This is my command: Love each other. – John 15:17

We continue to reflect on the list of common values that make civilizations great. Those values are: Wisdom, Integrity, Love, Freedom, Justice, Courage, Humility, Patience, Industriousness, Thriftiness, Generosity, Objectivity, Cooperation, Moderation and Optimism.

Love

It has been described as an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. Love is also a virtue or value, representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection; and the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.

It has been the most written and talked about value of all, (this is one of them). It has also been one of the most misunderstood of all. Every human being has an opinion of what it represents for them. But unarguably, we are wired to love and be loved; It is in our DNA. Many have written about the subject because of the internal pursuit of happiness we all are looking for. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, wrote extensively about love and pointed out that above all of the virtues, love was the greatest. Jesus himself in the verse quoted above, commanded it. There are many expressions of what love is, and Jesus himself said that to give one’s life is the greatest expression of them all. This he said of himself, giving his life for our sins.

Yet many have tried to define how it should be done or what form it should take. At one point Jesus was tested and was asked: “Of all the commandments, which is the most important? Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”

And it is on this expression that hinges the key to our nations. Love may be understood as part of the survival instinct, a function to keep human beings together against menaces and to facilitate the continuation of the species. To care, appreciate, consider, value and love our neighbor as ourselves. So if we have a poor vision of who we are, we will be incapable of loving the way we were created for. Many expressions of love today, come from a distorted view of ourselves, and as such we treat our neighbors. So in order to affect our community and our nation, we need to love ourselves first, in a healthy way. Jesus was the epitome of the expression of love.

I told you that Paul had written about love. In his letter to the Corinthians he taught what love looked like: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Do you really love? Let’s practice: change in these verses your name instead of the word “love” and read it to yourself. Can you say that you are patient and kind? Not boastful or jealous? I know myself that I still have to work a lot on this, how about you?

If we want a great nation, let’s follow his command: Love each other.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright Danny Maldonado, 2012

by DP

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 20:7

We continue to reflect on the list of fifteen common values ​ that make civilizations and world religions, great as I mentioned in the introductory post. Those values are: Wisdom, Integrity, Love, Freedom, Justice, Courage, Humility, Patience, Industriousness, Thriftiness, Generosity, Objectivity, Cooperation, Moderation and Optimism.

Integrity

By definition it is 1the idea of singleness of heart or mind. 2Faithful support of a standard of values. 3Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. 4The state of being whole, entire, or undiminished. – One author once said, Integrity is the character trait that shows who you really are when nobody is watching. It is one of those “sticky” values that we are very prone to discover the lack of it in others, but we make excuses when are confronted by our failure to have it.

But what is integrity and why is it so important? When we consider the root of the word itself, “integrity” stems from the Latin adjective integer (whole, complete). In this context, integrity is the inner sense of “wholeness” deriving from qualities such as honesty and consistency of character. As such, one may say that others “have integrity” to the extent that they act according to the values, beliefs and principles they claim to hold. It is of extreme importance because it goes to the core of what society is all about. The word “wholeness” resonates with me because it refers to something that has no parts, it is one thing, and as such it acts as it portrays itself. We should do the same regardless if we are seen or not.

Every individual in society should be regarded as “complete” or “whole” because it will ensure a nation that will achieve greatness in all it does. We are tested almost every single day on this subject. It is so important that Salomon, states that a man that walks with integrity, no only reaps the benefits of his completeness of character, but he also blesses his lineage. All of his works will pass the test to time and the scrutiny of others, and will bring honor to his family. But what if I believe I lack integrity? You are on the right track. This is value, as all values, can be learned and developed. You can be accountable to someone else that will help you become the man or woman of integrity you want to become. King David, a man that God said was after his own heart, struggled with many issues as you and I struggle daily. In one of those moments he made this prayer: “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Do as David did, ask God to create a clean heart and a loyal spirit, a “wholeness or complete” spirit, in you.

