The Gift of Life

It has been said that the gift of life is to wake up each day, have our health, our ability to see, speak, think and do all of the things that we take for granted. We can wake up with a fresh vision, and set out to share more love with others, and teach more too.

Do you consider your life a gift? Or, is it something that you just take for granted? If you aren't living to your full potential, what are you afraid of?

The thing is, God has given us life, and has given us such an amazing opportunity to do amazing things. Yet, so many of us just live the status quo. We do just enough to get by, and yet we could be doing more, sharing more, and having more.

So, do you treasure life? Would you commit to living full out each day as if you had no barriers, nothing stopping you?

The Gift of Life is Also the Gift of Fear.....Kinda

Did you know that from the time we are born, we are super trusting yet we have no idea that we are as our parents hold us? A nurse will take us from their arms, yet we have no clue that this is taking place. 

As we get a bit older, we open our eyes, and we have a concept of fear. Something gets too close to your face and you are afraid, or you see an animal for the first time as a toddler, and you have no idea what it is. Even if a puppy ran up and licked your face and was sweet to you, you might cry. Right? 

Once you have an understanding of things, you then begin to determine what you are fearful of and what you are not fearful of. So, we become less dependent upon God to keep us safe, trusting in him, and we only trust in what we know. 

The gift of fear can be another version of the gift of life. This means that:

1. We get the chance to face that thing we fear and do it anyhow
2. We get the chance to face it off even if we feel like running away 
3. We can easily apply this to life, love, and other relationships 

So, what will you do with your gift? Will you unwrap it and try it out? Or, will you just leave it in the box and wait until later? 

The Gift of Life Won't be Around Forever 

It has been said that life is short, and this is true. I don't know about you, but even being in the first grade seems just like it were yesterday. 

Then I grew up, went to college, met my spouse, got married, got divorced, then suffered for a long time. Then I allowed God in, let go of my fear of being alone, and started living God's purpose for my life. Aha! This is when I met my new husband, and we are now trying to start a family. 

During this time, we have had many losses, a lot of pain, and yet we keep trying. Why? We face that thing we fear most, and we pursue it anyhow. Nothing is too big with our God. We have learned more about the gift of life in our experience than we would have otherwise. 

So, what will you do? 

Live courageously, and embrace the gift of life! 

Live for God....Literally

Right now, at this very moment, I am sitting in a hospital with WiFi, in the waiting room, waiting for bad news.

A friend is fighting for her life.

Life.

Not because I expect the worst, but the worst has come. I am here because a friend was suffering, and in our humanness, we often do too little too late.

Life.

I've been there. I know. Asking, "Why?" Better yet, it usually sounds something like this; "Why me?" There are many times in my life when life seemed so unfair.

Life. What does it mean to you? Is it precious? Is it transient? Is it something you hold so valuable, that you live full out every day with everything you have in you that you make others WANT to live?

Right now, my friend is going to die within a few minutes because....she had a broken heart, a hard life, and while she loved God, and God loves her, this isn't enough. Why? We continually put ourselves in a place of pain, in that we cling to other humans, those that cannot possibly help us, or love us for who we are nearly enough.

Yet we rely on them so much, and although we keep experiencing the pain, we still reach out for human help. God is the I AM, not a WILL BE. He said that He is the I AM that I AM. There is no negotiating that, but when the stuff of life happens, and you see friend connected to multiple wires, as the result of a drug overdose, what does it all mean?

Humans are NEVER enough, nor could they EVER be enough. God has the most amazing plan for you.

The Why

The first question we ask as humans, that is nearly a mental prompting, is "Why?" It seems that we can NEVER escape "Why" ever. 

We want to know, why WE have pain. We don't think about others, it automatically turns inward. This is why is it SO important that we go to God first. It has been said that it takes courage to come to someone and tell them what is happening when it's a deep and painful issue. 

I know that it is, I have been there. However, it is more courageous to just skip the human beings and reach out to God, the Almighty Powerful One. I am not saying, don't get help. 

There is nothing wrong with getting counseling, but you have to be careful with that too. Not everyone you talk to will give you wise or Godly counsel. Let me share with you what I mean. 

When my parents split, they were separated for a year, and I had absolutely no closure. To top it off, it was my Senior year in high school,  I was working with the Youth Minister from my church because I had no one I could talk to. I was in a tough place, and I just kept burying my pain, and as for my closest circle of friends, their parents were all still married. 

