Saturday, November 30, 2019

Friday, November 29, 2019

Today's desk doodle


Absolute Gratitude

I am completely humbled by some advance praise my soon to be released book received from another author. By his words, he captured the essence of my heart while I was writing it. I am very grateful for Joe and his kindness. He wrote:


“This reading caused me to ‘explore’ my very ‘Soul’, and had me sitting up like a schoolboy at story time. Strongly causes one to self-evaluate, while offering hope in ‘any season’. Exceptionally inspiring! Transparent and genuine, playing on ‘the chords of the human spirit’.

                                   Joseph Martin Salaiz, author of ‘Little Green Plant’


Thank you brother Joe Salaiz !!!

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Do you?


A Valid Plug

An enthusiastic shout-out to a fellow Christian author. Joe's first book will be coming out Thanksgiving weekend. From once a dreg of society to a wonderfully warm man of God, a warrior for Christ, Joe is a great example of how accepting God's Grace and living in it can unleash the best in us and free us to use our gifts for Him.



Monday, November 25, 2019

Jesus Messed it up


If the title didn’t get your attention, probably nothing will. But that wasn’t the intent for the title. That title is simply a statement of fact, even though it may, at first, sound weird. Picture what I am about to relate as about you, because, like it or not, it probably will, to one degree or another be about you as well as me. In fact, I believe it is applicable to most of us Christians.


You see, I came around to Christ fairly late in life, though the timing of my acceptance of Him, nor yours, isn’t really the key issue for the purposes of this musing. What is key is that I, and you, came around—we became believers. In my other life, which I would never, ever, want to go back to, I was a pretty care-free person who knew that there are consequences for every action. And, since most of my actions were not indicators of good behavior, morals, or proper understandings of right and wrong, I really didn’t have a whole lot of tension in my life. Oh, for sure, there was plenty of stress. I stressed over whether I would get caught and punished. I stressed about the consequences of my actions, and I stressed about how to do things in such a was as to not get caught and pay the consequences. Those stressors were temporary. They ebbed and flowed in timing with my various activities, but they didn’t weigh me down, or last, and thus I didn’t necessarily feel tension.


Then I found Christ—or should I say, He captured me. He messed my tension-free life up. As I grew in my grasp of Christianity, a yet on-going process, there is always this tension within me. But it is a good tension, one that I wouldn’t have any other way. It’s the tension that comes with the recognition (as opposed to the blindness I formerly experienced) that who I am today is not the man I want to be. It’s the tension that comes with knowing that there is more that I can do, more that I can be. Again, it is a good tension because it means that now I am aware of myself, my shortcomings, my needs to overcome them, my potential, and the reward that awaits me.


Yep, Jesus messed it up, but in doing so he gave me myself and a future in Him. 

What a gift!


Can you relate?

Sunday, November 24, 2019

How Much do We Love God

The truth is, we love God ONLY as much as the love we have for the person we like the least.

A great thinkaboutit!

Saturday, November 23, 2019

From Blues to Blessed


Each year around this time many of us begin to experience the Christmas blues for a variety of reasons. I’m no exception. And, while I have generally been fairly mute about my lack of fondness for the season, it has, nonetheless, been evident to those near to me as evidenced by my demeanor. Again, it’s safe to say that I’m not alone in how I handle the season.


I don’t like feeling that way, and yet I do. The perplexing thing about it is that I seemingly can’t put a finger on why I get into this blue funk at this time of the year. That has begun to bother me. Is it now a habit to feel this way? Is there something about my heart or spiritual condition that draws me down that road? Have, perhaps, past experiences jaded me such that I find it hard to get into the season and let loose to enjoy it as others seem to do? And, again, I sense that I’m not alone in asking those questions of myself.


I believe that this season will be different. A few days back I was engaged in a conversation with a great friend who shared the same feelings and thoughts that I just expressed. That night during my evening prayer time the Holy Spirit prompted me to do something to change my seasonal attitude. I was prompted to reach out to my friend and form a partnership for the season to battle the blues back to blessedness daily throughout this season. I shared it with him, and it is now game on.


Each of us, once in the morning, and again in the evening, text each other with a text beginning with “Today I am blessed by (or because of) ___________.” We are focusing on the blessings we experience, looking at the positives instead of the negatives, and we are enjoying it.


