Walk Your Talk!

It's interesting how children grow up to be influenced by the world around them, isn't it? Parents strive to do their best to teach and train them, and hopefully instill God's Word in them to where they make good decisions. They will make mistakes. They will make bad decisions. They will do things to damage their reputation. They will do things that dim their light that is shining for Jesus. They won't always realize it at the time, though. Looking back they will see and understand.

Parents, let's pray that our children remember the truths they've been taught. Let's pray that the example they show to others not only honors you as their parents, but also one that glorifies the Lord. It's really easy to fall into what the world believes is okay. It's even harder to be different when brothers and sisters in Christ may be participating in the very thing that you've realized is not wholesome and holy and God-honoring.

So pray. Pray that they will have the knowledge of God's Word instilled in them where they will stand up to what is not good. And pray that they'll be strong in the faith - strong enough to say no when they need to. 

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity,” 

1 Timothy 4:12.

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. Proverbs 20:11

What Is Most Important?

What is most important in your life? If you asked your spouse, your children, your friends what is most important to you, what would they say? Is what you think you portray as most important shown in the way you live and conduct your life?

The choices you make, each and every day, show your family, your friends, your neighbors, but even more importantly, GOD, what is most important to you. In the end, eternal life with GOD in Heaven is all that will matter. The choices you make now determine where you will spend eternity. Choices you make now will help determine where your children, grandchildren, and future generations spend their eternity.

I'll admit that sometimes I don't make wise choices. I have a hard time saying "no", so I'm too busy much of the time, and busyness oftentimes gets in the way of doing what is best.  Good things aren't always the best things.  I'm working on that. Maybe you are, too.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

Parent Eye

Sometimes people get "parent eyes" or "grandparent eyes". This is when someone else's child or grandchild does something it's wrong, but if my own child or grandchild does it, it's okay. This can be something seemingly simple, but it can be something glaringly big. It can be something innocent, but it can be something sinful. It can be something against God's word, yet if it's MY child or grandchild, my "parent eyes" or "grandparent eyes" easily overlooks it because I don't want to believe that what my child or grandchild is doing is wrong.

Let's just look at some of the things that can cause "parent eyes" or "grandparent eyes":

#1: In sports, MY child walks with the ball. "Parent eyes" or "grandparent eyes" yell, "He/she did not walk!" Everyone else clearly say that he/she did walk, yet the parent can't believe it; however if someone else's child walks you can hear murmuring, "That's the third time he/she has walked!" See the problem? Yes. And the child didn't offend God. It's an innocent mistake. No big deal, really. The parent and grandparent could be offending Him, though, just by their attitude.

#2: In life, YOUR child is living with their boyfriend/girlfriend. "Parent eyes" or "grandparent eyes" will see YOUR child and think (rightfully so), "That is wrong! (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 18...Ephesians 5:5) Sexual relations outside of marriage is sinful in God's eyes! It's listed with murder in the Bible! (Revelation 21:8)" And it is! Yet a few years down the road and those same parents and grandparents will have a child that moves in with their boyfriend/girlfriend and seem to not have a problem with it. Maybe they do deep down, and of course they wouldn't shout their disdain to the world or on social media (hopefully), but seemingly act as if it's okay. Nothing is said, even to close friends who are around them all of the time. And oftentimes the child/grandchild is posting on social media what is blatantly against God's Word, be it sexual immorality, drunkenness, mocking God or Jesus, etc. They're not only doing it, but flaunting it in the eyes of friends and family and strangers.

The point is that we all do sin and do wrong, of course, but as parents and grandparents, we must learn to see what is real. We can't excuse things in our lives and the lives of our children/grandchildren, yet condemn those around us who do the very same thing. If it's wrong, it's wrong.

Christian's are under different guidelines than those in the world in regards to sin. If a lost person does wrong, they are no more lost than they were before. They are separated from God because of sin. When a faithful Christian does wrong, it's sin, but the blood of Jesus will continue to cleanse us and make us spotless again when we confess our sins and ask God to forgive them. He is a graceful and merciful Heavenly Father and aren't we thankful that He is?!

If we are Christians we have an obligation and commandment with instructions to follow when someone is wrong, as in the example of sexual immorality given above. We find this in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, where Paul says:

"I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world (Note from Parent's After God's Own Heart: This was written to Christians and for Christians, not for this 'of the world' who are not Christians), or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”"

That is God's instruction, whether we're looking through "parent eyes" and "grandparent eyes" or not. Our eyes can change. We can put on dark shades or rose colored glasses that distort what is true and right. God's Word never, ever changes. He is the same. The Bible is the same. And wrong is wrong, no matter what.

