Logical + Unexplainable = Truth

The most logical thing i know is also the most unbelievable and unexplainable thing I know.  It just doesn't make sense, and yet makes complete sense.....

It's the good news of Jesus Christ,

the love of a creator,

the forgiveness and second chances,

the grace and mercy of someone who desires our love, and allows the free will for us choose him or to deny him. 

Our creator loves us so much, and desires our love so much, that he made an example of himself for us

to know,

to follow,

to learn,

to live by. 

All so we could be saved from an eternal separation from him.

Choose,

Know,

Follow,

Learn,

Live.

Consider Love,

Consider Change,

Consider Christ.

Why I voted NO.

Why I voted NO.

There is nothing a Union can do for me that I can't do for myself.  Individual work ethics and personal responsibility weigh more greatly to a positive relation between me and my employer than any third party can do. 

Poor return on investment.  Too much dues for too little benefit. 

The Union touts a very democratic rhetoric, yet speaks of, and demonstrates,  a very individualistic and selfish persuasion and ideals. 

Local, State, and Federal laws already do enough to protect my rights as an employee. 

I'm here to work, to bring home a paycheck, and provide for my family. I don't have time or desire for politics in the workplace.

Every person has the right to work, but you are not entitled to work.

No one who is in favor of the Union spoke a single word about it to me.

And finally, I actually like my job and the company I work for. Go figure.  And it pays well already. And I know that if I have a problem, or question, or concern, that I can (and i have) approach them on my own. 

-RJL

Say what?

"We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check."

"When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal."

"Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go."

"Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Consider your actions and your words!

Are you aware of your influence?

Are you doing and saying what you know to be right?

Paradoxical Portfolio

Ok, so I'll admit right away that this has nothing to do with money, or stocks, or dividends.

But it does have to do with some very important assets, and with investments which we have the opportunities to make every single day.

Investing your money can be stressful and risky at times, but what about lending some other assets?

Assets which you own, possess, and which are free to give.

What about giving away some of the things that make you you?
Your attributes?
Your talents?

But let's not stop there.

Lets diversify.

What would happen if you would give away some things that are more precious and valuable than all of those other things?

What if you gave something that yields much higher dividends than you could even imagine with money or skills?

You see, there's a bit of a paradox however.

A page of your portfolio that may almost definitely reflect a beneficial unbalance of you returns on investments.

A page that would reflect your most precious assets as investments.

But it's not necessarily your money,
nor your skills,
nor your advice,
but your best assets.


Consider this:

Invest in

Patience...
Smiles...
Kindness...
Hugs...
Joy...
Friendship...
Righteousness...
Love...
Selflessness...
Hope...
Peace...


Here's the paradox:

You give what you got without decreasing what you've got.

Unlike money, which must be divided before it's dispersed, these inherent defining principle qualities and attributes and actions can actually be multiplied before being shared, and as such, should be.

This in-turn also yields a higher return.

It allows us to share what we have with those around us in wonderful ways.

You've got something to give.
Something that could not only brighten your day,
better your life,
and calm your anxieties,

but also
when shared in-kind
it comes back around
and exponentially
saves life.

You have the opportunity to better someone's day through your
kindness,
patience,
love,
smile,
gentleness,
friendship,
selflessness,
and hope.

And consider
that your day may improve too!

Live Love my friends.

Invest in life.

Be the light of someone's day.

Be patient,
Be kind,
Be honest,
Be respectful,
Be true.


Not just from your mind,

Not just from your possessions,

But investments of your heart.

What guides you?

Soul -> Heart -> Mind -> Strength

From the inside -> out.

-------

Could it be that our actions, the physical part of us, the strength, if you will, is a result of the very being of who we are?

Think about where our actions come from.
Our strength is mustered up by, and through, our thought process and decisions to act.
Our strength being a direct result of our decision making process.
The mind being a source of guidance for your strength, and consequently your actions.


But where does that process start?

Think about your thoughts.

