I'm 83 and still learning.

In this post, I'll share a scripture that stopped me in my tracks. And how it nudged me to do something I might have otherwise walked past.

Additionally, I’ll leave you with three meaningful quotes and a wisdom nugget to help you navigate this journey we call life. And I'll help you to understand why we call Bluetooth :Bluetooth.

But first I want you, my reader, to know where I come from. Allow me to explain.

Especially in writing what some would call self-help.

In a way, it is.

But I don't begin with myself.

I begin with God's help.

I'm not a theologian, nor have I ever played one on TV.

Yet, I want my theology to be correct.

It's my personal relationship with my Savior that keeps me steady.

In scripture I find the One who cares for me.

I don't fully understand God's nature.

Although God definitely understands mine.

That's why I keep coming back to the bible.

If it's up to me to direct my life choices, I fall short.

I need to know the starting point before the journey begins.

My journey in self-help began as a boy. I read The Little Engine That Could, published in 1930 by Watty Piper.

The little engine kept saying, “I think I can, I think I can,” until he began saying, “I know I can.”

It formed my idea of keeping a positive attitude.

There's truth in that.

As long as my little engine is chugging on the right track.

Self-help says, “Keep chugging.”

Biblical help says, Let's make sure you're on the right track.

When running a marathon race, it matters greatly that the runner begins at the starting line. Even finishing the race, you're disqualified if you didn't begin right.

Read the story of Rosie Ruiz in the Boston Marathon here.

Your starting point begins with God.

I want to make this clear.

Any self-help thoughts I deliver always hang tight with God's help;

When you allow Him to put you on the right track, you're chugging with less effort.

You're not alone.

He is walking with you.

I’m eighty-three years old; I’m still learning.

I still stumble. And I still hesitate at times. I don’t always do what I know is right.

I’ve found that knowing what’s right isn’t the same as doing it. This story is true. It's me at my worst and my best. I'm sure you can relate.

Just as the body is dead without breath or without spirit. So also faith is dead without good works. James 2:26. NLT.

I went to the grocery store yesterday, and I left with the best of feelings.

No, it wasn’t the fruits and vegetables, nor the snacks on the racks.

It was the man in the parking lot.

He wasn’t supposed to be there.

He was strumming his guitar and singing.

With his hat opened by his feet.

Soliciting is not allowed in this grocery store’s parking lot.

I walked by him to my car to unload my groceries.

I wasn't far from him, just 4 or 5 cars away.

My groceries loaded, I closed the car's trunk; others walked by pushing their carts.

He kept strumming his guitar; his voice penetrated the surrounding busyness.

I hesitated and walked beside my car.

Was I to judge this man?

He’s not allowed to do this.

I grabbed my wallet and pulled out three ones—no, that’s not enough.

A five-dollar bill, no.

I walked to the man, looked him in the eye, and quipped, Nice day, isn’t it? Dropped a ten-dollar bill in his hat. He nodded, smiled, but kept strumming.

And for these few seconds, we bonded.

Two men on a cloudy day in a parking lot.

Isn't this what we're supposed to do?

I sat still in my car; a bliss-filled tear coursed down my cheek.

I slept that night, happy.

Why?

I didn’t judge.

My faith prompted me to do good.

And this time I obeyed.

What’s your faith prompting you to do?

Quotes for a few good folks.

This one chugs along with the Little Engine That Could.

If you're persistent, you'll get it. If you're consistent, you'll keep it. And if you're grateful, you'll attract more of it. Anonymous. (I notice that Anonymous is a prolific writer of quotes.)

I want to be a helpful person. Since we're walking each other home. Does my walk affirm my talk?

Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come. Henri Nouwen.

I don't like living with grief, yet I'm grateful for God's abiding presence.

The darker the night, the brighter the stars. The deeper the grief, the closer to God! Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky.

My humble take on wisdom.

Choices made—actions taken—make us.

I constructed this slogan for myself some 30 years ago. It's not enough to make a choice. The choice has to be in my best interest and not harm anyone. But nothing changes until action is taken on the choice. Action is pivotal. Only then do I come to grips with what my choice has made me. Am I willing to live with the outcome? Do I accept the new me, or must I humble myself to admit my choice was wrong and my action will have to be changed?

Our accumulated choices have a direct impact on the person we become.