Are You Walking Funny?

By Craig DeLuz

"If you are going to talk the talk, you should walk the walk."

How often do we question those who's deeds are inconsistent with the values they proclaim to hold? Here we will help you answer this key question, "Are you walking funny?

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Daily Inspiration - August 31, 2010

By Terry Minion

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin--real life.

But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.


At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

-- Father Alfred D'Souza

We can focus on the obstacles and the fear surrounding them and what may or may not be behinds the scenes just waiting to jump out and attack us, harass us, mingle unnecessarily with us, block us or delay us. There certainly is plenty of this to look at, if we were of a mind to look at them in that way.

Then again, we could see the journey before us as an adventure with all good things coming to us, with the forest to keep the sun off of us yet let the light come through. We could see so many interesting places to stop along the way and take in the view. We could see the light ahead giving us guidance and also a path. That path is not worn, though we can see others have travelled through as well, giving us confidence of others successful journey and indeed, there will be stories to tell, for not so many have gone this way making it a guaranteed adventure.

It is the focus on the journey that is the deciding factor, isn't it? Focus on the obstacles and they will rule you. Focus on the reward, the journey, the adventure and they will delight you.

Faith

By Russell Doolittle

In our world today, we live in a society that is so focused on the Material, how much we make, what we have or not, and who or what we know. There are some of us, however, who look at what we are. We base our relevance and importance on how we live our lives. God has given us all the ability to choose. You can choose what is important to you.

I found religion as a very young man, but went away from it as I entered my teens. God never left me, I left him. About ten years ago, I realized that I wanted to live a life that I could be proud of who I was, and that my family would be proud of who I was. I took that step, and at the end of this time, I realized that I truly had a revelation. God had lead me to this step, and I was open to His word. I spent day and night living the life. All that I have said until this point brings me to this step.

We can choose to live our lives according to what the Bible says, and look at ourselves and our fellow man how God does, as good men and women, with love in our hearts, or we can choose to look at only the material. Ladies and Gentlemen, when I made the choice to follow Jesus’ example, and live my life the way that he did, all the hate that had been a part of who I was disappeared.

I am not perfect, but I can honestly say that I do love my fellow man, and judge them according to how I wish to be judged, by what we do in our daily lives. One does not have to do what I did, but I do believe that in loving your fellow man, you will become fishers of men, and bring His word to all mankind, loving all who you come across.

I happen to be Christian, but this is not a push for a particular religion, but more a push to faith. God loves all his children, and we can too. So, I ask that you judge your men and women by what is inside of them, not by what they do for a living, or how much money they make. In the long run, we will all be better for it.

Johnny Lingo And His 10 Cow Wife

By Craig DeLuz

If you have never read this story before, you are about to truly be blessed! Every time I read it, I get choked up.

It reminds me of how blessed I am to have such a wonderful woman at my side, and just how important it is that I treat her like the gift from God that she is.

"Get Johnny Lingo to help you find what you want and then let him do the bargaining," advised Shenkin as I sat on the veranda of his guest house and wondered whether to visit Nurabandi. "He'll earn his commission four times over. Johnny knows values and how to make a deal."

"Johnny Lingo." The chubby boy on the veranda steps hooted the name, then hugged his knees and rocked with shrill laughter.

"Be quiet," said his father and the laughter grew silent. "Johnny Lingo's the sharpest trader in this part of the Pacific."

The simple statement made the boy choke and almost roll off the steps. Smiles broadened on the faces of the villagers st anding nearby.

Daily Inspiration - August 30, 2010

By Terry Minion

"No rules exist, and examples are simply life-savers answering the

appeals of rules making vain attempts to exist."

-- Andre Breton

"We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community,

but people wouldn't obey the rules."

-- Alan Bennett

"No tendency is quite so strong in human nature

as the desire to lay down rules of conduct for other people."

-- William Howard Taft

There are rules and then there are rules . . . Think about it. Add up the number of rules that you have in your life right now. How about all the rules at work, the rules of etiquette, rules of taste and rules of conduct. Then there's the rules of law and the rules of the road and rules of right and wrong (conscience). OMG they go on forever, don't they?

How many do you break? How often? Who cares?

Breaking a rule and not getting caught is that like the sound of the tree in the forest when no one is there to hear it? Heck, I break the speed limit rules virtually every day of my life to one degree or five or six. You know, the safe zone. I've broken so many rules throughout my entire life that it would be scary to list them all.

Who cares? I know I don't care much. I suppose if I did, I would be more careful to not break them. Who made the rules, anyway? What is the meaning of all that?

The rules I break more often than any other rules is the most predominate rules on the planet: those made for my conduct by other people. I mean, really! What's with that!? Heck, I'm usually break those on purpose! It's like they deserve to be broken. Know what I mean? Where do they get off directing my conduct or thought?

So, my philosophy is that rules is a fluid concept. Maybe, maybe not. It depends.