When I sought help, (at that age you better believe good counseling is wise), his words to me were: "Look, I'm very busy right now, and I talk to people like you all day long. So, if you want to kill yourself, go ahead, and take a pencil and shove it into that vein in your wrist and let it bleed. Okay?" 

Not a real man of the cloth in my opinion, but humans aren't really capable of giving the answer that they should because most of the time, they just say, "Awww it''s okay", or "Let's have a party to forget about it." I don't think so.

God's Word is clear, and the great news is that He has given us NOT the Spirit of Fear, but of a sound mind. What could be better than that?  (2  Timothy 1:7)

There isn't one thing I can think of. I don't know that humans are even capable of a true, deeper love, that is without merit. It's so hard to find, and in all reality, humans are always giving expecting something in return. Just once, I would love to see a person pour out so much love on another, that the person is just changed by it. 

God sent His Son to die for us, pouring His blood out to save us, and if that isn't love, I don't know what is. God gives life, so we don't have to give up ours, for any reason. Turn to God first, pray, and talk to Him the same way you talk to your friends. 

If you talk to someone, seek Godly wisdom and Counsel. What God has to offer you is so much better than what any human could ever offer. 

Live Courageously....

PS-Need someone to talk to? You can CONTACT US! 

Forgiveness is Always Courageous

Forgiveness is such a hot topic, but it's not always for the best reasons. In reality, most people talk about it because they don't want to forgive, and it's because they don't feel that they should have to.

It never ceases to amaze me how resistant people are to forgiveness, but it could be that many wish not to mend relationships, or it could be that they have grown up with this idea that they are owed something.

So, have you forgiven others in the past? If not, wouldn't you like to move forward with a clean slate? You can change your future, if you choose to make better choices.

Life is all about choices. Don't believe me? Let me tell you a story.

A Mother That Chose Forgiveness Over A Grudge

While it is true that people do horrible things, it's also true that bad things happen to good people. We don't always know why, in fact, we really have no business asking. God is God, and in our humanness, it is no surprise that so many are saying that they are burned out on people. Forgiveness still rules regardless. 

It seems there is a lot of anger these days, and with tough times, guns are being fired, and innocent lives are being taken. There is one such story that was on Oprah many years ago, where a mother was interviewed about her son's killer. Oprah was asking her how she has been coping with his death. 

For this mother, it was simple. She chose to forgive and received her peace in life.There really isn't any reason that she should look for reasons to forgive, but she did it because she knew that not everyone knew what she knew. She understood that some folks only do the best with what they know. 

In many cases that means that they:

1. Grew up in a dysfunctional home
2. Grew up in a violent environment-it's all they know 
3. They don't know Jesus, and they don't have the spirit of love 
4. Don't value the relationship involved

This could be the case for anyone, but it's best that you do what you know is right. Do you believe that it's right to forgive? If someone hurts you, are you quick to forgive? Don't let the stuff of life get in your way, and be sure that you always let people know you love them, and that you value them. 

Remember, forgiveness is simply an act of courage my friends. 

LIVE COURAGEOUSLY! 

Mother Theresa a Woman of Courage

You might be wondering why so many loved Mother Theresa, and why so many looked up to her. It wasn't about her good works but it was always in fact about her compassion for others. Her belief was that no matter how others reacted to her kindness, she would still do it anyhow.

It has been said to have access to her diaries would have been a monumental gift, but with that aside, it's worth studying her as a woman to see how as a figure of compassion and grace, she had ways of sharing love that most of us wouldn't consider.

So, what is it about Mother Theresa that gives us such a great example to follow? It was probably her ability to speak about kindness and compassion, but also her ability to truly carry it out.

Who is Mother Theresa? 

If you aren't familiar with Mother Theresa, you should be. Learning to be more courageous and compassionate has everything to do with her these days. 

While some of us cannot fathom all of her time spent on those less fortunate, she believed it to be the ONLY way to live her life. In fact, if you have ever watched The Secret, you know that they mention her. Perhaps it's not the law of attraction, but it's probably the fact that:

• She was only focused on doing and NOT having
• She lived what she taught
• She was consistent
• She cared for those that no one else would care for 

As a result, people looked to her as a great example, but were often still not prepared to do what she was doing. Let's face it, if someone smells bad, are we anxious to get closer to them? No. In fact, I know I often don't feel that way. 

