Category: General Writing

I’m sure you have heard the saying, “There are two sides to every story”.  My mom used to say it to me all the time – usually when I was complaining about my brothers.  And I still use the saying today.  Just like my mom, I used it A LOT while raising our children.  And I continue to refer to it in my mind when I hear only one side of a story.  It helps me to not jump to conclusions.  If we are not careful, we could find ourselves in the middle of someone else’s argument – someplace we do not want to be!   Considering that there are two sides to every story helps prevent that from happening.

I think this expression can be very useful in resolving our own disagreements as well.  If we are angry with someone, we may need to listen to their side of the story in order to allay any misunderstanding.  And we may need to make sure they understand our side.  Considering both sides of the story helps us make honest assessments, work out our differences, and thereby settle our disputes. 

Hearing both sides of the story also helps us make unbiased judgments.  Our two sons are two years apart.  When they were young, there were many times when one would come crying to me that the other had hit him or something or the sort.  Now as a mom, I could have punished the accused brother and been done.  But in order to make a fair decision, I needed to hear both sides of the story.  Often, the accused was provoked by the accuser.  So, after hearing both sides, my usual “punishment” was to make them hug and tell each other that they were sorry.  I say “punishment” because they often perceived it as such, but to me it was justice. 

One reason that there are two sides to every story is that everyone has their own point of view.  I frequently laugh when we reminisce at family gatherings.  The way our children recount something from their youth is often totally different than my recollection of the event.  Even more amusing is when they recall something that I did, which is not at all the way I remember doing it.  These conversations used to puzzle me until I realized that they were simply illustrations of two sides to every story.  Actually, I have concluded that memories are not reliable for this very reason.    

Another cause for two sides to every story is that people have different opinions.  We develop our opinions from our individual experiences and by what we were taught.  We assimilate this information and make decisions about it, which become our opinions and beliefs.   Then we tend to filter new information through our opinions.  Consequently, two people can receive the same information, but since it is flavored by their differing opinions, it can result in two sides to the story. 

All in all, I think we can agree that “two sides to every story” is applicable in many situations.  However, there is one notable exception.  There is only one side to God’s story, which is revealed to us in the Bible.  You may be thinking, there are many different attitudes about the Bible.  And you are right.  There are many interpretations of the scriptures floating around out there, but there is still only one truth.  Truth is truth.  And if God’s story – His Word is the truth, there cannot be different versions of it, or else it would not be the truth.  God, in His infinite wisdom declared THE truth, and had it written in His Word, (the Bible) so we could read, learn and understand it.  People can argue against it, they can have different stories about it, they can even contradict it, but none of those things change the truth.  The truth of God’s Word is perfect and unalterable.  It is unwavering and undeniable.  It is a constant that never changes.  It is always right, and we can always count on it.  All the other sides to God’s story do not and cannot change it, for only it is the truth. 

Now, some might call me close-minded on this subject.  I would say, I’m committed.  As Christians, we need to be committed to the truth.  If we are not, then the Bible holds no more authority in our lives than any other book.  Everyone can make up their own minds; they are free to have their own opinions about the Bible.  Free will is one of the greatest things God gave us.  But …“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.  (Joshua 24:15b).  Choosing to serve God is one of the best things we can ever do for ourselves. 

It is very interesting to note that in almost every situation, we are benefitted by listening to both sides of the story.  Gathering as much information as we can and weighing the variables can help us make informed decisions.  But we must remember that all this information we are gathering is of the world and is therefore temporal. Thus, it is either intangible knowledge and subject to perception or tangible knowledge and subject to change.  Hearing both sides of the story helps us make better judgement calls, but we can’t forget that those judgements are temporal.

God’s information is spiritual.  It is not limited by perceptions, and it does not change.  So, it can provide all the information we need.  Weighing spiritual knowledge against temporal knowledge is futile.  Yet, people still try to cram God’s information into the confines of worldly limitations.  Or worse, they allow worldly knowledge to take preeminence over Godly knowledge in their minds.  Godly knowledge is perfect and superior to worldly knowledge in every way! 

As for me, I accept God’s side of the story as not only the truth, but also as my only rule of faith and practice.  I might listen to the other side of the story in order to help someone, but not because I doubt God’s side.  I weigh the world’s information against the standard of God’s Word, never the other way around.  And I try to base all my judgments on God’s standard. 

To sum up, I’d say that the statement, “there are two sides to every story” is fairly accurate.  Considering both sides of the story is beneficial for making fair assessments.  But in order to make the best decisions, we need to base our judgments on a trusted standard.  And for me, that is God’s matchless Word. 

Note to my readers:  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  (John 8:32)   Sure do appreciate you!  Thanks for reading. 

