Are You Free?

I'm certain my parents didn't plan it to be so, but I was born on the Fourth of July. God meant for me to be born on that date. He knew how much I would cherish my freedom. When I think of myself, I'm like a wild mustang running free, enjoying each lung-filling breath. When my husband proposed to me he said something that some would consider a contradiction. He said, "I want to marry you and set you free." He meant that he loved me so much that he wanted to claim me as his, but not squelch my spirit.

I am priviledged in many ways, none the least of which that I was born in a free country. I love my free time. It's a precious commodity to me. I enjoy doing what I want to when I want to unfettered by anyone or anything. I get really defensive if anyone plans my time for me. I enjoy speaking my thoughts when I feel like it without fear of being arrested, beaten or imprisoned. It's a charmed life, for sure. However, I am human and make many mistakes. Sometimes I sin...okay, often I sin. It is then that I turn to God the Father and ask His forgiveness (sometimes this requires my asking others to forgive me as well--sometimes not). He freely forgives when I "woman up" and own my transgressions (Psa. 32:5; 79:8-9; 86:5-7). My personal favorite verse about His removing our sins is Psalms 103: 11-12 which states, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." That is what makes us truly free for John 8: 34-36 states, "Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Galatians 5: 1 tells us, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Are you free? Do you want to be? It's yours for the taking if you'll but ask Him for it.

Love Ya,
God Bless

Loving Others Just One More Day

Our Sunday school class has been studying the book of John for some time now. We were in chapter 15 today. Jesus was saying to his disciples that if they loved him they would keep his commandments. The teacher asked an open-ended question: What is friendship? Most responded that it's when you share similar interests with others and you check in and are present for the events in their lives and vice versa. You care for them on a personal level and are interested in their welfare. I agree that that's what I consider the ideal for friendship. He asked if we are to put stipulations on our friendship like Jesus did in this statement. I don't think so because we're not deity. However, I've found that friendships don't always develop and you sometimes have to abandon the effort because you cannot carry on a one-sided friendship. You can open yourself to inviting someone into your inner sanctum of trust and try to build a relationship with them, but that doesn't mean that they will want to or that they will reciprocate. One person responded that she thinks you're supposed to love people regardless of whether they love you or not. I agree with her. I told her later that I did, and that I love lots of people who don't love me back. I can't help it. I'm just turned that way. I do get discouraged, disappointed, and my feelings hurt when dealing with others; but I remember that the Lord loves me even when I've let him down too. He's never given up on me. Likewise, I just refuse to give up on people. What if one more day would have made a difference? Would they have finally obeyed the gospel? Would they have finally been restored? Would they have finally started mending lives broken by past bad decisions? One more day could make a difference with so many people.

Diamond Rio has a song that came out years ago called "One More Day." It talks about wishing for just one more day with someone who's now gone. I don't like songs or movies that make me cry, but that song does and I love it anyway. When another day has come and gone and things remain unchanged, I think to myself, "just one more day--just love them one more day."

Love Ya--Mean It,
God Bless!

Anger Management 101

Probably my worst personal besetting sin is with my inability to deal with anger properly from time to time. I have paid dearly for it, too, sometimes in destroying a relationship or in having it manifest itself physically and cause me pain. I have found it will literally eat you alive from the inside out.

Anger itself is not sinful, but it can cause one to sin. We Christians are told to "put it away" (Eph. 4; Col. 3). The Bible has a lot to say about anger and it's not good. Proverbs 29:9-11 says that a fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man will remain silent or control himself. Proverbs 29:22 says an angry person stirs up trouble and a person with an out of control temper commits many sins. It can stem from sinful inclinations and become a character flaw (Col. 3:8).

There are a few causes of anger. Biologically, it can stem from one's gene structure, blood chemistry, or brain disease. When those things occur, one may have a natural propensity towards anger. It can be a learned behavior in that one can become conditioned to act in anger from past abuse at the hands of others. We also pick it up from TV or from other environmental influences. Additionally, anger can be caused from rejection or fear of rejection, lack of progress towards a goal, or from our own assumptions about matters.

It's the consequences of anger that are the worst. It hurts others. We seem to automatically want to get even after we've gotten mad at someone. We might say things that hurt people and damage our relationships with them. Some may stab people in the back and even resort to violence.

Holding that anger in causes depression and sadness. It causes hypertension, strokes, and cerebral arteriosclerosis. It can cause nausea, ulcers, fatigue, and sleep problems, which I know about personally.

There is a good type of anger, called constructive anger. This would describe God's anger towards evil. Anger expressed in a controlled manner can accomplish good. It is indicative of a problem that needs addressing. However, we're not to fly off the handle in anger (Prov. 16:32; Jas. 1:19-20). Constructive anger leads to reconciliation and healing (Mt. 5:23-24; 18:15-18).

An angry person has three choices: to vent, suppress, or process the anger. The latter is the best choice. It's best to learn to control your anger and not let it control you. The more maturely you handle it, the less likely you are to lash out, pout, or try to get even. Think it through. Decided the pros and cons of where you're headed with your anger before you express it. There were times that I was so angry I had to just walk away when I really wanted to go atomic about something.

For me, I've prayed for God's guidance and strength to overcome it. I know that whatever I ask for in faith, God will give it to me as long as it's in accordance with His will (1 Jno. 5:14-15; Mt. 21:22; Jas. 4:2-3).

In conclusion, consider the following points:

1. Love and respect others (Jno. 15:12-17; 1 Jno. 4; Phil 2:2-4);
2. Overlook what others do (Prov. 19:11);
3. Don't be so quickly angered (Eccl. 7:9; Prov. 15:18; Jas. 1:19);
4. Give a soft answer (Prov. 15:1; Psa. 119:11); and
5. Meditate on God's Word (Psa. 1; 119:11).

For me, this is a process. I've asked forgiveness, but I'm still trying to recondition myself not to respond in certain ways. We only have a short time on this earth. Let's try to make it as pleasant as possible for others as well as ourselves.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

"EVERY"

I'm writing this on the fly and it's really just a stream of consciousness thing. I've been watching and reading the news blogs, which is my daily addiction, and I'm constantly blown away by the flippant nature of those who do not believe in God and love to persecute Christians and to call us feeble-minded. They would aver that believing in God is an opiate for stupid people; a crutch. Case in point is Bill Maher's movie, "Religulosity," a new release which makes fun of anyone who would dare to admit they believe in a higher intelligent being. Please don't go see it and give it the dignity of a rating or your hard-earned money. If you must go see something, go see "An American Carol" which spoofs the liberals. Hey, time about is fair play and we might as well have some fun at their expense and give them a dose of their own medicine.

The cult of celebrity plays a leading role in America's increased depravity. What passes for entertainment these days is such rubbish. Network mogul Ted Turner thinks people who believe in God are "bozos" (his exact words) and pulls no punches in what he thinks about those who seek to follow the tenets of Christianity. Such brain-damaged skanks as Tila Tequila and others have a devastating effect on our young women. Teen women are tomorrow's mothers, teachers, health care practitioners, and corporate leaders. Their education in character development is crucial. The same applies to young teen men as well. I call them "women" and "men" because they are young adults--old enough to start seeking a real direction in life.

That is why I've chosen the thought "every" for today. "Every" is a key word in Phillipians 2: 9-11 which reads in pertinent part: "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

This means Saddam Hussein. This means Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, et al. This means Bill Maher. This means Ted Turner. This means Tila Tequila, Lindsey Lohan, Paris, Brittney, and the legions of glamorous people in Hollywood. This means the extreme elitists at their swanky cocktail parties who look down on people like you and me who dare to cling to our Bibles and our personal moral convictions. This means the militant, butch, buzz cut wearing, Subaru driving, Indigo Girl listening lesbians and their tinkerbell male counterparts. (As an offside, I wish my gay male neighbors would break in and redecorate our house while we're not here.) This means every person, regardless of however evil they have chosen to live who's screamed at the top of their lungs that there is no God. On a more subdued level, this will also include regular, good everyday people who left God completely out of their life's plans. Sadly, and most tragic to me personally, this will also apply to those who were once Christians and have forsaken God. This is going to be a frightening experience for those people. For the Christian, it will be awesome day of extreme elation and expectation. I don't want my friends and family to every be awe-stricken out of fear in this manner. I want them to aim for Heaven so we can live together for all eternity.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

KAFFEEKLATSCH: Honey or Vinegar?

