Where Do Small Steps Lead

I've watched three of our grand kids learn to walk.  You know the drill – the first steps are halting and uncertain.  And look at them today.  They all run and jump, skip and lead a full and active life.  Just last week I played Grey in some one-on-one soccer.  I remember his first steps.  He won our soccer game, by the way.

I started a new routine at LA Fitness a few weeks ago.  Now, 5 or 6 weeks later, I can run longer distances, the tightness in my leg muscles is lessening and I’m doing more.

I started taking Yoga about 2 months ago.  I have more flexibility, a stronger core and a general feeling of well-being after only a few weeks.  I can’t do all the poses and positions my instructor asks of us, but I do what I can, for as long as I can. 

Got the picture?

Small beginnings lead us places.

 It’s true for real estate agents, singers, speakers, writers, bankers, teachers, and mothers of new born babies, flight attendants and any other area of life you might consider. 

Small steps lead to slightly larger steps, and those lead to running marathons and winning races, improved circulation, lower blood pressure, giant companies and massive empires.

This just in … Starbucks started small and then grew.

~Einstein had to learn his times tables.

~Bill Gates got his start in designing tic-tac-toe games for computers, and after he and Paul Allen, founders of Microsoft, teamed up, they eventually graduated to the Altair 8800 mini-computer kit.  The impressive Microsoft Company came later, and its roots rested in those early days of their experimenting with computers and simple games.

Whatever your dreams are today, begin making those small first steps toward them. 

Small Beginnings Lead Us Places.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

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Creating God

In my twenties and thirties, my image of God looked very much like that of most other conservative Christian young men with whom I associated.  We gave him the mindset of a stern, mostly mad God, one who was ready to zap us for the first miss-step or wrong thought or deed.

He was not a smiling God.  He never laughed.  He never even chortled.  His voice was booming, and would rattle the dishes in every house within our town if He got too upset with us. 

How have you created God?

We viewed people from other churches as suspect.  Their God couldn't be nearly as great as our God; after all, our God was THE one true God.

As time has passed, my concept of God has changed, thankfully.  He is a more ecumenical God.  I've even allowed God to love some of those we once thought lesser of.  You know the type – the down-n-out crowd, the street people - even drunks and addicts, and others, who have chosen paths far different from the ones I've chosen. 

Can God really love a prostitute, a gay/lesbian?  How about a Muslim or a Buddhist?  And don’t get me started on Catholics. 

How have you created God?

I ran across this quote recently.  It is a telling declaration on our ability to fashion God in our own image.

“You can tell you've created God

in your own image when He

hates the same people you do.”

(At the moment I don’t know who gave us this quote, but it rings true.)

How have you created God?  With what character traits have you lauded him?  With what limits have you shackled him?

I’ll close with this.

OUCH!

Sort of reminds me of this:

“God so loved the whole world

that He gave Jesus Christ, His son …”

(John 3:16)

The WHOLE world.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Going Dark

My Dear Reader:

I am going dark for a few days.  In the meantime, please visit the great back-list of past blogs on this site. 

Have a peaceful day. 

P Michael Biggs

31 Things I Know

Here is what I know thus far in my life.

~God loves me, as I am, and not as I should be.  You too.

~I have some strong gifts and it is up to me to dig them out and use them.

~I do far more damage to myself in my mind than others do to my body. 

~God is trustworthy.

~People like honesty.

~People like eye contact.

~The truth always wins out and comes out in the end.

~All great ventures start within my mind and the words “I can.”

~Today’s step gets me closer to tomorrow’s goal.

~Books take me on magical adventures.

~God sometimes laughs at me and loves me through my folly.

~A daily “To Do” list keeps me on track and on focus.

~Uncomfortable shoes are uncomfortable.

~I feel great when my wife laughs at my silly jokes.

~To be loved as one complete package is pretty spectacular.

~God loves bald-headed men and women.

~A cap in winter keeps my body heat in my body.

~An encouraging word improves my gas mileage every time.

~A day off is so necessary.

~Church is not the only place where I hear from God.

~An open window on a cold night makes the covers even more appreciated.

~Sometimes a dress suit says more than I can say.

~I am capable of making some good choices.

~In the past I have made some awful choices, and I’m still alive.

~My art doesn’t have to reach the whole world.  It just has to appeal to me and those I care about reaching

~Vision is more important than eyesight.

~A crackling fire on a cold night with the one you love is heaven.

~An unequal relationship is hell.

~Some bosses hand down edicts just to be the boss.

