Acceptance is a key to a happy life. We must accept people like they are. And we must accept life circumstances as they are, or we will never find serenity. I am not talking about moral cowardice or apathy. But buckets of sweat and fret are often shed, about issues that we either can not change or that it is none of our business to judge.

In the Bible, the story is told of a woman caught in adultery. The religious custom of the time, in that part of the world was to stone people caught in this act. The surrounding religious leaders sought to use the situation to trap Jesus, in a bad answer because they knew that he did not want to see the woman condemned to their mockery of justice. In order to diffuse the situation, Jesus in His wisdom said the following; “let the one of you who has never sinned throw the first stone.”

Jesus’s action dispersed the crowd. Because each one watching was forced to admit their own mistakes. And so it is today with onlookers who seem to find plenty of time to accuse and point fingers at others, while neglecting to accept and address the abundant failures of their own. Accepting the foibles  and limitations of others is necessary if we are to have a just perspective, because we have our own weaknesses to admit and deal with.

There are times when human beings are called on to judge others. But most times, Judgement is better left in the hands of God. We will do better to look at our own faults and look for the good in others. It is true that when we point a finger at someone else, two are pointing back at us. The greatest height of spiritual accomplishment I have ever found has not been addressing the weaknesses of those around me. But honestly admitting faults of my own and letting the holy searchlight of God strengthen me, to overcome them.

So my prayer for us today is that God help us accept the world around us as it is, and others the way, they are.  May He help us to concentrate on solving our own character defects. And examine our own hearts and lives, more than we judge the condition of others. God, help us avoid the futility of worrying about situations that we can not control and trust You to help us repair the situations (in us), over which we have the awesome power of choice and transformation. 

     I apologize to my Guts Is The Key Readers. I am way behind, on my posts. It was August of last year since I released the third hundred of my “Slamisms.” So, With no further wait, here is the next hundred. I will preface these by commenting and expanding  the first few to give you an overview and flavor, of what’s to come.

1. Before trying to “Fix” your career, “Fix You.” Amazing how careers get better when we do! http://t.co/9qsX62jyyn #Slamism / It’s amazing how many people want to fix something on the surface, while ignoring the underlying problem. Many times, maybe even most times, our careers suffer because their is something “out of whack” in us.  When we fix our character defects and chase away our personal haunting spectres; it is amazing how many of our professional problems fix themselves.

2. Center your work around others and not just self satisfaction. It is amazing how the workplace improves when you do this! #slamism / This is one of those things that you can not calculate in a binary equation but it works anyway! When we give to others with a healthy, helpful motive; it is amazing how the work attitudes of those around you will change. It is not calculatable how giving results in blessing. But it is so!

3. Doing your best at work can make you feel better about everything else! http://gutsisthekey.com  #slamism / Sometimes we want things to be better but are not willing to put in the work to change them. The work must come first. Another ironic truth is that when we do our best at work; it tends to make us feel better about things outside of work. Do your best on your job and see if you do not experience a general overall improvement, in your life.

4. When u wear ur best smile & practice a good outlook in spite of “feeling bad”-u do great wonders 2 help turn the page & feel good! #slamism / A put on smile can rapidly becomes the real thing. An amazing event, most times happens when you feel bad, and put a pleasant face on anyway. You will find yourself feeling better. This is an uncanny but solid truth. Try it. Next time you are in a sour mood. Go to the restroom. Wash your face and put on a big smile. And make yourself keep it. The brain will produce chemicals to back up your decision to be optimistic, with rewarding sensations. So most times, it is good to smile, EVEN when you don’t feel like it.

5. Dwelling on your problems only increases them. Think about the remedy. Live in the solution. Face facts but Aim on the Answers. #slamism / Rehashing the problem seldom solves it! Think instead about how you are going to get better. About how you are going to improve. This improved manner of thought will lead to an improved manner of living. Don’t stay in the doldrums of distress, envision a solution and fix your mind on this possibility becoming your reality.

6. Smiling is a Neurological Miracle! Put one on & wear it/Not only will you make those around you, like you more/You Will Feel Better! #slamism

7. No matter how much you know. Sometimes your colleague knows more than you & the best thing you can do is be humble & listen. #Slamism

8. To improve in your profession, you must dare to question your own process & try something different regularly. #salescategory #slamism

9. Training must continue for professional life to be vibrant & not stagnate-It changes the oil. It lubricates you with new ideas! #slamism

10. Problems are often like bullies who aren’t so tough when you face them. Standing up to challenges often shrinks their proportions. #slamism

11. If you don’t want to grow; remember the other option is to rot. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

12. Do not become ineffective-because you can’t deal with the present due to weakness-worrying about the future. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-

13. RT @SteveGutzler Being kind and gracious is not just an act but a lifestyle. #leadership #salescategory #slamism

14. RT @SteveGutzler “The success journey is filled with flops, failures, and fumbles.” Stay Encouraged! #leadership #Slamism

15. Yoda was onto something with that “Do or Do Not” thing. When you put your hand to the plow, don’t look back! #Slamism http://t.co/T2LNgV3RzO ;

16. Dare to DREAM BIG; Be smart enough to work for it and have faith enough to believe it will come true.http://t.co/P9Ydsk0ljH #slamism

17. It is necessary for so some doors to be shut , in order for other doors to be opened. Closed doors can be be lessings in disguise. #Slamism

18. Positive life growth is a road trip/Make up your mind to stay on the journey-until you reach ur destination! #Slamism http://t.co/T2LNgV3RzO

19. Do not forget as you seek God for answers, that he often uses the lips of others. #behumbleenoughtoacceptsuggestions #Slamism

20. When one practices with diligence-intensity-steadfastly with determination; then success comes naturally-as a pre-rehearsed event. #Slamism

21. The ability to overcome problems resides greatly with those, who remember the power of Seeking, to bring about finding. #slamism

22. Any kind of Practice doesn’t make perfect. More perfect practice makes more perfect. #Slamism http://t.co/T2LNgV3RzO ;

23. Red-Black-Blue or Green/We need to be color blind in how we love people-It should only be people’s actions that form our opinions.#slamism

24. There are many who just want 2 fight & argue-Avoid them if possible-Bring out the good in others-Avoid those who belittle #Slamism

25. The spontaneity of the creative act is powerful-Flow with ideas when they come-I advise my #Shotokan students 2 train in this way! #slamism

26. You must look within for value, but must look beyond for perspective. ~ Denis Waitley #Slamism

27. It’s always right now-right now! Get in the game today & quit wishing for the magic SomeDay! http://t.co/9qsX62jyyn  #Salescategory #Slamism

28. Want a better job? Quit day-dreaming about something else. Focus on what is good where you are And watch it “miraculously” improve. #Slamism

29. Pay more attention to people around you, than your own mental chatter and you will find it incredibly easier to get along at work! #Slamism

30. Great triumphs take great sacrifices. #Slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

31. Togetherness in nature builds strong relationship bonds. Go hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, boating & etc. with people you love. #Slamism

32. Accepting that the situations around us will be continually different is a healthy part of maturity. #Slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

33. Do not become ineffective-because you can’t deal with the present due to weakness-worrying about the future. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

34. If you don’t want to grow; remember the other option is to rot. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

35. Fortunately, each progressive step in this cycle can be built on the strength of learning from the previous. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

36. Do not belabor lost causes. Let them go. Learn to move on, when life’s circumstances change. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

37. Our Creator’s plan is that we have a living-developing-healthy spirit-even when life throws us curve balls #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

38. Change is normal-The unexpected happens-But it’s a part of God’s plan-if you look at the up side of things. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

39. Be rigidly flexible as life washes you with its ever altering, moving waves. Life Flows. Roll with the tide. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/06/28/g-u-t-s-40-get-used-to-stages/ …

