How do you speak???

Proverbs 18:19 "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city."

As a Christian, I must be very careful how I speak or act towards others. You may ask why, but the answer is simple. My words and actions are a representation of my Father. The way I behave and speak towards others can have a direct affect on how they feel about God.

I am learning that my attitude affects this greatly. If I have a bad attitude or I hold a grudge against someone, I in turn will reflect it towards others. This will leave a poor impression of me and of the God I serve. If I snub someone because they do not fit into my idea of how to act, dress, or speak (sing), or if I speak bad about them, I am falling into the trap of the evil one.

Satan wants us to have bad feelings towards others. He wants us to gossip, spread lies, and to feel they are beneath us because they don't fit into our mold. The mold we test everyone by. The mold that tells us if they are worthy to be our friend or not. If they don't look or act like us, they are not worthy to be in our presence.

How ridiculous this sounds but if each one of us looks at ourselves and we are honest, we have all done this at one time or another. I am guilty and unashamed to admit I am but this attitude is wrong. There is one who came to show us the right way to behave towards others, Jesus. He is the perfect example of how we should treat others.

He touched people no one would dream of touching, he loved those no one would love. He ate with people that others had deemed unclean, not worthy to even wipe His feet, but Jesus saw their worth. Throughout the new testament we read how Jesus had the right attitude and how His actions followed. We see God's work through Christ and an example of how each one of us should act.

It is hard to get past ones self to accept people from all walks of life. Once you let Jesus in and let Him rule your heart the unfit will become fit in your eyes. When you take yourself out of the equation and let Jesus in, you will find yourself in the company of those you once looked down on. You will be blessed beyond belief. You will love those you once thought unlovable.

When you do this you will have a peace in your heart. You will find yourself able to forgive and be forgiven. Your lips will only utter kindness and mercy. Prov. 18-21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." With a word you can build up or tear down. Which will you choose today?

I choose to build up but know in my human nature at times I will fail. Daily I will give my speech to God to use as He wills so that I will only speak words that edify others. And daily I will ask for forgiveness for the times I have failed.

God Bless your day.

Outside my window~ The wind is blowing the branches in the trees and spring is trying to make its debut. It is warm today.

I am thinking~ About taking out my scrapping materials and finishing my wedding album.

I am thankful for~ The many blessings God has given me. My family, friends, health, home and church.

I am wearing~ Shorts and a t-shirt.

I am remembering~ All the stuff I have to get done today.

I am creating~ A book. I started writing this weekend. I don't know if I will ever be published but it is something I can work on right now.

I am going~To the library today to return my book and check out a new one.

I am reading~My Bible.

I am hoping~To find another book by Siri Mitchell. Just finished one of her books and couldn't put it down.

On my mind~My daddy. My mother passed away Jan. 1st and he seems lost.

Around the house~Things need to be picked up. Laundry is done and needing to be put away. The brightness from the sun is shining through my windows.

One of my favorite things~ Robins. They signal spring is finally coming.

You are loved

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Gal, 5:24-25 "Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Rom. 13:14

Ok, we spend so much time trying to fit into what society wants us to look like, dress like, act like. I used to be so worried about what I looked like to the public. I was always on this diet or that, coloring my hair, perming it, straightening it, buying what everyone else was wearing. Why do we run around driving ourselves crazy trying to fit into some mold?
I have always been so worried about trying to make others like me that I would be the one to always make peace, talk first, or try to smooth things over. I was a door mat to other peoples attitudes. I would get so frustrated. I would be mad inside all the time but try to act peaceful out side. I was so focused on what others thought of me or what I saw in the mirror.
God calls us to focus on Him. If we look to what God has for us, focus on Him and not the world, we will be so much happier. If I stop trying to be in control, trying to fit into that mold, and look to what God calls me to, I won't feel like I am always lacking. It is our human nature to worry what others think, but as we focus more on God, those feelings will fade. Our confidence is in Christ.
With our focus on Christ, our attitudes towards our self will change. We will walk and talk without the fear of rejection. Christ will strengthen us even in times when we feel like we are insufficient. we can boldly profess who we are. There will be no condemnation towards us. When we stop worrying about what others think about us, we can be free to go places and say things we were afraid to before.
As I grow and mature in Christ, I am finding more of a willingness to do what God calls me to do. I used to fear getting in front of others and speaking of my faith. I didn't want to be ashamed of my lack of knowledge. The answer to that is to study His word daily. As I read more and learn more, I find I fall more in love with the Father who created me. He is leading me into greater things. He blesses me in more ways then I ever expected. I truly desire to serve God in anyway He calls me.
I guess what I want to tell you is that you are important. You were created by an awesome God. He loved you so much that He made you uniquely you. There is no other person like you. Walk in that knowledge and know that you don't have to fit a mold to be loved. God loves you just that way you are.

