Dying out to ones self can be a very difficult task to do. We become accustomed to the way we personally do things. We have a mindset that we have grown to depend on rather it is a judgemental mindset, a humble mindset, or a consistent mindset. Let me explain.
A judgemental mindset is when you know you should not judge another person. Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.Yet, no matter who makes a mistake or falls by the wayside, we just can't keep our mouths shut. We have to put our negative word in or our so called "knife in the back". Some of us like the "I told you so" theory.
A humble mindset is one where you know and act upon what the Lord would expect you to do. You bridle your tongue no matter what you may be thinking. You don't give into the, "You might as well say it since you're thinking it". You know that is a lie straight out of hell and you will not give place to the devil. Psalms 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
A consistent mindset is much like the humble mindset except you keep that humbleness no matter where you are. If you are in your home you don't give in to personal thoughts because you may be a hindrance to your lost spouse or children. You are a consistent Christian. You make a prayerful effort to gain control of your tongue and your thoughts. James 3:1 If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Living for the Lord is not a hard task but we make it difficult on ourselves. Right now I'm studying on women's dress, attitude, modesty, etc.. I didn't realize how I would love to disagree with some things but it is of the flesh and I know that I have to listen and read with my spirit and not my mind.
I have been praying for the Lord to search me and reveal those things in my life that are not pleasing to him. Do I like what God is showing me? Surprisingly, No! But if I desire, as I say I do, to do His will then I may not like what God is showing me but I have to accept it because I asked him to reveal those things. I don't want to stay in my own ways. I want to be able to win souls for the Lord. I want to be a great influence on the women I teach in Bible study. I so desire to influence youger women to serve the Lord and teach them Christian life is only hard because we make it hard but if we stay tuned into the Lord then we can live a godly life everyday. Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Search yourselves and see what mindset you have. Is it one that is pleasing to the Lord. You know in your heart that is the only mindset that is acceptable.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Is It Too Late
By viewing the gas prices I’m sure you can tell that those on fixed income are spending more money without more money coming in. Allowances for increase in food and gas is not added to the monthly check.
We can complain until the cows come home. Until we understand what to do and what steps to take we have no control over these things. Until we make a stand against gas prices the American people will not see a change other than everything getting worse. We need someone to teach us what steps to take to make a difference in the economy. This same teaching works in Christianity. The psalmist David speaks about asking God to teach him to walk in His ways so he will be pleasing to him.
Psalm 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Psalm 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
We are failing at seeking God when it comes to making decisions in our lives concerning finances, marriage, children, etc… We tend to think we have all the answers or we don’t want to bother God with such frivolous things. God wants to be bothered. He wants us seeking him for every area in our lives. We will live a more productive life and have less problems if we only turn to the Lord to guide us and teach us his ways. Once we allow Jesus Christ to guide us and teach us in all things then we will be able to deal with the economy, our marriages, our children, our home life, and on and on.
Won't you give your all to Jesus today and allow him to be the pilot and not the co-pilot. Our prayer is that you do just that. May the Lord richly bless you today.
We can complain until the cows come home. Until we understand what to do and what steps to take we have no control over these things. Until we make a stand against gas prices the American people will not see a change other than everything getting worse. We need someone to teach us what steps to take to make a difference in the economy. This same teaching works in Christianity. The psalmist David speaks about asking God to teach him to walk in His ways so he will be pleasing to him.
Psalm 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalms 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
Psalm 86:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Psalm 119:12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
We are failing at seeking God when it comes to making decisions in our lives concerning finances, marriage, children, etc… We tend to think we have all the answers or we don’t want to bother God with such frivolous things. God wants to be bothered. He wants us seeking him for every area in our lives. We will live a more productive life and have less problems if we only turn to the Lord to guide us and teach us his ways. Once we allow Jesus Christ to guide us and teach us in all things then we will be able to deal with the economy, our marriages, our children, our home life, and on and on.
Won't you give your all to Jesus today and allow him to be the pilot and not the co-pilot. Our prayer is that you do just that. May the Lord richly bless you today.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
How Are You Doing
I cringe when that question slips from my lips before taking control of my words. I stand waiting to be reprimanded strongly for such a question. It appears to be the exact statement most of us find ourselves asking to someone who has just faced a death in their family.
We faced a tragic death in our community this past week and once again we wonder to ourselves, what do I say to the family? Death is never an easy topic to discuss and it sure isn’t easy when it is sudden and unexpected.
I was remembering back when my father died of heart failure in 1991. We knew he was dying a couple of years before he actually did pass away. He weakened by the day and suffered endlessly. Even though it was difficult to let him go we were more prepared for his leaving this world. We were glad he didn’t have to suffer any longer. Not the case with my brother who died suddenly of a massive heart attack and was found five hours later sitting in the company truck on company property with employees scouring around throughout the day. Many questions still linger from my brother's death for me. I'm sure I will never know the true story on his death.
As some of my sisters in church and I spoke on this matter I said I was going to write about it so here I am. When we are placed in a situation where we attempt to console someone we may shy away from contact due to feeling useless and not able to speak comforting words. Some people do, however, have a gift for comforting others but I don’t consider myself blessed with that gift at all. I find myself most times saying, “How are You?”. If someone yelled at me and said, “How do you think I am since losing a loved one, or how do you think I feel?” I could not be offended at ll. It isn’t the most glamorous question to ask during time of loss. So I am going try to offer a few mall pointers that I am learning to use from articles I’ve read on the internet such as hospice newsletter and Successful Aging and hopefully these will be a blessing to someone who stumbles over what to say during time of death. The pointers are brief and to the point. We need only know simple things to say or do.