This time of year is usually a happy time for people.  Spring signals an end to the harsh cold of winter and is a pleasant cushion before the uncomfortable heat of summer.  Spring flowers bring vibrant colors and beautiful fragrances to the austere landscape left by winter’s domain.  New life appears everywhere.  In addition to the flowers, trees bud, birds build nests, animals have babies, and fields begin to sprout.  Springtime seems to breathe life back into the world.  (I will add here, that even though Florida winters are not as cold as up north, they are grey and chilly and spring is a welcome change here too.)

This time of year also brings a celebration commonly called Easter.  This is when Christians everywhere rejoice because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead!  Many Christians call this holiday, “Resurrection Sunday” and that is actually my preference. 

The Bible devotes four books, known as the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, to chronicling Jesus’s life here on earth.  Each book describes many wonderful things that Jesus did while here on earth and the sad events surrounding his heinous capture and crucifixion.  But the Gospels culminate with the glorious description of his resurrection.  It is that resurrection that changed the world forever! 

So, it only makes sense that Resurrection Sunday would be a day of great celebration each year.  All the rights and privileges we have as sons of God hinge on Jesus Christ’s resurrection and ascension.  It says in the gospel of John that Jesus Christ came so that we could have a life that is more (or super) abundant.  (John 10:10)

It is because of the finished work of Jesus Christ that people can be born again.  Our redemption and salvation were accomplished by his resurrection.  And his resurrection took place because Jesus Christ fulfilled all the requirements of the Old Testament law and became the sacrificial Passover lamb once and for all.  He gave his life for us.  Therefore, our salvation is not only completely legal, but it is also a gift.  Jesus Christ paid the full price so that we could be born again and receive all the benefits of being sons of God.  It was something that we could not do for ourselves, no matter how hard we tried.  So, I don’t know about you, but I sure am thankful for what Jesus Christ did so that I could be saved!  😉

Just as springtime renews life after the doldrums of winter, salvation renews our lives after the bondage of the world.  It is interesting to note, that for most of us, we didn’t recognize the bondage that we were in until we got born again.  That is a clever scheme promoted by worldly powers.  The world disguises its bondage as “just the way things are.”  And it has lulled people’s minds into accepting that statement.  How many times have you thought, “That’s just the way things are.  There is nothing we can do about it.”  Well, with Christ in us, there is always something we can do about it!!  The book of Romans declares that we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us.”  (Romans 8:37)  And we could not be more than conquerors unless there was something that we needed to conquer.    

John 16:33 – (Jesus Christ talking):  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

We may see hard times in life, but we are fully equipped with the power of God so we can rise above the circumstances.  Sometimes bad things happen.  Sometimes difficulties plague us.  But we can be victorious over whatever is troubling us when we believe what God’s Word says.  Jesus Christ overcame the world for us, so that we can experience victory in our lives.    

Just like spring releases us from the icy grasp of winter, salvation releases us from the clutches of sin.  We were freed from the bondage of our old sinful nature by the finished work of Jesus Christ.  We just need to believe that. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

So, on Resurrection Sunday, we can rejoice because we have been given a brand new life.  Our old way of thinking, our fears, worries and doubts were swept away by the power of God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead.  Our past sins were fully cleansed so not even a hint of them remains.  God remembers them no more!  And if we sin now, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ.  (1 John 2:1)  We truly do have newness of life! 

Remember this very familiar verse?

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God so loved that He gave!  Jesus Christ so loved that he gave!  And now because he was raised from the dead, we have eternal life!  We have so much to rejoice about!

We don’t have to let the pressures of this world weigh us down.  Spring always follows winter.  Light always dispels darkness.  God is always with us.  And with God all things are possible. 

Jesus Christ rose from the dead, which made salvation available to anyone who wants it.  It’s a gift of God that we just need to accept.  Once we do, we are going to live forever.  We’re going to heaven and all hell can’t stop us.  And in the meantime, we can live a new life that is more than abundant. 

Romans 6:4 – Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Note to my readers:  Happy Resurrection Sunday!!  I love you.  Thanks for reading. 

I grew up visiting my grandparents in Maine every summer.  And the highlight of our visits was going to the ocean.  My mom grew up in Maine and she instilled in me her love for its rock-bound coast.  As a kid, I loved to play in the waves, climb around on the rocks and find treasures in the sand.  I still love the sound of waves breaking on the shore and the feel of the salt spray on my skin (even though it’s sticky).  But there was one thing I really disliked.  And that was the smell at low tide.  It smelled like dead fish and rotting seaweed to me.  I found it repugnant even as a small child.  And I think that distaste affected my desire to eat seafood.  I’ve never been a big fan. 

So, you may ask, “what’s your point?”