We are moving from blues to blessed. Might this work for you?

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

There's smells, and there's stinks




I find it pleasant when someone, typically a lady, walks by or enters the room, and as she does so an amazingly wonderful of a soft perfume or cologne wafts through the air. The smell is not too strong, nor too weak—it’s just right. It’s not pungent or overwhelming. It’s a tasteful and pleasant smell. I’m always tempted to compliment the person wearing it simply to give her a spontaneous affirmation of her taste. Tempted is the operative word, because I don’t say anything typically, unless I know the person well. My hesitancy is a sign of today’s times I suppose.


On the flip side of that, I physically react when, under the same scenario as above, the person is wearing what I often say (under my breath) “stuff that would gag a maggot.” I envision them literally dumping the whole bottle on themselves, and possibly having a sensory issue to boot. That stuff doesn’t smell, it stinks.

To be completely fair, it’s not just women. I know some guys that I’m sure must take baths in the stuff. When near them, I literally gag…my nose and throat simply can’t take.  It stinks.


People are sometimes like perfumes and colognes. There is nothing better than being in a room, or crowd, with someone who easily and freely radiates unabashed natural kindness, love, compassion, and empathy. As with the first example above, I want to be around them. The smell of their attitude and example makes me want to be around them and enjoy the time with them as they radiate their goodness unabashedly. It’s good for the soul and the smell lingers pleasantly in my mind long after they are gone.


Likewise, there are those folks who just plain stink. They’re the ones who are grouchy, petulant, negative, rude and crude, and are impossible to enjoy being around. Frankly, they’re not very lovable, just like the “body wash” that would gag that maggot.


While all the above may well be true and something we run into from time to time, Jesus never mentioned anything about smells and stinks when He commanded us to love our neighbor as ourselves. In fact, He seemed to have a penchant for hanging out with the stinkers.


Another life lesson.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Done !!

It's a wrap.

Phew.

Done.


The draft manuscript for Dog Walk Talk; when I'm walking, God's talking is complete and in the hands of the local editor for her final edit. It will then be sent to the publisher, probably as early as next week. That means it is about a month ahead of schedule. It came out just shy of 37,000 words, and should be about 200 pages long. 

We're still waiting on the pictures for the front and back covers, and the endorsements, but there is plenty of time yet for those things because once it gets to the publishing house it will undergo a full line by line edit from their end.



The Hands that Matter (a re-post)

"I got it"
"I can handle it"
"I've got it under control"
"I can do it"
"I know"
 
Beside the "I's", isn't there a common thread in all of the above?  Sure there is....it's all about control.  That's something most of us guys are real familiar with isn't it? Com'on...aren't we all at least just a little bit control freakish?  Oh, and that would include those of us who are trying to live the Christian life.
 
Our inherent need to control comes right along with our brokenness and humanness.  Sometimes I wonder if I don't have a supercharged c chromosome in me that drives my thinking.  I actually catch myself at saying or doing something in a controlling way....and I hate it every time it pops up.
 
It is that inherent desire within us to control that drives us away from that which will help us the most to get away from that same desire.  It all comes down to a pair of hands.  A pair of hands that matter....really matter.
 
Those who leave everything in God's hand.....
 
will eventually see God's hand in everything.
 
You got that?  Can you handle that?

Monday, November 18, 2019

Imagine Guys

Guys......close your eyes.
Imagine you have a daughter.
Imagine she is dating or about to marry a guy just like you.
Did you smile?
No?
 
Then change.....now!!!!
 
 
 
Guys.....close your eyes.
Imagine you have a son.
Imagine he is growing up to be just like you.
Did you smile?
No?
 
Then change......now !!!!!

(a reprint)

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Be the light you are

All too often we allow ourselves to fall into a trap. We know that we have something to offer, we know that we are doing life the way that God intended, an yet we become perhaps overwhelmed by the hugeness of all that is off-kilter with the world. That leads us to think "I'm just one person, what can I do?"

More change can come from individual effort than through mass efforts if we all do just one simple little thing--be the light that we are, always. Change can come successfully through one by one by one by one efforts, and it will if we only do our part.