(1) We are sorry for your loss
(2) We are praying for you and your family.
(3) We want to prepare a dinner for your family to help out.
(4) Most important, be honest, if you don’t know what to say, don’t be afraid to say so. Just offer a hug or quietly sit with them.
People grieve differently so don’t be guilty of judging the way a person grieves. When grieving we deal with anger, denial, depression, and bargaining. Some people will grieve longer than others. I regularly think of my father who died in 1990 and my brother who died in 1997. I still miss them. Sometimes I cry when it’s their birthday or another special occasion and sometimes I’ll focus on good times or crazy incidents with them and have a good laugh. All the grief never goes away. We only learn to deal with it on a daily basis.
Psalm 4:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivered them.
Sometimes we don’t grieve as much as others and sometimes we may grieve as if it were only yesterday. Another thing we may catch ourselves saying to the grieving is, “Call me if you need anything”. Unless the person is absolutely so close to you that you are as a family member then it isn’t going to happen. Be more specific. We may want to say, “If I can do anything to help you around the house, let me know, or If I can run an errand for you I’ll be more than happy to do so”. Many times just sitting quietly or giving a wonderful hug will let someone know you care. So don’t be afraid to not know the right things to do or say. Being a friend during a time of bereavement is the most important thing you can do.
Showing sincerity in your caring brings more than just a day of comfort for a bereaving family. I’ve always been the person to shy away but with the guidance of God I am learning to step in those uncomfortable places and think of others more than focusing on my insecurities. Believe me, being a minister’s wife does not exempt me from feeling uncomfortable in dealing with death. But as I learn I pray that I can pass it on and be a blessing to you.
2 Thessalonians 2:17 Comfort your hearts. And stablish you in every good word and work. Our greatest comforter is the Holy Ghost.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance. Whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
We can go so far with the bereaved but the Holy Ghost will bring spiritual comfort that we can not bring.
In Loving Memory of Robert “Butchie” Cornett Jr
Publisher: Darlene Monhollen Date: June 6, 2007
We faced a tragic death in our community this past week and once again we wonder to ourselves, what do I say to the family? Death is never an easy topic to discuss and it sure isn’t easy when it is sudden and unexpected.
I was remembering back when my father died of heart failure in 1991. We knew he was dying a couple of years before he actually did pass away. He weakened by the day and suffered endlessly. Even though it was difficult to let him go we were more prepared for his leaving this world. We were glad he didn’t have to suffer any longer. Not the case with my brother who died suddenly of a massive heart attack and was found five hours later sitting in the company truck on company property with employees scouring around throughout the day. Many questions still linger from my brother's death for me. I'm sure I will never know the true story on his death.
As some of my sisters in church and I spoke on this matter I said I was going to write about it so here I am. When we are placed in a situation where we attempt to console someone we may shy away from contact due to feeling useless and not able to speak comforting words. Some people do, however, have a gift for comforting others but I don’t consider myself blessed with that gift at all. I find myself most times saying, “How are You?”. If someone yelled at me and said, “How do you think I am since losing a loved one, or how do you think I feel?” I could not be offended at ll. It isn’t the most glamorous question to ask during time of loss. So I am going try to offer a few mall pointers that I am learning to use from articles I’ve read on the internet such as hospice newsletter and Successful Aging and hopefully these will be a blessing to someone who stumbles over what to say during time of death. The pointers are brief and to the point. We need only know simple things to say or do.
(1) We are sorry for your loss
(2) We are praying for you and your family.
(3) We want to prepare a dinner for your family to help out.
(4) Most important, be honest, if you don’t know what to say, don’t be afraid to say so. Just offer a hug or quietly sit with them.
People grieve differently so don’t be guilty of judging the way a person grieves. When grieving we deal with anger, denial, depression, and bargaining. Some people will grieve longer than others. I regularly think of my father who died in 1990 and my brother who died in 1997. I still miss them. Sometimes I cry when it’s their birthday or another special occasion and sometimes I’ll focus on good times or crazy incidents with them and have a good laugh. All the grief never goes away. We only learn to deal with it on a daily basis.
Psalm 4:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivered them.
Sometimes we don’t grieve as much as others and sometimes we may grieve as if it were only yesterday. Another thing we may catch ourselves saying to the grieving is, “Call me if you need anything”. Unless the person is absolutely so close to you that you are as a family member then it isn’t going to happen. Be more specific. We may want to say, “If I can do anything to help you around the house, let me know, or If I can run an errand for you I’ll be more than happy to do so”. Many times just sitting quietly or giving a wonderful hug will let someone know you care. So don’t be afraid to not know the right things to do or say. Being a friend during a time of bereavement is the most important thing you can do.
Showing sincerity in your caring brings more than just a day of comfort for a bereaving family. I’ve always been the person to shy away but with the guidance of God I am learning to step in those uncomfortable places and think of others more than focusing on my insecurities. Believe me, being a minister’s wife does not exempt me from feeling uncomfortable in dealing with death. But as I learn I pray that I can pass it on and be a blessing to you.
2 Thessalonians 2:17 Comfort your hearts. And stablish you in every good word and work. Our greatest comforter is the Holy Ghost.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance. Whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
We can go so far with the bereaved but the Holy Ghost will bring spiritual comfort that we can not bring.
In Loving Memory of Robert “Butchie” Cornett Jr
Publisher: Darlene Monhollen Date: June 6, 2007
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