quick quotes

quick quotes

quick quotes

lessons learned in life

personal relationships

Matthew 5:22-24 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

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Our relationships with others are important to God--so much so that this passage instructs us to take care of those relationships before worship. And it's got a correspondingly harsh condemnation of those who verbally abuse others. 

be the first

the first to apologize is the bravest

the first to forgive is the strongest

the first to forgive is the happiest

God's resolution plan

"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” 

Matthew 18:15-17

These steps find their practical use “if your brother sins against you.” While there may be situations of other kinds of conflict where the model of private before public can well be followed, this procedure was given to address one kind of conflict: “if your brother sins against you.”  This is the situation of a private offense. Our reaction should be just as described by the Lord. To be hurt, then hold that hurt in your heart over several years is never recommended in the Scriptures! To complain and gossip is not the right response. “If your brother sins against you,” you are obligated by virtue of discipleship, to follow the Lord’s method of conflict resolution. Go to him.

Step #1 is to “go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Necessarily implied in this is, the matter is private. You are taking a private matter up with the alleged offender privately. Based on this, at the first thought that I have been sinned against, I need to GO, not stay and sulk and go and tell others. The Lord said, “go and tell him his fault,” and do this privately at this point: “between you and him alone.” 

The hope: “If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” If you approach the guilty party with right attitude and sufficient evidence, and this is combined with a receptive, humble spirit, “you have gained your brother.” In the case of sin proven, there would need to be repentance. (In some cases, since we are fallible, our perception of sin may not be reality. Once the misunderstanding is cleared, the matter is over.)

Step #2 is, “…if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that, ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established’.” In modern lingo, you “kick it up a notch” now. This doesn’t mean you get angrier, campaign or gossip! The “notch” is defined by the Lord: “take with you one or two more, that, ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established’.” These witnesses are not “on your side,” and their function is not to “gang up” against the offender! You are not getting your friends to help you fight a battle. You are asking fellow disciples to listen objectively to the matter. “Witnesses called in at this level should have impeccable integrity and be people whom the accused will recognize as fair and impartial,” (Ken Chumbley, The Gospel of Matthew, p.#329).

Additional steps: http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-matthew-18-15-17.htm

2016 ~ National ‘Awareness’ Days, Weeks, and Months

March 2016

Day

March 1, 2016  Self-injury Awareness Day (SIAD) 

March 1, 2016  Zero Discrimination Day

March 16, 2016  Kick Butts Day (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)

March 21, 2016  World Down Syndrome Day

March 21, 2016  International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

March 22, 2016  American Diabetes Association Alert Day

Week

March 6-12, 2016  National Sleep Awareness Week

Month

American National Nutrition Month

Brain Injury Awareness Month

Mental Retardation Awareness Month

Self Harm Awareness Month

overlooking an offense

(Devotional from Proverbs31.org)

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11 (NIV 1984)

What did she mean by that? Why does she always hurt my feelings? Why does she treat me that way? I didn’t realize these words played through my head on a continual basis until my daughter pointed it out.

She ended many of our conversations with, “Why do you get your feelings hurt so easily?” Or, “Mom, you’re so sensitive.”

At first, her words angered me. But over time, I began to hear what she was saying.

For years, I allowed people’s words to hurt my feelings. In turn, I harbored anger for those words. The anger took root. Satan fed the words to me over and over again. I re-played them in my mind. Each time the anger grew deeper roots.

Listening to a sermon in church, I would think, “I wish ______ was here. She really needs to hear this!” Of course, the sermon by-passed my heart all together.

Without realizing it, the words of others consumed my thoughts and focus and stole my time. About this time, God called me to teach a Bible study on the book of Proverbs. I spent days and weeks absorbed in this amazing book of wisdom.

One afternoon, this verse leapt off the page and into my heart, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11). I had a choice. Up until then, I heard people’s words, jumped to a conclusion and chose to be offended.

But through His Word, God gently corrected me. I sensed Him saying that I can choose to look past people’s words and not receive them with an offended heart. I discovered that I needed to LISTEN objectively and ask: What is driving their words? Do they have a valid point? Do they have a deep hurt? Or do they need something I am not giving?

