Eric Suddoth's Blog, page 29

Eyes Closed – We All Do It

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It’s human nature to think you are always right. Sadly, we are not always right. We are proud. We are arrogant. We hate surrender. We despise being wrong.

So often we close our eyes. (In many aspects of our life…many)

We are our own proverbial ostriches with our heads in the sand castle we erected with our own beliefs and logic. But what if the sand castle was created with lies? What if they were cemented with false claims? What if they were pressed together with hopes of being right than with authentic truth?

I admit that when I hear something, I try to look at both sides. I research. I debate myself. I try to turn over the heavy rocks to make sure I’m uncovering all the details. I play devils advocate and try to see it from all sides, the good, the bad and the ugly.

But even after all my searching, I’m sometimes wrong in my opinions. And I hate that. I hate to be wrong when I previously was trying to correct the presume wrongers from their erroneous ways.

That is one of my many flaws. I’m passionately wrong sometimes and I hate that feeling of having to admit to someone else they were actually right when I previously said they were wrong.

But the more I live, the more I learn that at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter at what time you joined the side of truth. Just as long as you join it. When facts are shown, will you keep your eyes closed? When truth is said, will you be able to hear it?

May we not be so stubborn that we cannot see the truth because we don’t want to see it.

I have been in that spot before.

How many times have you walked away from an argument because you didn’t want to listen to the other sides viewpoint? I’ve been there.

I’ve been there many times.

Sometimes it’s because they are so wrong and their is no swaying them. But sometimes it’s because they have poked a hole in my umbrella of proof and my firm belief is leaking. If I’m being leaked on, that means I was wrong and they could be right.

I hate that feeling of shock and cold.

Getting caught in a storm is one thing, but getting caught wet headed is another because everyone can see the proof.

May we be humble to listen.

May we be open for debate.

May we open our eyes to facts and proof, even if we don’t want to see it. In the long run, it will be the best decision.

Science is continually trying to poke holes at faith, but faith repairs the holes, hopefully with love. New findings are discovered each day. But I now know, I may not know it all, but I know the One that does.

I will listen to science, but I will trust and lean on faith. The two do not have to be in opposition. They can go hand in hand. You just have to open your eyes to see that God is in science. God created gravity, the periodic table, and the manatees. You can’t have God without science and you can’t have true science without God.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32 NIV

Peace

Passion – When Did the Fire Die?

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What is your passion?

Do you even have one?

Did you ever have one?

I was talking with a friend this week and they mentioned they didn’t have any passions.

I’ve had many conversations in the past with people about passions and it seems like most adults do not have any passions. I’ve even been told that I say the word passion more than most.

Am I the odd duck who dives head first in my passions? Looking for new ways and new ideas to stretch and build. Searching for ways to fan the flame so it won’t dwindle to rising smoke.

I believe everyone has a passion. It may be an untapped flame, but if you give it a little nurturing it, a blazing fire could ignite.

Or maybe not?

Life is all about perspectives. I say that all the time. If you don’t take care of a flame, it will go out. If you tend and stir the coals, the flame will continue. I prefer to work and try to keep the light flickering. But it takes work.

I’m odd. I know I am. I look at people who have the status quo, life of normalcy, and for some reason that doesn’t pique my interest. Not a bit.

So maybe this is another part of life I cannot understand as I look at society.

I took the Myers Briggs Personality test years ago and I am an INFJ (The advocate) which is the least common personality type. (Yes, this test confirmed my oddity). And it’s description nailed me.

People with this personality type tend to see helping others as their purpose in life. Advocates can often be found engaging in rescue efforts and doing charity work. However, their real passion is to get to the heart of the issue so that people need not be rescued at all.

After reading the descriptions of this personality type, passion was mentioned multiple times. I looked through the other 15 types and passion isn’t mentioned much at all.

So, maybe passion isn’t important for the other 99% of the world.

But I will continue to chase my dreams. Pursue my passions. Follow my heart…even if I’m walking alone.

I may not understand why the majority of the world doesn’t act like me, but I’m pretty sure, the world, if they looked at me, may also wonder why I am the way I am.

So, for you dreamers and passion-fuelers out there…you’re not alone. Keep running your race. Keep dreaming of other impossible possibilities. Keep hoping for the fragile flame to become a raging fire. And if the fire has went out, light it again.

It’s never too late.

May our passions become an all consuming fire for those who dare.

For the others out there, enjoy your life. I wish you well.

Peace

Whatever Happened to Class?

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There are many people throughout history that I would say portray classy characteristics. In the past, Classic Hollywood would often have classy characters. With classy situations. With classy dialogue. And when I say classy, I’m not meaning rich or stylish. I’m meaning it as a form of heightened character.

