*I do not own, posses, nor even know this site or name. Simply using meme found.
John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
That’s the success of life.
That’s true courage.
There are so many things that can hinder you, limit you or intimidate you.
And you can certainly let those things hold you back.
But you have a choice.
You get to choose whether you build a little cage around your life or set yourself free.
You get to choose whether every time something scares you, you set another bar in place till the cage has a lock and key,
Or whether you remove those bars of fear, intimidation and shame and loose yourself from that bondage.
I say, Saddle that horse and ride it.
You may not ride it too well.
You may bounce and jostle and even almost slip off, but just hold on!
Hold on and soon, you’ll be able to enjoy the ride.
And maybe later, you’ll be racing that horse through the country.
But you’ll never win if you quit, lay down or die.
So, saddle up! We’ve got a journey ahead of us!
You can do this thing!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Life can change with one phone call, one conversation, one unannounced visit.
No one is guaranteed the next year, the next day, or even the next hour.
What you decide to do with that will determine your life’s trajectory.
Sometimes, it’s not talent or even skill that causes one to survive well.
Often, it’s just sheer grit that causes the survival.
It’s the simple will power to get up, to keep breathing, to continue one step at a time.
You don’t have to be perfection, just live.
You don’t have to be a huge success, just stand.
You don’t have to be the American hero everyday, just fight.
Fight to survive. Fight to live. Fight to win.
There’s always someone coming behind you who needs to see your achievement in real time.
It may be the very inspiration for their next breath.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Being in the church culture these days, I hear much said about what a Christian should or shouldn’t say, how a Christian should or shouldn’t respond.
There’s always a new vantage point, a new opinion they needs to be heard, and typically, there will be two or three in oration at various times, even if these are in opposition to one another.
So, who is right and who is wrong?
Who are we to listen to?
Who are we to follow?
Well, for Jesus followers, the answer is abundantly clear, or at least, it would be argued that it “should be.”
Yet, even in the Church Body, there are varying opinions, beliefs and denominations that cause us all to land at various points of standards concerning any one given “biblical rule.”
So again, who is right and who is wrong?
Who are we to listen to?
Who are we to follow?
We definitely need to start in the Word of God. If you claim to be a Jesus follower, that truly should be your book of preference for daily living and lifestyle.
And then, we definitely should start with the life of Christ. If He’s your main guy, then mirroring His examples will definitely be helpful.
And finally, starting with the specific things God loves (there are seven actually listed in specificity), and maybe the greatest commandments of which Jesus Himself spoke might be great beginning.
By the time I do these three suggestions to their fullness, it’s usually bedtime, and I don’t have a lot more time to add more opinions or fingers to point toward all the things everyone might be getting wrong.
Maybe we should all take a step back and begin again.
Maybe we should all take a moment in front of the mirror and take a really long, hard look inside.
Maybe we should grab His love letter to us and begin reading for what it has for US and to convince US instead of all it doesn’t have for THEM and has to condemn THEM.
And maybe, just maybe, by the time we do these three things, we will have given enough time for Him to begin to change us from the inside out.
And then, maybe there will begin to be a whole lot less wrong AMONG US, and we can become a whole lot more effective FOR HIM…
But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:34-40
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:3-5
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
There are moments in life when reality settles in. When the hard work of living pauses for just a moment, and you’re able to look back and recognize where you’ve been, what’s been accomplished, and where you’re going.
There comes a time when you realize some sacrifices were necessary to carry on; some were foolish, and still more were simply necessary for survival.
Then, there’s that season of recognition when the fear of the pain is passed, the apathy of the seared feelings has diminished, and all that is left is the confidence of your preservation.
When you’ve walked through the flames of life, innocence may be lost and intimidation may be vanquished, but the growth and strength that rises cannot be denied.
So, walk on, my friend. Walk on.
Be a flame walker. Take the fiery journey.
You can endure.
And then, go and rescue someone from that same inferno.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Jude 1:20-23
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
It’s easy to tell someone to forgive until you’re the one who is wronged.
It easy to tell someone to forgive until you’re the one who is falsely accused.
It’s easy to urge that one to forgive until it’s your baby who’s wounded.
It’s easy to urge that one to forgive until it’s your baby who’s wrenching in pain.
It’s easy to say forgive when it’s not you seeking justice.
It’s easy to say forgive when it’s not you seeking revenge.
But when it is you…
But when it is yours…
But when it is all encompassed in your house, your home, your heart…
That’s when the Golden Rule isn’t so clear.
That‘s when the “seventy times seventy” is harder to reciprocate.
Yet, He said it for a reason.
He said it for your freedom.
He said it for your release.
For when you truly forgive, regardless of the apology, that is when you are truly free.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sometimes, we hang onto friendships that are so shallow, they are never beneficial in the difficult season of life.
Sometimes, we keep close those friends who are fun and exciting, but the depth to their soul leaves a gaping hole in our tragic moments.
Sometimes, we nurture the relationships that are too toxic, worrisome or meaningless and we let the truthful, deep and most important ones slip through our fingers like grains of sand.
Take a minute today to look around you.
Reevaluate. Take a deeper glance.