Whom do you serve, and who serves you???

Yesterday was a very hard day for the Limon Police department and the Lincoln County Sheriffs department. To watch these men and women grieve the loss of a fallen brother was so moving. During the service we laughed and cried. There were memories shared before, during, and after the service. This was a young man of 27, who was doing his job, and was cut down by someone who decided he was living life his way. Jay Sheridan left behind a beautiful young wife and his sweet little baby girl. But you know, amidst the tears and sorrow, there was joy. The joy that this family knew where Jay was. They knew he was in heaven. They knew that his faith was strong and that he had given his life to God.
This doesn't make us hurt any less for the loss. It just helps us to heal in way that we have hope that some day we will see our loved ones. We know where they are and we know where we are going. The service was so good. The amount of Police officers, sheriffs deputies, firemen, EMT's, local people and family was a testament to this man's life. To the many people he touched. And to the brotherhood of law enforcement.
The one thing the pastor said that touched me is that we take for granted the freedom we have. This freedom is bought and paid for in the sacrifice that officers make everyday. It is also the sacrifice that Christ paid for us. Their lives are given, the blood is shed, and we choose to just drive by, not knowing what sacrifice is made just for us. Law Enforcement officers lay their lives on the line every time they step outside their door. When there family kisses them goodbye as they go to work, they may never see them alive again. Officers miss out on birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals, ball games and the list goes on. They sacrifice the time with their families so that we can enjoy the feeling of safety we have and the freedom we enjoy.
Its the same with soldiers. Everyday in this country a family looses a child, spouse, father, brother or sister, who willingly lays their life on the line for our freedoms. And yet a judge has ruled that people have the right to protest a soldiers funeral. Where is that families right? Where is their right to honor that family member who gave those people the right to protest?
It is a shame when this country will allow persons to dishonor someone who should be highly honored. We need to stand up for what is right. We need to honor all our fallen heroes. We need to let those who think otherwise know we will not stand for it.
Well I guess I will get off of my soap box for today. May God bless your day. Continue your prayers for the family of Jay Sheridan and for the officers who worked with and loved him. And pray for all our law enforcement officers, firemen, soldiers and EMT's who risk their lives so we can be free.

State of the World

Today I woke up and did my morning devotions. My husband got up and came to the livingroom and turned on the television and the first thing we see is the earthfquake that hit Japan. We watched as horrible pictures of utter distruction flashed across the screen. Tears appeared in my eyes as I watched and new that there was loss of life happening before my very eyes. People were terrified as their work places, homes, shops and just the ground beneath their feet began to rumble and shake. What a horrible sensation knowing you are completely helpless. You have no control ever the earth, the train, car, boat, building.
I began to pray in earnest that the casulties would be minimal knowing that any loss of life would be tragic. I then began to wonderr if these people knew Jesus. I know some of you will think that this would be a crazy thought at this tiime but any time there is a life lost I wander if they knew Christ. Then I wonder if someone took the time to talk to them about Him. If you are a Christian or a believer, which is one in the same, you might have wondered this same thing. It got me to thinking how many people around me have a failed to talk to and let them have that knowledge? I don't want to pass up one opportunity to share my Father. If I do then I feel guilty.
I think of it like if I were to win the lottery would I keep every dime or would I share? I would share. So I should do the same with Christ. He is the greatest treasure, riches, gift, I have ever been given. There is more of Him than I could use in a lifetime. So why not share Him with others. Why not share my story and testimony. That I will do but only with persons who become followers of my blog. I warn you that where my story will go will be some of the darkest, dirtiest, horrible places a person should go. If you are not a believer, or follower because you feel you don't need Him, or you think you can get to Heaven by being good, I dare you to read my story. Then I dare you to doubt the miracle God worked in my life. Become a follower of my blog and read as my testimony unfolds. And if you have any questions or want to know how to accept Christ as your personal Savior, contact me and we can talk. And if you read it and stand in judgement of me because of a past I had no control over, I will pray for you, and I forgive you. God Bless you all.