No joke intended here, but it's getting close to those that no one else wants to get close to that builds courage in your life whether you realize it or not. It is just that we don't WANT to do something? Or is it perhaps because people fear that they will be rejected by others? 

Perhaps isolation is a better word, because your friends may not follow you or support your endeavor. It takes courage to do what others won't, and to keep on doing it when everyone else has walked away. Does that make sense? 

So, what are you doing or focusing on doing to help others? Do you volunteer your time, or do you make it a point to compliment people each day? Do you make it a point to do more of something you should have done a long time ago?

No matter what the case may be, the thing is you need to understand that to be who God wants you to be, it will require you to do things you normally wouldn't consider. So, can you do that? Do you long to be courageous? 

Only you can decide for yourself. 

If you want to live courageously, read the story of Mother Theresa, and then focus on just serving others. It takes courage to serve too, because you may not get anything in return. Are you willing to accept that? 

Live Courageously! 

Rosa Parks, a Courageous Woman

Rosa Parks is no doubt a wonderful figure of our American history. If there ever was a statement to be made of a courageous woman, then she gets my attention. The thing is, most people may not view her as courageous, bu she truly is.

Why?

Because Rosa Parks did something at that time that was unheard of. She was a black woman that wouldn't take no for an answer, and she sat  on the same side of  the bus as a white man, and stood up for her civil rights.

Rosa Parks Revolutionary Act of Courage 

Not only did Rosa Parks sit on the same side of the bus as a white man, but she wouldn't give up her seat for a white man. Can you say,"Go Rosa?" 

No doubt it caused a stir, but why should this have EVER been the case? Her courage launched the Civil Rights movement, and as a result she was arrested. So, who is this woman really?

Parks  wasn't just a woman, but she was a well known woman. In fact, she was the secretary of the Montgomery Chapter of the NAACP. She had held this position since the year 1943, and she was more than happy to challenge the Jim Crow laws. 

These laws were set on public transportation and the plan to boycott bussing be equal for all. At the time, man tried to get her to say that she wouldn't stand due to her sore feet. I love how Parks states that:

"The only tired I was, was tired of giving in."-Rosa Parks

That my friends is courage, it's persistence, it's being bold, it's being confident, and all of the other things that Americans should be. Perhaps, she is one of the greatest profiles in history to look to when it comes to taking a stand for the courage of women too. 

So, what did Parks do with her moment of fame? 

What Happened to Rosa Parks?

At the time I don't believe that Rosa Parks got the recognition that her act of courage deserved. In fact, I think it was so watered down that it was a shame that we didn't really hold her up until later in life for what she did. 

How sad, that it took years for people to view her as courageous, and to appreciate her willingness to stand up for what she believed was right and true. 

Parks went on to work as a seamstress, never speaking of what happened on that day. Would you say that she was due much respect? I would. Most people today do an act of courage, or what they feel is courageous, but all they want to do is talk about how wonderful they are. 

They have no desire to really teach others how to do the same. This is what Courageous Life is really all about. We need more acts of courage, and we need leaders and mentors. 

To learn more about Courageous Life, and how you can share your courage with others through our apparel, then CLICK HERE NOW! 

Courageous Prayer

Courageous prayer may not be a term you hear a lot, BUT, the truth is, it wouldn't be. WHY? I don't believe  Christians are really about courageous prayer, but rather they want to know the quickest way to get a prayer by God.

The reality is that, this type of prayer doesn't really work-AT ALL. We are in a hurry, worried about our own issues, and to think of taking time out our day to pray when we have meetings and obligations doesn't suit us.

REALLY?

What if God said he didn't have time for you? Where would you be then? What would you do without any favor from the ALMIGHTY GOD?

Courageous Prayer Means Being Bold 

It has been said that, "to be bold is to be a REAL Christian." What would you say to that? Do you get angry, or do you agree? 

Think about the last time you prayed deeply for someone. Did you go to God with everything in you? Or, did you just simply go with leftovers when you felt "up to it". I have had those days, I won't lie. I am honest, and truthfully, God has HIS way with me. 

Let me tell you a story about failure to be bold, and lifting up one of my sisters in Christ in courageous prayer. 

I went to lunch with a friend of mine, and we were talking about her separation from her husband. It was bad, and I could relate, and I only gave advice when she asked. The thing is, I didn't agree with her decision, because I just didn't see it. It just sounded like she just wanted to give up, and go the easy way out. 

