A Bold Move

My family and I were eating lunch at a local fast food place yesterday when a man walked in with a one gallon cooler jug. He headed directly to the self-serve drink section and proceeded to fill his jug with ice. Then, without any qualms whatsoever, he boldly walked out the doors, jumped into his car, and drove off. We couldn't believe his audacity.

Earlier we had witnessed someone throwing their soda cup onto the landscaped area of a strip mall. I'm sure if he had bothered he could have found a trash can a few feet away near one of the eating places. But nowadays, people just don't care. They only want to think about themselves and what's convenient for them.

God calls us to be respectful of people's property. He doesn't want us to take what's not ours or throw our garbage everywhere. Unfortunately we can't force a person to obey God; but that person will have to answer to God.

Some may argue, "Oh, it's just a petty little thing. A few ice cubes or a little trash won't hurt anyone." But that isn't so. Theft makes all of us victims because the consumer ends up paying for the loss of products through higher prices. And it costs money to have extra people pick up trash or clean off graffiti from buildings.

In God's eyes sin is sin no matter what the size. And don't think you're off scott-free if you are a Christian. We are held to a higher standard because we have the Holy Spirit convicting us. God will not hold us accountable for the actions of others, but He will call us to account for those things we chose to ignore or those things we chose to do.

We may not be able to stop the lawlessness around us, but we can keep practicing the righteousness that's expected of us by our Lord. Perhaps if others saw enough examples of good, they may think twice before they repeat their actions again.

Crickets

We've been finding crickets in our house. At first we thought it was the successful jail break from the jar of crickets we keep to feed the pet frog, but then we realized that those others are always accounted for. Our conclusion is that they are sneaking in from either a vent or a crack in the flooring. The only thing we can do is catch them and either add them to the jar or toss them outside.

Even though they can be a nuisance, I'd rather be subjected to them than to an ant infestation or some other disgusting insect. But if they start increasing and getting out of control, then we will have to take measures to eradicate them.

The crickets are a good illustration of sin in our lives. Maybe you have a habit that you partake of occasionally that you know you shouldn't be indulging in. For awhile you have the situation under control. But eventually the sin begins to multiply and instead of one little jumping creature you have dozens that keep popping up. No matter what you do, the problem doesn't lessen; instead it gets much worse.

That's when you call on the one true Exterminator: Jesus. He can eradicate any pesky sin, no matter the size. But you need to ask Him for help, and you need to follow His directions to carry out His perfect plan for you.

Expecting Perfection

You know you are in need of a pedicure when you've layered over the old polish enough times that when it chips, your real toe shines through. So I decided yesterday to take advantage of a summer special at the local salon and get a pedicure.

The last time I was at this particular place the pedicurist did an excellent job. I had spent a leisurely hour getting pampered and my nails looked great. This time I had a new girl, and I was out in thirty minutes. The job looked good, but when I inspected my feet a bit later, I found the big toes were a little bumpy.

Now, unless you bend down and deliberately look at my toes, most people will miss the faux pas. But I know there's a problem. I expected perfection, but got imperfection.

Yet, that is to be expected out of life. We will never attain perfection, no matter how hard we try. We can get pretty close (I've had some great pedicures in the past), but ultimately we will be dealing with human error until we die.

That's why we can never take the credit for getting ourselves into heaven. We are too imperfect. Our sins (and that includes speeding on the highway, telling little white lies, etc.) keep us out. That's why we need Jesus. He is perfect because He is God; and when we accept Him, He covers us with His holiness and we can pass into heaven when we die.

So, don't expect to let your imperfections give you the key to heaven. Turn to Jesus, the Perfect One. Trust in Him, and He will hold the door open for you.

Watching Out for Distractions

As the kids get back into school, and as my morning hours free up a bit, I have to be careful I don't take on too many projects that could lead to a poor use of my time. I have a few deadlines coming up (one this week), so I can't let the temptation of working on some other more interesting projects, or even running a few extra errands, distract me from the tasks I need to get done.

I could use the excuse that I'm still thinking about what to write for my deadline, but then that doesn't get it finished. No, I must first pray for inspiration, take out my note pad and pen, and then begin to work. Thankfully, I'm not normally a procrastinator; but there are times when it's a bit tougher to get started on something I need to do.

How about you? Are you letting too many things distract you from what's important? Pray for guidance, and then get to work. You may be surprised to find just how much you get done, which leaves time for other things later on.

Homework Woes

My high schooler came home the other day inundated with homework. He kept moaning and groaning about how tough his teachers were, and how it was so unfair that they gave him all this work with what little time available to study after school.

I don't think he liked my response. You see, I've been there, done that. I had tough teachers in high school (and college) with piles of work that seemed endless. But I got through because I dug in and persevered.

So, although I can sympathize, I'm not going to baby his responsibility. But I did give him this advice: First, pray. Ask God to change your attitude. The more you complain, the harder it will be regardless of the number of pages or problems. Two, organize your work. Get rid of the easy stuff, then tackle the harder areas. At least you'll feel like you're accomplishing something. Third, come up for air now and again. Taking a short break will help keep you fresh and awake to get the job done. And finally, never pull an all-nighter. Nothing is worth losing your sleep over. A student needs his rest. It's better to get some sleep and then get up early to finish what hasn't been completed. Then you'll be refreshed with, hopefully, better ideas.

I'm hoping to show my son that homework is not the end of the world. It will teach him discipline, organization, and perseverance. I just hope he learns soon.