I think we all know class when we see it. It doesn’t involve wealth in any means. A villain can wear a strapping tuxedo or a timeless gown. Class isn’t about what you wear, but what lies under it.

It’s looking at someone and treating them as you would want to be treated.

There are many movies when the poor boy, offers his coats to a cold, young lady. Classy. Or when a hungry person gives half his food to another hungry person. Classy. Or when someone defends the ridiculed. Classy. Or when someone does whatever they can, even if they look foolish, to cheer up a friend. Classy.

But the more I look around in the world, I’m seeing less classy moments.

Maybe I’m an old soul, but I fear people with class are fading away. People worry more about making a key point on their Facebook status at another humans expense than uplifting the downtrodden. I don’t know how many times I have read crude, slanderous words on a post and felt disgusted. I just shake my head. That’s classless.

I can’t see Cary Grant acting like that. Or Jimmy Stewart. Or Grace Kelly. Or Audrey Hepburn. Or Sidney Poitier. Or Fred Astaire.

You do not have to agree with everyone.

There are many things in life that I do not agree with.

But I hope if given a situation, I would still offer my umbrella to someone I disagree with.

This world has too many storms brewing for us to keep fighting one another.

Maybe I’ll be like Gene Kelly dancing and singing, “I’m Singin’ in the Rain.”

What a glorious feeling, I’m happy again.

Maybe I’ll try that when the next storm cloud comes by. And if you’re caught in the rain, come join me. If I have an umbrella, I’ll share. Or we can just sing and dance and try to be happy again.

Peace

Mirror, Mirror…It’s Time to Reflect

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When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Do you point out your imperfections? Do you search for gray hairs as if looking for a needle in a haystack?

Do you wink and smile seductively? Do you applaud your genetics and high cheek bones at the beautiful hand you were dealt?

Do you look beyond the surface and gaze into your eyes? Does this bring you peace or torment to look into your character?

Do you see a slab of clay? Do you envision the person you are becoming with hopeful aspirations?

Or do you see a chipped vase with no hope that needs to be trashed?

There are multiple groups of people in this world, and it can be summed up into three groups.

The haves

The have nots

And the waiters

The haves are people who see perfection in themselves. They can’t see any room for growth or advancement because they are already perfect. Some may say they are perfect and others may say they are delusional.

But who wants to live like this?

The haves focus entirely on themselves. Because if they ever looked at someone else they would notice they weren’t perfect.

The have nots are people who see utter failure in themselves. They can’t see any potential because they have never had it and they think they never will. So why waste the time? Some may say they are perfect (even though they can’t see it in themselves) and others may say they are lost.

But who wants to live like this?

The have nots focus entirely on others. They never give themselves any credit so any compliments are brushed off because they believe that someone is always better and more deserving.

The waiters are people in the middle. They see the perfections in some, they see the failures in others and they can differentiate between the positive and the negative. They may see their flaws, but they can see the possibilities of improvements. They never settle.

But who wants to live like this?

I do.

The waiters have a nice balance of focusing on others and themselves. They see things from different perspectives to make future plans. Anything is possible for the waiters. Many people hate to wait, but when you’re waiting for something good, it’s worth the wait.

So, which are you?

I think the waiters are the best, because I feel I am one, but we all know not everyone is in this category. We all have friends and family who fall into each of these categories. There are many people who proudly say they are the haves and others who say passively they are the haves not.

Maybe the better question is, who do you want to be?

Here’s to reflection.

Here’s to self discovery.

Here’s to you.

Peace

The Hurting Hurt More Than One Day a Year

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Tonight, I took a nighttime walk and listened to a calming cd and multiple thoughts of blessing flashed into my memory.

I am so blessed. Beyond blessed.

Yet, it saddens me to know others are not as blessed as me.

This is a hard week for many people, suicide awareness was earlier in the week and 9/11 was today. I saw Facebook blow up for both of these special days, many saying we will never forget.

But do we really remember the hurting on the other 364 days a year?

I’ve often been told by the grieving that they feel the love and support shortly after experiencing a loss, but then are only thought of on the anniversary of the tragedy. And that always crushes me.

How easily I look past the hurting without knowing they are hurting.

I walk by people on the street, empty handed, not realizing they wish to have a hand to hold.

I smile at a couple in the park, arms empty, not realizing they would do anything to have a bundle of joy to hold.

I talk to friends on the phone, lives void, not realizing their flame has been out for ages.

We often to late see the writing on the wall like graffiti on the subways and wonder when it was painted. When sadly, we stood by and watched our love ones spray their hurt with their two hands.

We just sadly oblivious because our lives took the stage light. And everyone else was shadowed in the background. We all fall into the leading role in our lives and everyone else plays second fiddle.

