Excusable Sins (or society's perception of such)

Monthly Soapbox 

I've decided I might as well make this an official monthly post because that's how often Ive been climbing up on my soapbox lately.  Also, if you find these posts offensive, please feel free to "unfriend" me if you need to. No hard feelings. 

So.........  Today's topic - Excusable Sins (the perception that someone else's sins are greater than our own). 

I recently watched Bruce Jenner's interview and not once did I feel condemnation, anger or hatred for this man. What I "did" feel was sympathy for what he's gone through, I felt compassion for his pain and I went on FB and asked for prayers for Bruce.  I don't begin to understand his struggle or his pain because I have not walked in his shoes but but I CAN pray for him.  That is what "I" believe the response of ALL Christians would have been.  Why you ask???  Because that's what "I" believe Christ would have us to do.  (Based upon what I've been taught)   I don't begin to understand transgender issues or homosexuality.  I AM aware that these things are mentioned in the Bible as sins JUST as being JUDGMENTAL, LYING, ADULTERY, GOSSSIPP, LAZINESS, etc......   CHRISTIANS!!!!  This is why those who are not saved believe that we are all hypocrites!!! The Bible tells us to be Christlike, NOT like the world.  The world is judgmental, condemning, belittling, insincere and cruel.  We are suppose to be loving, compassionate, uplifting and welcoming.  A person's sins are between them & God (unless they become criminal).  Our jobs are only to lead others to Christ and then allow Him to do HIS JOB with us, our hearts & our sins (whatever those may be).  It's no wonder it's so hard to get people to come to Church with us.  (Although I've said several times we don't go to Church to be pleasing to others but to spend time in Gods house and be pleasing to Him). BUT I do understand........   Who would want to step out of the world to attend a Church where they will be judged, ridiculed & talked about after the service.  (I AM NOT SPEAKING ABOUT ANY SPECIFIC CHURCH. Just in general).  

CHRISTIANS;

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:9-18 NIV)

Before getting on YOUR soapbox & passing judgment on another's sins, make sure you are sinless.  

Be helpful not hurtful.  Hate the sin but love the sinner.  (Including the sinner within yourself). ❤️

Hard Heads

You know, as much as I LOVE to talk about The Lord & how He has blessed me, forgave me, & saved me, (especially with the young people & sometimes I want to just take what He's given me, put it in a box & just HAND IT to them), a younger me would've NEVER given the older me the time of day if I'd tried to talk that talk. Sad but fortunately, that helps me when I run across younger versions of me. 😋

Today

I wish more people realized the value of today. We ALL are habitually guilty for taking today for granted. Every single person who has lost their life accidentally (car accident, murder, heart attacks, accidental deaths, etc.) BELIEVED they would be here TODAY. WE are not individually any more special than those who are no longer here. TODAY is a GIFT from God. A wonderful BLESSING that He has chosen to share with you & me (all 24 hours of it)

Don't take a SECOND for granted.  

If today were the last.........

If today were the last would you be satisfied with how you spent yours?   I wish we ALL could remember & realize the importance of EACH day and how important it is to make sure EACH ONE COUNTS!!!!  We take for granted that we have time, that we can put off till tomorrow, until we loose someone unexpectedly without saying all we wanted to say & suddenly our eyes are opened for a few weeks or maybe a couple of months, then we fall right back into the same ole routine. But tomorrow is not guaranteed and it's extremely arrogant & presumptuous for us to face each day as if it is.   

Make today count..........

Just me

Chaos

When I look around I see hoops to jump through, lines to be crossed, molehills growing into mountains & hurdles to be conquered but these obstacles are all man made.  If we could learn to undereact while choosing to live as simple a life as possible, we may have more time to seek God in our everyday lives and finally succeed at finding a true state of happiness. Just something to think about. 

It's Christmas time in Black Ankle

Christmas has changed in so many ways over the past 30 years of my life.  There was a time when I walked in my childhood home on Christmas Eve and you could feel the love in the air.  Those years have long passed.  We have lost some of the rocks that hold our family together.  We've lost mothers, grandmothers, brothers, etc.  Things change so much as time passes.  Just like they said it would but when you're young, you think you know it all.  Why is that?  Why do we believe that our few years on this earth has blessed us with more wisdom than those who have experienced more?  I often wish I had listened more but I guess it's my experiences and mistakes that make me who I am today.  I've learned that Christmas is definitely a time to share with family.  Be thankful for one another, be thankful for every minute that you have together, and most of all be thankful for our Savior who has blessed us with another Christmas and with each other.

Merry Christmas & God Bless!!!!