My point is that low tides happen.  They are a vital part of the life of the ocean just as high tides are.  The tide comes in and the tide goes out.  It is a cycle caused by the moon’s gravitational pull, the sun and the rotation of the earth.  And both tides work together for the overall health of the ocean. 

My opinion of low tides has always been negative because I didn’t like the smell.  But low tides can have good qualities.  The lower water level can expose areas for more convenient study, not only by scientists but also by treasure seekers.  The low tide produces tide pools for fascinating exploration (especially for a little girl and her uncle).  And at low tide the waves are generally smaller and break further from the shore making a calmer environment for walks on the beach. 

My opinion of high tides was more favorable since I loved to play in the waves.  High tides produce higher water levels and generally bigger waves.  The energy of those waves moves sediment and debris around for a kind of cleansing effect.  The deeper water enables boats to navigate in areas they cannot when the tide is low.  And the movement of the current toward land brings fish closer to the shore for the fishermen. 

On the other hand, low tide smells and sometimes strands marine life on shore.  And high tides can flood coastal regions during storms.  So, we can see that both high tides and low tides have good qualities and bad.  One is not all good nor the other all bad. 

I think of life like the ocean.  Our lives are never static.  They are constantly ebbing and flowing just like the ocean.  And even when our lives are calm, there can be a lot going on under the surface.  Storms can happen that totally shake up the routine and in extreme circumstances, cause devastating results.  But somehow, in time the ocean recovers and so can we.  And like the ocean, our lives have tides.  High tides when the good times flow in, and low tides when the good times fade away.  Both are part of the cycle of living.

Generally, people want high tides in life.  They want good times flooding in and bringing them a wealth of happiness.   High tides are usually perceived as prosperous.  But remember that prosperity is not limited to material abundance.  We can be prosperous in many facets of our lives.  And in fact, God says that He wants us to prosper and be in health.  (3 John 1:2)  So, it’s easy to see why high tides may seem preferable. 

But as life goes on, low tides come.  The good times fade away and take our happiness with them. Life becomes challenging.  Suddenly, we may feel disheartened or downtrodden.  Our outlook may be at a low ebb.  We may feel that our prosperity is being washed away like the sand.  There is no doubt that these times can be hard, but how we handle them can make a difference

Just like the tides in the ocean, the high tides and the low tides of our lives both have good qualities and bad.  One is not all good nor the other all bad.

The high tides of life might bring us happiness, but can also lead to complacency or worse, arrogance.  When things are going well in our lives, we might take it for granted.  Or we may think that WE are hot-shots because our lives are so good.  We might forget to be thankful.  Or worse, we may forget Him, who is the source of true abundance, who is God.

Life’s low tides can present us with challenges.  We may feel defeated and discouraged.  We may wonder why this is happening to us.  But challenges can be conquered.  And what is more satisfying than beating the odds? 

Just like the ocean, tides are part of our lives.  However, in contrast to the ocean, the tides in life are not on a predictable timetable.  It seems that the low tides catch us off guard oftentimes.  For that reason, we may get knocked off our feet.  But, if that happens, we cannot stay down.  If we do, we will assure our defeat.  If we get up, we give ourselves at least a chance to succeed.  God will not and cannot overstep our free will.  So, if we choose to stay down, we bind God’s helping hands.

In addition, I have been knocked down on numerous occasions by the strong waves of the ocean’s high tide.  So, it isn’t just being startled by the arrival of a low tide in our life that throws us for a loop.  Life’s high tides can trick us and cause us to fall as well.

One way to overcome adversity is to not focus on the problem but focus on the deliverance.  When we do this regularly, we build a habit pattern of success in our lives.  This doesn’t mean that we will always have high tides.  It means that we can enjoy the high tides, and we will be able to confidently manage the low tides when they come.  And a way to keep our focus on the deliverance is to keep our thinking positive.  For instance, instead of always thinking that low tides are stinky, I could think about the fun I had with my uncle exploring the tide pools.  And doing that would help me embrace the low tide instead of dreading it.  My attitude doesn’t change the low tide, but it does change my opinion.  And that enables me to recognize and focus on the positive rather than being distracted by the negative. 

Of course, the best way to affect change in our minds is to have our thoughts in alignment and harmony with God’s Word.  When we do that, we are putting our reliance on the truth that the Bible declares.  When we believe God’s Word, we can receive God’s solutions.

Now as previously stated, neither low tides nor high tides are all good nor all bad.  There is good and bad in each.  So, no matter if we’re in the high tide cycle or the low tide cycle, we can always have God’s blessings.  And whatever cycle we’re in, we still need God’s guidance and support so that we can be or stay more than conquerors.  (Romans 8:37)   We never want to fall into the trap of the pleasures of this world, nor do we want to succumb to its pressures.  We can be blessed in low tides and high tides because God can give us quiet seas.  There is an old saying, “The greatest cargoes of life come in over quiet seas.”