The responsibility was on me to stop the words from taking root in my heart. When I accepted this, my attitude changed. Yes, it took time, and I am a work in progress. But now when someone speaks a hurtful word, I check it before letting it take residence in my mind. I hear the words, recognize my issue, and speak Truth over my heart. I literally say, “It is to my glory to not receive this as an offense.”

Everyone wins because I don’t ruin the rest of the day by pouting, making it all about me, or soaking in self-pity. Each time I make this choice, I sense God is pleased as I honor Him by choosing NOT to be offended.

Heavenly Father, thank You that I am created in Your image. Thank You that I find my identity in You. Thank You that it is only Your Word and Your opinion that matter. Lord, give me Your ears to hear. Help me not to be easily offended and easily angered. Help me lay down any offenses to which I am currently holding. Let me live in the freedom of Your love and forgiveness. Help me live not in my flesh, but supernaturally in the fullness and freshness of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God’s Story by Wendy Blight

Check out Wendy’s study of the book of Proverbs, All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God’s Wisdom in Everyday Life(eBook).

Stop by Wendy’s blog and leave your thoughts about today’s devotional for a chance to win a copy of her newest book coming out in March 2014, Living So That: Making Faith-Filled Choices in the Midst of a Messy Life.

Reflect and Respond:
Read 1 John 1:8-10 and reflect on its meaning in relation to this devotion.

Over the next week, listen to your conversations and note if you are easily offended.

Power Verses:
Ephesians 4:26-27, “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (NIV 1984)

Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV 1984)

statements on faith

(writings of my Dad)

God created! Life is His Gift.

Victorious believers are His witnesses.

The Son paid our sin-debt with sinless blood.

The Holy Spirit guides and convicts us.

The Father rules supreme.

All nature is His handiwork.

The Scripture is His Word.

The prophets foretold of Him.

The law proved the need of Him.

The apostles lived His message.

The faithful preacher proclaims Him.

The true witness tells of Him.

Angels minister over the believers.

The church trains us.

Christian friends share another’s burdens.

The enemy tests the believers.

The Savior prepares us a place.

The Holy Spirit guides and keeps us.

Ye must be born again or you shall die.

JW Smithwick

seeking God

(writings of my Dad)

I Sought for God

I sought for God along life’s busy highway

I turned and walked in Nature’s paths of grandeur

I sought for God in a great Cathedral

I prayed within a quiet lonely heart

Oh God I’ve found my burdened heart is free

I watch the throngs rush in a maddening pace

The glorious sunset, fragrant flowers at my feet

With awe, the building beauty filled my eye

The thoughts of earth came and pressed me hard

My sins forgiven, new life within the man

No time to stop and seek their Holy Maker

The pleasant valleys, the woods and mountain peaks

Majestic music strains did fill the air

Oh God forgive my darkest sins forgive

Oh wondrous God such love I do behold

No thought of God in life’s petty little race

I saw His works, but Him I could not meet

The pastor spoke of things beyond the sky

For I believe and hunger for Thee Lord

Touch me, use me in Thy Holy plan

I found him not, and none to help me there

I must find God, but then I knew not where

I worshiped God, but did not loose my care

I found Him then, beheld His countenance fair

I’ve found my God, His message I do declare

JW Smithwick

eagles's wings

Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:31 NAS

This is one of my most treasured Bible verses.  I return to it again and again. 

I understand what God is saying, I understand that He alone gives me strength, I understand that strength is divine, I understand that strength is unshakable.  I admit, there are times when I feel totally alone, times that I’m extremely tired, times that I want to crawl under the covers, times that I shake my head and deeply sigh.  

But, I also understand that He is always here.  Always with me.  Always.  It doesn’t matter what it is, devastating or minuscule, I can always and only depend on Him.  I have a note in my Bible that reads:  Let’s call upon, let’s wait upon, let’s depend upon the Lord.  That’s it!

I just need reminding.  And, once again, I return to Isaiah 40:31.

friday funnies

A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, "The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt." His son asked, "What happened to the flea?"

A ten-year-old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible. Then one day she floored her grandmother by asking, "Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus: the Virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?"

Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."

life unfolds

My Dad loved being outdoors, he loved the dirt and he loved growing things.  So do I. 
(writings of my Dad)

Life Unfolds

Winter snow is gone

It’s Spring the robins say.

The soil is broken well

Morning breaks today.

Good seed is sown

In soil’s hidden worth.

A tiny sprout begins to grow

Unseen within the mellow earth.

