Archive for March, 2023

Your Attitude determines your Altitude

Posted: March 24, 2023 in Inspirational
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Personal stories always seem to affect me especially when I see ones about people who change other people because of their actions. I really like that. I found one of those stories that I want to share with you. 

This one is on a topic that sometimes I struggle with personally which is my attitude. It is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to choose…good mood or bad mood? Well actually…when things are good… the good mood is easy but when things are not so good…maintaining that good mood is VERY difficult and that is why I share this post with you…

 Because YOU GET TO CHOOSE your ATTITUDE…Enjoy…

Michael is the kind of guy who can drive you crazy because he is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I were any better, I would be twins!” This guy was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of their situation.

Seeing his style every day really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?” Michael replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or…you can choose to be in a bad mood. For me, I choose to be in a good mood.” 

Each time something bad happens, I can choose to either be a victim or…I can choose to learn from it…I simply choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or…I can point out the positive side of life. In every circumstance I come across, I choose to take the positive side of life.

“Yeah right, it’s not that easy,” I protested. “Actually yes it is,” Michael said. “Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation you face is a choice and you get to choose how you react to those situations. You are the one who chooses how people will affect your mood. 

You either choose to be in a good mood or in a bad mood. The bottom line: It’s your choice how you live your life and not anyone else”

I reflected on what Michael said and soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch but I would often think about him when I made a choice in my own life rather than reacting to it. 

Several years later, I found out that Michael was involved in a very serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was finally released from the hospital with steel rods being surgically placed in his back.

I saw Michael about six months after the accident and when I asked him how he was, he replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins…Wanna see my scars?” I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. 

“The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be-born daughter,” Michael replied. “Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or…I could choose to die…I chose to live.”

“Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked. Michael continued, “…the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine but when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read ‘he’s a dead man’. I knew I needed to take action.”

“What did you do?” I asked.

“Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,” said Michael. “She asked if I was allergic to anything.

‘Yes, I replied.’

The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled,

‘Gravity'”

Over their laughter, I told them, 

“I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.”

Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude…I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Remember, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday and you are still alive and functioning. Remember…when you trust in Him…You have a reason to hope.

I truly pray you will make the right choice…but in case you forget, choose attitude.

Until next time guys…

Undercover Christians

Posted: March 19, 2023 in Something to think about
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Do you remember the movie “Gods Not Dead” from a few years back? The plot was about a bitter college professor who tried to push all of his freshman students into proclaiming that God is dead before his class began each semester. He asked each of them to write, “God is dead” on a sheet of paper, then sign it, and turn it into him. In the story, one of his incoming freshman students could not do this because of his faith, which prompted this angry professor to challenge him to prove the existence of God. 

From a Christian perspective, the apologetics were very powerful in the movie. Honestly, to think that this was a movie released to the masses in secular theaters was very exciting to see. 

But if you know me and have read this blog, you know that something stood out above all else when I watched this film…and that was the verses quoted below from Matthew 10:32-33 in which Christ said,

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”

Guys, this one hit me like a brick in the head because I know, like you, I am surrounded by Hidden Christians who never say anything about their faith. For those of you who are Salt and Light in this world, this post isn’t for you. This one is for the rest of us Christian men who exist in silence before one another and before God. I am speaking to those who go about their days focused on their “busyness” with the light that is supposedly inside of them, hidden deep inside where no one can see.

My point is that our God is real, no matter how you and I feel about Him, and in my mind, I believe that as each day passes, is one more day we will never get back again. 

For Christians, God continually places opportunities in front of us to share and be an influence for Him…no matter where we are…These are chances just for us for you and me. They can be opportunities to just say an encouraging word or something more…

Guys…God never intended for you to be undercover. You are not a spy for Christ in this world; you are one of His disciples and it’s time for you to be a voice for Him rather than silent. I am NOT trying to guilt you or scare you but Christ’s words are very clear in the verse above… 

…But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.

Please think about these words. They are for you and for me…Do not find yourself in that position someday…

Until next time Guys…

The Rules of Engagement

Posted: March 15, 2023 in Something to think about
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Throughout the history of the world, nations have fought against nations with the intent to control the other. The goal is always victory and to the “victorious, go the spoils”. But the reality of war is incredibly painful. So much in fact, that nations have met between themselves to establish the ground rules of war or the Rules of Engagement. The most famous of these is the Geneva Convention, where countries gathered together for one purpose, to Protect the Vulnerable in War. This convention established battlefield articles that countries were to follow when one overtook the other and more.

Why am I talking about Rules of Engagement for war today in this post? I learned something recently that struck me and I believe is imperative to share with you about how we, you and me, engage with our number one enemy in this life, Satan. What you learn may surprise you.

If you were unaware, you are in a war but not like a war that you see in the movies.

Paul said it this way in Ephesians 6:12:

  • For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Even though this war is located in the heavenly realm, don’t be misled…it impacts all of us.