So, why not embrace the high tides and the low tides.  Look for the good in each and allow God to provide all that He promised us. 

2 Peter 1:4 – Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

Get or keep yourself in the habit of positive confession.  For, “confession of belief yields receipt of confession.”  Look for the good and bypass the bad.  Put your trust in God.  Forget about the smelly stuff and reach for the blessings! 

Note to my readers:  I pray for many happy tides in your life.  Thanks for reading. 

We are blessed to have a swimming pool. It’s not huge, but it is a wonderful thing to have when the weather gets hot.  It is in a screened enclosure attached to the house which makes it especially enjoyable. 

The morning dew collects on the roof of that enclosure and as the sun rises, those drops of dew fall into the pool.  And each drop makes an expanding circular ripple in the water.  I’m sure you have seen the effect I’m attempting to describe.  As kids, we would toss stones into the lake to make those circles.  I bet you did something similar. 

The other morning, I stood outside for a bit and watched those ripples in the pool.  If it’s not windy and the filter isn’t running, the pool water is as smooth as glass, which it was that morning. But every one of those dewdrops, as tiny as they were, moved the water into that beautiful pattern of circles.    

Those tiny drops had an impact on the pool’s water.  Now, according to the best mathematical calculations I can come up with, there could be around a trillion drops of water in our pool.  Isn’t it amazing that one drop can impact a trillion?  Of course, that one drop doesn’t impact all trillion drops at once, but consider how those circular ripples work. 

(This is quite a layman’s description.)  The water’s surface has a certain amount of molecular tension.  And the force of the drop of dew falling into the pool disturbs the surface tension and causes an empty space at the point of impact.  The surrounding water then rushes in to fill that void.  The force of that rushing water causes a wave which then moves the adjacent water outward in concentric circles.  And those circular waves keep moving out and getting bigger until their energy is expended.  When multiple drops fall in different areas, those circles can even run into each other and cause more ripples.  My point being that a few drops can move a lot of water around. 

And that started me thinking…

First of all, I find those circular ripples to be beautiful.  I like to watch them.  They are so peaceful.  I don’t think of them as a disturbance in the water, I just enjoy the results. 

What this says to me is that we can have a disturbance in our minds but still have peace.  I’m not saying that our peace would be a façade.  I’m saying that we can maintain a positive outlook in spite of what is bothering us.  When we put our trust in God, and allow Him to work in our lives, He can turn our disturbance into a beautiful ripple.  He can change our sadness into joy.  Our disturbance can become a pleasing result.  The ripples in the water can remind us of that. 

Next, as we watch these ripples grow bigger and bigger, we can be reminded of the long-lasting effects that a small action can have.  Something as small as a dewdrop can send ripples across the whole pool.  What about a small action that we might take?  A drop of kindness can have long-lasting results.  How about an ounce of love, or a speck of tenderness?  Any of these could change someone’s life, including our own!

And truly, don’t we all want our lives to be meaningful?  Aren’t we happy when we can make someone smile?  Aren’t we pleased when we can help someone?  And what better help can we give to anyone than God’s help?  Speaking His Word to someone gives them the surety of God’s answers to their problems and introduces them to God’s vast resources.  Showing them God’s love can heal their hearts.  Our actions do affect others, even if our connection is only for a moment.  Because sometimes, that moment can change someone’s life forever. 

In addition, those ripples gliding across the water can remind us that our actions can have far-reaching effects.  Maybe our ounce of love helped someone so much that they want to help someone else, who in turn helps someone, who helps someone, and so on.  We should never underestimate what even an ounce of love or a word of Scripture can accomplish.

Along these lines, I want to include the power of prayer.  Prayer reaches out far past our own understanding and ability. Our small action of praying invokes God’s power and there is no limit to what God can do.  Talk about far-reaching ripples!!

I don’t expect to ever be famous, nor do I want to be!  But if I can help and bless someone, I’m happy.  If I can show the goodness of God to someone, I have joy.  And if my tiny life can send some beautiful ripples that heal someone’s hurt, I am fulfilled. 

So, the next time you see those circular ripples in the water, why not think about the beautiful ripples your life can make?  Why not walk as a son of God and speak The Truth boldly?  Why not give out of the tremendous abundance that God has given you?  Why not love others with the love of God?  Any and all of these can not only set someone free but can also bless you back exponentially.  When we do these things, our actions will send a ripple of light that can spread far and wide over a dark and broken world.    

Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The true light of God’s Word can begin as a tiny ripple but can grow into a tsunami if we are faithful to holding forth The Word with all the energy of our conviction. Go, stand and speak… (Acts 5:20)

Note to my readers:  I hope my humble blog has sent some pleasant ripples your way.  I love you. 

I imagine that everyone knows that it snowed in northern Florida last month.  We did not have snow in central Florida, but it was cold.  Now, I know that our cold doesn’t compare to the cold up north, but it still chills us to the bone. 

Isn’t it funny how much people talk about the weather?  When the cold snap spread across the southern part of the country, it was an almost constant topic of conversation for just about everyone!  Weather does play a big role in our lives, well, at least it seems that way.

Certainly, the weather impacts us.  We dress according to the weather.  We make plans according to the weather.  Our attitude is often affected by the weather.  Even scientists recognize the link between the weather and our emotions due to its effect on our hormones.  But maybe the weather controls us more than it should. 

I feel like I am particularly susceptible to the weather, both physically and mentally.  I have trouble breathing when it’s really hot and humid.  I have seasonal allergies.  And my joints hurt when it’s cold.  (That pretty much covers all four seasons!)  But I can handle the physical side.  My attitude, on the other hand, can be harder to deal with.  I don’t want my attitude to be controlled by an outside force, especially by something as changeable as the weather.  And I don’t want my attitude to control me.  So, how do I prevent this from happening?       

I must get my attitude under my control, which usually means that I must change it.  And really, isn’t that what life is all about?  Aren’t we always growing and changing in our minds?  Certainly, we recognize the physical changes we experience as we grow, but what about our attitude changes?  Those aren’t always so evident.  We are schooled to readily respond to changes in our physical bodies, but our attitudes often go unchecked. 

Our attitudes are shaped by things we are taught and by our experiences.  For example, when I was younger through an orchestrated series of events over a period of time, I became convinced that I was not good enough, that I didn’t measure up.  It seemed that I fell short in every category of my life.  And even though I was born again during this time, I felt inferior to other Christians.  I lived with this attitude for many years without ever realizing that I had been tricked. 

Then, through the growing process, I figured out a few things.  Everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses.  Everyone has ups and everyone has downs.  Everyone makes mistakes.  We all have successes and failures, good times and bad.  And we all have choices.  We don’t need to give in to negative circumstances.  We don’t need to accept defeat, nor cower in adversity, nor succumb to pressures or pleasures. We can be successful.  We can overcome adversity.  We can resist temptations.  It is up to us how we handle life’s slings and arrows.

I learned that we have an enemy, the devil, who works against us especially in our minds.  He knows how to push our buttons, and he is stealthy.  He works behind the scenes to undermine our thinking and thereby defeat our initiative.  I had a Bible teacher who said regarding the devil, “the secret of his success is the secrecy of his moves”.  We need to be on guard in order to recognize and rebuke his influence. 

I learned that we are all unique.  Obviously, we have physical differences but even more so, we have different attitudes.  What goes on in our minds is completely unique to each one of us.  And each of us can make our own decisions.  And those decisions determine our attitude.  And our attitude can make or break us. 

 We all face situations in our lives, and we all have the ability to make our own decisions in those situations.  But because we are unique, we make unique choices, and the outcomes of those choices set us apart.  We cannot always control our circumstances, but we can control our attitude.  And when we are in control of our attitude, our attitude isn’t in control of us.  Which means, if we don’t like our attitude, we can change it. 

The only way I know to genuinely make long lasting changes in our attitude is by learning and believing the Word of God.  The Bible is truth, and we can stake our lives on It.  Although some people have great willpower and can make attitude changes within themselves, the foundation they build on isn’t firm.  It can crumble under them without warning, or it can wear down over time.  But the Bible gives us a firm foundation that is impervious to those things.  Afterall, It has stood for thousands of years already!

In order to make positive changes in our attitude, we must start with our attitude toward God’s Word.  Do we believe that It is truth?  Do we believe that It is the will of God?  Is It our only rule of faith and practice?  Answering yes to these questions is a good indication that we have the right attitude toward God and His Word.  Step one complete! 

Secondly, we must be sharp to discern good and evil so that we can avoid being tricked by the devil. We must learn to recognize his methods and fortify our defenses against them.  And if we do get tricked, we must know how to get the help we need from God to fix the situation, which we learn from His Word.  I have a friend who says that God is the master-repairman.  He can fix what we cannot. 

Utilizing these keys, we can change our attitude toward our challenges in life so it can be the best it can be.  And we can face challenges successfully because we will have God’s Word as a strong unmovable foundation.  And we will have all the wonderful tools that God’s Word provides to assure our victory. 

Lastly, we must act.  Changing our attitude doesn’t matter if we don’t change our actions.  If I still mope around all day when it’s cloudy, then my attitude hasn’t really changed.  We must take the appropriate action to solidify our positive attitude and then we can achieve the success we desire. 

