Telephone

"I am what the LORD says I am, not what others say I am."  (Adaptation from Charles Horton Cooley.)

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body..." James 3:6a

"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."  James 3:8

I was speaking with a friend of mine the other day, and she mentioned that there had been some repeated gossip about a comment I had made some months before.  I asked her what that so-called-comment was, and who was repeating it?  She couldn't remember the comment, and because it had been going around a few months back, she couldn't remember the persons who kept repeating it.  It bothered me because I don't remember making a comment that could be harmful or misconstrued in anyway, and I wished that I had been made aware of this while it was happening, so that I could confront those who seemed to have stretched something I said into something that was tasty fodder for the gossipers.

As I walked away from my friend, my heart was wounded.  I honestly purpose myself to be mindful of my words, so I was confused to why this happened?  To think others were talking about me behind my back and twisting innocent words that could question my testimony and defile the church body, I was reminded of a game I used to play at slumber parties.  It was called, Telephone.  We would all sit down on the floor in a circle, and one person would whisper something into the ear of the person sitting next to her.  That person would then whisper what she heard into the ear of the person sitting next to her, and so-on, until the last person in the circle would speak out loud, what was whispered in her ear.  The last person's words never matched the words of the person who started this chain.  Back then, it was funny.  It was a game.  

It's not so funny now.

Every time something that is innocently spoken and repeated, words are changed that turn into deadly poison.  It not only hurts the person whose words have been twisted, but it hurts those who hear the lies, and it hurts the person telling the lies, whether they see it or not.

Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us, "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

I've learned three things that will prevent gossip:

1-Never say anything about someone that you wouldn't say to their face.

2-Never say anything about someone unless they are there to respond to what is being said.

3-Never listen to someone else's gossip.

At the end of the day, if you replay the words that you have spoken, would they be words that build up or tear down?

Satan twisted truth-

    don't be like him...

        Speak the truth in love-

            And be like Jesus...

                But that's just me!

"When you speak, remember, God is one of your listeners."  Amish Proverb

Sin Odor

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."  Galatians 5:9

I walked into Papa Murphy's Pizza the other day expecting to smell mouth-watering pizza ingredients; the yeast kneaded in the dough, the slice of onions and garlic, tangy marinara sauce.

Instead, I smelled the man standing in line in front of me.  Body odor permeated the entire pizza place.

Instead of mouthwatering pizza smells, my eyes began to water, and I wanted to gag.  

I'm not trying to be funny or disrespectful describing this encounter, I find it extremely sad.

It's amazing how one's own personal smell doesn't bother the person themself.  What seems offensive to others does not seem to bother them at all.  It goes unnoticed.

Walking out to my car, with pizza in hand, I heard a Still Small Voice whisper in my ear:

"You Stink."

You see, the Lord reminded me that, although I may not have body-odor, I emanated a sin odor, and it works the same way.  Often times, I don't seem bothered by it myself, (have I grown too use to my sin-odor?) and yet it affects others.  

My unconfessed sin, secret faults and presumptuous sins stink.

I may not notice it, but my Saviour does, and so do those around me.

Do I make my Saviour's eye's water and cause Him to gag because of sin in my life? (Rev 3:16)

It only takes a little sin...

    to stink...

        But that's just me!

Observations

"What you are about to read is true, the names have been changed to protect the GUILTY."

Observation 1:

He grew up in a two-parent Christian home.  He went to church every time the doors were opened; even made a profession of faith when he was seventeen.  He was voted 'most likely to succeed' and as MVP on the Varsity Football Team, took the head cheerleader to prom.  After finishing college, he married his high-school sweetheart and soon started a family.  He and his family moved to the city, and he became the CEO in a rapidly growing business.  A successful job, a nice home, a wife, two children, a manicured lawn and a dog completes this lovely picture.  

Neighbor 1:  Hey, Max.  Haven't seen John in a while, have you?"

Neighbor 2: "You mean, you didn't hear?"

Neighbor 1: "Hear what?"

Neighbor 2: "John's been arrested.  He's serving 25 to life in the State Pen."

Neighbor 1:  "You're kidding me!  For what?"

Neighbor 1:  "Murder."

Observation 2:

Clara sat in her car in front of the local Retail Store.  Out walks a pretty young woman with a spring in her step and a smile as wide as the cheshire cat.  Clara watches as this young woman walks across the parking lot, and says to herself, "Will you look at her!  Purple hair, a nose ring, tattoos, stiletto heels, tattered jeans and a Starbucks coffee in her hand to boot!  I wonder what's got her all happy today, a hot date tonight?  Bless her heart, I will make sure to pray for her as soon as I get home."

(What Clara didn't know, is that this pretty, purple haired, pierced, tattooed, tattered jean clad, stiletto heeled woman has a spring to her step and a smile on her face because she just led her co-worker to Christ.)

Funny how simple observations can become opinions of judgment...

    

"...for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."  1 Samuel 16:7b

Never judge a book...

    by it's cover...

        But that's just me!

The Best Day of My Life

(A Hypothetical Narrative)

"What started out as the worst day of my life, turned out to be the best day of my life; let me explain.

