Stranger By Thomas Merton

When no one listens
To the quiet trees
When no one notices
The sun in the pool.

Where no one feels
The first drop of rain
Or sees the last star

Or hails the first morning
Of a giant world
Where peace begins
And rages end:

One bird sits still
Watching the work of God:
One turning leaf,
Two falling blossoms,
Ten circles upon the pond.

One cloud upon the hillside,
Two shadows in the valley
And the light strikes home.
Now dawn commands the capture
Of the tallest fortune,
The surrender
Of no less marvelous prize!

Closer and clearer
Than any wordy master,
Thou inward Stranger
Whom I have never seen,

Deeper and cleaner
Than the clamorous ocean,
Seize up my silence
Hold me in Thy Hand!

Now act is waste
And suffering undone
Laws become prodigals
Limits are torn down
For envy has no property
And passion is none.

Look, the vast Light stands still
Our cleanest Light is One!

If you enjoyed this article then check out more of our inspirational poems

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• Remove the Confusion About Life
• 4 Inspirational Bible Quotes To Enhance Your Day
• Inspirational Bible Verses about Family
• Embrace the Opportunity of Adversity

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.

~*~

You should check out our inspirational thoughts if you enjoyed this article

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars and True Enlightenment
• Any Given Moment: Advice About Relationships and Multitaslking
• Unclean Drinking Water: Impact 1 Billion People
• Beyond The Diet: 3 Habits To Shedding Pounds

The following is a list of modern inspiring Christian speakers that I believe are impacting our world today. This is not a best of list nor a popularity contest list. I personally believe that many of our most inspiring preachers go unnoticed because they are leading from the pews of local churches. You don’t have to agree with what the following speakers believe theologically. But on the grander scale, these are 5 speakers that are affecting the Christian landscape and you might not be aware of them.

Rob Bell

Rob Bell is famous in the Evangelical world by his Nooma videos, but made infamous in the same world by his relationship with Brian McLaren. He straddles the line theologically by his somewhat liberal views, but you cannot discount his knowledge of the Bible nor his simple spirituality. He is open about his views and lives a life that is in accordance to what he preaches.

I have watched, bought and shared many Nooma videos. I still am having a hard time implementing their use in a youth group or Bible Study meeting but thy are still really good to watch. Rob Bell has a very soft-spoken and cool tone to his speaking. He always speaks from the Bible and he knows his stuff.

Shane Claiborne

There is only one word that comes to mind when I first saw Shane Claiborne speak - Strange. He walks around with long dreadlocks and wears ripped and tattered clothing. But he doesn’t come across as the deep and mysterious persona as someone you’d expect to adorn that style. You hear him speak and immediately you think of someone who is fun and easy to hang out with. One of those people you know that you could have a deep conversation with but also laugh throughout the entire conversation.

I remember listening live to the below message at the National Youth Workers Convention (I think 2007?) and was completely floored with the message. He completely took himself out of the picture and allowed Jesus’ words speak for themselves. It truly transformed much of my own perspective and is something that I will never forget. I’ve always wanted to give the same message but I’ve never had the uhmm courage to do so.

Brennan Manning

I’ve only recently ben introduced the teaching of Brennan Manning but he has quickly rose to the prominence of one of my favorite authors and speakers. He is Catholic and also a Christian [a joke for those who don't know my humor]. I’ve read through his Wikipedia Biography and searched his videos on Youtube. I even perused his books at Barnes and Nobles while sipping on a Vanilla flavored coffee.

Brennan Manning isn’t famous inside the evangelical circle like several of the other speakers on this list, but his speaking style can pierce your heart with a single sentence. From my own limited exposure to him and other conversations I’ve had, he doesn’t stray much from his single message that he wants to share.. but the message is worth repeating many times over.

God yearns for a relationship with you.

Erwin McManus

I randomly picked up and purchased his book Soul Cravings several years ago. I was going through a difficult time in my life and it helped inspire me to get through it. This might be a sentimental pick because of that book, but I do know his gift of speech is confirmed with many other people.

There are people who have tried to classify Erwin McManus as an emergent but he has pointed out that he is not truly part of Emergent Village nor the emerging church. The classification isn’t too far off-base because many of his habits while speaking can be considered creative and different. For example, he is known to sit on a chair while giving a message because it portrays a more conversational tone.

