised, and it made me into the person I am today.
However, I was always a searching child. I always asked the question, “Why?” because I wanted to know. I was and still am intrigued by the small things of life, and I stand in awe of many other things.
Each one of us has asked the question, “Why?” Because you are reading this series, “A Search for Truth,” I have a feeling you are looking to find some answers to the questions you have had and will have in the future.
Where Your Search Begins
Your search begins when you start to answer a few questions. The questions below are for you to find your starting point. Every journey begins somewhere, and yours can begin today at the very place you are currently.
Let these questions be the beginning of “A Search for a Better Life.”
What are you searching for today?
In the story, Acres of Diamonds, Ali Hafed wanted earthly wealth, and when he found himself dissatisfied, he lost all that he had; including his life.
I am not searching for earthly wealth, and I do not think you are either. I am searching for meaning and purpose, but also a legacy. I want to leave a legacy for my children, grandchildren, and generations to come. I prefer, in my self-interest, not to die and be forgotten. I desire to be someone who leaves a legacy for others to see and learn from my success and failures.
Simply put, I want to leave an influence for the better.
Where are you searching?
Many times, like Ali Hafed in Acres of Diamonds, people search far and wide, and the answers are right in front of them. In my search, I simply looked at my starting place and all the opportunities around me to find where I needed to go next.
I did not have to look very far to see where I needed to be. I suspect you will not have to look very far either.
Where do you want to go?
I want to go far. Not physically far, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually far. Distance is not in physical miles but mental clarity. I know people who have only traveled several hundred miles from where they grew up, and they have a greater focus and clarity than other I know who have traveled the world.
By the way, education is not always an indicator of how far you will go. As Mark Twain is credited as saying, “Do not let school get in the way of your education.”
Still with Me?
I hope I have not lost you yet. I hope you are still with me.
This series is an open-hearted look at life by a struggling, rambunctious and searching adult who wants to leave the world a little bit better than when he first arrived. There is no perfection here. In fact, if you stick around long enough you will see the imperfections for what they are worth.
Many people write only about success, but now and then we need some to write about their failures, so we all can learn together.
Next Week, let’s talk about choices and consequences.
Just some thoughts,
It begins on Monday and where it leads I will never know.
The world is confusing. Between political differences, religious differences, social differences, age differences, cultural differences, economic differences and much more, the world is a tough place to navigate.
What works in one place, might not work in another. What works one time, will or will not work in another. Each place is different.
However, just because there are differences, does not mean there is not truth. 2 + 2 will always equal 4. It does not matter if one is in the United States of America, India or Kosovo, 2 + 2 is 4.
Each difference is exciting, but navigating through those differences to the truth takes more than a compass. It takes understanding the situation as well as a compassionate mind to see the other person’s life as it is and life as to what it can become.
Monday, it begins.
From this coming Monday until I decide to stop, I want to share with you a searching soul. Call it a journey, an exploration, a wandering, a “walkabout” or gentle stroll. Whatever the term you choose, it will be a search for a better life.
This search will be uncomfortable. It will be difficult. It will be fun. It will be rewarding.
I invite you to take this journey with me as I share some words on “A Search for a Better Life.”
I must warn you; this search will define life. Maybe not your life, but my life. It will be a challenge.
Anyway, see you Monday, and I hope you will try to enjoy the journey.
Just my thoughts,
The title above is a question posted on my Facebook page every day at 3 pm, and the comments are growing and the private messages are interesting. There have been requests from family, friends, acquaintances and even friends of friends I do not know. Each request is important because someone needs prayer in their life.
Many times, people complicate religion and its actions, when many times they are very simple. The question, “How can we pray for you today?” is a simple question, but it can bring powerful results.
I started asking the question because there is a need for more prayer in our world. While Paul tells us to make our supplications and requests known to God (Philippians 4.6), we can also petition him on behalf of others:
- Prayers for those who persecute and mistreat us (Matthew 5.44; Luke 6.28; Acts 7.60)
- Prayer for the sick (James 5.16)
- Prayer for other Christians (Ephesians 1.15-21; Hebrews 13.18-19)
- Prayer for governmental leaders (1 Timothy 2.1-2
As God’s lights in the world, our lives should be filled with prayer (1 Thessalonians 5.17; Ephesians 6.18; Luke 18.1). Prayer is our communication with the Creator to share our joys, praises for Him, our woes and our burdens as well as requests for others.
I challenge you to ask others how you can pray for them. It might be a Facebook post, a text message or a face-to-face question, but ask them who you can pray for them. Who knows, it might lead to many powerful opportunities.
Maybe you can ask the question on Facebook, Twitter and other social media as well.
Just some thoughts,
