If we are not careful, we will lose our right to free speech. Exercising our freedom of speech is a requisite of living a life where our voice matters. As I look at our society, I am amazed at how the process of silencing the voice of the people has gone unnoticed. We are told to conform, and if we do not, we are mocked, ridiculed and called names in order to keep us in line. If we do not speak out and stand up, then who will? If we lose our God-given, constitutional right to free speech, what comes next? If we lose the ability to disagree with those who are running our government, our cities, and states then the foundation of our country will be lost. We should not allow a select few self-appointed individuals dictate to us what is right, what is wrong, and what we should or should not say. We have a responsibility to speak up when things are wrong or if we disagree.

For example, lots of people today say using the term bossy to describe someone is extremely rude and offensive. We should be able to speak out and disagree without fear of being mocked or put down because our views are contrary to pop culture. Our silence is our surrender. If we are not careful, our desire to fit in will rob us of our right to free speech and our voices will never be heard.

Just a Thought,

PSS

Legacychurchnm.com

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, truth is truth. People, news, media and the politically correct crowd talk a lot about integrity these days. The definition of integrity is: “The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness”. Synonyms are honest, honor, good character, and truthfulness. Integrity allows you to do the right thing and tell the truth in any given situation. Many people today are honest until it becomes inconvenient. For example, some will be honest as long as it is to their advantage. As soon as it is not, they might lie, change their story or conceal portions of the truth. Unfortunately, most people find nothing wrong with this behavior. Our President and elected officials can lie and mislead us, and we accept it. None of us should make excuses for those leaders who act outside of integrity.

Most studies show that people want to follow a person with integrity, someone who adheres to a code of moral values and is incorruptible. They want to follow someone who treats others fairly and honestly and someone who is true to their word. All of us have to ask ourselves who we are and what kind of person we want to be. Do we fit the definition of integrity? How would others describe us? We need to be people of honesty and integrity regardless of the situation. Remember, those are attributes you can give away, but, no one can take from you.

Just a thought,

PSS

Legacychurchnm.com

Unfortunately, we live in a society that endorses the mentality that anything goes and everything has to be accepted or else you are a hater. Integrity is absent even in the most important places. Whether you examine a high political office, medical professional or religious leader, integrity will remain elusive. There is a lack of integrity no matter where you look because the current societal dogma assigns a higher level of importance to an individual’s feelings than an individual’s integrity. Long gone are the days in which people were known for keeping their word.

Integrity is defined as “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principle; moral uprightness, synonymous with honor, good character, ethical, sincere, truthfulness.” Here are a few quotes about integrity:

“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” - Oprah Winfrey

"A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity." - Baltasar Gracian

“If you don’t have integrity, you have nothing. You can’t buy it. You can have all the money in the world, but if you are not a moral and ethical person, you really have nothing.” - Henry Kravis

Maintaining and boosting your integrity instead of degrading it is up to you. No one can change your level of integrity by giving it to you or by taking it away from you. You can willingly surrender it, but no one can forcefully take it. Let us strive to be honest and trustworthy men and women of our word. Only then will we have a greater peace of mind in knowing that treating people fairly will lead to a life with far fewer regrets.

Just a thought,

PSS

“One of the most powerful forces in the universe is the truth because you cannot change it, no matter what.”

Wisdom says to hear both sides of the story before making any decisions. People sometimes take on others’ offenses without investigating both sides. Many relationships suffer because people take up offenses that are not theirs to take. Often, when people do not get their way, they get angry and begin to spew bitterness and resentment towards the people they could not control. Strife can only create more strife, so we should be wise by carefully avoiding it wherever and whenever possible.

It is amazing how people who do not even like each other will unite when they have a target to attack. I call it the “Spirit of Absalom”. The discontented and the disgruntled will band together mostly because they did not get their way. The saddening thing is that some folks will allow themselves to be in relationship with people like that. Bad company corrupts good character. Let us choose our friends wisely and get the whole truth before answering a matter. Let us purpose to never take on the problems or offenses of others, no matter who they are. We should be very careful not to attack the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ—we must choose to keep our hearts and minds away from strife, and we must also avoid those who cause division in the body of Christ. Do not allow another’s sin to become yours. If at all possible, live at peace with one another.

Just a Thought

PSS

Legacychurchnm.com

We should strive to be people that attempt to lead a quiet and peaceful life when possible. So many people are overly combative.  We should work away from being like that. The combative mentality stems from a feeling of having been dealt a bad hand in the game of life. Combative people typically feel as if someone is always picking on them or being unfair. They feel like they have to fight to be heard. They want their way so badly that they become contentious with everyone around them. We should learn to live in peace with others as much as possible and avoid unnecessary fights.

Sometimes, this attitude stems from our own insecurities, like always needing to be validated.  Face it. Fighting with others is not much fun at all. The opposite is learning to let some things go and not be so combative just for the sake of being combative.  I do not believe we want to be known as “the difficult one”. I have had employees that I dreaded having to talk to or correct. They would not listen, and they always had an excuse and were always right. Every time I had to deal with them I knew it would be a big deal. After a while, these folks did not make it. They always blamed someone else. Let us try not to be like that. Take correction and listen to what others have to say (especially your boss or spiritual leader) and let us learn to honor those in authority over us.

Just a thought,

PSS

Legacychurchnm.com