It is raining, but the rain should never trouble us, but we should realize it is a blessing. Rain should not make us frown, but allow us to smile. Consider this picture and quote I say on the Law of Attractions Instagram.
5 Things I Learned Last Week
1 – People need to be loved. When I reflect on the love of Christ, His love is overwhelming. Each of us needs to see people like Jesus saw people. Remember, Matthew 9.36 – “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” We need to see the world like Jesus.
2 – Some of the greatest preachers I know are not the most well-known. Across our brotherhood, there are well-known preachers who speak on every lectureship, youth event, etc. but some of the greatest I know are those no one really knows. Their hearts are wide-open and they work tirelessly for the gospel of Christ.
3 – Remember whose you are. Too many adults, not just young people, are faced the pressure to be someone they are not. This pressure lends itself to experiment with ways which are contrary to who we are as a being created by God. It is important to remember, not just who, but whose you are. You are created for a purpose, enjoy it.
4 – Family is Urgent! Sooner or later, most people learn a valuable lesson about family. However, not everyone will learn the lesson of the urgency of family. Many children will grow up to live the life of the words to “Cat’s in the Cradle” because of the actions they see in their parents. Christians need to make their family an urgent priority. Do not let your family slide, put them to the top.
5 – Sometimes it is better not to say anything at all. With that, I will leave this here.
So, what did you learn this week?
#MondayMotivation
Each person needs a little bit of motivation every now and then to get through the day, the week, the month or even the year. So, here is your quick video to give you a quick laugh and some motivation today.
You must admit, social media has taken the world by storm. Its presence in the lives of people across the globe is growing every day and businesses have grown and shrunk due to social media engagements. Considering the growth of social media and its future, what does the Bible say about social media?
Today, you can have a conversation with someone across the globe in a matter of moments. A few months ago, I had conversations with people in at least 12 different states, China, Japan, Sweden, England and a few other countries in just one day. We do live in an amazing world. It was not too long ago communication for many was a phone call or a letter. Today, communication occurs through our mobile phones, desktop computers, laptops, tablets and even the watch you may wear. Our availability of communication has increased, but has our communication?
So, what does the Bible say about social media?
First, the Bible does not specifically discuss social media, but its words were written long before the age of the internet. However, people were social and interacted with each other. They interacted in the marketplace, the synagogue, the temple and in their homes. Their relationships were personal and tangible.
Second, consider a few verses from the Bible when you post:
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16.24)
“Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13.3.)
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” (Proverbs 15.4)
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” (Proverbs 11.12)
“Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.” (Proverbs 26.4)
Other Considerations:
Remember who and whose you are
Remind yourself that you are a light that shines
Write the post then reflect on it before posting it
Remember, social media is not the greatest thing ever. Jesus is.
It is a chilly, rainy Monday around this area. Today looks to be a good day to settle down in some research or one of the many books on the “to read” list. Days like this are so relaxing. I never consider them gloomy, but a time to relax and review what is important.
Below are a few short thoughts help you keep moving on this Monday morning.
Journaling Idea: Write about your most productive day and learn what steps you took to make it the most productive day.
Five Things I Learned Last Week
1 – Relax – Some days it is good to relax and do nothing. It is good to take a break and spend some time in relaxation and refreshment. For you, this might mean stepping away from the computer, email or Facebook. It might mean turning on some relaxing music and just drinking a cup of coffee. Here is an article from the Mayo Clinic on relaxation techniques and the benefits. Read more here. By the way, have you ever noticed how much Jesus withdrew Himself to be alone?
2 – A simple card does wonders – For the past several years, our Sunday morning adult Bible class has been sending cards to people. Some of the recipients are members of our congregation and some are not. Some are local friends and some are distant. Some are people that most know, others are people have one or two know. Each week, I pass a card at the beginning of Bible class and it is passed along for everyone to sign. Doing this not only helps the receiver, but many in our congregation find encouragement in being able to encourage others. Who are you encouraging?