I always knew this day would come; I just didn't expect it to be so soon.  Then again, Death is never when you expect it. 

There is a crowd today, more so than in past crucifixions, what's the draw?  The people are angry, not just curious.  There are hateful taunts, mockeries, head wagging.

I look past the man in the middle and see a familiar face.  We have crossed paths before; hidden in the quiet of the night, darkness covering our thievery and lusts; he had it coming, just like I did and today we both hang here on crosses of our own making, exposed, in the light.

CAUGHT! 

The voices in the crowd grow louder, and since I tend to follow the rebellious, I find myself adding my own railings against this stranger who hangs on a cross in the middle between two criminals.

I hear someone shout, "Save thyself and come down from the cross!"  (Mark 15:30) Then a Chief Priest shouts, "He saved others; himself he cannot save!"  (Mark 15:31)

My ears perk; "he saved others?"

I turn to this man in the middle, who has so far, remained quiet.  There are no retaliatory remarks or cursing's coming from his mouth.  I read the inscription written on his cross:  JESUS OF NAZERETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  (John 19:19)

Before I can process the meaning of such words, I see him slowly lifting himself up using the narrow board at his bloodied feet, and I hear him say, "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do."  (Luke 23:34)

Could it be, this crowd is mistaken, that this man hangs here unjustly?

He speaks again, this time to a man who is standing beside a woman.  His mother?  I cannot remove my eyes from this woman; there is grief and heartache etched in each line of her face, and yet I see something else...HOPE? "Woman, behold thy son!"  And to the disciple, "Behold thy mother."  (John 19:26,27)

The criminal on the other side of this hill begins to rail on the man in the middle, and I can remain silent no more.  I cry out, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." (Luke 23:40,41)

I turn to this man they call Jesus and I ask, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom."

(Luke 23:42)

In the midst of his agony, he spoke directly to me, and he said, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

It wasn't long until I heard him speak again to his Father.  He said, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit, It is finished."  (Luke 23:46, John 19:30)

And then he died.

I watched as a Roman soldier pierced his side and blood and water came forth and spilled out onto the ground.  I bowed my head and in great sorrow and with GREAT JOY, I wept.

As the appeased crowd dispersed, I knew it wouldn't be long now until I saw my Saviour again;

He is waiting for me in paradise."

The Best Day of my Life was July 5, 1995.  I turned from my sin and turned to Christ, and just like this thief on the cross, He saved me.

He will save you too...

        Just turn to Him and ask...

            But that's just me!

Counterattack

Counterattack:  An attack made in response to or in defense against an attack made by another.

Webster.

Ever hear a Jingle that you can't get out of your head?  A commercial on TV, or perhaps an old song heard in the store or a restaurant, that once heard, you hum all day long?

Drives me slowly insane, and my husband knows it.  From time to time, he will purposely hum a Jingle from a commercial on TV knowing that I will end up humming it throughout the day.  And each time I catch myself, I say, "UGH!"  And then he laughs, the Rat!  (Ha)

But I learned how to counterattack.

When I hear a Jingle, I've been ensnared in from the past, I begin to sing a Hymn.  It's my new countermeasure.  

Jesus did the same thing when He was under attack from Satan in the desert.

With each attack, came a counterattack by quoting the Word of God.

But he answered and said, It is written...Matthew 4:4a

Jesus said unto him, It is written again,...Matthew 4:7a

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written...Matthew 4:10a

The next time you are under attack...

        Counterattack from the Word of God...

            Victory is sure!

                But that's just me!

Unruly

"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

Proverbs 29:13

My husband and I had some errands to run this past weekend, and while we were out and about, decided to treat ourselves to lunch.  We thought it would be a nice time to just sit and talk and enjoy some good food in a peaceful atmosphere.  That was not to be.

Just as we were sitting down in our designated booth, two women with their children followed and sat in the booth beside us.  One mother was literally dragging her kicking and screaming son behind her.  I looked at my husband and thought, "Oh no!"  

This child continued to scream while his mother kept issuing threats of doomed consequences.  When that didn't work, the mother resorted to bribes.  And when that didn't work, she ended up taking him outside.  I don't know what she did out there, but when they came back into the restaurant, the child seemed to be under control.

Until it was time to order.

Then the screaming, the threats and the bribes picked up where they had left off.

I told my husband, "That child deserves a good spanking!"

There was a time when I would feel sorry for the parents when I witnessed temper tantrums, screams, and tears; but not anymore.

Now I feel sorry for the child.

Why?

Because this behavior is produced by a lack of attention on the part of the parent.

Laziness in parenting today...

    will only produce more work, (and heartache) in the future...

        But that's just me!

"One of the worst things we can do is allow our children to grow up thinking they don't need to keep any rules.  A spoiled child becomes a spoiled adult."  Billy Graham

Save Thyself

"Save thyself, and come down from the cross." Mark 15:30

Words of mockers who passed by our Lord while wagging their heads in disdain.  

They didn't realize that Christ stayed on the cross for them.

