Day 16 of My Lenten Journey

16.  Negativity

In general, I am typically a "glass is half full" type of person.  However, I a definitely not a Pollyanna all the time.  There is definitely room for growth and places where I need to rid myself of negativity.

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violent intentions. Proverbs 10:11

Due to the fall of man, we have a tendency to lean toward the negative side.  I definitely didn't teach my kids to be negative, but it has come naturally in some situations.  Many times we tend to believe the worst or not have confidence in something or someone.  But, we have a chance to choose our attitude in all situations.

James 3 talks about how words of negativity, can corrupt the whole body.  In one moment we use our words to praise God, but then curse man.  His analogy is "can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"   We must choose whether we speak positivity or negativity.

Negativity reflects what is going on inside a person.  If you want to know what is in your heart, listen to what is coming out of your mouth.  

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.  Matthew 12:33

Negativity breeds negativity.  Ever heard, "birds of a feather flock together?'  Hang around negative people and you too will sway that way.  Instead, fill your circle of friends with people who see the glass half full.

He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.  Proverbs 13:20

And in the end, always go back to what Mrs. Rabbit said to Thumper in the movie, Bambi.   "If you can't say anything nice (or that is constructive), don't say anything at all."  Know when to hold your tongue and when your words would be constructive instead.  Look for the best in people and stay away from the negativity and toxic.  And, always look on the bright side of life!

Ski Trip Day 1

This morning began a little too early as the boys were excited and still in Central time. That means 5:45! After countless "how much longers" we finally got out the door about 8:00 to get our tickets.


This condo is the closest ski in-ski out besides the other Breckenridge condo we were at 15 years ago, at Ski Watch off of the base of Peak 8. These type of places are key with kiddos and heavy ski gear.

The first hour was full of adjustments and trying to get used to the "feeling" of it all again. This is usually the worst hour of the trip.

By 9:30 we had found our happy place and we were in the groove. It was a gorgeous day with bright sunshine and semi-fresh powder. Kendrick was really getting daring and bobbing and weaving through the sides of runs through the trees. It was beginning to scare me.


Of course, the inevitable happens and his knee hits a tree. I really thought the trip could have been over, but we were blessed by God's protection. He was able to get up and continued skiing. He was a cautious skier for the next few hours but by 2:00, all bets were off and he had forgotten the incident.

The other unusual thing this trip was that normally I am in the lead, kids in the middle and Stephen brings up the rear. Today was the first time we let the kids lead, make that Kendrick. Unfortunately, we nearly lost him once as he turned to the left off a lift and the rest of us went right. Luckily, crisis was averted and Stephen caught him.


All in all it was a good day. You know you are busy skiing when you don't have many "on mountain" pics!



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Breckenridge

Day 15 of My Lenten Journey

15.  Hatred

Hatred stirs up conflict but love covers all wrongs.  Proverbs 10:12

The opposite of hatred is love.

A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34

After 40 circles around the sun, I feel like I have learned to love everyone.  However, that doesn't make it easy to love everyone.  Some are harder than others, Sometimes you just don't feel like loving. Looking deep within my heart, I still have to remember that it is usually the action that I hate about a person and not the actual person.  I must remember that every person on this earth is a child of God, even if they are misguided and blinded by the Muslim extremist ideology, for example.   Or sometimes it is just a kid in my class that is driving me crazy, but they are ALL children of God.

I think Martin Luther King, Jr. said it well when he said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21

God is love and we love because God first loved us.  (1 John 4:16, 19)  And it's easy to love those who love me, but what credit do we get for that?  We are called to do the hard thing--love everyone all the time.

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true.  And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ.  1 John 5;19-20 

Day 14 of My Lenten Journey

14.  Apathy

The word apathy, per se, is not used in the Bible.  It uses many other varieties though.

Hardened heart is used so many times in the Old Testament in reference to Pharaoh and the Israelites as they wandered in the desert.  Both Pharaoh and the Israelites saw first hand God's might acts and still chose not to believe or just grumble and complain against him.  This is a form of apathy.  They had knowledge of God and his power but didn't care.

Lukewarm is another term used by Jesus in the letter to the church of Laodicea.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot or cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth!  Revelation 3:15-16

Being lukewarm is a lack of forward movement, complacency, lackadaisical.  There is no action being taken for one reason or another, but it is seen as apathetic.  When you are apathetic as a Christian, you aren't growing and bearing fruit.  In John 15, Jesus pleads for us to remain in him, so that he will be in use growing so that we bear fruit.  He will even prune us so we bear more fruit and become better and better.  We do not want to be the apathetic vine that withers and is cut off to be thrown in the fire to burn.

Am I always bearing fruit?  Definitely, not.  I do go through seasons and I feel it in my heart when Jesus begins tugging on that branch saying it might be time to prune you, Jennifer!

We must heed the warning, wake up and take action!

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out.  Wake up for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.  Romans 13:11

Arise!  Shine, for your light has come and the glory of The Lord has risen upon you.  Isaiah 60:1

 As I see it, the opposite of apathy in Christ is enthusiasm.  The Bible has much to say on this subject!

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve The Lord enthusiastically.  Romans 12:11

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.  Ecclesiastes 9:10.  