Saturday, November 16, 2019

A weekend chuckle


Do you ever wonder if there are times when He just shouts out “Hey, I’m the boss here”?                                                     ~Joe Miller

Friday, November 15, 2019

Rent Free


Though most folks would love it, the opportunity of living rent free is not a common thing. If someone owns an extra home or two, or apartments,  while they may allow a relative or a friend who is down an out live there rent free for a while so they can get back on their feet, rarely is it a permanent arrangement.


Occasionally, a story about squatters will pop up in the news. Squatters try to live rent free by just moving into an empty place without an invite, but they usually get caught and just move on.


What would your reaction be if squatters took over a place you owned? Or, if you owned a place and some folks moved in and simply refused to pay the rent, so they could live rent free—what would your reaction be?


Would it be a stretch to say that we are all affected by squatters and rent dodgers? I don’t think so. There are things living rent free in my head and I sense if most folks were honest about it, they’d say the same thing. Some of those squatters are typically our pasts (some of the darker areas of our lives that we aren’t proud of), broken relationships, guilt and shame, remorse, anxieties, worries, fears, our demons, our secret sins, and the list goes on and on.

Here’s what I know; the more that I work on kicking the squatters out of my head, the more I feel a sense of peace, contentment, and joy. I also know that kicking those squatters out isn’t a job I can do alone. It takes teamwork and time. With the Lord as captain of the team, assisted by a community of godly folks I engage with on a regular basis, it’s “squatters beware—you ain’t living rent free in my head.”

Thursday, November 14, 2019

That Mirror Doesn't Lie



I think it’s a fair assumption to say that everyone has a mirror in their house, and that they gaze into it, at the very least, once a day. It’s probably a safe assumption to make that the mirror I’m talking about would be the one in the bathroom over the vanity. What do you see as you look at it? Who do you see?


Today after work I was washing my hands in our bathroom sink. And, while doing so, I was looking into the mirror directly over that sink. Obviously, I saw myself. As I did so, I started to think about who I was seeing there staring right back at me, right into my eyes as if looking deep inside me. It dawned on me, once again, during that staring match that I can never, ever, hide from myself. I know all there is to know about me—the good, the bad, and the ugly. That mirror doesn’t lie. And it doesn’t sugar-coat anything about me. Nor does it make me any more than I really am. It simply sees me as I am. Just like something else that never lies—God. 


I can hide parts of me from other people. I do that, and I suspect we all do it. There are things about us we don’t want others to see or know about. But as we gaze into that mirror that never lies, we know the truth, and if we are realistic about it, we know that God knows as well. 


I know this; when I gaze into that mirror, I want to see a person who is comfortable with all he has done this day, one who can say that all that he said, thought, or did was right in God’s eyes. Because, if it was, it will be right in the eyes of the guy staring back at me and there won’t be any guilt, shame, or embarrassment.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

A bit of Thursday humor


Sometimes when I get down on myself because I’m having trouble running the affairs of daily life, I just have to stop and catch a breath and remind myself, “Dude—chill out. That guy, God, he’s running the whole universe. What are you whining for?”

                                                       ~Joe Miller

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Dog Walk Talk (the new book) is near

Thirteen months ago I had the pleasure of entering into a contract with Xulon Press to publish my next effort. The title of the new book is Dog Walk Talk; as I'm Walking, God's Talking.  The trail, and sometimes trial (lol), is almost over. Ninety eight percent of the material has been "touched up" and placed into the draft manuscript. Once the remaining few pieces are cleaned up, they will be added to it and then the whole manuscript will be double checked for all things writing, and it will be submitted to Xulon.

Hopefully, the manuscript will be in Xulon's hands before the end of the year. At that juncture, it could take up to two months for the book to go through all of the necessary hoops and whistles, and then it will go into production. It's my hope that it will go "live" and hit the streets by the beginning of March.

It's been a great ride writing this book. It has stretched me. It has taken me to places (as a writer) that are new to me. It has taught me, and it has grown me. Praise God!

Monday, November 11, 2019

Fixations

Is it time for the pendulum to swing? So often Christians seem to be fixated on who they aren't as opposed to who they are. Their fixation centers on the badness in them instead of the goodness. They often speak of their unworthiness in the eyes of the Lord, how they are fallen and broken, how they keep missing the mark, etc. I'm of the mind that fixating on negatives breeds negatives, just as fixating on the positives breeds positives.

