Statement of faith

When you hear someone say something about a statement of faith, what comes to mind? There is probably a different vision in each individual's eyes. For me though a statement of faith is a statement of belief that everything is going to work out; all it takes is faith.

You might recall the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy that occurred in Newtown, Connecticut last year where 26 children were killed. Well, George Strait wrote a song in an effort to express his won emotion and bring what little comfort he could to the parents of those children. Here's the song:



"I Believe"


The night's as clear as a big desert sky
But it's hard to see the stars with these tears in my eyes
Yeah, it's hard not to cry
There's twenty-six reasons why

There's broken hearts that'll never be the same
Shattered lives still reeling from the pain
Of plans and dreams now gone
Oh, how do you move on?

But I believe
There's someone who's looking after me
Someone beside me night and day
To light the way
It's hard to conceive
Something you can't see
But I believe
I believe

There's twenty-six angels looking down from above
resting in his mercy, grace and love
Time may never heel
The sadness that we feel

[Repeat Chorus]

The rivers flow now that used to be dry
As people all over the world start to cry
But I believe

This song brings a message that rings true day in and day out for many people. The level of tragedy that those parents who lost their children cannot be compared with our everyday struggles. Our struggles are minute in comparison, but we do have struggles and this song is written for us too.

Sometimes it seems our plans and dreams are gone. We get frustrated and sometimes hopeless at life situations and we nearly give up. That's when we need to look up at the sky and see the "stars" in our life-the shining beacons of hope that give us faith because they believe in us. These "stars" in our life can be friends, family, co-workers, or just anyone. They are the people that believe in us and, as the song says, are "beside us night and day to light the way."

Faith is hard for some people and easier than others. However, the easiest way to have faith in yourself is to look at others who have faith in you. If they believe you can accomplish your goals, then why shouldn't you.

Count the "stars" in your life and believe in yourself...JUST BELIEVE!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to look at the "stars," have faith, and believe!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

I don't wanna think about tomorrow...

Run there, go here, work there, work here, study here, study there, study everywhere, juggle this, juggle that, sometimes we often feel like that...Well that's as close to Dr. Suess as I will ever get, but those words were meant to conjure some thoughts within you. You see, life sometimes seems like one big chaotic mess. We have assignments, tasks, and errands piling up to our eyeballs. We strive to seek a better future for ourselves but often just seem overwhelmed. It's happened to all of us at some point. Really though, we all wish for better tomorrows sometimes, but the key to a better tomorrow, in my opinion, lies in your contentment with today. Let me explain.

I've been stressed to the max before. We all have. It is when we are sometimes at the end of our rope that we realize we just need to learn to  take things one day at a time. Clay Walker's "Live Until I Die" demonstrates that point well. Here's the lyrics:

"Live Until I Die"

Skippin' rocks, skippin' rope
Laughin' at all my best friends jokes
Things I loved when I was a kid

Muddy roads, muddy feet
I didn't live on no blacktop street
Things have changed a lot but I never did

And I don't wanna think about tomorrow
I don't need anything money can buy
I don't have to beg, steal or borrow
I just wanna live until I die

Livin' right, livin' in this
Little old town I grew up in
But I still held on to my dreams

Standin' proud, standin' tall
Standin' smack dab in the middle of it all
I don't worry about things that I can't change

And I don't wanna think about tomorrow
I don't need anything money can buy
I don't have to beg, steal or borrow
I just wanna live until I die

And everything around me
Are things I dearly love
And every night I get on my knees
And thank the Lord above

And I don't have to think about tomorrow
I don't need anything money can buy
I don't have to beg, steal or borrow
I just wanna live until I die
I don't have to beg, steal or borrow
I just wanna live until I die

"I don't need anything money can buy." You see we stress ourselves out many, many times over striving for material things and worldly accomplishments and the praise of those we don't know. When we achieve those worldly accomplishments or that money or the praise from strangers, often times we just want more and we add to our stress level just to get there. When, in fact, happiness and contentment is right where we left it-in the calmness of realizing "everything around me are things I dearly love." We really should be getting "on our knees and thanking the Lord above!" 

I'm not saying that creating a better tomorrow from yourself is something you shouldn't strive for because it is something you should strive for. What I am saying is we don't have to "beg" for others to notice us as we strive for accomplishments and complete our tasks. We don't have to "steal" from the memories we make with those around us to make so called-memories with those that don't matter. We don't have to let others "borrow" our accomplishments for their own personal gain while they never return them so that we can benefit.

I'm not sure my message is coming out clear tonight, but what I'm saying in a nutshell is this: Be content with today and tomorrow will work itself out. Don't stop achieving your goals, but don't let your goals allow you to overwhelm yourself to a point where you forget how blessed you really are!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to be content with where he is in life, to be thankful for his blessings, and to be able to be happy with today and hopeful for tomorrow!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man! 

