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Articles by Daniel Toops

Browse published articles attributed to Daniel Toops, with full-archive search.

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By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Where was I thinking? (Where are your thoughts taking you?)

Have you heard the expression “his brain is in neutral”? I take that to mean that a person’s brain is running, but going nowhere. There are lots of revving, smoke, vibration, allusions to power, and great expenditures of fuel, but nobody is going anywhere. It is a shame, but we all have met or known someone with their brain in neutral. A person with great potential and natural ability who could easily succeed at anything they wanted to do. But instead of moving toward success and achieving something, anything, they live a life that produces absolutely nothing.

Primary topic: Faith

2,274 views5/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Five Touches to a Better Me

Five Touches To a Better Me New Year provides us with an opportunity to make a start fresh start and to set our lives in order. It is estimated that 48% of Americans will make some Sort of New Year resolution. Of those resolutions made, 92% will not be kept. In fact, 45% will fail before the end of January. Only 8% will reach their goal. That is a sad commentary. Many see the need for improvement in their lives, yet when it comes to actually doing something about it they fail miserably.

Primary topic: Faith

1,366 views3.6/5 (7)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Dig it up

Dig It UPrnWhere did the car you drive originate? Most would reply, that their car was built in Detroit, Japan or Germany. That in a sense is true. Workers in an auto assembly plant assembled the car piece by piece. But where did it originate before that? A prototype was developed and tested. Designs were created detailing feature on the car from the anti-lock braking system to the cup-holders. But where did the car originate before that? The visible and tangible car you drive began in the invisible and intangible.

Primary topic: Faith

1,534 views3.8/5 (4)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Think! On purpose

Think …on purpose Have you heard the story “The Emperor’s New Clothes”? The story is about a ruler who cares more about clothing than anything else. He hires two swindlers who promise to provide a bespoke suit of clothing like no other. They tell the Emperor they posses a very special cloth. This special cloth would appear invisible to those who are un-savvy and stupid. When these hucksters present this special cloth to the emperor, He cannot see it, but for fear of appearing stupid and un-savvy, he claims that he does. Likewise, all of those in the Emperors Company do the same.

Primary topic: Faith

1,492 views3.5/5 (4)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 07--Get Around the Right People

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 07—Get Around the Right People. The old saying “birds of a feather flock together’ is true. There is nothing that will speak more about person than whom they associate with. Therefore, it is imperative that you build networks with people who will propel your life forward. The reason for this is because the people who you allow into your life on a personal level will either help to build your dreams or they will destroy them.

Primary topic: Faith

1,461 views4/5 (2)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me--Day 02--Random Acts of Kindness

I was asked the question why do Christians observe Lent. I explained that people use this time to reflect upon the sacrifice of Christ as they preparation of Easter. Many will give something up for one reason or another as to make God happy or deal with their guilt. Personally, I think the time could be better spent improving oneself. If the world is going to be a better place it needs better people in it. Doesn’t that make sense? The better I become the more I can make a difference in the world.

Primary topic: Faith

2,666 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

In football, you don't always get what you deserve

“You don’t always get what you deserve in football” said the announcer as I watched Arsenal get pummeled by Barcelona in the semi-finals of the UEFA champion’s league. Be advised I am speaking from a purely one sided opinion as I am in fact an Arsenal fan. Watching Lionel Messi of Barcelona dominate the field by scoring all four goals against the Gunners was aggravating enough. But it was the officials I really had a problem with. Allow me to explain. European football is faced paced and the clock never stops.

Primary topic: Faith

2,041 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me--Day 03--Money

Religion in western culture has taught us that money is evil and wicked. Money is referred to as the root of all evil, filthy lucre, mammon, and many other names which associate it with Satan. But is it really?r

Primary topic: Faith

1,240 views4/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 09--Get Rid of Fear

A hurricane was on a collision course with Iberia Parish Louisiana. That was not uncommon. Numerous hurricanes have pummeled this portion of the Gulf Coast in the past. People in the low lying areas of Cypremort Point, Louisa and Weeks Island and moved further inland to evade the surge and flooding that would becoming that way. There was one road from New Iberia to the “Point” and if you waited to long that road would be under water and you would be unable to get away to higher ground.r

Primary topic: Faith

1,217 views4/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Lent 2011--Forty Days to Change My Life: Day 01

Forty Days to Change My Life—Day 01 It is lent. I am not taking about the stuff that gets caught in the screen of your clothes dryer. I am talking about Lent in the Christian tradition. That period of the liturgical year that leads up to Easter. Through various acts of devotion such as prayer and repentance, making charitable contributions and self-denial the believe is “prepared” for the yearly memorial of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ celebrated during Holy Week.

