Great I Am

Judge

Tattoos      Piercings      Long Hair      Short Hair

Man             Woman

Differing Political Views

Rich        Poor

Different Nationality

Biker      Cowboy      Preppy      Athlete

Purple Hair      Gray Hair

Young      Old

Dressed Casual       Dressed Up

Country Bumpkin        City Slicker

Drives a Ford        Drives a Chevy

Vegan      Meat Eater

Single     Married     Remarried      Divorced     Widowed

Has a Past of Drug and Alcohol Abuse    

Has Never Touched Drugs or Alcohol

Thin       Heavy Set

Has Kids        Doesn't Have Kids

Corporate Worker       Burger Flipper

Genius         Mentally Challenged

Loves Dogs         Loves Cats

PC or Mac  

While some of these are for fun, they are all differences we come across in life.  There are many others, but this is just a sampling.  How do you look at others different than you?  How do you treat others that aren't the same as you?  Do you judge them because they are different?  




Jesus came and died for ALL.  He loves ALL.  He loves even those we find unloveable.  He doesn't want anyone to live apart from Him.  When we judge others by their social group, their marital or child status, their look, their past, where they live, we elevate ourselves to a level equal with God.  God is the one and only judge.  We aren't.  The Bible says, DON'T judge, or you will be judged as you judge others.  Think about that a minute.  Think about how you think of those you are different from, those who you may not approve of their look, their  nationality, how they act.  We are told to LOVE.  Love all, even if we are on opposite ends of the spectrum of life.  We don't have to accept certain things that go against God and His word, but we do have to love the person.  We don't have to be best friends with everyone, but we do have to love them like Christ did.  To God, we are all the same.  We are all sinners who need grace and forgiveness offered through Christ.  Some accept it His grace, love and forgiveness, some don't.  If we do accept Christ, His love and forgiveness, we are to model how He has accepted us, and treated us.  Yes, there is right and wrong in the world, and while you can stand for your values and beliefs, do it in a way to not judge those who oppose you.  Do it in a way that shows God's love to the world around you, who is watching your example.  You may be the only example of Christ that someone ever sees.  What are you showing them?  How do you represent your Savior?  






Matthew chapter 7 says it this way:
"Don't judge others, or you will be judged. You will be judged in the same way that you judge others, and the amount you give to others will be given to you."Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the big piece of wood in your own eye?  How can you say to your friend, 'Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye'?? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend's eye."


Or as The Message puts it... 
"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. Matthew 7:1-5 




^{Luke 6:27-38}   “I say to you who hear Me, love those who work against you. Do good to those who hate you.  Respect and give thanks for those who try to bring bad to you. Pray for those who make it very hard for you.  Whoever hits you on one side of the face, turn so he can hit the other side also. Whoever takes your coat, give him your shirt also.  Give to any person who asks you for something. If a person takes something from you, do not ask for it back.  Do for other people what you would like to have them do for you.  “If you love those who love you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what pay can you expect from that? Sinners also do good to those who do good to them.  If you let people use your things and expect to get something back, what pay can you expect from that? Even sinners let sinners use things and they expect to get something back.  But love those who hate you. Do good to them. Let them use your things and do not expect something back. Your reward will be much. You will be the children of the Most High. He is kind to those who are not thankful and to those who are full of sin. 


“You must have loving-kindness just as your Father has loving-kindness.  Do not say what is wrong in other people’s lives. Then other people will not say what is wrong in your life. Do not say someone is guilty. Then other people will not say you are guilty. Forgive other people and other people will forgive you.  “Give, and it will be given to you. You will have more than enough. It can be pushed down and shaken together and it will still run over as it is given to you. The way you give to others is the way you will receive in return.”


For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. Whoever puts his trust in God’s Son will not be lost but will have life that lasts forever.  For God did not send His Son into the world to say it is guilty. He sent His Son so the world might be saved from the punishment of sin by Him. John 3:16-17

July 4th Moon Rising

Thanks to my friend, Darlene, for sharing this version of the Star Spangled Banner.

Freedom

 These are thoughts that have been going through my mind for quite some time, but seem appropriate to talk about on this Independence week.  

Do you do anything to preserve your freedoms, other than complain on facebook, and elsewhere?  Do you take real action or do you just whine and complain, but don't do anything to try to preserve the freedoms we have, and try to hold on to, the freedoms, rights, and things you value?  Do you write letters, emails, make phone calls to those in government to share your concerns and opinions and take a stand for what you value and hold dear?  If you just rant about it on your facebook page, it really doesn't matter, you are just making noise because those thoughts are not reaching those we have hired by voting them in to office to represent us.  Unless we decide to  make our government by the people, for the people, our freedoms will disappear and we will destroy America from the inside.  If people started to take a stand for their freedoms, for their rights, for the Constitution, for those things we hold dear from the Word of God, for what others have fought so hard to preserve for over 200 years, we could make a difference.  But, what I see more are people who like to complain about everything, but won't take a stand for anything.  We need to start taking stands to preserve our freedoms, our country, by voting, by contacting state senators and reps, by honoring those who have died and fought to keep our country free.  Do you thank those who have, and are fighting for our country?  They are the reason people can even carry on their rants, because they fought for this country, for our rights, our freedoms, to preserve the Constitution of the United States. 