As paradoxical and strange as that might seem, it is possible. Since we are a very self-aware creature we can consider from where our thoughts derive.

Almost all your thoughts stem from your true feelings on matters; your passions, your desires, etc.
The heart of you, being the source of guidance for your mind.

But what shapes our hearts?

What gives you that sense of love, hate, morals, ethics, emotions, etc?

Typically our feelings on a matter are a reflection of what we truly believe, of what makes up your soul.
Your soul being the very root of who you are, at your core.

------

Your single genuine tear during a chick flick gives your girlfriend a glimpse at the kind of man you are. (which, by the way, she may like)


Your anger and tension when hearing political news may tell your friends a little about your deep patriotic convictions.



How you act, think, and feel may, more often than not, point to who you are!

And

If you're satisfied with the end result and display of your actions, you may be very satisfied and happy with life right now. And I'm happy for you, truly!

But

Consider this:

If you're unhappy, unsatisfied, depressed, regretful, ashamed.... then I challenge you with this:

Consider looking within yourself.
Trace your thoughts.
Determine not only who you are, which guides your actions,
but work at the core.

What do you truly believe?
How do you wish to be defined?
What can you do,
in practice and habit,
to shift your feelings, your thoughts, and your actions?


And know that you're not alone.


You are who you surround yourself with.
You are the books you read.
You are the music you listen to.
You are the games you play.
You are YOU as a result of what you do and what's been done around you.
You shape your being by the tools you allow to be worked on you.

For just as we are outwardly working creatures, acting upon our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs,

We are also inwardly influenced.
actions shaping minds,
thoughts shaping feelings,
and feelings shaping belief.

Soul <--> Heart <--> Mind <--> Strength

(From the outside --> In... And back again)

Life Resolution

How's your New Years Resolution going?

---

Most of us understand that the best way to reach a larger long-term goal is to set small obtainable goals. As we work at those, and hit incremental milestones, we gain confidence and hope so we may keep reaching forward, toward our larger goal and purpose.

And it's true.

Why then do we ignore this fact every January?

Failing and unrealistic New Years Resolutions tend to cripple hope and hinder progress. Every year Resolutions are made, and broken. We have all the confidence and support for the first month or two, and by the time summer comes we have forgotten or dismissed our promises to ourselves.

Why is this?

I believe our poor planning leads to poor performance. By not planning properly we set ourselves up for failure.

I believe that most often our New Years Resolutions are too large, too vague, and not coupled with the much needed smaller goals that could help lead to our resolution.

We say:
"I'm goin to get out of debt."
"I'm going to lose weight."
"I'm going to go to the gym every day."

And yes, those are good long-term goals. But what are we missing?

We're missing the means to those ends.

We're missing what it takes to get there.

We're missing those small obtainable goals.

We're missing the established principles that lead to real change in our lifestyles.

---

Forget about your New Years Resolution.

---

Instead,

Make a life choice.

Make a life resolution.

Choose every single day as a small step forward.

Choose every single day to push harder and further than you did the day before.

Choose principles and character ethics that are more powerful and more resilient than any New Years resolution could ever be.

Establish and develop and practice positive character traits; such as integrity, bearing, unselfishness, endurance, tact, temperance, modesty, courage, enthusiasm, fidelity, etc.

Resolve to be true to yourself.

Resolve to be better in every way.

Consider doing what is right.... all year long.

Be. Live. Love.

It's been about four months since I last wrote. The main reason is because of change. Some major change. Changes that have been happening in my life, which are outlined and eluded to in my previous post.

I've been making some major life choices.

My world has virtually been shifting it's axis.

Instead of being in the world of retail food sales, management, multiple volunteer organizations, and college studies,
I am now part of something a little different, a world of help,
in the midst of despair.
a world of hope,
among the trouble.
a world of learning,
during times of ignorance.

It's been busy.

Now that I'm working for an organization called Heartlight Ministries, I have an amazing opportunity to be part of a world that is all around us,
even though many don't see it.
A world that needs love.
during a time of need.
I am in the midst of people,
who need
Love!

