Ed Christian's World

The world we live in is full of opposites and it is believed that they really compliment each other. Light and Dark, Summer and Winter, Hot and Cold, Love and Hate. These are just a few examples of opposites that compliment each other.

There are other opposites we face on a daily basis like good and evil, something that doesn’t compliment the other, but that can be overcome determined on how we accept it. Most things in our life come with a choice, we either accept it as it is or we look for the best in it to make it a positive in out life.

Good verses evil requires something else from us. It requires that we fight for what is best and for some it is a really hard choice. The problem is we know that we can’t have light without dark, or positive without negative and for sure the difference between love and hate is a very thin line. The question is can we have good (love) without evil?

Newton’s third law states for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction. Said another way if you push on something, you can expect an equal force pushing back, at least until you give up or you overcome it. Realizing this then evil can be overcome by love. Why? Because they are two separate forces, God is love and Satin is the force behind evil.

Life is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs, joy and despair, and contentment or disappointment. Most, but certainly not all, a result of a decision we made in life. It is called free will, a gift given to us at birth allowing us to make our own way in life.

I have always believed you only get out of life what you are willing to invest in it. You can sit back and just let it happen or you can step forward and take responsibility for the direction you want it to take. You actually have a large control on the majority of it.

We have learned through our life that we can choose to be negative or to make the most out our circumstances for the positive. We have also learned that the path we chose sometimes was the wrong path and it led us into a place we wish we didn’t have to be. Sometimes taking a little time to think helps us see the obstacles we may be placing in our paths.

As Christians we know Satin is always going to try to trip us up, give us doubt and stand in our way. We also have learned that when God is with us, no one can stand against us. As long as we have His guidance our paths will be on the positive side. I find it reassuring that even though we will never see the end of evil in our life, we will always have God to guide and protect us from it.

What do you think?

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

Unique…

As I was growing up I had an affinity for jigsaw puzzles, the bigger the better. All the pieces, unique in their shape and size, all fit together to bring to life the picture on the box. Later the puzzles became three dimensional and actually took shapes of spheres and cubes. My parents liked to challenge me with these brain twister puzzles and I loved to break them down and reassemble them. Each piece uniquely fit to make the whole.

There was a lesson in each and everyone of them, though at the time I didn’t realize it. Over the years it finally came to me that each unique part had a role in completing the whole. Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? It is until you wake up one morning to the realization that your life is one piece of the whole.

Each one of us is unique and has no equal. We each have a unique intelligence, shape and strength that no one else in the world has. We may have a complete opposite, but nothing completely equal to us. Where we are weak, there is someone who is strong to pull us together and where we are strong, we are providing help to someone who needs it. In a simple statement this is called a family.

So, let’s take it a little deeper and include the rest of the world. People, we are all unique pieces of the puzzle of life. We all have a special place in the puzzle and together we complete each other. Together we are the world and together we can make it better. Philosophical, yes but it is the message we all have been searching for all our life. We as Christians should be working towards this on a daily basis. It is commanded of us in the bible.

Take the time to see God made the heavens and earth. He created us in His image and He is the puzzle master. Working together we all are one with a common goal. Together, through Him, there is no limit to what we can do and He has been trying to show us that every day of our life.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

Aspire Life – A Lesson In Balance…

Aspire/əˈspī(ə)r/
verb
direct one’s hopes or ambitions toward achieving something.

What is important to you? What inspires you? Is it the big things in life, or is it the little ones that make a difference? What are you trying to achieve in life?

Big questions, but when making decisions in your life these are very important. The hardest part is being honest with your answers. By now you have realized life is not a bed of roses and is sometimes very hard. So, by nature, we have the tendency to short change ourselves when we make decisions pertaining to our abilities. We look for the easy way rather than taking the harder road to complete our desired goal. It’s human nature to try to find the easy path, but sometimes the harder way has many more benefits.