Pull up a seat! I'll tell you something crazy!

I'm long over due on a post about love, but I'm really feeling the love here lately and I want to share something with you. Just recently a special someone asked me if she was using the phrase "I love you" too much. My reply was: No! Allow me to explain.

About four years ago, as I rode the winding roads of the Smoky Mountains headed for a vacation I remember distinctly being sick and tired of one particular song that just kept coming on the radio. It seemed like every other song just so happened to turn out to be "Love Like Crazy" by Lee Brice. I told myself then that I would never ever like that song again anymore because I heard it so much! Boy was I wrong! You see, I really wasn't paying attention to the lyrics then as much as I do now. For then, I had no idea what crazy love was or how to love like crazy. Pull up a seat because now I do!

First though, let's check those lyrics out:

"Love Like Crazy"


They called them crazy when they started out
Said, "Seventeen's too young to know what loves about"
They've been together fifty-eight years now
That's crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week
Bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street
Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed
Now that's crazy

Just ask him how he did it
He'll say, "Pull up a seat
It'll only take a minute
To tell you everything"

Be a best friend, tell the truth
And overuse "I love you"
Go to work, do your best
Don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when he quit his job
Said them home computers, boy, they'll never take off
Well, he sold his one man shop to Microsoft
And they paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it
He'll tell you faith and sweat
And the heart of a faithful woman
Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth
And overuse "I love you"
Go to work, do your best
Don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady
Never get to old to call her baby
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out
They've been together fifty-eight years now
Ain't that crazy?

Be a best friend:

When you were a kid you know you answered the question: Who's your best friend? A lot of times you answered quickly and moved on. Over the years, perhaps your best friend has changed. But, in this song I think we're talking about a true best friend- a friend for life. This is a friend who knows your every flaw and still loves you in spite of that. This a friend that knows how to cheer you up when you're down. It's a friend who knows how to make you laugh. This is a friend who cries when you cry and hurts when you hurt. It's a friend who enjoys spending time with you no matter the occasion or the time. This is a friend who rejoices in your accomplishments and encourages you in the midst of life's setbacks and trials. It's a friend who truly is the best! It's a friend that love! A best friend love's like crazy!

Tell the truth:

Truth is so vital in love. It's important to know everything about the person- good and bad. A relationship-love-is about being honest and letting the other person know how to help-how to make the relationship stronger. We all struggle or have disagreements, but by telling the truth, we're able to work things out. A truthful person loves like crazy!

Go to work:

What does working and loving like crazy have to do with one another you might ask? Well, how many husbands and wives do you know that have worked hard to provide for their families all because of love. It seems these days that they are few and far between, but let me remind you they do exist. It takes work in a relationship. It takes work to love like crazy- physically and emotionally. A person that truly goes to work loves like crazy!

Do your best:

I think people inherently always want to do their best, but sometimes they need a little push-from themselves. You see, too many times, we give up and quit trying. However when you have a love like I do. When you have a love that is worthy of loving like crazy, you strive to do your best. I know I do! People who do their best love like crazy!

Don't outsmart your common sense:

I'm not known for my common sense. I never have been. I guess that's why Jeopardy is one of my favorite television shows. However, I'm not the only one that outsmarts my common sense from time to time. As humans, we tend to over-complicate things sometimes, when really we just need to go with our gut! If you feel it's right then do it! People who don't outsmart their common sense love like crazy!

Never get too old to call her baby:

I hear people all the time say something negative when someone uses a pet name for their significant other. Personally I think it's really nice and says a lot about how the couple feels about one another. Sweetheart, sweetie, honey, sugar, baby-whatever you call her- don't ever stop. Keep the flame burning! A person who never gets too old to call her baby loves like crazy!

Always treat your woman like a lady:

Respect goes a long way in this world, especially in love. When a person knows you respect them, love can only grow stronger! Some people try to love a woman with no respect for her dignity. It's not possible to truly love a lady without showing her respect and treating her just for what she is- a lady. Opening doors, making decisions alongside of her, and always keeping her wishes foremost in your actions, in my opinion are the keys to treating your woman like a lady. People who treat their woman like a lady love like crazy!

Never let your praying knees get lazy:

Prayer is essential in love. We should always pray for our loved ones and not just a standard run-of-the-mill prayer either. We must pray a powerful, purposeful, passionate prayer from the most humble position-on our knees. If you've never prayed for someone down on your knees, you should give it a try. I can assure you you will then know the true power of prayer. A person who never lets their praying knees get lazy loves like crazy!