KAFFEEKLATSCH: Honey or Vinegar?

Honey or Vinegar?

Tonight in our ladies class, the speaker told of an account of how she had a friend who was out walking track when he was approached by someone who told him he was going to Hell. Was he? Maybe. But that approach was not helpful at all to that person and what kept going through my mind was the old cliche', "you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar." I personally hate cliche's, but they are sometimes the only accurate way to illustrate a sentiment.

I only started attempting personal evangelism a few years ago. I have talked with people who have told me that they had sinned so grievously that they didn't believe God could possibly forgive them. There was a time when I identified with them because the concept of God's grace was so simple to me as to be confounding. Why would He want to let me off the hook? A girlfriend said to me, "Tammy, have you ever persecuted Christians to the point of death like Paul did?" I replied, "No." She said, "Well, if God forgave Paul, what makes you think He wouldn't forgive you?" It made perfect sense to me then. We limit God in our minds when we don't take full advantage of the resources He offers us. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us...." Matthew 19:26 says, "...but with God all things are possible."

You are right if you quote Matthew 7:1-2 in saying, "judge not that you be not judged," for that is a true gospel concept to keep us from nit-picking each other to death. Later on in verses 15-23 of that same chapter, we're called to be "fruit inspectors." We obviously know who is saved and who is not. With that in mind, we have a mandate to go out and try to save those people (Mar. 16:15-16). However, we must do so in the spirit of love (Eph. 4:15) because but for the grace of God go you and I. Are you more inclined to give heed to someone you know loves you on a personal level? I am. People may or may not be turned by a hellfire and brimstone sermon, but you might be able to reach out and touch their heart with tenderness. Above all, be sincere. Nothing turns people off like a phony.

God loves us all so much that He doesn't want anyone to die in their sins. He's holy though, and as such, He cannot accept sin. He's more than willing to forgive for the askance. He's already illustrated His love for us in the gift of His only Son for our sins (Jno. 3:16). He wants us all to come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved (1 Tim. 2:4). Consider the following verses:

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promises as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Pet. 3:9); and my personal favorite,

"...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." (Psa. 103:12).

When you do eventually decide to obey the gospel, guess what? You don't automatically quit sinning forever and ever, amen. There are no sinlessly perfect people--only redeemed ones. You may not sin purposefully, but you will still sin. Although Christians do still sin, we have the avenue of prayer open to us where we can go to the Father acknowledging our sin and repenting of it. The blood of Christ continually cleanses us (Eph. 1:7). We become justified, which means "just-as-if-I'd-never sinned." God has a big ole' eraser (Rom. 5:6-11). We who have accepted Christ and put him on in baptism still sin, but we can repent to God and we are reconciled to Him through Christ's blood continually.

Whatever might be standing in the path between you and God, push it away. Don't let it hinder you from owning the hope of eternal life and the peace that passes all understanding.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

How Do I Know I Am Saved?

While our faith builds as we study the Bible on a daily basis, I think that at some point in time just about everyone has had a question about their own salvation. I know I went through just such a period of inner turmoil. It was unsettlling for me, as I'm sure it is for others, but God would not want us to live that way (At the time the simplicity of God's grace was so simple a subject that I couldn't fully grasp it. I thought I was surely missing some point). So how do you know you're saved for real? My addressing this question is certainly not original and I would direct you to the excellent book, "How Do I Know I'm Saved" by Norman Bales, from which I stole the title to this post. For those of you who know me personally, if you but ask I will lend you my copy to read.

From what I have studied on the subject, I would lead you to study the following points which answer the question:

1. You must be "in Christ" in order to be saved.
A. 1 Jno. 5:11 - Eternal life is found in Christ the Son;
B. 2 Cor. 5: 17 - When we obey the gospel, we become a "new creature;"
C. Eph. 1: 3-14 - God intended to adopt us as His own all along through His Son. He freely gives us His grace;
D. Col. 1: 12-14 - In Christ, we have redemption of our sins.

2. You must obey Christ.
A. 1 Jno. 2:3-6 - If we say we know him, yet do not do what he says, we're liars;
B. Heb. 5: 8-9 - Jesus, even though he was sinless and deity (God in the flesh), obeyed God the Father;
C. 1 Pet. 1:13-14 - Be pro-active in getting yourself under control. Strive to lead a holy life.

3. You must follow Jesus' example.
A. 1 Jno. 2:6 - Our "walk" (way of life) is evident of our claim to live in him;
B. Jno. 13: 13-17 - Jesus was humble enough to serve others and so should we be. No servant is greater than his master;
C. Jno. 8: 12 - He is light and if we follow him we will stop walking in a state of worldliness.

4. We must let God's Word dwell in us.
A. 1 Jno. 2: 14 - You can overcome evil when his word dwells in you;
B. Col. 3: 16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...."

5. You must love God.
A. 1 Jno. 2:15-17 - We're not to fall in love with the world because it is not of God;
B. 1 Jno. 4: 10 - He loved us enough to sacrifice His only child for our sins. We should love Him because He loved us that much (v. 19);
C. Matt. 22: 37 - We are to love Him with our whole being;
D. 1 Jno. 5: 1-2 - We prove our love for God and that we're His children when we follow through on His commandments.

6. You must practice doing right (righteousness).
A. 1 Jno. 3: 8-10 - If we persist in doing what is evil, we are of the devil. Jesus was sent to destroy the devil's work. Once we are "born of God," we will not continually and willfully sin.
B. 1 Jno. 2: 28-29 - Everyone who is born of Him does what is right.

I am not saying we are, or ever will be sinlessly perfect. That's where Christ's blood comes in--to cover our sins because we've obeyed the gospel and we continually acknowledge when we've wronged God and ask his forgiveness. However, we also don't need to live in constant fear that God's just up there waiting for us to mess up so He can take a big swipe at us. I believe He knows when you're trying to live right and He will reward you for it. Keep on keepin' on.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

Just So Happy To Be Here!

Hi, y'all! Sorry I've been away. It was a long journey back from the "crash." In the words of the late Minnie Pearl, "I'm just so happy to be here!" I couldn't even remember what my last post was about and had to get on here to see. I'll get busy now...

Love Ya,
God Bless!

I'M HERE!

I'm recovering from a Windows Vista crash which happened Tuesday of last week. Y'all bear with me. I'll be back on here blogging hopefully by end of this week. I've missed you!

Love Ya,
God Bless!

Proper Love For Each Other

I understand that some people have a natural inclination towards being given to affection, but yet others do not. I also realize that just because one may not seem affectionate towards others does not necessarily mean that they are uncaring or unfeeling. What I cannot understand, however, is a person who is stone-cold and doesn't feel any compassion for anyone else whatsoever.

Have you ever felt lonely and unloved? I have. I generally feel that way when people withhold their companionship and/or fellowship from me. I hate to be cliche', but "no one is an island" fits here. We Christians are each others' support group and we shouldn't desert each other. Some people, for reasons that are a mystery to me, do not want the companionship and fellowship of their fellow Christians. I really don't understand that. Why wouldn't you want someone around who obviously cares for you? My only theory, and it's only that, is that they're being secretive about something that's bothering them. Okay. You don't have to tell all, but spending time with people of like faith will only strengthen you and help you overcome whatever is holding your heart and mind prisoner.

1 John 3:10 says that anyone who does not love his brother is not a child of God. Verses 11-24 of that same chapter go on to illustrate what loving and not loving entail. Verse 15 says that if we hate our brethren we're the same as a murderer and not eligible for eternal life. In fact, verse 16 goes on to state that we ought to lay down our lives for each other. For example, let's say I see that you're about to be hit by a speeding truck. You can't hear me yell and there's no time to spare. I run and shove you towards the curb and the speeding truck hits me instead and I die. That's love in action.