Daily Inspirations August 23, 2010

By Terry Minion

"If you always live with those who are lame,
you will yourself learn to limp."

-- Latin Proverb

You must constantly ask yourself these questions:
Who am I around? What are they doing to me?
What have they got me reading?
What have they got me saying?
Where do they have me going?
What do they have me thinking?
And most important,
What do they have me becoming?
Then ask yourself the big question:
Is that okay?

-- Jim Rohn

Who we hang with is extremely important in who we are, or who we become. It is natural and so easy to pick up habits of speech, posture, styles, mannerisms when we are around other people regularly. Many times the changes in us are subtle, but they are unmistakable.

Here's the truth: Since it is natural to have others influence us, our choices of who they are is extremely important. At the same time, it is natural for us to influence others, and our choices as to how we do that are extremely important.

Are they a positive or negative influence on us? Are we a positive or negative influence on them? Are we growing as a result of the relationship, or are we standing still? The choice is 100% our own and the results of it are also 100% our own.

The Good Stuff

By Joseph C. Phillips

It was a glass mug that I treasured dearly. My sophomore year in college my little sister, Carole, had given me the mug for Christmas. As a special treat she had engraved my nickname, "Joey" into the Mug. It wasn't fancy or expensive; just a regular glass mug. After my sister passed away the mug took on a sentimental value and I loved it. It was a beautiful reminder of a sister that was also my best friend.

This mug had survived a year of dormitory life, 9 years of Brooklyn apartment living, a move to New Jersey, a cross country move to California and three moves around the city of Los Angeles. Alas, the mug couldn't survive children.

Unfortunately for me, my favorite glass also struck the fancy of my number one son. When reaching for a mug to drink from, this was the one he often chose. I explained the significance of the mug to him and he promised to be careful. Of course little boys always promise to be careful just like they always promise to be good. Given enough time they always end up breaking both promises. One day while not paying attention he went to set the mug on the edge of the counter and missed. The glass fell to the floor shattering into 20 pieces. My wife was sure that all hell was about to break loose, but I have really been working hard on understanding what is important in life. It would be a lie to say that I didn't remind my son of the mugs history through slightly clenched teeth. However, to my credit (I think) and my wife's surprise I didn't yell. I took a breath, reminded myself that this was only a glass, grabbed the broom and dust pan and swept the pieces into the garbage. Se la vie.

A wise man once told me that nothing real can ever be taken away. The mug is gone, but the love, respect and admiration I feel for my sister remains. That's the good stuff. The same is true of being a parent.

A few weeks ago I watched this same son perform a karate form for his school talent show. It was one of those moments that parents are all too familiar with: your heart swells, your throat tightens and the water comes to your eyes. It is a feeling of transcendent euphoria that is difficult to describe to those that have not felt it.

My sons often ask me what heaven will be like. I playfully respond it will be like taking a bite of the most perfect pepperoni pizza you have ever tasted or lifting your head into the most perfect breeze. I think I will add that heaven must certainly be something near to the good stuff of parenting: kissing the softest, fattest, most milk smellingest cheeks of your new born, the sweet comfort in the hug made with little arms, bathing in the most radiant smile of your son when he hits his first homerun or scores his first touchdown, or watching from the audience as your child performs.

I have often wondered about parents - fathers in particular that choose NOT to experience the good stuff. These are the fathers that choose not to take an active role in their children's lives. We know the statistics all too well: 85% of children from 'this" group do not have regular contact with their fathers, 55% of children from "that" group do not see theirs.

The studies are clear on the negative impact absentee fathers have on their children. What we don't know is what affect absence has on fathers. I can only imagine that a man that fathers children yet chooses not to raise them suffers some deep damage to the soul. If being immersed in the good stuff is heaven then being removed from it must certainly be hell.

I treasure fatherhood especially because it's replete with broken mugs, broken beds, sunflower seeds in the dryer, socks on the ceiling fan.All of it is the good stuff. I wouldn't miss any of it for the world.

*Republished commentary from June 2009

How to Grow the Word in Your Child

By Marie Stroughter

You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

 (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Our statewide ad council sponsors Public Service Announcements on TV all the time encouraging everyone to get their five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. However, our children need spiritual food also! Here are some ways to get more Bible into your children this summer:

Summer Reading Programs: Many Christian book stores sponsor summer reading programs for children. Some have strict guidelines as to what will count for their particular program. Some I have seen state that the book has to be of a spiritual or character-building nature.

Bible Bowls: Many congregations host fun-filled Bible Bowls. A Bible Bowl is a contest where questions are asked on a particular theme announced in advance (think spelling bee). The children study the books of the Bible pertaining the theme and answer questions based upon it. They often break the Bowl up into various age groups and modify the questions to match the abilities of the children in those groupings.