40. God turbo charges a Godly person’s best intentions, with supernatural power. #slamism http://gutsisthekey.com  .

41. Reframing our thoughts-into a more positive-productive direction is one of the most truly important powers of our human volition. #slamism

42. To be continually refreshed and renewed, find Daily, Inspiration Catalysts that you can count on for dynamic motivation. #slamism

43. “To do lists” are great. as long as they lead to equally long “got it done” lists. Slam- 

44. RT @SteveGutzler Leadership has a lot 2 do with believing in yourself when no one believes in you #truewords #slamism http://gutsisthekey.com

45. God blesses the man or woman with peace who keeps their mind stayed on Him and their life fixed on blessing others. #slamism

46. All believers struggle but a true believer’s struggles produce life & are faced with joy, peace & assurance. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

47. Like the salmon’s swim upstream, to its birthing place; Our guided, fruitful struggle produces life. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

48. Life for God is a simple thing really. Love Him and praise Him daily and be good to other people. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

49. As we serve God in a deep way, he grants us His wisdom. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

50. I am able to be very open and honest and yet very discreet and select, about what I say to whom. https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ … #slamism

51. I am always driving, pushing and striving to be more, better and improve myself. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

52. God lets me blow it sometimes, to drive me to my knees and remember just how much I need His Power. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

53. I am really try to do God’s will and that condition is a rest, not a struggle. https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ … #slamism

54. Find inner peace-that gives serenity-Corrie Ten Boom said “not to wrestle with God but nestle with God.” #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

55. Knowing your spiritual identity gives you a solid footing in life. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

56. Solving the ownership question puts you in the right court, to face and solve other real challenges. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

57. I no longer struggle with who owns me. That question has been settled. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

58. I take my spiritual vitamins each morning that I need to grow, to be spiritually, vital, real and healthy. #slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/03/faith-struggles/ …

59. Realize your worth. God made you for a purpose. Belief in your own value honors Him. https://gutsisthekey.com/2012/03/04/sla     … #Slamism #Salescategory

60. It is tempting 2 find a good way & stop-Still, We must never lose our initiative 2 find better ways & grow. #slamism 

61. One of the greatest joys of living is sharing with others, the joys of living . #slamism 

62. Each of us, who would continue to grow in this adventure of life need mentors. #Slamism 

63. “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale #Slamism

64. The water runs deep in my soul…. Slam- #slamism

65. #Slamisms come from the Gut… From my heart and soul. That is why my BEAM(blog) is called Guts Is The Key.

66. People wonder how I get so many ideas-Well-as a little boy,what I wanted most was 2 hear from God-Just sayin #Slamism https://gutsisthekey.com/2015/08/10/slamisms-201-300/ …

67. Let consistency be your M.O. Upbeat & positive everyday! I Engage & network everyday! Be somebody people can count on! #slamism 

68. Jorge Andropodi; The most compassionate giving has no thought or expectation of reward & grounded N genuine concern for others. #slamism

69. Want joy?! Create some! Speak life and well-being with constructive uplifting words and watch your situation improve. #Slamism

70. Sometimes the best of us need a good talking to. Learn when you fight discouragement, to give yourself your own inspired pep-talk #slamism.

71. Yes, I love people who are atheists. I find just about all people fascinating, although I do not agree with them all. #Slamism

72. Your viewpoint is likely weak, if you do not have friends of different persuasions. #slamism http://gutsisthekey.com ;

73. One of my favorite quotations: A sincere seeker of truth has nothing to fear from the facts-Paul Johnson; A History of Christianity #slamism

74. A good artist tries to put their heart on the canvas. A good professional does the same in business. #slamism #salescategory #ethicsdriven

75. Professionalism 101-When an artist paints-every stroke design is as expressive & creative as the artist-Good business is that way. #slamism

76. Professionalism 101 – Never forget-The best way to end any meeting is to agree on the next steps & the next meeting. #slamism #salescategory

77. Professionalism 101-Always get contact information-It is unforgivable 2 miss an opportunity-because u did not write down a phone #. #slamism

78. You can shop in every fashion and apparel shop in the United States and you will not look your best, without a #smile #slamism

79. Stepping in the puddle,instead of around it-Taking your shoes off,just to feel the grass-These are unexplainable joys #wakeuptolife #slamism

80. Poor manners and rudeness will not win people over to your viewpoint. Practice tact, restraint and courtesy with all. #slamism

81. It is so easy to point fault. We are normally better served to keep a sharp eye out for our own faults, than the faults of others. #slamism

82. What we do is important, even if it does not result in recognition. #slamism http://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

83. Sometimes, people are more concerned about how they “appear” to others, than how they really are. #slamism http://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7 ;

84. The true measure of success in life is authentic meaning, not public acclaim. #slamism http://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

85. The highest measure of good is the service we render others. Not the position we reach in the world. #slamismhttp://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

86. My way to make a significant difference is by helping others with mental and spiritual welfare. #slamismhttp://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

87. My gift to others is good thinking that leads to fulfilling living. #slamism http://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

88. I like to share good thoughts with others & I find a bunch of these ideas, in the Bible. #slamism http://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

89. Someone can make a huge difference in the lives of others, even when their name is never credited. #slamismhttp://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

90. This story is perfect proof text you may be making a huge difference-whether other people realize it or not #slamismhttp://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

91. Anonymity is not a popular concept. But it is a great spiritual value. #slamism http://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

92. The Creator of Celestial wonder & Universal Diversity found it important 2 announce & present Himself in a manger.http://t.co/zUvvR9q2e7

93. Maybe it’s actually the greatest condition of significance-to bless others without receiving the credit or being recognized for it! #slamism

94. Do great things today to be a help-strength & contribution to others around you & our world-even if you do not think it is noticed! #slamism

95. A hero was still a hero, before he or she became noticed by others. Truth and heroism are important, whether anyone sees or not! #Slamism

96. For me, the worst travesty of human waste is for someone not to try to do their best with their life! #Slamism http://t.co/T2LNgV3RzO

97. Often, we are looking overhead for miracles above us, when they are growing under foot as seeds beside us. #Slamism http://t.co/T2LNgV3RzO

98. Sometimes we are looking for a big answer, when the answer is in the little things around us. #slamism http://t.co/T2LNgV3RzO

99. Sometimes, to win your race; you have to first create your track to run on. #Slamism

100. If you will start an endeavor, with the desired outcome in mind, your chances for success are much greater. #Slamism /.. This last one so clearly ties with number 4 and number five, that we started with. Clear aim produces clearer results. Having the idea in mind, of what we want to achieve before we start greatly improves the likelihood that we will achieve it. Have your goal in mind before you begin your work. Just like the shot of an arrow from a bow; hitting the bull’s-eye is much more likely, when a very focused steady aim is applied before the effort. I teach my karate students to practice each technique with the intensity, that each technique might be the very one that saves their life. Learning to put our best and what we do is not hap- Hazard. It is very deliberate and sets the foundation for greater success.

     Have an awesome week and use these #slamisms to make it better!! 

We need Charlie’s sincerity,  Linus’s blanket, Snoopy’s cool, Lucy’s practicality, Schroeder’s belief in his natural talent and the whole gang’s eternal childhood and we will all be OK!!!

Charlie’s Sincerity.     Say whatever else that you will about him, Charlie Brown was always sincere. Even when he knew Lucy was going to jerk the football out from in front of him at the last minute. Leaving him careening forward, towards a big fall; Charlie was still so sincere that he gave it all he had… Hoping that Lucy would be telling the truth this time & let him kick it. For sure, no matter what he was saying “Good Grief” about; Charlie Brown was always sincere. The world would be a better place with more of Charlie Brown’s sincerity.

Linus’s Blanket: Everybody may have made fun of him. The gang may have tried to take it from him. But Linus held on to his blanket. How honest it is to admit that we need a security blanket. Heck, all of us need a little extra comfort sometimes, whether others think we need it or not. And those that think they don’t need any extra security should be strong enough, not to give those such a hard time, who may hang on to their blanket a little too much, . The world would be a better place, if we would just admit that a security blanket is pretty cool, sometimes. 

