A Letter to Jesus

Dear Jesus,

It's me again, your dear and loving, faithful friend. 

Wait...that's a laugh, because it's not true. We both know that the last person I'd call is you. 

I wanted to tell you about my life, all my pain, my troubles, my strife. 

I've left you out of everything then wondered why my life's a mess, if only I had trusted you I could have saved myself much needless stress. 

I've lived my life just for me not thinking about the casualties then turned my head so I couldn't see that I had caused this misery. The old, the meek, the weary, and mild they weren't my problem, I was living free and wild!

To those I've hurt and wounded most, I have no right to brag or boast.
My heart was broken and in need of attention. I was at rock bottom, in case I didn't mention. 

I followed people and ignored your calling but you knew all along that I was  stalling. My heart was yours from the very beginning regardless of all my failures and my constant sinning.

You loved me even when I was lost and your patience with me did not exhaust. How did you ever love someone like me who cursed your name so hatefully?

Jesus, I don't know where to start, but I ask you now to come into my heart. Make me clean and just and holy and send the Holy Spirit to console me.

Help me now as I grow to seek Your face wherever I go. Help me be humble, and quiet and still and most of all to do Your will.

I love you Jesus, now it is true. I give my life willingly to you.

I close this letter much differently than I started, because my old life has now departed. I thank you now for not letting me go, for saving my life, and making me whole. 

You are my Savior and there is no end. From Your dear and loving faithful friend, 

Me.

Think about it!

Have you come to the place in your spiritual life that you know for certain if you were to die today that you would go to Heaven? If you did die today and stand before God and He were to ask you "Why should I let you into my Heaven?" what would you say? Here are some Bible references for you to check out that may clear up some of your questions about salvation: Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8,9, Romans 3:23, Matthew 5:48, 1 John 4:8, Jeremiah 31:3, Exodus 34:7, Ezekiel 18:4, John 1:1, 14, Isaiah 53:6, Acts 16:31, Revelation 3:20.

Righteous Anger or Bad Behavior?

I attended a church a few years ago that underwent a great deal of changes within a short amount of time. Our pastor retired after many years and our new pastor was very shy and quiet so he didn't talk much. At the time I didn't understand why he couldn't remember who I was. I attended every church function, volunteered for every committee, and helped with vacation Bible School every year. I remember walking past him one day and saying "hello" and he didn't even look at me! I was flat out mad! I decided at that moment that I was no longer going to attend this church. And I didn't. My feelings were hurt and I felt they were validated by the fact that I wasn't patted on the back and instantly recognized by the pastor or anybody else at our church.


I remember sitting in a meeting before this all happened and somebody announced that we needed a chairperson for a committee but nobody wanted to do it, so I piped up and said "I know Billy will be mad, but I will do it." Then just shrugged and let out an "oh me" sigh. Wow! What a joy I must have been to those around me at that moment. Nobody likes a half-hearted leader or a whiny cry baby that has to have her way and I was both!


First of all, we shouldn't do anything for our own glory. My focus was not on what the problem actually was which was allowing God to do the work. I wanted to do everything and I wanted people to notice that I was there and important and did ALL of these things and say "Oh Samantha, thank you so much for being so awesome and making our church so magnificent!" That was never going to happen! God doesn't help those who try to help themselves to His glory! Our church wasn't any better because of anything I did especially with the attitude that I possessed.


Secondly, my pastor had a million things on his mind. He was dedicated to the congregation and had quite a few things going on in his personal life, not to mention the fact that he was Pastoring a new church in a new town! How selfish could I have been to think that what I was doing was anymore important than what he or any other member was doing? I tried to make coming to church about me. The last time I checked, the Bible didn't even mention my name as the reason that people came to worship!


Lastly and most importantly, my reaction to my feelings getting hurt didn't qualify as "righteous anger", it was most certainly bad behavior! When I think about righteous anger I think about Jesus in the Temple. Matthew 21:11-13 says, "Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’” His anger was not only "righteous", it was necessary. He was defending His father's temple and was standing up for what was right and honorable.