The biggest challenge is to achieve balance in your life at the same time. Emotional, spiritual and intellectual balance (the ESI of life). How you balance the environmental needs of your mind and body will determine how successful your dreams become. Believe it or not, life is all about balance of all the above and the better balanced the ESI is with the physical, the hands-on side, the happier you are. Too abstract? Ok, I’ll put it in everyday english. If you balance your life with God, love, and education plus a good healthy living environment that includes the physical needs of your occupation, you will feel more complete in your dreams and aspirations.

Balance is the key to happiness. What is the importance of goodwill to you? I mean you can have a friendly, helpful, and cooperative attitude and be regarded as an asset to your job, but not have the same standing with your friends and relationships. In reality you need both to be balanced in your life and to feel you’ve met your goals completely.

Then we come to the most important factor of life. How essential is love to completing your life goals? Love, is as essential to life as water. Love, believe it or not, is absolutely essential to your survival. This fact cannot be disputed because it can be seen in studies on animals and has been repeated in history time and time again. Ever wonder who lives in the longest in a senior’s home? It’s those people who have family come to visit them and the friendships that keep people alive and ticking.

So, now let me put them all together. We have life goals and we have physical needs. We need to keep them balanced to succeed in our aspirations. Love of life, emotional, spiritual and intellectual balance plus a good attitude will make your goals so much easier to reach. Utilizing these skills through out your everyday life allows you obtain goodwill with every facet of your daily living.

Grandfather always said we only get out of life what we put into it. The secret is loving life and others so that you always seek to find new, better ways to grow plus helping others grow at the same time. It is love truly at work.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed

The America I and most of us grew up in is God fearing, thoughtful, loving and compassionate. We knew our neighbors and the whole neighborhood watched out for each other. We never had to lock our doors at night and when a stranger came by we invited him or her to dinner. We were tolerant of our differences and mostly worked to find ways to work around them. We had a respect for the feelings of all people in the community and were inclusive with everyone at our gatherings.

Today America is filled with hate, distrust, lack of tolerance and full of crime and death. One has to ask where has our America gone to? There is hate in the workforce, constant fighting in our communities, militarized police forces, and a totally divided government who refuses to work with each other and are very disrespectful of each other. For the most part we know little about our neighbors and heaven help us if we offer to watch over things for them.

As far as I know, we still have the same Declaration of Independence, the same US Constitution that I took an oath to defend and this is still the greatest country on earth. So where did we make the drastic turn for the worse? Why do we have so much hate and discontent? Most important why can’t we all come together, under God, and straighten our country out?

We live in a country of about 300 Million people, we have 300 plus religions all who think theirs is the right one, immigrants from every country in the world, and we are still the richest country in the world. We have differences, but most of those can be overcome with a little compassion and love. We profess our love of God, yet we fail to use that same love for our neighbors.

Something is missing in America today and we the people are the blame. We let our elected leaders take our country away from us, we let them take our rights away and we watch as they send our jobs overseas. We find ways to blame others for our problems, instead of looking for ways to fix them. Where are the days of working together for the good of the country?

It is time for a rebirth in America! We all need to get together and pray for answers to our differences, compassion for our neighbors and love to share with all. We know there are 300 plus religions in America, but I know there is only one God! I’m pretty sure He is not real happy about all the hate and discontent here in America.

Let’s stop this divide in America! Let’s call on our Congress to work for America and stop bending to the whims of big business. Let’s, as neighbors, bring our communities together and clean up the differences. Let all of us lend a helping hand to the ones that need a hand up. Together we can make America what it used to be, the greatest place to live on earth. Most of all, let us all remember we are all God’s children regardless of race, religion or creed and under our Constitution we are all equal.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

In August of 2014 I posted “What If” it got little notice and only one response. So, looking at what is happening in our world and country today, I decided to repost it and see if people are paying any better attention. What if God knocked on your door today and said let’s sit down over a cup of coffee….

What If:

When I was younger, we used to play a game of what if. What if animals could talk, what would they tell us? What if this or what if that. There are plenty of what if’s in the world today and I am sure they all contain some special message, but what if it really happened?

Grandfather once told me a story about a great man that walked the earth. This man could do anything, heal people, talk to the animals and have them do as he asked, and clear the heavens of stormy clouds with a wave of his hand.