Snoopy had it going on! His cool made an adventure out of everything. Whether he was fighting the Red Baron or hanging out with his bird buddy, Snoopy was cool. He knew how to find the good stuff in life. Even if he did sleep on top of his house. A little eccentricity is the icing on the cake. We could all use with a little more of Snoopy’s cool!

Lucy had it all figured out. She was down to earth. Maybe a little critical at times but she was the most practical of the bunch. You just gotta love those people for what they are. And whether she was straightening Linus out or being the Doctor or Psychiatrist for Charlie Brown. Lucy told it like it was. Sometime’s it takes a little patience to deal with the Lucy’s of the world. But thank God for their practicality and love them anyway!

And then there was Schroeder, ever faithful in his discipline on the piano. While the rest of the gang followed their frivolities, Schroeder played on endlessly, to master his craft. Schroeder never doubted himself for a minute. He was resolute in his passion to achieve at what he believed he was good at. Wow! Don’t we all need a dose of that!

And last but not least, the one thing the whole Peanuts gang had was youth. And you get the feeling that if they got together today, that they would still have it.  Eternal childhood is an illusion, ….. Or is it? Or is it?  For sure, if we will listen to the song that still plays somewhere inside us, we may still discover that glistening thought of childhood; And discover that it still lives inside each of us.

Yep!  Charlie’s sincerity,  Linus’s blanket, Snoopy’s cool, Lucy’s practicality, Schroeder’s belief in his natural talent and the whole gang’s eternal childhood. Peanuts is all we need!😉

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     Many struggle  with  having a proper sense of significance  and value in their life . Not everyone is going to be a Donald Trump!  (And No, you will not lure me into making a political statement.) I lose my power to influence people helpfully on matters of heart, ethics, character and substance; If I express opinions about matters over which I have very little influence. It is a great Liberty, to accept that my opinion about some things is better left unsaid. Now back to the matter at hand.

In truth and in the eyes of God, neither the janitor or the CEO is worth more than the other.

We get this whole idea of personal significance and value confused with status.  The whole world gets so enamored with hero worship  and idolizing the people the paparazzi chase, that many lose the very important and legitimate concept, of personal worth.

Value is about more than money! Value is about more than status! Value is about more than symbols of success! Value is about true meaning and honest worth. Value and real significance grow from the understanding of self-worth.

So many people characterize honor with title. However, God is not impressed with our titles, that’s for sure! I have known many men and women of great honor, who have no title or whose title is basically unknown to the world.

Honor is a true sense of deep significance.  Honor is knowing that what you’re doing is worthwhile, whether others notice or not. Honor is being true to good principle. Honor is trying to do what’s right, regardless of public opinion.  Honor is being faithful.  Honor  is the best stuff of life.

Many times, what others achieve  causes us, not to see the importance of what we accomplish.  For a sense of personal significance , we must not concentrate  on what others do, but on the best that we can do. The problem with aiming for someone else’s goals is that in so doing, you will miss your own!

You have an area of giftedness that is unique to you. Positive living is developing & sharing this talent, in maximum potential.  God grants eternal strength to those that honor Him and seek to put Him first, in their lives with truth, humility, love & service. You may be unknown to mankind and still be a great champion in the eyes of God!

My friend Steve Gutzler said; “Don’t compare yourself or criticize others, just run your own race with a sense of focus, purpose, and Joy!” This statement drives home, what it really means to have a personal significance and sense of value.

Realize your worth. God made you for a purpose. Belief in your own value honors Him. https://t.co/hgMoNEPM3I …

Maybe you feel like you have missed  many of your opportunities in life. So what! Get over it. Don’t dwell on the past. Let it go. One of the greatest Divine miracles is to help a stumbling soul find the power to right wrongs, begin again & win over their failures.

Get your eyes off what others can do to succeed and focus on what you can do, to win. You can consistently have gratifying success and a great sense of fulfillment, if you compete primarily with yourself. Try to do the best that you can do. Try to be the best that you can be. Only look at the examples of others as an inspiration, of what can be done. Identify with them, when their example can help you grow. But do not compare yourself to anyone else, unless it improves your own performance and worth.

Quaker’s believe that no man or woman is worth more or less, than another. I am a Quaker. https://t.co/T2LNgV3RzO

We won’t all be millionaire celebrities. The key is to live an exceptionally meaningful life, which is found concentrating on your own highest potential & possibility.  Norman Vincent Peale said: Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. This is so true. You must find your own sense of personal significance, in your own personal station of life, to be happy.

To be loved. To be needed. To be happy. People who have an abundance of these have more by far, than many of those the paparazzi chase.

I admire the man or woman who aspires to their own greatness, even when it is not a tabloid event or spectacle. May God help you sense His presence and help, as you aspire to achieve your own highest value.

Americans are always in a hurry for everything. When I taught sales. People always wanted to know how much they would make, before they developed the technique to make it. In my karate teaching, people always want to know how fast they can get their belts; instead of how thoroughly I will teach them the art. It is a shortsighted weakness of our culture.

Yet, I know:

There are certainly times in your life that you must seize opportunities or miss them. Times when you must “grow up fast,” to stay relevant and competitive. Yet, in this world of “I want it now.” The value of “THE SLOW GROW” is often overlooked. And as a matter of fact, it is overlooked when it should be the matter of great focus and attention. What do I mean? Why should you be concerned to make sure you are not overlooking the importance of growing slowly? Lets look at the WHY together.

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relates to sales, life, relationships…

No one wants to be forced into anything. People will not buy from “pushy” salesmen. And if they do, they will tell their friends to stay away from him / her.

Life does not best respond to pressure tactics. Such tactics wear you out and alienate you from those that you need as allies, instead of adversaries.

People feel insecure in relationships, where a partner is trying to push or manipulate them to do things or live a certain way that they are uncomfortable with.

THE SLOW GROW IS IMPORTANT IN SALES, LIFE & RELATIONSHIPS.

tree grows slow but can not be pulled up if it has strong roots

…………………….Do all your growing up top, where people can see it and you become “top heavy” and sooner or later topple down. For every bit of growing you do on the surface; there needs to be an equal or greater amount of deep growth that supports the structure of your upward growth. We must have strong roots to prosper long term in sales, life & relationships.

slow grow is not no grow

Just because others can not see your growth does not mean you are not growing. Just because you can not measure immediate results does not mean you are not growing. [I am not recommending a lack of initiative here.] Still, the point is that really solid growth usually happens in stages. Some stages of growth are evident to see and some are formative stages that are REAL but not clearly observable.

many businesses grow themselves out of business.

Unfortunately, this is experience talking. I owned a company in the 90’s and grew myself right out of business. I was under-capitalized to sustain the growth. I learned from this. Incremental growth is sustainable growth. I would rather have slower, steadier growth that I can keep; than explosive growth that goes away, because it burnt its fuel. Wouldn’t you?

you can get ahead of yourself

As mentioned above; I teach karate. Nearly everyone wants to walk, before they crawl. They want belts before the training substantiates them. They want techniques, before they have the foundation to support them. It is very difficult to get people to measure their progress by truer evaluation tools, than outside appearance. You really must master basics, before you can practice excellence. This is true in sales, life and relationships also. You can get ahead of yourself, if you don’t work on attaining sustainable growth, instead of just binge and spurt growth.

slow grow makes sure you have capacity inside to enjoy what you earn outside

How many times do grandchildren squander the life savings of previous generations, because they do not appreciate the effort that it took to earn it? Too often!

How many times do celebrities get thrust into positions of acclaim, only to wind up at the bottom of a bottle of booze or pills, because they do not have the inner serenity to enjoy their outer prosperity? Too often!