Real Love

Ok, so I was getting ready for class tonight when once again it seems God decided to speak to me. This week has been a little tough. My parents, who are divorced, had started seeing each other again after 40 years. They were talking for about 3 weeks. Nothing serious, just kind of being friends. It didn't work for them the first time because they both said they didn't know how to really love.
So I start thinking about what is love. Well I love certain tv shows. I mean, I will even go so far as to make sure they are recorded on my DVR so I won't miss them. I also love food. I love writing. There are many things I would say I love. So is this what love is or is there something deeper? Well love as explained in the Bible is willing to lay your life down. Put this way, I need to rethink how I use the word love and what it means.
Love as defined in the Bible is different. Loving others more than myself, loving my neighbor, loving the unlovable. I don't know very many people who love this way. Ask yourself if you were driving down the street and saw a homeless person, would you stop and offer them help? Would you stop and help a person broke down on the side of the road even if you had to be somewhere at a certain time? How about if you saw someone hurting someone else, would you call for help, stop and get in the middle, or just keep driving because you wouldn't want to get involved. Today people choose to turn the other way and pretend they don't see what is going on.
I am guilty. When I see homeless people begging, I tend to think to myself, "they could get a job." I don't even know their circumstances but boy am I ready to sit as judge and jury. How about love? Would I stop and help them? God has said we are no better than them. We are no different, and His Son died for them just as He did for me. He also calls us to love them. I don't want to in my human nature but when I let God work through me, I am able to have compassion enough to do it. The way I see them, God has seen me. My sin makes me look unlovable. I am dressed in rags, dirty and sitting there begging. But God has washed me clean as snow, not the kind you find in a big city, but the kind you would find in the country. Fresh, clean, white snow.
What a merciful God. If he can feel that way towards me, the least I can do is feel that way towards others. Its another matter of "the cover of the book" syndrome.I am still working on it and I am praying daily God can cure me, which I know He can. Thank you merciful God for all you have forgiven me of. For given me the ability to see past the cover and to love.

Procrastination

I am not the queen of procrastination but I bet I could give her a run for her money. I start out with great intentions and plans, and then quickly find other things to do besides the ones I know I need to do. I write out a list in my head and then start watching a show on tv, get on facebook, read a book, or a million other things rather then the list. This hasn't always been my nature. I used to be very focused and almost OCD about things. But as I have gotten older, I find myself being a little more lax.
Now I am not saying it isn't a good thing to take a break, but everyday cannot be a break. You can't justify sitting on the couch for 4 hours straight and say, "oh I was folding laundry and watching tv." That works for only about 30 minutes. Unless of course you take in other peoples laundry and its your business. This is just on of the excuses I use.
This also applies in my relationship with God. I used to say, "Oh, I'll pray for you," or "I am praying about that." The truth was, I was not really praying at all. I would say to myself that I would pray later. That time never came. Then I started to wonder where was God? Why did I not feel Him in my life anymore? Why was I reverting back to old habits? The answer was easy. It wasn't where was God, but where was I? I, not God, had walked away from the relationship. I had stopped reading my bible, stopped singing on praise team, stopped praying about things and stopped relying on God.
I got caught up in myself and thinking that everything I had, and everything I had become was of my own doing. I took the credit for all the great works God was doing in my life. I started thinking about living like the "Jones`," instead of living the way God called me. The things I thought I had accomplished were taken away from me one by one. God loved me enough to break me down once again, and to show me He, not I, was in control. It is a hard lesson to face.
My life now is much slower paced. I get up each morning and spend time in the Word. I listen to what God is saying to me. I pray throughout the day and always before bed. I am not to busy to get down on my knees when the need arises. And I am again doing what God has called me to do and using the talents He has given me. I praise Him daily for all the things He has blessed me with. I especially thank Him for being patient with me and guiding me back into His loving arms. His tender mercies are there for me everyday. His Grace is sufficient for me. I thank God that He has taught me to lean on Him for all my needs and that I need to stick to my lists. He has shown me that slothfulness is a sin and I need to be focused each and everyday. Thank you God for always being there and never leaving me even in my selfishness.

