the road less traveled

I took a walk in the woods. I love the beauty fall offers. I came to a crossroads

with one path steeper and another along the river bank.

I had to decide what path to take.

Which one would you go on? The one more traveled where the path was worn and easy to see or the path that lead upwards and onwards to who knows where?

I want to be on the latter path spiritually thinking. I desire that as I am moving towards eternity I want to grow closer and become more Christlike. I imagine that as I do, I can become more and more of a witness so more and more of those I encounter will be with me in eternity also.

We have but one life to live for our Lord. Let’s live it well and take the road less traveled giving Him all the glory, honor, and praise.

When we do, others will see what it really means to…

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“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

“Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls…” Jeremiah 6.16

keep your mind positive*

When negativity seems to have taken over your thinking and all you can see in every direction are problems, stop and calm your mind. Clear your thoughts away and for awhile, feel the peace of simply being. Let go of the thoughts racing through your head and let in a feeling of serenity. Put yourself in a state where even the distractions cannot affect you. Keep your mind positive.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3.2

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10.5

When we do, we are a better picture of how to…

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*title and first paragraph come from ML’s social media post but bear repeating

how to be a better listener*

Put our phones AWAY!

(Laying it down isn’t enough.)

Whomever you are taking with, look the person in the eyes. Notice their expressions.

Really ‘hear’ them not just what they are saying, but how it is being said. Remember, body language speaks loudly too!

Don’t interrupt to add your comments, you will get a chance to speak.

When we don’t do these things, we are telling the person we really aren’t interested in what they are saying.

We all have room for improvement, but strive to be a better listener.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” James 1.19

“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” Revelation 3.20

Be a good listener.

Heed correction.

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*the title of this post and first 5 paragraphs (with some editing) come from a social media post. Thanks, CG.

what is your tone saying?*

We often aren’t aware of the TONE of our voice when we speak to others. Sometimes our TONE says more to a person than if we had spoken words. TONE can be accusing, demeaning, condescending, sarcastic, and very hurtful. TONE can also can be loving, appreciative, sympathetic & kind.

TONE often is misinterpreted in a text or email. So even when writing, be careful and aware of TONE.

We all have room for improvement.

It’s not what you say but how you say it!

Be gentle, loving, and let your TONE be such that others have no doubt who you are, whose you are, and that your desire is to be a living, breathing example of Christ.

Now go..,

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by applying the following verses:

“Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

“Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24

“A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.” Proverbs 18:4

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but hard words stir up anger.” Proverbs 18.1

*the title and first 3 paragraphs come from a friend’s social media post but I thought it was right on and worthy of reposting. Thanks, CG

be kind

I love acronyms made from words. They help messages stick and are fun to create as you can concentrate on a message you want to convey or a point to drive home, especially when teaching.

Below you will find some for the word kind, but before you read on; try to come up with one on your own and post it in the comments.

Some are internet finds, others are client creations, but, all are worth us applying and hearing so we can be more kind.

K ids

i n

N eed of

D reams

Be kind to a child in your life and help them dream.

K indness

I s

Needed

Daily

This is so true and probably my favorite acronym for the word kind. As we are kind each day, we can be reminded that:

K indness

I s

N ever

D umb

so…

K eep

I ncreasing

N ice

D eeds

But, in order to be kind, you must:

K eep

I nner

N egativity

D ead

then strive to…

K eep

I nterest in

N ice

D oings

Be nice.

Be kind.

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Do as scripture says: “Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4.33 ESV

That is how we can change the world by being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Go change the world one kind act at a time. When we do, we will see a kinder world.

We need to be kind for kindness breeds kindness and as we are kind the world will see what it means to…

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Here’s a few more kindness acronyms:

K nowledge

I nitiates

N oble

D ecisions

—-

K eep

I t

N ice

D aily

Look back on this previous post for more kindness tips:

https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/08/31/it-is-the-end-of-be-kind-to-humankind/

before you write the bad review

I grew up in a family owned and operated business.

Literally, that is where I went every day after school and every day in the summer. It was rare that we went out to eat, but when we did, seeing as we were a family of chefs, the orders were rarely right.

My mom, much to our charign and embarrassment, often sent things back to the kitchen if they were not received to her liking. Potatoes not cooked well done – back they went. Over easy eggs instead of poached – not accepted.

Both my parents cooked well, but dad was THE chef in the family. However, mom was the one that took wrong orders to a whole other level.