Growing slow is for me a Warren Buffet phenomenon. He enjoys what he has, because he truly appreciates life; not just acquisitions. We need solid growth on the inside, if we are to enjoy outside growth.

slow grow solidifies the growth

Slow grow gives you time to see through the phonies & smokescreens. Slow grow makes sure you are not falling for a gimmick. Slow grow makes sure that the growth is real, not just a blip or aberration.

slow grow keeps the gain

Slow growth not only earns the money but puts it in the bank. Ouch that hurts. Getting it is no more important, than keeping the gain once you have earned it. A steady deliberate planned growth avoids the pitfall of sensationalism and hype. Slow growth not only EARNS forward measure but TURNS the advantage, into long-term benefit.

slow grow maximizes humility and maximizes arrogance

Many have attained a measure of success but in the process alienated themselves from their friends and their families. This is not growth. This is forgetting what good life is all about. Learning to plan your growth allows you time to include the people you love. Nobody loves a hotshot but his mirror. The accolades of others quickly disappear when another hotshot comes along. I need God to grow. I need family and friends to grow. I need others to grow. So do you.

slow grow; Remember the turtle who won the race

Slow growth may take longer but its results are surer. It may take a little longer to get there. But the outcome is more certain. Learning to keep your eye on your own target will help you win the race and when you get there, truly enjoy the results. The rabbit forgot what he was doing. His speed did not benefit him, because of a lack of focus and consistency. The turtle kept his eye on where he was going and did not stop until he got there. Slow growth is like that.

slow grow is not as easy fooled by mushroomitis. A lot of multiplying but no life inside.

Mushrooms are really strange. They multiply a lot and unbelievably fast. But there is no photo-synthetic life in them. Growth for the sake of growth is like that. It just turns you into a mushroom. Why are you growing? A solid sure place in a garden of life is to be preferred to rapid multiplication in a dark, dank musty place. Are you growing for the right reasons. Slow growth gives you time to ask this question.

slow grow forces value and nutrients in the process.

………..I love to plant things. Yet, if I get in a hurry, the plant will suffer. It may not be apparent right away but down the road the plant will not flourish, if I do not give it what it needs to grow. — We are like that. We are better to figure up front what will be required for us to sustain the process. Than be in a hurry to grow and grow out of the nutrients we need to thrive and flourish.

slow grow leaves a legacy; something truly built that will last and bless others.

Time takes time. There is no way around it. Ignore the time that it takes to do something right and you will pay the consequences. Shortcuts are often the wrong cuts. Only take shortcuts when they help more than they hinder. Everybody wants to explode into success. Remember: Fires burn out. Fields come back.

If you are achieving rapid growth; awesome! Take the time to make sure you can sustain it.

If you are doing the right things and growth is taking while. Remember, SLOW GROW IS NOT NO GROW!

But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. Psalms 92:12

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In the 70’s and the 80’s Wheaties was popularized by commercials that presented the cereal as a sure part of having a life of vitality, strength & health. Many times it seems to me that people need spiritual “Wheaties.” What are those basics that you can count on, to make your life more solidly spiritually healthy?

Here are seven things that you can count on to make your spiritual life, more healthy. 

1- Faith is an inside out deal. Not so much what people think but what they can know on the inside. A dynamic faith life is based on a friendship. A friendship that helps through the myriad’s of challenges and difficulties, that must be faced in life. My relationship with Jesus is like having a psychiatrist-healer-counselor-dynamic friend-great leader & inspirational coach who has moved in, on The Inside of me! Healthy faith is based upon a solid relationship in your heart, with the God who really is there and really does care.

2- Listen. God really speaks. But God is often a God of surprises. His internal nudging often leads us, in a fashion beyond the mental chatter of our brain activity. But if we expect to hear the gentle whisper of God, we must be silent. We must quiet our lives, our voices, and our thoughts so that we can hear. Often our inability to hear God is not about God’s failure to speak but our failure to listen. Since He is always present, if we are not hearing, it is our listening condition that needs examination.

3- Spiritual Strength: Healthy spirituality is strong. It is based on a deep inward knowing that God’s hand strengthens & sustains. And reliably gives us the power to live rightly. Face things. Don’t be afraid to fight, when the reason is right. Honesty starts with admitting the truth about yourself. A seeker of truth must have GUTS. GUTS turns the other cheek in the right season, but it also often fights giants, to help others. Healthy Spirituality never gives an inch to cowardice.

4- Spiritual Balance: Healthy spirituality always has daily focus. It is based on regular meditation concerning your own growth, truth, development & well-being. Healthy spirituality will help you achieve more & be happier.

5- A Faith Outlook: Healthy spirituality Finds & celebrates blessings each and every day. It knows God’s presence is present literally right now. It looks for & finds truth & meaning, in all of life’s seasons, including the present one. Healthy spirituality starts and ends each day with a definite time of focus, reflection, meditation, reading and prayer. Faith has a definite Outlook, that dynamically effects the whole of life.

6- Prayer Life: A spiritual life without effective, daily prayer is weak and enemic at best. I discuss prayer life on social media. Because, It’s had such a huge, positive impact privately; I feel I must share it publicly; in hope that it will help others.

7- Personal Worth: Last but not least, a healthy spirituality is not weird or way out. It is practical, makes sense and makes a real, solid difference in life. It helps us have a good attitude about ourself! We must believe in our own value, before achieving full potential. We can’t truly help others, until realizing our own significance. 

So these 7 guidelines are solid assists to help you evaluate whether or not your spiritual life is as healthy as it should be. 

Make these things a part of your daily life & in so doing, you will be taking your spiritual “Wheaties.”

G.R.A.C.E.

There is a wonderful story to the understanding of God’s grace. We have heard it explained before, that we get what he meant for us, not what we deserved. We have heard it called unmerited favor. But what does grace do for us really?

I thought of a word game based on the letters to help explain, what it really means in our lives.

GRACE : 1- God Replaces All Condemnation Entirely.

The restoration of the human conscience is an Indescribable miracle. That it is possible to escape penalty for all our guilt is impossible to describe by any other word than grace. That all the ridicule that Society has aimed our way, can be overcome by the cleansing love of God is deep and profound truth. That your failures need not be the end of you is incomprehensible by any other word than mercy.  That all the personal insecurities that we feel over the sins of our past can be healed is the epitome of the word miracle. That the condemning accusing Voice of the enemy of our soul can be vanquished & silenced is the very essence of deliverance. God Replaces All Condemnation Entirely.

2-God Repairs And Cleanses Emotions.

Life’s experience often leaves us feeling inside like damaged goods inside. God is able to take the Brokenness we feel in our hearts and make it wholeness. Peoples difficult experiences can leave them, little more than an emotional wreck. God’s grace can repair these damaged emotions and replace them with healthy, constructive and beautiful feelings. God Repairs And Cleanses Emotions.

Genuine Interest demonstrates Integrity!

3-God Restores And Rebuilds Experiences.

Often times, before we find the love and restoring power of God’s spirit. We have made a real mess of Our Lives. Our experiences have turned into habits that have scarred, maimed and enslaved us. Sometimes these experiences have left us with such horrible consequences to face that the rest of our life can seem like a specter of fear, instead of a Vista of Hope. Yet Grace is so amazing that these experiences can be restored and rebuilt. Often these experiences cannot be replaced and must be faced. But the new experiences that Grace allows us to build can be so wonderful and rejuvenating that the mistakes of the past are overshadowed by the Wonder of Grace and Supernatural healing. God Restores And Rebuilds Experiences.

These developments are progressive. And yet they are synergistic. As the evil power of condemnation leaves us, we are able to feel the restoration of healthy emotions. And as our emotions become more healthy, it results in a different kind and level of experience in our life. And the Miracle of grace produces all these beautiful and amazing changes in our lives.

God Replaces All Condemnation Entirely. God Repairs And Cleanses Emotions. God Restores And Rebuilds Experiences.

May you experience the fullness of Grace.

