That's the Honest Truth!

May 13, 2015

Good morning!  Let's start the day focusing on the true and honest things this day.

To begin with, it's true many of us have to work for a living.  And you know what? That's not such a bad thing.  Seriously, isn't there a great satisfaction from knowing you are using your skills and talents to make this world a better place?  You matter and I daresay that if you didn't show up today, you would be missed in more ways than one.  But I think the real truth that is mentioned in Philippians 4:8 is that of knowing the truth and the truth setting you free.

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  Do you accept His free gift of saving your soul? He demands nothing from us for this exceptional prize and I think many of us falter in that because we keep thinking that somehow we have got to pay for this.  We don't.  We couldn't!  And that's the truth!

Next, let's talk about what is honest.  As I type, the birds are out there singing.  Reminds me of that Randy Travis song "My Love is Deeper Than the Hollar" when he croons "And honest as a robin on a springtime window sill..."  Honesty is a trait I value most in this world.  If you ever betray my trust, it hurts my soul in a way that is hard to get over.  Not that I hold a grudge and won't give you a second chance and maybe even a third, but I do have my standards.  If you cannot mean what you say, perhaps its best to say nothing at all.  And--on that same note--if you must say something, make sure it is helpful and not harmful.  Truthfully, I do like to be shown the error of my ways so that I may improve, but could you do it in a nice way and not exaggerate or make false statements?  Thanks!

So, true and honest.  Pure would be a good word for these two adverbs.  Let's try today to let our words be few and when they must come out, let's use them to build others up.  

As I started to end this blog, I am reminded of my middle gson.  He messes up and has to be told--gently so as to not ruin a teachable moment--about the error of his ways.  Being that he is only four, he isn't quite ready to admit that he was wrong, much less apologize for any actions that may be deemed in appropriate.  And then, when told he mustn't do that again, I see the doubt in his eyes.  I see the hesitation as he knows he is supposed to agree but also the truth in his eyes that he knows good and well--and if I had any sense, I'd see it too--that he will most likely do this same thing again and perhaps even again.  Am I teaching him to lie, making him say one thing while not believing in the validity of it?  I question myself about this matter.  Knowing something is wrong yet still not wanting to turn from it because it may easily be explained...Hmn.  I can definitely see myself in this situation as I too often argue with God that my way is right or that I am justified in my response to what just happened to me.  Am I or is it my pride, my greed, my need to be right?  Usually the latter three.  

True and honest.  May we valiantly strive to have these characteristics be said about us.  May our actions reveal these traits in our daily lives.  Lastly, may we reflect Christ as we implement truth and integrity into our lives.  Others are watching.  May we--like Jesus was--be found with no fault in us is my prayer.  Amen?

Think on These Things

May 12, 2015

In my pretty purple room, up on the window sill, is a block of wood-like substance that has Philippians 4:8 on it. Each time I am in there, my eyes are drawn to it. Here is the verse, in the King James Version: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." For the next few days, I'd like to go in depth on these things. Will you go with me? Thanks!

Last night, I was waiting to hear from an important person in my life. All day I had been wondering about her and hoping that the news she would later tell me would be of good report. When I didn't hear from her, I sent her a note, knowing that she almost always kept her phone by her side. She didn't respond. "Hmn. I know she is expecting company but...she always has her phone. Okay, she's probably just busy and will answer me soon. Yeah, that's what will happen."

An hour later, I still hadn't heard from her. Worry--mixed I must say with a heavy dose of being peeved--started to set in. My mind began conjuring up all kinds of scenarios, ranging from "is she ignoring me" to "something could actually be wrong." I waited a few more minutes and sent her another note. Still no response--from her anyways. Meanwhile, the devil was trying his best to stir me up and make me think all sorts of things that were not true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and that there would be no good report nor anything to give praise over. And you know what? For a little while I let him. I listened to his whispers about how little she cared for me or she would have been back in touch. I pondered with him why she would leave me out, feeling again that sting of separation that often results when she and I have misunderstandings. I even allowed myself anger as I dwelt on the many times she has done this before when I know good and well that that phone is a constant in her life. After all, how many times had our conversations been interrupted by it as it gave off its little pings that someone was notifying her of their latest news? She almost always answered it for others. How dare she not for me?

I had worked myself up into quite a lather. Hubby came in and wondered what had happened to the sweet, smiling wife he had left a few moments ago and who was this bitter hag in front of him now. Well, he didn't call me a name but he was quite confused as to the great change that had taken place.

And you see, friends, that's what happens when we don't seek truth. That's what incurs when we let our thoughts become captive to thinking the worst rather than focusing on the truth. When we listen--even for a few seconds--to that lying devil, we become someone unrecognizable. We turn into shrews and hate goats and fussers. And the devil? Oh, how he laughs at his victory and how easy it was to perturb us. He probably dances a jig as he thinks about how just a few days ago we were so superior in our Christianity and our purposes to be more like Jesus. He adds our name to his chalkboard as he scores another point for Team Satan.