What eyes are you looking through today? Are they seeing what's real? Are they seeing what is right? Or are they seeing through "parent eyes" or "grandparent eyes"?

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!

Any time I get to thinking too much, and realize that my focus might be more about myself than about others or about God and Jesus, I strive to keep this thought in my mind:  "It's not about ME, it's about HIM."  As I was driving down the road having that thought yesterday, it occurred to me that too often "I" am wanting to be in the spotlight of something.  I'm being selfish.  I'm concerned about my wants or my feelings.  Not that it is always bad to do so, but too much of it can lead to depression or negative thinking in a hurry.  I was thinking, "It's hard for my light to shine for HIM, if I'm too concerned about myself being in the spotlight."  I decided to make a little meme to share this thought with others, just in case they, too, had these selfish thoughts from time to time.

I suppose we all do, really.  It's easy to get caught up in ourselves, isn't it?  I blame mine on hormones, just to be honest, because I'm rarely "down" about anything. When I am it almost always equates to a hormonal issue that's out of whack for a short time.  (Oh, the joys of the mid-40's! NOT.) But it makes me think of those who might not ever "get out" of these thoughts....what about them?  And what if it wasn't a hormone thing?  What could I do to help get the negativity from my mind?

For me, what I've found has been found driving down a highway. When you live in a remote area as I do, you spend a lot of time driving on highways.  Often I listen to my favorite Pandora station, but I have a very favorite thing to do, and that is to put it on my iTunes "worship" playlist filled with acapella praise and worship songs from various groups, such as Hallal, The Zoe Group, Narrow Way, and a few others.  I LOVE IT!  It instantly "peps" me up and makes me feel better!

So now I think, WHY DO I NOT JUST START OUT EVERY DAY WITH THIS PLAYLIST?!  Well, I do listen to that playlist often and at random or scheduled times, but I haven't wanted to listen to it all of the time because I wanted it to be different.  I wanted that list to be "reserved" in a sense, but now I see that my thinking is WRONG.  I NEED those songs each and every day. I NEED to be uplifted every day! MAYBE if I listened to them ever day - at the beginning of every day - it would change the whole day...or at least change ME for the whole day.  Who knows? (God.)  

So today, I'm starting out with HIM even more so than usual Bible reading as soon as a I wake up and quick prayer before leaving the bed.  (I need to work on that part, too.)  And as I go through the day, I'll remind myself to keep ME out of the spotlight, to shine brightly for HIM, and strive to always remember that none of this is about me ever.

DO WHAT YOU CAN

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with what you want to do or what you feel like you need to do?  If you're like me, you see needs all around you and often feel overwhelmed that you can't do it all.  It's impossible to do it all, of course, but sometimes we get too bogged down in our to-do lists that we fail to see the needs of those around us.

It makes me think of the story of the little boy who was throwing the starfish from the beach back into the ocean. An older man came along and said, "What are you doing? You're wasting your time! You can't help all of these starfish. You can't make a difference."  The little boy said as he threw another starfish back into the ocean, "I made a difference to that one."

You see, we can't help everyone.  The need is too great. But we can help one.  So today, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."  We may not can make a difference to everyone, but we can make a difference to just one.  You're where you are for a reason.  Allow God to guide you and do His Will to help someone else today.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Happy Spring & A Time of Recharging

I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted.  Twelve whole days!  And now winter has turned to spring!  The renewal of spring is a reminder of how we "recharge" in our lives.  After the harsh, cold winter, the leaves begin sprouting new leaves, ready to grow, bloom, take on the wind.  The grass greens up after being dormant.  It begins to grow and spread.  The bugs will begin making their way into the world instead of being buried in the ground.  They are preparing for their own "battles", I suppose.

We enjoyed having our college kids home during Spring Break.  We didn't do a lot, but worked and played together around home.  How nice!  I know that next year neither of them will be here the whole break, so having one the whole time and one part-time was special. It's always special being together.

When we get together as a family, it is a time for recharging.  Anything that we've faced in the world out there on our own seems a little better -a little less harsh - when we are together.  For our children, the last several weeks of school will be a little easier because we did recharge.  We prayed together. We had devotionals together.  We talked about spiritual matters and worldly matters - together.  We grew closer.  The battles of life will be easier fought because of the strength of our family.

The church, as the family of God, provides our spiritual family and that bond should be stronger than even our blood lines.  The blood of Jesus made that spiritual bond unbreakable.  Coming together for worship and Bible study is a time of recharging.  It makes us stronger because there is strength in numbers, but also should give us even more faith and confidence in the One who is with us all of the time - Christ.  He and the Father and the Spirit are ONE. They are helping us each and every day in every situation. We can recharge our spiritual batteries and put on our armor - ready to stand strong each and every day.  Battles can be won because HE is with us!