Our actions should be no different than those of Jesus. He never once needed or wanted the applause of man, or Sadducees, or Pharisees, or any other religious leader. Think before you act. Better yet, pray before you act. Before performing any task ask yourself: Is this for God's glory or am I looking for approval from man? Is my behavior a reaction to my feelings being hurt or a result of my bad behavior or am I defending something that God considers Holy? More times than not, the answer is the previous and not the latter.


Think about it!
Are you struggling with a recent incident that left you hurt or angry? If you stepped back from the situation, could you see your part in it? Was your behavior righteous? Did your behavior honor your testimony? Did it show Christ's love?

Are You Without Sin?

Has somebody ever brought something to your attention about your behavior and immediately you were convicted that what they were saying was true? I recently had that happen to me. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we feel God wants us to do and leads us do that we forget the purpose of why He sent us to do the task in the first place. If I say that I'm a friend of God then I need to set Jesus as my example and love people no matter the situation. It's easy to be judgmental when we get caught up in what we think people "should" or "should not" be doing instead of how we can love them with the grace God gave us. 

My Sunday school teacher said, "We shouldn't compare ourselves to other Christians. We should compare ourselves to Christ." Jesus was perfect, not only in the way He lived, but in the way He loved. He looked past the sin and saw the heart of the person. What if we could aspire to love the heart of a person like Jesus loves us? Romans 12:9-18 says "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." 

I would like to break down a few parts of this verse. First, "Loving without hypocrisy." Remember the woman that was accused of adultery that everybody wanted to stone? Remember how everybody wanted to stone her but the man she had supposedly had the affair with couldn't be found? And Jesus said "Let those that are without sin, cast the first stone. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last."I find it interesting that they were convicted at His statement. I was convicted that I was being judgmental and so were they!! I have to put my stone down because I am not without sin.

Look at what comes next: "Abhor (hate, detest, loathe) what is evil." We can hate the sin, not approve of it, and even detest it, but the truth is it is not our job to judge it, it's our job to love the person and "Cling to what is good." And the only thing "good" is God! Then as the list goes on check out what our job is: be affectionate (hug, kiss, love on each other) with brotherly/sisterly love, giving preference (loving others before yourself), being dilligent (never stopping our love, pursuing them),fervent in spirit & serving the Lord (all excited that the love He showed us is evident in our love towards others),  rejoicing in hope (knowing God will do His will not ours), patient in tribulation (waiting for God even if you want to fix it yourself, I'm so guilty of this!), continuing steadfastly in prayer (always raising people up in prayer for God to show them His way), distributing to the needs of the saints (that's me and you spreading Jesus' love to others, especially other Christians and giving to each what they need), bless & do not curse (Whoa now! Remember, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Be a blessing. Don't let the sin be the focus. Focus on Jesus and let love guide you.)

The last part of that is just like it says. Be happy for others when they are happy, mourn with them when they mourn. Don't think that you are so much wiser than everybody. Focus on being humble and associating with those that are humble as well. Love things that are good and get along with people. It's pretty simple really!

Think about it!

Is there something that you feel like God is leading you to do, but your focus is not love? Are you able to cast the first stone? Who is your example? Others or Jesus? Open your Bible today and read about God's love and forgiving grace then decide today how you will love.

Tears of the Granny

As I laid in the floor that night watching my grandmother taking every labored breath, I started to reminisce about my own mother. When Courtney was a baby she wrote her a letter and at the end she drew a little picture with tears dropping down and a note that said, "Tears of the Granny". I thought it was sweet but kind of silly because I didn't understand. Then, as if a light bulb were turned on, it occurred to me-this is how she felt about Courtney and how my granny felt about me.

We often get wrapped up in the outward appearances of love and we forget that our hearts hold more love than can be expressed. My grandmother wasn't a very clingy or outwardly affectionate woman-don't get me wrong, she was a hugger- but she always made me feel more than loved by the way she spoke to me. Her wisdom far exceeded her years. She gave me tips on make-up, on being an independent woman, and of course, men. I followed her advice on most things, but let's face it, I was a teenager and most things went right in my ears and out my big bubble head!

