“A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.” The author of this phrase, Elbert Hubbard, also wrote a story about Ida Straus, and her death on the Titanic. As a woman she was supposed to be placed on a lifeboat before any of the men, but she refused to board the boat: “Not I!” she said, “I will not leave my husband. All these years we’ve traveled together, and shall we part now? No,” she said, “our fate is one.” Hubbard then added his own stirring commentary:

“Mr. and Mrs. Straus, I envy you that legacy of love and loyalty left to your children and grandchildren. The calm courage that was yours all your long and useful career was your possession in death. You knew how to do three great things—you knew how to live, how to love, and how to die.” “Happy lovers, both,” Elbert said, “In life they were never separated, and in death they are not divided.”

Ask yourself these three simple questions: Have I discovered the key to a full life? Have I learned to love with a full heart? What will I do when one day I face death? These questions, as simple as they may appear, lie at the core of a meaningful life.

If such human love like Mrs. Strauss is capable of such great sacrifice—what could you do with devotion and love of this type? How could you influence those around you?

Visit my website today, www.LeslieMcNulty.com. We are here to help you, and have made tools available to you that will change your life!

An elderly woman in Africa lived under an overpass in a cardboard house. She was dirty and alone. Her body was full of tuberculosis and no one wanted anything to do with her.

One day several ladies from the local church ventured out to see this lonely soul. You can only imagine how shocked this sick little woman was to see these very proper women show up under her bridge! The ladies had come to invite her to an outdoor Christian meeting where people were being healed.  Reluctantly, she agreed to join them, but not knowing how the people might react to her, she insisted on standing at the edge of the very large crowd.

As she stood there she heard the speaker say, “God loves you, He’s closer than any friend and He doesn’t want you to be sick!” At that moment the church ladies glanced over and noticed their sick friend was smiling and breathing normally!

Her new companions were so excited that they insisted she go to the platform and tell everyone what had just happened. A few minutes later, as she stood there on the platform, she said to the large crowd,

“You know me. I am the woman you pass by every day. The one who lives under the bridge.” The ladies who brought her interrupted her and said, “Tell the people how God healed you today. Tell them!”  The little old lady looked at the crowd and began her story again. “Yes,” she said, “I am healed, but what I know is that when I go home today, I will never be alone again! I have a new friend and His name is Jesus!”

If God has done something wonderful in your life and you have a story you would like share, we would love to hear from you! http://bit.ly/1MtTjPF 

You and I were created to walk and fellowship with the source of dignity – GOD! A famous author said: “Religion in its humility restores man to his only dignity, the courage to live by grace.” This source of our dignity is greater than a human dignity built solely upon our actions.

A life lived with dignity is a life where we don’t measure ourselves by the standard of others, but we measure ourselves according to the values that we have set for ourselves. Ask yourself this question: “What standard or values have I set for my own life?”

When you stop comparing yourself to others you can rise above average and become truly exceptional! Remember, comparison limits your expression to what you have seen in others. Identifying YOUR uniqueness will allow you to shine with ease.

Right now, consider your own unique qualities. Have you considered how unique you are? I encourage you right now to jot down one of your unique qualities! Your uniqueness can be as simple as the thing you love to do! No one is just like you! And no one is truly an enemy to your future except you!

Quote: “Today, people have the means to live, but nothing to live for.” – Victor E. Frankl

Victor E. Frankl, a Nazi prison camp survivor and a renowned psychotherapist, discovered that in the midst of great human tragedy he could retreat to his true spiritual self and find a picture of life that was not relegated to the external—but empowered him through the eye of his imagination.

Human dignity is an internal characteristic that allows us to draw an image of self not dependent upon what others say or what others do, but dependent upon an inner source of spiritual strength. Have you found this source of inner strength?

Victor Frankl connected with this strength and in his mind found the true meaning of life.  Yet, as many would observe, this spiritual strength comes from a living “God” connection with the true spiritual self. This “God” connection as some would say, has little to no meaning if the word “God” is meant to include everything or all things worshipped.  But, this “God” source that penetrates throughout eternity has a name and a purpose—to restore humanity to the “true” dignity for which we were created.

Scripture: Psalm 8:4-6, 9

What is Dignity? Is it missing from your life? Is dignity the preservation of the family name at any cost? Is it the justification of any action regardless of cost? History shows us that national dignity is the motivation for wars, genocide and other atrocities. Yet true dignity comes at the moment you realize that God has great plans for you!

David the Psalmist said, ‘Who is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings?and crowned him with glory and honor. O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God has a name, He is called The Great “I Am”. Scripture says He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. We find true dignity in trusting in the One who calls us a king and a lord—regardless of our station in life! This King of kings and Lord of lords offers to you today a new view on life, a new opportunity to discover Him. Let’s pray together. “Lord Jesus, I want to know you. Come into my heart and reveal yourself to me today. Come into my heart and lift me up today.”

Scripture: Psalm 8:4-6,9 ESV

What does the word “dignity” mean to you? One of history’s great examples is found in the life of Queen Victoria of England.

“I never was happy until I was 18,” Victoria declared. On the day of her birthday in May 1837, Kensington palace was festooned with banners and crowds cheered her as her carriage drove out. However, her mother, the duchess, was in despair. Her daughter was now of age, and the king was still alive.

As the king’s health worsened, the duchess devised a devious plan, spreading rumors that Victoria was too stupid to rule and attempted to blackmail her into appointing their financial manager, Conroy, as her personal advisor. Conroy even threatened to lock Victoria up and starve her!