Sigh.

Thirty-nine minutes later, she finally messaged me back. Yeah, her excuse was lame and by that point I was still furious at her insensitivity to respond. I felt I knew how high (low) I was on her list of priorities and I wasn't as warm, wasn't as supportive when her news indeed was not what we had hoped, and wasn't happy that she was still just giving me enough info to answer the bare minimum. Steve and I talked about it for a few, decided to not let it spoil our evening, and it was pushed to the back of my heart. Until now. No, that's not true. It's my thorn in the flesh with this particular woman and it pricks. A lot.

So, what now? Do I continue feeling hurt and bitter or do I woman up and be the Philippians 4:8 lady and be honorable, ponder on things that are true, and cut this chick some slack? Do I examine myself to see why she wasn't more caring about me and what can I do to be more of a priority to her? Do I ask forgiveness from the Lord for listening to the wily one and ask Him to help me grow up again and focus on the Voice of Truth instead? Yeah, that's what I shall do! Join me--'cause I surely need all the prayers I can get!!

Dear Lord, how You must wring Your hands and roll Your eyes as You wonder if I will ever get it right and develop into the woman You have called me to be. Father, I am sorry that I fail so often and so easily. I am appalled at how easily I allow myself to think the worst of others instead of giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Will You help me, again, Lord, to be better, to believe in the whatsoevers You have before me rather than the I-betchas of the devil? I would surely appreciate it! And Lord, if anyone reading this finds herself in like manner, will You help her too to listen to You and to believe truth over lies?

Thank You, Lord God. For forgiveness, for temperance, and for the long-suffering You consistently give on my behalf. I love You! Thanks for loving me when I am at my worst. In the name of Jesus Christ: amen.

Clouds on the Horizon

May 11, 2015

How many of us are trusting our important documents, pictures, and private matters to a "cloud" that we cannot see?  You know the ones I'm referring to, right?  Google has one, as does Amazon.  Other sites use them as well to "store" our things in...in where exactly?  A "cloud"?  A "cloud" that I cannot see yet can access anytime, anywhere, as long as I am logged into that source?  Sounds pretty strange to me and yet...

It works.  Whenever I go to check on my blogs, my photographs, my messages, I can be in a place that was different from where they were sent from.  I can be in another town, another state, and (I'm assuming because I get messages from folks) even other countries.  While I cannot physically hold these notes, pics, and documents in my hand, I can view them on my electronic devices.  How wild is that?  If we had told our parents and grandparents this would one day be the future, for them to forget about filing cabinets and saving all of those tax returns, check stubs, and marriage certificates, to not worry about making scrapbooks (eek!!) because who really would develop those treasured memories and spend all of that time pasting and prettying them up in albums, or to not keep their journals and private thoughts in books anymore but rather store them in this unseen cloud, what would their responses have been?

They might surprise us.  They might tell us that for most of their lives they have been storing up treasures where neither moth nor mold could corrupt them.  They might have told us that those memories of all the good times (and the sad ones too) are being kept in a record indeed up in the sky, where thieves cannot steal them.  They might even tell us about how all of those tears we've cried are stored in a jar on a shelf.  They might tell us that this newfangled cloud isn't so new, isn't so amazing, nor is it as unbelievable as it seems.  

For you see, they've been trusting in an unseen Hand for eons now.  They've been placing their trust in a Man Whom they've never seen face-to-face, yet their lives are in His hands.  They might tell us about their unspoken prayers that keep getting answered--and they didn't even have to write them down first to be uploaded to this storage device in the sky!

Let's not sell our senior citizens too shortly.  They still have a thing or two to teach us.  Why not take the time today to invest some of your time with one or two and see what other marvels that you think you've recently discovered can't even compare with the mysteries they have to tell you all about?  I daresay it just might be the most fascinating conversation you've had in a while--although it will require putting away your electronic appendages and sitting a spell with a real-live, genuine, person.  I also think you might just have the time of your lives doing so!

Let's pray!

Dear Lord God, as technology continues to evolve and amaze, allow us to remember that there is nothing new under the sun.  Remind us that the stories of old are worth retelling as they teach us about Your Book of Life, Your eternal records of our lives, and Your etching in even Your own hand which can tell us the most personal story we've ever been a part of.

Thank You for being such a personal God, Lord.  Thank You for always having time for us.  We look forward to that day of cloud watching from a different vantage point as You reveal to us those things that we cannot see.  We love You.  I love You!  In the name of Jesus I pray.  Amen.