Category: self-help

DIY

Wayne Moyers

If you have ever watched any home improvement TV shows, I’m sure you have seen the ads for Home Depot and their slogan, “Getting Projects Done.” This ad is aimed at the do-it-yourself’er, the DIY’er.

I have to admit that I am a DIY’er. I enjoy watching TV shows and YouTube videos of other DIY’ers and experts, trying to learn as much as I can to make my next project easier and hopefully have better results. I’m confident that many of you are DIY’ers as well. There is a certain satisfaction that comes from successfully completing a DIY project. No matter how large or small, no matter if it’s something around the house, a landscaping project in the yard, a repair or something to the car, truck, or, my personal favorite, the tractor.

No matter how much we learn on how much knowledge we acquire taking on these projects, there is one project that is way too big and way too important for any DIY’er. That project is our salvation. No matter what our DIY abilities are, we cannot save ourselves. Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel. For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Then, he writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8).

No man’s wisdom, knowledge, message, experience or abilities can save him, but God’s gospel can. It is the only thing that can save us and the only way to salvation (John 14:6). God, through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ has provided a way to rescue us from the consequences of sin. He offers us salvation so that we can have a second chance at life and an opportunity to experience a spiritual rebirth into a new life in the Spirit and ultimately eternal life with Him in heaven (Acts 2:46-47). God says, “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

If you have not been obedient to the gospel and need to take advantage of the salvation that God has offered or you have need of the prayers of God’s people, don’t try to do it yourself. Do what God says do for the help only He can give.

5 Buckets For Life

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

blond man with goatee smiling at camera with blazer on
Dale Pollard

We would all like to improve in many ways, but many of us are also well aware of the flaws we feel are holding us back. Those shortcomings tend to get in the way, slow us down, or even prevent us from achieving the quality of life that we desire. While there is plenty of room for improvement in my life, I have found that there is a simple way to clearly envision where I am currently, and also plan for where I would like to be in the future. 

It’s true that our burdens often come from our blessings. For example, the blessing of having a car may result in the burden of expensive bills that follow a mechanical issue. 

I believe that there are five major buckets of blessings that we all must give our time and attention to. They are the five categories that, if purposefully tended, help our lives to be wonderful. On the other hand, if neglected, we find ourselves in a head-spinning spiral of worry and anxiety. 

These buckets are: 

  1. Faith 
  2. Mental maturity 
  3. Physical health 
  4. Relationships 
  5. Work 

If one of those buckets isn’t filled with the proper content, the effects, I’m sure you’re aware, are negative. If these crucial categories are filled correctly, our quality of life will only improve. 

God is the Creator of life itself which makes Him the leading authority on the subject. Consider how He can help you in each of the five areas listed here.

Faith 

By denying self, our focus is diverted away from our negative self absorption. Putting God and others first can give you a better, fresh, and positive perspective. 

Acts 20:35

Mental maturity 

When we seek to understand our own minds and what makes us tick, we’ll be able to identify where these negative thoughts and reactions originate. 

Philippians 4:8

Physical health 

Poor health habits like fast-food diets, lack of physical exercise, and sleep deprivation only make dealing with stress all the more difficult. God designed your body to function properly when properly taken care of. 

Luke 1:37 

Relationships 

Every relationship, whether in marriage, friendship, family, coworkers, or the church, all have one thing in common—they were made by God. Thankfully, God wrote a book to help us understand who we are to be to each individual that make up those groups. 

Romans 12:16

Work 

God built us to work— He expects us to. Some choose to be lazy, and they suffer. Others choose to constantly work to the neglect of the four other areas mentioned. There must be a balance, and God knows that. 

Psalm 128:2 

While there’s a lot more to be said concerning these five categories, I hope this simplifies things and helps refocus on what really matters. 

Hopefully, looking at life through His divine lens is a reminder of Who we should turn to for everything. He has given us the ultimate assurance— and He is willing to give us the ultimate assistance.