May we try harder. Open our eyes more. Share laughs and life with everyone that holds a special place in our heart. May we remember always. Acknowledge more often. Give of our selves daily.

May you reach out to your brother. May you call your sister. May you text your friend. May you invite your neighbor.

May we each spread little acts of kindness like a virus. A virus which needs no cure.

We are all incredibly blessed. Most of the times we need one other to show us the goodness of ourselves.

Then love. Share. Repeat.

Peace and love to all.

Detour – A Change of Plans

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I planned on writing all weekend and finishing the latest book I am working on. Then my sister surprised my family by coming in for a visit.

My plans changed.

I didn’t sit behind my laptop Sunday afternoon, as planned, but instead enjoyed a delicious milkshake and conversation with family members.

Life has a funny way of correcting itself. Inserting itself. Refining itself.

Most people hate detours in life. Taking the long way home because it takes time and time is a very precious commodity. Possibly the most precious. You can make more money. You can buy more things. You can achieve more status. But you can’t ever get more time.

It’s a fleeting measure that is always less a second later.

Well, after my sister left I got behind my laptop and wrote a little. I decided to go for a little jog and as I was running, my mind went for a little journey as well. I let my mind drift like a boat on an open sea, and it sailed into an area I had never imagined.

I had an epiphany on how my book could conclude and it was a better conclusion than I had originally planned.

So, if I had written all afternoon I probably would not have discovered this plot line because I would have already passed this crucial moment in my story.

Isn’t life like that sometimes. We may look back at moments in our life with regret, anger, and self pity, but once it passes, there is no way of rectifying that crucial turning point.

But in an authors mind, anything can be unwritten.

Or in my case be written better than originally unwritten.

So, may we all embrace the detours. Let us look at the road blocks as possible blessings in disguises.

You may not be where you want to be, but you may be in a better place than life had intended because of one of God’s detours. And who knows, another divine detour may show it’s easily thought of ugly head tomorrow…but maybe you can look past the hideous and see the possible beauty.

Attitude is about perception.

How are you going to perceive it?

Peace

Can God Look at Me When I Do a No No?

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For the majority of my life, I have been told God cannot look upon sin and when I sin, God then cannot look at me.

Is that true?

A friend posed a counter thought and said that when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, who took our place, took our sin. So when God looks at us, He sees Christ who lives in us who perfects us. He sees past our weakness and sees the completeness of Christ.

Which also seems true.

“You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong,” Habakkuk‬ ‭1:13‬a ESV‬‬

Is this verse where we think God cannot look at sin? Because this was written before Christ died for us and perfected us. Which may be a technicality because Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Does the grace of Christ death allow God to see us when we are in the wrong?

When Christ was dying on the cross I have always been told that God turned away from Christ because he took the sin of the world.

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:46‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So, when Christ defeated death and rose victorious, and perfected us, is that why God will always look upon us even when we sin, because he sees past the sin and sees only Christ?

I do not suggest us to sin. I don’t think we should use our grace as a crutch or a get out of jail free card.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I believe sins separates us from God in a way that we don’t not feel worthy to approach God and the sins messes up a relationship we have with God. But what if it doesn’t hinder the relationship God has with us? He still loves us no matter. I don’t believe that sin will separate us for eternity if we are a follower of Christ, but I feel that it can hurt the relationship we have with God.

Maybe that’s what it is. The sin blocks our human heart and causes a chasm between God, not because God is saying stay away, but our human flaw of sin is telling us we are not worthy anymore?

Do we sometimes believe man made rules of tradition that we think are gospel? Are some of our beliefs just an unwritten law passed down though the ages.?

I don’t have the answers, only questions to ponder. What are your thoughts?

What do you believe? And as my friend pointed out, not because you believe it, but what does the Bible say about it?

Hope to read some good discussion!

Peace

Bound By It or Set Free From It?

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What is the truth these days? I have always been taught every story has at least two sides and it seems that this number is grossly underestimated.

No matter what news story I read, each newscaster, reporter, blogger or Facebook commenter each adds a different spin. Does different mean wrong? Or is there only one true story?

Before you call different wrong, think wisely.

Jesus’ written life is comprised of four books, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Four different accounts of the same story.

Is one more right than another?

No. They each tell a different point of view of the same account. They may add a flare here and there, one writer may point out something the others missed or thought unimportant, one may target to a particular audience that the others are not worried about.

But when you get into the thick of it, the story is the same. They each may have a different characterization or bullet points, but at the end of each book you see a similar reverence for Christ. You see the truth of His life.

That’s the truth in four different stories.

Sadly, when I read things today, I don’t walk away with the same end or conclusion in sight when I read a similar topic or article. I see fragments in a million different directions, each author pointing out their purpose.