Finally, there is a difference between the freedom of choice and the choices that bring freedom, and if we chose the latter, our life and that of our nation will be better. And it starts with you; when you chose to live a life of Integrity.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright DP, 2012

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.” – Job 12:13

As I mentioned in the introductory post, I heard a very inspiring ten minute podcast from Zig Ziglar, that prompted in me the desire to explore more about the list of fifteen values that are common and that make civilizations and world religions, great. Those values are: Wisdom, Integrity, Love, Freedom, Justice, Courage, Humility, Patience, Industriousness, Thriftiness, Generosity, Objectivity, Cooperation, Moderation and Optimism.

Wisdom

We all know, relate or regard individuals that we consider wise. When we think of wisdom, usually their names come to mind. But inarguably, we always associate the name of Salomon with wisdom. The majority of the book of Proverbs was written by King Salomon. It is a book full of practical, everyday, doable advise that will enrich anyone, regardless if you are a follower of Christ or not.

But what is wisdom? It could sometimes be confused with intelligence, and both are very different. I can prove it. How many smart, intelligent, degree holders, high IQ individuals do you know, that their life is a mess? They have a PhD but their homes are destroyed. You can hold a Masters degree in finance and neglect the basic necessities of your family. Intelligence has nothing to do with wisdom, although when you become wiser, your intellect will blossom to heights unimaginable.

There is a saying that states “Knowledge is power,” and I can agree in part with that. You can have knowledge in a particular area and not act on it and it actually becomes theory. But we could transcribe this statement and say, “Applied knowledge is power,” because it is on the application that that knowledge is expressed. That said, wisdom works the same way; it has to be acted upon and in other instances, refrained upon. Not acting on something is also an action. Applied wisdom makes great men and women, which will make great nations and civilizations. The book of Job, tells us that true wisdom and power are found in God. Wouldn’t it be then obvious for us to seek his counsel as stated in his word? If the people that you listen to, are a preview of the future you, let’s choose correctly who we will listen. Jesus is the personification of Wisdom; applied wisdom. Following his teachings would be a good place to start.

A great nation starts with great people. And greatness in your nation can start with you.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright DP, 2012

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

by DP

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. – James 1:17

Recently I heard a very inspiring ten minute podcast from Zig Ziglar, the renowned speaker dubbed “America’s Motivator”. I personally regard his teachings and insights highly and recommend them for any stage you might be in life. The tittle of the podcast is “Use your resources”. In it Zig stresses the importance of using the resources available to us. He uses the example of many men that made many great strides and even revolutionized a foreign country. That country is Japan. Japan has no natural resources, no oil, no gas, no coal. Two-thirds of the land cannot be used for anything an it is half the size of the state of Texas. They also have half of the people in the US, and yet they are the number one creditor nation in the entire world. They are that way because they have developed the most important resource of the all; The Human Resources.

Each one of us are the only ones that can use our abilities. I am not going to transcribe word for word from the podcast, but what really caught my attention was a list of fifteen values ​​that are common and that make civilizations and world religions, great. The list was made by the Thomas Jefferson Center in Pasadena California after a number of years of research. Those values are: Wisdom, Integrity, Love, Freedom, Justice, Courage, Humility, Patience, Industriousness, Thriftiness, Generosity, Objectivity, Cooperation, Moderation and Optimism.

What if we pursue and live those values that have made others great? What if we decide to be the change and not ask for change? What if we take a good look at ourselves and embrace these values in our lives? I will promise you something: It won’t be easy, but it will be great! We were created for greatness, and yet we don’t live that way. But it can be done and you can do it. Living these values will not only help you, but all of those around you, and before you know it a ripple effect will be felt.

And it won’t be long when you will agree with James when he said that every perfect gift comes from above, and your life will be better because you will be living, great values.

“BREATHE expectantly, LIVE confidently and MOVE Boldly”

Want this inspiration of coffee by email every morning? Enter your e-mail to subscribe at the top right of this page under the box for “Subscribe”. Like this writing and want share it? Just add your comment below on “Leave a Reply” or share it on Facebook, Twitter, or by email using any of the buttons next to “Share this:”

© Copyright DP, 2012

Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.