Think About It

What could happen if we lived everyday like it was Christmas week?   Would there be less fighting because we are more tolerant of people?   Would there be less homelessness because people are more giving?   Would there be less godlessness because people are more religious?   Just how would the world change if we lived every week like it was the end of December?   Maybe a more important questions is how would I change if I lived every day of my life like it was the holiday season?   Alas, we will never know because people can’t do that or, wait a minute – is it because people won’t choose to do it?   There is nothing mystical or magical about the days this time of year – the thing that is different is our attitude, we choose to be different!   So, if we can choose to be better this time of year, why don’t we choose to be better all times of year? I like the holiday season because it does seem to be a more joyous time of year.   Even with al...

One day, when Jesus and His disciples were walking along they noticed a man who had been born blind.  The disciples decided it was a good time for an intellectual discussion so, “ ... His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?’”  (John 9:2).  On the surface, trying to understand what led to the man’s condition might seem important to figuring out how to help him, but rather than interrogate the man, Jesus healed him.  Jesus was more interested in satisfying the need than understanding the background that led to the condition.            Have we ever found ourselves in the disciples’ shoes?  We see someone in need and the first thing we do is try to figure out why this person is struggling.  If we hope to help heal the long-term issue, we have to understand how they got to this point in the first place, right?  While there might be some...

          What do we do when one of our subordinates receives credit for doing a good job?  How do we respond when a contemporary of ours does a better job than we do and gets the praise they deserve?  How do we respond when our spouse gets rave reviews from our children when we do the same thing (or even more things) and barely get a “thank you”?           Most all of us face a sense of dissonance when others are recognized for their accomplishments.  On one hand, we are grateful that they are getting the attention they deserve, but on the other hand we may feel a little envious that we aren’t appreciated.  While we may be pleased that the people we have trained are successful, there might be a fear that they could end up being a little too good and take our place.           A human approach to recognition can lead to hurt feelings and alienation i...

          Do we believe in God?   Most of the people I know believe in God ... so, that is not the real focus of this article.   To me, the more important question is “why” do we believe in God?             Through the years there has been a push to try to prove the existence of God.   While there has been advancement in the world of logic to rationalize a belief in God, the greatest strides have been made in using science to prove God.   Things such as “Christian Evidences” have been used to defend the existence of God.   While this is admirable, I think there are a couple of things that need to be remembered.   First, God does not need us to defend Him.   As the most powerful Being in existence, He really doesn’t gain a lot by my pea-brain justifying and defending Him.   Should I support God’s claims – you betcha – but, I must not be brazen in a belief that my defense o...

          Is anyone else growing weary of the dark, cloudy, wet weather?   I don’t know how things have been where you are, but I have to admit this this record-setting year in Southern Maryland is weighing on me.   I am about tired of the gloomy weather.   As my sister would say, I think I am in need of some sunny saline therapy!   A little bit of sun would go a long way in improving my attitude.           As I was thinking about my personal negativity I got to thinking about the world in which we live.   Have you noticed how much doom and gloom we have to face each and every day?   Some days we may have our own problems, but each and every day we face a world that is struggling and people more than willing to spread the message.   Our political system, the debate about climate change, the evil being perpetrated, the natural disasters ... in fact, it just see...

One of the best ways to get along with others is to be able to see things through their perspective.  This sounds good, but how do we go about doing that?  No two people think the same way, nor do we really have the ability to “walk a mile in their shoes”.  So, how can we come to appreciate their point of view – here are a few thoughts: 1)  Watch for the priorities in their life .  Do they take a “legalistic” stance on issues or are they more apt to see issues through the lenses of mercy?  We don’t have to agree with their perspective, but understanding what makes them tick can help us find common grounds. 2)  Ask them about their lives .  We are fashioned by nature and nurture.  While people are shaped by their emotional and educational growth, our environment has a lot to do with our preferences and perspectives.  The more we learn about someone’s past influences, the better we will be able to understand how they got to where they...

For those of us who were alive during the 1970s there may have been no more compelling television than the hearings of “The Senate Select Committee On Presidential Campaign Activities” or better known as the Watergate Hearings.   Even though this show was live, it had more twists and turns than the best of the Daytime Dramas.   For weeks, the Senate Committee investigated the activities of the Nixon Administration and the Committee to Re-elect the President.   Most people are familiar with the outcome of the hearings, but the other day I came across an interesting quote by Senator Sam Ervin from the Final Report that condemned the activity by noting, “ Their lust for political power blinded them to ethical considerations and legal requirements; to Aristotle's aphorism that the good of man must be the end of politics; and to Grover Cleveland's conviction that a public office is a public trust.”.   As I read this observation I was struck by Senator Ervin’s assessment ...