Andy Stanley

This is another speaker that I have recently became aware of. I remember first hearing about him in a Theology class while attending Warner University (Warner Southern College at the time) and thinking he must be another fad preacher because of the person that I heard about him from. Then I heard him speak at a National Youth Workers Convention (same one as above maybe?) and I became convinced that maybe he is someone that I should pay attention too. [p.s. I know that this paragraph is filled with sentences ending in prepositions and I am sorry]

Over the years, I have kept tabs and learned his history. He is the son of famed radio and television preacher Dr. Charles Stanley whom I respect immensely. Andy is the founding pastor of a large church in the Atlanta area. He somewhat reminds me of a Christian Steve Jobs. I don’t necessarily agree 100% with his theology as I am a little more liberal to his conservative but I do 100% respect him because of his teaching and his life.

Kingpin of Christian Inspirational Speakers

Billy Graham

You can’t leave off a list of inspiring christian speakers the name Billy Graham. He has been around for nearly a century (that wasn’t supposed to make him sound old), but he has just much influence today as 40 years ago while filling stadiums during his Crusades. He is one of the most respected men in the world no matter a person’s spiritual background because of the life he has led.

I believe that the entire list of men above can trace their personal inspiration for speaking back to Billy Graham. Rob Bell is very liberal and Andy Stanley is equally conservative, but they both have one thing in common and it is exemplified in Billy Graham. They all lead lives that are congruent with the central message of Jesus Christ. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.

If you enjoyed this list then take a moment and browse through our inspirational thoughts

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• Washing Dishes In God’s Presence
• Christian Websites Directory
• Inspiring Links and Stories
• Find Christian Gifts for Dads Today!

Pray Without Ceasing - Apostle Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

This verse is routinely recited within the list of shortest Bible Verses. Many Sunday School and youth group students have rigged the system of Bible memorization by finding nuggets of short verses such as this one and “Jesus wept” in order to receive free candy or special prize. Its a tradition that I continued while growing up and its also one that I encourage and share with lazy youth who try to find ways to rig the system.

It is also a verse that is a favorite for many people.  The 3 simple words have such profound implication for our spiritual lives. Reading them can drastically transform your entire thoughts and beliefs on prayer. It can turn the discipline of prayer from a rugged ritual that is easily forgotton into..

a breathing conversation with God.

My Dead Prayer Life

For many of us, prayer can be lifeless and/or routine. You sometimes give thanks before a meal, ask for forgiveness after cursing out a reckless driver or request direction in making a life decision. We do these things not because anything in our lives will be changed, but it seems as the right thing to do

for a good Christian.

This is why we feel guilty for having such poor prayer lives but put little effort into changing our routines. Our lives are filled with chaos and constant change. If we do not fervently  pursue the actions that will have the most impact on improving our lives then life itself will push us aside.

Therefore while we might wish we had better prayer lives, we just can’t afford the time to train on this discipline that produces little benefit.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Praying Without Ceasing and Various Excuses (lies)

I’ve met many people who say that they practice the discipline of praying without ceasing and I find many of them to be full of manuer. I think that it is an excuse for people who are too afraid that they will be stoned to death because they have a bad prayer life.

Nobody likes to admit to having a bad prayer life even though few of us actually pray regularly. We like to come up with excuses such as my dog ate my prayer journal or complete lies such as “Every single day for the past 20 years, I have spent 30 minutes on my knees right before bed.”

Most of the time, we walk the line between an excuse and a lie and simply exaggerate our actual prayer life. We say that we’ve spent 10 minutes in prayer even though it was only 5 or we get on our knees before bed when we just mutter a few words while laying on our sides with our eyes closed right before we fall asleep.

There are a few disciplined prayer giants, but I would say that most of you are like me.. distracted when it comes to prayer.

Bible Verse that Changes Your Life

This is why this simple verse “pray without ceasing” can either truly transform your life and awaken you to the real opportunities in the world or transform everyone’s perception of you as a spiritual giant.

You can use it as an excuse to tell people so they can be in awe of your perceived and completely plastic prayer life. People will look up to you as a guru who has pushed through the irrelevance of prayer and mastered a discipline that they really could care less to deepen. Your life won’t change, but you will look cool.

OR

You can actually spend the next 30 days working on nothing else but developing this simple and difficult habit to “Pray without ceasing”. After 20 minutes of day 1, you will want to give up. You will destroy your productivity systems in one day and people will laugh at you for attempting the impossible.

But your entire world be changed.