1 John 4:7 says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God, because God is love." Here's they why and how of Christian love:

1. We're commanded to love each other. It is mandatory (1 Jno. 2:7-11; 3:23; 4:7-11, 16-23; Jno. 13:34-35; 15:12; Heb. 13:1; 1 Pet. 2:17). This is not talking about a "touchy, feely" love, but rather, one that has others' best interests at heart. Honestly, I can love someone and still not like a lot of things about them.

2. Loving our brethren is important because it binds us together (1 Jno. 3:1-3, 10-24; 4:20-5:3; 2 Jno. 4-6).

3. We show our love for each other by:
a. actions and not words (1 Jno. 3:11-18);
b. our unflagging labors (3 Jno. 5-8);
c. wanting what's best for others (3 Jno. 2,9-11); and
d. the show of a pure, genuine, impartial heart (1 Pet. 1:22-23).

Lastly, sometimes love is hard. Sometimes it means you have to say something truthful for an individual's own good rather than allow them to keep feeling good about something they shouldn't. Remember, the devil is the father of all lies (Jno. 8:44-47). While Christians should temper our confrontations with each other with tact, we should also respect each other enough to be truthful with each other. Proverbs 27:6 states, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

Go out and show your love for your brothers and sisters by your actions.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

God and Me

I saw a sister in Christ restored this morning. I'm so proud of her and happy for her future. Her example so encouraged me that I asked for the prayers of the church on my own behalf this evening. Sometimes God can't work through you until you clear your own log-jams, and I need all of His help I can get. As I conveyed in my message to the congregation, it would break my heart if I knew I ever caused another of His children to stumble. I want to be a better wife, daughter, and friend in the future than I have been in the past.

God has been so good to me and I never want to take His privileges for granted. I also don't want to be too proud not to own my own sins. I can think of no worse predicament than having my avenue of prayer to Him revoked by my own pride and unrepentance.

Misplaced Love

In the text of 1 John 2:12-17, John is speaking about putting the allure of the world behind us after we commit ourselves to live for Christ. We don't automatically quit sinning just because we become a Christian. However, we have to make a conscious effort not to go back into our formerly destructive and/or sinful ways. In the alternative, the world is not very welcoming to Christians, but in fact, is hostile towards them.

John wanted Christians to know that they were to separate themselves from the world because they had overcome Satan and their sins were forgiven in Christ's name. Jesus died as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 Jno. 4: 7-11). After obeying the gospel, we can further distance ourselves from the world and come to know God by changing our lifestyle, or "walk" to follow Him (1 Jno. 1:5; 2:3,6). Thirdly, by urging us not to love the world, John said we will overcome the evil one (1 Jno. 2:13-14). We can only overcome Satan by giving attention to building our personal spiritual faith (1 Jno. 5:4-5; Eph. 6:16; Rom. 10:17). By way of definition, not to love the world is not to serve both God and man (Mt. 6:24; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Jno. 2:15). "The world" is this context represents the material things in life, or rather, the worship or coveting of them; the entire human race which needs redemption; and unbelievers who are hostile towards God (1 Jno. 2:15; 5:19; Jas. 1:27; 4:4). "The world" is anything that draws your attention away from God (Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:1-2). Satan never gives up trying to lure us back into the world (1 Pet. 5:8-9). His three chosen avenues are:

1. The lust of the flesh (1 Jno. 2:16). We all possess natural physical desires which God gave us which aren't wrong in and of themselves necessarily, but they can be misused and/or abused. We must maintain control over our bodies so as not to do that which is sinful and/or inappropriate.

2. The lust of the eyes (1 Jno. 2: 16). What we see going on around us in our environment can have an influence on our minds and lead us towards unwholesome thinking. We can sin our minds without our bodies every being involved (Mt. 5:27-29; 18:9; 2 Sam. 11:2-4; Josh. 7:20-21).

3. The pride of life (1 Jno. 2:16). This is an attitude of arrogance and self-sufficiency that says we have no dependence on God. Remember that material wealth is unstable and will decay over time (1 Jno. 2:17; Job 14:1; Psa. 78: 39; 90:1, 10-12; Prov. 27:1; Eccl. 11:10; Jas. 4:13-16).

What is the sort of strong desire (lust) that draws us into the world? It is anything that is inconsistent with God's will (Rom. 13:14; Eph. 2:3; 2 Pet. 2:18) Now, if I may play devil's advocate momentarily: I truly believe that we as Christians can become too strict in our beliefs (not on doctrinal issues, but in matters of opinion) so as to become too judgmental of others and legalistic. That, too, is wrong and not in keeping with a love for our fellow man either. We are told to diligently keep our heart (Prov. 4:23; 23:7; Mt. 15:18-19). Lust, or strong desire, would encompass the following:

1. deceitfulness (Eph. 4:22; 2 Pet. 2:18)
2. anything foolish or harmful (1 Tim. 6:9)
3. worldliness (Titus 2:11-12)
4. a taskmaster (becoming enslaved to the strong desire) (Titus 3:3)
5. an enemy of the soul (1 Pet. 2:11)
6. something that will lead us astray (2 Tim. 3:6)

We all must make the determination for ourselves of life or death (Rom. 6:23). By consciously choosing to do God's will, we forsake the world and are eligible to live eternally with Him (1 Jno. 2:25; Titus 1:2; Mt. 7:21-23).

I know that I have many faults of my own, but that I strive to do God's will on a daily basis. Many times I fail and need forgiveness and I readily ask for it. So should you. Fall down seven times, get up eight.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

DAIN BRAMAGE

Oh, my! Please pardon me for not churning out something every day, but...but...but...awww, nah, I don't like excuses either. Truth be told, my dance card is full up and I AM (I promise) working on a new entry, but right now I'm playing the sympathy card inasmuch as my brain cells are fried--completely fried. It's a wonder I'm not drooling while wearing a crash helmet and a bib at this point. Seriously. My mind is trying to be self-taught on some computer software which I purchased for my court reporting business and I have to get through this self-teaching phase before I can go for a formal workshop on it. Ugga...umm-mmma...ubba....

Your prayers and encouragement would be greatly appreciated. In the meanwhile, you can laugh at and/or with me. I'm just temporarily out of service due to dain bramage.

GI-NORMOUS ERASER

A few days ago I was in the dollar store. Since school will be starting in a couple more short weeks or so, I thought it would be fun to pick up some things for a young friend. I saw something that amused me and I bought it for myself. It's a gi-normous pink eraser that says, "for BIG mistakes." I don't plan on using it for it's intended purpose, but rather, I intend to use it to remind me not to dwell on negative thoughts. I immediately thought of God when I saw this thing. Can you even imagine how big God's eraser must be?

God willingly erases all the boogered-up things we do just for our asking His forgiveness. I'll admit that it took me many years to learn to accept God's grace. Intellectually, I knew it and believed what the Scriptures said about it; but I had been fed a steady diet of "fire and brimstone" sermons growing up, and had to realign my thinking in order to receive the message of God's grace. I'm not condemning fire and brimstone sermons. I'm just saying that we've got to get the concept out of our heads that God hates us and wants us to fail. He doesn't want anyone to perish. You can stake your soul on the following verses because He says:

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Heb. 8:12)

Because Christ died for our sins, they are "once and for all...put away...." (Heb. 9:24-26)

Those of us who have been obedient in putting on Christ are justified (just-as-if-I'd-never) from our sins (Rom 3: 25-26). That doesn't mean we completely quit sinning. It just means that when we do, we ask His forgiveness, and He's quick to cleanse us of the same.

Lots of godly people have and do sin, but they choose not to remain in that condition. Read chapter 11 of Hebrews--the faith honor roll of God. All the men mentioned there sinned because it's recorded for us in the Scriptures, but here God is recounting only their tremendous faith in Him. Christ's blood flowed both forward and backward and cleansed people both under the old covenant and those who would live under the new convenant.