I told her I would pray for her, and I did, but I was lazy. My prayer was weak, and it went something like this. 

"Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for Lila, that you would give her wisdom and strength in dealing with her husband. I pray for her children that you would give them a peace that passes all understanding." That was it. I was so tired, so I thought, "Oh, I'll get back to it." Two weeks later my phone rings, and I was sickened. 

"We are getting a divorce. I'm tired, I'm just so tired, I'm done. I love my kids, but I'm tired of being used, and just run ragged. I clean house, that is all I do. I'm sick of it." 

Wow. 

I was tired too, and so.....here we are. I am an intercessor, and I know that. I am called to be set apart, but oh well, I'm tired. I had the fire, but oh well. This is the new age of Christians, and God is sorely displeased. 

He wants courageous prayer, bold prayer, and he wants willing servants. He is tired of our attitude, BUT he loves us anyhow. 

HE interceeds for us. Aren't you glad God never gets tired of us and our shenanigans? What if God just said, oh well, I'm tired. You want healing? Oh well, I'm tired. Wow, just wow. Where would we be? 

Courageous prayer. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Live courageously!

Is Courage Unconditional Love?

The question of the day is this; is unconditional love the same as courage? Hmmm, great question right?

Unconditional love is a touchy subject. Sad, but true. However, unconditional love is always right.

Whether you are talking about your spouse or children if you truly love someone, you love them unconditionally.

So, when you look at your spouse, do you love them? Are you in love with them? There is a difference, but love is always right too.

However, what would it take for you to say no to their love?

The Book of Hosea Spells Courage 

If courage is the same as unconditional love, then it's time for us to have a serious talk. It is courageous to love someone regardless of what they have done, and that ends up being a long list. So, do you have the Hosea kind of courage? 

If you have never read the book of Hosea, you need to. In fact, let's take it a step further. The prophet Hosea was courageous in that he loved his wife even though he knew that she was a prostitute. He loved her, and God commanded Hosea to go back and get her even though she went back into the brothel. 

The truth is, God asked Hosea to do something that not many people would do, and Hosea followed through with love. He went in and paid the price for her, and took her home, loving her no different than he ever loved her. 

I am sure his heart hurt for knowing that she was with other men, but he wanted her, he loved her so much, he had to go back and get her, no matter what she had done, and he loved her unconditionally. 

Wouldn't it take a great deal of courage in this day and age to do that? You bet it would, no doubt. This is no easy feat. 

I don't know if I could honestly say the same for loving my husband, knowing he had slept with 20 women. Let's face it a brothel is loaded with customers all of the time. The number 20 could be a small number, don't you think? 

So, do you have courage?

Just remember that when you are thinking about giving up on someone, whether it be your spouse or your children, do you have the courage it takes to love them? 

Live courageously! 

Franklin D Roosevelt a Courageous Leader

Franklin D Roosevelt might be the last person you were thinking of today, but he was one of the men that came up on our list over and over again for being a picture of courage that would never die. Not only was he a President of our country, but he was a President that represented many different types of people. 

FDR, what so many called him for short, could relate to the individual that felt they had nothing to offer, simply because he had a disability. The truth is, the only disability that any of us ever have, is when we just choose not to try! 

So, what about him was so amazing that it had people talking? He led our country through what many viewed as a country wide disability with a big economic disaster, and it's the underlying lesson that you may not see that we are going to share today that really matters most when it comes to courage! 

The Strength of Franklin D Roosevelt 

Franklin D Roosevelt was a dominant leader for the Democratic party, and not to mention he was one of the strongest ever noted. It was his strength that showed the American people why he should have been elected to multiple terms, and he certainly was. While it seems today's choices run for two terms, once it's over, there isn't enough of a lasting impression to get re-elected. 

Could that perhaps be the one missing building block of our culture as to why we feel that we don't have sufficient leadership or courage to make the big decisions for our country? The votes of the American people have spoken, and these days perhaps they have NOT spoken well. 

See, it used to be that a leader could be easily detected, and leaders were ones that made decisions with discretion. today, decisions are made flippantly, and with very little thought. Major decisions are being made by folks that have very little life or leadership experience. 

Sad wouldn't you say? 

This is why Franklin D Roosevelt was chosen as a profile in courage. Not only was he a great decision maker, but he had a great wife that stood by him, and because he was bound to a wheelchair he could relate to so many people at the same time. He understood pain, and he knew how to deal with it.  