3 – Audiobooks are worth the price – Some of you might be ones who like a good hardcover book in your hands and others might like reading on a Kindle or other device, but there is something to be said regarding audiobooks. I have listened to several audiobooks over the years and recently I have discovered the audio narration option on a few of the Kindle books in my digital library. With audiobooks, you can listen in your car, while you exercise, in your office and just about anywhere.
4 – More clothes than I need – Do you have a closest for of clothes? So do I. I probably have more clothes now that I have had in a long time. In fact, I probably have more stuff now than I have had in a long time. Have you ever seen the “My 100 Thing Challenge”? It is an interesting read. I am not agreeing with everything, but there is a benefit in living simpler. Soon, I will be doing away with at least 50% of my clothes. Simpler should be better.
5 – Doing the same thing, gets the same results – I forget the old quote but the definition of insanity is said to be doing the same things over and over and expecting the same results. As people, we like the comfortable an stable. We like doing the same things because they are comfortable. However, the same actions get the same results. If we want to grow, we need to step up our actions and thoughts and change the input to change the output. Do not change for the sake of change, but change because it is necessary. (Personal Note: Some things do not need to changes, just our actions toward them. We might need to examine our hearts and mind, along with our motivation and purpose.)
#MondayMotivation
There are people who need a little more motivation on a Monday. Here is a video from Michael Jr. I bet you have never thought of what it was like to be the younger brother of Jesus, but Michael Jr. did. Enjoy.
Since the football season and the Super Bowl is now past, I thought I would share with you how one particular Super Bowl changed my passion for life.
My passion changed because God was gracious.
In 2002, I sat in the cardiac critical care unit of the Jackson-Madison County Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee watching the Super Bowl. There were about a million other places I would like to have been, but I could not. I had to be at the hospital.
To make a long story short, by the time the Super Bowl had begun I had been at the hospital for about 17 hours watching numbers bounce around on monitors – my monitors.
When I first came to the hospital, I was diagnosed with a heart attack, and the severity of the diagnosis was only made more significant with the doctor’s choice of words,
“Mr. Gallagher, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being a massive heart attack, you have had an 8.5.”
With those words, I looked at Carrie, my bride of five years, and my daughter Alexis, one and a half years old. I felt my world come crashing to a halt with one sentence. Nothing else mattered except the two people sitting in front of me.
From that moment until seventeen hours later, everything was as smooth sailing as the heart attack diagnosis would allow. Then it happened!
As I was watching the Super Bowl, a laser-sharp pain drove itself into my chest. Despite all the blood thinners, morphine and needles jammed into my arm and stomach, along with whatever else the nurses were throwing at me, the pain grew stronger.
Finally, the room began to draw dark. It was the blackness of tunnel vision I had read about before.
While the room faded to black, I said my prayer, asked God to take of my family and turned my thoughts to Carrie and Alexis. As I closed my eyes, I waited.
I waited to see someone from the other side of life, but I never did. When my eyes finally closed shut and milliseconds had passed, I heard the words I dreaded (but needed) to hear, “Get the cart!”
I knew what “the cart” meant, and that was all I needed. I was going to be subjected to the power of two electric paddles jolting through my body to bring my back to life. Upon hearing two words, “the cart,” my thoughts were, “ABSOLUTELY NOT!”
The next few moments are hidden deep where only God knows; maybe I blacked out, maybe my heart stopped beating, or maybe I have simply forgotten, but my mind is blank. All I remember is hearing a nurse say my name, pull on my big toe and ask me if I was still around. I casually said, “Yes.”
When opened my eyes, I saw it – the cart. It was sitting at the side of the bed with the power levels on full. Seconds more and I would have been shocked, but God was good!
The next day brought a heart catheterization followed by the good and bad news:
Good news: No blockage, no damage, nothing. My arteries were clean.