No one on this earth who professes their love for you can love you more than God--not your parents, not your spouse, not your children. When you show your love for Him through your obedience, your sins are forgiven and God uses His gi-normous eraser (Rom 6: 16-18; Acts 2:38; and 1 Jno. 1: 7-9). Keep the faith and live in such a way that on that Day He will remember only your good deeds (Mt. 10:42).

Love ya,
God Bless!

Problem Solved--I Think

I went back and looked at the comment allowances. I think it shuts many of you out because it wanted you to be Google members. I didn't originally set it that way and I have reset it to where anyone can comment. There is a feature where you have to enter an alpha/numeric prompt which it gives you to get your comment to post. That's just so I can keep spam out. I hope this helps, but if you see me at church or out somewhere, please let me know how it's working for you. I aim to please.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

I Hear You

I know some of you have tried to leave me comments and have told me so, but I haven't gotten them. I am so sorry. I do not understand why it's not being commenter friendly. I've checked all the settings and I'm wide open for comments. Please keep checking in and please keep trying. I'm always grateful for your interest and input.

Love ya,
God Bless!

Slow Day Blogging

Yes, this is slow day blogging--more like the calm before the storm. We've had vacation Bible school, which started Sunday and ended last night. The guest speaker was particularly good, I thought. I was greatly encouraged and I needed my batteries recharged with what he had to say. You can listen to sermons and lessons 24/7, but unless you internalize them, digest them and apply them, they do you no service whatsoever.

I called a girlfriend who had asked me to prepare a speech for a dinner to be held at her place this coming Monday night. I was a little intimidated, but I agreed to because it would be a growth experience for me. I'm more about accepting challenges these days than I used to be. It couldn't have come at a more inopportune time though, largely due to my being in a state of flux with new business preparations. I would have done it, but I was happy to learn that someone had gotten a speaker after asking her to do so. She was not at all pleased about it. I told her I was totally cool with it. I'm still on for another month, but I'm relieved for now that I'm off the hook. I'm still invited to be her guest and see what their organization's all about. I do look forward to attending.

I've been through a lot of self-reflection about my opinions on things and how I feel about events going on in the lives of people around me in the community at large that I live in. I'm grateful for all the blessings I've been given and even some of the material accoutrements that have been withheld from me. I say that because it has allowed me to focus on important things like our marriage and my personal character growth. I prayed for about 10 years that our marriage would be everything He intended it to be, and that prayer was answered. Sometimes it appears to folks that all the other people they see have their act together when many times that's far from the truth. I take it that God has given me what He thought I could handle when He thought I could handle it. He's pushed me but not overwhelmed me. I know that He wants me to do well, but not at the cost of my personal integrity or purpose. I have comfort in knowing that no matter what happens in the coming months that I will have two things: my Lord and Savior and my husband. At the end of any given day, that's really all I want anyway.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

Funny Verses in the Bible - Part 1: Re: Women

Over the years I've studied the Bible, I've run across the same funny verses at least once a year, sometimes more. Truthfully, there are more than these, but I chose the ones for this article based on the fact that they're about us, ladies!

Another idea for this article came over the weekend. My husband, bless him, was not wanting to get out and mow the lawn in the 100+ degree heat late Saturday. I don't blame him. However, it had gotten pretty wooly over the week prior and we were getting into the early evening with a threat of rain approaching. At 5 p.m. he said, "I'll flip the TV over to The Weather Channel and see what they're showing." I said, "It's getting late in the day." A few short moments later he said, "There's a storm cell crossing the river coming through Dyer County. I said, "Kevin, I'm looking at a black sky in the direction of Bradford. If you're going to mow you need to shut off the TV and do it." He said, "Stop nagging me!!" I said, "I'm not nagging you. I stating to you what I'm seeing out the window while you're in there playing armchair meteorologist." I, of course, felt justified in my back and forth with him because I hadn't sat down all afternoon. There were things to be put up in the freezer, cooking, laundry and ironing to do, housecleaning, and a dog in need of a bath. Okay, I admit that once he got outside and mowed in the rain I laughed just a little bit. That was when I thought of all the funny verses regarding us nagging women that I've read. For your information, all of these verses are from the New International Version. Take a look:

"The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping." ~ Prov. 19:13 An old Arab proverb also states, "Three things make a house intolerable; the leaking through of rain, the nagging of a wife, and bugs." (ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)

Truly, I would rather be called a whole host of uncharitable names rather than a "nag." I think I'm more offended at being referred to as one because I hate to listen to nagging myself. Also, it suggests that I'm difficult to live with. In reality I'm not, but I can only overlook things that irritate me for so long before I have to make it known. I ignore a whole lot more than I choose to pick on. I try to choose my battles wisely.

Other related verses are as follows:

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." ~ Prov. 21: 9;

"Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife." ~ Prov. 21: 19; (Translation: Peace with privacy is better than dealing with a grouchy woman);

"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand." ~ Prov. 27:15; (Translation: It's an aggravation that you're powerless to stop);

Now, I'd like to preface this next one by saying that it's not so funny after I really got to reading and understanding it better:

"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: . . . an unloved (KJV says "odious") woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces here mistress." ~ Prov. 30: 21-23. Notice how I skipped the other stuff and got right to the part about the women?

If you read the whole text, the frightening aspect of the four things mentioned is their potential for harm. The reason being is that in each circumstance someone is elevated to a level they are not yet prepared for. These verses describe people who were once in oppressed states and then gain position only to take out their past frustrations over their own abuse on others. I was having fun with this writing project until I got there and so I tired of my search. There will be others later though. Stay tuned.

Love ya,
God Bless!

Today's Sermon Was About Repentance

Brother Lambert has been covering the basics steps in accepting Christ's salvation. So far he's covered hearing, believing, and today he preached about repentance.

We all sin, Christian or not (Rom. 3:23). Repentance simply means an change of direction brought about by a change of heart (1 Thess. 1:9-10). It really is that simple. Christians slip up and sin too, like I said, but they choose not to remain in a sinful condition, but acknowledge their sins to God, sometimes publicly and sometimes privately, and repent. They get back on track and gain control over whatever is tempting them. They choose to live by the Spirit instead (Gal. 5: 16-17).

There was one lengthy passage of scripture that Brother Lambert mentioned, but in the interest of time he did not expound upon it, but told us to read it for ourselves. It's Hebrews 3: 7 through 4: 11. It pertinent part it can be summarized as such:

No other human can stand in someone's way if they choose to be saved. Repentance is a voluntary action as God allows us to be free, moral agents. However, individuals can have battles going on within themselves that act as roadblocks to repentance. Their hearts can become hardened, leading them further into rebellion (3:8). They can have a sinful, unbelieving heart brought about by hard-heartedness (3:12). Some are unable to accept the truth of the gospel in faith and choose to mentally discard it (4:1-2).

God does say that disobedience will keep us from entering His rest (eternal life)(4:3-11). He also states that time is of the essence (4:7, 11). None of us are promised another day of life. I don't mean to be macabre, but beautiful, young people die every day in just as many numbers as the old and infirm. I don't know if God will allow me to live through the night or to make it to and from work tomorrow before I'm called to my eternal home. The best policy is just to stay on top of your spiritual house. None of us will ever be perfect, but we can be redeemed and ready to meet Him whenever that time comes.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

Belated Happy 4th of July!

I became a year older this past Friday, but this is a good decade for me so far. I spent the day with my husband out sightseeing. We hit some antique shops, some barbeque shacks, went through Shiloh battlefield and cemetery and then saw antebellum mansions in Savannah, Tennessee. I had a great time, but I was far too tired to blog about it. The following day my dad and stepmother took us to dinner.

I think it was appropriate that I was born on this particular holiday. I'm a free-spirit and fiercely independent minded when it comes to how I want to spend my time and live my life. I'm touched that people have fought and died so that I get to maintain this freedom. I do fear that those days will someday come to an end for us as a nation. I don't often air political views on here, but I feel that our national sovereignty is riding on this election. Americans remind me of the Israelites when they wanted a king so they could be like other nations. The very reason we're not like other nations is why people are breaking the law to get here in the first place. I could care less what the other nations think of us. I just want to stay free. That means freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from being taxed within an inch of my life (translated smaller government).