Could it be that because he learned this on a personal level that he was able to identify with this on many levels for the country's sake? 

Now that you know more about this President, can you see why he was elected multiple times? If you were to read his biography, you could learn more about him and his personal life and why he was such a favorite. 

Study Americans that are known for their courage, and follow their example. I hope that you enjoyed reading this, and just remember that it's always best to live courageously!

George Washington a Profile in Courage

George Washington might be known for his presidency, however, he is also highly regarded for his courage.

Perhaps Washington is known for his courage in battle, but that probably doesn't surprise you. So, if people believe that George Washington is courageous, what is he really standing for?

There is no doubt that he is one of the greatest presidents of all time, but when Washington and courage end up in the same sentence, what is it all about?

Let's talk about his role in the military, and why his courage was so evident, and how he can be a great example to us today.

Learning from George Washington

What better figure to talk about when it comes to courage than George Washington? He was our first President, but he was also young when he went to battle in the French and Indian War. 

Every American citizen knows the name, and if they don't, then I would question their love of this country. Not because of Washington, but the history. Knowing more about my country causes me to reflect on how thankful I am to be here, live here, and still have the freedoms I have today. 

Washington is to be respected as he held various positions in leadership, and not just in military but in government as well. He has been called, the "Father of the Nation", and with his leadership, would it be safe to say that we would do well to model after him?

He was not a man of control as many leaders are today, and he had the courage to instill in others what was right, and try to enforce them to do what was right. When it comes to discipline this is the only point in time when Washington took matters into his own hands. Call it crazy, but I call it courageous. 

So, when others want you to do something, and you want to do right but they don't support you, what will you do? It is better to do what you think God would have you to do, and if you aren't prepared, then don't step forward. 

The world will listen to you what you say, and the world will watch every move you make. So, the question is, are you ready? Will you speak for what is right and good? Better yet, are you ashamed to dress in a way that reflects that? 

If you want to know more about how you can be courageous, and share your courage with others, CLICK HERE now. 

Above all, always live courageously! 

Courageous Life 

Moses, a Courageous Leader

Moses was no doubt a courageous leader, and above all, he stood for what was right no matter what.

When God asked him to do things that didn't  make sense, he did them anyhow. When God told him to talk to people, he did and didn't ask WHY.

Moses was one of the few that God directed to lead, and despite the climate, he followed through.

So, why is it that although he led the Israelites, they still didn't  listen? Why didn't they do what he asked them to do?

Moses had a life worth studying, and he is a great example of what we should be today, whether God is leading us to or away from something. Let's talk about your possible path across the Red Sea.

God Calls Each of Us to be a Courageous Leader 

There is no doubt that each of us has a gift, a true calling, a high calling  at best. It's always a high calling when God is involved. While some may disagree, it's always about what we measure against  God's Word, and nothing less. 

Moses was courageous, not always because he led the people of Israel  into territory they had to fight for, but because Moses did what God asked him to, even if he believed he wasn't equipped. At one point Moses told God that he wasn't an eloquent speaker, and his brother Aaron was to go to the Pharoah and ask that the people be freed. 

He did, but it would have been a more powerful story in our minds had Moses just asked God for the words to say. Right? In our humanness, we forget that God doesn't need our help, nor does he need for us to lean on other human beings. 

God sends us those that he knows will be strong for us, prayer partners and more. God is interested inn our ability to stand in faith, and not feel that we have to be alone in any battle or journey we face. Did you know that you have no reason to fear? 

What is your Red Sea that you MUST cross? 

While it may seem as though there is no light at the end of the tunnel, there really is. All you need to do is step out on faith, Even if you feel as though there is only just enough light for the step you are on! 

When you have fear, get courage, and then you will know that it's time for you to FEAR NOT.

Live courageously!

Abraham Lincoln a Courageous Man

As we look at profiles of courageous leaders, it's no surprise that Abraham Lincoln would be at the top of the list. Lincoln is known as a leader for many different reasons, and he has no doubt been the topic of conversation this past year as the movie that came out was all the rage about Lincoln and his life.

When the movie starts out, it hits home what he was all about, and when talking with the African American soldiers, he knew that he still stood behind abolishing slavery no matter what. Why? Because the men he spoke to were just like you and me, and they were fighting just the same as white men.

It took courage to stand up for what he believed in, and make no mistake that what he believed was on target with our God stands for and created us for. To help our fellow man, and to live life courageously.

