Some Thoughts About Courage

Somebody said that courage is the greatest of all of the virtues because it makes all of the others possible. Although life is not easily explained with slogans and maxims; I tend to agree with that statement. Courage is essential for living. Without it; how can we survive? To take the concept to a higher level; being fearful is considered a sin. Why would God declare that the "fearful shall have their part in the lake of fire"? I will simplify the matter. I will bring it to the easiest and understandable denominator: God does not want us to be fearful, because He loves us so much. Fear and love are remotely connected. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out all fear." (l Jn 4:18) Don't be afraid of anything or anyone. It is a commandment from God. It is also excellent advice. Please do not misunderstand; I am not advocating living a life of wrecklessness and carelessness, I advocate a life that is devoted to God. By doing that, you will have shown courage, and you will have courage. That is just the way it is.

Make It Happen

Think, plan, pray, execute. Make it happen. Go ahead and dream. Go ahead and aspire, but make it happen. Go ahead and research the matter. Do you want it? Then make it happen. You make it happen. You are living your life. You are dreaming your dreams. You are developing your goals. Make it happen. Do not let anything stop you, including your own shortcomings. You know you can do it. Make it happen. Break down the barriers that are stopping you from succeeding. They are your enemies. They might be people or things. They might be abstract or concrete. Break them down, destroy them or go under them, over them, around them or right through them. Whatever the situation calls for. Foolishness, insanity or illegal conduct are not part of the plan. One step at a time. Think, plan, pray, execute. Keep going. Don't stop. Make it happen. YOU make it happen.

Parents: Teach Your Children

Kids do not raise themselves. They need to be raised. They need to be taught, trained and protected. They are not weeds, therefore they need to be nurtured. Since they are not animals; they must be taught the ways of civilization, civility and citizenship. They will not, and they cannot teach themselves those things. You must teach them. Parents: Teach Your Children. Teach them to respect others. GIVE RESPECT, GET RESPECT. Socialize them. Teach them how to play with other children. Read to them. Read to them every day. Teach them good manners. Teach them about "please, thank you, excuse me, and your welcome." Teach them to be fair. Teach them to share. Be patient with them. Love them. Hug them. Teach them about the fruit of the Spirit. There are 9. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Discipline them. Don't they deserve to know what is right and wrong? It does not come natural. It must be taught. So teach them. Teach them the importance of being responsible. Teach them to be good students in school. Ask them about their homework. Be on top of the situation. Look at their homework. Look at their grades. Be courteous to their teachers. Get your children involved in sports and Church. Go to their games. Support their extracurricular activities. They don't stay little very long. But while they are under your care; teach them. PARENTS: TEACH YOUR CHILDREN.

NFL Player: Learn How To Party

These words can be directed to anyone who goes out to bars, night clubs, lounges and other places of entertainment where liquor is served. They can be directed to any professional athlete who earns a very high salary for the work that he does. But I would like to direct it mainly to any NFL player who goes out and drinks and then gets a DUI. I have one question for you: With all of those millions you are earning: can't you call a cab? With all of those millions you are earning: why don't you rent a limo? Are you afraid you might be considered a wimp? Are you afraid you might not be able to show off your new Bentley? Wise up, man. Do it for the fans. Do it for your own career, do it for your team. Your career is in jeopardy anyway, considering the line of work you are in. You are one twist, one fall, one block, one tackle, one hit away from a career ending injury. Why increase the possibility of scandal, accidents, injury, heavy fines, scrutiny, embarrassment, and above all.....death? Why? Think, man think. Consider this: What is more costly: The price of a cab or limo; or the loss of a multimillion dollar career? Better yet: Quit using drugs and liquor...learn how to party. Can't do it? Ask God to help you. He will.

A kind and Encouraging Word

I respected him. He was not actually a close friend. He was just a guy I knew. He was 2 years older than I. It was the Summer of 1957. I was 14 years of age. Some guys from OTNC were at Kimball Park in National City. They were sitting on a little hill overlooking the National City Plunge. I knew all of them. One of them had played football at Sweetwater High School. His name was Pino. I started to talk to him because in September I was going to start my sophomore year at Sweetwater High School. I was planning to go out for the JV Football team. I was anxious about it, but I was also nervous. I really wanted to succeed. I approached the group and then started talking to Pino. I asked him about football. We discussed it a bit. I told him that I wanted to have a good season. He looked at me and said two words: "try hard." I have no idea why those two words inspired me and motivated me so much. For years and years I repeated them in my mind. I finally concluded that they were words of kindness and encouragement. I needed to hear them. They "hit the nail on the head," so to speak. It was not so much the literal aspect of the words that affected me. It was the spirit and the attitude with which they were said. He meant what he said, and he said what he meant, and more. It was a kind and encouraging word from a 16 or 17 year old. I never became a great football player, but I never quit. I played football for three years at Sweetwater High, and I have never forgotten Pino's words of encouragement. That was a long time ago.