The Sentida Days

Do you ever have those days when you feel extra sensitive? When you feel sorry for yourself for no justifiable reason? Growing up we'd use the expression, "She's sentida today." Sentida (or sentido for a boy) is Spanish for sensitive or touchy. I honestly don't like those feelings.

I'm normally an optimistic person. I know God has blessed me in many areas, and I try to live my life hopeful and positive. But Satan doesn't want us feeling this way. He wants us to feel like no one cares; like we are alone in this great big world with no one to love us. Sometimes it feels like we have to struggle out of the mire of doubt and hopelessness.

That's the perfect time to dive into the Scriptures. The Psalms are an excellent place to restore those hopeful feelings and cast off the lies of the enemy. King David had many trials. There were times when he couldn't see the outcome of the situation and it awakened doubts and fears. But David knew one thing: God loved Him and was faithful. The Lord would carry Him through.

So when you have those sentida or sentido days, turn to the Lord. Read His promises in the Bible, and know that you are loved deeply by the Creator of All.

Taking the Blame

Have you ever been blamed for something you didn't do? It isn't a pleasant feeling, particulary when that action is totally opposite your character. Sometimes, even with all the evidence in your favor, you still receive the blame.

How many times have you blamed God for something that has happened in your life? Maybe you are in the midst of trials, and because you lead a righteous life, you feel you shouldn't be experiencing these troubles. So you blame God. Yet, when you honestly look at the evidence, you'll see that your choices have created the circumstances you now face.

Do you know that when you blame God that you are in sin? God loves you. He wants what's best for you. Sometimes that involves allowing situations to happen that you may not like; but He is more interested in your character than your comfort. Does He cause every circumstance? No. But He does allow things to happen because He has better things planned for you in the days ahead.

Don't blame God for what's happening in your life. Instead, ask the Lord what He would have you learn from this situation. It's much easier to work with Him than work against Him.

Taking Your Temperature

My daughter had her annual physical the other day. I was amazed at the way they took her temperature. Instead of the mercury thermometer I had as a kid, or the ear readers they were using just last year, the new techno-temperature gadget is a device that rolls over your forehead for a few seconds to take a reading. It's quick, easy, and there are no disposable parts. It's a great way to see if one's temperature is normal.

How is your temperature? I'm not talking about the 98.6 degree kind. I'm talking about your temperature with God. Are you cold with disdain and distance? Are you lukewarm with belief but no productivity? Or are you hot because you're on fire for Him?

I know I have been more lukewarm than not. There are times when I'm not as active in my relationship with the Lord as I should be. What I really desire is to be on fire; feverish so-to-speak. I want to feel more comfortable sharing about His love and living more fully for Him. Some days I'm successful; other times I know I need more work. But I also have to realize that God is the One who will give me what I need, in all areas of my life.

James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." The more we seek the Lord and a better relationship with Him, the easier it will be to become feverish for Him. But it is a choice that each person will have to make. The Lord will not force us into a more substantial relationship.

So, how's your temperature?

Calm in the Storm

Sometimes life catches us by surprise and it seems like we are being tossed about with little or no control. But it is precisely in those moments when God is so in control. He knows our situations and He is prepared to take action. He is our calm in the midst of the storm.

The Bible is full of verses about worry. My favorite is Philippians 4:6-7, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." What a wonderful comfort!

Trust God in the times of trials. Seek Him in the midst of the storm. He will calm your heart and give you the peace you need.

Blessed Are the Flexible

I like the saying, "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break." It speaks to our attitude when we are confronted with situations that are beyond our control. We can either sit down and cry and not function, or we can say, "Okay, how can I make this better," and try to work things out for the best.

Of course, there are certain things we cannot be flexible about. Our faith, for instance, is something we cannot compromise. We must accept God for who He is, and accept His word for what it says. Any straying from this path will lead to watered-down Christianity.

Are you flexible when you need to be, but firm in your faith? Then consider yourself blessed.

Action Speaks

The old saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." I believe this is especially true when it comes to our devotion to God. If we truly love God, then our actions need to follow. We need to be obedient to His commands. This isn't easy, but it's a must if we call ourselves Christians.

But we may say, "It's too hard to follow God's laws." Yes, it is hard, especially if we try under our own power. God is waiting for us to call upon Him for help. Then He will enable us to complete His purposes.

Are your actions lacking the strength of your words? Call upon God so He can give you what you need to do His will.

Encouraging Words

Words are our means of communicating. I don't agree with those who consider cuss words as an effective way of speaking. To me it interrupts the conversation. If you take away the bad words, there is very little being said.

Therefore, I think we need to be more encouraging with our words. Instead of cutting down, we need to build up. Instead of stepping on, we need to be picking up.

Do you have a hard time being encouraging with your words? Ask God to help you have something beneficial to say.

Transitions are Coming

Summer's almost over for my kids. They have a short summer this year so they can have an early dismissal next year. Two are ready to go back because they miss their friends. Two are apprehensive because they are starting new schools.

Transitions aren't always easy. It's hard getting used to new teachers, new rules, and new classmates. But transitions are a part of life. The sooner we adjust the better.

The best way to adjust is to give your transition to God. Ask Him to calm your fears. Ask Him to bring new friends. Then remember that no matter the situation, He will always be with you. You are never alone when you are a Child of God.

What new circumstance are you not looking forward to? Give it to God and trust Him for the outcome.