Here are some verses to consider on the topic:

John 17:17 – Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

1 Peter 5:8,9 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note to my readers:  Sometimes we have to do a check-up from the neck up to see if we need to make some changes.  And if we do need to change, God is ready, willing and able to help us.  I love you!    

Society defines our calendars.  At first, I questioned that statement, but the more I thought about it, I think I agree. 

According to the Britannica online information, January was determined to be the first month of the year by the Roman king, Numa Pompilius as January was named after the Roman god, Janus, who was the god of all beginnings.  Julius Caesar confirmed this idea, and January 1 became the first day of the year on the Julian calendar, which we still use today.  After the fall of the Roman Empire, some Christian countries altered their calendars to be more reflective of their religion and used March 25 as the beginning of the year.  (Can you image our year starting on March 25?  It’s almost inconceivable!)  Other societies start their years on different dates, some being aligned with the cycles of sun and moon.  But for the USA and many other countries, the first day of the year is defined as January 1, just as Julius Caesar decreed. 

The calendar that came to us from this ancient society is the official framework that our society has used to define other special dates throughout the year.  In addition to New Years Day, several other holidays have been defined by our society, some of which are unique to our country.  Our society defined the work week, the school year, and the specific dates of some of these holidays.  Our society also determined how these holidays would affect the work and school schedules. 

Some holidays have assigned dates, like Christmas, Valentines Day and Independence Day, while others are more loosely defined as a certain day of the month.  For instance,  Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November and Labor Day is the first Monday in September.  Therefore, the actual date varies from year to year.

It is interesting to note that other designated holidays originally had assigned dates. But by an Act of Congress in 1971, their dates were moved to the closest associated Monday so that workers could have three-day weekends. 

Probably the most popular holiday in our society is Christmas.  In the fourth century A.D., the Roman Catholic church designated December 25 as the date that Jesus Christ’s birthday would be celebrated.  So, Christians have utilized this date for around 1600 years.  Right or wrong, good or bad, our society adopted December 25 as Jesus’ birthday and the name, Christmas.

All of this seems to substantiate the opening statement.

However, many Christians take exception to Christmas.  Bible scholars and historians agree that December 25 was not actually the date of Jesus’ birth.  So, Christians who seek the accuracy of the Bible find celebrating Jesus’ birthday on December 25 to be hypocritical.  I respect their opinion, and I have wrestled with the same thoughts. 

And this brings me to my next point.  Our society defined the calendar, but our culture outlined how holidays should be celebrated.  Unlike our calendars, which are pretty much set in stone, our celebrations are personal choices.  Culture may promote certain protocols, but it does not and cannot mandate them.  People may choose for themselves how they celebrate holidays or if they want to celebrate at all. 

For me, I have determined that I can celebrate some of the culturally accepted Christmas traditions because they really have nothing to do with Jesus’ birth.  Therefore, my celebrating Christmas is not an acknowledgement that December 25 is Jesus’ birthday.  It is enjoying the cultural traditions of my choosing.  I can remember the Lord’s birthday during the Christmas season, but I do that frequently throughout the year anyway.    

I have many wonderful memories of Christmases when I was a kid, and many more while my children were growing up.  I enjoy the time that the holiday affords for our families to be together.  I enjoy Christmas decorations.  I collect Santa Clauses.  I enjoy our Christmas tree especially when it’s lit.  We hang stockings.  We watch Christmas movies.  We have a special Christmas breakfast and a big Christmas dinner.  And we enjoy some unique Christmas Eve family traditions. 

Now, here’s the rub.  Because society defined our calendars, Christmas comes seven days before New Years Day every year.  The two holidays, being a week apart, make for a wonderful vacation from school or work, but these holidays can also put pressure on us.  We may feel anxious to achieve a picture painted by our culture of the “perfect” family in the “perfect” home celebrating the “perfect” Christmas, with a brand-new car in the driveway topped by a giant red bow.  Then before we have recovered from that angst, we have to host the “perfect” New Years Eve party with all the “right” people in their designer outfits.  I’m exaggerating, of course.  But I think you know what I mean and may have felt that anxiety yourself at some point.  I have certainly put pressure on myself over the years to try to make these holidays “perfect”. 

To be clear, when we talk of the culture of today, we need to recognize that the worldly culture even in our country, is at best only partially based on Biblical principles.  Therefore, we can’t always adhere to it.  So, if we yearn to conform to all the cultural norms, we may be getting tricked.

