Daniel Skognes

“How you respond to a setback exposes your faith, your fears, and your future.” Dan Skognes

I saw a two-wheel concept car (or motorcycle in a shell) from Lit Motors that was really cool. You could try to knock it over from any side and it automatically self-corrected to right itself. They use similar technology in robotic dogs. They compensate for the obstacles encountered and recalibrate to get centered again.

Is that what you do? For some reading this, you think, “Yes, I adjust well to whatever comes my may.” For others, you might think, “No. I melt down when unforeseen circumstances trip me up.”

When something unexpected happens like a loss of a job, a relationship ends, you get diagnosed with a deadly disease, someone close to you dies, or you take a financial hit…whatever it is, there are basically two responses: faith or fear. You either have faith that you will get through it and continue to move forward, or you cower in fear and retreat.

There are many things in life that we can’t control, yet we are tasked with getting through them. If you want to get through the storms, you have to be centered. You have to have the ability to stay calm when all hell breaks loose around you. I realize that it is easier said than done, but that is our reality. It applies to everyone.

Whether we respond with faith or fear will determine our future. Nobody in their right mind would choose to respond with fear, and yet it happens on a daily basis to people all over the world.

Some people would say that ignorance is bliss, but I think ignorance can be fear of the facts. It takes courage to have faith in the midst of a storm when you can’t see the horizon. In the example above, the car and robotic dog do not have a mindset of fear. They are programed to adapt and overcome. We need to program our minds to have that type of mindset. “When we get a setback, we need to think about our comeback.” Anticipate what is coming. “You may not be able to stop the wind, but you can learn to set your sails.”

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

Have you ever heard that phrase? It is an old pilot term that relates to a clock. Twelve would represent forward, and 6 would represent your backside. Thus, when anyone says they got your six, they have your back…meaning they are making sure you are safe and secure from anyone coming up from behind.

Whether you are a pilot, a preacher, teacher, businessman, sports figure, spouse, or parent, it does not matter. You need someone to cover your six. Even though Mom had eyes in the back of her head, I can assure you she needed someone protecting and looking out for her.

If you are married, I hope that you and your spouse are back to back. Each one of you should know that the other one is there if they fall, if they fail, or if they falter. Solomon said: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Lean On Me

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won’t let show

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’ll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

You just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lyrics: Bill Withers

If you don’t have that, look for someone who does not have anyone to cover their six….and you can be there for each other. Everybody needs somebody to lean on.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

“Leaders put feet to their faith.” Dan Skognes

If you ask a hundred people what makes a great leader, you will probably get a hundred different answers. However, if you ask them if these are the qualities of a great leader, I think most people would respond in the affirmative. Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list, but it does have some of the major qualities that all great leaders share:

• Great leaders have the ability to listen to all sides before making a decision.
• They engage with those who are in their presence and are willing to make the decision no matter how hard it might be.
• They adjust to circumstances regardless of how bleak or how good they might appear.
• They deliver on their promises, realizing that their word is sacred and means everything to those that follow them.
• They empathize with those who follow them, knowing that the decisions they make will affect not just them, but all those around them.
• They rebound from all the hurt, pain, defeats, and stress that they encounter.
• They serve all and stay focused on the goal.

Great leaders are few and far between; that is why we need them so desperately and why they stand out when they do surface. People long for someone that they can believe in to lead them. They come in all shapes, sizes, and nationalities. They are both male and female.

Do you know any great leaders? What do YOU think makes them great?

Shalom!

Dan Skognes

Opinions are a dime a dozen. Everybody has one. The problem comes when opinions are not based in truth, but in rumor, innuendo, or outright lies. It is further complicated when we talk about what is truth? Truth is not relative, our perceptions are.

What are people basing their opinions upon? There is an old saying that, “Figures don’t lie, but liars figure.” That holds true for facts. Facts are facts, but how we perceive them, retain them, and recall them is skewed by our moral fabric, our culture, our family, and our own experiences.

Truth is simple and yet complex for that reason. That is why I believe we have to base our opinions on something more than what we see, hear, or feel about something. Truth is something that is based in reality, but also has roots in faith.

I am a Christian and put my faith in God, His Spirit, and His Son. Because of that step of faith, my truth is not just my opinion, but grounded in the Word of God and His promises. I realize many people reading this are from faiths different than mine, and some have no faith in God at all. I am not trying to convert anyone with this blog. I just am shedding light on who I am, how I think, and why I write the things I do.

I welcome differences of opinion, but I have come to the point that I realize that life is too short to let people spew vile things about me or my blogs online. Roseann is reaping the consequences of her tweets. Just this morning Comedian Samantha Bee came under fire for her crude comments made on TV about Ivanka Trump. Why is it that some people have no filter for their mouths?

It is OK to have a difference of opinion, but let me leave you with a scripture that gives great advice: Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about these things.” That is more than just my opinion, it is my faith.

Shalom!

Dan Skognes