Tag: faith

Another resolu….

A Father Heard

Yesterday, we let go of 2018! Today, we embraced 2019!

With this new year, the world is going crazy with resolutions for lives. The gyms are full of individuals looking to get healthy! The grocery carts are loaded with fruits, vegetables, and high quality proteins. The journals are receiving fresh marks of ink. Many of these are made with good intentions, and they’ll benefit a small portion of the population. However, much of the population will revert back to what is comfortable faster than the ink dries on that brand new journal.

Now, I don’t want you to think that I’m coming from a place of condemnation. That, my friend, is not my intention. I have become all too familiar with the process of starting with hopes high, only to fall flat on my face. Brutal!

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There are the times when I’ve soared high like an eagle searching the country side! That’s when everything is working as I desired! In these moments, we’re feeling good about the decision to make changes in our lives. It’s easy to wake up at 4:30 a.m. for quiet time before the day gets away from us. It seems like the articles and podcasts are full of creativity, that will never dry out! The weight is falling off!

Things are clicking! But why is that? It’s simple!

Every result comes from action! And the opposite is true. If there’s no action, then we can expect to have no results. Make no mistake about it. Both are related to lifestyle choices. One will do work, and the other will choose not to work for it.


Human beings are the only creatures who have the ability to write down their goals and design their future. And here is why most of us don’t. We’re trapped either by regret of the past or the routine of the present.
Jim Rohn

I don’t know where you are currently located on the spectrum of life. Just know that another resolution isn’t the answer. I’m not saying to continue doing what doesn’t serve you. If you want to make changes, then make those changes. However, it means to figure out what you need to have in place to make your desires more attainable.

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Identify your priorities.
  • Find your purpose and passion, and fuel it with your WHY!
  • Set SMART goals.
  • Put your thoughts into a journal.
  • Find an accountability partner and/or mentor.

There are so many things that we can do to create results. But, they start with changing our mindset and our habits. So as the scripture tells us, “Write the the vision and make it plain!” I wish for you much fruit in this season! Isn’t that why you started in the first place?

What has Your Faith System Taught You About Yourself?

A Father Heard

When you think about faith and it’s impact on your life?  What is the first thing that comes to your mind?  What rises up in your flesh; as well as, your spirit?  What do you take hold of as apart of your own beliefs? What do you cast off by the way side?

When one begins to think about faith, how did they come to a particular faith or lack of faith?  Are you, merely, operating out of what you were taught by your parents? Perhaps, your faith is due to being born in a certain region of the world. No matter how you came to a particular belief system, you must learn something about you as a person. If you’re not learning and growing; you’re, fooling yourself!

“’Christians’ need to be asked some serious questions. I’m tired of how shallow most people’s faith is…”–Joshua Banks

The statement above came from a good friend of mine after an interesting conversation about knowing oneself. Particularly, how faith is a key component of knowing oneself.  For me, it is the rudder steering the ship of my life. When I’m most aligned with my belief system, my ship is full steam ahead. At times, I find myself out of alignment for numerous reasons. Consequently, I experience difficulties with navigating the ship. The waters become murky. The waves are larger than life itself. Next thing you know, I’m way off course.  Once I come to my senses, my faith is quickly restored.  Now, I’m moving in the right direction.

All too often, we don’t study, practice, and teach our beliefs.  When we neglect any or all of these, we can find ourselves in a position of not knowing who we are. We start acting and behaving in ways, which are not consistent with our character.  Most importantly, not consistent with our professed system of faith. Or, we find ourselves going through the motions. Merely, faking it!  What happens when we stop faking it?

When we begin to draw near to God, He draws near to us. If you’re not familiar with the story of the Prodigal Son, you can find it here. The story tells us about a young man, who left home with an inheritance.  He went off to a far off place, where He was doing any and everything under the sun. At some point after wasting his inheritance, the son comes to himself and returns to his home.  He had become unrecognizable.  As he is approaching, his father recognizes him.  Then, runs to receive him with open arms. Ultimately, the father throws a welcome home party for the son.

His identity was quickly restored through his actions.  Despite his waywardness, he was the exact same person that his father always knew.  His father knew, solely, based on their relationship. Despite the distance and the son’s behavior, their relationship hadn’t changed one bit for the father. The father knew himself.  It was the son, who lost sight of himself.

At the same time, while this father and son is rekindling their relationship, the other son is having a case of amnesia brought on by his own identity crisis. He, too, didn’t know who he was to his father.  And, he hadn’t left the house. He had been there the whole time, and didn’t recognize his own worth and value. He didn’t realize the love, that was ever present for him.

As a father, I can say that I love my two children equally. There’s no favoritism of one over the other.  However, our relationships are very different. I see them as individuals.  Therefore, I love them differently. But, I don’t love one more than the other. No matter what they do.  I love them!