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Slam-

These thoughts can be treated as:

A.     A 5 minute read. or….

B.     A week long Bible study. or….

C.     A 9 week long series of Deep Meditations. …..

When trying to discover the most important truths in the world, from the world’s most important and deeply searching book in the world. It is easy to understand why some people just throw their hands in the air and either don’t try or give up.

My answers are a result of a lifetime of search, research, study and deeply prayerful and reverent seeking. So how can I dare to give you clear, plain, pat answers? I guess I feel like I am supposed to. That maybe that’s why I have been driven to search so intensely throughout the course of my life.

So humbly I offer these 8 key truths as un-mistakeable and critical truths that you should know from the Christian Scriptures. I suggest the following. Firstly, read and study each scripture for one day of the week. Do 7 & 8 on the same concluding day. Then take one whole week with each truth and do your own study. Yes, that is 8 additional weeks. Making this a 9 week study if you do it like I suggest.

8 Key Living Truths made clear by the Christian Scriptures

1. Abundant, Full, Fulfilled, Meaningful Life is a key Christian Promise. Christianity is the answer to fulfillment in life. Day 1

John 7:38
“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'”
New Living Translation

2.  Deep, profound, far-reaching, solid comfort and blessing is a principle promise surely promised in the spiritual life. Help with life’s biggest challenges is a genuine Christian reality.

 I say, think & pray this Psalm every night before I go to bed….. Day 2

Psalm 23

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever. NKJV

3. Verse on complete religion – Day 3 ….  The scripture cuts through religious confusion and makes the simple, important, basic components of a spiritual life real plain!  Day 3

“Micah 6:8 – And what does the Lord require of thee Oh man. But to do justly, love Mercy and walk humbly with thy God.”

4- The scripture gives us practical insight on handling the real issues & challenges in life. Verse showing the power of Christ can free us, from the habits, bondage and entanglements of a lifestyle of problems & addictions. Day 4 –

Romans 8:2,
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. – – –
King James Version

5.    Verse clearly stating the true nature of life: For the Christian, life is principally a spiritual thing. – Day 5

Galatians 3:3,

Are you so foolish having begun in the spirit. Are you now made perfect by the flesh.

6- Verse that shows: The Christian Life is a life of positive change & daily mental transformation. – Day 6

Romans 12:2,

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
New King James Version (NKJV)

8- Verse that shows that the great promise & outcome of being a Christian is eternal life.

John 14:2
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Second 1/2 of Day 8

Summing what we have learned in this study:

1-Abundant, Full, Fulfilled, Meaningful Life is a key Christian Promise.

2-Help with life’s biggest challenges is a genuine Christian reality.

3-The scripture makes the simple, important, basic components of a spiritual life real plain!

4- The scripture gives us practical insight on handling the real issues & challenges in life.

5- The scripture clarifies the true nature of life: For the Christian, life is principally a spiritual thing.

 6- The Christian Life is a life of positive change & daily mental transformation.

7- The principal condition of the Christian life is the indwelling Christ.

8- The great promise is a solution to man’s biggest problem of death & outcome of being a Christian is eternal life.

Ditch Day 2017; … Strange sounding celebration, huh? Let me explain, on this day 6 years ago; on a frozen night in the low 20’s my little wife rescued my hulking unconscious, drunken, blacked out frame from a ditch, at 3:00 am in the morning. How she managed to get me home, in a state below stupor (I could not walk) is incredible. 
Through a hellacious experience I will not describe, she somehow got that drunken madman, to the house and in bed.

The next day, as I looked at my bleeding, broken, beaten face in the mirror, from where I had repeatedly fallen face first on the sidewalk. I looked at a man that I did not know…. I did not know who he was. But I was sure, I hated his guts.

This man had become the worst fear of his mother, the terror of his wife and disgust of his children. The face in the mirror was a drunken, alcoholic bum. I didn’t feel like there was anything to save. Death seemed to be the only inviting option. But I did not want to do that to the people, who miraculously had stood by me, in hopes I would change….

Why do I celebrate such an awful remembrance? Because it marked the end of my drinking career. Or should I say that the desperate cry for help the next day marked the beginning of a new path of life and hope.

Some remarkable friends that had experienced hope and healing from such a hell themselves reached a rescuing hand to me, when I cried out. And grabbed my extended life preserver and helped me into the boat of recovery & healing. They aided me in finding a life, truly worth living.

I don’t have to tell… I do not have to make such an admission today as I have here…. If you know the good man I am today, you would never suspect that I came from such a pitiful, demoralized pit 6 years ago…. And the friends that helped me would never tell you, unless I choose to tell you myself. So why do I tell such an embarrassing, humiliating tale of woe and heartache? Simple…. In hopes, that my admission might give someone out there hope that your end can really be your beginning. I share in Hope that you do not have to die in the hell of vicious alcoholism……. There is help. No matter how far, you have sunken, help is available to you…………

How?

Step 1 for anyone is always a ditch day. Even if you have not literally fallen in a ditch like I did. Admitting that your life is out of whack and that you need help- can be your end of bondage to the bottle. And it can be your beginning of peace and sobriety, through the grace of God & help that is certainly available; as I am a witness.

You do not need to tell, as I have. You can get help and no one need to know. Resources that are available are completely confidential. If you write me at timothygrantcarter@gmail.com; I will point you in the right direction and wont tell a soul. You don’t have to die in a ditch, like I almost did!

{I share this humbly and gratefully, knowing that without the help of God and friends that I could have certainly died on my ditch day.}

Tim’s ideas are dynamite in person! Hire him as a speaker, at 336-688-7538.

My life is awesome today!!! You would never suspect that six years ago I was a drowning man, at the bottom of a bottle of booze! It nearly killed me. I was a shell of a man; A disgrace, hurt, hindrance and psychologically insane. BUT that is not the end of the story. Help is available!  I am living proof.  Because I sought help, my life is beautiful today! Many do not seek help because they deny that they have a problem. I did that for a long time. Unless I had finally been willing to admit that I did not have the drink; that the drink had me; I most likely would have died from this chronic, progressive and often fatal disease.

The Nile is a river. Denial is a ditch. Get past your own self-deception and get help. That’s what I had to do. Pride is good when it is honestly earned by your accomplishments. It is deadly, when it causes you to hide your faults.

As it is; I live a dream life today, by comparison. In learning to put the drink on the shelf; the rest of my life has fallen into place. It seems that the drink was actually a false God to me. And giving that activity the place in my life that it did not deserve displaced every other legitimate priority. When I put down the bottle; I picked up a wholesome, healthy, active, productive, happy life. Learning to live in accordance with your highest ideals is like a secret magic potion that improves all of your life. It did for me.

Drinking was a disease that nearly destroyed me. Like a myriad of other unhealthy, psychological conditions; it was a continual, degenerative condition. The more I did it the worse I became. And the more I did it, the more I felt I had to do it. I was weaving my own web of self destruction, until I got help.  There are life problems in which the entanglements are so severe; you are fooling yourself to try to fix them without time out & help!

By time out, I mean that some problems can not be handled while you keep doing everything else. To get a permanent workable solution in place, the remedy to these problems require intense focus. Time to focus on recovery is often needed, to find a real answer to tough problems. They are not built overnight. They are seldom solved overnight. 

By help, I mean treatment. Some habits are the result of real, powerful psychological ailments that require intense, personal, powerful insight and guidance to overcome them. Not to mention, that some also require a medical component to overcome physical addiction and the physical consequences of that addiction. Get honest with yourself, if you are in trouble. Get help! Tons of solid resources are available, in our society today.

A time away from your daily grind can be the source of a miracle, life-changing elixer. It can be the wisest step that you ever take. Don’t look at it as a loss of life but as an investment in life. Call it a Sabbatical! Sabbaticals can be valuable to more than university professors. Look at seeking treatment, as a Sabbatical, not a loss of activity but a gain of life strength.