Bad news: The doctors could not explain what happened, but I was informed that if I had not been in the hospital my life would have ended.
Well, I could explain what happened, prayer! The Bible says the “effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Believe me, it does!
I knew there was someone higher than my doctors that day. The One who made my heart was holding it together.
I was sent home with a diagnosis of pericarditis and/or myocarditis. If you Google those words, you will see how fortunate I am after 16 years.
After a barrage of test over a six month period, I had my diagnosis, “We don’t know. It might have been a heart attack. It might have been a virus. We do not know.”
Comforting, huh?
I was told to come back in a year and go through more tests. I left the doctor’s office with two orders:
Do not get sick
Get the flu shot
I told them I would do the second and try my best for the first one.
After a year, I came back and went through tests again. Guess what? They still did not know. I was told that I was “normal” and to keep living. Comforting, huh?
In 2005, we moved to South Carolina and our new family doctor, and I had a chat about my 2002 heart attack incident. After examing all of my records, our new family doctor told me that I did not have a heart attack, but probably “viral cardiomyopathy.”
Did you notice that? Not for sure, but probably. There is a big difference in those words.
While I do not know the “whys,” the “hows,” or much else regarding that Super Bowl Sunday, I do know this: God was there, and He blessed me when I deserved no blessing.
My passion changed that day!
My passion for my work grew stronger.
My passion to see my family after this life abounds more and more each day.
My desire to assist others to achieve success grew stronger. The intensity to aid others in living better each day became a purpose.
It is odd how life changes events affect your future. I left a hospital and several doctor’s offices without any answer. I am content no to have an answer and even more content with what it could have been; viral cardiomyopathy.
My passion changed from everything to one thing – HOPE!
There is hope even when we see no hope! Many times, hope will appear when you are not looking. Hope is not a word for wishing; it is expecting confidently what you cannot see.
The present reality is nothing to be compared to the boundless hope of future opportunities. The end which awaits is greater than the present beginning.
Spiritually speaking, your changing life will be met by a changeless hope, because of a changeless God.
The hope of a better life is met with the opportunity for it to be better – all you have to do is look!
Look not at yourself in a mirror, but see the reflection of God. The sunrise reveals his overnight work. The sunset gives light to the day’s hidden stars and their desire to shine.
“The heaven’s declare the glory of God…” (Psalm 19.1)
Look at people around you!
God created each one and placed eternity in your heart. (Ecclesiastes 3.11) Each one is created as he saw fit; there is no “normal.” The only “normal” we should see is the image of the invisible God. (Genesis 1.26)
We have been provided by our Creator with abilities and inabilities given to us to take advantage of the opportunities He provides. God has hardwired each of us with the free will to make choices, goals, and dreams.
Even though our outward appearance remains different, the inner man is renewed day by day if we look set our affection on things above. (2 Corinthians 4.16; Colossians 3.2)
Normal is not found in the physical, but in the spiritual. The spiritual promise of God is success through Him.
My friends, my passion changed because of a stark reality – there is something greater than this world. I knew it for years, preached it countless times, but until God truly took control, things would never be where they are.
My faith and trust in Him became the beat of my heart. The countless hours of wonder brought renewed vigor and faith because He cares.
He cares for you too.
His care reaches the untouchable part of our souls and reaches to the top of our heads. His hands are at work in our lives providing us opportunities and strength, through His Only Son – Jesus.
Many have asked why I want to share a message of hope in a hopeless world, well, now you know!
Find your passion through the God who offers His care and see what your life can become!
For the record, my permanent record shows heart attack. I have taken a few tests since then, and my heart is very healthy. Doctors have told me there is no lasting damage, no sign I ever had a heart attack, and the muscle looks great.
I have been blessed.
I am thankful to many for their visits, calls, cards, food, prayers and so much more during that troubling time of 2002. It is an experience I remember way too often, but I am glad I can remember it.
Anyway, this is one reason I am so insistent on why living life matters.
