THE CULTURE IS ME

" . . . it's not the role of the government to 

solve all of our problems through legislation.

But they must be attended to nonetheless.

AND HERE'S THE PROBLEM:

The less culture attends to these things, the more the government will attend to them and the less freedom there will be."

Eric Metaxas

If You Can Keep It  p.46

Viking 2016

(emphasis mine)

Lest we miss it, 

WE ARE THE CULTURE.

Likewise, 

WE ARE THE CHURCH.

I pray for the Body of Christ, sometimes as a "they."

Convict them of sin.

Let them watch their words and responses on facebook.

Help them behave like Christians should.

Let them live in such a way that the world sees a difference.

Eeeeesh!

I catch myself and stop. I ask God's forgiveness.

The Body of Christ is not a them.

It's a ME.

Was it St. Francis Assisi who penned,

"Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."?

How about,

Let their be compassion, generosity, morality, and  words of kindess, thankfulness, and encouragement---

And Let It Begin With Me?

lonnie

BUT WE KEEP TRYING

" . . . contentment,

security,

peace, 

and hope for the future.

NONE OF THESE CAN BE FOUND IN A JOB, A HUMAN RELATIONSHIP, MONEY, POWER, OR POSITION.

THEY ARE GOD'S ALONE TO GIVE."

(emphasis added)

Billy Graham

Unto The Hills  p. 98

Word Publishing   1996

But, we keep trying, don't we?

And yet, we often feel like we fall just shy of success;

Or that success, finally reached,

 is as temporary as an ice cream cone in a child's hand.

Or an adult's,

😉

Lonnie

CHANGE "SOMETHING"

" . . . You will never change your life until you change 

something 

you 

do 

daily."

John Maxwell

Today Matters  p. 14, 19

Warner Faith   2004

This should be so easy!

Why is it so hard?

"I" think because we don't believe it will really matter.

But . . .

What do we have to lose?

Anything come to your mind for something to start with?

For lent, I'm giving up car noise--radio, c.d.s . . .

I'm going to pray or just be quiet and listen.

I could sing . . . God asks for a joyful noise.

Maybe I'll see one change and be encouraged to try another.

Join Me,

lonnie

COME FIND ME

"I have wandered down the wrong path

like a lost sheep;

Come find Your servant,

because I do not forget your commandments."

PSALM 119:176

Psalm 119 probably tops my favorites of the Bible. Yet, in spite of many reads, I missed this verse. 

Since it's discovery, I find myself praying it ----when I feel lost, overwhelmed, confused or just in need of the company of my Shepherd.

Come Find Me,

lonnie

HISTORY GUFFAWS

"In our day everyone seems to know that helping the poor is important,

 for example, or that slavery is wrong, 

or being good stewards of the environment is important, 

but

what we have completely forgotten is that these ideas all stemmed from the 

Judeo-Christian tradition in the West.

We seem to think that whatever virtues we do possess arose by themselves.

HISTORY GUFFAWS AT THE VERY IDEA."

(emphasis mine)

Eric Metaxas

If You Can Keep It  p. 62

Viking  2016



I started this some time ago -- before the sneeze, blow, cough, sleep sleep sleep.

I still like the quote, but have nothing to add.

lonnie

EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Years ago, I struggled to forgive.

We are commanded to do so -- and I was trying; but deep hurt kept bombarding me, and that led to anger and a desire to speak my piece -- to the offender and to anyone else who would listen.

Forgiveness seemed impossible.

My husband, Ray, suggested I date the day of my forgiveness; then each time the ugly thoughts returned to say,

"I forgave them."

Easier said than done, but it got me through. 

Today is the 11th anniversary of my forgiveness and my freedom.

" Forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who tresspass against me."

With God's Help I Do,

Lonnie