Get out and vote this year even if you don't like the choices. I'm not too enthused about them either, but abstaining is like a yes vote for the winner whether you meant for that person to win or not.

Love ya,
God Bless!

Is Pride the Number One Sin?

"You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." ~ Psa. 18:27(NIV)

I didn't want to state the title as a matter of fact; but from a personal Bible study on the matter, I'm beginning to see that pride is the nucleus of all other sins. That's a no-brainer for things such as vanity and greed, but I believe it leads to other transgressions as well. The reason I say that it's perhaps the number one sin is because it throws up a brick wall and won't let God in at all. Pride is a very anti-God mindset. It says that we are our own god and can do no wrong. You simply cannot have a relationship with God with your pride acting as bouncer at the entrance of your heart. It makes it impossible to be humble enough to acknowledge wrongdoing, so it's also a hindrance to repentance because you must die to self before you can live for Christ.

This pride I'm speaking of is not in the spirit of you're being proud of your family's or your own accomplishments. We can be "happy" in that sense without being too full of ourselves. Of course you are proud of your families or your own accomplishments. It's when people come to think of themselves as invincible that they're treading on thin ice with God. That's dangerous pride. That takes you back to the little "g" god thing. We can become idolatrous to the person in the mirror. I think about the rich farmer. He was very self-satisfied and didn't give God the glory for his bumper crop (Luk. 12: 16-21). In every sentence of the parable where the man is speaking he's saying, "I" or "my." However, in verse 20 God speaks and he says, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" Verse 21 follows with, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself and is not rich toward God." Likewise, in Acts 12: 23, King Herod failed to give God the praise when he delivered a successful speech and he fell dead and was eaten by worms. You might say he was rotten from the inside out. That's what pride does. It's spiritual cancer.

Pride keeps a record of checks and balances. The more pride one has, the more he or she detests it in others. It is very competitive with everyone else's pride and it is insatiable as well. It derives no pleasure from acquiring or having nice things or having done well at something. It wants to do more and better than the next person. It's not enough to be smart, wealthy, pretty, or good-looking. You've got to be more of all those things than the next person. In that respect, pride should be too frustrating to maintain. Pride is a power thing--to feel superior to others. It creates a feeling of hostility or animosity not just between people, but between man and God as well. Think about it. If one is always looking down their nose at others, they cannot cast their eyes up towards Him.

There is only one place in the Bible where pride is mentioned in a positive manner. In Galatians 6: 4 it says, "Each should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to someone else, for each should carry his own load." That is about pride in a job well done.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

A Moral Absolute Standard

I marvel at all the scrapping that goes on between politicians and everyday people with different ideaologies. Those of us who are conservatives feel we have something to conserve, such as assets we've worked all our lives to attain and are generally capitalists (we enjoy the rewards of our labor). We also hold to standards of behavior that we deem morally acceptable. Liberals believe "You're okay, I'm okay, and it doesn't matter what you do because there are no moral absolutes." At least that's the basic premise they claim to believe. However, they prove their own disbelief in this premise, as I will illustrate in the third paragraph. Also, liberals believe that those who have worked and sacrificed to provide for themselves and their families should keep up those who won't work, and how dare you suggest it.

Keep up. Here's where matters get switched. Conservatives are significantly more benevolent towards the needy than liberals are. The whole time, liberals are screaming at us and call us capitalist pigs. Conservatives believe in small government--let us do for ourselves with our own means and don't tax us to death. However, liberals believe in big government--that you should tax everyone who earns a paycheck for more complex and expensive programs to benefit those too lazy to work. Don't get me wrong, I'm for helping those who are down on their luck for a short span, but I don't believe living on the public dole should be a lifestyle.

Now, remember where I said that liberals claim to believe in no moral absolutes? They're not being truthful. Turn on your TV, if you can stomach it, and watch any news program where they're having debating sides. The liberal on that panel will argue that his opposition is being "unfair." Excuse me? Fairness based on what exactly? If there are no moral absolutes then there is no such thing as fairness either. They have shot their own premise in the foot whether they realize it or not.

Truth be told, all basic human decency is based on God-given moral principles that even the so-called non-believers claim don't exist. Yeah, I know it sounds mean, but the next time you get someone arguing in favor of the liberal topic du jour of the day, apply this to them when they screech about fairness. Ask them, "You say there are no moral absolutes. So what do you basis your idea of fairness on?" You're sure to get either a deer-in-the-headlights look or a sputtering, spitting, confused rage from them. Then smile and say, "Have a nice day."

I know I haven't laden this post with scriptural references, but there really wouldn't be room for them anyway. This is just a point to ponder.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

Father's Day (Sigh...)

I'm not a very good daughter. I love Daddy but don't go see him nearly enough. I have no idea what to do with him. The older I get, the more like him I become, which is sometimes amusing and sometimes alarming. He's compassionate and a roughneck. So am I. He's outspoken. So am I. We just kind of sit around and act awkward together. There's nothing I can get him that he doesn't already have or that he actually wants. Our schedules almost never jive and that makes even getting together a feat in and of itself. Friday and Saturday he'll stay out in the field until bedtime. Maybe I can catch him Sunday. I think he knows I love him in my own weird way. He feels weird about me too, I'm sure.

Those of you who can, go hug your daddies. If it feels weird, do it anyway.

Love ya,
God Bless!

Answered Prayers and Counted Blessings

Several years ago, over five to be exact, I had a falling out with my sister-in-law, Carol. It was surreal because we had such a great rapport and had spent so many fun years together. This just seemed to boil up like a sleeping volcano. It broke my heart. We were both hurting said things to each other we shouldn't have in anger, and it seemed as if that relationship was gone forever. I asked her forgiveness, but exactly for what, I don't know. I just wanted to establish familial peace. She was not ready and she didn't feel like making nice with me. She said, "Things will never be as they were before." Kevin and I lost lots of sleep over it. We love her. We didn't like this. We also didn't want Mom and Dad to suffer. Truth is, we all suffered awkwardly through family events for a few years. There was a minimum of contact between us during those years. But prayers too numerous to mention went up. Kevin and I met with an elder and his wife at the Pleasant Hill congregation where we used to attend. We respected this couple and they had reared a large family. They could relate inasmuch as they had had something similar happen among their children. They said to us, "You've done all you can do. The ball's in her court. You've just got to have faith and keep on praying about it. We did for a few more years. Then, one night just before the Christmas holiday 2006, I was getting ready to attend a family event by myself. Kevin had to work and couldn't get loose. I had begged and pleaded with God to have the Holy Spirit work on her heart and mine; that all I ever really wanted for Christmas was a peaceful reunion with her. It had been a harrowing year for other family members. Kevin's cousin, Tracy, had successfully battled breast cancer, and that really hit home with me and I'm sure it did Carol too because we're not that far apart in years. It was just so wonderful to know that that prayer had been answered and she was in full remission. We all hugged each other. There was closeness where before their had been a hint of animosity. I asked Carol about their new house they had just moved in the week prior. Some of the old, comfortable familiarity was there. A spark of kindness was there. I was so relieved at the night's outcome, that I cried happy tears when I got home. I slept with a peace that had eluded me for years. God gave me the gift I most coveted. He gave me my Carol Ann back.

This past Christmas, I got another prayer answered. My Aunt Marie (Aunt Ree to me) was having severe complications due to a benign brain tumor. She lost her cognitive and motor skill abilities and was going down hill fast. She required emergency double brain surgery the day before we had planned my grandmother's surprise 90th birthday party. The whole family was panic-stricken. Aunt Ree had her surgery November 2nd. My mother had died May 4 seven years earlier. Grandma was a basketcase. We didn't find out the outcome of Aunt Ree's surgery until the day before the party. God gave our family two reasons to celebrate. My aunt's life was spared and her chances for full recovery were great, and Grandma was so excited and thrilled to see her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her brothers, nieces and nephews! It was a day to rejoice! I told Aunt Ree this past Christmas that she was the finest Christmas present I could have ever received. Santa doesn't bring my gifts. God does, and His gifts whip Santa Clause's goodies to the curb!

