Post It Note: "The Point of the Painting"

"I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and
public debt as the greatest of dangers ... We must make our choice
between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude. If we can
prevent the government from wasting the labors of the."
-Thomas Jefferson

"It is of no small commendation to manage a little well. To live well
in abundance is the praise of the estate, not of the person. I will
study more how to give a good account of my little, than how to make
it more." -Joseph Hall

"Let honesty and industry be thy constant companions, and spend
one penny less than thy clear gains; then shall thy pocket begin to
thrive; creditors will not insult, nor want oppress, nor hungerness
bite, nor nakedness freeze thee." -Benjamin Franklin

“And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives
you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which
He swore to your fathers, as it is this day." -Deuteronomy 8:18

"The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow
with it." -Proverbs 10:22

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the
scornful, But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His
law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted
by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper"
-Psalm 1

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the
LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads
out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its
leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit." -Jeremiah 17:7,8

Many are asking today, "Oh, what's the use?!" My hope is that you ask
the right Person the right question. That person is not your uncle Joe,
financial advisor, attorney, local newspaper or TV set.

This person has already set things in motion in your favor! He paid a
high price to set you free! He awaits patiently, and is not only able -
but willing to help! His ability is unquestionable, His grace
immeasurable, and His Love unconditional.

Open up your heart, open up your mouth, and ASK.
I assure you, He will answer!

How can I be so sure? I know,'cause I've done it myself!

Sincerely!

Painting & Pointing,
George Galindo
Jeremiah 29:11

Post Paradise

“Paradise is our native country, and we in this world be as exiles and strangers” -Richard Greenham

Up until now, the only background we've seen has been a wall. A solid stone wall. We've seen different characters expressing pain, wisdom, indifference, commitment, confusion, pride, and joy! What we had not yet seen was, "What's behind the wall?"

In 1987, I was 14 years old and something happened that forever changed the world as we knew it : My transitioning from Junior High to High school.

My family used to have a convenience store right off the service road : GROJFERR Mercantile (made up of the family members' initials). We also had another family-owned business : Galindo Construction & Contract Harvesting. Based on the season : we tore down, built up, harvested, and loaded. My five brothers and I made up half the construction crew. Our father was the owner and our oldest brother - the foreman! While other kids returned to school with a nice tan from their vacation to DisneyWorld. We returned sunburned and relieved that summer was over!

Well, as dramatic and life changing as that was, something else was happening : President Ronald Reagan spoke these words to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev,"Tear down this wall!" He said these words not from his home office in Washington. Not from the Capital or his vacation spot. These words were boldly proclaimed at the site of the wall itself!

It was the challenge from the United States to destroy the Berlin Wall because of what it represented. Reagan challenged Gorbachev to tear it down as a symbol of his desire for increasing freedom in the Eastern Bloc.

Am I suggesting the Western Wall be torn down? By no means, absolutely not! It represents something completely different. What I've depicted here is not the tearing down of a wall, but the emphasis on what's on the other side! You see, it wasn't Reagan's goal to just tear down a wall, but to allow freedom to flow in the lives of all the people that were bound.

Perhaps you feel like you've been 'bound' for some time; unable to move forward to your calling, dream, or purpose. You've been bound for years in a state of complacency, but never truly fulfilled. There's been a 'wall' that's been keeping you from entering into your destiny. Your paradise - a place of extreme beauty, delight, or happiness.

Two things must happen : 1. You must decide to declare your own freedom. This cannot be done alone. You'll need the right tools and the right crew. You'll need the help of a loving God who desires your freedom, and the help of others who believe in you and your dream.

The next thing that must happen is you must build another wall- a wall like the Western Wall. A safe place to pray and make your requests known. A wall that is setup to shield you from your past pain - failures, mistakes, and sin. This wall must be constructed in order to truly be free. Again, you cannot do this alone. Call out to them, they're waiting on you!

I'm still working on my walls, but I'm confident with the Master Craftsman inside me, and the right people beside me, complete liberation and freedom is certain!

My desire, is to help others do the same. I'll help YOU if you want, let me grab my tool belt. Let's get started now! ('Click')

:::Guess what my family initials now spell : GLADR... and I am!

[Exodus 19:4, 2 Sam. 22:2-4, Psalm 126:4-6]

Give up? Post up!

"Sometimes quitting is the best thing you can do. Knowing when to quit and when to stick is what separates the winners from the losers. In fact, 'strategic quitting' is a secret of success. Hanging on too long to something that is going to fail simply drains you of time and resources that could be better spent elsewhere." -Seth Godin

All our lives we're told things like, "Don't be a quitter! Never quit! Winners never quit & quitters never win!" All great, seemingly positive, statements. However, it could actually hinder true progress. Since those terms usually are associated to sports, I thought I'd share the basketball term "post up." It means to establish a position, usually in order to take advantage of a smaller defender, in order to make better scoring opportunities available.

At times, it seems the challenges and obstacles in life seem unsurmountable and overwhelming. The reality is that you were created, and are well able to overcome these circumstances. You can "post up" against these issues and overcome, take a shot, and increase the potential to score the game winner!

