True Wealth

God Is My Co-Pilot! ……and therein lies the problem!

/ Andy R Taylor / Leave a comment

I started seeing that bumper-sticker when I was a kid, and I still see it every now and then….and it still makes me laugh. Oh, I get what they were trying to say and at a distance it sounds like a totally sensible and wholesome thing to do. I can relate to the whole “Co-Pilot” thing a little bit. In fact there was probably a time in my own life that I thought, Him being my co-pilot would be a very legitimate, and smart thing to do. I mean, if you haven’t had Him along at all….putting Him in the passenger seat would definitely be better than nothing at all. But when you think about it, it really doesn’t make much sense at all. In fact,….and especially if you’re thinking long-term, if He’s your Co-Pilot….it might just explain why things aren’t going so well!

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say…..If you actually created the  Universe…by just ‘speaking it into being’, like He did, then you shouldn’t have to sit in the ‘second seat’ for anybody…..anytime! And seriously….right here’s where the problem exists. We think we can bring the Lord along with us, and into the situations and events in our lives and everything should be OK. But in all actuality….He should be the One piloting ‘this thing’ (your life!). You and I are really not qualified to run our own lives….and if we’re smart we’ve already figured that out. And, why would we?? He is the ‘Author and Finisher’ of our faith; He knows the beginning from the end; He’s the Alpha and Omega. And……..He knows so much more about us…and our lives than we do.

So, all I’m saying is, we need to change seats! Let’s let Him get in the Pilot seat where He belongs and let’s, you and I, just scoot on over and be content to ride ‘shotgun’!

If you liked this….you’ll like this one too!

*click on the highlighted link to read

“Go to God First”

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$$$ – Being a “Thousandaire” Might Just Be Better Than Being a “Millionaire”!

/ Andy R Taylor / 2 Comments

It goes against logic, I know. But after 60 + years of observation….I think it’s true. Now, for starters, I haven’t yet had the experience of being a millionaire….but I’ve been a ‘thousandaire’ for years. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve dropped below the qualification limit a few times down through the years…..especially during my illustrious rodeo career. But for the most part I’ve be a steady thousandaire.

I’ve noticed the last few years as I’ve gotten older that I don’t need as much ‘stuff’ as I use to think I needed. All those things that we ‘needed’ and thought would make us happier……didn’t! I think it’s part of actually growing up and maturing and learning in part, what’s really important in life.

I’ve observed throughout my lifetime those who had lots of money. Even had friends growing up whose parents were very well off. There’s nothing at all wrong with that. In fact it’s to be commended in most cases. It’s America; we can do just about whatever we want to do. And for those who really find their niche and do well financially, it’s a very good thing. I did notice that some of the rich kids didn’t try near as hard at sports than some of the less fortunate.They had enough athletic ability, alright,…..but the ‘try factor’ was lacking. It really showed up during my rodeo career. It’s a broad statement,….and not always true, but the rich kids weren’t nearly as gritty as those who had nothing to fall back on. 

The human spirit is an amazing thing. We’re created to conquer and to succeed. Everybody loves the story of those who overcame extreme odds to succeed in life. It’s a very good thing to ‘have’ to get up and go to work and put in a good day…every day. It’s good to learn to manage our finances and resources and to live within our means. We can do a lot more than we think we can….but if it’s always been done for us….we’ll never know.If we never have to really ‘try’, we might just not ever do it.

I recently told a friend that, “This time next year I’ll have 9 grandkids”. He jokingly said, “You’ll never be able to afford Christmas”...to which I replied, “I’ve never been able to afford Christmas yet!”(We raised 5 of our own!) But, you know what?? We’ve had great Christmases for, going on now, 39 years! We have somehow survived….just being ‘thousandaires’!

Paul said it in the Bible. “I’ve been hungry and I’ve been full; I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. I’ve learned to be content in whatever state I’m in”. He’d found the ‘secret’ to true happiness and contentment. His ‘joy’ was in the Lord!

I’m only a thousandaire but if family and friends and relationship with the Father were measured in money……I’d be millionaire many times over!! I’m really, really rich in the things that matter most to me!

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“Obviously, I’m God’s Favorite!”

/ Andy R Taylor / 8 Comments

Oh, I’m not kidding one bit!! I really believe I am! Here’s why I think that’s true; God’s a Father, He could be anything He wanted to be and He chose to be a Father. Well, you know, I’m a dad too. Julie and I have had six children; Cord has already beat us to heaven! So, we’ve raised 5 and we think they’re really incredible people! Clint, my oldest son….and my very favorite, is so sharp and responsible, great husband and great dad. Cade, the most unique individual I know….and my very favorite son, who also happens to be the most honest human being I know. Cole, what a young man; hard worker, sincere and genuine….and my very favorite son. Clay, awesome personality, great sense of humor, both tough and tender hearted at the same time…..and my very favorite son. Then there’s Cameron….the ‘icing on the cake’ after 5 boys! So pretty inside and out, sharp, caring, great smile and tender heart…..and my very favorite. And I can hardly wait to meet Cord in heaven because I’m positive he’ll be my favorite!

They have some similarities but they’re also different and unique in many ways. We’ve made plenty of mistakes raising them but I think we’ve done a decent job of allowing them to be their ‘own’ person. I can’t differentiate my love one little tick from one to the other and to say that none of them is my favorite would totally miss the mark….but to say they’re all my favorite seems to capture it! And it doesn’t stop there; I have 9 awesome, good-looking, smart grandkids, Cooper, Dailee, Preslie, Crockett, Allie, Calli, Maverick, Knox and Timber...and yep, you guessed it……each of them are my favorite! I even have 3 of the prettiest, most sincere and genuine daughter-in-laws you’ve ever seen and I often tell Kristy, Kelly and Chelsea….”You know you’re my favorite!”……..because they are!!

We’re created in the image of God and it’s built into our nature, by Him, to love. So, don’t waste any time arguing with me because I’m totally convinced that I’m His favorite! If you don’t think you’re His favorite….you obviously haven’t spent much time with Him lately! I’d change that if I were you!