Some blessings are robed in crisis. Kevin losing his job from Tower was a difficult readjustment period for our marriage. There were times when I lost patience with him; but yet there were other times that I had a chance to re-acquaint myself with him that we wouldn't have had if our world hadn't stopped spinning. I have learned to love and appreciate him on a whole new level. It tested my ability to move within my God-given role as wife and treat him as I should despite my anxiety over our situation at that time. I learned that he's in this marriage for the long haul too; that he's devoted to me. I realize that that level of love makes me the richest woman in the world. He doesn't know that I put my hand in the middle of his back at night and pray over him. I ask God to strengthen our bond, and He's been faithful to do that.

What are some of your answered prayers, blessings, etc.? I'd love to hear them.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get

I remember the term WYSIWYG ("wizzy-wig") from my (ancient) computer class days. What you see is what you get. When I remember that old terminology, I think you should always be deep down what you are on the surface of what people are getting. If they don't like what they see, at least you're not misrepresenting. I think WYSIWYG is a good description of what character should be. It's been said by someone I can't recall that, "Reputation is who people think you are. Character is who you are when no one else is looking." I would only change it to say, "when no one else but God is looking."

I would never cop to being perfect, but I'll say that I'm always consistently exactly who I am 24/7. I have to be unapologetically who I am because I don't know any other way to be. I grew up pretty much alone so I never had to conform to societal pressures like some of my peers. I always did my own thing and I still do.

Character building begins in the heart. Proverbs 23: 7 talks about misrepresentation. It says, "for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you." It guides our actions. As Christians, our character should be shaped into the likeness of Christ because he came to earth to serve as our example. A few years back, young people were wearing the "WWJD" - what-would-Jesus-do bands around their wrists. Some people scorned them, I suppose, because they considered them irreverent. I didn't. I thought they were a great way to ping the conscience and remind folks of Christ's character and how they should imitate him.

Yes, we're all mere mortals and we sin; but we can pick ourselves right back up and carry on in a corrected path. We can make character adustments, as it were. We never achieve sinless perfection; but we can still CHOOSE to conduct ourselves in a right manner, even though we've failed in performance in the past. Apostle Paul owned his shortcomings, but he didn't let himself get bogged down with his past once he repented of it. He sought to advance in a more positive direction (Phil 3: 12-14).

I've had to make character adjustments through the years. While I've always been consistently who I really am, I've had to realign myself with Christ's teachings. I think of that old John Anderson song where he sings, "I'm just an old chunk of coal, but I'll be a diamond someday." Sermons and people stepped on my toes to get me to move, but as the old saying goes, "The hit dog is the one that yelps." I'm glad they made me yelp.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

A Conversation with my Father-in-Law

Summer will soon be upon us. Church attendance is usually down this time of year due to families vacationing, but mostly, due to young people playing travel ball. I must confess, I hate, hate, hate travel ball just because of that reason. (Okay, that's not totally true. I hate baseball, period, because I think it's a boring game.) While I believe it's good for young people to be involved in athletics, I don't think it should supercede the weekly worship services of the church. I wish I could say that I know they're attending elsewhere during these times away, but I know that would be a false assumption because I see how they've turned away from the church during the rest of the year.

I had this conversation with my father-in-law yesterday. He used to be an elder in our congregation. He felt my pain, as it were. He admitted that one of the reasons he resigned from the eldership was that he got depressed from peoples' apathy in regard to their spiritual lives. In essence, he said that you can't make someone care. He's right, of course. You just do the best you can to provide services and programs for the perceived need. If they choose not to participate it won't be because you didn't strive to accommodate them.

I take no pleasure in watching people run their lives off the rails, but you can only do so much in the way of personal evangelism in trying to restore them before they become irritated with you. It really is a very fine line that you have to walk. You can't afford to misstep or misspeak or it just pushes them further, and sometimes permanently, away. I expect to be villified because I do care and I'm willing to take the heat. I can't stand the thought of people being eternally lost. Faithful friends are the only people you can take to Heaven with you--not the McMansion, not the trappings of success, etc. If I don't try to restore people, their blood is on my hands and I will have to answer to God for my own passivity. Christ and his apostles couldn't stand to see people lost either and they paid with their lives, so any wrath I incur should be of little consequence.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

Time for a Bath!

Ever since babyhood, according to my late mother, I've loved my bath. I just enjoyed a nice, hot soak not a half hour ago. There's nothing like scrubbing the nastiness accumulated during the day from your body to reveal soft, seemingly new skin. I then coddle that freshly cleaned skin with lotions to try to extend the luxuriousness of the feeling. As I was bathing, I was thinking of the account of Naaman in the Bible (2 Kings 5). He was a man of great status, but he was unclean due to his leprous condition. He really wanted to be clean, but he first rebelled against Elisha's instructions go to dip seven times in the Jordan River. Surely that was too simple a solution. He was expecting a great show of pomp and circumstance, and anyway, the Jordan was such a muddy old river. He was complicating the answer Elisha, the man of God, gave him. He finally got over his hard-headedness and did what he was bidden and his skin was restored good as new!

"Clean" is such an exhilirating feeling. We can be squeaky clean on our exterior, but are our souls--our hearts and minds--clean as well? It's a simple matter, really, cleaning the soul of sin. All we have to do is ask God for it. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their outward appearance of cleanliness, because inside they were full of greed and self-indulgence (Mt. 23:25). Do you know someone who fits that description? Hopefully it's not yourself. Like I said though, you can do something about it. Those who receive His word are clean (Jno. 15:3). Only those who betray or reject Christ are unclean (Jno. 13: 10-11).

I can understand knee-jerk mistakes, normal human shortcomings, etc.; but what I cannot understand are people who seem to take pleasure in flagrantly disobeying God and neglecting their service to Him. Truly, some people do get pulled back into he filthiness of the world. God doesn't leave them. They leave Him. Nothing's scarier to me because 2 Peter 2: 19-22 says that their end is worse than their beginning; that to turn your back on your salvation puts you in a worse position than you were as an ignorant, yet unsaved person. There will be degrees of punishment for sinfulness (Mt. 13: 11-14); but those who were once saved will pay a greater price than those who never knew Him (Mt. 25: 16-28). At the very end in verse 22 it gives the disgusting description of a dog turning to consume it's own vomit and a pig back to wallowing in the mud. Ewwww!

The Bible says such people who fall away are like the seed that fell on the rock. They initially received it joyfully, but it took no root (Luk. 8:13). Hebrews 6:6 warns us against "crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace." (NIV)

If you haven't had your bath yet tonight, think on these things during that personal quiet time. Bring any need for personal correction to God in prayer in the privacy of the closet of your heart.

Love Ya (It's good to be back!),
God Bless!

The Pace Is Gonna Pick Up

I've been a very distracted woman the past few months, but that's about to change. I'm going to get in some serious writing time, which writing includes more frequent blogging. I'm actually working on a manuscript, so don't be surprised if I field questions to my blog once in awhile. I'll be soliciting your thoughts from time to time.

TRIBUTE TO DIANNE ODELL

The West Tennessee community-at-large, and especially the City of Brownsville, is saddened by the loss of Dianne Odell, who at age 61 passed away after a power outage and failure of a backup generator rendered the iron lung she'd lived in since age 5 inoperable. We're sad for the Odell family's loss, but Dianne is now free. She's gone to live with our Lord. Her body is now perfect and she's no longer in pain or confined to her iron prison. I can just imagine her spirit running, skipping, jumping, and singing at the top of her lungs.

While I didn't know Dianne personally, I knew of her and had heard of her many accomplishments. She accomplished more in her lifetime that some people would even accomplish in two lifetimes. She graduated Jackson High School with honors. She got a college degree from Freed-Hardeman University, and she wrote children's books. She was our local celebrity and was visited by several worldwide celebrities. She never seemed to have "poor me" moments. From what I understand, she was a ray of sunshine to everyone who had the privilege of meeting her.