I think most of us realize that Christmas has been overly commercialized.  We are inundated with massive amounts of Christmas merchandise as early as October.  All this ‘merch’ is designed to entice us to spend lots and lots of money.  And when it comes to Christmas, we might get sucked in sometimes.  Our enjoyment of “everything Christmas” might lead us to want more and more of it.  There is even a TV show where people compete for the best and biggest outdoor display of Christmas lights.  I must admit that I like seeing their elaborate displays, but considering the costs and extensive efforts involved, it begs the question, “how much is too much?”

As Christians, we strive for balance in our lives.  We strive to keep ourselves in alignment and harmony with God’s Word in every facet of our lives, which includes holidays.  And Christmas is no exception.  Whatever choices we make about how (or if) we celebrate the holiday; they need to be in balance with what we know from God’s Word.  Romans chapter 14 addresses these kinds of concerns.  Verse 22 of that chapter basically summarizes the issue.

Romans 14:22 – Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

And here is my conclusion.  The calendar is the calendar.  January 1 will likely always be the first day of the year and Christmas will likely always be December 25.  No one is anxious to revamp the calendar that has been defined for over a thousand years.  But what we do with cultural directives is up to us.  If you want to celebrate Christmas or any other holiday to the max, go for it.  If you don’t want to celebrate at all, that’s okay.  We are all free to make those choices.  And there is no judgement.  We do not compare ourselves among ourselves.  The Bible directs our steps, but it doesn’t specifically address every cultural ordinance we face.  We are in this world, but we are not of this world.  Therefore, we must utilize the truth we know from the Bible as the standard for making our choices in worldly / cultural situations.  And when we make our decisions in this manner, we will have peace of mind.

So, I hope your recent Christmas and New Years holidays were wonderfully happy occasions for you and your family.  And as we begin 2025, we can join together in expecting a terrific year ahead.  Likeminded prayers abounding!

Note to my readers:  I continue to work hard to keep my posts coming.  I hope you’ll stick with me.  I love you! 

I heard someone online comparing and contrasting “nice” and “kind”.  I can’t say that I agreed with his whole conversation, but this one thing caught my ear.  He said (loosely quoted), “people are nice because they want others to like them, but people are kind because they care about others.”  And he encouraged people to be kind.

I contemplated whether this statement was accurate or not; and whether kind is really preferrable.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines nice as:  polite, kind, pleasing, agreeable, appropriate, or fitting. 

MW defines kind as: of a sympathetic or helpful nature, of a forbearing nature, gentle, affectionate or loving.

What I see in these definitions is that they indicate being nice is a way of behaving; but being kind is an innate quality that can be manifested.  These definitions also suggest that it is possible to be nice without being kind; but someone who is kind is probably always nice.  It seems that sincerity could be absent in being nice but would be present in being kind.

Like most Christian parents, I endeavored to teach my children to adhere to the instructions given in the Bible.  And I told my children to “be nice” a million times.  However, the word nice does not appear at all in the King James version of the Bible, and only a few times in other versions, which all refer to things not people.

The word kind (in various forms) is used many times in the Bible.  Often, it is used to describe God.  He shows His marvelous kindness to us.  He is extraordinarily kind to us.  His merciful kindness comforts us. 

Psalm 117:2 – For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

There are many more verses that talk about God’s kindness.  It is interesting to note that the words merciful and kindness in this verse are the same Hebrew word used twice for emphasis.  In addition, that Hebrew word is often translated mercy.

The Greek word for kindness in the New Testament is translated gentleness in Galatians.

Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith,

Gentleness / kindness is a fruit of the spirit, not a fruit of good works. 

In addition, we are instructed to be kind.

Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

The context of this verse is the new man – the born-again Christian who is filled with holy spirit.  The new man endeavors to walk as Jesus Christ did.  Jesus’ example for us follow in this case is his kindness.  How kind was Jesus?  Well, he gave his life for us so that we could be saved even though we did nothing to deserve it!  That’s pretty kind!!  This verse also shows us some of the characteristics of kindness – being tenderhearted and forgiving. 

There are lots more examples of kindness in the Bible, so I think it’s safe to say that God is kind and wants us to be kind as well.  And, as it always is with God, whatever He asks us to do is profitable to us. 

I have talked in prior posts about the insecurities I had in my youth.  In high school, I never thought that I was pretty enough to be popular, and I was rather shy.  I was an outcast of my own making.  Then one day I decided that since I couldn’t capitalize on the usual criteria for popularity, I would be nice.  Everyone likes a nice person, right?  So, I was the nicest person I could be. And people liked me because of that.  I guess my experience substantiates the idea that people are nice because they want others to like them.  But is this wrong?

There is nothing wrong with being nice.  I think people should be nice to one another.  But we also need to consider that people have different concepts about what nice is.  To some, it is simply good manners.  To others, it is being agreeable or friendly.  Those are what being nice should be.  But some think that being nice is always saying, “yes”, thus allowing people to take advantage of them.  That is a mistaken notion and does not help anybody.