Abraham Lincoln Among Courageous Leaders of All Time 

While Abraham Lincoln was courageous for taking a stand against slavery, for what other reasons was he considered a courageous leader? 

Lincoln was a family man, and was dedicated to having his young son around almost all of the time, even when he was out and about trying to find more men to side with him against slavery. He read as many books as he could so that he could learn. 

He begged his mother for books to read because he grew up poor, and at that time he was believed to be among those that wouldn't get opportunities like the other children. 

No matter what happened, nothing seemed to phase Lincoln, and as a result of determination to learn and read, he was becoming more educated by the minute. If you have never seen his list of failures until he got to where he wanted to be, then now would be a great time to take a look at it. 

List of Failures of Abraham Lincoln

List of Lincoln's failures

A common list of the failures of Abraham Lincoln (along with a few successes) is:

1831 - Lost his job

1832 - Defeated in run for Illinois State Legislature

1833 - Failed in business

1834 - Elected to Illinois State Legislature (success)

1835 - Sweetheart died

1836 - Had nervous breakdown

1838 - Defeated in run for Illinois House Speaker

1843 - Defeated in run for nomination for U.S. Congress

1846 - Elected to Congress (success)

1848 - Lost re-nomination

1849 - Rejected for land officer position

1854 - Defeated in run for U.S. Senate

1856 - Defeated in run for nomination for Vice President

1858 - Again defeated in run for U.S. Senate

1860 - Elected President (success)

Now that you have read this list, how does it make you see things differently? The truth is, "Abraham Lincoln" is one of the best examples you could ever follow. Make it a point to study the folks that we are talking about to have a solid idea of how to pattern your life. 

Be proud of the fact that you wish to live courageously, and let others know by wearing it too! Be sure to check back for the next profile of courageous leaders, and CLICK HERE to learn how you can wear your courage today! 

Courageous Leaders and How They Live

Courageous leaders are worth reading about and studying, so that we may learn more about how to live a better life, don't you think? There are so many great leaders, but some are more well-known for their courage than others.

While we may learn how to be better citizens of our country and how to be better people. For example, how do you feel about apologizing to others when you have wronged them? Or, do you spend your time seething over something they did, so you just had to get them back?

The only way to live is to live a life of higher character and caliber. Living a life of excellence is better than living a life of selfishness. By the way, it's better to give than to receive, which means one thing; you may NEVER get an apology from someone that has wronged you, but you should give one liberally to them.

Do you disagree?

Courageous Leaders Apologize

It has been said that the power of an apology is freeing to the soul. Is that true? It's true that real leaders will always be quick to forgive and apologize. Leaders don't want others to feel as though they have ever been left behind or left in the cold, or wronged for that matter.

What is behind this is even deeper, meaning that the idea really represents the following:

1. You are capable of admitting you are/were wrong
2. You are willing to admit that yes, you do make mistakes 
3. You are willing to let something go because relationships mean more to you than anything else 

This is what makes courageous leaders, leaders! Believe me when I say that being able to apologize without wanting to take it back, or doing so freely requires courage!

Can you think back to a time when you did something and knew that you should apologize like yesterday?

We have all been there, and it's something that as humans we are sure to face again at some point in our lives. The idea is to never stop being courageous, and teaching our children, friends, and other family members how to do the same!

So, now that you know what courageous leaders do, will you make a change?

It's time to decide  how you will live your life, and if you haven't taken a stand for anything else, now is the  time to make a decision. What will you do?

It's time to live courageously!

Profiles in Courage Begins....

Profiles in Courage is something we are going to be talking about, but you should know it is in fact a book title. The book as you can see was written by Senator John F. Kennedy, and it was written to talk about Americans that had proven to be courageous, and set amazing examples for our country.

So, who is in this book, and why does it matter? The book talks about political courage, those that made a difference in our country, and why they did the things they did. The book was written in 1954, while he was recovering from back surgery, because he had time to reflect.

So, how can the book change your life, and is it worth reading?

The book discusses politicians doing what is right, and it almost these individuals doing what is right. A joke? No, at the time he was completely sincere as he was reflecting on this issue.

Hence, the book Profiles in Courage was born, and it was focused on discussing the courage of eight senators that Kennedy believed were a great example of courage in leadership.

The question we have for you today is this; Do you feel that our country's leaders should read this book? Our country is in complete disarray and we need leaders that have courage to do right, now more than we ever did before.