Godspeed, Sister Dianne, we will miss you, but we know you will be waiting for us on the other side of eternity.

Discouragement

I can't imagine how preachers must feel when, despite their best efforts, people do not respond to God's Word. I asked God to use me as a vessel to deliver His Word to young ladies, and to help me try to restore loved ones of mine who are in a lost condition. Things seemed to go well at first, but now, it just seems I'm beating at air. There's nothing. Nada. No interest. No concern.

Today being Mother's Day, I have come to the sad reality: Apathetic parents produce apathetic children. They grow up into apathetic individuals who could care less about their eternal souls or those of their families. They make the obligatory Sunday morning visit, but their hearts aren't there even when their bodies are. You won't see hide nor hair of them at Sunday night or mid-week services. Ergo, a vicious cycle is set in motion. You can't restore someone who has a dead soul. Spiritually dead people can't raise spiritually concerned children. Their children, if they do make it to adulthood without messing over their lives during their teen and/or early adult years, will grow to not give God a second thought. He will never enter their minds, and His name will only exit their mouths in the form of blasphemy. They will depise the Lord's church and His people.

My question is this: How do you stop loving spiritually reprobate people? I don't think you can. I think you cry, pray, and fret over them until either they take their last breath or you do. I came home in a state tonight. I was so discouraged because it seems that I'm waisting my breath and precious energy. I might as well be talking to rocks. I even wondered secretly if I should move along to some other congregation.

The 23rd Psalm is supposed to help my discouragement. I'm supposed to let go and let God take over. I'm trying to. Psalm 107 is supposed to help my anxiety over loved ones, yet, right now, nothing is comforting to me. Jesus tried to save his native people, and they helped crucify him, so what makes me think I can make any difference? 2 Timothy 3 describes when everything goes from bad to worse. Verse 12 says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Perhaps emotional persecution is what this verse means for me. Verse 14 tells me, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and has been assured of, knowing of whom thou has learned them."

I guess I'll keep on keepin' on until somebody puts me in a box.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

Using Your Head for Something Besides a Cap Rack

I had already read my daily devotional passages and was thumbing through my Bible. Luke intrigues me quite often. I read the first nine verses of Luke 16. You're familiar with it, I'm sure, as I am, but I never really pondered the passage as I should, or I would have learned the crux of the lesson in verse 9.

You see, there's this rich man who has a steward, or business manager, over his money. The steward is representative of Christians. We are in charge of God the Father's property while we reside here on earth. The steward in this parable had embezzeled from his employer, the rich man. His employer required him to give an accounting of his business practices. Likewise, we will also have to give an accounting of our lives to God in the Judgment. The steward in the parable found himself in a quandary. He could dig, beg, or steal. He had no intention of working, so digging was out. He was too proud to beg, but he had no qualms about stealing. The steward was a dishonest fellow, but he was still shrewd (wise). He called his boss' debtors and decreased the amount of each's debt so that they would look favorably upon him when he would shortly be in want due to losing his job. His employer commended him--not for his dishonesty--but for his foresight in providing for the future. In the final verse, 9, God tells us to use our earthly blessings in such a way that when they end (and they will because we cannot use them in death), that we will be received into eternal life. At first I misunderstood the passage because I thought He was telling us to buy men's favor, but that would not be consistent with the gospel message. We can bless others with our worldly treasures though because we won't be able to use them after we leave here.

Here's to Good Friends...

Have you ever stopped to consider that other souls are the only things we can take with us to Heaven? I'm not saying that we can take anyone who doesn't want to go themselves, but in the end, all we really have worth anything in this life are family and good friends. With me, the line between family and friends blurs because I consider my friends as family too. As to my best friend, we've been together since we were dropped in the same playpen as little folks. She and I always say we're sisters, because we are, in fact, sisters in Christ, and we were pretty much reared together. If she wasn't at my house, I was at hers. I consider her family mine and vice-versa. She can be real with me and bust my chops and I won't be offended. I call her husband my brother-in-law.

I put a very high premium on all my friends because they're most precious to me. I hope I never, ever take one of them for granted. Nothing's more heart-rending to me than the death of a friendship. I've prayed not just for my own, but for other peoples' relationships. I'm finally seeing God answer those prayers, and I was so amped up about it last night that I couldn't sleep. That's why I stayed up a little longer and thought about what to write in this post.

God's Word has lots to say about friendships. Here are just a few things:

1. True friends are fiercely loyal (Prov. 18: 24).

2. True friends are few and precious (Eccl. 4: 9-10).

3. True friends can be trusted to tell you the truth and will give you sound advice (Prov. 27: 5-6, 9).

4. True friends bring out the best in each other (Prov. 27:17).

5. True friends won't lead you away from God (Psa. 119: 63; Prov. 12: 25-26; 13:20; 2 Cor. 6:14; Heb. 10: 24-25; Jno. 15: 14-15).

6. True friends forgive each other (Eph. 4: 32).

7. True friends practice unselfish love for each other (Jno. 15: 12-13; Rom. 12: 10-13, 16-18; 1 Cor. 10:24).

For all of my friends who might be reading this, you're worth more to me than anything material I could ever own. I love you all very, very much.

Love Ya,
God Bless!

I Need Your Prayers

I am sorry that no new posts have been forthcoming lately. I'll hopefully be picking it up again this week. I've been working quite a bit and my writing had to take a back seat for a short while. Also, I've had lots of troublesome things on my mind, which I would prefer not to get into here. Suffice it to say that I need your prayers and encouragement right now because I'm greatly discouraged right now. All Christians get down from time to time. Also, I have been stubborn about asking for others' prayers in times past, but I would appreciate the enforcements right now. Send me your strength.

How To Acquire Confidence

I spent most of my life being afraid of my own shadow. I can remember not wanting to be a shrinking violet and wanting to throw off my self-imposed prison, but being too paralyzed by fears of inferiority to do so. I was just a teenager – that point in life where the hormones are at a full boil and you don’t know how to find your calm center anyway. I hated it! When it followed me into adulthood, I wanted to scream in frustration because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired about it. It was then that I had my epiphany. God is the only true giver of the faith and confidence I was seeking. I kept that most pithy and easy-to-remember verse of Philippians 4:13-NIV in my head, “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

My life changed dramatically in under a year. I don’t, as a rule, make New Year’s resolutions, but I vowed to petition God to remove my “thorn in the flesh” as often and as fervently as it was pestering me. I studied what the Bible had to say about courage and confidence and I came to realize some things about how to acquire the sought after prize I was asking for:

1. I needed to unburden myself by confessing all the sins in my life to Him, holding nothing back. I did just that. I asked God to forgive all the sins I had hidden in my heart and to forgive me and remove them. He promises to remove our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psa. 103:12). My confession included any and all hard feelings I had ever had towards others. Harboring such grudges and ill-will towards other people is such a waste of valuable time and energy which could be better channeled into the direction of improving yourself. Until you execute this first step you will be forevermore stuck in a rut and unable to move forward.
2. I asked God to use me and my specific talents to His glory. He already knew of my desire and I was giving myself over to Him to mold me and fashion me as He saw fit. I told Him I was afraid of getting out of my comfort zone, but that I desperately wanted to change that. I knew only He could do that for me. I believe that he sent the Spirit to fill in the holes in my self-esteem because it then became impossible to keep me down! All of a sudden my soul had a burr in its saddle and had to assert itself—NOW!!
3. Next, I focused on my passions to discover where they were. I found that I had a soft spot for teen girls. I was cringing at watching them try to negotiate life’s rocky waters, often flailing about and drowning. I started working with them through the oversight of the elders. My classes with them truly give my life deeper purpose and I consider my weekly meeting with them the highlight of my week.
4. Finally, I laid the ears back on what was really nagging me. I wanted to get over my fear of public speaking. I’m alright in front of people younger than myself, but getting up before my peers and older ladies was the most intimidating thing I could think of. I tackled that head-on and actually enjoyed myself, which surprised me. It was very cathartic for me and I plan to do it again, repeatedly, in the future.

