Again?

I have found that God deal's with me, just like he does everyone else... In a personal way. Think about it, what good would it do if he disciplined you in a way that worked for me? Let me give you an example.

Me and my sister!

When I was young and hanging out a lot with my sister, we would get into trouble. Now the exact trouble we got in escapes me, but the discipline does not. One such action on my parents part was to spank my sister first, if she did not cry, she caused the trouble. If she cried, I was hitting the road! 

It's hard to be disciplined. It's because we think so highly of ourselves you know. When we are disciplined, it hurts our ego but it strengthens spirit. Discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time. What's important is the outcome, are you allowing yourself to be trained?

We don't have to take God's discipline. We can rebel and run, cross our arms over our chest and stand on the firm sand of our own righteousness, stating that because of them we had to act that way. Really!?   

Are there areas in my life where God is working for change through the sting of conscience, remorse, and agitation? 

This was part of my devotion today, and I'm sure that if I'm having to deal with it, you have too. It hurts. I guess the question is, am I paying attention? 

Seek to live peaceably with folks. Try. It doesn't always have to be your way or the highway! Just breathe, calm down, and focus on God. There is always a bigger picture we are not privileged to see. Let go of the right you think you have to be upset and let God disciple you. 

Sounds easy enough, but it's so hard. That's why this life is a marathon and not a sprint. It takes us miles and miles to get it. But God is right there with us, every step of the way. So lift your head, drop your load and keep walking!

Peace out!

Accept Responsibility!

I've been thinking about some hard stuff lately. I don't know why I do this to myself, but since I do, I'm going to do it to you too!

Do we accept our responsibility in matters? What matters, you maybe asking. Well, the matters that you have a part in. Or do we play the victim? I was sinned against! I AM the victim! You don't know what happened to me! OK, true enough, I agree and have said these things myself. But what about our response? What about the fact that we learned to hate, or resent, that we hold onto that bitterness, or escape into an unreal world?

We may say My folks never told me about sex, and I grew up and went out into this evil world, innocent and ignorant, and got into trouble. That 's the way it happened the first time, but what about the second time or the third time, whose fault is it then?

Loom and Shuttle

Wise Dr Seamands from Asbury says Life is like a complicated tapestry, woven with a loom and shuttle. Heredity, environment, all the things experienced in childhood, from parents, teachers, playmates, all of life's handicaps - all of these things are one side of the loom, and they pass the shuttle to you. But remember, you pass the shuttle back through the loom. This action, together with our responses, weaves the design in the tapestry of our life. 

We are responsible for our actions! We will never receive healing until we stop blaming everyone else and accept our responsibility.