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for The Lord rather than for people.  Ephesians 6:7

If you do not serve The Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies.  Deuteronomy 28:47

What is the fix for apathy in The Lord?  Be in his word.  Pray.  Focus on Christ and have a servant's heart.  If we are filled with his love and joy, there is no room for apathy.

Rejoice in The Lord always and again I say rejoice!  Philippians 4:4

Rejoice always.  Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Day 13 of My Lenten Journey

13.  Entitlement

These days we are bombarded with relentless advertisements telling us, "you deserve... Or you owe it to yourself...."  This is the entitlement attitude and it is self-seeking and centered.   The entitlement attitude is is pursuing our own agenda without thinking of others or God, or just thinking that God owes me something.

God owes me nothing.

In fact, what we deserve from God is death and hell!

The wages of sin are death.  Romans 6:23

God doesn't owe us comfort, abundance, or a perfect life without problems.  He gives because he wants to, not because he has to.  He is the center and all things exist for his pleasure.   What he gives is grace through his unconditional love.  In John 1:12, it says the only thing we ARE entitled to through faith in Jesus to forgive and save us, is to be called children of God.  Wow!  Think about it--he claims me--little ol' me.  But, it's what we do with that one entitlement that determines whether we have an entitlement attitude or a servant's heart.

So, our response should be "Here I am, Lord, your servant is listening," just as Samuel replied.

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:3-8

The bottom line?  Trust God with your needs.  He owes you nothing.  Thank him for what he has provided for you, for all of it comes from him.  Ask where you can serve him instead.  

God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

Day 12 of My Lenten Journey

12.  Impurity

Impurity.  Ewww, that's what makes my face break out in blemishes!

Those are ugly, white puss pockets that stick out on my face.  God calls the sin in our life blemishes.  Got the picture?  It's ugly.

The opposite is pure and holy.  This is similar to part of my day 8 of being blameless.  But, for all practical purposes, impurity is sin.  Flat out-any kind.  To live a life without sin, is impossible.   Only one man has ever done it.

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

Yet, we are to strive to do our best.

For God did not call us to live impure; but to live a holy life.  1 Thessalonian 4:7

It is a struggle, but that is why we ask God for help on a daily basis.  God is holy and pure and perfect and to be in his presence we must be holy too.  That's why he sent his Son.  Jesus came and died on the cross to sanctify us and save us from our sins making us pure and blameless in his sight through our faith in him.

It is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.  Leviticus 17:11

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.  People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.  Romans 3:25

He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;  by his wounds you have been healed.  1 Peter 2:24

It's as easy as that.  You just have to believe that he died on the cross for you.  Grace is God's gift to us;  we just have to believe and accept it.

Strive to live a pure life free of blemishes by asking daily for God's help and grace.

Day 11 of My Lenten Journey

11. Lack of Counsel

Wise decisions are not made in a vacuum.  We need help with discernment in all areas of our lives, even down to the tiny everyday ones.  Why do we think we have to do this on our own?  Yet, there is the opposite of asking every single person you come across.  Where should we turn first?

The opposite is of lack of counsel is wisdom. The Bible mentions it 219 times with even 2 books dedicated to wise counsel.  The wisest king, other that Jesus was actually David's son, Solomon.  I read the passage in 1 Kings 3 of what happened with Solomon during breakfast this morning.  In verse 5 it says: the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

I asked the kids what they thought it might have been.  Cavett first said money.  Kendrick then said food. But, Solomon asked for wisdom.  Moreover, because he didn't ask for the moon, God gave him wealth and honor and a long life too!  What an example for us today!

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5

While Jesus was on earth he spoke of what would happen when he wasn't with us anymore.  He guaranteed that he would give us an Advocate to help us.

And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever--the Spirit of Truth.  John 14:16-17

In Acts, Stephen stood up to unbelievers and opposition, speaking with great wisdom that the Holy Spirit gave him. (Acts 6:10)

In 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, Paul speaks about how if you believe and have the Holy Spirit, we understand what God has given us, spiritual realities and we will understand the words of the Bible. We have the mind of Christ.  We have better discernment because we have faith and because we have faith, God gives us his Holy Spirit.

Is it hard to be still and listen to what that tiny voice has to say?  Yes.  Should we still strive for it? Definitely!  How?  Through prayer and quiet time and through the Bible.  God will speak to you and give you wisdom.  Sometimes it is through a scripture you just happen upon.  Sometimes it is what I call a God-incidence, sometimes he literally gives you a sign.  For example, in deciding which practice in the Dallas area Stephen should buy, the last building we came to had a cornerstone with Isaiah 28:16 written.  It was a literal sign from God.  (Not to mention he was in the middle of teaching a Sunday School lesson on how to "hear" God today.)

Look!  I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone.  It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.  Whoever believes need never be shaken.  Isaiah 28:16

Obviously, we bought that practice and thank God daily asking for wisdom for Dad in business decisions and patient care.

Can we find wise counsel from God through others?  Absolutely.

Parents:  Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.  Proverbs 1:8

Elders: Is wisdom found among the aged?  Does not long life bring understanding?  Job 12:12

Friends:  The queen of Sheba came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.  Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon....she was overwhelmed.  1 Kings 10:2-5

You don't have to go it alone.  God has provided much wisdom in many forms for you.  You just have to be open to the avenues that he has provided.