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Oh, Be Careful Little Fingers What You Type!

When I first began this blog, I started with a "series" of posts using the song, "Oh Be Careful Little Eyes", then went to other body parts.  While they are all important, in this day and age of technology, our fingers may be the most important of all.  Why?  Because you and I can sit behind a screen and say whatever we want to say - and a lot of the times, that's just not good!

Yesterday, my preacher brother-in-law talked about using our time wisely.  The passage was one we will be using for our "scripture of the week" for our family. "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

Something else was said in Bible class yesterday about a former minister who had been buried here the day before. When he talked he would say, "Now, remember if you think I'm pointing fingers, I have three coming back at me!"  Ouch. That is sometimes painfully true!

It matters how we live. It matters what we do. And, as another brother-in-law said in his message as one of our Elders, it matters what we type and post on social media, and sadly it occurred to me that I put something a little bit rude concerning a professional athlete hinting at his arrogance, but was it something that needed to be said? Was it rude? Was it sarcastic?  No. Yes. Yes.  :(  I deleted it, but shouldn't have ever posted it.  I went against my own rule of, "Never post negative."  So I will strive to do better and be better and be careful with my fingers.

There's so much posted with "our little fingers" that just doesn't need to be said.  Think of doctrinal issues or political sides. We have to be careful, as Christians, that we don't build a barrier by the views we hold and publicly want to share. When we get angry and defensive, we may have great thoughts about the issues - even true ones, but our anger will not and does not draw anyone to Christ.  It actually may turn people away from the church - away from Jesus.  And on the political side, I'm doubtful anyone has changed their minds because of rude and sarcastic, and just plain mean, memes!

Public debating isn't helpful.  People block other people’s comments, holding grudges for things that have been said, hide certain people - even Christians - and sadly, even may get to where they can't even speak to one another in public. Some have said that they cannot take the conflict and they've become frustrated with what they see.  Am I part of the problem or part of the solution? I used to be part of the problem. I used to like to debate.  If I had been on social media years ago, I would have enjoyed the political stuff, too.  Now I don't.  I think it's hurtful.  

Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?

I hope you will realize that as a Christian, your Facebook page/posts and Twitter "tweets",  Instagram, etc.,  is not “personal,” it’s an arm of the church, a reflection of Jesus, and is to be an example as to the character of Christ. Be careful what you share and communicate to the world! 

Is it being done with the heart and mind of Christ? Let’s humble ourselves and make sure that neither our private life nor our public life on social media are in conflict with our Father and Savior's message and our calling as one of His ambassadors.

OH, BE CAREFUL LITTLE FINGERS WHAT YOU TYPE!

How to Be More Like Jesus

If you're a people-person like I am, it's really hard to understand those who are not. It's especially hard when you know that the actions, attitudes and words of others are hurting others, but they don't have a clue.  Not that people-people don't hurt others - we often do, too.  The difference is that when a people-person hurts others' feelings, we know it.  We may not admit it, but we know it.  Non people-people have no clue that how they come across is hurting someone.  They probably don't even take the time to think about it.

Jesus was a people person, so if we are going to be more like Him, then we are going to have to become that way, as well, whether it's our nature or not.

The scripture I gave our children for this week is this passage:  “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6

Living as Jesus did is becoming more and more like Him each and every day.  Both people-people and non-people-people all have sin problems that need work.  Being more sympathetic to others is something we can all work on.  So how can we do that?

One study found that you can become a more sympathetic person in as little as two weeks simply by meditating on having compassion for someone in your life.  (via University of Wisconsin-Madison's Center for Investigating Healthy Minds).  That makes sense, doesn't it? By simply thinking about being sympathetic one can become more sympathetic?  Sure, it does!

So one way we can become more sympathetic is by THINKING OF OTHERS.

That's hard to do because most of the time we are selfish and only thinking of ourselves.  Our wants, our desires, our work, our schedules.  Who has time to think of others if our minds are consumed with our own lives?  That's why we must get our thoughts on others.  When we don't, we're being selfish.

It's great to become more sympathetic because it's a step in the right direction of becoming even more like Jesus.  Jesus wasn't just sympathetic, though, He was empathetic.  Sympathy is having compassion for someone, but not necessarily feeling their feelings. For example, if your feelings toward someone who is experiencing hardship are limited to sympathy, then you might have a sense of regret for that person’s difficulty but are not feeling her feelings as if they’re your own.  Empathy is understanding and feeling another’s feelings for yourself.  Putting yourself in their shoes.  Someone loses their job?  Imagine if you lost your job.  How do they feel?  What are they going through? What needs do they have? How can you help?