Should Our Country's Leaders Be Required to Read Profiles in Courage?

I always find it interesting that our youngsters are required to read certain things when in school, yet many of our leaders don't require staff to read certain books as a part of their position. 

There is never a time when we stop learning, and this Pulitzer Prize winning book is just what many of our leaders need to be reading. It wouldn't hurt us to read it as citizens that have no political standing, position, or even much of an opinion, as to be a leader requires change, and it's a bonus when people are teachable. 

Kennedy focuses on eight different Senators in this book, and he also shares his pain and struggle with his back surgery and his recovery period. Kennedy also focuses on his time in World War II while on a boat as a PT commander, and how it affected his life. 

Because Kennedy was so willing to share the three main struggles that senators face, there is no doubt a new found respect for these folks as we often criticize our leaders rather than pray for them. The leaders in our country need direction, and as we pray for them, they just might improve. 

Pray for our country's leaders, and if you can, pick up a copy of this book. I get nothing from it if you buy it, but my desire is that in writing these profiles, that you will know and understand that there are individuals that have been at the headship of our country that can teach us something, and teach you that having courage is all you really need. 

Will you choose to live courageously? Check back soon for more on the profiles in courage, and you can CLICK HERE to learn how you can share your courage with others! 

Courage Under Fire

Courage under fire?

Yep, you bet. When we think of courage, we always think of soldiers, right? The truth is, Independence Day is any day we choose, and just as it says, "Freedom is never given, it is won."

So, isn't this true of our lives? Better yet, could we actually free others by helping them understand this, and along with that understand what makes them free?

Yes, we certainly can, but each of makes our own choices. Remember, life is all about choices. It always is, so the question is, what are you going to do today to make a different tomorrow for yourself?

Are you living with courage under fire?

Courage for Every Day 

Courage is for many what faith is for the Christian. Do you agree or disagree? Is it just that courage is faith? When soldiers go into battle, they are taught to go out strong with everything in them, fighting regardless of what happens, believing that they are going to win in the end. 

When our courage under fire, we often stop and re-think what we believe. We start to hide, not share as much of ourselves because we are afraid that we will come under fire. If this is you, then you might want to pray for the courage to change. 

Simply put, we cannot do anything less than be the best, and that means being the best for God, for our family, for our church, and for our spouse and children. I guess you could say that a lot of what we support here at Courageous Life is supporting you living out full, each day as if it were your last. 

So, the question is, do you live this way now? If not, why not? What can you do to move forward in your life and make lasting change? 

Honor Courage Commitment 

If you want to live a courageous life, then you must honor courage commitment. Be true to yourself, but honor God with your life. Whether or not you find your courage under fire, it's up to you to decide whether or not you will stop living right, or you will continue on. 

Every day is new, and every day is another opportunity to live our best life. As I was growing up, I remember learning in school about the voices of courage throughout history, like: 

1. Martin Luther King Jr. 
2. Rosa Parks
3. Abraham Lincoln
4. Mother Theresa
5. Elizabeth Elliot and many more

People from all walks of life, people that were from all backgrounds, faiths, but yet they never compromised what they believed in to make someone else happy. 

So, will you let your light so shine before men? I hope you say yes. 

We will be focusing on some profiles in courage over the coming weeks ahead, to help you believe once again, that yes you can! There is no need to fear when with your courage under fire, as long as you have courage in your heart, you'll make it. 

Live for an Audience of One

Don't you love this photo? It's amazing, refreshing, and just peaceful to look at. I love to just sit and stare at it in the hustle and bustle of my day, and the cares just seem to melt away.

It's amazing what you can take in when you are alone, standing there in the moment, and just feeling all else drift away from you. De-stressing is what we call it here in America! When you are sitting here looking at this photo, are you wondering what others are thinking about you? No.

Is your mind filled with noise? No. Are you hurrying off to pick up the kids at school? No. Because if you were standing here you would be in the moment, by yourself, just living for an audience of one. The question is, would you stand and look at this photo every day? If you thought it would clear the mind and give you peace, I'm sure you would, right?

Live for an Audience of One Daily 

Okay, so I'm all about love, peace, and chicken grease, and if I knew I could get peace and respite daily, then I would do whatever it took to get that. So, if we can get this by talking with God on a regular basis, why don't we just do that? 

Why are we always looking to the outside fix? Even if others turn to alcohol, wouldn't be better not to? Wouldn't it just be better to turn to God, pray, and lay our cares upon Him? I love the sound of that, and I'm sure you do too. Are you afraid of what others think? 