~Some employees know how to handle such bosses.

~Life is not fair.  That is why we have a brain and the power of choice.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

Trust Who You Are

What a mind-full this title represents.  TRUST WHO YOU ARE!

So, the obvious question is this … Who are you really?

You are not the names that others have attached to you down through the years.

~You are not your mistake.

~You are not a helpless, dumb not-so-bright entity.

~Nor are you a stinko, louse, low-life, trouble maker or any other label that has been attached to you.

I've born a few labels.

You’re an accident looking for a place to happen.

You don’t know what you’re doing.  Get away from that thing.

You are too loud.  Calm down.

Slow down.  Are you stupid or something?

You and I are better than any label we've ever come near. 

Here is what you and I are. 

   Made in the image of God

      The one Jesus loves

         A redeemed one

            An invited one

               A cherished child of God

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a song in 1982 and I think it fits perfectly for such a post as this.

Verse

Never be ashamed if you’re not the same as the others.

What you’re meant to be is the very best thing by far.

You’re a special plan cut from an original pattern

So hold your head high and remember just whose child you are.

Chorus

I’m somebody

I am somebody

I’m created in the image of God

And I’m somebody

I’m somebody

I am somebody

I am loved

I am His child

I’m important to Him

Be encouraged today.  Perhaps it is time to trust who you are and whose you are.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

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God's Orchestration

(When death knocks on our door, we turn to the one who understands death and all that it entails.  For such as time as this, I offer you a metaphoric post about God at work orchestrating all the elements involved when death comes near.  On a personal note, Carolyn’s Father passed away this morning (Tues. February 10) at 6:00 AM PST.) 

God is working on a new orchestration today.

The first strains we hear are from the harp in welcoming Tom to his new home, his new body and to his place at the side of God himself.

Next we hear the soft lyrical flute of peace.  You see, He offers a peace that passes all understanding for those left behind, and we will need large amounts of God’s peace.

And then comes grace.  Grace sweeps in on the stately sounds of the French horn, punctuated with the warmth of the trombone, and is echoed in the perfectly harmonized notes of the clarinet and oboe.

If you listen closely, you’ll hear touches of strength and endurance.  Those too come from the trombones, with a few blasts from the trumpets.

He’s still writing the timing part.  There are plane schedules to coordinate, work schedules to readjust, and lives to be rearranged.  I imagine He will bring in the tympani and snare drum for these passages.  And remember the bass drum.  That is the ultimate time keeper, and God will have him gently, steadily beating the time so that “all things work together for the good of those called by God.  He works according to His purpose.”

~Romans 8:28

Love is heard underneath it all.  That comes from the strings.  The double basses begin with their warmth and passion, moving to the cellos with a melody that touches the heart.  When the violas and violins make their entrance, our hearts soar with the sense of being loved from those nearby.  The phone calls, texts, and emails of family and close friends all sing a sweet song of love and concern that touches the heart and lifts the spirits of the family left behind.

God is writing a new orchestration.  It is still being written and will soon be performed in full.  We've heard a few portions of it already.  We've heard strains of love, felt the grace and strength parts, and the song goes on.

When the chorus comes in, I imagine we’ll hear words like …

~Peace be still

~Be not afraid nor dismayed, for I your God will be with you wherever you go.

~Comfort is yours

~My grace is sufficient for you

~Cast all your cares on Me

~Trust Me

~“For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says God.  “I have plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  I will give you a future with hope.”

And always remember …

God says … I love you!

God is writing an orchestration, and it is good … very good!

Thanks be to God.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time

The Brother to 'Choice'

I've written more than a few blogs about the importance of making good choices.  You see, the power of choice IS our greatest gift. 

Let’s push this a bit further.

The brother to choice is … responsibility. 

RESPONSIBILITY!

We take action – that’s choosing.

And we take responsibility.  That’s integrity.

We show integrity when we own our choices. 

We blame no one for how our lives roll along.  

We choose our food and the amounts

We choose our work environment

We choose the ways in which we spend our income

We choose our friends,

We choose our voting record or lack thereof

You see what’s happening here?  We are choosing the dimensions of our lives, present and future. 

And we take responsibility for those choices. 

The next ten years are being determined NOW by the choices we are making. 

The most encouraging thing I could say to all of us is this …

Plant good seeds for your future.

You deserve as good a chance

as you can give yourself.

Choices and Responsibility.  Brothers to the end.

P Michael Biggs

Up-Words Web Site

Offering Hope

Encouragement Inspiration

One Word at a Time