Next, it is critical for you to be familiar with your enemy. Learn who he is and what is his plan for not only you but strategically for this Earth. Peter does a very good job explaining that for us:

  • Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  1 Peter 5:8

Satan’s plan is to devour anyone and everyone if he can….or if you let him. Because this is a different kind of war, it has a different set of Rules of Engagement. You must know these tools and the armor that God gives you to RESIST, otherwise, you won’t win.

But please notice what I said in the previous sentence. I mentioned, resisting…not battling, fighting, or pursuing. We are NOT called to do battle with Satan or his minions. We will lose. Why? Because Satan is one of the most powerful created beings ever. He was created by God and he is currently the Prince of this earth. How do I know that? because Satan himself said so when speaking to Jesus in Luke.

  • “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. Luke 4:6

God delivered earth to Satan so that he would do the bidding of God…but that is another blog post.

So if we are not called to fight Satan then what do we do?

You are called to stand and resist. See these scriptures given to explain.

  • Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Eph 6:11
  • Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
  • Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:9

With the full armor of God in place, if you resist, then James says, HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. That is exactly what we want to happen and exactly what our role is. Stand firm and resist…the rest of the battle belongs to God and His warrior angels.

And that is the best part…God does the heavy lifting so we don’t have to…

So today, put on your armor and resist-

Until next time guys

Perseverance

Posted: March 12, 2023 in Inspirational
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I was walking through our facility recently and noticed an employee really struggling with a machine he was trying to operate. This guy was working hard, sweating, and really under some pressure but what I found strange was that his boss was nowhere to be found. As I surveyed the area closely, my eye came across his supervisor far off in a corner…almost hidden. When I went to see what he was doing, he told me he had his eye on this guy from a distance and he wanted to see how this young man would handle this equipment problem on his own. 

I turned around and looked back at the employee again with his head underneath the machine trying desperately to get the equipment to run right and then I looked back at the supervisor…Clearly, he noticed the look on my face and he said, “this is the kind of problem that can produce perseverance in someone”. I said, “perseverance?” where did that come from?” He said, “I have been doing this a long time…

In my younger days, I would run right over right and help the newbies every time they needed help…but I learned over time, this method really didn’t help them…What they needed was to persevere through the problem until they figured out the solution on their own, then they became the kind of operator we wanted working here”. I said, “Very impressive…and I agree with you”. But of course, that got me thinking about his lesson to this young man. So I went to the dictionary and I found the word; perseverance:

The continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.

I know the word and I use the word but when I saw what it meant, I was kind of shocked. Perseverance was the word that was meant for this Iron Sharpens Iron blog audience…this is the foundation we are built upon because perseverance is exactly what God wants Christian men to have…

A little fortitude…a little toughness and a whole lot of perseverance.

Even more importantly, God has something to say on this subject and I found the scripture to back this up for us:

Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

So now it makes perfect sense right? Do you remember that poor guy at the beginning of my post that was struggling to get that piece of equipment to run? Well ultimately… he was successful and that success has made him a better employee…all because of the simple test his boss put him through…but I will point out one key point here…

HE DID NOT GIVE UP…He kept at it, even though it was hard…

And that is why God tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. He already knew before you were made all of the various predicaments you were going to find yourself in that ultimately would be opportunities to show that you can “get up off of the mat” when you are knocked down. So don’t just lay there…get up!

If you are a Christian, you will be tested. If you are tested, then hang in there because you just read a few lines ago that this same testing and adversity will produce a character quality that is huge for you…perseverance…

Because when you finally achieve the ability to “Keep on, keeping on”…in other words, perseverance. God will truly look down from heaven and smile at you…why?

Because He understands everything YOU went through to get there and He admires the person you became as a result…

Let me leave you with this verse:

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

Until next time guys…

Is Ignorance Really Bliss…?

Posted: March 11, 2023 in Something to think about
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Did you know that God keeps a record of our sorrows and He records our tears? 

Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll, are they not in your record?  Psalm 56:8  

Did you know that God keeps a record of those who fear him and honor his name? 

Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. Malachi 3:16 

Did you know that God judges our secrets?

On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Romans 2:16

Did you know that God knows the number of hairs on your head?

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

OK…so maybe I went a bit overboard with scriptures on this post but only because these verses hit home more than most because some of us are just going about our lives living in our own bliss right? 

If you actually think you can skate under God’s radar because you think you are a good guy and never really get into trouble… Then I have some bad news for you…More scripture…

For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all of his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. 

Proverbs 5: 21-23

Guys…Ignorance is not bliss… and just because you don’t spend time thinking about God doesn’t mean He isn’t thinking about you. He pays attention to everything you do, everything you think, and everything you say, and for anyone to think otherwise is foolish…

He made you in His image and because He is God, He is completely in touch and connected to everything about you…EVEN IF YOU DON’T THINK SO. 

Your secrets are NOT secrets to God. 

You are NOT the only one who knows your deep personal thoughts. God knows them too…

My point is this: because there is a God out there who actually cares to number the hairs on your head, or who pays attention to just you, or keeps a record of your tears…Honestly, that is the kind of God you should follow.