God has called us to be bold and courageous, and oftentimes that is the last thing we think He has asked us to do. God has asked that of us for all the time, NOT just every now and then. This means that when others think you should turn to something a bit more esoteric if you will, or something that is mind altering to escape it all, WHY not just turn to Him? 

He is the only one that matters, right? 

I know it's not always easy, but living our life and serving God isn't always easy. God has called us to a life that is extraordinary, with HIS help, even though we are just ORDINARY beings. 

So, who will you live for? Yourself or for God? 

All that matters is that you live for an audience of one, and that means, it's time for you to live courageously. 

Character: Who You Are When No One is Looking

Have you ever taken something that didn't belong to you? What about when you were in the presence of someone and they weren't looking? Did you take something? Think back, I mean really think back. Even when you were a kid and you were "just a kid" did you take anything that you thought wasn't a big deal?

What about pens, note pads, and other things that your office supplied you with? Anytime you take anything that doesn't belong to you, you are stealing. It's something to think about right? What about clocking in early when you aren't working? Yep, that's stealing company time folks. It's just stealing.

Who is Watching You? 

The question isn't always about whether or not you do good things, but whether or not you are doing things you shouldn't be doing when no one is looking. You never know who is watching you at work, or at church, and the things you say, the way you act, are all going to give people insight into who you are and what you are about. 

You can still be a good person and be a thief. You may have been in a situation where you stole something but didn't realize it. Your awareness since reading this blog post is now a bit different, because now you have been told that it is wrong to take things that don't belong to you. 

You need to digest this, internalize it, and really make it part of your belief system. Think about it this way; isn't it more rewarding to work hard to earn something with your own two hands than to take it from someone else that did the work?

What a sense of accomplishment you would have, rather than a sense of guilt. It's imperative that you get this, understand it, eat, sleep, and breathe it, and then teach this to others. Remember, you may be the only positive person someone ever meets. 

You could be the only Bible that some folks will EVER read. 

So, what is character? It's who you are and what you do when no one is looking. I guarantee! 

Live courageously! 

Mr. President Speaks The Truth

This is AWESOME!!  Check out this little dude Mr. President...and share this video:




Let's do this!  Live an awsome and courageous life!

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is something I think about every day. How fortunate we are to be called a friend of God, and to be pardoned of all the sin we have committed in our lifetime.

The question is, are you passing it along to others? Or, do you choose to hold grudges on those that have hurt you? Will you forgive those that have wronged you? Will you step up and forgive others as Christ has forgiven you?

Let me share with you the story of ultimate forgiveness, one that I can't just get out of my mind.

The Ultimate Story of Forgiveness

Most of you reading this may know the full story of the crucifixion of Christ, am I right? That story is truly the ultimate in forgiveness in my book, but every now and then, I hear of some others that are truly amazing. 

If you have never read the book, Forgiving the Dead Man Walking by Debbie Morris, then you should. It will take you to a place where all of us should be at some point in our hearts. This is a place where we say, I can forgive because Christ forgave me. 

While we know that in our mind, do we know that and understand it experientially? Again, most of us don't, but we are called to live better than we are right now in this moment. We choose to only do enough to get by and that has to change. 

Debbie Morris was brutally raped, and chose to forgive the man that was her attacker. That is true grace by faith, and nothing that anyone did of their own accord. She extended forgiveness as Christ did, and showed love to an individual that in our minds didn't deserve it or have the right to it. 

If someone raped your child, would it be hard to forgive them? Of course it would be. There has been a saying floating around for many years that says, "forgive and forget", but no one will ever forget horrific acts like that right? 

As a parent you would be hard pressed, and the child will have that imprinted on their memory forever. However, God commands us to forgive and to love others as He has loved and forgiven us. What say you? 

This blog post may be hard to swallow, but we are in a time of crisis when we are called to hold fast, and be what and who God has called us to be. What will you choose to do? 

Will you say yes to God? Or, will you say, "Forget God!"? 

God has called us to live courageously, and nothing less. It's time folks as we move into 2013 for you to do more and be more. God has not called us to live a mediocre life, but one that is helping others, and one that brings others into their own greatness in time. 

Why not share your courage with others everywhere you are? To learn more about how you can wear and share your courage and faith, and be a walking inspiration to others, CLICK HERE now!