It’s Monday again. Some love it; some hate it. Some enjoy starting their work week and others are ready to get it over with quickly. I guess it all depends on attitude, your view of work and the life you are living. I happen to enjoy Mondays for a variety of reasons. Monday are my day of reflection. Every week, I quickly reflect on last week and try to learn from the previous experiences. We learn from our experiences and in that education, we can share our wisdom with others. While we all make mistakes, it is learning from them where our wisdom begins.
Journaling Idea: If you journal, an idea for writing is to end every week writing what you learned and the wisdom you gained.
Five Things I Learned Last Week
1 – There are people with knowledge and there are people who think they have knowledge. There is a drastic difference between the two. You have probably heard the old adage, “They think they know so much, but they know very little.” It always helps to consider the person speaking to you and their experience. Today’s “you-have-to-hear-my-opinion” age should be remembered when everyone starts sharing their “knowledge.”
2 – For me, reading the Bible is better when I think. When I read the Bible, I try to get away from reading the chapters and verses and read about the situation. For instance, in the book of Esther, Haman built gallows 75 feet high. When you read this passage, you keep reading. However, take a moment and consider what 75-foot gallows look like. Think of how long it took to build them? Think outside the verse for a moment to the time period and the situation. The story of the gallows is amazing.
3 – There are people who listen to care and then there are people who do not care to listen; be the first group. Have you ever been speaking with someone and you can tell by the look in their eyes they already have their response ready? We all have and it is annoying. Do not be that person. Make it a point to listen to the other person’s words, clarify what they said and then develop your response. Fully listen to what the other person is saying before developing your response. The reason: sometimes what we think we hear is not what you should be hearing.
4 – Your past does not define you; your past enables you. Many people live in the past. Their focus is on high school, past sports or even a past success; but remember, those are in the past. What future are you creating? Your past is just that, your past. Your past should not define you because every day is a new day. While the past is part of our life, it should not be the defining factor. Use your past as an educational tool. Each of us should learn from our past, but not live in it.
5 – This quote says a lot, “Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.’ —Mark Twain
What did you learn last week?
Monday Morning Motivation
Getting up on a Sunday morning and getting your family ready to attend services can be a reality show, even for the best families. I love this story from Ken Davis regarding “Children fighting on the way to Church.” Sit back and laugh as you hear Ken’s story and see if you experienced it as well.
Not every Christian is the same. We have come from different backgrounds, different physical families and many times, different church backgrounds. While we are different, there are many things we can all do to enhance our spiritual lives and to encourage the people around us each week.
Below are four quick things every Christian can do every weekend. Take a moment and see how you can make your weekend, and even your life a little greater.
Plan to Attend Service
I know this seems like a given, but it isn’t. Some people, know that Sunday is coming, still miss it. I figure they know that the start of every week is Sunday, but they fail to make plans to be at services. Failing to make plans has resulted in them missing services. So, this weekend, plan to attend services on Sunday.
Surround Yourself with Christians
To make your weekend go better, especially, your Sunday, surround yourself with Christians. As you plan for services, plan to meet with your church family after services. Be the one to step up and invite people to gather together. A quick example is inviting people to eat together following services. If money is tight, invite everyone to chip in and have them at your house. (think of it as a potluck meal)
Pray
This weekend, schedule four times to offer quick prayers. Set an alarm on your phone to remind you of your scheduled prayer time. The weekends give us more time or more relaxed time, and this can be a great moment to pray.
Sleep.
Yes, I said it…sleep. I have already proclaimed 2018 as “The Year of the Nap,” and I am planning to stick with it. There is a benefit to rest; plus, our bodies need it. For years, researchers have told us our bodies will function better with rest, and many of us are starting to realize it.
Final Thoughts:
Today is Friday.
For many, your weekend is already beginning, or it will begin after work. What steps will you take this evening to prepare yourself for Sunday?
Each one of us can begin today for a greater Sunday.