Becoming more like Jesus is opening our eyes, our ears, our minds.  We have to see the things around us.  We have to really listen - with the intent on hearing, not responding.  Too many times we're busy thinking about our next words instead of listening to what someone else is saying.  And opening our minds turns our thoughts towards others.  After using our eyes, ears, and minds, we can use our mouths for encouragement, and our bodies to serve.  Our hands and feet can make things happen.

A two week change to a better person?  Actually, you can make big changes in one day!  Today you can start by seeing the needs of others.   That's how to become more like Jesus. Take one day at a time and be better.

Gifts and Kindness

Homemade Christmas gifts are a tradition on my husband's side of the family.  This year our get-together was quickly planned, so I did something really quick and easy.  I made room fresheners and Thieves Cleaner (using Young Living Essential Oils) from recipes I found at mamanatural.com.  I also added a other oils to make some new scents. I found the bottles on Amazon from a store called Everything4Oils.  The amber glass spray bottles can be used for many things.

Another homemade gift was a little ramekin filled with coffee beans and a tealight candle.  When you burned the candle, the heat made the coffee beans' aroma fill the air.

My mother-in-law gave us homemade apricot jelly (my husband's favorite) and plum jelly (my favorite, plus a bag of pecans.

Another sister-in-law made cute shadowbox frames that had scrapbook paper backgrounds, foam/glittered balls in them with a wintery saying.  I can't remember what mine said at the moment and I packed it away yesterday, but the sticker letters were on the outside.  It was so cute!  Another one she did had jingle bells in it and the letters said "Jingle all the way".  Very cute idea!

Speaking of gifts, gifts show kindness.  It's customary to give gifts at Christmas, for birthdays, and other holidays and occasions, but some are just random.  I love the idea of random acts of kindness, don't you?  It doesn't have to be a special time to be kind.  Being kind can happen any day of the year.  That's what makes them special.

Last night our family (all six of us) and one of our nieces were headed to a basketball game. We left early so that we could eat Mexican food at one of our favorite places - a special request by our oldest son who wanted to eat there before he heads back to college Saturday.  When the time came to leave, my husband asked for the check.  The waitress said that our meal had already been paid for!  It was such a surprise to us because we honestly had no idea who might have paid for it!  A special act of kindness done randomly (or perhaps not randomly for the nice person who did it, but for us it was very random.).

Be kind to someone today.  Find a way to give of yourself to others.  It doesn't have to be huge - like paying for seven meals at a restaurant.  It can be something small.  Just take the time to do something for someone.  You'll be glad that you did.

A Proverbs 31 Woman

Yesterday we attended the funeral of a 94 year old woman. She and her husband would have celebrated their SEVENTIETH ANNIVERSARY in March! What an inspiration they have been to us and to so many others who knew them!

Every Sunday morning she was feeling well, this woman's husband would get up towards the end of Bible class and go and get her for worship. He was always so attentive to her - holding her purse and holding her arm. He, himself, uses a cane. They were a sweet, sweet couple and a wonderful example of faithfulness to Christ, His church, and to having a marriage that glorified God.

Joe's brother is our preacher, and he read Proverbs 31 at her service, which rightly described this sweet lady. Interestingly, last night in my ladies' Bible class, I was finishing up a series of lessons on marriage and we also read Proverbs 31. I hope you'll take the time to read it, too.

Females today talk about "goals". The life we celebrated yesterday was one of a woman who met her goals- the greatest of which is her eternal home.  As Christian women, we too should strive to have those same goals. Those goals are the very best goals we could ever, ever have.  No other goals compete.

Renewing Your Connection

I've mentioned that I was having computer problems.  BIG COMPUTER PROBLEMS.  Since MARCH.

I knew the computer was full...mostly with pictures.  Trying to move the pictures over to an external drive helped, but even then, the problem persisted.  I tried all kinds of things making sure to save the pictures at least in one spot.  Albums to Facebook, Shutterfly, Carbonite and the other external thing just kept part of them saved, but I could never get all of them moved for some reason. The computer was slow and slower, then finally, basically couldn't work at all.  The little spinning ball kept spinning and spinning and spinning.  I was desperate because writing out my ladies' Bible class lessons is hard to do without a computer.

My husband had said back in the spring that I could get a new one, but that seemed wasteful at the time, thinking I could surely make the other one work better eventually.  Well, after eight months, I decided I needed to just get one.  The before "Black Friday" sales helped save some money and the new computer was ordered.  It was so nice to be able to go to wherever I needed to go and for the pages app to load immediately.  The last time I had tried to print out something on pages on the old computer, it took a day and a half!!!  It was crazy!!

