inspirational Thoughts

Inspirational Thoughts on Love

photo by Nicholaus Haskins

“If you have only one smile in you give it to the people you love.” – Maya Angelou

Love Powers Life

You stand in your room with only the reflection of yourself staring in the mirror to comfort you. You recite several hundred times how you are going to say it. Tonight is the night and you are committed to it.

I love you.

The most popular sentence in the history of the world is also the most difficult to actually form out of your mouth. It is estimated that we think about this sentence more than any other topic combined. Money, wealth, popularity and possessions don’t even compare.

We want to share the deepest parts of our heart with another person and feel their love in return.

God Created Love to Inspire Our Thoughts

[Read more...]

Enjoy Your Life Today! 25 Hilariously Creative Tips to Rock Living

photo by Nicholaus Haskins

“It gives you hope in salvation and perspective in the life that we live today. Its nice to know that there is good out there in a world full of terror and evil.” -Robert Hayden

Bail Out of Reality and Enjoy Your Best Life Today

I hate logging into Facebook because friends will swamp me with chat messages. The same boring chat messages. It doesn’t matter the time of the day. My computer screen will mock me and send the horrifyingly dreadful Facebook ding with an evil red balloon over a name with the same repeated message.

“Hey, I’m bored. Talk to me.”

Guilt devours me as I ignore the first one. A few minutes later, my computer sasses me and sends me another. “Its been forever” this one reads. I cave and throw away the next 2 hours of my life.I love all of my friends and they are really precious to me, but sometimes I just want to reply..

“Duh, you are bored! Get off Facebook.” [Read more...]

7 Inspirational and Funny SpongeBob Quotes About Life

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SpongeBob Squarepants Subversive Quotes on Life

I admit it. My two sons love SpongeBob Squarepants.

I fought the pop culture icon of the decade for seemingly centuries. I vowed I would not allow my children to watch the strange looking creature that I was sure would fry brain cells quicker than the strongest marijuana Jamaica could produce. It was a battle I knew that I must fight in order to save the planet and produce intelligent children.

I caved.

It has been a year and my boys still laugh harder on every episode of this show than anything else they have ever seen and this includes the talking superhero trio of a turtle, guinea pig, and duck otherwise known as the Wonder Pets. I’ve accepted my fate as an average dad and have joined in the fun laughing alongside of them. You should see us all singing the theme song together all off key.

It’s the modern day portrayal of Dante’s Inferno.

SpongeBob’s Hidden Agenda

Recently, I started listening to what this yellow sponge with a love for the juicy Krabby Patty was subliminally teaching my children. Does this seemingly lovable creature have a hidden agenda to stupefy the world? Is there a secret conspiracy behind those blank but sweet eyes to take over the world?

I had to find out! [Read more...]

Win Hillsongs Critically Acclaimed Album Aftermath

Win Free Copy of Hillsong United Album Aftermath

Do you enjoy excellent worship music that inspires you to get closer to God?

Hillsong United’s Worship Albums Has Unmatched Success

Hillsong United is one of the single most successful worship bands of the last 20 years. One of their songs is almost guaranteed to be playing on a Christian radio station this very minute. Church worship bands all across the U.S. will play Hillsong’s “Mighty to Save” or any of their vast collection of songs this Sunday.

They began their historic rise to the top as a youth praise and worship band at the influential Hillsong church in Sydney, Australia. Their songs contrasted with the popular worship music of the day by writing more rock oriented music that appealed to the younger culture, but also have struck a strong chord with nearly everyone with their emotionally powerful lyrics.

Aftermath – Hillsong’s Newest Critically Acclaimed Album

They have produced over 10 combined studio and live albums which have culminated in their latest album – Aftermath. This is their second studio album and you will hear the band’s lyrical and musical growth in every one of their songs. The already smash-hit radio song, “Search My Heart”, is a beautiful arrangement that speaks to your humility to allow God to enter your heart and allow Him to transform your life.

This album will inspire you to get closer to God and allow Him to direct your life.

Win Your Free Copy of Aftermath

Do you want to know how to win their latest album, Aftermath?

I am probably preaching to the choir and you already know how powerful and inspiring Hillsong’s albums are. You only want to know how to win their latest album. What are the steps, amount of surveys and newsletters sign-ups you must grudgingly fill in order to get a chance to own this album?

none.

I am giving away this album to the altNoise community with no strings attached. Everyone of the noisemakers are all equally eligible to participate in the competition. It is my way to say thank you and give back to you in a fun and friendly game.