See who’s there and who needs to be.
Cherish those who will walk through fire with you.
Treasure those who will pull you out of the fire.
And chase after those who are carrying the torched lamp into your darkness when you can’t see.
Don’t let them get out of your sight.
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
To be an effective leader, you’ve got to have the temperament of both a lion and a lamb.
If you are only portrayed as a lion, you will be fierce, fearless and free.
But you can also be too sharp, intimidating and terrifying.
If you are only portrayed as a lamb, you will be calm, cautious and caring.
But you can also be too hesitant, timid and fragile.
Oh. But to have a beautiful balance of both characteristics of the lion and the lamb, you will be effective, encouraging and excellent.
Boldness without love turns to arrogance.
Courage without caution turns to recklessness.
Freedom without awareness (of others) turns to abuse and neglect.
Let’s be the leaders we were meant to be.
And if we are Christians, let’s simply follow the example our God set before us of being both the Lion and the Lamb.
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:5
And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
If you’ve not read The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, I encourage you to pick up a copy. It is a phenomenal fiction from the perspective of a “strong” demon writing letters to another “weaker” demon, his nephew in training, about their assignment to a Christian and their antics and schemes to keep that Christian from serving their Enemy, God.
It is such an intriguing concept and high can shed many incredible truths on our purpose and plan as Christians to impact God’s kingdoms and the purpose and plans of the enemy to keep us that very purpose. It really is a great read, even if you are not a person of faith or have no concept of the “Christian life.”
This excerpt impacted me greatly as I read it, and it describes perfectly what we are seeing in our modern culture. So many are focused on people they don’t know or with whom they have no interaction on a daily basis, but find it easy to shout blame, find fault and constantly point fingers for the demise of our society.
We are all tempted daily to become distracted by the news, social media, or even “word on the street” as we search for someone to blame for the chaos. When we all should be looking inward at our own hearts, our own attitudes, our own thoughts that ought to be bringing conviction for change.
Not one of us who live on this green earth are able to say, “I am without sin.” By no means, can one of us claim perfection in our actions, our words, or even in our thoughts. We are no better than the most wretched among us. We all are born into sin, are tempted by sin, and are pursued by sin our entire lives.
The only difference between me and the one who receives a death sentence of eternal sin is that I have confessed my sin to the One who can forgive. I have surrendered my life to the One who created me and the boy One who can save me from myself. I have committed my life to His will rather than my own.
That is the only difference.
And that makes ALL the difference.
And that difference is FOR ALL.
This difference can be possessed BY ALL.
So, let us all stop being distracted by the accusations, the lies, and the enticing scheme to keep our eyes averted from truth.
Let us all begin to look inward and find the wrong and seek to find the One who can make it right.
And only then, can we begin to rightly “fix” the world around us.
Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak,and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Psalm 51:1-6
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Psalm 51:7-11
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
Every one of us will have a battle in life, one that should be terrifying, paralyzing.
There will be a Goliath in your life who seeks to devour you.
Maybe you’ve found you have more than one.
If you’ve not seen one yet, just keep on living.
Whether you choose to fight that Goliath or not, he will be there.
He will taunt you.
He will insult.
He will rage.
But the difference in a response filled with confidence and a response of fear or shame is in the source.
The source of your weapon.
The source of your armor.
The source of your hope for victory.
If your reliance is in your stones, you may fail.
If your dependence is in your sling, you may falter.
If your security is in yourself, your abilities and your position, or even your heritage, you may not succeed.
But if your confidence lies in your Creator,
If your faith is secure in the very One who has given you life, you need not worry.
You need not fear or tremble.
For He desires you to win even more than you could want for yourself.
And He longs for triumph and glory for His name.
So, choose your stones and set your sling.
Confide in Him and set your mark.
You will defeat that giant, because Christ will be standing behind you to fling that rock to bring about total domination!
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
The road to success is filled with detours, roadblocks and alternate routes.
Where you decide to go will often determine where you end up.
Happenstance can occur, and you can end up on the “right” path, but truly this is a rarity.
Success takes focus.
Success takes hard work.
Success takes determination.
Success takes forward motion with no deviation.
You can’t find success by chaotic search, and you will never find it by standing still.
Success can only be found by just that…
A true search.
So, let’s go hunting and see what we find.
Enter by the narrowgate; for wide is the gateand broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrowis the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
My journey didn’t stop with mere time travel or writing; it led me to become one of the most sought-after empaths, a soulful psychic who reads the hidden depths of the human spirit. I’ve been blessed—or perhaps burdened—with an ability that allows me to feel the emotions of people from every corner of time.
I am a licensed psychologist based in Greece. My love for housekeeping has inspired me to create this blog about home management and family relationships. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing!
Dedicated to movie nerdom, nostalgia, and escape. In the late 90s, I worked at Blockbuster Video where they let me take home two free movies a day. I caught up on the classics and reviewed theatrical releases for Denver 'burbs newspapers and magazines. Today, while raising two young, beautiful daughters with my amazing wife, I look forward to anything rated R and not Bluey. Comments and dialogue encouraged!
the grizzle grist mill 