If prayer can easily be defined as a conversation with God then imagine what knowledge  you gain by continuously conversing with the only thing that exists completely outside of time. It is like carrying around a wikipedia hyped up on a hundred shots of Red Bull times infinity.

Could you imagine the insights you can gain into your world by this simple but difficult discipline of conversation?

If you enjoyed this article, take a moment and browse our inspirational thoughts

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• 4 Inspirational Bible Quotes To Enhance Your Day
• A Man Filled with Darkness and What He Revealed about Holiness
• Update On Press On
• Inspirational Bible Verses about Family

but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. - Exodus 20:6

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children - Psalm 103:17

Sons are a heritage from the LORD children a reward from him. - Psalm 127: 3

God’s Covenant to Families

While researching inspirational Bible verses about families, I realized that I never truly understood how much emphasis God places on families. No matter what  book or era in time, there is always one truth that God always promises to faithful parents.

If we raise up our family to honor God then he will bless and cherish our children for thousands of generations.

If you truly think about it, the blessing and promises that God gave to Abraham rested on Abraham’s willingness to raise his family in honor to God . God asked Abraham to stay faithful and promised that his family would make a huge impact on the world around them for thousands of years.

Whether or not you are a person of the Judaic faith, you cannot disagree that the Hebrew people have put a fingerprint on the shaping of our world’s history.

Inspiring Families Today

This promise really wasn’t only meant for Abraham. There are many verses and stories in the Bible where God promises that he will bless a man’s descendants for thousands of years if he raises his family to honor God.

How do I respond?

I don’t care how much you care about being a parent or a good spouse, but every father and every wife dreams that they can leave a legacy stamped upon their family. You might not dream of starting the next Kennedy family, but you do want your kids and grandkids to grow up to be good, successful and decent human beings.

My single most important goal in life is to raise my family to the best of my ability. I know I cannot control their destiny nor if they choose success for themselves, but I do know that I can create the path where they can choose a good life if they so desire.

I try hard to make sure that they eat healthy and I am always encouraging their learning processes. I take time out to guide my 3 year old son’s batting stance and he will be an excellent t-ball player come the fall, but its so easy to neglect the most important things of raising a family.

Teaching them how to Love God with all their heart and love their neighbor as themselves.

We accidentally or (more likely) purposefully forget to instill the little things in their lives that will make the most impact in their lives. I am talking about the character issues of the heart like grace, forgiveness, patience, faith, commitment and kindness in our daily actions.

Why do we forget?

Because Its more fun to teach how to shoot a basketball and it also means that we would have to model those qualities in our own actions.

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• 4 Inspirational Bible Quotes To Enhance Your Day
• The Pray Without Ceasing Bible Verse Revealed
• Lonely Road Home (Song Lyrics)
• The Secret to Living a Righteous Life

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible - Jesus (Matthew 19:26)

Want some irony?

God has blessed me with a huge competitive spirit but no athletic ability to back it up.

I love to play basketball even though I am about the size of Shaq’s left foot. I put everything I possibly can into winning. The tougher the opponent, the harder I try. I size up my opponent and believe with everything that I can beat him.

No matter how dumb I look or how little chance I have at coming back from a 50 point deficit.

This same competitive spirit that drives me in sports also drives me in life. It is a blessing for the most part. I have a vision for my life and I am extremely dedicated to having a strategy to complete my goals. I do not give up when things seem impossible.

Instead, I fight harder.

Cant Do It Yourself

You can envision a competitive spirit as a bed of roses. There are beautiful and sweet smelling benefits but layered with thorny negatives. The worst of which is that you believe you can achieve perfection through your own dedication and  intelligence.

You don’t lean on anyone to get you through really difficult situations.

So you ultimately collapse.

we can accomplish  many things on our own will. A good combination of intelligence, strength and heart can lead you through most situations, but they can only go as far as your physical limitations.

For the seemingly impossible, you need something greater than yourself.

The one thing that you are allowed to swear on your mothers grave about is that life will randomly and continuously beat you over the head like a 5 year old preschooler going after a candy stuffed pinata. Maybe its trying to help you and focus your attention on the more important things. My belief though is that life thinks itself as a little prankster leprechaun who plays cruel jokes on people to relieve its own boredom.

Either way, the truth is that you will be dealt a hand in life where you think the only option is to fold.

When Confused About Life

It is in these times that we shouldn’t allow our ego to get in the way by attempting to figure things out ourselves. Instead, we need to turn to God for guidance and leadership while we go through these tough situations. Then step back and allow Him to give us the clarity in making the right decisions to get us through our struggles. No matter if it is fear of losing someone that you have cared about for so long or stress from suddenly finding out that you have lost your only source of income.

