Advice from John Wooden

John Wooden life philosophy was exhibited in how he coached the UCLA Bruins. I want to share some of that philosophy through this short clip I found in the LA Times. If you could take one thing from this to make you a better husband, father, wife, mother, son, daughter or friend more power to the life you are trying to live.

 

Identifying with Others

I believe the more that we can see ourselves in others, the more we are able to form a connection with others. We often don't connect with others, because we do not see ourselves in them. This causes separation and distinction among human beings.

I think that when we begin to see ourselves in others, we will have a different attitude towards them. They will know it. I feel that we will be less condemnatory, less judgmental and far more understanding. I believe one of the greatest challenges for us as human beings is to leave our world, and enter into the world of others. It is then that we begin to understand something about the idea of God.

Our Children - A Quote from Frederick Douglass

"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

What do you think of that statement by Frederick Douglass?

The First Amendment Video Clip by A World Church Leader

This clip was shared with me by a fellow minister. It shows the world leader of the Seventh-day Adventist church Jan Paulsen sharing his thoughts on the First Amendment. I thought the video was well down, and should cause each of us to pause as we think not only of our own desire for freedom, but to consider the freedoms of others. This is often lost in conversations between people attempting to state their own points of view about God. It is important for us to remember that God gives each of us the opportunity to experience our own expression of our choices. I think this is often forgotten by well meaning people who are passionate about their religious convictions, and in turn want to foist their ideas and thinking on others. I have to admit that I was refreshed by this video, and that is why I am sharing this. It is my hope that you will find these comments by a religious leader refreshing in the wake of the many who have forgotten that forcing our belief systems on others is out of step with the character of God.

Do Events or Experiences Alter our Lives?

I watched a recent video clip of Mike Tyson on the Ophrah Winfrey show. It is a different side of Mike than people are use to. It seems that the loss of his daughter Exodus may have become a life changing event in his life. I am sharing this clip for our own reflection about what kinds of experience(s) have impacted who we have become or becoming. What were your thoughts about Mike Tyson as you looked at this clip? What were your thoughts about your own life?

Mike Tyson Tells Oprah About His Daughter's Death @ Y! TV

Different Listening

How many times do we have impressions or we hear our mind trying to give us guidance but we totally shut it down? We become too intellectual in our thinking, and we fail to listen to that which I believe often times understands the deeper spiritual matters of life. I believe that many spiritual teachers are able to listen beyond the intellect and allow themselves to grow and to express that learning with others. Hopefully, we will allow ourselves to be able to listen to the voice so that we may be taught, and so that we can share what we hear as well with others.

Speaking at New Life Fellowship - When God Seems Absent

 

I was speaking over the weekend about those times when God seems absent. I said that it is sometimes important just to be still and know that God is God as the Psalmist writes in Psalm 46:10. When we see the creation in moments of stillness, it becomes clear that there is a God. This thought by itself reminds us that there is a God involved with this planet. God can become personal to us when that thought hits us in our brain. I also said that when we have those times that we feel alone, it is important to reach out and connect with other people. Often when we are going through difficult times and we wonder where God is, there is a tendency to withdraw from others. However, this is the time that we need to challenge ourselves to draw near to those people who give us energy when we are around this. We may discover God reintroducing himself to us.