Grandfather was so enamored over this man that he invited him to have dinner with us one evening. He hurried home to make the best dinner he could and had us all clean up for our special guest. We waited until late when there was knock on the door, when he opened the door there was a beggar there looking for something to eat so Grandfather fed him and sent him on his way. A little later there was a knock on the door and when Grandfather opened it there was a poor lady wondering if we had any clothing she could have to stay warm. Grandfather gave her warm clothes and blankets. A little later a young man came with a bad cut on his arm, which Grandfather treated and bandaged. The great man never showed until the next morning. Grandfather asked why he was so late and the man said when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was cold you clothed me and gave me blankets and when I was hurt you treated my wounds so how can you say I am late. Grandfather tells this story because, as he said, you never know who you are helping and it is always best to give your all when helping a neighbor of stranger in need.

So now we’re back to the what if game, what if God was here today with you what would you say to Him? Theologians would tell you it is impossible, but how would we know? For one, with God, nothing is impossible so He may be walking next to you and you would never know it.

The moral is God is everywhere, He is our life and we exist because of Him. If He were to sit down with me today, I would thank Him for my life and all He has done for me. I would ask Him if we will ever have world peace and why we, as a people, have such a hard time forgiving others. I know He has the answers and would be happy to share them.

In truth, He talks to us everyday sometimes through our prayers and other times during our day, but we do not always listen because we are too busy trying to run our own life or we just don’t want to hear His opinion. I have learned never to question His wisdom and that He always has my best interest at heart. He has never let me down.

So, what if God came up to you tomorrow morning and said let’s have coffee, we need to talk, what would you have to say?

Love,

Ed

Christmas is the time for giving, but not the giving so many of us see. It is not the gifts you get or give, it’s the love you share from your heart to everyone. I am sure God intended that we don’t just limit it to one day out of the year, but wants us to give our love every single day.

When you remember He gave His only son that we all may live eternal life’s, you then realize His gift blesses us everyday of our life. His gift to us came from the heart.

Christmas to me is more about serving others with love and less about self. Give from your heart everyday to everyone.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

Christmas is coming soon and now, more than ever, is the time to remember the real reason behind it. It is time for reflection and rebirth, not only for ourself, but also for the Nation and the Church.

As we look over the past year we have seen a lack of tolerance, respect for our fellow man and a total disregard for the message Jesus gave us for living our daily lives. Political Correctness is the new norm and hate, fear mongering and total disregard for the Constitutional rights of others is becoming our everyday message. Greed has taken over for charity and there is a total lack of compassion flowing throughout the Country. This starts at our Nation’s Capital, flows through our churches and ends up in the family household. It is what we, the family, are now teaching our children.

I have taught the US Constitution for years and am totally discouraged at the lack of understanding the citizens of our Country have in regards to the Constitution and how it applies to each and everyone of us. From the 1st Ammendment through the 27th these are the words we live by and yet we fail to understand by the diversity of our Country these same words are for everyone, not just you.

So, as we reflect over the past year, let us remember there is a lot in the message Jesus gave us when He said give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, give to God what is God’s. Politics doesn’t belong in the Church and the Church doesn’t belong in Politics. We have to remember there are over 300 different religions here in America each believing theirs is the right one. Jesus taught love, compassion and tolerance of each other.

Jesus said love your neighbor as I have loved you. We all are neighbors to each other. Take the time to see the differences and respect their right to be different. You never know, you just may learn something. The First Ammendment gives us the right to speak as we wish to a certain extent, it also gives everyone else the same right. That is where Common Sense, Respect and Compassion take over. Remember someone is watching and listening to every word and you just may be the only bible they see.

Walk daily with God at your side and shine His light where ever you go!

Love,

Ed

This Thanksgiving I give thanks to God for family, friends and loving peace. When I look back over the past year, I am amazed at all the blessings He has given me, in spite of my short comings. Thank you Father for loving me and showing me how to love.