So, all was going along well until last week.  The NEW computer was acting slow.  I knew that our internet could just be slow at times, especially during peak times of usage in our rural area, but this was different.  I finally just decided to call about it.  The service representative had me run a diagnostic test and then had me repeat it immediately afterwards.  On the repeat, the time of the test was so quick, it was amazing!  I asked what she did so quickly that made such a difference.  She said, "Oh, I just renewed your connection." Wow!!  How did something that took only a few seconds make such a huge difference?  Because the other connection was weak.

In our spiritual lives it's possible that we have a weak connection.  It's possible we need to renew our connection to God, to Jesus, and to the church.  The old saying goes, "If you feel far from God, guess who moved?".  God doesn't move.  Jesus doesn't move.  It's WE who move.  It's ME. It's YOU.  You and I have the ability to grow closer to Him and grow in our faith or we move away from Him and our faith grows weak.  Now, it may not be as quick of a fix as my internet connection - it may take some time - but oftentimes it's just a simple thing that will help.  Pray more.  Study the Word more.  Worship more.  Assemble with the saints more.  Think of others more.  Simple things, yet often tough to do at times of weak connection.

Probably all of us have weak connections in our lives at one time or another.  If not spiritually, maybe it's with our relationships or our commitment to our families or our work ethic.  We have to reconnect....renew the connection....work at it and make it stronger.  But as a Christian, nothing we do has to be done alone.  God is there with us.  Jesus is with us.  The Holy Spirit lives within us to help us in our weakness.  HE is the renewing factor of the poor connection!

Maybe I've written about this before.  It seems like it.  But maybe that's because it's what I usually need myself so often, that it is just where my mind tends to go.  I'm not sure I could think about it too often because when I'm thinking about it, it means I'm working on it.  Maybe you are, too.

Renewing your connection begins right now!

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  John 14:15-17

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Romans 8:14

 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

The Chronicles of Biscuit: I'm Just Complaining Inside

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our youngest son whose nickname is Biscuit.

These stories don't happen quite as often now, so it's kind of a treat to be writing a "Biscuit" story now that he's a teenager! Actually, this happened just a few days before he turned 13.  I still like these stories.  I hope I'll write a few more of them before he's grown. Something tells me that I will. :)

***
I was trying to get the yard and house straightened up for Biscuit's 13th birthday party.  It was after school one day.  Biscuit was eating a snack, then I told him to straighten up his room and come outside to help me gather up the fall decorations and put out Christmas decorations.

There wasn't much outside, so it didn't end up taking as long as I thought it would.  I came into the house and hollered at Biscuit. "I finished outside, so instead of doing that when you're done with your room, just unload the dishwasher."  I heard back from him, "Okay!"  I paused a minute, waiting for the "But I wanted to help you outside."  It didn't come!

I was a little bit shocked Biscuit didn't say anything about not getting to go outside and work, since he had said earlier he wanted to play outside.  I hollered back, "Thank you for saying okay!  I thought you would complain about it!"  He hollered back, "I'm complaining on the inside!"  Ha ha!  I responded, "Well, that's a good start!"

The Bible tells us to do everything "without grumbling or complaining" in Philippians 2:14-16, which is that passage from which this blog is named. "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life." For most of us, we continue to fail in this area.  For Biscuit - or me, for that matter - to ONLY complain on the inside would be a big start in the right direction.  For me not to voice my complaints, but only to think them would be huge!  Should we even think them?  No, we shouldn't, but a big step in the right direction is to not open our mouths with complaining, but to just keep it to ourselves.  After mastering that goal, then we can move on to allowing God's Spirit to help us control our thoughts.  Transforming into the likeness of Christ is growing more and more mature each and every day.  It's not automatic.  It takes time to become more like Him. We will never reach perfection as He was, but we can become more like Him each day.

How about you?  Can you keep your complaining on the inside?  Would it be a big accomplishment for you?  Let's work on it together!

Unfaithful Children

Yesterday on our "Parents After God's Own Heart" Facebook page, we posted the following:

"One of the biggest reasons for unfaithful adult children is that they were raised by unfaithful parents. If parents practiced a religion of convenience and that was the example shown to the children, the grown children will usually do the same. As time goes on, there are more and more "convenient excuses" and "uncommitted followers" as our society becomes busier and busier.

Put God, Jesus, and His church FIRST. Everything in front of any of those is an idol."

A reader sent this follow up and wanted to share it. It's their personal family situation, but they thought it would help others, possibly.

"I would like to submit the following comment to your post about unfaithful children, if you feel it would be useful to others?

I agree this can be true (*Note....What we posted yesterday). But another perspective, if I may. We would be considered "faithful" because we attended all services and programs offered by our congregation, my husband a deacon, lead singing and I taught bible class. We still have one unfaithful and one who has never obeyed the gospel.