The sun will shine

Showers too must fall.

The promised green appears

Answering a sunny call.

Growth unfolds a plant

Be it for days or years.

Once the plant matures

A blossom of promise appears.

Bees kiss the flower

And when the flower is done.

Tiny at first appears

The fruit, the reward begins.

And when the fruit is grown

Full, firm, and sweet.

Behold a seed enclosed

The circle to repeat.

JW Smithwick

August 5, 1965

how many days 'till spring?

It’s a rainy, dreary day.  Heavy rains from overnight have collected together and formed several small ponds around the side and backyards.  It’s a mess.  I don’t look forward to filling these areas in with dirt and smoothing out the yard, at least enough to fill in the largest holes.  Even the existing drainage ditch needs work. (If this stuff ever dries up.)  No, the sky isn’t falling, the ground is sinking.

 

There is one project I am so looking forward to: expanding the garden pond.  Currently, it’s a preformed, flexible 50 gallon pond, home to three unique goldfish: Gibbs, G, and Pride (names from NCIS characters).  I hope to double the size, replacing the current one with a sheet liner that will conform to the contours of the old and new hole.  I want the new area to have one section at least two feet deep.  It will take much less effort to maintain a larger pond.

 

Garden ponds do require maintenance to be kept clean and balanced. There are additives necessary for a proper water environment: water conditioners, clarifiers, coatings for fish health, beneficial bacteria and enzymes, and pH balance and algae control. 

In the winter, the fish settle to the bottom and dream I guess.  They aren’t fed.  I have a small floating water heater to melt winter ice.  Without it, gasses can build up underneath and kill the fish.  In spring, summer, and fall, I have a fountain with a filter (that requires cleaning).  I also have plants.  Anacharis is an underwater oxygenating plant that typically survives the winter.  In spring, I add water lettuce and water hyacinth, both floating plants. (I can’t make myself pay for an expensive water lily that could die.)

 

Over the years, I have had many fish.  One year, a raccoon (most likely) caught two large goldfish.  One was left on the ground beside the pond and the other was evidently consumed.  The blood caused a pH crash killing about eight babies we didn’t know existed.  That was a sad day.  I actually cried.  The large ones had been there for several years and were at least six inches long.  I pulled out the pond and filled in the hole.  But, I later reinstalled it and started all over again.

Call me crazy.  I don’t care.  But, every single fish we have ever had have been named.  I also have trained them.  A tap to the closest edge lets them know it’s feeding time and they quickly come.  I eventually can (to most) actually drop a piece of food into their mouths.  And, several have allowed me to pet them (rub their backs).

Several years the pond was also home to frogs.  Early on in my pond years, a tiny little frog appeared on a floating plant.  He grew and hung around for that year.  A few years later, a huge monster frog scared me out of my flip flops.  (I wasn’t previously aware of his presence.)   

I’m looking forward to spring.  My favorite time of year.  Sitting outside on my glider.  Listening to the soothing sound of bubbling water.  The fresh breeze and warm sunshine.  Ahhhhh....

'cause pooh says so

-- Piglet, Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.

I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words bother me.
-- Winnie the Pooh

"I don't see much sense in that," said Rabbit. "No," said Pooh humbly, "there isn't. But there was going to be when I began it. It's just that something happened to it along the way."
-- Winnie the Pooh

I used to believe in forever . . . but forever was too good to be true.
-- Winnie the Pooh

If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you.
-- Winnie the Pooh

life lessons

it's not just your story...

(or, what you're going thru now)

wise words

the need for reverence

God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.  Psalm 89:7  KJV

AW Tozer

Many persons who have been raised in our churches no longer think in terms of reverence, which seems to indicate that they doubt God’s presence is there. Much of the blame must be placed on the growing acceptance of a worldly secularism that seems much more appealing than any real desire for the spiritual life that is pleasing to God. We secularize God; we secularize the gospel of Christ and we secularize worship. No great and spiritually minded men of God are going to come out of such churches, nor any great spiritual movement of believing prayer and revival. If God is to be honored and revered and truly worshiped, He may have to sweep us away and start somewhere else. Let us confess that there is a necessity for true worship among us. If God is who He says He is and if we are the believing people of God we claim to be, we must worship Him! In my own assessment, for men and women to lose the awareness of God in our midst is a loss too terrible ever to be appraised!