Growin' Up Gregory

What gives you a rush?  Makes you feel alive?  Or if you're struggling right now, makes you feel like you can just make it through the day? For some of us, it's the excitement of an extreme sport, a cup of coffee, doing something we love, or the look on a loved one's face when they're filled with joy.  But for some struggling with substance abuse, it may be a drug.  It may be something you can purchase legally (like alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana in some states), something you are prescribed (like painkillers), or something purchased illegally. I believe that we have all had times where we felt like we needed a little 'pick me up,' a boost, or some liquid courage.  Life is hard, I get it.  Unfortunately, too many people try to endure the rigors of life by relying on alcohol and drugs.  This reliance can lead to drunkenness and addiction.  But God has a better plan for our lives, a different "substance" that should be our influence. Unpopul...

I have done a lot of observing over the past few years of my life.  Experience is a great teacher, but I believe that if I can learn from the experiences of others that I may be able to avoid some of the 'hard' lessons of life.  The lessons I've learned from watching others have certainly helped me grow and shaped some of my thoughts and beliefs.  A few of those have changed how I believed I could change the world and those thoughts are below. 1.  I used to believe that in order for me to change the world, I would need a fancy title or high ranking position.  I thought that I would have to become an executive officer, start a successful business, or make lots of money before I would have enough clout to influence those around me.  Guess what, the people I thought I needed that status to influence are often so set in their ways that nothing's going to change them.  Remember the saying, "It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks." Through my current m...

Have you ever been asked to do something that seemed impossible, or that you felt totally inadequate for?  Or perhaps there is a challenge that you just don't see how you can complete or accomplish the goals that have been set?  It could be anything; a job offer, a duty or task being assigned to you at work, a test coming up, or a physical challenge.  This can sometimes leave us wondering how we are supposed to go on.  We may seek out motivational and inspirational quotes and image to help us trudge along and keep moving forward, all the while still feeling like we are doomed to fail.  In Exodus 3:10, Moses was given such a task.  He was asked to go to the Pharaoh and lead the Israelites, who were being used as slave labor at the time, out of Egypt.  Let's look at who Moses was when asked to do this: -  He was living in exile in the wilderness having fled from Egypt. -  He had fled Egypt for killing an Egyptian out of anger -...