My mom was the other kind of granny-wanting to be near you, hugging and kissing, and making my kids smile. She passed away in 2000 but her memory lives on in me and my family. These two women possessed many loving qualities that I will in turn pass on to my grandbaby, for now I understand the tears of the granny.

My grandmother passed away on November 18, 2011 and has gone home to be with the Lord. Once again, God in His infinite wisdom, helped her to invite Jesus into her heart less than a week before her passing! How glorious it must be for her right now to be praising the one true King. Completely free from pain, from death, and from tears. Walking the streets of gold, talking and walking to the One that gave her life. God is so faithful!

I will be home soon granny and momma! I love you both.

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world." John 17:24

A Snapshot of Jesus

Say Cheese!! We've all heard those famous words right before somebody snapped our beautiful picture, right? Most of the time when somebody takes a picture of me I hate it! My hair's not right, I look too old, too fat, or my eyes or closed or something. It usually doesn't end up with me being happy needless to say.

I was thinking about my picture being taken the other day and it made me think of something. If somebody were to take a picture of me right now what would it look like. In our Christian walk we encounter many opportunities to be Jesus to somebody and show His love, but what if somebody could take a picture of us and actually capture the image of Jesus himself. The image would not reflect our outward appearance but Jesus who lives in us.

A while back, after posting something on my Facebook that wasn't very Christian like, if somebody would have taken my picture they would have seen something that looked nothing like Jesus. It would have looked like a black hole full of anger, resentment, and just plain old the devil! That doesn't sound or look like to Jesus to me. Galatians 5:22-26 states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." This convicts me to be in the Spirit more so that I can be a reflection of Jesus even on those occasions where I feel I may have been wronged.

Billy and I were talking the other night about a few experiences that got us "in the flesh" (as my Pastor likes to say) this week . We get so angry and we don't understand why people act the way they do and then we get convicted because we remember, Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Jesus was crucified for our sins, for your sins, and for my sins. There is no little or big sin in the eyes of God, it is all SIN.

Think about it!

What would your snapshot look like right now? Would it resemble Jesus? Do you categorize sin and think that your sin fails in comparison to others sins? Are you crucifying Jesus with your fleshly lifestyle? What changes can you make to be in the Spirit?

Circle of Friends

Several times in the Bible it mentions weeping without restraint over the loss of the friend or over the troubles of a friend. In Job 2:12 it says, "And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven." In Acts 20:36-38 it says, "And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship." And probably the most memorable weeping of all was Jesus weeping for Lazarus in John 11:35-36, "Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

I have a circle of friends that make me feel this way and help me stay grounded and Godly. It's strange but it wasn't until after God saved me that I understood what true friendship really was. Don't get me wrong, I loved my friends before, but I didn't understand what it meant to be a friend. 

This circle of friends is a small group of beautiful ladies, each with a heart for God and loving people to Jesus. I don't have to mention their names because they know who they are. They will pray for me, take my hand and go with me to the altar, and call me out if I try and head up the "Samantha" show! They look at me through God's eyes and they know my heart. When I think of how Job's friends must have felt when they saw him my heart breaks. They were looking at him from a distance and because of Job's deep mourning they didn't recognize him. Then they mourned for their friend and they didn't even know what the trouble was. They mourned his pain and they felt it with him. That's the meaning of friendship!

In the second passage, Paul is travelling to Jerusalem knowing that he will be imprisoned for preaching the Good News but the Holy Spirit is calling him to go anyways. He has to tell his friends and fellow believers of Christ that this will be the last time that he will see them and get this-they knelt and prayed! They knew that they would never see Paul again. I love the part where it says they "wept freely". They wept without inhibition, without concern of onlookers, and with hearts full of Christ's love for their friend. Many times when me and my circle of friends are together we cry, or "leak" as one of them says. As a circle of believers, we know that there is no issue that is too small and no problem that is too big for our God and if we pray together He listens.