These times and people are usually also in the midst of trouble, conflict, and trying situations.
The kinds of things that test the will, strength, and drive to be.
And, unfortunately, it's the kind of stuff that drives people away into destructive life styles, low self-worth, depression, self-loathing, and apathy.

And that's where I find a passion, and desire, and empathy, and love.
Not just in what is,
but also in what could be.

Joy in the pain.
Patience during conflict.
Joy in the suffering.
Hope through despair.
Joy in life for what it is....

and
as much as I can teach, I can learn even more.
as much as I'm helping, I'm being helped even more.
as much as i can push others, I'm being pushed even more.

The greatest joys I've found have been in the midst of mutual respect, in hope, in living life together with others, and in honoring an ultimate drive to better the world around me,
to help others,
to be helped,
to be loved,
and to love,
no matter what,
no matter who.


This is what I'm Considering,
this is my desire,
this is my challenge:

to not just do, but

to Be,
to Live,
to Love...

a busy ramble

When you hear talk about someone's plate being full, too many tasks and responsibilities, too much stuff in their lives, it's easy to see. It's easy to recognize when they're taking on too much. We even feel inclined to give some friendly advice and suggest courses of action that could help them simplify their lives, and maybe help them gain some sanity that they once knew.

But I am one of them. And I've been fortunate enough to have those guiding friends, and advice.

But I also know enough about myself to know that it's not that simple.

Don't get me wrong, advice is great. Encouragement for me to live a better, healthier, simpler, and less stressful life is very encouraged and welcomed.

But it's not as easy as a one-time suggestion, or a loving slap in the back of the head to say "hey, knock it off."

I've found that the most beneficial guidance through this over-stressed and complicated life is just that, 'guidance'....

My plate was not full..... It was overflowing!!
So much so that things were getting messy. Life was busy. If I wasn't doing something, I was thinking of what needed to be done. I have even commented a few times that I forget what it's like to be bored... I haven't been bored since high-school (10 years ago)...

So why? What's wrong with me?

Well, quite simply, I was, and sometimes still am, a gluton for busyness. But it's one of those self-realizations that I'm working to apply to my life.

I was raised and grew up with the understanding that if I'm not 'doing' something than I'm a failure. Whether it was intended to be that way or not is irrelevant, that's how I saw it. And it took a long time, a near nervous breakdown, and many instances of near burnout induced stress for me to finally start pushing stuff off of my plate.

And for someone like me who is defined by and prideful of works, that's extremely difficult to do.

But something had to be done. Change was imminent, like it or not, for better or worse.... Things had to change...

So it began.

From the wise words of Sally Holubec, "boundries Bobby, boundries!"

To the everlasting wisdom of God, emphasizing the value of 'rest'.

To the new introspective views of myself borne from my desire to know people, know God, and know myself.

To ever-growing passion to be out, among people, helping people.

To the continued spiritual influences and growth in my life.

...

Time for Change!

So now I sit here in the Lehigh Valley International Airport... Three and a half hours early for my flight, which will take me to Texas to a job interview.. And as I sit here, I'm prompted to write all of this for two reasons.

One: I needed something to do.... Ironic right?

And Two: In the hopes that just one person out there could benifit and learn from my experience, this is for you....

Consider it.

Focus The Blur

*****

I’ve been blessed (and cursed) to be a contributing member of many diverse organizations, committees, sub-committees, groups, and businesses.  These organizations, as I’ll collectively call them, all seem to have one thing in common. (even though they range from profit-to-nonprofit, religious-to-secular, political-to-ideological, and organized-to-chaotic)

That one thing that binds organizations together is also the one thing that causes most people to reject them, to leave them, to criticize them, and dare I say, to hate them.

That One thing is not any particular action, belief, or idea.  Nor is it any person, governance, ideology, or attitude.

It is a resulting loss of focus.

It is a straying from the organization’s original course, path, and purpose.

It’s the Organizational Blur……..

