Fathers Needed! Finger-Pointing Discouraged...

It's worth repeating from I Corinthians 4:15, "There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up."

If there's one thing I have learned in my life through my experiences, it's that people respond to the shortcomings, sins, and weaknesses of others in different ways. I am not saying that the way they respond is inherently wrong...but definitely diverse!

When we are confronted with the humanness of others, the fallenness of others, we have a choice to make. We can pounce on them and remind them of everything they've done wrong (which they have probably done to themselves more than we can imagine), or we take the time and effort to help them as friends and even family.

It is my goal in life to be the latter.

It says a lot about who we are by how we respond to the faults of others. If we have truly experienced the mercy and grace of Christ, and the restorative power of the Holy Spirit, who are we to withhold it from the people around us who need a father, and not a finger-pointer?

I would love to hear your comments...

Blessings!

Grading My Diet

It's worth repeating from 1 Corinthians 8:8 (MSG), "Fortunately God doesn't grade us on our diet." And we all heaved a sigh of relief for that one!!

I know that is kindof a tongue-in-cheek way of looking at this scripture, but the truth is some of us think God is our schoolteacher who gives us a grade for everything we do. Sometimes we get a failing grade and sometimes a passing grade. We feel really confident when we are passing, and really crappy (pardon the term) when we are failing. This is a dangerous mentality to have!!

When we live out of this self-righteous mentality, we cheapen grace...we cheapen Christ. In and of ourselves, there is nothing we can do to earn God's approval... we already have it. He gives us an "A" because of Jesus, not because of our own merits.

For someone like me, this seems too good to be true. I am a "performer". I perform for approval, whether man's or God's. Somedays I am on top of the world, and other days the world is on top of me, depending on how I think I have performed. To be released from the "grade-earning" mentality is so freeing, in theory. However, it is very difficult for someone like me to live in that freedom.. maybe you are in the same boat..the same sinking boat, where you are rowing and rowing to keep the boat afloat in your own strength... hoping God will give you a pat on the back, an "A" for being so strong!!

Today, God wants to being to free you AND me from the performance-based life and transplant us into a grace-based life... can't you just feel the peace in that life?? I give it an "A+".

I would love to hear your feedback on this...

Blessings!

Making Someone's Day

It's worth repeating that we may not be able to change the world, but we can make someone's day. This thought comes from the book, Love Mercy, by Lisa and Ty Samson.

I sometimes get anxious when I think of all the people who need help and love and mercy and compassion. I want to be able to reach them all... I want to adopt every hungry, hurting, abandoned child. I want to give to every charity that is making a difference. I want to hold the hand of every hurting person. I want to hug every lonely person. I want to rescue every young lady who is a victim of the sex trade industry. And I want to do it NOW!!!

This thought from Lisa and Ty Samson is one that brings me back to peace. I may not be able to get to everyone today, but I can get to SOMEONE... I can help someone smile, I can hug someone, I can hold someone's hand... And to that "someone", it will make a difference. I will make a difference... and that means the world to me!

Blessings!