Yes, Jesus could have called ten thousand angels; He could have come down off that cross and said, "Forget them, they are not worth dying for."

But instead, in His great love, mercy and compassion, He said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Jesus did not go to the cross for Himself.

He was not beaten, scourged and disgraced for Himself.

He did not have nails pierce His hands and His feet because of His sins.

His side was not pierced for His sins, and He did not stay on the cross for Himself.

He stayed on that cross for His mockers-

He stayed on that cross for sinners-

He stayed on that cross for you, and for me.

He paid a debt we could not pay.

WHAT A SAVIOUR!

Jesus did not need to be saved...

    We did...

        But that's just me!

"Love was compressed for all history in that lonely figure on the cross, who said that He could call down angels at any moment on a rescue mission, but chose not to-because of us.  At Calvary, God accepted His own unbreakable terms of justice."  Phillips Brooks.

"It was Christ who willingly went to the cross, and it was our sins that took Him there."

Franklin Graham

Unexpectedly

We all know it's coming...

and yet few are often prepared.

The world calls it the Circle of Life.

God calls it a Season. (Ecclesiastes 3:2)

Death.

Why is something so inevitable the least prepared for?  Is it because nobody wants to talk about it, or have they really convinced themselves that it won't happen to them...at least for a very long time?

My friend recently told me that she lost her brother-in-law unexpectedly.

Five years ago, I lost my sister, unexpectedly.

Sometimes we are told in advance that we have a limited time, but we have already been warned that our time is short.  " Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

James 4:14

So, why does it catch us off-guard?  

Because we are not prepared.  (Funny how the question is actually the answer)

Oh sure, people prepare physically; they purchase a lot under a beautiful tree in cemetery, pick out their casket, write their Wills, but they do not prepare their resting place for their eternal soul.

They think they still have time.

Whether through a diagnosed illness, a brain aneurysm, crime, drunk driver's or old age, death comes when it is least expected.

A man living his dream in material possessions, didn't see it coming.  He was more concerned about building a bigger barn than getting his soul right with God.

He died, unexpectedly.

Never having another opportunity to prepare his heart before a Holy God.

"And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"  words of Jesus, Luke 12:19-20

Friend, don't die unexpectedly...

    Be prepared...

        Repent and turn to God...

            But that's just me!

"To be prepared to die is to be prepared to live."  Charles Spurgeon

Today's Sanctification, Tomorrow God's Wonders

"And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you."  Joshua 3:5

Sanctify-Purify 

Wonders-Efficient far beyond anything previously known, wonders that will cause you to marvel or be astonished.  (Webster) I will add, only those things God can do!

A conditional promise is found here in the book of Joshua, and what a promise!

Sanctify yourselves, and God WILL DO wonders AMONG you!  (capitals mine)

Separate myself from the things of this world today, and tomorrow God will do wonders that only He can do that will cause me to marvel at His majesty and cause me to praise His Name!

That means I must prepare myself today.

It means as things begin to taint my vision from the things of God today, as philosophies of this world entertain my thoughts today, as 'self' wants to take front and center, I must make a decision to confess that immediately, TODAY!

As I keep myself pure today, the wonders of God will fill my tomorrows.

WHAT A THOUGHT!

What would happen if we crawled into bed each night and confessed our day to the Lord?

What would happen when we woke up prepared for the Spiritual battle and remained separate from the things of this world?

What would happen if we purposed in our hearts, like Daniel, not to defile ourselves?  (Daniel 1:8)

What would happen if we determined in our hearts to please God rather than man? (1 Thessalonians 2:4, Acts 5:29)

What would happen if when discouraged, we decided to encourage ourselves in the Lord like David?

1 Samuel 30:6b

Or what would happen if we chose to be holy as God is Holy? 1 Peter 1:16

I will tell you what would happen...

    We would see the Wonders of God...

             But that's just me!

Why standest afar off?

"Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?"

Psalm 10:1

David asked God a question that so many of us ask God today. 

Why does it seem like God is hidden in our times of trouble?  My personal opinion: it's because we are more focused on the trouble and less focused on God.  We have magnified our trouble and reduced the power of our Lord.

I also think it's because we are relying on our 'feelings' rather than the 'facts' that God reveals to us in His Word concerning the times of our troubles.

When I read this verse, I thought about how when I was a little girl riding my bike the first couple of times without my training wheels.  My dad would run behind me, holding on to my seat, and as long as I knew he was still holding my seat, I had the confidence I needed to ride my bike because I knew my dad was in control.  When he would let go, so did my confidence, and sometimes I would fall.  But as soon as I hit the ground, my dad was already there picking me back up again and I would try again.  And then there were times when he had let go and I didn't know it.  He was there, but yet he wasn't.  He was watching me, always at the ready.

He was there, right beside me the whole time. 

He let go so that I could live what I learned.

It might seem like when we are in the midst of our worst time of trouble that God has hidden, but He has not.  He promises to never leave us nor forsake us.

He is simply reminding us...

    Live what you have learned from Me...

        "Be still, and know that I am God..."

            But that's just me!