On March 15, I will randomly draw a name from our Facebook fan page. Somebody that is a fan of this website will win Hillsong United’s newest album and will listen to it by March 16th. The lucky winner will receive a Facebook message and email from me with a direct link from iTunes to download the entire album immediately after I draw the random name.

So all you have to do is click “like” on the sidebar’s fan page and you are instantly eligible to win!

Increase Your Odds

Of course, it wouldn’t be fun without a little more challenge. There is a fun way to increase your odds of winning. Every time you participate in the altNoise community, I will add another slip of your name to the hat. You can stack the deck simply by being opinionated.

There are three ways that you can increase your odds in the competition.

Comment on Articles. Every substantive comment you leave on any of our articles will get your name added to the hat. I know that your opinionated so here’s your chance to win something for it.
Leave a Prayer Request. You have a burden on your heart and we have an online prayer wall that you can post your concerns. You can post 1 prayer request and we will add your name to the hat.
Tag our Fan Page in a Facebook Status. You can tag our Fan Page everyday from now until the 15th to add your name to the hat. There are 12 more days until the 15th which means you can have me write your name 12 additional times in addition to 1 prayer request and unlimited comments.

Are you ready?

This is your chance to win an excellent worship album in a fun and friendly manner. The more you participate in the community and have fun will lead to a greater likelihood of you winning. Hillsong United is one of my favorite worship bands. I love listening to their songs and I enjoy playing their songs on the guitar even more.

So get started today.

The 1 Secret of Happy Relationships in Lasting Love

Secret of Happy Relationships and Lasting Love

“Trust is to human relationships what faith is to gospel living. It is the beginning place, the foundation upon which more can be built. Where trust is, love can flourish” – Barbara Smith

enduring, lasting and happy relationships

photo by Adwriter

How is your relationship with your significant other?

Are you really happy?

My Failed Attempts at Lasting Love

I realize the irony in a single divorced 20-something man giving relationship advice to the general public. It is true that I could heed some other experts advice on dating and relationships. It isn’t my fault that I find the nearest escape route as soon as a potentially suitable partner takes notice in my unnaturally large head. I swear that I am just a hopeless romantic in an enduring search for the right woman for me.

Ya, I couldn’t even fool myself with that line.

Anyway, I will return to issue at hand. I miraculously discovered that I can give great relationship advice for other people as I’ve seen marriages restored, lives blossomed and unicorns created when I open my mouth. Maybe it is the mystery of the cosmos or maybe it is the revelation I discovered in an ancient Egyptian self-help book found at my public library. [Read more...]

Spiritual Giants and Their Inspirational Story

Inspirational Spiritual Giants and The Stories That Changed Your Life

photo by Ronn aka "Blue" Aldaman

8 Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. 9 God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart[d] by spreading the Good News about his Son. – Paul [Romans 1:8-9 New Living Translation]

Who are the spiritual giants and mentors in your life?
I feel blessed that I have many good friends and family members who I can proudly share about their spiritual walk. I’ve been able to surround myself with many wonderful people whom have wonderful stories of how God has changed them and their dedication to making an impact on this world through their walk with Christ. Their lives are truly God’s living word spread into this world.

A Spiritual Giant That Inspired My Life

One such friend passed away a couple of years ago. I grew up looking up to him as a spiritual mentor. He never was what one would consider wealthy or powerful, but he always seemed to be free from burdens. He always walked around with a smile and a listening ear. In fact, he always went out of his way to be there for someone whether it be giving an encouraging word or building a ramp for a woman in a wheelchair who can’t afford to hire someone.

He simply showed love and compassion wherever he went because God’s love and spirit had become completely embedded into his heart.

I attended his funeral and I felt encouraged because the room was filled with inspired hearts. Person after person continued to share how this man had impacted his or her life. He never did anything of notoriety that would be seen on the national news but it was clear that this humble man whom few would know outside of my small hometown clearly changed the world for so many people and the funeral was an important inspirational moment in my life because I was able to see the results of a man who spent every day completely sold out to God’s love.

I’m proud to have called this man my friend and a spiritual mentor. I love to share his story in any applicable situation. I pray that one day people might be able to share similar stories about me – stories of how I changed their life not because I achieved the American dream and accumulated great wealth but because I was there to show God’s love when they needed it most.

Makings of a Personal Spiritual Giant

Many times we look to the television, history books or even the Bible to find our spiritual heroes. These men and women that changed the world and had incredible faith to stand up for what is right. Men such as Martin Luther, Billy Graham and women such as Joan of Arc or Mother Teresa. These people have shaped the face of history and are giants.

but they aren’t the spiritual giants that you know.