Designed time off to heal, refresh, rejuvenate & discover answers can change your life forever! God often works through the ideas, hands & feet of others. Through seeking, you can find those who have recovered from the trouble that haunts you. We often you have to get humble enough to listen to others, to grow past our own problem. 

Don’t be ashamed to seek out help with addictions, habits & bad problems. Some of the Best people I know overcame terrible hangups! What is now your greatest liability can actually become your greatest asset.  

Take the time. Get the help, even treatment if necessary. Your life is worth it.

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For a daily dose of Slam’s life lifting thoughts; see his daily Slamisms on twitter! (link attached)…  #slamism

Acceptance is a key to achievement! …… What, You say?! That sounds backwards! But it is not, I assure you. Let me explain.

Often when we strive for idealistic goals, the inevitable happens, life changes, conditions alter and challenges jump on the scene. Sometimes, these are avoidable by an overcoming attitude and we are able to sail right past them; but oftentimes they are real obstacles to our goals and hick-ups or barriers to our plans. But this is where the achievement power of acceptance comes in!

When we have deeply and internally accepted that problems are normal and that challenges are not equivalent to failure. We are on even keel with life. We are able to much more quickly see things for what they are, be honest about them and adjust our approach, or if necessary adopt a new one. When we are able to accept reality and not always look at it as some type of life derailment; then we take problems in stride and even when our circumstances are altered, our winning attitude is not.

Forrest Gump was right. “It” happens. Wipe your foot off and go on! You can not be defeated, when your outstanding attitude is true internal optimism that is not dissuaded when you have normal obstacles or difficulties. Rigid Flexibility is in order. Acceptance is a key to achievement!

New Living Translation 1 Cor. 10:13 (NLT)
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Slam- on the mend!

 I recently had a run-in with an old manner of thinking that I thought had been eradicated. But none of us get beyond, the daily need to call upon, commune with and yield to our Higher Power.

There are at least 22 scriptures in the New Testament directly relating to putting off “the old man,” to give life to “the new man.” (See Ephesians 4:22-24) The miraculous transformation that is the reality and Cornerstone of Christ’s salvation work in this earthly life, only takes place as we willfully and intentionally seek Him daily. The return and resurgence of old thought patterns is perhaps a great operation of grace.

Because if our healed mind and heart could be maintained without daily reliance on Providence. Then we might be tempted to try life without Him. As it is, we need Him daily to continue, perpetuate and develop this Divine mind that we are learning, to let operate inside us.

In the multitude of my thoughts within me “Thy” comforts delight my soul. It is when my thoughts become His thoughts, that an abundance of Serenity abides Within Me. When that which I think is primarily the thought of God, rather than my own self-centered fretting; then those thoughts are no longer my own but actually God’s thoughts transplanted inside me.

It is this possibility of a redeemed mind, that grants us the promise of peace on Earth. It creates in us the real possibility, of a Divinely controlled thinking process.

It is this transforming of the mind that Paul speaks of in Romans 12:2. This gives us the hope and realistic expectation that those previously vexed and tormented thoughts can be replaced. These thoughts we trained ourselves to think in the old life; truly can be displaced, removed and replaced by holy, good, true, righteous, just, pure, benevolent Christ centered thoughts. This is the transformation Paul states as a matter of fact process; we should be engaged in, in this verse.

In fact this is one of the primary effects and fruits of salvation. That not just in the world to come, but that in this life, we can have a redeemed cleansed mind.

Hallelujah for this wonderful promise of salvation. But like most Divine promises it requires our work in cooperation with His work for it to become reality. In those moments when we think the old thoughts out of step with God’s will, it is in that moment that we must seek Him to grant us the Higher wisdom that only He can give.

Learning to ask for this Divine replacement of old, flawed faulty thinking with the gift of new and renewed thoughts: is the chief work of God in our life, in this realm. It is the very fruit & actuality of Salvation in our life. God help me surrender my thoughts to you today so that you can displace them and replace them with your beautiful, Divine thoughts.

The more corrupt our old manner of thinking was, the more fervently we need to seek God to make this wonderful promise a reality in our lives. His promises are true! And if we will seek Him, then He will replace our old way of thinking with something much more wonderful than we can imagine on our own.

“In the multitude of my thoughts Within Me Thy Comforts delight my soul.”
Psalms 94:19 KJV

Also see:
1 Corinthians 2:16

Problems are normal. Pain is real. We need not doubt the grace or mercy of God when we go through either. But allow God to so fill our hearts with courage and faith. So that we exhibit Christ’s character, even in the midst of challenge.

I kind of chuckle sometimes and think about the song “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” May not have been a spiritual song but it sure applies.

I watched my father go through unbelievable times of pain and suffering. But somehow he always managed to find a way to bring a little humor, brevity and courage to the moment. I watched my sister Detra deal with the horrors of a fatal bout with cancer. It was so funny, as I took her to treatment and she was dying; many times people much better off than she would come up to her and tell her about their terrible situation. Detra sat there with her styled with and listened with interest; and cared about each one. And never told them as she listened, that she was dying. She had almost a Regal & Noble kind of Courage.

Faith will not keep us from facing these awfully tough moments of life. But we can leave those around us with a message of Hope and inspiration in the way we Face our challenges.

If we keep our eyes on the joy of the life to come. And on the responsibility of sharing the light and Love Of Christ with others in this life, even in the midst of our adversities. We will bless others no matter what, even in the midst of our trials. Also, We will somehow find a way leave a legacy of life and love; and surely experience Amazing Grace ourselves.

Chin up. The glass is half full. Ask God to show you some unexpected joy in what you face today. Be looking.          Slam-

1. My sister Detra, in the car with me in the last days of her life. 2005

The virtues of karate

There are many reasons why I am a Shotokan practitioner, teacher, coach and contributor to the art. Shotokan is a wonderful tool in many ways. It is both a thermometer and a prescription leading to a cure. It will tell you what’s wrong in your life. And then not leave you naked and helpless, but give you a way to work on fixing the problem.

Unlike so many athletic Pursuits, Shotokan does not require a specific place to train. Any empty room, backyard or basement can do for your Dojo or Training hall. You can do it with Partners Or Without Partners. It requires no special tools nor any special equipment. And no dues or fees (you can always train on your own). You do not have to be somewhere else at a certain time on someone else’s schedule, unless you choose to. You can train whenever and wherever you want.

You can strengthen your heart aerobically. You can strengthen your musculature isometrically. Olympic athletes used to train in the early part of the 1900s, primarily by using isometric means. This is one of the best ways to develop core strength; while protecting joints, ligaments and bones.

Furthermore, Karate practice with a dojo Kun or code of conduct not only strengthens the body but strengthens the mind and the Heart. The principles which make you a better person all the way around are also the principles which will make you an expert karateka.

Karate unlike so many athletic Pursuits can be a lifetime Venture. You can start it from earliest childhood and continue on, through your strongest and most physically Dynamic peak. Furthermore you can continue it, into your senior years and physical decline. The stretching will help you maintain flexibility and mobility; while contributing to peace of mind and a sense of character and well-being. It does this not only in the beginning but can sustain this beneficial role, throughout all the days of your life.

Rank is an important part of the growth fostered by karate. It is not so much about a belt that is hung on your waist but an internal gratification, resulting from skills developed and mindset learned. The inner value of ranking  can never be taken away, no matter the twists and turns in life. It can be a reward so deep, that it is ingrained throughout not only your physique but also through your whole being.

The spiritual benefit of karate is incredible also. The Seven Virtues of Bushido seem to be, the absolute ideal essence of Christian character and conduct development, to me. Therefore, Learning to be a great martial artist should also be the art of learning to be a great human being. Funakoshi said it well, when he said the ultimate goal of karate was not only in physical Perfection but in the ideal character development of its participants.

As such, karate must start first with a humility of heart and a willingness to learn. And in fact, it must continue along these lines, to obtain the highest essence of good taught in the art.