The last passage is talking about Jesus going to see Lazarus after he had died. I've never lost a friend, except my mom (who was my bestest friend in the whole world) but I can picture Jesus, in human form with human emotions, going to visit his friend and feeling the pain of loss. "Jesus wept." What could make Jesus weep? He had the Father at his beck and call, why was He weeping. I think it was because He felt loss even though He knew what was about to happen to Lazarus. Seeing the mourners, hearing the wailing, and speaking to Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha and seeing their pain probably didn't help the situation either. Jesus was a friend that loved His friend so much that the Jews took notice when He cried for His friend.

The deeper I get into God's word, the more I realize my need for Christian friends. Christian friends will encourage you and keep you on track. 

Think about it!

Have you ever mourned for a friend? Their pain? Their loss? Their sorrows? Is there a friend that needs your prayers and tears? What kind of friends are you surrounding yourself with? Where do your friends take you? Is their advice Godly or worldly? Do they speak Truth to you when you are struggling or just tell you what you want to hear? Take time today to call a friend and thank them for their friendship.

Time with Lacey Quin

If you haven't had grandchildren yet, it's hard to explain to you the feeling that you get when you see their sweet faces for the first time! Lacey is my first grandbaby. She was born on October 11,2011. I get to see her about once a month; that's a hundred years in granny time! She is almost 16 months old now and I think about her everyday.

Last year, Courtney and Kyle let me take her and keep her all night at my sister's house and I got to spend some real quality time with her. She was only a month or so old then and as I looked at her, I just prayed that God would hold her in His hands and that He would lead and guide her life. That He would place a wonderful husband in her life one day that would love the Lord as much as her and treat her like a Princess. This sweet little baby is my descendant, and as I prayed over her, it occurred to me: I am a descendant too. A descendant of a King! That makes me and Lacey princesses!

I have the ability to start all over with this baby and do things the right way; with God at the center. My kids got to see too much of the old Sam and old Billy.(Nobody liked them and we are glad that they are gone! Hehe!) Now it is time for redemption. A second chance to raise this child up in the ways of the Lord. An opportunity to say thank you to God for all He has done for me and my family.

Deuteronomy 6:6-8 says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." This is the kind of granny, mom, wife, & friend I want to be! I want to use God's word to make an impression on everybody I meet, especially the ones closest to me.

Think about it?

Do you carry His commandments on your heart and impress them on your children? Do you walk and talk and think about them at all times? Would you tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads?

Let Your Little Light Shine

Devin shared a story with us last night that made us all listen. He has several close friends that he's told us like to cuss and he said that he's asked them not to do it around him anymore. So the friends told him a week or so that they wanted to stop cussing too and asked him to help. Being boys and teenage boys at that, the method they came up with to help them was kind of, well, teenage boy-ish! So hears the deal: if any of the boys hears the other one cuss they can slap that person in the face as hard as they can! See, I told you, it is teenage boy-ish!

As far as we know nobody has gotten the dreaded slap.While their method is drastic, to say the least, it just proves once again that even the smallest of changes in one person can change an entire environment. Here is my 15 year old son trying to stand up for what he believes in and because of that his friends want to be like him! As a mother, I was overwhelmed with emotions, one of love (he's a teenager, do I need to say more?! LOL!), one of fear (for the kid getting slapped), one of warning (I wouldn't want my kid coming home with a big slap mark on his face and I definitely wouldn't want to have to explain to my parents why I got slapped in the first place), and of course, one of conviction (to change my actions to reflect Jesus even in the smallest of things).

My Sunday school teacher told us a story about tea the other morning. He asked, "If you take a cup of hot water and you add a tea bag, what happens? It changes the color of it's surroundings, right?" Think of it this way, if the hot water is the world, then as a Christian we are the tea bag that affects the world and changes it not the other way around. The world shouldn't change us. We are supposed to be the light of the world. Our smallest gestures of obedience could allow others to see Jesus and the light he has put in us and come to know Him as a result. Jesus said in  Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We have seen so many teenagers at our church that stand up and are bold for Jesus and I wonder,"What am I afraid of?" How is it teenagers can go to the altar and most of the adults, including myself, never visit it? It is definitely pride and fear that keep me from giving it all to God. Watch the youth at your church. If they don't go the altar, maybe you need to set the example and go first. I will give up my pride and join you.