If you look back at your life, there is a good chance that you can name at least one person that has really affected your spiritual journey. They probably are barely known outside of your own personal circle of reference and also probably are misfits to the outside world, but this doesn’t mean anything.

To you, they are a spiritual giant.

What separates these people from everyone else in your life? Is it that they are more blessed than us? Is it that God has a deeper connection with them? Is it that have some supernatural powers?

no.

Qualities of Spiritual Giants

I believe that there are only a few things that separate our personal spiritual giants from the rest of the world. It is these few qualities that makes them stand out in our own faith, but the same qualities that make them almost invisible in the outside world. These aren’t qualities that will lead you to great worldly success but they are qualities that can help you transform into someone that really makes a difference in the lives of people.

Spiritual Giants are Deeply Committed

Many people like to turn to God and go to church when things are great in their lives. There are also those people who only turn to God when things are completely torn to shreds in their lives. Both sets of people only use God in their personal extremes. God can either be used for praise in success or prayer for money.

This is not true for the spiritual giants in our lives.

These people that inspire us have a different connection with God. They are committed to God no matter the situation in their own lives. They praise and are dedicated through all of the peaks, dips and valleys in their life. God is to be praised because he is our creator and savior.

Spiritual Giants are Humble

In a world where personal accolades are triumphed and pride is the name of the game, the spiritual giants that inspire us are left in the dark. These inspirational women and men would rather see you succeed rather than themselves. They aren’t driven by great monetary wealth nor personal fame but for something greater.

Spiritual giants are driven to see your life changed just as theirs were.

When I think about the man who has greatly shaped my personal faith, I see someone who smiled in the face of personal poverty as he gave all he owned to those in need without an ounce of reciprocation desired. This man didn’t scream his great deeds from the rooftops nor did he ever wait around for you to put in a status update all over Facebook and Twitter.

He just went throughout his day with a humble soul.

Spiritual Giants are Driven by Faith

These spiritual individuals that help grow our own relationship with God are committed and humble because of their own personal transformation. They have the ability to really see how God has helped mold their lives and affect its direction.

God has shown love upon their lives and now they are driven to show the same love with us.

How do they show their love and share the grace of God? Few might have a great gift of evangelism where they can speak and thousands of lives will be changed. Then again, there is little doubt that the actions and words of these people have really transformed the life of at least one person.

God doesn’t need everyone to be Billy Graham or Rob Bell. God is smarter than to get fooled into the belief that everything has to be big and bold to make a difference. God knows that more lives can be transformed through the personal touch of passionate followers rather than a gifted few.

Who are You Inspiring as a Spiritual Giant?

Here is the reality. We all have an influence on many lives. Unless you live in a house all day without the world of Facebook, then you have inspired someone either positively or negatively. There is simply no getting around it.

We live in a universe of action and reaction.

The question now becomes are you going to choose to make a positive influence on people or a negative? Are you going to live your life as someone that people can look toward and say, ‘(your name) has shown me that God truly loves and care?’

It is your choice… You can become a spiritual giant for those that you love.

Questions
Whom are some of the spiritual mentors and leaders in your life?

Why do their lives inspire you?

What can you let God change in your own life to help you model a life that people would love to share?

When is the last time you thanked them for their inspiration and told them how proud you are to call them a friend?

Breath Prayer
Lord, you are my source. Thank you for the life of [person whom inspired you]. Mold me so that your love may shine out of me.

Bible Memory Verses for Kids and Children

photo by ibm4381

I was watching a movie the other day with my family and I had a somewhat negative epiphany occur to me. I realized that movies, music and entertainment have more face time with my kids than Bible verses. This truly scared me because it is important for me as a parent to help instill a strong faith and moral compass in my children that I do not think that they can get in mainstream media.

Now I don’t want to come across as someone who is anti-Hollywood or someone who allows my children to watch anything on television. I try to steer away from either of these extremes as I believe good wholesome movies and entertainment can add a lot to a family dynamic and child development, but they are no substitute for a strong Christian Faith and Bible knowledge.

So after the movie was over and I put the boys to bed, I started to think and pray about what I should do as a strong Christian parent. I didn’t want to go the route of banishing all forms of entertainment from my house and become Amish, but I also knew that a couple of hours at church on Sunday and Wednesday were not enough.

Therefore, I decided to implement a weekly memory Bible verse that they will be encouraged to learn.

I sat down and paraphrased several popular Bible verses in a way that my young 4 and 5 year old sons will be able to understand and remember. I was hoping that they would be able to learn verses that could be applied to their lives as they grow up. After writing a few down, I thought that other parents might find them useful. So I decided I would share them here at your source for Christian inspirational thoughts on life.

5 Bible Verses for Kids and Children to Memorize

Jesus says to love God with all my heart, soul and mind. – Matthew 22:37
Jesus says to love everyone as I love myself. – Matthew 22:39
Do to others as you would have them do to you – Luke 6:31
Trust in the Lord with all your heart – Proverbs 3:5
I will work hard in everything for God – Colossians 3:23

Power of Memorizing Bible Verses for Kids

Like many people, I grew up memorizing Bible verses. I also forgot many of them like many people. I do wish that I took more time to remember them so that I could be one of those people that can spout verse after verse, but this easier said after childhood. The truth is that your children will not remember many Bible verses years or even months after memorization, but this doesn’t mean that a parent should overlook the habit of Bible memory.

Bible Memory Verses for Children Helps Them Make Better Choices

The purpose for our children to memorize Bible verses has less to do with being able to spout Scripture at a moment’s notice and more with having a solid foothold on how to live a strong Christian life. It should be important as parents for our children to have a good understanding of how to live the path that Jesus taught and Bible memorization is simply one of the best routes for this.

The reality is that our children are constantly being fed messages on how to make decisions both consciously and unconsciously. Every time a child sees a positive reward for a particular action then he or she is going to take notice. After the child hears the same advice and thought process several times without any risk for punishment then there is a good chance that the child will apply it to their own decision-making ability. There is nothing evil about this way of learning as it is the way God has programmed us so we can succeed..

But the question becomes what is my child learning about decision-making?

Increase Christian Influence with Bible Memory Verses

Like previously said, there is no way to censor and limit all the outside influences on our children. We can and should pay attention to all media outlets that come into our children’s lives. We also need to proactively consider the type of people that our children hang around, but at the end of the day..

Our kids will hear and see something from this world that completely goes against what we believe as Christians.

This is why Scripture memory for our children is extremely important. We cannot control every outside variable and influence on our children, but we can make sure that the first and last things that they hear in their day is something from Scripture. In a world where our minds are constantly being bombarded with information and advice from every different direction, Bible memorization uses the art of repetition to make sure that Scripture is still in the forefront of our children’s thought processes.

In our busy world, everything is competing for face time and acknowledgement. Many messages will only have a total of 15 seconds to catch our children’s eye in their entire lives. The successful messages, on the other hand, know that the key is repetition. They can make the most impact if they can have an influence on our thoughts if they can repeat their message consistently over a period of time.

Honestly, we all know the power of repetition and memorization from our own education. We had to memorize the alphabet and the times table before we could understand how to use it. We had to use repetition for many vocab words in elementary school all the way through college. There is no denying the power of memorization.

So shouldn’t we make sure to use the power of memorization in developing our children’s decision-making ability?

Yes, I know that I am probably preaching to the choir when it comes to Bible memorization. We all know that our kids are already being fed barrels of propaganda from the media and that we need to make sure that our children are learning scripture. You probably already thought a lot about a Bible memorization program for your children or even tried it on several occasions, but it just couldn’t stick. I know that I’ve tried to personally memorize more scripture, but there is definitely one truth about it.

Bible Memorization isn’t easy nor is it fun.

Well that is the stereotype and the truth from many of my own experiences, but I think we can make it easier and more fun for our children. Will your children ever turn down Disney World to memorize Bible verses? I seriously doubt it and you probably should check your child for a fever if he or she ever does, but I do believe that we can make Bible memorization an enjoyable, comfortable and effective experience for our children.

Effective Bible Memory Verses for Children

An effective Bible memorization program that is both bearable and pleasant for our children truly begins with ourselves as parents. It isn’t something that we can take lightly or haphazardly. We must commit ourselves to the program just as much as our children. If we show excitement and dedication to the process as parents then there is a good chance that our children will follow suit.

I have compiled a list of 5 easy tips that we can use as parents to help our children and even ourselves to really be successful in a Bible memorization program. I believe that we can can really make an impact on our children simply by implementing a good program where our children can memorize Bible verses and I know that these tips will definitely help us along the way.

5 Tips to Help Kids Memorize Bible Verses and Scripture

Create a Concrete Goal as a Family. It is easy to say that the family is going to start a Bible memorization program and be on the high horse as the implementer of the program, but is that fair? You will find much less resistance and more support if you include the entire family in creating the program in terms of personal goals and rewards. Let everyone take ownership of it.
Spend 10 Minutes Every Day. Bible memorization for the family shouldn’t be some time-consuming ordeal. All you need is 10 minutes during dinner, before bedtime or on the way to school. If you spend 10 minutes everyday, then you can believe your children no matter the age will learn the Bible verse. The only catch is that you must do it EVERYDAY.
Create a Reward System. It is extremely important to create a reward system for memorizing Bible verses. It doesn’t have to be elaborate with extravagant rewards. All the reward needs to do is tell your children that you are proud of them in a concrete and visual way. Your younger children might be able to get an ice cream cone at the end of the week and the older might be able to download an extra song on iTunes. These aren’t huge deals but it should be enough to encourage your children and let them feel appreciated.
Show Usefulness of Bible Memorization. One of the biggest reasons why Bible memorization programs fail is because we forget the reason why we are doing it. We should make it a routine to use the Bible verses to show their usefulness when our children discuss a situation with a classmate, friend or sibling that applies to the verse. You don’t want to use the verses as guilt trips but as honest reminders to help your children find clarity in decision-making.
Show Enthusiasm and Confidence. I saved this last tip for last but I think it is the most important. Our children will model the same attitudes toward the program as us. In other words, if you are laizze-faire and boring about Bible memorization then your children will be the same way. On the other hand, your children will feel confident and enthusiastic if you as a parent show the confidence and enthusiasm in that this habit will make your lives better.

If you do these tips and use the Bible verses that I paraphrased, will it turn your kids into human Bibles? I don’t think so and I think it misses the point if you expect your children to be able to recite huge lists of scripture. Is the purpose to show superiority in Bible memorization or is the purpose to have scriptural references that help guide your children throughout their life? If it is the latter then I believe that this article will be extremely useful for your family.

It is my prayer that you are able to find some practical use inside this article. I believe that our world is becoming a smaller box where everyone has a megaphone to express their opinion and many of these opinions are not Biblical. Our responsibility as Christian parents is to find a way to influence our children before the noise of the world and I know that an effective Bible memorization program for our kids can make a difference in your family.

I Found an Superior Bible Memory Verse Program

Over the past couple of weeks after writing this article, I have been researching to find a high quality Bible memory verse program. Sadly, I had a hard time finding one I could promote. I just didn’t believe that what I was finding would actually make an impact.

I didn’t trust the thoroughness of the memory verse programs.

Until now.

I happened to be browsing the Christian Book Distributor website for various ministry books that I was daydreaming about when i came across the Adventures with God kit. I didn’t think much about it at first, but the program kept on coming back to me so I went and did a little research.

and the results blew me away.

Story about Staying in School

Story About Staying in School

“The heart has reason that reason doesn’t understand” – Blaise Pascal

So last Saturday was a pretty big deal for me. I graduated college.. finally. After 8 years, I have finally received my B.A. degree. Sadly, I have a friend or two who are now doctors that started relatively the same time as I. I’ve put in the time but don’t have the woman magnitizing title of M.D. to put beside my name.

It has been a difficult journey but I’m glad that I did not give up. School has never came easy for me and I’ve been through some very difficult times these past few years. I thought about throwing in the towel.. I even did for a few months but I picked the towel back up before anyone noticed. Sure, it isn’t a necessity anymore to be successful and have a college degree. I could’ve easily just worked hard as a web designer or even a pastor and still make enough to support me and my boys.

but I couldn’t do it.

Be Cool. Stay in School

School is more than the knowledge and skills learned for a particular career. The greatest asset that school provides is the personal reward that anything can be accomplished with a little prayer and a lot of dedication. Employers look at you differently not because your smarter than your competition, but because you have persevered through a difficult and stressful period of time in your life when you could’ve easily quit.

Is it smarter to quit? Sometimes, even school, the smarter thing would be to quit. A gifted basketball player can enter the NBA draft after his freshman year in college. He will undoubtedly make more money than I will probably ever see in my lifetime. In addition, he risks his entire professional career if he stays and possibly succumbs to a career ending injury. In this case and many cases for you and me, it is smarter to quit..

but it doesn’t mean it is the best choice.

The Reasonable Heart

One of my beloved professors always quoted in nearly every class, “The heart has reason that reason doesn’t understand” by Blaise Pascal. I had many classes with this professor and it got to the point where I could interject the quote right before he would even say it. He said it so much that you could create a drinking game of it.. root beer of course.

Sure it was funny and even a little annoying that he said it so much. Many times, I couldn’t even find the context of why he had said it. But.. he was 100% right.

The heart does have reasons that reason just doesn’t understand and it definitely applies to perseverance in anything. Why finish that marathon when your in last place? Why abstain from anything when the end of lent is only 3 days away? Why lose that additional 5 pounds? Why should you keep on smiling when all you receive are frowns in return?