God wants us to turn to him.

ô¿ô

If you enjoyed this article then click here to learn more about AltNoise.net and this inspirational blog.

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• 5 Easy Ways You Can Actually Change The World
• Today I will Dream of a Roman Poet
• Life’s Purpose Found In A Van
• The Corrupted File of Personal Fulfillment

It is said that the most important things in life are free and I believe this to be completely true. The greatest love and adventure stories of your life do not come from the almighty dollar nor the time punched on the timecard but by the experiences you share with the most important people in your life.

The same goes for friendship.

We cannot buy our real friends. The friends in our lives who we can connect and share our most intimate part of our lives. The friends that even when everyone else has no idea whats going through our head, make us secure in the knowledge that we’re understood.

Everyone Needs Someone - Helen Steiner Rice

People need people and friends need friends,
And we all need love for a full life depends-
Not on vast riches or great acclaim,
Not on success or on worldy fame,
But just in knowing that someone cares,
And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers-
For only the knowledge that we’re understood,
Makes everyday living feel wonderfully good,
And we rob ourselves of life’s greatest need,
When we “lock up our hearts” and fail to heed,
The outstretched hand reaching to find,
A kindred spirit whose heart and mind,
Are lonely and longing to somehow share,
Our joys and sorrows and to make us aware,
That life’s completeness and richness depends,
On the things we share with our loved ones,
and friends. - Helen Steiner Rice

Click here to read more about Altnoise.net and this inspirational blog.  Photo provided by Gregory J Smith. I wrote a detailed article about his inspiring work with At-Risk children in Brazil.

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• Inspirational Poem About God By Thomas Merton
• 5 Christian Inspirational Speakers You Should Know +1
• About the Inspirational Blog & Thoughts - AltNoise.net
• Remove the Confusion About Life

If I could be like that, I would give anything.. Just to live one day, in those shoes
If I could be like that, what would I do.. What would I do - (Be Like That) 3 Doors Down

I hate being short.

I was never allowed to get on a fair ride. even in High school. I was always barely under the acceptable line.

I think the entire thing was a short person joke.

All of my friends were tall (in comparison) so they were waved onto the ride with no hindrance. But I had to be slick when it came to my turn. I couldn’t just casually walk as if everything was normal.

I needed a plan.

I would walk on the other side of my friends opposite of the ride attendant. I then stood on my toes and looked glaringly at the ride ahead of me. The key was to never make eye contact.

I prayed that the attendant wouldn’t notice.

He always did.

Height Advantages

I’ve heard experts say that tall people are generally more successful in life. Taller men obtain upper-level management positions and most presidents have been over 6 feet.

and on top of that.. they get all the women.

I’ve tried various tricks to make me appear taller. I’ve stuffed a rolled up sock on the inside sole of the shoe.. but I just ended up with really sore feet at the end of the day.

I realized that I will always be average height (if you consider Tom Cruise average)

I laugh and poke fun at my height because I don’t allow it to control me. I see tall people and know they are embarrassed about their height just as I am.

we all dream of being someone different

No need to be someone else

We wish that if we only had one more quality, skill or talent that we’d succeed. If only I was more outgoing.. If only I had a little more money

If only..

It is easy to get lost in the possibilities of what could be and then lose the truth of what you already are. You might not believe that you are someone with much value. You see yourself as a misfit hidden behind a wall of superficiality

but you are a hero to someone.

Greatness Can Only Come From Imperfect People

We need to focus on who we currently are and how we can impact those around us in our incomplete selves. There is always a flaw in our human DNA that prevents us from reaching greatness. But we must reach beyond it and offer up the value of who we really are

because that is the sign of true greatness.

It is easy for a perfect person to help the imperfect. The rich to help the poor. The strong to help the weak. These actions aren’t signs of greatness but signs of what is expected.

True heroism comes when the poor gives his only dollar to the little girl for an ice cream. We don’t reach greatness because we have fixed our flaws, but because we have made an impact through the strength of our flaws.

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• No related posts

The one permanent emotion of the inferior man is fear - fear of the unknown, the complex, the inexplicable. What he wants above everything else is safety. - Henry Louis Mencken (Fear of Unknown Quote)

Fear the Unknown?