Think about it!
Are there small things in your life that feel like they are not important that really are making a difference to somebody? What are some new things you could do to make a difference? I want to give God what is God's. That includes my time, my treasures, and my life. Let's lay our life on His altar today!

What do people see when they look at me?

I was at a friend's house one Sunday afternoon with my niece & nephew, Sherry and Chaz and we were playing this game called Headbands. First you have to put on your little plastic headband then you pick a card and put it in the little slot on the front so you can't see it. The object of the game is to try and guess what your card says you are (I am a pig, I am a snake, etc) in an allotted amount of time. You have an opportunity to ask questions to help you figure it out. If you guess what it is and you still have time left you can try another card and keep going until your time runs out. Needless to say the game is a whole lot of fun to play and we had a blast!

I was thinking about this game on the way to work and it made me wonder, if I wore a headband all the time with a little card on it what would it say? An array of thoughts ran through my mind as I tried to picture how people perceived me. I want people who meet me and people who know me to see: I am a friend, I am a follower of Christ, I am a wife, I am a mother, I am a giver, I am a lover of the Word of God. But the truth is, sometimes I show off these character traits instead: I am a whiner, I am a complainer, I am a lover of my self, I am a grouch, I am a fool. Ever feel that way? The good news is we don't have to be perfect for God to love us but we do need to ask for His forgiveness when we complain, whine, are selfish, are grouchy, or are acting like a fool. 1 Peter 2 says this, "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,  now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

I always find it comical that God takes even the smallest of events and turns them to His glory! A simple game, a visit to the grocery store, or even reading a school handbook can make us relate something in our life to something in His word.

Think about it!
Is there an event that you've participated in that God has revealed a life lesson in? Do you crave God and His Word? Are your thoughts geared towards pleasing Him so that you can grow up in your salvation? Are you ready to rid yourself all kinds of yucky stuff? 

Where do I fit in?

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a crowd of people or hanging out somewhere, and thought "I do not fit in here!" A few years ago, all I needed was a drink in my hand and I was an instant party machine. Now I find myself steering away from the places I used to go, the people I used to hang around with, and the conversations I used to participate in. It's not that I don't still love those people or places, but the environment doesn't encourage me and it definitely doesn't point me to Jesus. But I still wonder, "Where do I fit in?"

As if struck by lightning, it occurred to me: You were never meant to fit into this world! Jesus said in John 15:18-19 [ The World Hates the Disciples ] “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."

Would you look at that! I'm not supposed to feel comfortable or blend in, I'm supposed to stand out! When I look back at my life and the years I wasted belonging to the world, I cringe! So many years that I allowed sin to whisper in it's raspy sultry voice "Come join the fun! You are too far gone for God to love you anyways!" What an idiot I was. I believed the lies for so long, for too long, and why? Because I wasn't ready to give up my sin and allow God to love me out of it. I am chosen, I am redeemed, and I am set apart from this world that desires all things fleshly. I want my testimony to be strong, sturdy, reliable, genuine, and without a doubt acceptable to Jesus, not to the people of this world. This life is fleeting and all things in this world have no eternal value. I want to count for God so I'm choosing not to fit in!

If you haven't read your Bible in a while, get it out and read it today. Start with the book of Matthew and read through John. Experience what it was like being a true disciple and what real persecution of faith means, then choose to be a disciple for Jesus today.

Think about it!
What sin are you choosing to participate in today? Are you struggling with a sin that the world condones even though the Bible doesn't condone it? Maybe you need to turn your back on the creator of lies and lay those sins down at the feet of the one who created the Truth.

Who's watching you?

In one of my previous blogs, I wrote about the down side of doing things the wrong way, or more so, not God's way. Today I would like to reflect on how doing what God wants you to do can have the opposite effect.

Twice in one month my niece and nephew have come to spend the weekend with me and both times they have gone to church with us. The church that they sometimes attend is not like our church. We are a very "raise your hands" and "amen" kind of church with clapping, worshiping, and more than the occasional visit to the altar. Not that there is anything wrong with their church, it's just quiet (or dead, as I like to say!) They seem to enjoy our church a lot and clap and sing right along with us.