Making that shot may mean : landing that dream job, starting that new business, meeting that 'perfect' person, improving your health or increasing your salary. It means something different to us all.

What I'd like to get across here is that quitting is often associated with failure; but as you start discovering your purpose in life, it soon becomes clear, that things will have to change in order to accomplish the assignment you've been given.

Priority #1 should be to find out why you were put here on this earth. I don't want to get too philosophical here, but I almost feel a sense of responsibility to share that we were not put here to live fearful, frustrated, failure-infested lives. We were put here to win - always! How do I know? 'The Bible tells me so!' (Genesis 1:26-28; Joshua 1:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:14 to name a few.) I know this also, from experience - not religion. I left that junk long ago. Daily, I strive to unravel myself more and more from that useless mess!

You've heard it said, "It's not about what you know - but who you know that matters. This is true in your career and in life! But, ultimately, it is also about Who knows you!

Am I saying life is going to be easy? By no means! However, to elude back to basketball : there is a regular season of wins and losses, but imagine knowing that you ultimately win the championship! Be assured, that final game is 'fixed.'

C'mon, quit that old team (Lonely Losers). Turn in that old faded & outdated jersey. Take up the new, freshly pressed, customized uniform with your name on it! Get in the game! God wants you on His team (Cherished Champions). He can train you to win!

By the way, I should mention, that He will never, ever quit or give up on you!
Just make sure you're on the right team.

[Proverbs 3; 2 Corinthians 5:17]

Dedicated Posture

“Stand up straight!” “Pull your shoulders back!” As children, we're told to have good posture, but does anybody know what that looks like?

Here's what the dictionary defines posture as : "(1a:) the position or bearing of the body for a special purpose (b:) the pose of a model or artistic figure (2:) state or condition, with respect to capability in particular circumstances (3:) a conscious mental or outward behavioral attitude."

When we think of the word dedication, we can usually refer to famous people - three in particular come to mind: Three MJ's (Jordan, Jackson, & J.Fox) regardless, of what you think about these individuals, they have unquestionably been able to accomplish, in worldly standards, high levels of achievement.

All three had to overcome odds that would've caused many to give up long ago. Criticism, abuse, and illness. What kept them going? I believe it was a sense of purpose. They had vision, focus, clarity, and belief. Great qualities we all need.

In this section of the painting is a man praying at the western wall, it's an expression of dedication and devotion. See the guy next to him, in the suit? He's the "qualified expert" explaining what's happening, what he should do, or why, what he's doing, won't work. He's like the critic in our lives trying to discourage us from our purpose and calling in life. The guy on the left, as we mentioned, is just watching, not wanting to get involved - holding back. Which one are you?

"Determine what specific goal you want to achieve. Then dedicate yourself to its attainment with unswerving “singleness of purpose, the trenchant zeal of a crusader." -Paul J. Meyer

You see, there's another MJ that came, long before the other three. He had a critic, and was criticized by many. He overcame incredible odds. His purpose was motivated out of, not just a love of His calling, but a Love for us. His accomplishment has outlasted all types of denials - but you won't find an asterisk* by His name.

Don't get me wrong, A good posture is important for your back. Backaches, headaches, and other painful symptoms are often associated with a bad posture.
Ahhh, but a dedicated posture is good for your "backbone". This type of posture affects your entire being - from the inside out!

"Don't aim at success - the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue...as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a course greater than oneself." -Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

I hope you will posture yourself in dedication to your purpose today.

Philippians 4:4-9

Considering 'Post'ponement

"Don't just stand there..."

You know what? I could tell you I haven't posted anything in a few days to prove a point about this part of the painting. But, quite frankly, I just put it off. In the words of Ray Romano, "Thaaaat's riiiiight!"

You see this guy, this could be you. Perhaps, you're holding back from helping that person in need right now. Maybe you've been putting off your goals and dreams because of fear of failure or inferiority. Or, just something as simple as putting up the laundry. The point is: we all do it, have done it, or are doing it.... And it's gotta stop! Tomorrow, maybe?

When I was in the 12th grade, my favorite subject was, you guessed it, Art. My art teacher, Mr. Martinez, had this saying - I heard it daily. It came right after I, or my classmates would proudly walk up to the front to show him our completed masterpiece. We'd say, "I'm all done." To which he'd reply, "When you think your done, you're halfway through!" Boy, I hated when he said that. It wasn't till later in life that I really understood what he meant, and it applies to more than just art.

About midyear, he told us about an upcoming national art contest for The Bill of Rights. We had about a month to develop something to turn in. As for me, I put a spin on his famous quote : [I delayed and did nothing]. I had a lot of other important things on my calendar that month.

The day came for him to pack up all the pieces and ship them off to Washington, D.C.
He asked for mine (as he had for weeks) and I just shook my head. He then shook his, as he neatly packed my classmates art pieces together. It was a Friday, and I'm not sure what it was, maybe I felt as if I was being left out; it's not like they were all going on this trip without me. I don't know why, but when I got home that afternoon, I was inspired to put something together. So, I cancelled all my "appointments" for the weekend and locked myself in my room and got to work.