Candidly, To be a great karate master is to be a good servant, as Jesus taught. If a great Mastery is developed. It is with a deep heartfelt and genuine sense of gratitude; knowing that you have been blessed, to be able to engage and develop such a wonderful activity and pursuit in your life.

I personally feel like #shotokan not only strengthens you in this life; but can develop virtuous, spiritual characteristics that will last and flourish in Eternity. Additionally, Karate is not only virtuous because of what it does for you. But furthermore because, it becomes a tool allowing you to give the utmost; in personal, character and physical development, to other people you care for.

Like most wonderful virtue’s, there are some mysterious aspects to karate. Since I have trained for most of my life. I have come to understand that it’s truly a living, ancient technology. And that if you work on it long enough: Eventually you will discover that it is also working on you……. It is like so many things I do for Christ. I finally grow to  see that the things I thought I was doing were really something, Christ was doing in & for me.

So, I am unapologetically a Christian martial artist. Christ is my source of strength, meaning and Power. Therefore worship also ties into the martial arts for me. It is it is the way, I take care of my body, God’s Temple. And it is also a means that I use to express praise in the process.

I think I could write on this subject all night and barely scratch the the surface. But before I wrap this subject up, I should mention the distinct benefit of karate versus other martial arts. Unlike so many contemporary forms of mixed martial arts (which I am not speaking against by the way). Shotokan karate can be pursued with a primary idea of contributing and adding value to your fellow man; not only being a powerful combatant and devastating Warrior, able to overcome and vanquish him.

And certainly being an effective and dangerous fighter is also a value of karate. Through its practice, you are well able to defend yourself and protect those you love. At many times during my life when I have needed it, karate has been there as a secret weapon that effectively allowed me to defend myself and others. My Quaker Peace testimony is that I have never aggressively attacked anyone, with my keenly developed skills, unless it was to defend and protect someone else.

On and on I could go, about the benefits I realize from my karate training. But benefits are like shoes, you will not enjoy them unless you try them on and come to a comfortable fit for yourself. So then, the best way for you to experience the marvelous benefits that I’m describing in this article; is to find an honest man with a good heart, who is a true karate expert and learn for yourself. I recommend karate as away to start changing your life. I recommend karate has a way, to continue improving your life. And I also recommend karate as a way, to ultimately feel & know you have had a meaningful, full and rewarding life. I certainly feel this way myself.

Sincerely,

Slam-
AKA Sensei Tim

It sounds too good to be true and like most things that do, there is fallacy and weakness in expecting easy solutions in life. Most times,  We are better off not to envision our path to be  E.A.S.Y. Expecting Answers Saying Yes.

Eye of the Tiger – Rise to the challenge of our rivals.

Life’s NOT always easy-The answer’s often No-Expecting an easy Yes sets us up for disappointment.

A positive outlook is a healthy mental framework. Looking at things in a brighter perspective only serves to enrich our lives. Forecasting an improved Health in state of being is a function of a vital faith.

Tim is available to speak to your group or organization. Contact him at: 336-688-7538 . Me

However when positive Outlook and bright forecast crosses the delicate line to an expectation: we set our self up for hurtful Falls. The old saying is don’t count your chickens before they hatch. This is so incredibly true. While we need to have a bright Vision for our future. We should not count on the outcome.

Having too many expectations falls into the category, of a lack of healthy acceptance. We can certainly aim in the right direction and should. But sometimes, things we cannot control get in the way and interfere with our best intentions. When this happens we should evaluate what has happened honestly and come up with a new, bright but realistic Outlook. Yet all too often we suffer and are devastated, because our projection went beyond forecast, into the seriously dangerous mindset of expectation.

How do we achieve this critical balance? We should certainly adopt the inner Drive of The Little Engine That Could. And always strive to achieve our best and be our best. However a good dose of honest understanding, that plans don’t always work out like we think is important.

Aiming High; but really accepting it when things don’t go our way; are healthy juxtapositions. The yin and the yang, the positive & the negative, or from a Christian perspective; sowing and reaping must both be part of a healthy attitude.

The song Words say: “I beg your pardon. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. There’s going to be a little rain sometime.” As we Target and honestly reach with all our might for our highest good. Let us not be floored, at the almost reliable assurance that there will be slip-ups, difficulties and failures along the way. Understanding this can give us the healthy approach to get back up quickly and get back on track. Be like the super ball. Bounce back, as quickly as you fall.

I teach my Karate students, to stay on their feet. But prepare them for a fall and how to get back up quickly. This same mindset is good training, in life also.

When I expect answers to say yes, I set myself up for a fall, disappointment and heartache. When I see these things, as just a part of the growth process, I set myself up, to try harder and reach further in my next attempt.

Aim for the bullseye. But don’t be surprised when something gets in the path of your aim or when someone moves the Target. A real winner finds renewed strength and conviction, even after unexpected difficulties.

May God so help us to have this kind of strength. Strength that weather’s storms and grows through challenging circumstances. And finds the heart to press on for the goal, even after a fall.

I                               SLAM-

The challenge in learning Major life lessons is they involve more than mental consent. They must be built on internal conviction! What costs and challenges us the most is often also that which teaches us and benefits us the greatest. The price we pay for a lesson can often intensify the benefit gained, if we truly let our Waterloo’s teach us! Often children squander precious & Priceless Gifts from parents because they didn’t learn them & earn them by the sweat of work! Our best lessons are not those given to us but those worked by God and experience through us, in the course of life and trial. When a lesson is paid for with a steep price, it is not soon forgotten! The old saying is that more lessons are caught-than taught/That which is birthed in us is stronger than that which is given to us. Give thanks for and learn from your experiences, especially your difficult one’s. They are the ones you will not soon forget and that you are most likely able to help others learn. / Off I go, to teach a Karate class.

When you push through to a new layer of achievement through discipline. You discover that which at one time seemed impossible, to now be commonplace.

Habits of discipline reinforce themselves into greater habits of discipline. Unfortunately, the converse is also true.

Increased discipline, self-control & focus, which seems drudgery can become pleasant; when you teach yourself to enjoy what’s good for you!

God so constructed our behavior patterns that good habits can form chain’s of improved action & increased well-being. That which is good for us can also become that which we enjoy doing. It really has to do with the joy of obedience.

God has built it in our warp and woof, to feel good, about doing good.

Slam- in his home gym.

I’m going to do something a little different and interesting in this BEAM (article). I’m going to share some of my photographs from the woods during my outdoor Expeditions this year, and create an inspirational message, about our life journey with God! Enjoy And let me know what you think!                          ^

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God allows moments like this of picturesque Beauty to create enough of a Vision of Grandeur in us, so that we can imagine the infinite Beauty of his nature and Being. 

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God opens up a lane, through the trees, for us to be granted vision; and parts the way for us to see His Divine plan; when we humble ourself enough, to be willing to learn and do His will.

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Sometimes our life looks like a wide-open expanse and we cannot tell whether to go left right or straight. But God knows what is on the other side. He sees beyond the far off Treeline and knows exactly which way we should go and shares it with us as we seek His ways. 

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At times we have been in the black groping & wondering if we will ever see the light. And just at that desperate time, when we are ready to give up, God & His amazing Dawn brightly appears on the horizon & reveals the sun, to encourage us & help us with a sense of newness to encourage our way. 

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As we travel down Life’s Highway, with our Maker as our Friend, the future looms like an amazing panorama, unfolding a little bit more with each step we make.

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The Deep mysteries of life stand before us as aged Hardwoods that have witnessed the start and end of many days. We see their stately presence that has witnessed so many years and know there are many wonders of life that we have yet to behold. 

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The amazing call of God’s Eternal wonders filter through the circumstances of Our Lives, like rays of the beckoning Sun calling us, through the trees of our experiences. Where-ever you are, God can reach you there!