I have read all sorts of books on self-esteem building, but I would like to share some notes from the Norman Vincent Peale book, “The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking.” They are listed under his heading, “The Kind of People People Like:”

a. Go beyond yourself—develop a kind of ecstatic joy and delight in living by getting rid of fear, anxiety, and self-centeredness. This develops a personality that flows outward toward others in kindness and faithfulness.
b. The deepest desire in human nature is to be appreciated.
c. Your best friend is the one who brings out the best that is within you.
d. Sought-after people seem to know how to help their friends accept themselves.
e. Self-conscious people are those who have never learned to accept themselves.
f. Be yourself. Don’t try to emulate anyone else—except Christ.
g. Don’t be easily annoyed.
h. Love your enemies (Mt. 5:44).

I would add to that to meditate on the following Bible verses:

Psa. 29:11 – “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Psa. 34:4 – “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”

Josh. 1:5,9 – “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Isa. 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Phil. 4:13 – “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

1 Jno. 5:14-15 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

I wrote this piece because I want younger women still in their formative years and older women alike to slay their inner demons. It is the only way to squeeze all the flavor you can from each day and live your life in full-tilt boogie. I can honestly say that I wake up each and every day now so happy to be alive, so grateful for His gifts, and ready to conquer whatever God puts before me.

Mean Girls: The Problem of Bullying

The following is my lesson for Sunday evening. Bullies are as old as time itself, but I thought some of my blog readers might enjoy the lesson too:

You know the scenario: They stop whispering when you enter the room, or they roll their eyes at any comment you make, they criticize the way you look, and they won’t engage you in conversation. It’s female aggression.

Have you ever been bullied, or have you ever acted like a bully yourself? On the surface, this may not seem like a biblical subject, but the Bible has plenty of bullies. There are Joseph’s brothers (Gen. 37: 12-36; Pharoh (Ex. 1: 8-22); Goliath (1 Sam. 17: 4-50); Saul, when he was trying to kill David (1 Sam. 18: 1-11); and King Herod (Mt. 2: 1-18), just to name a few. There was even a female bully named Jezebel (1 Kin. 18: 4, 13; 21; 2 Kin. 9: 30-37). In the Bible, the bully’s reign usually ended violently inasmuch as they were only stopped by a force that matched their own level of brutality.

MALES AND FEMALES BULLY DIFFERENTLY:

In the early teen years, social hierarchies are being formed. Boys and girls both show aggression towards others during this time, but males usually get into scuffles, name calling, stealing of personal property, and vandalism. Adults will step in right away to correct the very obvious problem. With female aggression, adults generally dismiss it and don’t react at all because girls are more quiet and covert about it and then put on their sweetest angel face as if to say, “Who, me?”

Females use alienation, exclude their targets on purpose from social events, spread rumors, and harass their peers. It’s the female bully’s nature to collect a gang of girls to assist her in manipulating her intended target. Girls are more likely to jockey for popularity by forming social alliances (think Survivor here) to gain even more power among their contemporaries. Female bullying may include the following:

· Deviousness (sneakiness);
· Vindictiveness (spiteful; seeking revenge);
· Practicing a selective memory;
· A need to control others;
· Twisting the truth to suit them;
· Having a party and wanting to exclude certain girls;
· Gossiping about girls who aren’t present; and
· Making negative comments such as, “She’s a loser.”

THE QUEEN BEE:

She is not necessarily the girls with all the looks, clothes, and money. This can be any female (teen or adult) who loves to manipulate people. She can get others to do what she wants by being underhanded. They’re afraid not to do what she says and obey her out of fear of retaliation. She uses her “friends” (potential victims) to do her bidding for her in helping her attack her victim.

Queen bees feel the easiest way to obtain friends is to unite with other girls against one victim. For her, bullying is a defensive tactic because the queen bee suffers from the same fear, anger, and lack of confidence she tries to create in others.

HOW CAN I STOP A BULLY?

Confront. Confront. Confront. The worst thing you can do is nothing because it only encourages and enables the bully’s behavior to continue. Refuse to be a victim. Stand up for yourself without being rude. Be assertive—not aggressive. Talk to her one-on-one at first. Let her know in a firm and forceful tone that you will not be intimidated by her behavior. If that doesn’t work, use the same tone to confront her to her face before others. This will embarrass and intimidate her, and hopefully she will knock it off. It will also cause others she has victimized to back you up.

TIPS FOR GIRLS WHO SUFFER FROM BULLYING:

1. Find a positive female role model, whether it’s your mother, or another older female relative or friend. This relationship will help you in your future interactions with other women throughout your life.

2. Find something that gives you a bigger sense of purpose. Getting involved in hobbies and different pastimes breaks some of the bully’s hold over you and can build your self-esteem.

3. Don’t try to force your way into a group that won’t accept you. Continuing to try only frustrates and depresses you. You’re no loser. You will make new friends who will love and accept you.

WHAT THE BIBLE HAS TO SAY ABOUT HOW WE SHOULD TREAT OTHERS:

1. Treat each other with kindness and forgiveness (Mt. 25: 34-36; Luk. 6: 35-36; Rom. 12: 10-13; 1 Cor. 13: 4; Eph. 4: 32; Col. 3: 12-13; and 1 Pet. 3: 8-9).

2. None of us are any better than anyone else. God will lift up the humble (Psa. 145: 14-16; 16: 18-19; Prov. 27: 2; Isa. 57: 15; Mt. 18: 4; Mt. 23: 11-12; Rom. 12: 16; Luk. 14: 10-11; Gal. 6: 3-5).

3. We should exhibit a Christ-like character (Psa. 37: 23-25; 37: 37-40; Prov. 22: 1; Mt. 5: 16; 1 Cor. 11: 1; 15: 33-34; 2 Pet. 1: 3-8).

4. We’re to treat each other with love (1 Cor. 13; Heb. 13: 1-3; 1 Pet. 4: 8-9; 1 Jno. 3: 16-17).

5. Put yourself in someone else’s place. Treat them how you would want them to treat you (Luk. 6: 31).

CONCLUSION:

How we treat others can keep us out of the kingdom of Heaven. If we hate people in our everyday environment, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, then who do we expect to spend eternity with?

Showing Contempt for God

In my daily Bible reading, I came to 1 Samuel chapter 2. Verses 12 and 17 state as follows: “Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord….This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt.”

No doubt Eli loved his sons, and he may have equated his failure to rebuke them with love; but in not correcting them in such a manner that moved them to obedience, he sealed his and his family’s doom. He only mildly got on their cases in 1 Samuel 2: 24-25 and God warned him of the pending outcome in verse 30. God issues His final judgment on Eli’s house in 1 Samuel 3: 12-13 through the child, Samuel. God says, “…his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them.”

I could go on about how Eli failed as a father in not being the spiritual leader of his children that he should have been, but that’s not my point in this posting. However, there’s no getting around the fact that parents’ attitudes towards worship naturally rub off onto their offspring.

So how do we show contempt for the Lord? Do we refuse to attend services because we find them boring? Do we think we’re supposed to be entertained? Do we just not care for the Lord’s supreme sacrifice in order to redeem us? Are we disrespectful during the memorial of the Lord’s Supper? Do we show ingratitude for God’s blessings in refusing to give of the firstfruits of our labor? Are we cynical, and do we nitpick our brothers and sisters to death that participate in teaching classes or in worship? It’s easier to pick people apart than to be active and try to make a difference in order to advance the Lord’s kingdom. Show some mercy!

If I have stepped on toes, I make no apologies. You either take your commitment to God seriously or you don’t. We all have spiritual dry seasons, your humble sokmnkee notwithstanding. Examine yourself and go into the closet of your heart and ask His forgiveness if you’ve despised His body. You may have to recondition yourself to Christian service, but I promise you will not be sorry.

Love Ya,
God Bless