Keep in mind, the deadline had passed - I had an F. So, what was my motive? I know now it was a defining moment. God was setting me up for something great.

On Monday, I brought in the piece I'd just completed that morning to turn in. For some reason, Mr. Martinez felt compelled to send it in individually. Again, he shook his head as he neatly packed it up.

About a month later, I'm in my auto mechanics class, working on the teachers pickup; and in walks my art teacher to inform me of the good news : I was one of the national finalists! Long story - short : I won the national competition in Washington!

I think back and sometimes wonder, "what if?" What if, like the movie of it's time : "Back to the Future" I could have been Marty, my art teacher - Doc, and Biff, well Biff was procrastination, of course! My life would probably look completely different today! Whoah!

I am truly blessed. God set me up then, and He is setting me up now. Be assured, He is setting you up, as well - Something great! He always has been! Will you let Him? [Jer. 29:11]

So, what's holding you back today? Want to break out of it? Here's the formula :

Charles Swindoll said it best, "It's really very simple... all it takes is one word, perhaps the easiest word to utter in our language. It's easy to say, but may require all the discipline you can muster, but when properly used, that single syllable carries more weight than a ton of good intentions. The word is "Now."


[Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 9:10]

A Post Season Promise

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." -Mark Twain

I saw a great comic strip in the paper today: A child was showing his friend a book he was holding in his hand. In the background was a Consumer Electronics Show. The two looked at the book entitled IVANHOE with amazement. The child with the book tells his friend, "It's a gift from my grand-dad." His friend replies enthusiastically, "Cool. How do you turn it on?" [Mike Keefe/Star Telegram]

I chuckled as I thought of the irony that, at that very moment, my folks were visiting with us from out town, and my dad was tinkering with his new iphone in wonder and slight frustration.

As I cropped out this part of the painting today, I was reminded about the importance of the wisdom and comfort we can gleam from our parents, grandparents, & mentors - Those who have experienced a stretch of life beyond our own.

My two grandfathers, Ramon and Domingo (who we affectionately referred to as "Abuelito") were very influential in my life growing up. What stood out most prominently was their light-hearted zeal for life. Humor was a major part of their packaging. They seemed to light up the room when they walked in.

One loved to sing and dance at every opportunity. I believe he would boldly have entered AMERICAN IDOL if it were around back then. This man not only sang - he passionately wrote much of his material! He had a way with animals as well. His horse would hop into the back of his pickup on command. He tamed a deer that freely became a part of the farm. And, on numerous occasions, saw him shoot a rattlesnake with his Pancho Villa-type revolver. Wow, he could have been the star of his own show!

The other exemplified joy - always smiling, and eager to make others smile. It seemed like I was his favorite grandchild. He was a man of few words - but his little chuckle spoke volumes. He led the family, in a way that seemed effortless, through various seasons of pain and joy alike. He expressed hospitality & kindness at his home in Mexico; gladly sharing his faithful burro to us grandkids at every visit. He also shared the fruit of his pomegranate orchard and the stars above his great ranch!

Both of these men expressed, in their own way, a simple faith in God. Calm, cool, collected at all times. I never saw them lose their temper or cause strife with others around them. They were well respected, by their family and others. Harvest from the seeds they sowed themselves, I suppose.

I thank God for them. I believe we all have someone in our lives that we can look to for wisdom and comfort to help us directly, or indirectly get through the hard times in our lives. Now maybe the time for you to look to these men or women in your life. Perhaps, now is a good time to remember to give thanks.

I don't know if there is such a thing as "the good old days." But, I do know that today we can choose to make it "a good new day!"

[Psalms 37:25, Lamentations 3:22]

Forgetting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

"We are 'appointed' (set in a certain direction) for something to happen a certain way, and when it doesn't happen that way we become 'dis-appointed.' Disappointment not dealt with turns into discouragement. If we stay discouraged very long, we are liable to become devastated, and devastation leaves us unable to handle anything." -Joyce Meyer

According to the medical community : "Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is among only a few mental disorders that are triggered by a disturbing outside event, quite unlike other psychiatric disorders such as depression.
Dramatic and tragic events, like the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, economic chaos, and natural disasters occur, and with media exposure such as we have today, even people not directly involved might be affected. Simply put, PTSD is a state in which you "can't stop remembering."

Wow! Imagine that! We should just call it CSR for short - "Can't stop remembering." We would agree that the real root here is FEAR > Out of which comes despair. The world as we know it, has changed dramatically over the last several years. We must remember this : There is hope, however, real HOPE available to us. It's not found where we thought it was, but it can be found.

Dr. Charles Stanley in his book Stuck in Reverse points out that "Wrong turns and detours do not have to prevent you from reaching your dreams and goals... shift out of reverse and into drive as you learn how to live an abundant life full of hope and meaning."

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind (PTSD) and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize...

Are you with me?