Back to the question at hand.  What does my faith system tell me about myself?  My faith tells me, that I’m loved by the most high. It tells me, that the Creator is delighted in me.  That he knew me inside of my mother’s womb.  With this knowledge, I understand that there’s nothing that I can do to add to it or take away from that love. And, as the song states “I’m fully known and loved!”

opened bible on wooden surfaca
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Trust the Process

A Father Heard

If you didn’t get a chance to take a look at my last article, feel free to check it out here.  Most of today was, pretty much, filled with speakers and attendees sharing pictures and take-a-ways from the conference.  As one of the co-founders, I really didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy the event like the attendees.  There were mishaps with communication, a sick keynote, and many other things.  The RSVP’s didn’t match up with the number in attendance, and they never do.  But, don’t get me wrong!  What I took away from the event is to TRUST THE PROCESS.  Yes, I realize that typing in all caps has a particular meaning. But, I don’t care! The conference was off the chain!

All too often, we get caught up in the details at the expense of the overall goal. We idolize the minute details, while ignoring the big picture.  The details serve a purpose to get us to the destination.  The finished product.  Why don’t we always have the faith to believe the outcome will happen, exactly, as it is meant to happen?  TRUST THE PROCESS means to let go of everything that you don’t have control over in the moment.  The band might not be able to make it.  OK!  Where do we go from this point?  Breathe and relax!  Guess what? They were able to make it after all.  What do you mean the closing keynote is sick?  No worries! Dude on the team is an amazing speaker, and ready to fill in the need.  And, he showed up and showed out for us!

Isn’t that what life is all about? Something unexpected happens, then you assess the situation and respond. Adapt and overcome! Recognize that change might become a part of your process. When soldiers are in combat and things start to get stressful, they breathe. Why? To gain control of their emotions in order to assess the situation and make appropriate decisions.  The more chaotic the situation, the calmer you need to be in that situation.  That allows you the ability to gain clarity, which lends itself to being able to TRUST THE PROCESS.

Now, I’m not saying to neglect the details.  That is part of the process.  You can’t make a cake without all the ingredients. You can’t fix a car without the necessary parts. The details serve a purpose. Just don’t get fixated on them! The blueprint is not the actual building! It’s your guide along the journey! So, sit back and enjoy the ride! That’s what we ultimately did…at the celebration dinner! Always, TRUST THE PROCESS.

person holding black pen
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The Pain In My Back (part 2)

A Father Heard

If you’ve never experienced a vertebral subluxation, you should count yourself blessed. In my last article, I started writing about my experience with this condition. After what was an extremely challenging week, it was followed with a week of improvement and  progress.  Much of the pain has left my body; as well as, the tingling in my feet.  After several days of chiropractic adjustments and stretching, I can say that I feel much better. I can get in and out of the car without pain. I can pick up my little ones.

Thinking about how this condition came out of no where, it reminds me of how life can take a turn on us at a moments notice.  One minute everything is going well, there isn’t a care in the world. All of sudden, there’s an application of pressure calling on us to adjust to this situation. Depending on our foundation, our adjustments will facilitate or impede or progress. If you go back to my previous article, you see how it ends with an affirmation of what is an expectation of a quick recovery.  My foundation is rooted in my faith, that my God is a healer.  At the same time, my faith requires something of me.  It requires me to follow the treatment plan. It requires me to rest my body. It requires me to align my body and mind.

adult back view blur boy
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The Pain in My Back

A Father Heard

This past week has been a challenging one for me.  Why has this week been more difficult than other weeks as of late?  Well, I’m glad that you asked!  It started with back pain, that came out of no where.  Mind you! I’ve felt this pain 2-3 times before in the past year.  Each time, it comes on with no warning.  When it strikes, I’m down for the count for several days.  Then, it goes away and things are back to normal. This week, that was not the case.  The usual suspects (tightness in the thighs, throbbing in my hips, and burning in the small of my back) were present. However, they decided to bring a friend (tingling in my foot and lower leg).

All of this prompted me to contact a chiropractor, which I’ve never had to do in the past.  Never crossed my mind.  But this time, it was different.  I begin to search my insurance company’s website for one.  I find the one closest to me, and I make that call in the morning.  Thirty minutes after making that call, I’m sitting inside of the Chiropractor’s Office.  Each step full of agonizing pain, that won’t go away.

I fill out the intake forms, take care of vitals signs, and begin to share my story.  My story prompts them to take an x-ray, and that’s when the intruder is revealed41185027_1952594641498573_480098247575076864_n.  However, I don’t get this information until the next day at my second appointment.  Sublaxation of the spine! I’m not really feeling this information. The day before, I walk into this office thinking that she’ll crack my back and I’ll be good to go. Now, it’s something else. I’m embarking on what the doctor describes to me as a long process. A treatment plan consisting of twenty visits.  Definitely, not feeling that information!

Grateful that I’ve insurance to use for this situation. But, the thought of a $30/copay for each visit is not what I need at this time. I mean I’ve a family to feed and bills to pay. Started a new position at work as this week, and I’ve had to miss close to three days of an already shortened week. I’m expected do stretch every hour.  Didn’t I mention that I have to work? I’ve kids, who I long to roughhouse with. I’ve got a weeds to pull. Blah, Blah, Blah!

I could go on and on about the pain caused by the pain in my back.  But, that’s not the end of the story.  After receiving treatment, it feels a lot better. I’ve gained back a lot of range of motion from the prescribed stretches. I’m walking a little more. I’m more cognizant of my posture after a coworker shared an article on back pain. I’ve the faith, that God will speed up my healing process! When I feel discomfort, I’m reminded of how much I need to rely on Him to get me through it.  In my weakness, He is made strong!