Overuse I love you:

You thought I had forgotten this one didn't you? I purposely saved the best for last. You see, I am firmly convicted that we can never use the phrase "I love you" too much. "I love you" speaks for itself and it speaks volumes. The person on the other end of the "I love you" knows if it's genuine or not and a genuine "I love you" never gets old. I should know. I hear genuine "I love yous" everyday! A person who overuses "I love you" loves like crazy!

Do you love like crazy! Will you be together 58 years from now! Will you be able to tell us about something crazy?

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to love like crazy. Give it a try-it's the best form of crazy you'll ever know!

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Unlikely...

Unlikely-what does that word mean to you? This very word can be used in so many ways. Yet today, I was reminded of one of my favorite uses for the word-unlikely friendship. I've always been a person who has often tried to be very accepting of all people. I like to think that I make friends easily because I don't put friends in a "box." Society tells us to make friends who are exactly like us. I disagree and so does Erling Kindem. Erling Kindem is a 89 year old WWII veteran who once was a bomber but now is an unlikely friend to a 3 year old boy. T o read about the story, check out this link:

http://www.11alive.com/story/life/2014/07/08/farmington-next-door-neighbor-friendship-emmett-erling/12390649/

You see, unlikely friendships can often be the most satisfying ones. In my own life, I've formed many unlikely friendships. I've had and still have friends who are senior citizens. I have friends who are black. I've got friends that are white. I've got friends who are short and I have friends who are tall. I have friends who are young and friends that are old. I enjoy meeting people who are different from me. I've always been that way. I genuinely have an interest in people. More specifically, I have a genuine interest in souls.

You see, unlikely friendships are made because people allow them too.  You must genuinely have an interest in people and their well being to form unlikely friendships. Unlikely friendships take work just like any other friendship, but what sets them apart is the bonds that are form and the force for good they become. Just take Erling and his friend for example. Thousands of people around the world recognize the unlikely friendship that was made in this particular situation. Due to that realization, thousands of people have also learned the impact that an unlikely friendship can have on someone's life. Making an impact on the lives of others is often overlooked. People think that they can't make an impact or that they're not capable of doing so. I think differently. Just try being an unlikely friend with someone-the impact will find you both.

Tonight, the measure of a man can be found in his ability to be an Erling-in his ability to be an unlikely friend.

That, my friends, is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

Bet your hard earned dollar

Have you ever known someone that you just wanted to grab by arms and yell in their face, "Believe in yourself!" I've known many. I've always been a very self-confident person. I can thank my grandmother a lot for that. She stands out as the number one person in this world that has always believed in me. For that, I'm most thankful. Most of all though, she taught me to believe in myself. You see, believing in yourself is half the battle.

Travis Tritt's song, "I'm Gonna be Somebody" demonstrates this point well. Here it is:



"I'm Gonna Be Somebody"


Bobby played his guitar on the harder side of town
Where it's hard for a poor boy to find the money
He had dedication, he had the heart and soul
Somehow knew he was born to play

People say get a real job support your family
'Cause there's no future on the road your takin'
But he never said a word, the dreamer just kept on
Late at night you could hear him say, he'd say

I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm gonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody someday
You can bet your hard-earned dollar I will

The road was a struggle, took him ten years to the top
And now he's number one on the stage and the radio
Still he can't believe how people come from miles around
When it seems like only yesterday when he would say

I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm gonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody someday
You can bet your hard-earned dollar I will, yeah, yeah, yeah

Bobby played his hometown, one full moon August night
When He heard a voice in the front row singing
It was a sandy-haired river boy with same ol' hungry eyes
He looked up at Bobby and said

Mmm, I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm gonna break these chains
And I'm gonna be somebody someday
You can bet your hard-earned dollar I will
You know I will, yeah, yeah

I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm gonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody someday
You can bet your hard-earned dollar I will, oh yeah
You can bet your hard-earned dollar I will

You've got to tell yourself that you are going to be somebody. You will break the chains, despite the critics.

Friends, that is easier said than done. All too often in this world, people let others hold them back. You don't believe me? Just check Facebook and see how much people act alike. People are scared to be their own person and fulfill their own potential.

Inside each and every one of is lies a potential to be great at something. Yet, too many times we lack "dedication" and the "heart and soul." 

Well, I'm telling you now, "YOU'RE GONNA BE SOMEBODY!!! YOU WILL BREAK THE CHAINS!" Now, go believe in yourself!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to "be somebody." That ability lies in believing in one's self. What do you believe?

That, my friends is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

What do you think about in the morning?

