Word Fire!

“… If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone … ” (Matthew 18:15).

There is significant danger when sharing with others how we have been or are being hurt by another individual. This sharing can lead to situations, "verbal fires", where it becomes more and more difficult to be reconciled. In addition, we should especially hesitate to say anything negative about anyone in print even if it is a message to that person. We don't want to fuel a fire with our words and especially with our printed words. In general, it seems much better to speak in person about negative things and only put positive things in print or e-mails. I haven't always succeeded in this resolve but it is my aim. Praise and criticism are magnified by how many get to hear it. Let's make it our goal to minimize the criticism and to expand the praise. A word fire is harder to put out and is more destructive than any other kind of fire.

Fully Known by Our Lover

We have eaten and drunk in your presence, and you have taught in our streets. But, he shall say, I tell you, I know you not.. -- Jesus (Luke 13:26)

In my marriage, I'm not primarily looking for my bride to be a good cook, a diligent mother, or to offer herself as a sex object. What I desire is to be intimately known, to be loved and to be respected. From her perspective, my bride wants me to communicate that I genuinely love her and understand her. If I diligently give her 30 minutes of "couch time" each day but do it out of duty, grudgingly or by constraint instead of love, then it does not really accomplish what it should.

In the same way, God is not primarily interested in how we work for Him, what we give to Him or what doctrine we believe about Him. Rather, He wants us to love and seek Him with all our hearts. Going to church, teaching a class or memorizing scripture does nothing in this direction unless it flows out of our love for God and our relationship with Him. I can say, "I love you", a hundred times a day to my wife but it means absolutely nothing if I don't desire to be with her, hear her voice and get to know her better. A husband might make a great effort to complete the "honey-do" list, but is it because he doesn't want to be nagged or because he wants to please his bride and bring her joy?

Our love for our spouse can become lip service. Our love for God can also become just an appearance. Let's check our love for God. Do we actually "want" to spend time with Him everyday? Do we find time for Him everyday? Do we hunger and thirst to hear His words? Do we treasure His words? Do we genuinely want to please Him?

It is easy to become distracted. And it's easy to acquire wrong desires and priorities. When we are threatened with the loss of a spouse, friend or child, then we see how upside-down our priorities have become. Let's stop and think. Am I really in love with Christ? How can I fall more fully in love with Him? God offers us the Holy Spirit so that we can truly love Him. Let's entreat God for more of His Spirit of love and for more grace to love Him and our neighbor. Let's know our Lover and be fully known by the Lover of our soul.

Strive to enter in at the strait gate.. -- Jesus (Luke 13:24)

Under Attack

Take heed that you do not despise any of these little ones, for I tell you, that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father in heaven. (Matt 18:10)

As a parent, I've sometimes (too often) let anger and irritation drive away the spirit of love and peace. I've sometimes put my desires, comfort and convenience ahead of providing a healthy emotional environment for our little ones.

In an analogous way, this world and culture makes noises about loving children while constantly waging war on children. From the time of conception until death, children are vulnerable and under attack. While the Church and government are supposed to be helping parents fulfill their responsibility, parents still have the primary responsibility. When a church or government is failing to help or even working against children, it is the parents who must recognize the danger and take to appropriate steps.

Consider how many children are being:

• killed before birth
• neglected (e.g. latch key kids)
• damaged by broken families
• orphaned and killed by war, immorality and disease
• sexually abused
• medically abused by drugging for school
• given an education based on godlessness
• fed lies instead of truth by the constant flow of electronic communication media
• indoctrinated and raised to be terrorists
• taught to worship false gods
• drawn into drugs and immorality
• unprepared for real life

The protection of children requires vigilance, activity and prayer. Choosing convenience, comfort or the path of least resistance (going with the flow) is essentially despising them to the extent that we won't suffer for them. Going with the flow will be like floating peacefully along until the current is so strong that we can not escape the destruction at the waterfall. If you are a parent, consider what influences are affecting your children. What can you do provide more truth, protection and growth in faith and love? Take action today.

First Hug Blessing

Granddad's First Hug blessing for Jonathan Douglas Boyd

May the Lord anoint you,
Jonathan Douglas,
to be His prophet
to go before His face.

May you be filled with the Holy Spirit
as John the Baptist was.

May God protect you from evil
and the evil influences of this culture.

May you, Jonathan Douglas,
be surrounded with Truth
and with examples of Christ-filled lives.

May the Lord train and equip you
to be a mighty spiritual warrior,
dangerous to the enemy.

May the Lord bless you and keep you.
- Granddad