I’m sure we all have many things to be thankful for and I sincerely wish each and every one of you a wonderful day full of love and thanksgiving. Share your blessings with every one that crosses your path. Be the shining light He intended you to be.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love,

Ed

When we are thankful, it means that we have been impressed with a sense of kindness that has been expressed toward us, and we desire to acknowledge it.

Essentially, it indicates that we are grateful. Thankfulness is the actual expression of our gratitude and acknowledgment of the kindness done to us. Thankfulness is also a state of mind, an attitude. It is a content and positive perspective, which does not focus on what one does not have, but rather values what one does have, no matter how basic.

Being thankful is part of being content. Unfortunately, many people feel that being content means that they have to give up on their dreams and goals. It does not. Like thankfulness, contentment is a state of mind. God wants us to be content with and thankful for what we have been given. That does not mean that we cannot want better and work to make our situations better, but it does mean that we should not approach our proper desire for more with a greedy, covetous attitude.

Nor can we compare what others have and what we may not have from an attitude that we deserve the same or even better. Maybe we do deserve it, but right now God has chosen not to give it to us, and we must be content with that and thankful for what we have been given.

How thankful and content we are can be seen in the illustration of water in a glass. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Our answer depends on and reveals our state of mind.

1 Timothy 6:6-8

(6) Now godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

It is God’s will for us to be thankful because He knows that it is good for us to have an attitude of thankfulness towards Him. When we have a thankful attitude and an attitude of appreciation for Him and what He does for us, it does not leave much room for ingratitude in our lives.

In reading Psalm 8:3-6, we can see ourselves in perspective to God’s creation:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man, that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet. . . .

God has given us—humanity—dominion over the things that He has created. And beyond that, out of all humanity, we have been given a tremendous responsibility to develop righteous character and have the potential of living eternally in His Kingdom. This thought alone should help us to be thankful each day.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed.

Life – KISS…
We have all heard of KISS – Keep It Simple Stupid but I want to rephrase it to Keep It Simple and Straightforward.
I’m a fan of simple and simplicity. When I tackle a project, I don’t think I’m done until I’ve found the simplest way to look at it. I think of simplicity as a process. You can’t always start there, but you can find it or create more of it as you go. I also think of simplicity as a by-product. It happens when I find the elegant path or the simple truth.
Sometimes I see simplicity as a means to an end — where the end is a simpler understanding or a simpler result or a simpler way to share. Sometimes I have to look backward to find simplicity — I can’t always find simple up front, but sometimes when I look back, it was there all along, either hidden among the chaos, or I just didn’t have the right outlook.
The most important thing I’ve learned about simplicity is that simplicity wins in the long run. Simple is stickier than complexity, and it survives. I think nature teaches us that, and we learn it time and again in work and in life. Life is simple, it’s our human desire that complicates it.
Jesus was the prefect example of living the simple life. He lived in humility, cared for everyone, and walked a path of sincere love for all mankind. He set the example of how we are to live our life on a daily basis. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus – look to Him as your example in selfless humility. Philippians 2:5
There is no secret to living a simple life, it is a choice you make every morning when you wake up. Wake up happy, determined to be happy with every point of your day. Search for the good in things rather than lamenting the negative. Believe it or not, there is something good in everything we face in our daily walk. Thank God for the blessings He gives you daily and share those blessings with everyone that crosses your path throughout the day.
Love others as you love yourself. This simple statement will open your world to more joy and happiness than any other you will come across. Treating others with the same respect you wish to have makes life so much more easier to live. Lifting others up fills both you and them with unequivocal joy, plus it encourages them to share this joy with others.
Life is as simple as we make it and as hard as we choose. After all, it comes down to choice, but if you keep it straightforward and full of love you will be happy beyond your expectations. A joy shared is a light in someone’s world that multiplies to everyone it touches. I choose a simple life serving others as I serve God. It keeps a song in my heart and a smile on my face.
What about you, how do you look at life today? Is there anyway I can be of help to you?
Keep it simple and straightforward – that’s what life is supposed to be!
Walk daily with God at your side!
Love always,
Ed