Where Does the Bible Fit?

This is a great question and I’m glad you asked. The answer has two parts. The first part depends upon your worldview.  In another proverb I have written about worldview and I suggest you check that out. If you do not have a Christian worldview, the Bible, at best, is a book of literature, interesting stories, and moral standards. It likely has little or no impact upon your life.

For more on this, check out the short video below:

Worldview

Every individual has a worldview, think of it as the lens of a pair of glasses. If the lens are tinted red, then everything we see will seem red.  If blue, then blue. If clear, then clear. We are all wearing a figurative pair of classes called world view. Our worldview is influenced by a lot of factors: parental influence, the influence of our friends, the society’s values we have been exposed to, our faith, and education.

For more on this check out the short video below:

You are a Steward

The Bible says that you and I are created in the image of God. While the actual implications of that are vague, the significance can’t be overlooked. I want to add to being created in the image of God an intersection with this quote: “with great power comes great responsibility.” Whether you attribute this saying to Voltaire, who said it first, or Peter Parker, who is most famous for the quote in current times, there is an obvious burden that exists when taken in light of our creation in the image of God.

For more on this check out the short video below and be sure to subscribe to my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulfilling Life.

Fight of the Two Wolves

The story of the two wolves is so often repeated it is hard to determine where it originated. Basically, it goes like this. A man is teaching his grandson about life and tells him that he has two wolves fighting inside of him, one is evil and expresses itself in anger, envy, greed, arrogance, bigotry, self-pity, lies, and depravity. The other wolf is good and expresses itself in joy, peace, hope, love, kindness, humility, benevolence, generosity, truth and compassion. The grandson looks at his grandfather and, after considering what he has been told, asks “which wolf will win?”

For more on this check out the short video below and be sure to subscribe to my podcast: Proverbs for Living a Fulfilling Life

Does Your Stuff Own You?

I’ve just started distributing an expanded version of these Proverbs through my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulling Life which can be found wherever you get your podcasts – enjoy!

This may be one of the more difficult proverbs for Americans. After all, the American dream is all partially about owning stuff. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with owning stuff. The problem comes when your stuff begins to own you; when it dictates how you spend your free time and your discretionary money; when that stuff takes the place of God in your life or detracts from your ability to worship Him with your time or money.

For more on this check out the short video below.

 

Bad Company Corrupts

I’ve just started distributing an expanded version of these Proverbs through my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulling Life which can be found wherever you get your podcasts – enjoy!

Paul writes in the book of 1 Corinthians “Bad Company corrupts good character.” (15:33) Another saying goes, “one bad apple spoils the whole barrel.” Both of these sayings are experiential proverbs that point to the direct connection between who we associate with, and how they influence our behavior. To be more explicit: Your friends are going to have a powerful influence on your own character and behavior.

For more on this check out the short video below:

Garbage in / Garbage out

I’ve just started distributing an expanded version of these Proverbs through my podcast Proverbs for Living a Fulling Life which can be found wherever you get your podcasts – enjoy!

Garbage in/Garbage out is an older phrase introduced in the early days of computer programming. It meant that if your programming was bad, garbage in, then your output would also be bad, garbage out. This phrase has also been applied to people, as well. Health-wise the phrase “you are what you eat” reflects the same awareness that our diet affects our overall health and physical well-being. The concept also finds a parallel in how we think.

For more on this check out the short video below:

 

 

 

That’s Just Who I Am

“I call ‘em like I see ‘em,” “I’m direct, I say what I mean,” “I don’t pull my punches,” I’ll tell it to you straight.” Usually these kind of statements are followed by “that’s just who I am.” I think we can all appreciate being told the truth, but more often than not these kind of comments, and the vitriol that often accompanies them, amounts to nothing more than evidence of poor or nonexistent people skills (emotional intelligence).  If you are wearing that phrase like a badge of honor, proud of your personal integrity, the only one you are fooling is yourself.

For more on this check out the short video below:

Find the Balance

You may have walked across a balance beam as a young person, or perhaps across a log stretching between the banks of a stream or gully. When we were growing up, my brother and I would walk across a log over an empty streambed, but when we got to the middle we would do whatever we could to get the other one to fall off. I learned quickly that, while it takes balance even to get across the log, when you are faced with challenges, keeping your balance can be much harder.

For more on this check out the short video below:

In the Moment

Mother Angelica said, “If I’m living in the future or I’m living in the past, I’m not receptive to the grace of the Present Moment.” For her, the Present Moment took on the importance of a sacrament. As she explains it:

…I was getting too caught up in the problems of each day. They would overwhelm me. At that point, I decided I couldn’t do that. You handle this moment, then the next, and then you forget about it and move on to the next moment. …to bear everything that happened today and everything that will happen tomorrow all at one time is too much for anyone. (Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality)

For more on this check out the short video below: