Posts Tagged ‘Perspective’

Hypocrites In Church

Posted: October 12, 2024 in Uncategorized
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Now, I bet from the title many of you have different thoughts about what this particular post will be about.

Let’s get back to the beginning, my Mom & Dad raised me up in church; I mean we never missed a Sunday morning at least as far as I can remember. My Dad ended up out of my life for a long time and Mom continued to be a strong influence in my life and keep me active in church as well as many other activities including Bible studies and things at home and with friends and even my Boy Scout Troop. Needless to say, I was active and, in the Bible, even though I don’t know that I always understood everything as well as maybe I should’ve.

My Dad finally came back into my life when I was nearly 40… He was coming to stay with me for a week to catch up and visit. At this point in my life, I was extremely active in my church as I had been a part of a church plant in Austin and always participated as much as absolutely possible. It was something so important to me and even at that time, didn’t realize how integral to my life it was going to become… At that time, I felt I was so very involved… a few years later, I realize that I truly wasn’t as involved as I could have been or as I should have been… We’ll get into that in another post…

I told my Dad that we would be attending church on Sunday morning and asked him if that was okay. He responded as any good supportive Dad would, I suppose, “I am happy to go with you, but not sure I have anything fancy to wear.”

I told him he didn’t have to dress any particular way; it didn’t really matter…Just come as you are! So, he went to church with us and saw a different kind of church… I was raised in Southern Baptist, and this was different… We sang, danced, and really worshipped the Lord!! It was something he didn’t really realize what experience he was really in for.
Later, as we sat on the back porch, I asked him, “so, Dad, why do you no longer go to church because I remember going to church every Sunday morning?”
He simply responded to me, “In my life I’ve seen a lot and there are just too many hypocrites in church.”

This is an interesting perspective which got me thinking. He still believes in God but doesn’t want to go to church as there are far too many hypocrites there. The truth is that he wasn’t wrong. I started thinking about the idea of a gym and how a lot of the time, you envision a gym filled with buff, ripped, really fit individuals and occasionally see an extremely out of shape, overweight person in the gym and people say, “wow, that’s brave,” that he or she would be in the gym in that shape… How else do you get into shape and get fit if not in the gym?? Seriously people… How does it work? Are we expected to get into shape in private behind a closed door and only go out into public once we look great … I mean, this is the equivalent of what we expect from Christians… “Get ‘right’ with Jesus and stop messing up and then and only then may you enter the house of God.

Now the truth of the matter is that recently I heard an excellent sermon in which Pastor referenced the “names” Christians are called stating that “hypocrites” is actually the most often true. He expressed the reason behind this was that Christians often won’t admit they are not “okay.” Many of us are not okay at one point or another yet far too often won’t admit it. I found his perspective interesting also as it ties into thoughts I’ve had for many years and worked in my own way to articulate… I’ve been called out as “being hard on Christians” but I think the problem tends to be in that so many Christians take opportunities to find fault in others rather than seeing their own faults and flaws.

An interesting side note… two great psychologists world renowned for their innovation and intelligence exchanged letters back and forth over a span of about 8 years. these two men exchanged what began as respectful and friendly professional discussion on how they could better their care at their and offer the best possible help for their patients would only to serve as their biggest conflict. The one man began explaining to the other how they needed to take time to really analyze their own deep-rooted issues and through self-awareness they’d be able to see their patience through different light. the second man expressed how they needed to have no issues in order to be the best possible doctors and scientists. The first followed up by stating how no one is absent issues; it’s only a matter of whether or not you are aware of them. As I mentioned, this became their greatest conflict, and their friendship fizzled out and they were not able to overcome this disagreement. The first man was Dr. Sigmund Freud while the second was Dr. Carl Jung and they founded the International Psychoanalytical Organization Foundation right in the midst of their letters and shortly after, they parted ways due to this disagreement.

I find this interesting as it speaks to a secular perspective while I’m focusing on my faith… both are the same though because we are all human beings.

We all deal with issues, and we all go through times of refusing to be honest with even ourselves…sometimes mostly ourselves. It is only through honesty and self-awareness that we can truly grow and become better. This is important to understand if you really want growth…as a person and through your spiritual walk.

Back to where we started, the things is that yes, there are hypocrites in church. There are sinners in church. I’m glad they are in church and pray that God speaks to them and reaches them. Church is definitely the place for them to be so they can surround themselves with others who will help them learn and grow and get more connected with God.

Now, if you are spiritually “out of shape” the church is a perfect place to start. But that is also another key aspect of this… It is the place to start… It is not the end. Your journey is far from over. You’ve got to continue to seek God and chase after more. The more you seek a relationship with Jesus, the easier it will become to live the life He has designed for you.

Hypocrites in church…??… Of course, hopefully it si the first step on a long journey. Let’s go!!!

Who’s in Your Circle?…

Posted: July 21, 2021 in Uncategorized
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“Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream.” -Colin Powell

That’s real talk right there… I meant to get this posted the other day but it just didn’t happen… My apologies to those who were anticipating it and thanks to all who have stayed tuned in…

Let’s get down to it…

Who is you surround yourself with is so much more important than people tend to understand. I have literally posted things before about people minding their circle, and these were not always received well. People made comments about me being superficial or only carrying about money or not having my priorities right… This is all laughable to me.
The kicker was those who were so quick to defend their station in life stating things like “material possessions aren’t important to me” or “I’m happy with my friends and don’t need more out of life as I have all I want”

Those are cute “Hallmark” answers but they’re all meaningless. If they were true, they wouldn’t need to be said. There are many things in life that must be explained but lots of things shouldn’t have to be and when they are, they tend be explained just as a sense of overcompensation for a need of validity. Or just because the particular individual needs to reassure (or lie to) themselves. It is sad to see such a lack of self awareness but it is a common situation.

It is human nature to to correct the cognitive dissonance one has in their own mind by continuing to try to convince themselves that what they have is what they want….obviously.

So, we’ll move on from that for now… I can divulge more on that in a later blog.

Tonight, I want to give some tips on your circle. Of course there are people in our lives that have just happened to be there out of convenience…. a college friend, an old co-worker, a random acquaintance… People that otherwise you may have little even in common with, but they tend to stay there just because they have been there for so long. This is not a bad thing… It is a part of life. The problem is when this becomes the norm. When all of your primary circle are merely people who have positioned themselves there only by accident and with no intention of growth.

This is where things may begin to touch a nerve with some of you…if it does, GOOD. You are obviously the one I am speaking to.

Your circle should begin to become smaller as you grow older and wiser…but not just smaller, but should begin to be a circle with intent. You should be positioning yourself in a spot with those around you who want to lift you up and propel you forward, not those who wish to stifle you because you are different. Those in my main circle may not all think like me or have similar goals in their lives but what they do have is an unending level of support for me and where I am going. Some of them are going to give all they can to help me get where I’m going. Some are going to join me on my journey. The others may not be on a similar path as me, but they have my back, one hundred, and will always support me. That is the way it should be, and you could ask any one of them, they all know with out question, that I will ride with them to the end and beyond.

I bring something to the table with them and they all know that we in it together. I am a firm believer that God did not out us here to walk this world alone… He had intention and that intention involved community. But who is in that community is where I get a little more particular about the situation. You have to be mindful about who you surround yourself with.

So to end back at the quote from the beginning, those who are intended for your circle are those who will help push you towards more than you ever thought you would be going after while others… will smother and crush your spirit and motivation towards all the greatness that you are heading towards. Some will do it because they can’t understand what you are going after and others are bitter about their own situation…

No matter the reason or even if it is subconscious, they aren’t the problem because they aren’t in control. You are, and you choose to allow them to push you forward or break you down.

Down but not out…

Posted: January 27, 2021 in Corey B.
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It has been more than a minute since my last post… I got nothing but love and respect for all of my loyal followers out there and appreciate your support through everything we have been going through.

Your boy contracted COVIC back in July… it hit your boy hard and knocked me out of commission for about 8 1/2 weeks which those who know me, know that ain’t like me at all. I had a wide spectrum of symptoms unlike anything I have ever felt before. It had high blood pressure, running fever for days, no appetite, vomiting, coughing fits, pouring sweat, my stomach swelled up like I was 9 months pregnant for several days…which if you don’t know me, I weigh about 160 lbs… I am not a big guy… the list truly goes on and on. It was unpleasant. After everything that I felt and having Kimberly and our boys contract the virus as well, still more than 6 moths later, I am still not one hundred… I haven’t been right since then. I still have fatigue, coughing fits when I eat, shortness of breathe, and even hair loss which I am told is an after effect due mostly to the stress of the virus. I almost thought that was weird until I noticed that as my hair was falling out in clumps, new hair was actually growing in it’s place… This has been one of the weirdest experiences of my life and I am still dealing with it today.

I only say these things to give perspective, I have had to try to get back to work to earn for my family as well as try to re-engage my business that was thriving amidst this pandemic but that I had left stagnant from over 2 months while I tried to recover. I have also tried to get back to re-engaging with my church and assisting in hosting services live online in addition to getting back to things with my boys getting back to school, posting more content on my Instagram account as well as my Youtube channel… which all of these things has left my blog lacking… So, with all of that being said, I just want you all to know, that I am still not myself but have a serious drive and passion for what I do and love all of you who have been here with me. Know that I am not done and I’ve got so much more coming. Life has tried to get the best of your boy but I won’t be broken. I will rise up and conquer all that stands in my way… Thank you all again for your loyalty. I’ve got so much more coming. Stay tuned for what’s next.

Surveillance, Servers, & Smart phones….

Posted: May 14, 2020 in Stimulating Thought
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So… This is actually not new… I wrote and published this in a different blog about 6 years ago… only 5 and a half short months after our oldest son was born… I find it just as relevant today as it was then…maybe even more so. Enjoy…

So last night I was reading this article which really got to me just a bit especially having similar topic content to my most recent blog “Smell the Roses.”

So…up in NYC, there is this restaurant that was quite popular and has been there for years but as of recently they began to receive bad reviews. They felt as though business had been steady over the last 10 years and not much has changed. Why are they just now receiving bad reviews after a decade of good reviews. They couldn’t figure it. They even hired new staff to try to compensate for the reviews claiming they were too slow. They eventually hired an investigator to help them get to the bottom of the problem. Get this…10 years ago they had these old Sony systems that recorded their surveillance on tapes. They are now upgraded to digital. By sheer luck, they had the old systems in storage and each of the 4 systems had the last tape still in them. The investigator reviewed the tapes from July 1, 2004, taking notes and comparing the details to the digital recordings from July 3, 2014 which was almost the exact same volume. As he calculated everything, he noticed that it took on average 1:05 from time of arrival to time of departure in 2004 and 1:55 in 2014. When he looked at all the little details, it took on average the same amount of time for them to be greeted at the door, the same amount of time for them to be brought appetizers, same for their meal, their check, and so on….so what was accounting for the difference in time…The people in 2014 all had smart phones. Many of the customers wanted to take photos with their food or have the server take a group photo which they had to review and then take again to get it right. Several wanted to show the  server something on their phone. And several of them either did bump into or nearly bumped into someone as they walked out because they were busy staring at their phone.

In the end, the restaurant is giving the same quality of service as it always has but the customers are now so distracted that they do not even notice and then are displeased when they see the clock after having left. This is outrageous.

What has our society come to? I have been there on a special occasion and taken a photo before at a restaurant so I am not pointing the finger without pointing four back at myself but I can say in my defense that my lovely wife has helped me change so much for the better. Let me clarify that she has not intentionally changed me….I had to say that before I received angry comments. lol
My lovely wife having entered into my life has shown me there is so much more precious things in life and time should not be wasted having been attached to one’s phone. Those beautiful precious moments are lost never to be seen again. Take a tip from me and put that phone in the glove box the next time you go into a restaurant and embrace those moments. I promise you that you will not miss your phone. It will be waiting for you and nothing is going to be so pressing that it cannot wait until you are finished with your meal. Having left your phone aside you will have no distractions to take your eyes off of your beautiful wife’s eyes except for the moment when your little one pours his beverage in his lap…and each of those moments should not be missed. You will treasure them forever.

Coronavirus Got Nothing On Us!!!

Posted: March 23, 2020 in Bayless Enterprises, Stimulating Thought
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Now, I want to I say all I say with the utmost respect for all those who have fallen ill or have died from this horrible virus… I say all I say not with insensitivity but rather with with conviction as this is a time for us to rise up and reach for more.

This virus is but a virus… and this but a mere moment which is only a glimpse in the span of our lives… If it were not blown out of proportion, it would be so much more easily forgotten… I wish not for it to be a moment that is forgotten. I also do not wish for it to be remembered as the moment when we were succumbed to panic based on the media or the silly things being posted across social media…

I desire for this to be the moment in which we remember rising up and overcome the moment. I want this to be the moment we can look back and say that was the turning point for my business, for my family, for my life.

The power is in your hands…let’s make this moment of reckoning…the time in which we took charge of things in our lives and in our businesses. We have a choice to be made. Will we look at this virus as a set back and allow it to disrupt our lives and slow down our progress, or will we take this opportunity and see it as set up to reach for something greater? I can tell you about it but I can’t make the choice for you. You have got to make the choice for your self.

Some of us are being sent home without pay while few others may be receiving pay but are still being sent home to be quarantined with the family. This is an opportunity for you to build something more. You have the chance to really think and devise that plan you have marinated on for some time now. This is the chance to really take a chance and grow and develop that business or even just a side hustle that you have pondered for some time now yet always found some excuse to not get it up and going… The excuses have been stripped from you; you have nothing but time and opportunity.

Let’s also take this time to reach out to one another… Let’s reach out in moral and emotional support… Lift one another up. Give regular encouragement as there is plenty of success to go around, but there isn’t enough encouragement.

This time is ours… it will not break us. Let’s show the world and ourselves just what we’re made of!

Get Cocky

 

Exactly What I Needed…

Posted: March 15, 2020 in Mom, Stimulating Thought
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The other night I was rejuvenated and revived with inspiration… I twas such a strange feeling because it was a moment in which I felt myself break and become inspired and driven all over again in new direction…

The Lord works in such mysterious ways… We never fully see what he is doing until it has been done and sometimes even then, we are still uncertain. The one things you can be sure of in retrospect is you can see God’s hand on your life even if you don’t understand what He is doing.

I have had conflicts over why family members are absent while others are present…even in this, God is at work… (I will leave that for another day)

It was this past week when my Aunt Yvonne reached out to me because she happened to be in Austin where I live but she doesn’t…. She happened to be here to watch a premiere of a new Christian movie that wasn’t opening at the theater till Friday… She let me know they had seats available still and were hoping to fill them for such an event… She reached out so me and the boys could attend with her.

It was a really powerful film about God’s miracles and the way he moves in people’s lives… If you have the chance, you should go see, ‘I Still Believe’ which is the true story of Jeremy Camp.

After everything that has happened in my family over the last few years, this hit me in a special way. Kimberly lost her Daddy, I lost my Mom…the boys have learned to understand the loss of Pawpaw and Grandma at such a young age… and they were so close… especially Corey II & Grandma. We have seen many financial challenges with me and my wife’s businesses as well as things just seeming stacked against us at times… From shortly after we got married, we had plans in motion to be able to help our parents and all of our steps were towards those goals. Without her Daddy & my Mom, it seemed to change everything and we had never been so uncertain of what we were shooting for anymore. Our drive had for so long, been in that direction, and we began to feel lost in our mission. This caused so many feelings that are even hard to wrap our heads around.

Watching this film and sitting with my Aunt Yvonne knowing how she has always been there for us and been a champion for me even when I was young. She has always made me feel believed in… a lot like my Mom, she was such a powerful Christian and a believer in building people up to see all the things they can do. My Mom was always my hugest fan…  There was a long time when I wasn’t sure I was deserving of the praise she gave and her enormous confidence in I could do anything. I was her hero…she told me on so many occasions that she wanted to grow up to be like me… I always laughed, but she didn’t.

Mom new my potential and knew God had plans for me. She was my strength! She helped me to be a better soldier for God. She taught the power of God’s Word. She taught me we don’t always have to get it right or be anywhere near perfect. We have to strive for the best we can in everything we do; God will take care of the rest.

I now have Kimberly and our boys to give me strength and drive me to be a better man and a stronger soldier. God is our strength, but He did not intend for us to walk alone and that is why there are so many of us here walking the earth. We are meant to lift each other up and propel one another towards greater heights and towards the Kingdom.

Thank you Mom…. I am still learning more and more from you everyday. I miss you so much and love you completely!!! I couldn’t have asked for a better Mommy ever… You are amazing!!! You have made me the man I am today…given me the strength and the encouragement to grow and always seek more…where I am is never enough. God has more for me!!

And thank you, Aunt Yvonne for your continued support and being a strong Christian influence whom I can share and grow with. So proud of you and all the growth in your life…you are an inspiration!!

We get exactly what what we need; God knows what He is doing!

I needed to have that moment with my boys and family watching that film. Corey II enjoyed it as well and is so excited to take Mommy to see it…
It was exactly what I needed at that moment; it reignited my inspiration and lit a fire in my soul… Stay tuned… I’ve got so much coming your way

Day 11

Posted: January 11, 2020 in Bayless Enterprises
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So, I see all these people on IG posting these ‘day’ photos in which they continue to count their days…”Day 5 of the new year”…”Day 8 of the new year”…. “Day 9, 2020″…. Some of them, I observe them also posting their progress with their resolution or something like that… progress of their fitness/health plan, or progress in their business…

Unfortunately, some of them aren’t really doing anything like that at all…they are simply counting days. Your IG account is your account and you can post whatever you want, but if you want people to care, post content that matters. Progress matters… it inspires, it motivates, it is your own personal accountability… something…

Anything is better than nothing, and just a count of the day, is the equivalent of nothing.

I’m just keepin’ it real. Some of you, and you know who you are, needed to hear this.

Spit Truth – Even When It Hurts

Posted: January 3, 2020 in Bayless Enterprises
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In business such as life, you’ve got to be willing to spit the truth… No need for frost and sugar coating things… Just tell it how it is. This has been a pet peeve of mine for years, a large part I attribute to Mom. But dishonesty to me is just cowardly and frustrating. On top of that, it takes work to keep up with. The best lie is always closest to the truth because you don’t forget the truth… Maybe you should stick with the truth…. Just sayin’

Many people for some reason struggle with this… doesn’t make sense to me.

Just call it how it is… especially in business; it just saves time and helps to get everyone where they want and need to be so much faster without wasting so much time and effort.

I deal with people all the time that just want to beat around the bush. You ask them a financial question or about scheduling details or steps in the so-called plan… To me, these are critical points to which beating around the bush only eats up valuable time hinders the overall progress of the business. Just get it out. Sometimes, with the fear of displeasing their partners or business associates, they hesitate to put it all out there as if it will somehow change why they are stalling. Trust me, it won’t!!

Just put it out there already so it can be dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner. The quicker that you get real about it, the quicker the conflict, deficit, or just overall shortcoming can be overcame or resolved.

Let’s get it done. Don’t be afraid… Just own it and build from where you are.

Beyond the Countdown

Posted: January 2, 2020 in Bayless Enterprises
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Yesterday I posted and kept y’all up to date with my thoughts and a play-by-play of my day…not exactly but I did well document my day in a way that was pleasing to me and I hope gave you some insight.

Although, I have no expectation of you to have done the same nor would it be reasonable of me to request such a thing, but what I will ask of you is, what have you done since midnight?

I, in no way, need a run down nor do you owe it to me, but you do owe it to yourself.

It is time to start holding yourself accountable for your time and your productivity. It is a new year and a new opportunity….every day is a new opportunity to do something different, but many of us are motivated to start in the new year doing something new, different, or better for ourselves…. Take that motivation and run with it. Get motivated. Get Cocky!

Your time is now…. There is no time like the present and you need to reach for more in your life and in your business.

You need some help, some guidance, or maybe just new perspective, hit your boy, Corey B. up, and I will happily help you get where you need to go.

You have such a bright future ahead of you if you are willing to take hold of where you are and where you are going… Are you ready?

Get ready and get there already…

Be accountable for your time and how you are spending it to get started and be on the right track in 2020.

And be sure to Subscribe with the button on the left or below to ensure you get all you can from my blog. Also look up Corey Bayless on YouTube for some more excellent content.

Till next time my friends, stay on it and Get Cocky.

Letter to Mom

Posted: October 20, 2019 in Mom
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Mom,

Look what your little Corey is doing now. I got this. Just like you taught me; I am making it happen. I am building an empire for my family. You watched me every step of the way and saw each of my successes and failures even though you would never call anything I did failure. You would say I was just learning or there was something that was hindering it for now, but you knew I was about to overcome it. I can never express to you the magnitude to which you have inspired me or the depths to which you reached me when no one else could. You loved me and in everything I did, you supported me. There was struggles at times, but that was because of your love and protection of me… as a mature man, I thank you for all of that. But thank you isn’t enough… You made me, me.

You always told me that you wanted to be like me… You told me I helped you to know God on a deeper level… That was all what you taught me, Mom. I would tell you and you would never take credit. You taught me to love and know God.

You taught me to never stop reaching out to our loved ones and family even when they turned their backs on us. You taught me it was important to never give up. I have tried to stay connected to the family and reassure Jason that he is on his path and to stay strong and he will reach all of his potential like the good big brother you taught me to be. I have tried to be there for Kyla even though she has not really wanted me to be there; you know how that goes… I have picked up the battle where you left off. I have even tried with Gina and Bubba… They have not responded much. Tadpole stays in contact with me and who would’ve thought, Dad has finally gotten in contact with me. I told him everything you always wanted me to say. He was happy you said those things.

I miss you, Mom. There isn’t a single day that goes by that I don’t miss our phone calls. I just want to hear your voice. I remember you sitting on the edge of the couch singing your heart as you played records throughout the house. There has never been a sound so sweet. You were one of God’s angels that he allowed us to embrace and love, but he needed you back home, in heaven.

Mom, there are so many songs that have new meaning to me now… and movies that have a deeper impact me that they may have before… I take inspiration in my writing on a regular basis from the things that we shared as I was growing up. I think most people don’t even notice… But that always makes me smile because I know you would get the reference no matter how subtle it was.

There is a great quote that so many would recognize and catch right away. I have always thought it was such a powerful and beautiful quote; I think many would agree. This quote although it does not refer to a mom, but a friend… once I looked at life without you, I heard this quote, and it just hit me so much harder.

“I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more gray and empty that they’re gone. I guess I just miss my friend.”

You were more than just my mom… you were such an amazing friend to me as I grew into an adult and a parent myself. This world was truly so much more beautiful with you in it. The boys remember the things you taught them and we are trying to live the way you taught us and help to make this world around us more beautiful as you always did. You touched people in such a special way and changed them. We are trying to live in that legacy.

I love you, Mom. Kimberly and the boys love you and miss you as well. The boys require me to pray about you every night before bed and every now and then, they need an extra prayer because they miss you and the special bond you had with them.

You always felt as though didn’t do much with your life because of your health… you left a legacy on this world that many will never be able to match… something I know I am extremely proud of.

I love you, Mommy… and I am more proud of you than you ever knew. I will be talking to you again… later today. Never goodbye… talk to you later. Love you.

-Corey

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