One of the most powerful prayers in the midst of suffering I have read was uncovered from the horrors of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Ravensbruck was a concentration camp built in 1939 for women. Over 90,000 women and children perished in Ravensbruck, murdered by the Nazis. Corrie Ten Boom, who wrote The Hiding Place, was imprisoned there too. The prayer, found in the clothing of a dead child, says:

O Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted upon us: Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from this trouble. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.

– Jake can’t remember where he found this.

The Bible says that the meek shall inherit the Earth. That sure sounds like the right thing to do after reading something like this.

Wouldn’t you like people like this in charge?

Wouldn’t you like to have coworkers like this?

Wouldn’t you want to be married to someone like this?

Wouldn’t you like to have customers like this?

Of course, the secret is the other side of this coin. Don’t you want to be someone like this?

Life is full of difficulties and suffering (very few that compare to the Nazi concentration camps). Each one is an opportunity to be thankful for the fruit that grows out of the challenge and discomfort.

Jim Rohn says “Don’t wish it was easier, wish you were better.” Our opportunity for a better life lies in our ability to become better.

Make it a great day.

Jake

He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What could you do to add more peace in your home?

Less stuff?

More prayer?

Kinder words?

More patience?

Less TV?

Think about whatever idea stood out while reading this and take a small step (or a big one if you are feeling it) in the right direction today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

If you’re on the right track you will get run over if you just sit there. – Will Rogers

Great reminder for a Monday morning.

Get going.

Keep moving.

Don’t just sit there.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – Not sure if you are on the right track. Ask somebody. Somebody who would actually know and who actually knows you.

https://youtu.be/uq-gYOrU8bA

This one always makes me smile. Maybe it’s just the difference in height in the video.

Find something that makes you smile today.

A favorite song.

A favorite poem.

A favorite Bible verse or chapter.

Some time outside.

Something. Enjoy it. Take a moment to savor it. Hold on to the positive vibes.

Make it a great day.

Jake

It’s the world, dear. Did you expect it to be small? = Mrs. Beaver from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

This is one of my favorite lines from the movie.

One of the main characters, Peter, had just been complaining about how far they still had to go on their journey.

Mrs. Beaver’s quote is a great reminder – changing the world isn’t easy. It’s not small.

As you seek out purpose and the place where you can be of greatest value, don’t expect it to be small.

There is greatness within you.

You were built to change the world.

It’s going to be tough, but you got this.

Make it a great day.

Jake

The Ancient One : It’s precisely what’s kept you from greatness. Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all.

Dr. Stephen Strange : Which is?

The Ancient One : It’s not about you!

I caught this line when watching Dr. Strange with Maggie the other night.

What a tough life lesson to learn – it’s not about you.

The sooner we learn this and make our peace with it, the better off we’ll be.

Life is not about us or our comfort.

Life is about service to others with love.

Not to get something in return but to become something in the process.

Our pride and our fear hold us back. We want to be in control and to make sure it turns out great – for us. When we let go and begin to pour ourselves out – every day – we begin to experience true joy and peace.

Where are you holding back giving and service to protect yourself?

Where are you letting fear and pride hold you back?

Find some small ways today to decrease pride and fear and add more service and love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

PS – This was probably much easier to write than it will be to read. It’s a real struggle for all of us. But it’s worth it.

This 4th of July I couldn’t help but think of Viktor Frankl’s idea of a “State of Responsibility” on the West Coast and this daily attitude email from a few years ago.

Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better. – Albert Camus

In “Man’s Search for Meaning” Viktor Frankl has the idea that the Statue of Liberty (representing freedom) should have a twin on the West Coast – a statue of responsibility.

Freedom is not only a chance to be better, it is an offering to accept the responsibility inherent in making the most of our freedom.

Today is Veteran’s Day. A day to remember who paid for our freedoms.

I’ve read quite a few books from members of our military over the last few years.

Each time I am inspired to make the most of the freedom they have bought for me.

Even the most heroic and well-meaning soldiers from the stories seem to struggle with coming back and realizing that so many have chosen to squander their great gifts.

Our biggest tribute to the armed forces is a life well lived.

A life spent enjoying the responsibilities of the freedom so dearly bought for us.

Make the most of your chance to be better.

Embrace the responsibility of making the most of your freedom.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/xOgAmQvOUM0

Thanks for Mr. Leverton who recommended this one.

So much to be thankful for.

Make a list.

Call some people and say it.

Prayerfully offer thankfulness to God.

Thank your wife.

Thank your boss.

Thank your son or daughter.

Thank somebody today.

Make it a great day.

Jake

One of the greatest attacks of the enemy is to make you busy, to make you hurried, to make you noisy, to make you distracted, to fill the people of God and the Church of God with so much noise and activity that there is no room for prayer. There is no room for being alone with God. There is no room for silence. There is no room for meditation. – Paul Washer

Not sure about you, but the last year or so sure has felt “busy”.

I’ve been actively working on being less hurried (still a lot of work to do).

It’s too easy to confuse productive and busy. We are all the same amount of busy – 24 hours goes by at the same rate for all of us.

We run around trying to win the “busy contest” that everyone seems to be competing in. Cramming in less meaningful activities until we aren’t productive at all.

God, our spouses, our children, our co-workers, family members, exercise, study, etc. get crowded out in exchange for social media, TV, gossip, complaining, junk food, etc.

Fill your time up with the good stuff. 24 hours will be gone again before you know it.

Make it a great day.

Jake

"If your dream is to live a life full of happiness, bliss, and love, chances are what’s holding you from that kind of life is either your pride or your fear." – Ken Black

When you read that quote, what popped into your head?

Afraid of failure?

Too proud to admit a mistake?

Afraid of what others might say?

Too proud to say you are sorry?

Maybe the day to get over yourself is today.

Make it a great day.

Jake