Because perseverance and dedication isn’t built to justify rational thought. Perseverance comes from the heart and soul of a man. It is in these depths that a person truly lives and dies. Breath is more than the intake of oxygen. In order to live, you must breathe. In order to breathe, you must have passion yearning to pour out of your entire spirit.

and this is why perseverance is more than just the smart choice – because perseverances comes the passion that is required to truly live.

Nick Vujicic Inspirational Christian Story

nick-vujicic-corporate

If the world thinks your not good enough, it’s a lie, you know. Get a second opinion. – Nick Vujicic

Very rarely in a new era, a man or woman creeps into the spotlight and captures the hope and inspiration of everyone around them. He embodies the desires of what we wish to attain and then shares his passion just to show the rest of us that the impossible really is possible for each one of us. All we need is a sprinkle of faith, inspiration and dedication.

Today, this man is Nick Vujicic

Inspirational Story of Nick Vujicic

If you haven’t heard the story of Nick Vujicic, then gather your tissues and step away from any cliff because you will believe that you can fly after hearing about this inspiring Christian man. Nick Vujicic is a native Australian who was born without any arms or legs. His parents were initially devastated since Nick would never be able to live a life that they had wished for him.

But they never gave up and continued to love Nick.

Nick Vujicic came from a strong Christian family and their faith would eventually help Nick become an inspiration to the entire world. He was eventually able to attend and graduate from the traditional mainstream school in Australia and learned how to accomplish tasks that would seem impossible for a man without any limbs. He learned how to write, type, shave, get a glass of water and many other simple tasks that require minimal thought for us.

Even with all of these personal accomplishments, Nick Vujicic became depressed and quietly began to contemplate suicide. The most that he could for himself was the very littlest that we could do.. but that all changed when his mother showed him an inspirational story of how another extremely disabled man was able to live a successful life. This story reinvigorated Nick’s faith and helped him see that his life can be more than just trying to survive.

His life could be an inspiration of hope for millions in the world.

Nick Vujicic eventually graduated from college and now speaks to thousands of people at a time as a Christian motivational speaker. Countless people have been inspired to push through their personal obstacles and pain simply because they see a man who didn’t give up when he had every right to throw in the towel. Entire crowds of people grow silent when this humble Christian man gets to the podium and shares his personal and inspiring story for the rest of us.

This is just the beginning.. Click here to read more of Nick Vujicic’s inspiring story

Nick Vujicic Inspirational Pics

Click Here to see more inspiring pics of Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic Quotes and Sayings

Fear is a bigger disability than having no arms or legs.
I believe in a God that can do all things, but if he chooses not to give me arms and legs, I know its for the better. And I may not understand it, but all I need to know is that He is going to carry me through, that there is a purpose for it.

Inspiring Nick Vujicic Videos

See More Inspirational Videos of Nick Vujicic

Contact Nick Vujicic

Are you interested in Nick Vujicic coming to speak at your next event or church gathering? Nick shares his inspirational story throughout the world and might be able to share it with you. We are sharing a link to you so that you will be able to contact him, but cannot promise that he will come to speak for you as he might be scheduled to help someone at a different location. We hope that this helps you and that you may be encouraged through this Christian man’s story.

Nick’s Organization’s official website: LifeWithoutLimbs.org

Click here for contact information for Nick Vujicic and his organization

How Do You React to Catastrophes and Can You Change?

Photo by Omar Eduardo

It is raining this morning.

I slept in this Saturday morning and woke up to the relaxing atmosphere of a drizzle upon the grass outside. I don’t know why, but I’ve always felt that waking up to rain is immensely calming. Maybe it has something to do with God replenishing the Earth or it might be that it is an opportunity to stay inside, relax and enjoy the activities of your own home.

One thing is that I am sure it has nothing to do with an excuse to push off responsibilities such as yard maintenance or physical acts that require you to step outside.. Me? I wouldn’t ever pass off physical labor for an opportunity to be lazy inside.

I did have plans this Saturday morning. My friend had just received a washer and dryer from an old house of his. He didn’t have room for it so he is allowing me to use them while I stay here. After spending nearly $10 just to wash one load of clothes at the laundromat, I most graciously took him up on that offer.

I was supposed to go pick it up this morning.. but it is raining.

So I have decided to check up on my favorite site, moderate some comments (I got a lot of Miley Cyrus spam comments recently.. oh well), and post an opinion article for my faithful community to read.

Why God.. How God.. Who God

I actually want to get your opinion on an issue. Why do you think some people react a certain way to a catastrophe while others another way?

