What are excuses? Webster’s defines excuses as “to serve as excuse for: justify.” Why can’t we simply say, “I just didn’t want to do it,” when it applies. Someone may ask us to do something we don’t want to do and we agree because we don’t want to tell them “no” and risk them being disappointed or upset with us. Then we offer up an excuse when we don’t do it.

Sometimes we want to help others so much that we just agree to do too much and find ourselves in a delicate situation. Sometimes we do things for others for the wrong reasons. We are too afraid to say “no” because we don’t want to be rejected. This type of thinking puts us into more bondage than rejection ever could. If we can’t do something, and we explain our situation with compassion, we can generally let it go and then we are free. Most of the time the other person will understand anyway. Now, when this doesn’t happen we need to try and find the root of the problem. Why won’t the other person let us be free to choose? Is there an unholy relationship here?

Rejection is not always a bad thing. Rejection can reveal the truth of the relationship and save us a lot of heartache further down the line. If we want to do something for someone else, we need to do it for the right reasons. I used to be so wounded from rejection that I took on more than I could do. It was then that I also became more frustrated and began to get angry at those who demanded so much of me. It was my fault, because I could have said “no” at any point, but the rejection would have torn me apart. Eventually the rejection came anyway because the relationships were built on a lie. In the end, I suffered more than had I not offered or agreed in the first place. Some lessons come the hard way.

Jesus said something to the effect of, “let your yes be yes, and your no, be no.” Anything more than this opens the way for deceit, deception and all kinds of bad things to enter into the relationship. Ulterior motives have a way of being exposed, even if they take years to rise to the surface. Unfortunately, I am speaking from experience. It took a lot of years and a lot of healing to heal this broken heart. Divorce is a tragic thing. It is even worse when it happens more than once.

Forgiveness is an awesome thing. The Lord desires for us to have godly relationships, yet He gives us the right to choose. We can choose to judge and lock ourselves into a curse. It is like gravity. It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe in gravity, if you jump off of a cliff, you will fall. Judgments bind us. Forgiveness frees us. Let the past go. Don’t carry it on your back another step. It is too heavy. Be free. Walk tall. The Lord has good relationships for you. Trust Him. He will heal you IF you let Him.

How do I know? I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I’ve walked in these shoes and I am here to tell you if you want to change there is something better for you. You know that I am telling the truth because you can feel it in your heart.

Now, having said all of this, I believe in giving to others. Sometimes giving goes beyond our comfort zone. Sometimes it even hurts. My wife and I support this web site out of everything we have and will continue as long as we can even if no one else helps. We want to give to others. My main reason for going back to school after being out for 20+ years was so that this site could become reality. We didn’t have the money to pay someone to build this site, but I had the time to go to school to learn how to build it. We don’t mind giving all that we are able to give. However, I have learned something in our journey over the years. In order to complete the cycle of giving, we must be able to receive. If we can’t receive, we stop others from receiving their blessings. We provide material things on this site to encourage others. These things cost us more money than we have. We add in the cost of a profit to help in these projects and sometimes in our personal lives. Scripture says not to muzzle the ox as it is treading the grain. If you want to give into this endeavor, please do. If you don’t, that is more than okay with us. If you want to give a blessing, we will not hinder you. We will receive it, period. Please do it though, because you want to and not because you feel compelled to do it. The Lord loves a cheerful giver, who gives out of the willingness out of his heart.

We are on a quest. I want to try and out give the Lord. I know, it is impossible, but I plan to have a lot of fun along the way. It touches me so deeply to see a sparkle in someone else’s eyes. Sometimes it only takes a simple smile with eye contact. It is so easy and yet it means so much. We can change this world one smile at a time and one person at a time. God gave His only begotten Son so that He might receive us back to Himself. He gave and He is receiving. Give and then receive. We must receive from Him. We must receive from others to complete the cycle. Excuses! No more!

I hope this message blesses you. I hope it encourages you. I went to a meeting this week with people from more than 10 different countries around the world. We couldn’t even understand each other without interpreters. I experienced a wonderful thing. 10+ countries gave honor to the Lord. Was this a church? No! It was a Christian business. The Lord formed it and He is protecting it. It is expanding all over the world. He is the reason. He is the center. His love is spreading. We are giving and we are receiving. There is a new thing happening in the earth. Can you see it? Do you want to be a part of it? Do you want your life to change and more important do you want to see others change? No more excuses! Reach out and touch someone. If you want more information about this business, please use the form on our contact page. We are here to help. Would you like to help too?

Joseph