View from across the street: Cover of a book

View from across the street: Cover of a book: "I am an avid reader. I love anything about history. I read mostly Christian historical romance. When I go to the library, I find myself cho..."

Cover of a book

I am an avid reader. I love anything about history. I read mostly Christian historical romance. When I go to the library, I find myself choosing books by what the cover looks like. If it doesn't catch my eye, I won't take it. I rarely read what the back cover says.
So as I was laying in bed this morning, again God shows me this little example. I look at people and if they aren't appealing, they just go back on the shelf so to speak. What I mean is, if they don't appeal to me in their attitudes, speech or sometimes the way they dress, I tend not to give them much attention. I think most of society thinks this way. We all have our idea of what types of friends we want, who we hang out with, and yes who we will even speak to at times. Now just to clear the record, I do talk to everyone, but there are very few who get to really know me.
As I thought about this, I was a little saddend. I began to wonder how many wonderful people I missed getting to know. How many people had something very valuable to say but they didn't have the right cover. I didn't bother to look any further. I just walked away and never really took the time to get to know them.
I believe God gives us experiences in our lives so that we can help others. So if I choose to walk away, I may miss an opportunity to share God with them. Maybe they have experienced similar things in their lives and don't feel worthy of Gods forgiveness or mercy. If everyone else is walking around like I am and not looking beyond the cover, then a very good story could be missed. This is not what God created me for.
So I am making a concious effort to really look at people. To read the back cover an even open the book. Not all stories are fairy tells but they still need to be told. Sometimes that is the only way a person can heal. It may be an ugly story, but that doesn't make the person ugly.
The mercy I show to others may be just what they need so that they can go on with life. Maybe they just need someone to hear them. Someone to listen to there story and then tell them the greatest story ever told. The story of Jesus Christ. How God sent His only son to die for all that ugly story in their life. To cleanse them and set them free. I have experienced that story in my life and I should be bursting at the seams to share it with everyone I come into contact with. I am hoping my blog will give me that chance.
For now it is easier for me to write it then to speak it. This doesn't mean I won't speak it, I am reading God's word everyday so that I can be a vessel for His use. Thank you Father God for your love and mercy. Help me to be a tool you can use. Let me look beyond the cover and into the stories waiting to be told.

The other side of the street

This week has been a week of revelations for me. I have learned more this week than I have in a long time. It started Sunday while I was at bible study. A very wise person said to us that as Christians we need to be more compassionate to those who don't believe. Not so quick to judge. The very next day, I was getting ready to go running when I noticed my neighbor sitting on her porch. I walked across the street and began visiting with her. I am calling this the view from the other side of the street because of this visit.
During our conversation I mentioned to her that I was thinking of cutting down the old elm tree in my yard. Those of us who live in SO. East Colorado know that elm trees are a real pain. She asked me to sit on her porch swing with her. I sat down and my eyes were opened. She said to me, "look at that tree. It is the only symmetrical elm I have ever seen. Not only that but when it buds out and the leaves are green it is so beautiful." Most elm trees are just a jumble of branches but this one was different.
So as I was reading my bible and doing my study this morning, the Lord spoke to me. He revealed that I tend to look at others the way I was looking at that tree. As just a pain, something to be dealt with. I didn't see the beauty of God's creation. Beautifully and wonderfully made. I didn't look at them from the other side of the street. I now hope to be the other side of the street type of person from this point forward and I pray that others can be this way too. Be a person who can see things from the other side of the street. And thanks to God and my neighbor for opening my eyes.