Where else on earth would anyone care like that? Short answer…nowhere. No one on this earth can know as much about YOU as He does…

Please don’t ignore what I am telling you today. 

My simple recommendation…instead of living in denial that He doesn’t know anything about you or that all of the verses I quoted above don’t apply to you…

Instead…try calling upon His name, Jesus Christ, in order to change your direction. 

Trust me on this.

In the end, Ignorance of God and His ways will NOT be bliss…

Until next time guys…

What is your 500-year plan?

Posted: March 6, 2023 in Something to think about
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This is a short post to bring a quick “something for you to think about”. I heard a very interesting perspective from the pulpit this past Sunday of my local church and I could not help but appreciate the reality this Pastor shared with us. 

He asked a question that I wanted to ask you; What is your 500-year plan?

I wasn’t completely clear on what he meant. I’m the guy who is just trying to figure out how I am going to put my kids through college and hopefully still have enough left over to retire. That is my 10-20 year plan at best…let alone 500. Does that sound familiar to you? Now, I am sure many of you are far better than I am about saving for your future retirement, and kudos to you for creating a solid plan for your “what’s next”. But for the rest of us, the future is a genuine concern. How in the world can anyone save enough to make the next stage of our lives really work?

Then I heard this point; we get so focused on planning for our earthly futures which includes our Investments, Life Insurance, Home Equity, IRAs, 401Ks, and the list goes on that we forget the real reason why we are here. Which is…?

This is why I am asking you the same question again…

What is your 500-year plan? Do you know where you will be in 500 years? I know this sounds like a dumb question but the Bible is clear when it tells us to lay up our treasures in Heaven which moth cannot destroy.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

Matthew 6:19-21

Life is short so Moses wrote in Psalms 90 the following verse:

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.   Psalm 90:10

SO…AFTER FURTHER REVIEW…WHAT IS MY 500-YEAR PLAN?

To build a relationship with my Creator, navigate this earthly journey with Him all the while dealing with the adversity that comes with that so that when I ultimately pass on, I get to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. 

So, with that in mind… what have you done today to plan for your next 500 years? That is why I write this to you today. 

But…Before I end this post I want to ensure that you don’t misconstrue my message. I am NOT saying don’t plan for your future…not in the least. All I am saying is don’t be so myopic about your earthly future that you forget to plan for your heavenly one. Needless to say but I will say it anyway…one of these futures is going to be slightly longer than the other. You get to choose which one.

My encouragement for you today is to make real a deposit into your eternal account…as soon as you can.

Just something to think about-

Until next time guys-

Can I Really have all that I need?

Posted: March 5, 2023 in Inspirational
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The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need. Psalms 23:1

I have read the 23rd Psalm thousands of times throughout my life and can even recite it from memory. It is so burned into my brain from so many years of reading and hearing it over and over that, I almost don’t hear it anymore…if that makes sense.

Repetition and too much of any one thing can do that to you, right? Well, that isn’t supposed to happen to scripture. But it had until today…and all it took was a version change. A different perspective that seemed to change the angle just slightly…or…just enough to wack me over the head.

As I said, I have heard the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” my whole life. That is the verse. Period. Until today. When I heard it very loud and very clear, again for the first time.

How about this one; The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all that I need.

I HAVE ALL THAT I NEED. 

I can honestly say I have never said that because I never believed those words applied to me. WHY? Because I don’t think I DO have all I need. Does anyone really ever have all they need? But that is precisely what David meant when he wrote those words. He truly had All that he needed. He was content.

So what did he mean?

Here is what I can tell you. David was not referring to his stuff. Things like cars, houses, and vacations. He was talking about his contentment with his God. Let me reword it again:

BECAUSE THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I DO NOT NEED ANYTHING

David recognized that in this state of humility with God, our God, it was and IS possible to not need anything. Can you imagine that? You see because we Christians are so immersed in a society where people believe they can never get enough…that honestly, it is very easy to drift over to that way of thinking. Over time, we become what we do not want to…which is believing we don’t HAVE what we THINK we need…or as reworded below:

EVEN THOUGH THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, HE CAN’T GET ME WHAT I NEED

It is important to recognize this condition above for what it is: That it is NOT from God but rather from the Enemy. Our job then is to resist and to work to become content in our circumstances no matter what they are. It is not easy. Frankly, it is crazy hard…especially if you are not happy with where you are in your life.

The writer of Hebrews put it this way:

Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Let me put it another way:

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 1 Timothy 6:6

Although it is a very true statement, “You can’t take it with you” the Bible implores you and me to lay up our treasures in Heaven so that your time spent here on this earth can be more like what David said…where you have all you need.

Simply put, if you are focused on the “stuff” you don’t have, then you are not focused on Him.

My intent today with this short post is to remind you that if you seek Him, you will find Him which leads you to a place where you can be content in your life, right where you are. Then you can say with conviction…that you really do have all that you need.

Until next time guys-