Thursday, June 20, 2013

"Jewels" I'm Learning from Colossians

Have been studying in the book of Colossians for a few weeks now. Have not been as diligent to study daily but I'm working on that!
This morning, as I sipped my hot coffee while studying and praying on the screened porch in the early morning coolness, I read these words. Col. 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you know how to answer each one..." In the Spirit-Filled Student Bible ( yes, me, a student at 61 years of age, really liking reading in this paperback NKJ version with World Wealth and all the extras and it's so easy to handle) I came across a section expounding on this verse. The words that caught my eye were these. "People judge us by our words." Hmmmm.... "PEOPLE JUDGE US BY OUR WORDS." Our words, as Christians, should be godly, "sensitive", "gracious", "loving", "uplifting" and should glorify God. As I'm reading this and pondering this, several thoughts came into my head.  "speak the truth in love", "put off arguings", "get rid of crude humor, dirty jokes, etc." I also thought about HOW we say things! People really do judge us by what we say and how we say it! I know I do. Someone can be thought to be a strong Christian, godly, prayer warrior, etc. but if their words come out soaked in arrogance, I think twice about their relationship with Christ. I choose not to be around them. It's like that saying, "do as I say, not as I do", which is not a good witness to anyone. It's also like the trend going around, hopefully NOT going around anymore, that Pastors could cuss, speak crudely from the pulpit and that was okay. Okay, for me, it's NEVER okay to speak that way, especially if you are a Christian and especially if you are a teacher of the Word. (I do know pastors are human and can make mistakes and I certainly don't hold that against them, but it should not be a lifestyle.)
We can choose to speak in love, in grace, seasoned with salt, or maybe we should just keep our mouths shut.
Examining myself today and my words.

(For the record, I don't personally know a pastor who speaks that way but I do know quite a few believers, some in ministry who think nothing of crude humor. This is really a pet peeve of mine!
I just don't see Jesus acting this way! Okay, I'm coming down off my soapbox!)

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

"Taking the Day Off!"

I decided to "take the day off" sometime this morning. I was four days of newspapers behind and wanted to enjoy them with a cup of coffee and quiet. Really felt like I needed the day off after having Anna and her munchkins from 11:45 am until 7:50 pm yesterday! Well she and the girls did leave me and the boys for about three hours- and we had a great time! Everyone was good! BUT, I was wiped! Even Charlotte was worn out!

So I have spent the day reading- newspapers, magazines, fixing birdfeeders and now am going to write my cousin in Ohio a letter! Love writing her letters!
Oh yeah and some Hallmark movies I "DVRed" have been playing in the background. So after the letter, I'll get my exercise time in and straighten up a bit and then....hmmmm.... I think I'll READ some more!

Monday, June 3, 2013

"Antsy"

Just the way I've been feeling today...a bit antsy. Have a couple of things on my mind, situations -and trying to not let my mind wander or speculate as to "why".

Ever tried to contact someone, or left them messages, or mailed them cards and they never responded at all. Find myself wracking my brain to see why...what could I have done to offend them, or did I offend them?

That's when I just have to give it to the Lord. Sometimes I have to give it over and over and over again. And working at keeping myself busy so I won't think about it! Guess that's where the "antsy" has come in!

And another way to handle it is to pray for that person so that's what I'm going to do...right now!