All that to say is we stopped at a little diner on a recent road trip. The food was not cooked as I asked with well done potatoes just like mom would have liked and I received over easy eggs instead of poached. I was tempted to return the plate and even right a bad review, but was it that bad?

Did I really want to hurt the potentially livelihood of this little dive?

No, of course not. So, I smiled graciously, ate the food, paid the bill, and in my mind gave them a pass instead of fail. After all, the bacon was cooked to perfection, the muffins grilled just right, and water was served without ice as I had asked.

Social media was not a thing that could make or break someone years ago. There was no computers in every household and the internet had not even been invented. Word of mouth was how news traveled. Writing an unnecessary bad review these days literally could shut an establishment down.

Is that how to..

be.the.church

I think not!

“Do not let let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4.29

forget about it

Forget about the things of earth and focus on what you can do that will have eternal impacts. Collecting things albeit even necessary things are temporary. We are here temporary. Keep your eyes fixed on the prize and goal of taking as many as possible to heaven with you.

Having nice things is not a sin but those cars, clothes, jewels, bank accounts will all be left behind.

Concentrate on the here and now as you be the best picture of Christ and reflect His love everywhere you go.

In the end, all we can take with us is others who desire to follow Christ too.

And consider this: you are either for God or against Him. There is no inbetween.

It is either good or evil, choose whom you will serve – as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24.15)

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And serve Him too!

be the change

I love what this picture can represent. A new beginning, change, growth to come, stepping out of the desert and into the light. What do you see?

I also love Gandhi’s quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” In fact, another post was focused on this quote: https://bethechurch.home.blog/2019/10/02/be-the-change-you-want-to-see-in-the-world/

Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Do what you can to care for others in this world we live and make life a little sweeter for another. Be the change for however long you have this side of heaven.

I believe we all can and should be this for those we are closest to and whom God puts in our path.

Cesar Chavez was such a person. He was a labor leader and civil rights activist who tirelessly fought for the Latino community. He even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is one of the highest civilian awards of the United States of America. It is given to someone who has given… “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” per executive order 11085, Federal register 28, and signed February 20,1963.

The following was written by Cesar Chavez (USA, 1927-1993)

Show me the suffering of the most miserable;

So I will know my people’s plight.

Free me to pray for others;

For you are present in every person.

Help me to take responsibility for my own life;

So that I can be free at last.

Give me honesty and patience;

So that I can work with other workers.

Bring forth song and celebration;

So that the Spirit will be alive among us.

Let the Spirit flourish and grow;

So that we will never tire of the struggle.

Let us remember those who have died for justice;

For they have given us life.

Help us love even those who hate us;

So we can change the world.

Amen.

Take a chance and be the change so you can…

be.the.church

barbies for boys

Should we let boys play with barbies? Or girls play with trucks?

Somehow it’s OK for the girls but not for the boys. Or if one plays with the opposite gender toys they can instantly be labeled as transgender or homosexual. I think sometimes kids are just pretending and enjoy playing with their siblings or friends.

This was the case with one of our children. If another parent had been his, he might have been given dresses to wear and hormones to take. Dear God, what is the world coming to?

God’s answer is turning over the sin to a reprobate mind.

“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.” Romans 1.20-28 NLT

Another version says it this way: “… even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not proper…” Romans 1.28 KJ2000

Let kids play and use their imaginations but don’t let them be something they were not created to be. Help all see and believe in themselves as God created them to be male or female and how all can and should…

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Shout out to janrye @ pixabay for the beautiful photo above

wonder and wait

It’s always an exciting ride as the Lord doesn’t reveal all until we need it sometimes. But, never doubt He is always on time.

Even when we prayer there is always an answer. Sometimes it is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait.

We should love the waiting and the wonder that follows.

I believe we do not do enough waiting or wondering.

The thought I’ve been thinking about was when my children were little and needed surgeries, my desire was always to pray first and then seek medical attention. It’s so easy to do the reverse especially if you live in a developed country or have western influence.

Let’s give God a chance to show up and show off. It might mean we need to just wonder and wait.

And in the waiting…

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and when an answer comes or you are awed at the wonder of it all, share it to others so they can learn to put their faith in our awesome God who desires us to be filled with wonder and patient as we wait.

“The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3.25

“But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” Micah 7.7

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 30.18

Be counted among the blessed. Wonder and wait then share all that the Lord has done.