Our lack of personal training in the home and letting them see God was first in everything we did was a mistake we made. We just assumed they would grasp the concept of a loving relationship with God and the church by osmosis, I guess. As parents, we can always second guess our parenting skills, but, please, young parents, take the time to pray, teach the word, morals, etc with your children. You can start as soon as they are born! Use life situations to talk about what the Bible says and it's answer to the situation. Help them grow their love and reliance on God for their everyday needs. I know we can do everything right and some will still go astray.......God gave us a free will to worship him or not. But, I believe your odds will be greatly increased if you raise your child to become a lover of God and follower of Christ, not just a church member. It takes both to make a faithful Christian.

I wish the expecting parents would seek out the advice and wisdom of those who have traveled the road before them. It took me quite a while to understand it takes more than being a bench warmer to be in a right relationship with God. Unfortunately, too late to have much influence on my children's spiritual development."

What Do You Want To Be?

Growing up, I probably wanted to be a teacher in the beginning, but by second grade, I knew teaching wasn't for me.  After that, towards late elementary and early junior high, I wanted to be a fashion designer.  I liked the "in" fashions at the time, and was different than everyone else in my small town...I never, ever wore jeans, except to show my calves in 4-H and that was only because I had to.  Following the fashion designer years, I wanted to be a home economics teacher.  That was my favorite class, and even though I couldn't stand to sew and cringed at the thought of teaching it, I was willing to do it to pursue my dream.

A few year later, I began dating my husband.  I still planned to teach home ec, but the program began disappearing in Oklahoma colleges.  Only one had it, and it wasn't close to where I was going to live. I married, just went to college for the closet degree that went along with that field, and finished going a year and a half from graduation.  I've thought about going back some day, but mostly just liked to tease our daughter that I would just wait and go with her.  The funny thing is that she's more "done" right now with college than I am! Ha ha!

Deciding what to "be" when you grow up is difficult. There are so many choices! So many options! So many things to do that it's hard to even imagine.  I'm actually doing what I never realized I wanted to do when I was young - be a stay-at-home mom.  Staying "home" was definitely nothing that appealed to me. I was a "go-er".  How funny that now I'm thrilled when I do get to be home more than a day or so at a time!

Last night we heard a lesson about being a child of God vs. being a Christian.  It was actually very interesting and something I had never thought of before.  He talked about how that when we obey the Gospel, we become a child of God, but that to be a Christian means to be a follower of Christ.  I knew all of that, but think about this that he said:  We can be a child of God BUT STILL choose not to follow Christ.  We see it all of the time, actually.  One may believe, repent, confess, and be baptized, yet still not TURN away from the things of the world to follow Jesus.  WOW!  That is so true.  It is not just a one day thing.  It's an every-day-I'm-striving-to-follow-Him thing!  And if and when we fail, we don't turn away, but keep on going....striving to follow Him more closely.  When we do fail and turn away, continuing to grow further and further away from Him, that is when we are in trouble.  His grace is sufficient, but His death was worth more than just a one time commitment that it quickly forgotten.  Because He loves us so, He wants us to love Him.  And loving Him is striving to do His will.  It's striving to transform to His image.

Being a child of God and a Christian - a true Christ-follower - THAT is what we should all want to be! Nothing else in the world matters more than that decision.  No degree is more important than having our names written in the Book of Life.  No life choice is greater than deciding to dedicate your life to Him.  Living with Him in eternity is more important than any earthly destination.

What do you want to be?  I pray you want to be a child of God AND a Christian.  Faith is belief PLUS obedience.

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:4

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

WHAT YOU LOOK FOR IS WHAT YOU'LL SEE!

I heard a really sad story this week.  Someone needed a "positive, feel good" story about someone, but the people who could have told one, couldn't think of one. Their stories weren't positive, only negative.  It made me think about my own live and my own attitudes.  And here is what I got to thinking: If you look for good, you'll see good. If you look for bad, you'll see bad.  What you look for is what you'll see.

It sounds simple, and it is simple, but the hard part is learning to look for the good....training your mind and heart to look for good....expecting to see good.

I don't know about you, but I tend to be optimistic.  And even though I 'tend' to be that way, too often I'm looking for the bad instead of the good.  It's something I need to work on and work on it daily.  Maybe you do, too.

So for today, I'm going to look for the good. I'm going to expect the good.  I see good, often, but I want to look for the good in everything.  I want to be optimistic. I want to be positive.  I want to rid my mind and heart of the negative.  How about you?  Want to join me?