There are so many positive things we can fixate on; we're all children of God, as believers we have the promise of eternity with Him, we are blessed and beloved, we are redeemed, we are loved beyond measure, and the list goes on.

I know one certainty. When I fixate on the negatives, my joy decreases exponentially. When I fixate on positives, it increases exponentially.

Fixations are a choice we make.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Blindness, but not blind

I can't imagine how different my life would be were I blind. My dad went blind in later life, and he adapted well. Perhaps I would as well but for sure things would be different.

As I was thinking about that, it dawned on me that I am blind--in a way. It's not a positive thing about me. You see, all too often I have a blindness toward others and what is going on around me. Why? Because to see in those instances would require me to step away from my comfort zone, be different, meet challenges, be a difference maker, etc. I'm talking about those times when I turn a blind eye toward the challenges others may be facing, their hurts and pain, their needs, their suffering.

At those times I am not living the Jesus way, but rather I am living Joe's way.

I'm not proud of that.

Do you have a seeing problem?

Saturday, November 9, 2019

You Just Don't Know

Coming home from work today I passed by one of those roadside memorials that mark where someone was killed in an accident. I happened to know that person, though not well. His nickname was Easy. I and many other never did know what his real name was, because he never offered it. Just Easy. On the day he was killed years back, he was simply riding his motorcycle when a car pulled out in front of him. He never stood a chance. He died a brutal, though thankfully quick, death. I'm sure he never had a clue that he was going to die that day, except perhaps in the split second before he did. None of us do.

After I passed the spot, I found myself reflecting on death, and how, while we all know that we will die at some point, we just don't know how or when it will occur under normal circumstances. Obviously, a death that comes as a result of an illness is a different matter typically. As I was reflecting on that my thoughts turned to how spiritually prepared I am for my own death. I felt a great sense of comfort because I feel secure in my love for the Lord and how my way of living reflects that. My heart is where it should be.

As if to prove the point, I was about a mile and a half down the road and a truck pulled out in front of me. When it dawned on the driver what was about to happen, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Fortunately, for both of us, it was a near miss--very near. I am sure that God's hand was all over both of us at that instant. We were both spared. But, the situation sure did drive home the point that we truly just don't know when it could happen, when we might die. I thank God for His protection, and for the fact that He has brought me to where I am in my preparedness to meet Him.

Are you ready?

Friday, November 8, 2019

My Cup Ran Over

The start of the day was special. The transition from sleep to being awake was wonderfully facilitated by an earworm, one that decided to stick around for a while. It made for a very pleasant start to the day because of what it reminded me--that I'm ok. Who wouldn't enjoy that? This particular earworm firmly planted itself in my head, and I was blessed by repeat after repeat of the song It Is Well With My Soul.  I shared that experience with you in yesterday's post. What I didn't share was the sequel to the story, simply because it hadn't happened yet.

My mind must have some secret switches connected to it somehow, because just as the repeat switch had been enabled for the earworm, throughout the day another mind switch was turned on. This switch was the random play switch. Here's what happened. All throughout the day great thoughts kept pouring out of my mind--thoughts about me. It was literally a fine symphony of goodness that presented itself. I was presented with thoughts such as: how much I am blessed, how awesome God is, how much God loves me, I am a child of God, I am a good man, I am loved, He is with me always, and the list goes on and on.

This all happened during the course of a normal work day, one which presented itself with the normal, usual, and expected problems and issues related to the work I do. None of that stopped the symphony from playing. And, for as long as it played, each problem and issue was met with a cheerful attitude and approach toward its solution. It made for a great day. It also, in a striking manner, reminded me of the truth in the 23rd Psalm, that my cup indeed runneth over. Lord, you can hit that switch any time you want. I'm in.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Really? An "Earworm"

Oh, really? A bit of irony presented itself. Yesterday's post was a short discussion about where we're at when we arise in the morning disposition-wise. If you missed it, it could be and interesting read for you as it's probably something we all struggle with from time to time.