Chaz is the 9 year old. He loves my son Devin, who was 15 then, so everything Devin does he wants to do. Chaz always sits next to Devin, crosses his legs like Devin, and wants to be wherever he is. What caught my attention was this, as the praise and worship songs came on I looked down at Chaz who was in turn looking up at Devin, who was raising his hand, and Chaz was raising his little hand too! Is it possible that a teenager could be a positive example on a small child? This completely rocked my world! Devin, who the night before had chased them around the house in the dark scaring them, telling ghost stories, and just being involved with them, was teaching this young child how to worship and though Chaz probably didn't realize the concept of why Devin was raising his hand, the act of worship was conveyed to him.

Teenagers are our only hope in a generation that completely lives against everything the Bible says. If a seven year old can worship by watching a 15 year old, think how your home and your children could be affected by the way you are living. They may not understand why they are supposed to live that way, but you have effectively conveyed the message when they mimic the action.

Imagine a world where parents read their Bibles, go to church consistently, and love God with all their hearts, all their minds, and all their strength. Now imagine all the children living that way too!

The Bible says, "Be alert and sober of mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:8-9. Stand firm today in your faith.

Think about it!

Evaluate your lifestyle today. Do you have any good spiritual habits that your kids or family members are seeing? What are you feeding your children about how they are supposed to live? Would you be proud of them if you saw them doing that action in public? Today let God live through you to set the example for your family of believers.

Are You Being a Christian Example?

Too many times as adults we feel entitled to do the things we tell our children not to do. Have you ever heard somebody say to their child "Do as I say, not as I do?" Well that's a hypocrite! The dictionary defines a hypocrite as a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs. Hmmm, is that how we want our children and others to perceive us, as people whose words don't reflect the way we live? That's how I used to live, but that's not how I want to live now.

When I was growing up, drinking, cussing, and partying were all part of the weekend scene. My family didn't take me to church unless somebody died or got married so I wasn't aware of any other lifestyle. Not to say that my family didn't do good things or love me, they loved me like crazy, they just didn't go to church or talk about God and so I carried on that tradition with my life and in turn passed it on to my own children.

As Christians, we sometimes get caught up in what's right for our children and what's right for us, you know as "Adults". The last time I checked, Jesus never said "Everybody over the age of 18 is completely exempt from all my commandments. Go ahead and live your life for you!" If you tell your children not to cuss, then you don't cuss. If you tell them don't drink, then you don't drink. And for goodness sake don't tell your kids to not have sex outside of marriage and then go do it yourselves! Outside of marriage, there should not be any kind of sexual immorality. This is what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (NLT) says "When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or who are greedy or are swindlers or idol worshipers. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. What I meant was that you are not to associate  with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or a drunkard, or a swindler. Don't even eat with such people."

What if Jesus had said do as I say not as I do? What if he hung out at the local tavern getting drunk and coersing with prostitutes? Do you think the disciples would have followed Him and believed the things He said? Don't set a double standard for your life. Live like God wants you to. And when in doubt....get your Bible out! It is our way to live handbook you know!

Think about it!
Get your mirror out today and look at yourself and ask "Am I a hypocrite?" What are some things that you can do to change those habits? With God's help we can do some pretty amazing things. Set the standard high for your Christian walk and watch how the world, and your children, react.

What would you do for a Klondike bar?

Most of us are probably old enough to remember the advertisement for the famous Klondike bar. For those of you that don't know what a  Klondike bar is, it is a chocolate covered ice cream square that, according to the commercial, people would do just about anything or give up anything to get.

For some reason this little ditty "What would you doooo for a Klondike bar?" (You have to imagine it being sung) popped into my head this morning and made me think, "If so many people were willing to give up anything or do just about anything for a Klondike bar, how much more would they give up for eternal life?"