When I was young, possibly 7 or 8 and only 4′ tall, we had a bear come into our front yard. A big old black bear. It was passing by in search for a trash can with some unfinished dinner.

Boy Vs. Bear

Being a young boy with an ego the size of a small hummer, I decided that it was my duty to protect my family and pet collie named Chester from this mean old nasty bear. I quickly grabbed my trusty baseball bat and headed to the door. As soon as I grabbed the door handle, I felt a pull on my collar so hard that it yanked me to the floor (I was only 80 lbs at most so it wasn’t that hard of a yank). I gathered myself and I heard a voice from a large laugh say..

“Boy, what are you stupid or something?”

I probably should’ve been afraid, but I wasn’t. If I can see it, hear it and size it up then I’m not worried. It is when there is an unknown that I get terrified.

Mystery of Women

I am afraid of approaching women because there is an unknown when it comes to their response.

Women are the most complex creations and you cannot predict their behavior. You ask her a yes/no question twice and you’ll get a yes the first time.. no the second. Ask her again and you’ll get..

“Honey.. choose for me (but it better be the right answer)”

Can you understand my fear? I have no idea nor any understanding of what might occur when I walk up and speak to that odd species known as a woman. Do I say “hello” or do I say “what up, hunny?” Will it come across as needy or will she think I’m some weird psycho.

I don’t know, but it will probably turn out ugly.

Overcome The Fear of the Unknown

But it is an endeavor that I must endure. I must put my ego and self-worth on the line for hope. Hope that someday in the near future, I can smile upon a beautiful face and gaze into a set of emerald green eyes. All that is needed is courage to push beyond the unknown.

This is the same for all important things in our lives

The Courage to See Past The Unknown

In order to achieve greatness in any endeavor, there will come a time in your life that you will be faced with an unknown. You will have to make a choice whether to brave the ocean waters and surf the waves alongside the sharks of the sea or stay on the shore and dream of being what others choose to do.

Success only comes when we push beyond ourselves.

All important things whether God, life or relationships come with uncertainties and a need for faith. If you dream for more then you must get beyond yourself. You got to take a leap and face the consequences and choices of the unknown. We have to face the fear that we might not know which decision to make but we can confidently choose the direction we proceed.

Do you choose to swim in the sea of opportunity?

Want to Know the Secrets of Personal Success in Influencing People?

I have created a list of the 5 best books that will outline for you how to have personal success in your own life and relating with other people. These 5 books will help in getting more people to listen and follow your advice. Click here to learn the secrets now.

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• The Corrupted File of Personal Fulfillment
• Inspirational Bible Verses about Family
• Are You Confident In What Is Required To Fulfill Your Dream?
• Controlled By Emotion

Art of Raking Leaves

I raked leaves this weekend.. all by myself. I can toot my own horn because I received no help from the family. I even think they laughed at me while watching with binoculars. I could hear the chuckles as I awkwardly gathered leaves into a laundry basket.

After 6 cumulative hours and 3 afternoons I could see the green lawn again..

Raking leaves drained the life out of me and it wouldn’t ever get finished! I looked into the yard every 20 minutes and couldn’t see the slightest bit of progress, but I had no choice. I had to rake.

and rake..

and rake.

15 filled trash cans later, I looked around and it still didn’t seem to make a dent. Then, all of a sudden on Saturday evening with storm clouds brewing above, I emptied the final trash can full of leaves over the neighbor’s fence and glanced around..

I was finished.

Raking Away the Mess of Life

When it comes to raking leaves, you know that eventually you will finish. you just have to be patient and persistent. One pull of the rake didn’t seem like much against the monstrosity of a yard. But with consistent swipes of the rake, the yard was fully raked.

This is similar to life.

Life seems impossible to clean up in the middle of any hard situation. Especially in financial hardships like we all are struggling through these day. The bills keep falling like leaves all around us and the debt collectors begin to drown us with their collective noise. You take a swipe at all the mess and begin to see a clearing, but then more leaves fall upon the ground.

What can you do?

Do the same thing as raking leaves. You just keep raking. The freedom comes when we have the faith that if your patient and committed to making the right financial decision at every choice given to you.

Your life will be green again (pun intended).

Leave A Comment

1 billion people drink unclean water and millions die every year because of this unclean water.Learn how you can change this right now.

---
Related Articles at Inspirational Thoughts & Stories For The Spiritual Christian:

• When Life’s Trail Suddenly Stops
• When Screw it is not enough
• Life’s Purpose Found In A Van
• Passion and what drives us through life