On June 19^th at Windsor Castle, the king’s health seriously deteriorated, and just after midnight he breathed his last.  Upon his death, the Lord Chamberlain and the Archbishop of Canterbury set off to inform Victoria. The duchess prevented the meeting while attempting one last maneuver to convince Victoria she was incapable of ruling. At six o’clock she wakened Victoria with the news that the great men were waiting to see her. The duchess tried to enter the meeting, but Victoria refused her request. Here we see Victoria’s character begin to shine!

Victoria’s first act was to ask for an hour alone. Then she asked servants to remove her bed from her mother’s room. Next, she faced the Lords of England. Addressing them, she began a reign that lasted longer than that of any other British monarch and any female monarch in history – a reign of 63 years and seven months.  The Victorian era was a period of great industrial, cultural, political, scientific, and military change within the United Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of the British Empire.

The story of Queen Victoria is a story of dignity! Victoria understood that she was raised for nobility—for divine dignity. And in the moment of crisis, she rose to the occasion and acted on her nobility. Royalty may be a birthright, but it is not birthed until acted upon. Victoria acted and began a reign that impacted the globe!

On our many travels to Australia our friends would tell us about the “tall poppy syndrome.” It was explained to us this way: anytime anyone raises their head higher than others, they are cut down. Essentially, the purpose is to keep everyone running at the same pace.

Perhaps you feel cut down—as if life has passed you by. Perhaps when facing great challenge, you have not acted with dignity – whether in business, sports, family or education.

God does not see you as a tall poppy; He sees you as a crown of splendor. The Psalmist David said God is “the lifter of my head.”  Regardless of the missed or failed opportunities, we can take courage and recognize that if God lifts your head no one can put it down!  Jesus said, if I be lifted up I will draw all people UP to Me.

Today allow God to be the lifter of your head. Reach out and receive the true dignity He offers to those who call upon His name!

Scriptures: Psalm 3:3 (ESV), John 12:32 (paraphrased, emphasis mine)

I remember an experience with a new roommate in college. We went to the local shopping center for lunch, and as we were walking through the long corridors, my roommate suddenly began having a panic attack. She fearfully repeated, “Leslie, Leslie – why are all these people staring at me? What’s wrong with me??” At first I didn’t understand what she was saying, and frankly, I didn’t even notice! Then it dawned on me, they weren’t staring at her. I told her to walk several steps behind me and see what happened. She was so relieved to see nothing was wrong with her, and that they were actually staring at me!

I have spent my life being the tallest person in a classroom, on a basketball team, in a restaurant, at my office, or just about anywhere. Recently, I remember stopping for the day in Mumbai. As we enjoyed the sights, people began following me, wanting to take pictures with me. Small groups of young people, women with children and entire families kept gathering around me for pictures! I didn’t know what to think…I’m tall? I’m unique? Do they think they recognize me? I finally realized I wasn’t going to see any sights, so I just decided to enjoy the people!

Have you ever felt self-conscious? Have you ever wondered if the whole world is staring at you? I have. According to Psychology Today, self-consciousness keeps us fighting the battle to control our self-image. But obsessing over our shortcomings inevitably traps us in embarrassment and shame.

How do we rise above self-consciousness and triumph in life? First, contrast self-consciousness with self-worth. Self-consciousness is an awareness of differences and shortcomings compared to others. Self-worth is built upon an internal perspective of ourselves. It is discovery of our intrinsic value, lived out through our dreams of the future. The dictionary states self-worth is the sense of one’s own value as a person. It is self-esteem or self-respect.

Self-worth can find its basis in biblical truth by knowing that we are created in God’s image; by understanding that we are wonderfully made; by realizing that our lives were written in God’s book before we were born!  This Creator has chosen to live in the hearts of people! You can identify with Him today! How? By simply calling upon His name! God in heaven, Who revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus is waiting right now for you to call upon Him! Why wait? Call on Him now!

In Jim Stovall’s famous book, “The Ultimate Gift” we read the story of a man striving to make his billions, who at the end of his life, leaves a broken, miserable family that has become accustomed to living on HIS wealth. His only son who possessed a work-hard–help-others attitude, died in a tragic accident. The “Ultimate Gift” was left to THAT son’s son, who was wasting away on his grandfather’s monthly stipend.

What could this ultimate gift be?  All of the family expected it to be money and lots of it!  But the grandson was given an OPPORTUNITY for a journey where he would discover hard work, purpose, friendship, giving and even stewardship!

Receipt of his inheritance would be based upon his ability to rise above the challenge his grandfather had set for him in a series of tests! This young man discovered the ultimate gift was not in HAVING but in GIVING life, working diligently, using his talents and rising to the challenge at hand! Research shows that individuals who know and exercise their character strengths live happier, more successful lives – they have stronger relationships, more engagement at work, and greater life balance.

The Creator of the universe so desired to be connected with you and me that He created a beautiful garden and placed people just like you and me in the very center.

David the King said, “I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you set in place – what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us! You put us in charge of everything you made and gave us authority over all things.”

Did you know that God trusts you? And that you were created for a purpose and fashioned for dignity? Perhaps you feel like you cannot be trusted, or you cannot trust because you’ve been hurt too deeply. Today I want you to know that you can trust God – He will trust you!

Scripture: Psalm 8:3