My mind flashes back to that morning in March of 2000 when God called me into His Kingdom. I remember the feeling of abandonment and longing to be with the One that gave me life. I went down front weeping like a child knowing that my life would be forever changed. And it was. Don't get me wrong there were several years of backsliding and living a lifestyle that I knew didn't glorify God in the least, but God had a plan to bring me back.

On September 27, 2009 something drastic happened in our family. During revival at our church, my husband gave his life to Jesus. The transformation was unmistakingly the work of God! My husband was very much caught up in a lifestyle of alcohol, material things, and doing his own thing, paying no attention to his family, which was slowly leaving the scene. September 28 all the alcohol was taken out of the house and has never returned. The language, the desire to be better than the Jone's, and the need to be with his friends and not his family no longer kept him hostage. He was a new creation: A husband, a father, and a child of God! What more could I ask for?

It has been over 3 1/2 years since that momentous occasion that sparked not only his transformation but my renewed dedication to God. No longer am I held to meet the world's expectations. I had and still have a new better standard. A standard that God sets for me. I want to do what God wants me to and I will do anything and give up anything to please Him. In the meantime, I can buy a Klondike bar, I can't buy my salvation.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 NIV

Think about it!
Are you giving up anything for God today? Have you taken time out of your busy schedule to spend with God? Do you want Him to have control over your life? Talk to Him today. Ask him what he would have you to do today and follow in complete obedience.

None are Good, No Not One

I participated in a Bible study a year or so ago called "The Christian Atheist". The focus for the night was believing in God but living like He's not fair. My eyes were opened to some pretty convicting truths. 

Psalm 53:2-4 says, "God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God."  On so many occasions I find myself not understanding why something bad happens to good people. Why would God take somebody's child with cancer or in a car accident? My brain just can't understand it. One of my friends said, "I have two children. It's hard enough for me to decide which one I could give up, but God gave His ONLY son for our sins!" Oh what a sacrifice!

The author of this Bible study, Craig Groeschel asks, "Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever put anything before God? Then you are a liar, a thief, and an idolater!" Whoa now, I've done all those things!

In life it is easy to look at people, and even our own selves, and think we are good or they are good, when essentially, none of us are good, no not one. He doesn't owe us good, because we deserve death for our sinful natures, but He extends mercy when we turn to Him in humble abandonment. Thank God each day if you are saved that your sins are as far as the east is from the west. If you are not saved, maybe it's time to start listening to that still small voice calling your name. He's waiting for you.

Think about it!

Are you believing in God but think He's not fair? Do you think you are good? The Bible says that Jesus didn't come for the righteous, He came for the sinners. So if we are good, then Jesus didn't come for us. Think about that.

Right Decisions and their consequences

I found myself, a few months back, having to make a very tough decision concerning my daughter. In February of this year she found out that she was pregnant. While this was not the situation that I wanted for her at 18 years old, I had raised babies before and knew that would be doable(if that's a word). With the semester drawing to a close, we had to make a decision as to where my daughter and the father of her baby would live. I had the grand idea to let them stay with us, in separate bedrooms of course, but still together in our house without being married. About 2 weeks later when we were taking my daughter back to school, my friend told me that she didn't think that it was right to let my daughter and her boyfriend live together even if it was going to be separate rooms. My heart sank as I realized that she was right. God knew how much I loved my daughter and He knew the plans He had for her and our soon to be grandbaby. After talking to a few close Christian friends, I came to the conclusion that this was not the right choice for me and my family. I still had a 15 year old son at home to raise. What would this teach him? How would he interpret our decision either way? It was too much to think about! I called my daughter and told her the bad news, that while she was more than welcome to come home and raise the baby here, her boyfriend was not going to be living here with her. I know it took her by surprise but she made her decision. They would move in with his family. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make.

Now I am the proud grandparent of one beautiful little girl and I love her so much. I miss her since we are two hours away but my heart and prayers are with her.

God says in His word: ²⁰ This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. ²¹ In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered. (2 Chronicles 31:19-21)

Think about it!
What decisions are you struggling with today? Are there decisions that you need to make? Are you ready to suffer the consequences for the right decisions? Reflect today on what is important to you and seek God's will in it, maybe phone a Christian friend for backup.