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 The Beautiful Allure of God’s amazing promises Whisper to us through the Winds of life and call us ever closer to His Divine eternal presence. 

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The brightness of God’s pure presence pierces through the clouds, so that we know for sure that Beyond the shadowy veil of this life, beckons the call of a more wonderful life Eternal. 

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In the moment that our heart longs most truly for a love that can only come from God. He radiantly shines through the horizon with a light of compassion that reaches the very depths of our soul with peaceful warmth! 

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Father, Son & Spirit draw us in crimson assurance, to the deep blue endless sea of God’s Eternal love. And make the temporary sacrifices we must endure meaningful, as we journey towards a beautiful, celestial, everlasting end.

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The lives of all those around us, appear as wispy bowls of white cotton. So many that they are innumerable and yet each one significant and individual. 

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There are moments in our life that God means for us to mark with special significance. And so He paints a bright vivid image, so that we can remember the lesson we have learned. 

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God allows some of us to experience the Beautiful Love of a precious partner, in order for us to experience some of His fullness of joy along life’s pathway. 

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And in those moments that we experience our deepest surrender to God’s Holy Spirit. He marks our lives with such a beautiful, bright, holy pure presence; that nothing else can ever satisfy us like the unmatchable, Glorious blessing of His love. 

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Sometimes God has a special destination or goal that He wants us to achieve. When He does; He lets it Loom so vividly unique and picturesque, on the horizon of our lives that we can see or be satisfied with nothing else. 

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Pilot Mountain, NC

When a life is well spent in the love of God and service to mankind, the end of that life is such a harmony of peaceful bliss in the eternal bosom of the Divine Master that words can never begin to describe.

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Most beautiful moment of scenery of 2017. Seemed a special spiritual marking of God, to highlight my losing 75 lbs.

Slam- in the office.

People often suffer from one of two misconceptions in their faith.

One is that somehow being deprived, demeaned and oppressed and in poor or miserable condition; somehow is a spiritual service. While there are times that we have to suffer and sacrifice for Our Savior’s sake. Pain for the sake of pain is not a virtue. God gets no pleasure out of the hurt and suffering of His people.

The second misconception is that somehow God is a name it claim it, Puppeteer. That God will help us achieve every elevated, egotistical, buoyant thing we can dream. God is not a spiritual Santa Claus, any more than He is a spiritual Frankenstein! While God gets pleasure out of the blessings and true welfare of His children. It is neither the despair nor wealth of His children that moves His heart.

God is most interested in our spiritual values and moral nature. That we love Him first and foremost above all things. And that we learn to have the same nature in us that Jesus had in Him. Furthermore, God desires that we learn this, through close Fellowship and communion with Him. That is what moves the heart of God, having a real, living and vital connection and fellowship with us.

You and I can do every good thing in this life to the highest achievement we can discover! And we should; As long as we put our spiritual values first & are totally willing to lay our trophies & crowns at the feet of Jesus. Our greatest accomplishment is magnified, when it was done To honor & glorify Him. Then God’s okay with our sacrifice or achievement. In fact, when our motive is to honor & praise to God. We can be sure that whatever we do is of the highest worth, because it is of Spiritual Value.

Slam- Alive and Kicking

So not too long ago, based on 1 acrostic that is well known using the letters of the word F.E.A.R.; I came up with 9 more of my own for fun.

Developing these acrostic word games is something I enjoy doing. So I made an article out of these tonight.

10 Acrostic Lessons About Fear!

How can we deal with FEAR. Here are Ideas from the word itself, about how to Deal with F.E.A.R.

#1 – “False evidence appearing real.” All the rest of the 10 acrostics based on this word are my own. But this popularly known one is makes clear too important of a concept to overlook. Fear is often a delusion. It only exists in your own head. We often fear things, that we have built up in our mind as frightening prospects. But in reality, when they are faced with faith, they disappear! They truly are:
“False evidence appearing real.”

#2 – F.E.A.R. = Feel Eternal Amazingr Restoration. The cool thing about God releasing us from fear is: since He is eternal; His Solutions are Eternal & last! Who the Son sets free is free indeed! God’s repair of us is not just a quick fix. It is a real fix. God not only deals with the surface but also heals the root of our problem. When God helps us overcome fear, we can truly Feel Eternal Amazing Restoration.

#3 – F.E.A.R. = Find Empathy And Reverence. It’s amazing! Caring for others actually frees us. When we help someone else, our fear seems to flee away. Revering God & loving others, often frees us from Fear in the process.! Find Empathy And Reverence is very good advice.

#4 – F.E.A.R. = Fumble Ego And Rekindle. One of the Giant Mysteries of Godliness is how concentrating more on others & less on ourselves actually builds us up personally, to have a better life. More of Jesus and less of me is actually the most healthy way to live. Fumble Ego And Rekindle.

#5 – F.E.A.R. = Fish Elevating Affirming Rivers. The Bible says as a man thinks in his heart so is he. We have to focus on the bullseye to hit the target. Listen to positive sources, not negative. If you fish in the bathtub, you will not catch any fish. You have to fish, where the fish are. If we want to overcome our fear and develop a more faith filled mind and heart. Then we need to associate with more faith filled people. Read, study and pray about more faith filled materials. And not feed ourselves too much junk food (i.e. much of today’s TV content). If we want to eliminate fear and Achieve positive results in our lives, then we need to look in fruitful, positive, uplifting places. In other words, we need to:
Fish Elevating Affirming Rivers.

#6 – F.E.A.R. = Flee Every Agitated Rancor. When we keep bitterness & resentment in mind. It never hurts the person we are resentful towards. It hurts us. It poisons our own soul. It allows the person that we resent, to live rent free in her head. Peace & forgiveness is the only healthy way to deal with feelings of resentment. Interesting thing when we let go of discontent and wrath we feel inside. Fear leaves and we are better able to accept and deal with the person that we previously resented. We are truly wise to: Flee Every Agitated Rancor.

#7 – F.E.A.R. = Fix Each Attitude Regularly. Boy, this one’s a Biggie! My mother taught me. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today! Good mental health is a daily Duty. It’s like bathing, we cannot go too long without maintaining our hygiene. We have to regularly and consistently deal with it. In order to keep lives free of fear, resentment and Petty hostility, We need to recognize & deal with things Daily. We certainly must: Fix Each Attitude Regularly.

#8 F.E.A.R. = Faith Enriches All Resolve. The scripture says the wicked flee when no one’s pursuing & the righteous are​ as bold as a lion. When you do right things for right reasons fear goes away. God not only purchase are weakness. But in its place he installs and instills Incredible strength! The more we face fear and embrace faith and courage, the more faithful and courageous we become. Faith Enriches All Resolve.

#9 – F.E.A.R. = Free Energy Anger Release. Anger is like sludge in a car’s gas tank. It causes it not to perform right. We let go of anger & free energy, increase resolve & empower life & joy. Fear is like a retaining wall that prevents us from breaking Free in our life into New Dimensions of health and well-being! With God’s grace and wonderful love, we find strength that not only frees us from Fear, but releases an incredible energy in our lives that allows us to achieve things, we never before dreamed possible! We certainly need to experience: Free Energy Anger Release.

#10 – F.E.A.R. = Full Enlightenment After Recovery. When God frees from Fear, Its not only the absence of the problem but the presence of new confidence & peace of mind that takes its place! No wonder, Grace is called amazing! It truly is. This is what Jesus meant, when he said I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly. Jesus meant to show us that sin & its effects cannot stop us from truly living. When we are filled with His Holy Spirit and allow Him to have His way and teach us His Father’s will, in our lives. God can not only help us to find release from our worst fears. But He can also enable and supernaturally strengthen us to become that ideal person, that we can only be as we find the fullness of life. That He truly designed for us to have through the cross and His resurrection. May God help you experience this most wonderful possibility, as He releases you from your fears and you receive Full Enlightenment After Recovery.