ME-ligion

All too many of us have attended church for so long that we've developed a sort of me-ligion. By that I mean we've listened, studied, weighed, adopted, and rejected a variety of beliefs that seem the most convenient and conducive to want we want to live by, sort of like children skipping through a grocery store. picking out what is pleasant and to our taste, and ignoring things we haven't tried yet, but are nutritious and beneficial. We feed on the same things repeatedly that act as comfort food for the soul, but stymy our desire to growth in strength instead of girth. A long, hard look must be taken at what is ingested, and evaluation must take place as to each one's worth to our spiritual health. Even though some good things come from them still, their effects may be reduced as we become comfortable, accustomed, and then complacent. The ideal would be to find the three or four basic Truths (as there are food groups), then build and expand on those, partaking of a wider variety from within them, in order to develop a deeper, fuller understanding  of and relationship with our Creator and our Savior. This will take effort, at times may be painful, but, as fruit trees are prepared to bear a greater harvest, pruning is for the good of those subjected to it. Pray for guidance. Search for clarity of vision. Commit to growth.

Life is Messy..........

Life is messy, and I realize that some people have messier lives, and that we all have plenty to deal with, but somehow I feel I've allowed myself to be swept under a wave of circumstances, not because of anything I've done, but maybe due to my inactivity or reluctance to act. But, if life has become messy and has brought about some sort of low grade depression, it is probably from an accumulation of comings and goings, staying, missing loved ones, too much stuff crammed into too little time, and just a general feeling of being out of control. But, I find comfort in the words of Mike Slaughter, in his book, Christmas is Not Your Birthday. "Life gets messy, but in the midst of your mess, God shows up! No matter what you are struggling to overcome, no matter what life issues have come your way, God promises to show up.Christmas is God's vivid reminder that amid the uncertainty, God shows up to bring you peace, purpose, joy, hope, and wholeness." I don't know about you, but I look forward to His appearing.

Who Me?

We were asked yesterday who sits upon the throne of your heart? Who is front and center in your existence? What is comes down to is just how selfish you are. If you are constantly looking out for number one, that leaves very little room, if any, in your heart and life for others. Any service you may render becomes self-serving and stunted. God may use it for good, but think how much more effective and totally beneficial this service could be if you gave little or no thought to personal gain. We are called to pour ourselves out as living sacrifice, and if we don't pay attention to what we can get or grab for all we can get, we will be pleasantly surprised by how blessed we are and how really unimportant those things we originally desired have become. God provides if we are obedient to Him. What we receive may not be what we want, but it will be what we need in abundance.

A Choice of Words

Do you find yourself watching what you say according to the environment in which you find yourself? Do you switch masks as often as you move from one situation to another? What brings about these changes, and how tiring can this sort of thing become due to the amount of energy expended to do so?
We censor ourselves for the sake of unity, and to reduce tension and stress in our lives. But if that becomes our motivation, then are we not denying who we are as God made us? We are taught to be open, true, and honest, yet also told not to be stumbling blocks to others in their quest for the truth. Although these seem contradictory, if examined, they are not mutually exclusive. If we temper our honesty with love, then the words may be recognized as sage advice instead of the arrows they seem to appear being.
So as to the matter of self-censoring, let it instead be seen as editing, in search of the phrasing that will make the words more palatable, and therefore increasing the chances of acceptance, while decreasing the possibility of rejection and overreaction.
We must remember a made up mind is very hard to change, and coming across as attacking will only serve to fortify and thicken the walls of defense, throwing others into hunker down mode, possibly eliminating any chance of being reasoned with or reached. Yes, choose your words wisely, not in an effort to water down or compromise what you intend, but so as to make it less threatening.
Speak the truth, but do it kindly and with compassion.

"59"

Turning the page on the birthday calendar is not such a momentous occasion. Looking back over "58", I can see good things, and yet many more things that need work. More than a number, "59" opens its wings for flights of fancy, treks of tenacity, and field trips of faith. We get too bogged down with numbers, so much so, that we use them as excuses for not beginning new endeavors, or as reasons why our behaviors and attitudes should change. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, or so they say. Then find strength in that weakness to do something new. Concentrate on your abilities more than dwelling on your limitations. Be more loving, forgiving, serving, listening, merciful and kind. Strive for peace, and let the small stuff roll off. Love God. Love others. Serve the world.

Thank You, Micah........... (A Rant)

We sit and blame everyone else, when all the time the source of our problems is us. We become so full of ourselves, and we romanticize past eras in such a way that we become blind to our own sinfulness and conceit. We try to place ourselves on equal footing with God, we try to elevate our standing by tearing down others, and we use pat answers, catch phrases and verses out of context in place of well researched and thought out ideas. We refuse to think for ourselves because we might not like the answers that come, so we follow words that tickle our ears and we become like lambs to the slaughter. We accept what sounds feasible instead of questioning its validity and how it stands up when checked scripturally (using full passages, and not just a phrase here or there, I might add). It is time to open our eyes and minds to the truth Jesus taught, that we must love one another, no matter who we are or what we think. With every adverse comment and action, we throw up barrier after barrier which block access to Jesus. We have to stop bludgeoning people with our perspective and interpretation of the truth.

Taking Care by Letting Go

If we are to spread the Gospel message to the world, and if we serve the same Lord and Savior, and if we believe in the same God and His redeeming mercy and grace, then why are we so suspicious of each other? Why are we so hesitant to ignore denominational lines and cooperate in this Great Co-mission we have been given? Why must we feel we need to protect our numbers and make sure differing thoughts and ideas are kept away? Are we not to teach others to think for themselves? Isn't that the pathway to maturity in our lives, both spiritually and secularly? We worry too much about exposure to the wrong that our people are not presented with the full light of the right. Sheltering people, like planting in the shade, doesn't allow full growth, growth strengthened through testing and discernment. As with our children, we cannot totally suppress their curiosity and their natural need to learn from experience. Let them hear opposing voices, and, if we've planted properly, they will produce the desired fruit. There are nutrients out there we don't know about or fully understand.