Let me put it this way. Lets say you have a friend whom is going through a terrible life situation. Maybe he or she is going through a divorce, lost a house, or lost a spouse, parent or child. The initial adrenaline is wearing off and now they get to analyze the situation. They then ask the question, “Why God? Why did you allow this to happen to me?”

Now you have another friend who is going through a similar catastrophe. She has gone through the same pain and is now at the analysis portion of recovery. Instead of asking the question “Why God?”, she asks “How can I grow from this.. or How can I always remember this so I can help others?”

I am not making up these responses. I have seen very dear friends of mine go through a catastrophe with each response. Of course, some people might blend their reactions between both extremes. They might start out asking one question but then switch to another. But I have found that everyone generally asks one way or another.

But Why.. and can you persuade people to change the way they react?

Inspirational CS Lewis Quotes on Love

CS Lewis Inspirational Quote About Love

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless–it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.” -C.S. Lewis (Four Loves)

The Vulnerable Love and Its Risk

I have written several times about how if we choose to love then it requires us to be vulnerable. The interactions that we have with the most important people in our lives can cause us the most pain as well as joy. There is no possibilities about it. Someone close to you will hurt you to the point that you wish you could close up your heart and not allow him or her back in.

You feel like you cannot risk the pain that love brings.

But when you are inches away from closing the door to your heart, you realize that you will not be able to lock it. Tomorrow will always provide the hope for love and reconciliation. The hurt and strained relationships heal and your love grows stronger every time you strain it much like a professional athlete’s muscle.

When the healing is complete and you are able to smile again and share openly with those important people in your life, you know that love is truly worth the risk of being vulnerable to the deepest pains. It is in the knowledge of accepting that each other will be hurt at some point which allows love to blossom.

Reader Thoughts About The 5 Love Languages
“I think this is a great book and everyone who is married, dating, or contemplating dating in the future should read this book. Very helpful in realizing how to analyze and work on speaking to your partners or family members.”

Reader Thoughts About Love Dare
“After 15 years of marriage and three children, this simple little book helped me to remember that marriage is not just about meeting the right person, it’s also about being the right person. A small time commitment over 40 days breathed now life back into our marriage. I highly recommend it to all married couples.”

Reader Thoughts About Hold Me Tight
“I’ve read all the relationship books, even the ones by the authors whose quotes appear on this cover, and I can say with complete conviction that this is by far the best of the lot. Dr. Sue Johnson’s warm, authoritative, and reassuring tone sets the stage for a whole lot of incredibly useful advice. The book gives you a new way to view your relationship and the tools to improve it, whether it needs improving or not! Her form of couples therapy is apparently one of the very few to be proven to work, and that’s really the bottom line. Do yourself and your partner a big favor and buy this book! I highly recommend it.”

Reader Thoughts About Love and Respect
“I have always loved my wife but I haven’t always been able to show that to her. This book helped me to better understand to react to her in a way that promotes solving problems rather than causing them continue. More importantly it helped her to be more respectful. She had always complained we weren’t able to communicate well and this book helped her learn to decode the things I had always wanted to tell her. She has become very proficient at expressing her feelings in a way that is respectful and makes me want to show her love. “

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Relationship Between Law and Morality

Law And Morality

p.s. This is the longest article I believe I have written on Alt.Noise. I suppose I thought it needed thoroughness, but there’s a good chance I just rambled.

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. – Jesus (Matthew 22:39)

What is the difference between law and morality or what happens when they conflict?

I believe that this is a very important question for today because of the economic situation. People all around the world are losing their homes and have large debt collectors showing up in their yard. It is a bad time for nearly everyone and it is in these times that people neglect common behaviors such as grace and mercy in support for their basic Darwinian interest of survival of the fittest.

It is a time where I need to get mine and you have to find a way to fend for yourself.

The question becomes are we neglecting the common law of morality?

We all have different names and phrases for it. We call it the golden rule and say “do unto others as you would do unto yourself” and “love your neighbor as yourself”. This is an easy thing to believe when times are good. You feel secure in your job and you have a sizeable savings account then of course you will try to help out a man who is struggling to make ends meat.

But the problem becomes when you are struggling just as much as your neighbor… and you both have a family to feed.

What do you do in these situations?

This is a hard thing to answer. I believe many of you are like me. We would neglect our own basic physical needs if we saw a an entire family on the street looking for food and shelter. There wouldn’t be any doubt in my mind that I would help this family as much as I possibly could. It goes beyond any moral law or code. I believe it is human nature to neglect one’s own needs for the sake of an entire family.