Youth Forums & “Lock-ins:” Many congregations have a weekend lectureship series and overnight “lock-ins” for youth. Bonding with children the same age can help children form solid spiritual friendships. At the point where children become more and more independent, friends have far more influence than parents do. When that happens, you want friends around your child that will help them spiritually, not hinder them. You can “stack the odds” in their favor by providing opportunities for them to meet like-minded children of faith.

Bible Camp: There are camps based on various abilities (sports, cheerleading, etc.), academic subjects (Math, Space, etc), and health conditions (epilepsy, diabetes, etc.). This goes for religion as well. Sleep-away camp is a staple of childhood for many kids. There are arts and crafts, nightly skits and devotionals, and recreational activities each day. Check with your local congregation to see what camps are available. Many are sponsored by colleges as a recruitment tool and are low-cost, or may be free to members of the congregation. Check with your particular congregation.

Vacation Bible School: Any kid who grew up in a church-going family will have fond memories of VBS! Similar to a day-camp, children come daily to a themed classroom and learn facts about the Bible and Bible characters, or a particular virtue or characteristic. There are snacks and crafts, and tons of fun for all!

Trying some or all of these ideas will help your children gain additional Bible knowledge, and they will have so much fun and create lasting memories and pleasant associations in doing so!

Man Enough To Stand Alone

ByCraig DeLuz

It's easy to do the popular thing. It's not always so easy to do the right ting. And it really becomes a challenge when the right ting and the popular thing are not the same thing.

When confronted with situations like this are you man enough to stand alone?

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Daily Inspiration August 19, 2010

By Terry Minion

"It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err."

-- Mahatma Gandhi

The mind is like a parachute. . . It only functions when its OPEN!

Dads and Coaching

By Joseph C. Phillips

I am an assistant coach on my middle son's youth football team. Football practice begins in August and I have spent the last two weeks reading up on defensive alignments, surfing coaching websites, and sending e-mail to some of the high school coaches in the area begging for coaching tips. If I watch one more video of conditioning exercises for defensive linemen my head is going to explode. I have begun dreaming in "X's" and "O's."

Of course, that is what I say today. Tomorrow, I will get up and begin the routine all over again. Why? Well, I guess it's because I have grown to love coaching. Unless one loves it, there is really no other reason to be a youth coach.

A person certainly won't get rich coaching youth sports. In fact, often a youth coach will lose money over the course of a season. Every coach I know spends his own money to pay for extra equipment and materials. Most of the coaches I know spend additional money on books and clinics in order to expand their knowledge. More than one coach I know has paid the registration fee for a boy whose parents were having financial difficulties. These coaches didn't open their wallets because the boy was a superstar, (although I have also witnessed performance purchasing). Rather, the coach paid the fee because the boy wanted to play.

How to Keep Your Child Safe From Pornography

By Marie Stroughter

Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

 (2 Timothy 2:22)

Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

 (1 Corinthians 6:18)

Pornography is just a click away for Internet-savvy teens and ‘tweens. Read on for how you can help protect your child from pornography’s lure.

According to the website XXXChurch, the average age of first exposure to pornography is eleven years old. This statistic crosses all socio-economic and religious boundaries. One online site stated that there are “more outlets for hard-core pornography in the United States, than there are McDonald’s restaurants.” With that in mind, if you think your family is immune, you are woefully unprepared to confront it, should your child be one of the statistics.

What can you do?

Will Smith's Wisdom

By Craig DeLuz

To sum this video up: Will Smith believes that hard work, commitment, focus and faith are the keys to his success. 

Daily Inspiration August 18, 2010

By Terry Minion

"The entrepreneur in us sees opportunities everywhere we look, but many people see only problems everywhere they look.  The entrepreneur in us is more concerned with discriminating between opportunities than he or she is with failing to see the opportunities."

-- Michael Gerber

"I was just pursuing what I enjoyed doing.  I mean, I was pursuing my passion."

-- Pierre Omidyar

I love these two quotes together. Michael Gerber, one of the world's foremost business entrepreneur leaders and Pierre Omidyar, founder of eBay.

Like Pierre says. . . I was just hangin' out and doing what I love to do. . . discriminate between all the opportunities I see around me. Yes. Indeed, there are opportunities everywhere when you believe that and of course there are none when you believe that, so everyone gets what they believe.

Integrity: What is your word worth?

By Craig DeLuz

There was once a time when a man's word was his bond; when business deals needed only be consummated with a handshake. While integrity like this may no longer be the norm, it is still valued...Greatly!!!

So, are you a man of integrity? What is your word worth?

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How Failure Can Make You a Winner

By Craig DeLuz

One of the big differences between being a winner and a loser is how one looks a things. In this lesson we will learn how winners look at and use failures to become successful.

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Willing and Able: Success Through Faith

By Craig DeLuz

The key to success is understanding that if we are willing, God is able. In this lesson we will discuss how our will to succeed can impact our ability succeed.

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