Whereas the Gospels weren’t written to edify the writer. No, they were written to edify the written about, Jesus Christ.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

So, my question goes out, what are you following?

Are you feeling burdened and bound by seeking out the truth or are you feeling freed from knowing the truth?

I’m trying to feel the freedom. And it seems I’m feeling a little more freer each day when I focus less on the world and more on Him.

That may sound bad to some or they may say I’m ignoring a situation, but when we focus all our attention on a situation that is just as bad as idolatry. If you fixate on something more than on God, that is worshipping a false god. Good intentions are good, but what is the intention of those good intentions.

I’ve been told if God takes center stage, everything else will fall into place.

Call me naive, but I think it’s worth a try.

Peace

Burning Coals – Should Love Inflict Pain?

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“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:20

How many of us skip the first two lines to get to the last?

How many of us despise our enemies so much that we hope our love angers them?

So I ask…

Is it really love or is it hate dressed up?

Is your life genuine cloaked in love or are you living a masquerade?

To be honest, I have used this verse for my own agenda sometimes. I have smiled when I was being ridiculed. I have said kind words in hopes of looking better. I have been loving with the anticipation of seeing their anger burn.

I don’t think that is what Paul was meaning.

When people are on fire, isn’t their first thought to put out the fire? If you see someone on fire, shouldn’t your first thought be to help put out the fire?

It shouldn’t be to smile. That just sounds evil.

I have been told God uses situations to refine us like a goldsmiths fire.

What if the burning coals on someone’s head is supposed to bring about repentance and refinement?

If you are smiling at their pain, will they turn to you for help? I wouldn’t.

What if Paul’s message of Christlike love was saying to love people so much that they would do anything to extinguish the flame and seek help and guidance from the loving one? From the one who holds a bucket of water willing to douse the fire with mercy and grace.

To bandage the wounds of the inflictor of your own wounds? Even if it means taking off your own bandages to bandage theirs?

So, are you going to fan the flames to bring a smile of torturous enjoyment? Or are you going to help eliminate the flames to bring a smile of salvation and second chance?

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, Proverbs 24:17

Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

Smiling at someone’s pain isn’t loving.

Hoping for someone’s pain isn’t loving.

Praying for someone’s pain isn’t loving.

Loving is loving. Plain and simple, no spin needed.

Good luck…it’s not going to be easy. But it will be worth it.

Peace

I’ve Fallen…

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Over the last few months I have slowly been focusing more and more of my time on world issues.

When COVID took the headlines I researched the findings. I read of the mask or no mask debate. I watched the news on the pandemonium and watched as the cases and deaths increased.

And then I blogged about it.

Then racial protests and fighting rose up, taking the spotlight. I read articles, listened to commentary, watched videos, went to prayer vigils and tried to become an informed citizen. I watched as words of hate were being flung back and forth.

And then I blogged about it.

Then the political race started to heat up. I watched the conferences and conventions. I weighed the pros and cons and started to lean a little more to one candidate. All the while, I was getting sucked into the picking of sides.

And then I posted about it.

I thought by blogging my thoughts, it would give me some clarity and I could find a purpose in the constant division. A divide that I hate. I’m a peacemaker at heart, and the more I delved into these issues, the more restless I became.

I don’t think I’m alone.

I’ve had many conversations with people who feel the same way. But then once again, I’m discussing the problems with someone else who agrees there is a problem.

And that’s when I found myself in the never ending rabbit hole.

It saddened me to realize that even though I perceived my actions to be upright, they weren’t. I was falling and I didn’t even know that I was falling.

Some would think the free fall could be beautiful or calming, a time to reflect and evaluate. But now that I see that I was falling, it has only disheartened me to know that I was easily sucked into the world. Sucked into its problems, its agenda, its ever present curse. I was just a life that it used to feed upon.

But not anymore.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I was transforming into what the world wanted me to be.

Not what God was calling me to be.

I was conforming to their standards.

Not holding firm to the standards God set out for me.

So tomorrow is a new day. To start anew. To beginning again. To start climbing back up.

Now that I know I was falling into its ploy, it’s my fault and no one else’s. I have no one to blame but myself for what I decide to do tomorrow. I can do nothing…or I can make a change.

I need a change.

I’m tired of falling. I need to touch back onto solid ground and start walking with Him again. Not falling with the world.

I may walk alone, but I know I’m not really alone. I never was. Even when I was falling He was always there to catch me when I called out. I just never called out. I didn’t think I needed a rescuer.

Isn’t it sad how blind we are to our own failings? I was blinded to my own blindness.

So here’s to new beginnings.

Anyone ready for a change?

Peace