Have you made the day count? Lately, I've been thinking of how I can make the most impact on lives each day. It really is a goal of mine to leave a positive impact on the people I encounter every day, especially my loved ones. Garth Brooks' song "If Tomorrow Never Comes" demonstrates how important it is to make each day count because tomorrow may not come for you or me. Here's the lyrics:

"If Tomorrow Never Comes"


Sometimes late at night
I lie awake and watch her sleeping
She's lost in peaceful dreams
So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark
And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning
Would she ever doubt the way I feel
About her in my heart

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

'Cause I've lost loved ones in my life
Who never knew how much I loved them
Now I live with the regret
That my true feelings for them never were revealed
So I made a promise to myself
To say each day how much she means to me
And avoid that circumstance
Where there's no second chance to tell her how I feel

If tomorrow never comes
Will she know how much I loved her
Did I try in every way to show her every day
That she's my only one
And if my time on earth were through
And she must face the world without me
Is the love I gave her in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

So tell that someone that you love
Just what you're thinking of
If tomorrow never comes

If we want to live with no regrets, if we want to let people know how we feel, then we must set out to do that everyday. Making an impact on lives does not come without effort. Making an impact begins by deciding to make an impact when you wake up in the morning. So, let me ask you: What do you think about each morning? Do you awaken each day in a hurried and agitated rush? Do you wake up each day miserable about the day ahead of you? or...Do you wake up each day ready to conquer the day? Do you wake up each morning thinking of how you can do good for others? Do you wake up each day thinking of how you can make an impact? What if we all woke up each morning ready to impact our world for good? Wouldn't the world be a better place? If you answered "yes" to the last two questions, then realize this: it all starts with you. You see, a person who makes an impact on the lives of others often influences others to do the same.

We are not promised tomorrow. So, will people know how we feel? Did we try in every way to show them every day how much they mean to us? Is our love really going to be enough to last if tomorrow never comes?

That's just something to think about!

Tonight, the measure of a man can sometimes be found in his ability to make his "todays" count because we aren't guaranteed our "tomorrows."

That, my friends is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man!

One more day...and it keeps on growin'...

"If I had one more day..." Have you ever said that to yourself? I have many times. Usually I was just simply referring to needing one more day to get some work finished or one more day of vacation. Now though, these words mean so much more.

Patience has never been a virtue that I showcase well. In fact, my patience is really, really thin. My patience is like the "thin mint" version of patience. I don't have patience on the road. I don't have patience at the doctor's office. I don't have patience when I wait for my wifi to come back on. Folks, patience just isn't my forte. I want everything now and I want it in the same day. That requires patience.

All of my life, the people I care most about have always been easily accessible to me. They lived down the road or the next county over, or a day's road trip away-until now.

You see, I value quality time with the people I care about. It's hard to spend quality time with people who are far away. When I do spend that quality time with those who are far away, I find myself wishing for just one more day. The group Diamond Rio has a song called "One More Day" and here's the lyrics:



"One More Day"


Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do, with one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

Leave me wishing still, for one more day
Leave me wishing still, for one more day

We all want one more sunset. We all want one more "I love you." Those are things that are hard when you're far away. This is where love finds it's hardest test-the test of distance. We wish for one more day and it often seems like that day will never come. 

Kyle Park has a song called "Long Distance Relationship." It describes my feelings on wanting one more day with those who are far away. Here it is:

A long distance phone call
At 2 in the mornin', but I don't mind at all
'cause I stay up most nights, just thinkin' of you
And how when I get home, I'm gonna love you

I know it's hard when I'm away,
But trust me when I say
That we'll be okay,
But we've got to stay strong

It's gonna be a long distance relationship
As long as I keep livin' like this
You're gonna be alone
More than I get to be home

But somehow this makes the heart grow fonder
Our love just keeps getting stronger
With every kiss of this long distance relationship
That we've started
So wild and reckless-hearted

We both agree that it's worth tryin'
And nothin' is worse than hearin' you cryin'
Everything I wanna say, can't always be face to face
But know I love you just as much on the telephone
And oh...
It's gonna be a long distance relationship
As long as I keep livin' like this
You're gonna be alone
More than I get to be home

But somehow this makes the heart grow fonder
Our love just keeps getting stronger
With every kiss of this long distance relationship
That we've got goin'
The only thing worth knowin'
Is that our love is gonna keep growin' on an on

It's gonna be a long distance relationship
As long as I keep livin' like this
You're gonna be alone
More than I get to be home

But somehow this makes the heart grow fonder
Our love just keeps getting stronger
With every kiss of this long distance relationship

Love isn't always easy. It takes work. I do agree though that absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder. And love is worth a try. I'm trying really hard! What about you? Is your love growing with the love you have going?

Tonight the measure of a man or woman can sometimes be found in his or her ability to try, have patience, and work for one more day all the while building a love that "just keeps getting stronger."

That, my friends is just a few thoughts from a small town southern man.