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. Matthew 12:35

Be Interested, Not Interesting

Last Monday, the day before school started, we went with the Tipton Children's Home family to a water park to celebrate the last day of summer vacation.  That evening my husband did a "Back to School" devotional and one of the things he said has really stuck with me.  "Be interested, not interesting."  In other words, care about learning more about someone else than you do about telling about yourself.

This past weekend, my husband and oldest son were gone to Colorado.  Our daughter was out of town visiting her grandparents.  I took the youngest two to a Texas Rangers' baseball game, then they played golf.  Since they were a twosome, they paired them up with two other guys who were playing as singles.  During the course of that 18 holes, we learned so much about those two guys.  One of them was a retired Navy man who had spent his time on submarines.  The submarines were two football fields long, five stories high, and he was out three months at a time.  The other guy's son was drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers and played college football at Missouri.  He knew an acquaintance of ours and his son even roomed with that guy's son and played with him at college.

I was just thinking about how much we learned about those two guys, and while they probably asked my boys questions that I didn't hear, for myself, I was just interested in their stories instead of worrying about telling my own.  It's easy to get caught up in talking about "us", but it is best to listen to others tell about themselves, isn't it?  My mom and I used to laugh that when we went to the mall, we always heard at least one person's "life story".  I guess we just took the time to listen and the person needed to tell it!

We would all do well to listen more and talk less. I know for certain that I would. In fact, I'm striving to do so, and that's hard to do for a "talker" like me!  I don't care always about talking about myself, but I just like to talk!  I'm just being careful to channel the talking gene into learning more about others and being more careful to make sure it's not about me all of the time.

When listening to others, we will find out about their needs.  We will be better equipped to serve them and help them.  We will learn about their struggles, their pain, their joys, and their interests.  We may become friends.  We may be able to share the gospel with them.  In doing so, we will be interested, not interesting.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

How Are You?

(Note: For some reason, emails never went out about the ""If Teacups Could Talk" Ladies Day Theme" I posted on Monday.  If you missed it, you can visit this link to read about it at this link: http://www.weewaughs.blogspot.com/2015/04/if-teacups-could-talk-ladies-day-theme.html)

It's a simple question we ask or is asked to us probably several times a week:  How are you?  And how do you answer?  "Fine."  "Good."  "Great!"  And how do the people answer that you ask?  The same.  Most probably all of them answer the same.

But this past Saturday when I spoke at Enid, the sweet lady with the closing remarks told us about how she had been feeling bad.  She was having tests run for her various aliments and pain, and it was worrying her.  She wasn't good.  She was tired of saying she was good because she wasn't, so as she prayed to God about it, she made a vow to Him that the next person who asked, "How are you?", she would tell them the truth.  And she did!

The lady laughed and said she didn't specify to God that she would prefer it to be a woman, because the next person that asked her was a greeter at the door on her way to Bible class one Sunday morning.  He opened the door and asked, "How are you?"  And he got an ear full!  But, she said he listened to her and it helped her!  She said it actually changed their relationship, which was already really good.  And he even called to check on her the next week and find out how she was doing.  She knew he was praying for her and that he cared about her.  That caring heart - that listening ear - that remembering her...made all the difference in the world.  It meant that someone cared about her and really cared how she was doing.

Think about that question as you go throughout your day.  When you ask, "How are you?"  Do you REALLY want to know or are you just chit chatting?  If someone told you how they really were, would you take the time to listen or feel like they had intruded on your time.  Are you in too big of a hurry to listen and care? Do you take the time to call or text and ask someone how they are doing?

HURRY IS THE KILLER OF KINDNESS.

The lady said that she had been praying and trying to focus on having intentional relationships.  I love that!!  We use the phrase "intentional parenting" on our Facebook parenting page, so that word is important to us.  BE INTENTIONAL.  Don't be superficial.  Be real.  Get to know people.  Get to caring about people.  Really, really care how they are doing.  And act on it.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9

Which One Are You?

Today I was going to Sam's Club. I happened to get behind someone who was actually "parking" in the walkway area so that their party could unload the basket in the trunk. I got too close to be able to move and someone was behind me, so I was stuck. The Salvation Army bell ringer even went to help the young man unload his basket into the trunk to hurry things along. I was amazed at the lack of respect from the driver of the car and the young man. Now maybe the driver was handicapped or something. That could be so. But the young (teen or young 20 year old) was in adequate shape to walk a short distance to the parking lot had the driver chosen to park in a real spot. Years ago this would have aggravated me! Today it just made me kind of sad.

On the way out of Sam's Club, when I was driving off, an older lady was parked in a handicapped spot and trying to unload her basket. A young couple (early 20's) stopped to help her unload her basket, put it in her car, and took her basket for her. This one made me smile.