This morning it was almost as if I was being tested based on that writing. You know--"Ok Mr. Big Shot Writer, let's see how you do".  Satan's words were neither loud enough, nor good enough to have any effect at all. They fell on deaf ears. 

What was loud enough, and glorious enough, was an "earworm". For those who are unaware of what an "earworm" is, that's the name for the condition when one's mind (like happened with me this morning) is struck with a song, or a tune, or the lyrics to a song, that just won't leave. It plays in the head over and over.  

The "earworm" that visited is the song It Is Well With My Soul. Since music so often speaks to me, I find that highly appropriate. Maybe you will too. You can take a listen to it HERE.  

Sorry, no wrong side of the bed this morning.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Place Where You Start the Day

Our day starts at the place we are at when we get up in the morning. No, I'm not talking geographically. I'm referring to where our hearts are at in that moment of time. Some who wake up grouchy or irritable, perhaps sad or confused, sullen, or non-communicative, might say that they "woke up on the wrong side of the bed." I don't happen to believe in a "wrong side of the bed" myself. Rather, I believe that our disposition at that time, and it is one that can carry throughout our day, depends on the matter of choices we can make in those early moments of the day.

Consider this; do we wake up in the morning thinking about how big of a jerk we will be that day? Do we get up wondering how many people we can hurt with our sharp tongues, our sarcasm, or our actions that day? Do we wake up making plans on how to sabotage relationships that day? Do we wake up considering how we might totally screw up our Christian walk that day? I would be completely dumbfounded if anyone were to answer yes to any of those questions, as well as seriously wondering about their mental state. They are pretty absurd questions, yes?

I found the following years ago (I do not know the source) and I think it has a message for all of us;

When I woke up this morning I asked myself, "What's life all about?"
I found the answer right there where I was.
The fan said, "Be cool in your disposition."
The roof said, "Aim high and look vertically to God."
The window said, "Really see the world around you."
The clock said, "Every minute is precious."
The mirror said, "Reflect before you act."
The calendar said, "You don't know when your last day will be."
The door said, "Push hard for your goals, and be open for opportunities."
The floor said, "Kneel down a pray often."
The Bible on the nightstand said, "I am the Word, live through me."

Nope, there is no wrong side of the bed. There is only wrong thinking and the wrong choices we make. One can't make the bed the scapegoat on this one.

We all need to take a good hard look at the place where we start our days, and realize what a wonderful gift and blessing each day is. Each day we have another opportunity to try to get it right. It's another day to let our light shine, and if we do it will be much more difficult for the darkness to come.

Blessings!


An Unbroken Promise

Fact: God has never broken one of His promises or covenants--ever. I can't say that about myself, and I'd be very sure neither could you, or anyone, say that of themselves. Never breaking a promise is profound.

What do you think is the most frequent promise (or variation thereof) in the Bible?

"I am with you always."

If you're hurting--God is with you.
If you're lonely--God is with you.
If you're angry--God is with you.
If you're confused--God is with you.
If you're despairing--God is with you.
If you're questioning--God is with you.
etc.

Regardless of our circumstances, good or bad, happy or sad, shared or alone, or otherwise, God is with us--always. He's there whether we know it or not, whether we see it or not, and whether we want it or not. He is, simply, with us always.

Sometimes, when I am off-center, it's a nice feeling to suddenly remember that no matter what I am experiencing in that moment that God is with me. I can find comfort in that.

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Fear

Zig Ziglar made an interesting observation about fear:

"Fear has two meanings:
Forget Everything And Run
or
Face Everything And Rise."

That saying pretty much sums up what is natural for man when facing adversity--flight or fight. The first, flight, is the easy road to take when we have little or no faith. The second, fight, has everything to do with faith--knowing that we are not alone. God is always with us, if we believe.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Difficult Words to Say


A glance at an internet search of English words that are hard to say and often mispronounced shows some surprising results. There are some relatively simple and common words that made the Top 25 list that I checked out recently. While I expected to find the word Worcestershire (as in sauce) on the list, I would never have guessed that the words sixth, choir, and squirrel would have been included.


I found it interesting that the word “squirrel” was used by the English in WWII during conversations with suspected German infiltrators as a trap. It seems that, at the time, it had a different meaning to Germans, and their reaction to the word would give them away as German. 