Good Water, Bad Water

A good, cold glass of water is sure refreshing when you are thirsty. I like it when it is crystal clear. I like it when it is cold, and when it tastes pure. I like hot water to take a shower. I like warm water as well. Cold showers invigorate. I like them too. I use good, pure water to wash my clothes, make my coffee and tea. I also use it to cook my food. I like water. I like to swim in it.....mostly in a swimming pool. I seem to like water only when it is under control. When it is under control it is very useful for industrial purposes and the transfer and disposal of human waste. Thus, water under control prevents and treats illness. If it is out of control, people drown. If it is out of control it will flood cities, farms, businesses and property. It will destroy the lives of people and animals. It will cause disease, illness and death. It can cause despair and hopelessness. Why? Because it is out of control. Sometimes dog owners who train their dogs say to them: "Good dog!" Sometimes they say to them: "Bad dog!" It just all depends on the outcome of their conduct. The same is applicable for water. Can we control water? History and technology tell us yes. They also tell us no. Consequently there is good water and bad water.

Put Out That Fire, If You Will

Fire can be a very positive force in our lives. It serves to cook our food, warm our liquids, homes and bodies. It is used to manufacture necessary goods. It helps create a peaceful and comfortable setting in a fireplace. Fire is light, therefore it helps us to see things. It sure is beneficial, but only when it is under control. Fire is used to destroy things. When it is used that way, it is usually used under controlled circumstances. When fire is out of control it will destroy things we did not necessarily want destroyed....including property, human, animal and plant life. Fire is destructive.....when it is out of control. It is productive when it is under control. The fire in our hearts is designed to do good. We need to keep it burning. It needs to grow and grow. But wait! Hold on! I see another fire! It is burning too! It also wants to grow! It wants to spread! It is a wild fire! It wants to cause shame and destruction! It wants to satisfy self and deny others! It is full of desire! It does not care about consequences! It only cares about pleasing self! This fire will cause much devastation and trouble! It will cause despair and hopelessness! Put out that fire! Call the fireman! What is his name? His name is Will.

She Is Not A Chair

I know the meanings of certain words change as time goes on. There are reasons for these changes. They are influenced by political climate, culture change and change of values. Some view certain words as racist, sexist, insensitive or intolerant. One example of a word change is the word "gay," it used to mean happy. I guess it still means happy but the new meaning has all but eliminated the old meaning. I grew up hearing the use of the word "actress." No more. Anyone who acts on stage or screen these days is an "actor" regardless of gender. I checked an old dictionary regarding the word "chair." One of the meanings of the word is a chairman or presiding officer. Nevertheless, throughout the years it was not commonly used that way. When I address the "chair," am I addressing the person or the position. Take your pick. Like "actor," chairman does not differentiate between a man and a woman. "She is the chairman" is perfectly fine. It does not violate any structure of official codified meaning. It violates some social norm, even though "actor" doesn't. Incidently, "chairwoman" is an old dictionary term. She may be the chair, but she is not a chair. But wait, what if there is a meeting of all of the "chairs" of all the committees in one room. The one presiding over the meeting is the "chair."
I stand corrected. She is a chair, presiding over chairs.

Intelligence And Emotions

Everyone has gifts. Some people sing well. Some are talented at music, the arts or sports. Some are big and strong. Some run fast. Many natural gifts are out there. Some men and women are intelligent. Unfortunately, some of those people have never really had the opportunity to see their intelligence grow, flourish, and produce fruit. Why? Because their emotions got in the way. Their anger got in the way. Their bitterness got in the way. Their hatred got in the way. Their jealousy got in the way. Their lust got in the way. Their pride got in the way. Yes, pride is an emotion. Their emotions ruled their lives so much; they were never able to unleash the potential of their intelligence. This caused disrupted lives and suffering. It is possible for an intelligent man to be a fool. How does that happen? By being smart, but not kind. By being clever but not wise. By being knowledgeable but not humble. He used his intelligence to hurt instead of help. A fool is a victim of his own emotions; even if he is intelligent. What is he then? He is an intelligent fool.