Now for a few questions concerning both of the stories above:
Which one of these stories is closer to how you are?
Are you aware of the fact that people watch you and watch your reactions/actions - and assumptions are made (whether right or wrong) depending on those reactions/actions? Do you care?

Some of the best ways we can show Jesus living within us is in the small, everyday things of life. Our walk must match our talk for His light to shine in our lives.

 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 

Titus 2:7-9

Rejoice in the Lord - Always!

Sunday night, as I scrolled through Facebook, I kept seeing postings about people who had decided to give their lives to Jesus - putting Him on in baptism, having their sins washed away.  I don't know how many people I read about....maybe 20....but it was people from all over the United States.

Yesterday I read about a lady who is working in a prison ministry and has taught 44 ladies there about Jesus using the book "A Muscle and a Shovel" by Michael Shank.  All 44 of them did the same or were restored....repenting of their sins and turning their lives and hearts back to Him.What a wonderful thing it is when the Lord adds people to the church or causes their heart to be pricked to turn back to Him!!

Mr. Shank's sequel to "A Muscle and a Shovel" is called, "When Shovels Break". It will be released in January 2015, but is about Mike's friend who became a Christian, but then turned back to his old life.  He almost committed suicide because he felt so unworthy of Christ's love and forgiveness. He was hopeless. He didn't feel like he could ever be redeemed because of his return to sin and didn't feel like God would even want him back.

Many feel that same way - that they've gone too far into the depths of sin.  Nothing is further from the truth! God can redeem the lost and those who walk away!  He will forgive, and He does!

I can't wait to read that story.  I'm sure it will direct many more souls to Jesus, pointing them to the truth found in God's Word.

Jesus' disciples are still fishing, just as they did 2,000 years ago! They are fishing for men and women, not fish!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

The Watchman and The Warning

My husband taught Bible class Sunday morning continuing the theme that the regular teacher had been teaching - "Seeking and Saving the Lost".  He used a few scriptures that made both of us think about our mission as Christians.  The "warning" issued is for the watchman, and aren't we all watchman for others? Isn't it our duty to tell the lost about Jesus?

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.’7 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved. Ezekiel 33:6-9

It's really easy to get caught up in the things of the world and totally neglect the mission - the Commission - that God gave us.  He gave us a job, and it was one of the very last things Jesus told His disciples to do before He left the earth after His resurrection.  All four gospels have some part of this commission from Jesus. He instructed His disciples to go, tell, and make other disciples.  That is the theme of all of the gospels and what Jesus wanted to make sure His followers knew to do when He left them.  (See Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:13-53, particularly vs. 44-49; John 20:11-23).  And doesn't He want His followers now to do the same?  If we're not, are we really doing what He asked us to do?

So my husband, Joe, and I wrote a mini lesson to help teach others of God's plan for salvation. It's short enough that others will read it and easy enough for everyone to understand.  We want to do this so that others might share this gospel message with their friends....and those they may not even know.  This plan shows through scripture how to follow the command of obeying the gospel.  We still must "tell", but maybe this tool will make it a little easier for some.

Love people enough to tell them that Jesus died to save them. In order for one to need to be saved, one must be lost. In order to be saved, one needs to first realize he/she must repent (turn away from) sin. Sin is separation from God. A lost person is "dead" in sin (Ephesians 2/Colossians 2). Only in Jesus can one be saved. Salvation begins through hearing the Word and believing that Jesus is God's Son - and the only One who can save. We can't tell the lost about salvation, yet fail to tell about the repentance that the Bible teaches which results in confessing one's sin and the need for the saving blood of Jesus. When your sins are washed away in baptism, you arise to live life as a new creation. You are buried with Him and raised in Him to live a new life as a new creation. (Colossians 2/Romans 6). That is the gospel...the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Obeying the gospel is a command. We must obey the gospel to be a child of God. (2 Thessalonians 1:8/1 Peter 4:17). The new creation will stumble, but won't (or shouldn't) want to continue in the old life of sin, but along with the help of the Holy Spirit, will strive to follow close to Jesus and strive to imitate Him for the rest of his/her life. Being faithful in everything, continuing to repent for sin, allowing the Holy Spirit to develop in us the fruits of the Spirit - we will be growing mature in the faith. God's love, mercy and grace will continue to heap upon us abundantly until we reach the end of life's race. The reward of an eternal home in Heaven with Him makes the "race" all worthwhile. 

Another thing that Joe mentioned in class is the "Fishers of Men" is a 12 week series of in-depth Bible study.  Visit their site HERE. We went through it years ago, and have recently begun the study with our own children. They are Christians, but it's always good to go back over the elementary truths so that we know why we believe what we believe and know for certain that it is what is taught in the Bible - God's inspired Word.