It came as no surprise to me as I looked through several lists of words that are hard to say that missing from the lists were the three words many would often consider the most difficult to say with truly heartfelt meaning—"I am sorry.” 


It’s easy to apologize with an “I’m sorry” when we find ourselves caught red-handed in an obvious gaffe, but how often are those apologies but a figure of speech meant simply to appease in the short term? How often are they truly sincere, and are we contrite and humble in expressing them? Are they not, in those instances, just words meant to diffuse what could become an uncomfortable conversation, one that puts the onus for resolution directly on us? In other words, they are just words, sometimes rather empty.


Perhaps we need to look at what our own expectations of an apology are when we feel one is needed because we have been wronged by another in some way. Don’t we prefer to know that the apology was offered in such a way that we know there is no superficiality behind it? A heart-felt apology, meaningfully and humbly offered, leaves behind no doubts about either the true intent of the apology nor the heart of the apology giver.


I’m guilty of offering a perfunctory “I’m sorry” at times to avoid that messier conversation that I inwardly know will come if I don’t shut it off in such a manner. How wrong is it of me not to take it one lever higher in the semantics scale by offering an “I am sorry”, or an “I am so sorry” which would indicate much more heart in the apology? If nothing else, it would, I think, make it much easier for the other person to accept it and forgive the behavior leading to the apology, and perhaps to even open the door for further adult, mature conversation about the matter.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

I Am

While praying one day, a man asked God, "Who are you, God?"

God answered, "I am."

"But who is I am?", the man asked.

God replied, "I am peace, I am grace, I am joy, I am strength, I am safety, I am shelter, I am hope, I am the creator, I am the comforter, I am the beginning and the end, I am the way, I am the truth, I am the light."

With tears streaming down his cheeks as he looked toward heaven, the man said, "Now I understand, but, who am I?"

God tenderly wiped the tears from the man's eyes and whispered, "You are mine."

New Name for the Blog

To better reflect what the purpose and scope of the blog is, it has been re-named to Doing Life Better--God's Way.  The same name change has taken place on my Facebook page. You'll note, and I hope enjoy, that the "look" of the page has been upgraded so as to present a better image. Please share the link with your friends and contacts. It will be appreciated.  Thanks!  Joe

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Emotions




They exploded as if reacting to an unexpected sudden and loud backfire from a passing car or truck. Clearly, I was neither prepared for it, nor expecting it. Far from it, in fact. My mind, as I was driving, was happily focused on the deep sense of joy and contentment I’ve been feeling lately over the unusual path my spiritual journey has taken me thus far. That sense of joy was smothered in a blanket of calm as I also pondered, with a sense of comfortable wonder, where the journey might lead me next. What exploded? My emotions. In the same nano-second that the backfire would take to occur, my emotions changed from the highest they could be to the lowest. Just like that I found myself experiencing a profound sense of sadness and deep shame, as well as a permeating feeling of helplessness.

Why did this happen? It was a deer that brought it about. A deer that had just got hit by a truck and was lying in the ditch by the side of the road. A deer that wasn’t killed, but rather badly injured—to the point that it was trying to get up but couldn’t. His head was swaying back in forth as it was writhing in agony trying to do what they do—continue running. The truck had stopped, and the driver was exiting, hopefully trying to do something positive. There was nothing I could do so I continued past the scene.


While it was the deer that precipitated the radical change in my emotions, they weren’t about the deer. They were about me, who I am, and what I do and don’t do. And they were about humanity itself, many of us. You see, the mind’s picture that the deer painted for me was one that involves all of humanity. There are always, always situations where we see, if we are tuned in, humans who are in deep, deep pain, often crying out in agony—either openly or silently. They, like the deer, are trying to do what comes naturally in those situations—run, take flight from it, anything to get past it. And often, like the deer, they are alone. 


That scene turned my emotions from a high to a low because I saw people, and the potential for people yet to come, who need everything I have to offer to help them in their time of overwhelming hurt and need—someone willing to let them know that they are loved and that someone cares, with no strings attached.  I grasped the knowledge that, yes, there have been times I have failed to do that. And I was ashamed. I can do better that that, and as long as God plants lessons like this in my path, I pray that I will.