But what about when you have a family of your own?

Do you neglect your own family’s need for anothers?

Moral Banana

I often joke around with a youth group that I help teach. I theoretically ask them if they were on a deserted island with someone else and all food is gone but one banana. You find the banana first and you can easily eat the banana without the other person realizing it. Do you eat it?

Of course this is a silly and completely unrealistic moral philosophical scenario. They all see through it but it is funny how some teenagers are brutally honest.. They admit that they’d eat the banana.

But what if the scenario wasn’t too far off base.

I’m not going to ask you whether the moral thing to do is to give up a banana or eat it yourself, but then again I wouldn’t be surprised if some of you were willing to be brutally honest and admit to eating the banana.

What I am going to ask if you would obey the law of the land or would you rather do the moral thing of following the golden rule.

Story of Morality and Law

Imagine that you are a proud working parent. You’ve gone to college and got a good job at a bank. You go to church and raise a good family. By everyone’s standards, you are leading a life that you should be proud of. Then tragedy strikes. Your spouse loses his or her job and now you are the sole supporter of your family. Bills are starting to mount as you try to manage the life you had while your family’s income got split in half.

You had best find a way to keep your job.. but the problem is your bank as hit hard financial times.

You know the economic situation is bad around the world, but you don’t really have time to think about it. You have a moral obligation to worry about the financial situation at your house. The banks have been hit the hardest and you fear everyday for your job.

Your boss says that you need to start collecting on some people who are really behind on their house payment and if they can’t catch up that you need to foreclose. You hate this part of the job so you sort through the list of people. You try to make a list of people who are least deserving to receive mercy and most deserving as though your moral obligations will allow you to choose who receives the grace.

You get near the bottom of the list and the name reads “Jonathan Meyer”. This is your neighbor a few houses down and across the street. Your kids routinely go over there to play and you always smile and make small talk about the rain or the stock market. He was an electrical engineer several years back before his company shut down. He hasn’t been able to find a job recently.

Now you have to call him and tell him his house is likely to be foreclosed on.. Where is the law or morality in that?

You know that if you do not call that you will lose your own job. You realize that you have a moral obligation to your own family. You already have collectors breathing down your own neck about the cars. There is no way your family could sustain itself if you didn’t make the phone call.

You also realize that you can get into legal trouble if you descriminated between different families. All people are created equal or something like that. If you do choose to make the call then you are within the right of the law to foreclose and every judge will be on your side, but which do you follow.. law of Country or law of morality?

You reach for the phone and wrap your fingers around the cold receiver..

What do you do?

I am not going to answer this question for you nor do I believe that I would definitely make the right decision. Right or wrong, I know what my instincts would tell me to do. I can’t say for sure that I would do it, but I’m pretty certain that I would follow my gut.

I would make the call.

Choice of Law of Society or Moral Right

It is in these types of situations where the relationship between law and morality can become difficult. Whatever choice you make, you can justify it as a moral decision because it is. You are generally obligated to follow the law of your country. They are put into place to protect those who would likely get hurt and are usually a good thing.

But sometimes our laws can conflict with what we believe as moral.

There are a few times in our lives where we must rebel against the rules of our country or even the company that we work for. In those times, we have to judge whether we have a bigger obligation to follow the laws set out before us or the larger laws that govern society and our beliefs.

We will have to sacrifice a large piece of our lives if we choose to follow those larger laws which Jesus beautifully said, “Love your neighbors as yourself”. You might have to risk your career by rebelling against the unethical standards placed by your boss. You might have to risk your life by ignoring loved one’s pleas to save a young child in the road.

or you might risk living everyday in the shame and disrespect of the entire society around you because you stood up for a friend when everyone else had thrown him away.

Many scenarios, it is easy to judge which action is the Moral choice to make. It is the one which follows the law most of the time. In these situations, your choice isn’t choosing between which one is right. It is choosing whether you want to make the moral choice or not.

But in the scenario with the banker.. which is the right moral choice?

Trust in Your Own Moral Ability

I can’t answer that question and I don’t think I’ll ever find a philosopher, pastor or poet who can. There are many questions that can go beyond our logical rationalizations. Life isn’t like a math problem. It is more complex with more variables than anything in calculus. We can try to come up with reasons and set up our little pro/con debates, but sometimes you have to make your choice and leave the rest up to faith.

I do believe that faith is the key variable in these situations.

You can only focus on the choices that you make. As long as you are clear with your decision making process, you pray, you study the situation and make a rational decision beyond your own selfish needs then you have made the morally right choice. You have to trust and stay confident in the choice that you have made.

~*~

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