No. 496 - BUILDING OUR LIVES ON TRUTH

No. 496

Jim Davidson - NEWSPAPER COLUMN

BUILDING OUR LIVES ON TRUTH

It¹s been said that unless we are building our lives on truth we are
building on sand, and a life built on myths, speculations, lies and
half-truths cannot stand. Regardless of our age, where we live, what we do
and who our ancestors were, we should all seek to live by the truth, because
in the end that¹s the only thing that will endure. The dictionary defines
truth as ³The state or character of being true in relation to being,
knowledge or speech.² Unfortunately, when it comes to knowledge and truth,
our mind operates much like a computer. It is impartial. What we
deliberately put into our conscious mind or permit to enter into our
subconscious mind is what comes out in our lives. The computer term we have
all heard G.I.G.O. is true. Garbage in ‹ Garbage out. This is why many of
the lyrics of songs in our secular culture are so devastating to those who
continually listen to them.
Along these lines, a friend sent me something the other day by an
unknown author that I believe to be the truth. As you read these, please
weigh each one carefully in relation to ³truth² and determine if these
statements will help you make better decisions. When you come right down to
it, success in life is being able to make wise choices and decisions most of
the time. We can¹t do that unless we operate on the basis of truth. While
the odds are good that I don¹t know you personally, I do care and my heart¹s
desire is to help you regardless of your age, where you live and what you
do. One thing to keep in mind is that people who are in prison are there
because they made bad choices.
It¹s True!
1. No matter how good friends are, they are going to hurt you once in a
while and you must forgive them for that. 2. True friendship continues to
grow, even over the longest distances. Same goes for true love. 3. You can
do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life. 4. It is
taking me a long time to become the person I want to be. 5. You can keep
going long after you can¹t. 6. We are responsible for what we do, no matter
what we think or how we feel. 7. Either you control your attitude or it
controls you. 8. Regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at
first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its
place.
9. Heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be
done, regardless of the consequences. 10. Money (and all the stuff it can
buy) is a lousy and immature way of keeping score. 11. My best friend and I
can do anything or nothing and have the best time. 12. Sometimes the people
you expect to kick you when you are down, will be the ones to help you get
back up. (Boy that¹s true) 13. Sometimes when I am angry I have the right to
be angry, but it doesn¹t give me the right to be cruel. 14. Just because
someone doesn¹t love you the way you want them to, doesn¹t mean they don¹t
love you with all they have ‹ they may not have as much as you do.
15. Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you¹ve had
and what you¹ve learned from them, and less to do with how many birthdays
you¹ve celebrated. 16. It isn¹t always enough to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. 17. No matter how bad your
heart is broken, the world doesn¹t stop for your grief. Pity parties are
never large events. 18. Our background and circumstances may have influenced
who we are, but we are fully responsible for who we become. 19. Just because
two people argue, it doesn¹t mean they don¹t love each other. And just
because they don¹t argue, it doesn¹t mean they do.
20. You shouldn¹t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your
life forever. 21. Two different people can look at the exact same thing and
see something totally different. 22. Your life can be changed in a matter of
hours (even minutes) by people who don¹t even know you. 23. Even when you
think you have no more time to give, when a friend cries out to you, you
will find the strength to help. 24. Schools attended and credentials on the
wall do not make you a decent human being. 25. The people you care about
most in life always seem to be taken from you too soon. 26. You should tell
and show people you love that you love them as often as possible, because
you never know when your last chance will be.
The Greek philosopher Epictetus (AD 50-130) once said, ³When you have
closed your doors and darkened your room, remember never to say that you are
alone, for you are not alone. God is within, and your genius is within ‹ and
what need have they of light to see what you are doing. Jesus said, ³I am
way, the truth and the life and no man comes to the Father but by Me.² John
14:6.
(Jim Davidson is a motivational speaker and syndicated columnist. You
may contact him at 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)