****

No group or entity is exempt from the requirements of authentic and purpose-driven forward motion.  Unfortunately, we rarely live up to it.

We get stuck focusing on the “shadow missions” (those short-term goals or tasks which are meant to help guide us to our ultimate and intended ends.)

We shift our eyes off of our intended purpose of being, simply for the sake of taking one step forward.

***

Any time an organization loses focus of its vision and its goals, and begins to forget its mission and reason for existing, we start to see a decline in efficiency, productivity, and cooperation among its members and supporters.

-increasing complexities

-operational plateauing and non-productive traditions

-selfishness and greed

-power struggles and pride

-favoritism and cliques  

All of these things can contribute to the demise of an organization when these things replace your purpose.

Tyrannical bureaucracy steps in when the people become apathetic to these factors and the group loses focus of the organization’s purpose for existence.

**

Fight that apathy…

 

Re-Focus…

*

Consider This:

As an Organization:

What is our primary goal or purpose?

Is what we are doing leading this organization to that goal or purpose?

How can the life of the organization change, shift, and refocus so that it’s life is purpose-driven, productive, meaningful, and fulfilling?

*Furthermore:

Consider This:

As a Person:

What is your primary goal or purpose?

Is what you are doing leading you to that goal or purpose?

How can your life change, shift, and refocus so that your life is purpose-driven, productive, meaningful, and fulfilling?

a causal thought

The 1989 motion picture Field of Dreams made famous a phrase that has, does, and will forever shape our way of thinking about this world, our lives, and about everything we do in our lives.

“If you build it, they will come.”

Family, business, church, entertainment, and marketing, to name a few, have been both beneficiaries and victims to this way of thinking. Though in several areas of life this may work effectively, the fact still remains that there are many more factors involved in a person’s decision making process that would cause them to grasp or accept anything, or to go anywhere. Furthermore, we tend to narrow our parameters and begin to lose result as we lose purpose.

The fallacy and misconception of this ever-popular philosophy is not just in underestimating the complexities of choice, but also in ignoring purpose and in turn believing that by simply “building” something people would just “come.”

The solution is not in building, but it’s in first finding a commonality, and then strengthening that link to a level of appeal that would result in the formation of an infrastructure or organization. The success in the formation and strength of any organization or infrastructure begins with the strength, might, will, and purpose of the intangible foundation.

In families, the commonalities are most likely a surname and genealogy. Some say that there’s no greater bond than that of family. Yearly reunions are formed and wars have been fought for family. Small towns have been split and treaties have been signed for the sake of the family name.

In business, there are local, regional, and national organizations formed over commonalities. Whether it’s philanthropy or community growth or profit margin, common bonds in business have a foundation that stands the test of pride, money, and time. It’s evident from the well known LIONS Club to the community business associations or from trade schools to unions.

But one area that lacks in solid foundational understanding of commonalities, and that continues to struggle to survive under the aforementioned philosophy of “if you build it, they will come”, is the church. And, more notably, the religion that usually forms or attempts to form churches.

Whether a church or not, no matter the deity of belief, there’s a basic cause and effect relationship between what we believe and what we do; between belief and religion. A revealing, sometimes disheartening, and often avoidable question is: Which is the cause and which is the effect?

Consider This: Religion should be the result of your relationship with God, not a vehicle to Him.

an open future...

Friends and friends to be:

A lot has been happening in my life since I first started this blog site, and as a result of a continued learning, and growing, and searching for truths I've decided to rewrite some of my blogs. So, any that I had posted here are no longer. However, I am in the process of updating/editing what was once written.

Furthermore, I'll be periodically posting even more!!

So, please come back, and read, ponder, challenge, think critically, comment, tell me if you agree or disagree with what I have to say. All that I ask is that you honestly Consider what I have to say, then decide if you want to agree or not.

Enter into this amazing adventure of life with me. And through it all, Consider This: Honest open truth-seeking dialog is a step in the direction of a peace we all seek after.

Enjoy, -bob...