Foundations are strength.
Foundations are stability.
Foundations are necessary.
Magnifical things are built on solid foundations.

Did you know foundations are not solo projects? The old cliche “We’re all in this together” is absolutely true. Each of us is gifted with abilities and excess in some areas. Generously help your neighbor patch their foundation and then humbly accept the help fixing yours.

If you are thinking to yourself… I know I have problems, but there is nobody who can fix them. You are wrong. But also know this, you are the catalyst. If you will consistently help those who are struggling you will reach up and find a hand when you are down.

And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

1 Chronicles 22:5 KJV

Be polite. Say, thank you. NOPE

In the South, we use “thank you” to a fault. It’s actually part of our culture of politeness. Most of the time the words are just habit and don’t express true gratitude to another human being. There is nothing wrong with being polite, but let’s be real too.

When is the last time you were truly thankful before the words “thank you” came out of your mouth. The next time you are about to drop a “thank you” on someone, pause and truly feel thankful before you speak. Thankfulness is a connector, an uplift, and a positive energy this world desperately needs. Deploy it with truth and intention.

O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 KJV

How do you boil a frog? One degree at a time. If you throw him in a boiling pot, the sudden change will cause him to jump out. But, if you slowly increase the temperature, he does not see the small changes until he is “well done”.

This fable is most commonly used to make us aware of drift in our lives. We better take note of the small changes we make because they will have a compounding effect over time. Even though the story is told from the negative, I believe we have positive drift as well.

What are the things that make you smarter, kinder, better, stronger, healthier, wiser, and sharper? Most likely, the answers involve some kind of relationship. 

Most healthy people have friends who eat right.
Most smart people have friends who study.
Most fit people have friends who workout.
Most leaders have friends who read.
Most wise people have friends who think.

Human beings are hard-wired masters of mirroring. It takes little effort to act like the group. The questions you have to ask yourself are… “Am I in the right group?” and “Who are my friends?” Just as a frog is boiled to death, any area of our lives can be brought to a boil with the right relationships.

How often do you break promises?

I bet it’s more often than you think. The reason: we seldom include ourselves in the equation. It’s so easy to break the promises we make to ourselves… we don’t even think about it.

I will workout tomorrow.
I will turn off the TV tonight.
I will take a social media break.
I will go for a walk after dinner.
I will start that business.
I will ask for a promotion.
I will stop being late.

I will …

The promises we make, and the promises we break are a huge part of forming and maintaining our character. Honor the promises you make to yourself. It’s a HUGE deal.

Unstable work
Unstable leaders
Unstable emotions
Unstable relationships
Unstable income

If you read this list out loud it paints a dark picture. Now remove the letters “un” and read it again. HUGE DIFFERENCE… Right?

Remember two things.

1. Small changes can make a HUGE difference. (you can be that change for someone)

2. Stability makes for a bright future. (you can be that stability for someone)

My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

Proverbs 24:21 KJV

My Integrity = Your Blessing

I was blessed to see what “doing the right thing” in the face of adversity looks like. I have a first hand account of what kindness, humility, consistency, hard work, perseverance, and love produces. I am unapologetic when I bow my head to give thanks for the wonderful people I get to call Mom and Dad.

Each of us has a story of how a person made a difference in our lives. It might have been a parent, uncle, grandma, friend, or mentor; but someone blessed you when you needed it. We have all been on the right side of the equation. We have all received the blessing of the goodness of another human being. It is our duty to also be on the other side and PAY IT FORWARD.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Proverbs 20:7 KJV

Are you happy?
Are you sad?

The things we put in our bodies have a huge impact on how we feel. A healthy mental and spiritual diet is just as important as eating your broccoli. 🙂

What have you been eating lately?
Ever tried a HOPE BURGER?

HOPE
————
Possibility
Purpose
Performance
————
PRAYER

Humor me a second and let me show you what happens when you eat this thing.

In possibility you will find a purpose. I am not talking about “life’s purpose”, just a good reason to do something. If you act with that purpose in mind you will perform. Performing an action gives you a sense of contribution and completion. This releases “feel good” neurotransmitters in your brain. Hope and prayer are the buns I like to put it all in.

If you are feeling sad, find something to do.
It will make you feel better.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 KJV

The Syrians’ plan to starve Samaria into submission was working. The famine was bad…really bad! The city was besieged, all resources were depleted, and people were starving to death. An ass’s head was selling for eighty pieces of silver and a small measure of dove’s dung was selling for five pieces of silver. Some people had resorted to boiling and eating their own children. The entire city was empty emotionally, physically and spiritually. They were dying a slow miserable death.

Four outcasts, leprous men, decided to DO SOMETHING. Why should we sit here and die? We might die if we head out into the camp of our enemies but if we sit here death is sure. What do we have to lose? As they headed out of the city, their hopes were quickly realized when they stumbled upon an abandoned Syrian camp full of enough resources to feed the entire city!

This brings to mind the old Cherokee proverb of the two wolves. In each of us lives two wolves, one EVIL and one GOOD. They battle daily for supremacy. Which one wins? The one you feed.

Is the good part of you starving to death? WHY?
Is it because of adversity? NO
Is it because of someone? NO
Is it because of you? YES

Is the good part of you starving to death?
Do something about it.

And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?

2 Kings 7:3 KJV