Desert Coach

  In my lifetime I cannot remember a time when our two political parties have been more at odds. The very word "bipartisan" has become a joke and when it is used just conjures up hidden agendas. Congress is suppose to represent and SERVE the American people but in my opinion has gotten so bogged down in hateful diatribes from both sides that we are faced with legislative gridlock. Both parties, in a way, have now become the do nothing parties. In a country I love we seem to have forgotten about the subject of ethics. Not just in politics but in business every day we read of dishonesty and corruption. Major corporations are often in the news for violating SEC and pay huge fines without admitting corruption or guilt and continue to stay in business. Universities seem to foster and condone grade inflation and offer courses that seem to have little to do with real learning. As I scan the daily dose of more negative news today I can't help but ask: REALLY? ENOUGH ALREADY!

  A "score" is twenty years. Recall President Lincoln's Gettysburg address where he began "four score and seven years ago...."  That equates to 87 years ago. Biblical lifespan was described as "three score and ten." Thanks to modern medicine and life style the new normal for many is becoming four score and ten or 90 years plus. What are we going to do with those extra years? Here is a chance later in life to really make a difference in helping others and doing the things that maybe have been put off for years. Every day is a gift and life should be lived to the fullest. So, my suggestion is simply to make your FINAL SCORE count!

  Don't Live In Fear "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and thanksgiving present your requests to God" Philippians 4:6(NIV) A little note of caution here. This passage does not mean to not have a care in the world. We all know this is not humanly possible. To paraphrase the medieval author Chaucer life is a "thoroughfare of woe and we are pilgrims passing to and fro." Life is about struggle and facing trials of many kinds. But once again so much about gaining peace and joy in life has to do with your state of mind. You need to face all the challenges and obstacles before you with a state of positive expectation. There are a few things that you can do to stack the odds in your favor so as not to be anxious about your life day to day. First of all, quit feeding your mind junk! What I mean by this is to stop listening to all the negative news that is spewed out daily through all the social media sites. Most public sources of "news&

DEVELOP A MARATHON MENTALITY! "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" Hebrews 12:1(NIV) All of us have our destiny to live. Who better than the Apostle Paul to give advice on how we should persevere regardless of our circumstances and take our destiny to its full conclusion. One of my favorite people in history is Winston Churchill. In spite of many heroic moments and accomplishments he suffered many dark days of failure and despair. What good old Winston never did was quit! Like Winston we need to keep moving and pushing ahead in life no matter how difficult the struggle.  There will be countless times when you are disappointed with things happening around you and in your personal life in which you seem to have no control. No matter. Keep your mind focused and moving forward toward your destiny. Incredibly you will find that if you are the one who keeps moving forward how an

  ALWAYS PUT GOD FIRST! "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38(NIV) I don't think our Lord Himself could have been any clearer when asked which is the greatest commandment. As was often the case Jesus was being tested as to his answer. This time Jesus did not speak in parables. He gave a totally honest, clear, an concise response. Notice how Jesus says we are not to hold back any part of ourselves in loving God. Heart, soul, and mind are called into service. Every fiber of our being needs to be on board. There is a cliche about making sure you have your priorities right if you are going to succeed and have happiness in life. Over the years I have struggled like most of us with what really matters but have found that true fulfillment and the possibilities of endless joy come back to obeying this commandment. The bottom line. GOD MATTERS!

Imagine for a moment all the shelves across America nicely stocked with all the products available to the marketplace: clothing, accessories, groceries, outdoor and indoor furniture, sporting goods, appliances, computers, phones, cars, motor homes etc. You name the product and it's available. Every brick and mortar store is stocked to the ceilings. Every warehouse is fully supplied for online ordering. And not just the tangible stuff. All the products related to financial services, insurance, life style, leisure time activities, and such are available for the asking. Now imagine this. Nothing is selling! And I mean NOTHING! Not a single product is being sold No sales people are in the stores or available on line. No one is available to answer questions about anything. Someone will not be calling you back shortly. No one is even available to call or will be contacting you back. Business is no longer considered essential. YOU HAVE JUST ENTERED THE NO SALES ZONE YOU HAVE JUST BECOME A