Primary topic: Faith

1,681 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 10--Bust a Move!

Having a dream is essential. Getting around the right people is necessary. Getting rid of fear is key. But until you bust a move—you’re only stating a preference.

Primary topic: Faith

1,486 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 06--You Gotta Have a Dream

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 06—you gotta have a dream! The lyrics to an old song say “If you ain’t gotta dream, how ya gonna have a dream come true?’ The sad reality is, millions of people wander through life with no dreams, no hopes, no aspirations for anything better than what they currently have. That is truly sad!r

Primary topic: Faith

1,316 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 08--Get Inspiration

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 08—Get Inspirationr

Primary topic: Faith

1,312 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 05 "Have Fun"

40 Days to a Better Me—Day 05—Have Fun When I was a boy living in the strange and distant land of Indiana, my summers were filled with the traditional family ritual of camping. Each summer we would trek to Brown County State Park, throw up a couple tents and spend a week or two there. And, I loved it!

Primary topic: Faith

1,299 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me--Day 04--Gratitiude

“Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High.” Psalm 50:14 The New Living Translation. Expressing gratitude is one of the most effective ways of boosting self confidence and optimism. This is because when we express gratitude our ego (and all of its baggage) is moved out of the way. Everyone has an ego. And, at its core the ego is self-centered and self seeking.

Primary topic: Faith

1,282 views3/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Out of Darkness into Light-- Part1

We are just days away from the new year. This is a very festive time of year just finishing up Christmas and Thanksgiving was just a few weeks prior to that. Though this is “happy time of year” I personally do not like the time between Thanksgiving and New years for two reasons: Dark and cold. To me the holiday season seems to be the darkest and coldest time of the entire year.

Primary topic: Faith

1,217 views2/5 (1)

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Bumper Sticker Series--"Life's a Bitch and Then You Die"

Oh Profanity! It seems to be everywhere. It is spray painted on city walls around the world in every language known to man. It is heard in the media, music and heard in public places. What my mother would literally wash out my mouth with soap for saying is being used with professional expertise by second graders.

Primary topic: Faith

2,328 views

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Out of Darkness Into Light Part 2

The first thing you can work on to make the coming year a great one, is your belief system. Your belief system has the power to create and destroy your life. The way you view life and everything in it (people, events, information, circumstances) is all interpreted by your belief system. So, if you believe that the world is evil and filled with violence, that is the world you will live in. If you believe that you are a helpless victim and that nothing good ever happens to you, that is the world you will live in. However, is you believe that life is good and meant to be enjoyed it will be.

Primary topic: Faith

1,233 views

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 12--I LIke Myslef

One of the most influential spiritual teachers of all time was Jesus of Nazareth. His teachings have inspired followers for the past two thousand years. His message of love and forgiveness has been shared on every continent and his words transcribed into numerous languages. And, each Sunday more people will be in attendance at a local house of worship than at all of the professional sporting events combined for an entire year! Yes. The life and teachings of Jesus have made an impact.r

Primary topic: Faith

1,219 views

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

Dude! What's My Sign?

Dude! What’s My Sign?r

Primary topic: Faith

1,205 views

By Daniel ToopsRecently published1 topic

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 11--Welcome Diversity

40 Days to a Better Me: Day 11-Welcome Diversity “Paw-Paw, you white.” These were the words of my two year old granddaughter spoken directly to me eye ball to eye ball. Well, she was seated her car seat and I was making eye contact with her via my rear view mirror. Anyway, the statement made me stop to figure out what she was saying.r

Primary topic: Faith

1,135 views

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