If your freedoms are important to you, then stand up and let your elected officials know your thoughts.  I am not talking about being violent, or about acting disrespectful to those you oppose.  Standing up for your freedoms can be done in a civilized, God-honoring way, and if you are a Christ follower, they should be done in a way that honors Christ.  

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."   Edmund Burke

If your freedoms are important, if you love your country, then be proud to be an American and take a stand for your freedoms, for the next generations freedoms.  


Remember to thank those who have served our country, every chance you get, too!!  







Gettysburg Address...


Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.


Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.


But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

25 Years!

Happy 25th Anniversary to my hubby!  

I can't believe it's been 25 years already!  Time goes so fast, but I am thankful to have spent those years with my hubby.  Through the good times and the difficult times, the times of joy and the times of tears, the times of wins and losses, each is a blessing because they were shared with the man I love.  I am thankful to God for the gift of sharing life with a man who loves God, and loves me.  

Happy anniversary, babe!  Thanks for your love, laughter, strength, understanding, and grace.  

Happy Father's Day, Dad

A Godly Man walks in integrity and his children are blessed following him. 

Proverbs 20:7

Dad, your example is priceless.  Thank you for always being there us, for teaching us right from wrong, the importance of living a life of integrity and keeping our word.  Thank you for your example of how to have a Godly marriage and the love you have shown to mom for the past 47 years.  Thank you for being a man who follows God and taught us the importance of putting God first in our lives.  We love you! 

Happy Father’s Day!

What Makes a Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad

The Proof of Your Love

This is one of my favorite new songs.  
Things I think about as I listen to this song....Does my life have proof that I am a follower of Christ?  Does my life have proof of His love?  Am I kind, loving, caring, understanding to those around me, even when they may push my buttons or disappoint me?  When I serve others, work in ministry, give to those around me, is it for the right reasons of giving it all because of Christ?  If my heart and motives aren't pure, and for the purpose of giving and living for Christ, then it's shallow, self-serving, and it brings burnout, hurt, and frustration.  However, when I keep the focus of all I do on Christ, then I know it has meaning and purpose because it's for Him.


THE PROOF OF YOUR LOVE 

For King and Country

If I sing but don't have love
I waste my breathe with every song
I bring, an empty voice
A hollow noise

If I speak with a silver tongue
Convince a crowd but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste
With every word I say

So let my life be the proof
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You
And what You're made of
How you lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof
The proof of Your love

If I give to a needy soul
But don't have love then who is poor
It seems all the poverty
Is found in me

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song

Only love remains
Only love remains

Take Time

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.

Take time to honor those who gave their lives for your freedoms.

Take time to thank those who have served our country.  

Take time to thank and pray for those who are currently serving our country.  

Recently, I was in a store, and walked by a gentleman who had a Vietnam Veteran hat on.  As I walked by, I smiled at him, but quickly, turned around and went back, and thanked him for his service to our country.  He nodded his head at me, and thanked me back.  As I walked away, he began to follow me.  I turned to listen to his words, and as I did, I saw his eyes filling with tears.  He told me how he appreciated my stopping to thank him, that it's not something he hears often.  I shook my head, and said he deserved to be thanked for his service.  He went on to tell me how when he returned from Vietnam, three times, he was treated terrible.  People spit on him, called him horrible names, hated him, and even threatened his life.  He said he could not go anywhere wearing his uniform because of the hatred for service men and women during the Vietnam conflict.  By this time, my tears were joining his, but his turned to almost weeping, as he said "it wasn't our fault, we were just following orders, we didn't want to be there either, but we had to be."  I put my hand on his shoulder, as I watched a man in his 70's stand with tears streaming down his face, reliving the pain from the rejection of his country, like it was yesterday.  I told him I was deeply sorry for him, and others who went through that, and how it was so wrong for them to be treated that way.  We talked a little more, and he thanked me again for stopping to talk to him.  I said he didn't have anything to thank me for, he was the one who deserved the thanks.  He managed a partial grin, and thanked me a couple more times.  


I walked through the plumbing section of the store, trying to get a hold on my tears.  When I got out to my car, I called my husband to tell him about my experience.  At this time, my tears flowed as I thought of a country who rejected those who gave up their lives, either completely or partially, to fight in a war.  They deserved, and still do, thanks for their service, as do all service men and women in this country.  You may disagree with war, but our service men and women don't have a choice.  They have to go.  They deserve thanks.  I hope that those of you reading take time to purposefully thank our veterans and those currently serving our country, as they deserve honor for their sacrifices. 


To those who have served, or are serving, to their families, thank you!  You are appreciated and we remember your sacrifice.  

Super Moon

God put on an amazing show with the 'Super Moon.'  When it broke through the clouds here, it was bright and beautiful.  These images were captured over a three hour time frame.   

I Want To Live Like That...