Being kind because you genuinely care about others keeps mistaken notions out of the equation.  Therefore, you are free to give as much as you want.  And the kindness you give actually benefits you as much as others.  You are fulfilled because you are doing the right thing.  You are unselfishly endeavoring to help and bless others.  God loves a cheerful giver and being kind is a way of giving! 

So, my conclusion to the matter is this…  The opening statement is essentially accurate.  The motivation for being nice indeed can be to get people to like you.  And that rationale includes an element of being self-centered.  However, I don’t think that attitude is the only motivation for every act of niceness.  Being nice could be evidence of a kind nature, which is a good thing.  And I agree that kindness stems from genuinely caring for others.  So, it seems that kindness actually would be preferrable. 

So, let’s make kindness a priority in our lives.  Let’s seek ways to bless others by being kind and loving.  Let’s walk in that kindness as we have Jesus Christ for our example.  And then we can bask in all the blessings that God will shower down upon us for our giving and doing His Will. 

2 Peter 1:5-8  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note to my readers:  I apologize for the long time between posts.  But please know that you are very special to me, and I am very thankful for your support.  I’m working diligently to get back on my two-times-a-month posting schedule.  ♥

Even as a child, I loved history.  It all began with fairy tales.  Kings, queens, princesses, castles – I loved it all.  I wanted to be a princess, not for wealth or power, but to wear beautiful dresses and live in a fancy house.  (And when I got a little older – for the romance of prince charming finding me!)   These fairy tales painted history for me.  And when I went to school and learned about actual kings and queens, I viewed that history through my fairy-tale lenses.   

As I grew and began to separate fact from fiction, I still enjoyed learning history.  Even now, I am intrigued by the civilizations of the past; how people lived and what their day-to-day lives must have been like.  I appreciate the people of old for their ingenuity, fortitude, skills and accomplishments.  I am fascinated by the construction feats of the ancient cultures and impressed that there are structures like the castles in Europe that were built hundreds and hundreds of years ago and still can be lived in. 

I love fashion throughout history.  I stand in amazement of the artwork of the great masters and the music of the great composers.  All these things are windows into the culture of their time.  I am partial to antiques and handmade crafts because they depict skills that are waning in this day and time.

I love my ancestry.  I wish I could have met my great-grandparents or at least heard stories about their lives.  I wish I had asked more questions of my grandparents.  And I wish I had written down the stories they did tell me. 

There is nothing wrong with appreciating the past.  There is no harm in studying history.  Understanding the past helps us now because we can learn from it.  And our past is definitely a factor in who we are.  But our appreciation of the past can never overshadow our dedication to the present. 

If we view the past as a more desirable time to live, it is likely due to one of two things.  Either we are still looking at the past through fairy-tale lenses; or we are dissatisfied with our current circumstances.  It might be a combination of both. 

So, what’s the answer?

You must realize that right now, this moment in time, is your slice of history.  This is your time to shine!  This is your chance to make a difference.  This is your opportunity to be part of history! 

The Bible tells us that God chose us from before the foundation of the world.  (Ephesians 1:4)  And we know that God is omniscient.  So, it stands to reason that when God called us, He knew exactly when and where we would live.  In other words, God called each one of us to be alive right now, right here.  This is our time and place.  This is our slice of history.

And God, by His grace and mercy has called us to a very wonderful time and place in history.  A time and place that the Bible is readily available and freely taught.  A time and place of freedom to speak God’s Word and proclaim His goodness.  A time and place that we can pray as likeminded believers and see great signs, miracles and wonders following.  A time and place that we are freed from the fetters of sin and guilt.  A time and place that we can live our lives super abundantly because we are born again.

What are we going to do with this freedom?  Are we going to stand on the Biblical principles that our country was founded on?  Are we going to proclaim that God is our Father and His son, Christ Jesus has made us free?  Are we going to tell others about God’s Word so they too can be saved?

John 8:36 – If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

This is our time and our slice of history.  Today!  Right now!  We are making history, and the world is a  better place because we are here.  Our lives are important.  Our earthen vessels are filled to capacity with a priceless commodity – Christ in us, the hope of glory.  We are bringing the way of God, the truth of God and the light of God to our generation. 

Let’s make the most of our own slice of history.   Let’s take a stand for God, being clothed with the whole armor He gave us.  Let’s speak God’s Word with boldness and let’s love one another with God’s love.  In this world, we have only this moment in history, let’s live and give our utmost for His Highest! 

We may never be written about in the history books.  There may never be a statue of us in the town square.  People may never ask for our autographs.  But in God’s eyes we are everything!  Not only are our names written in God’s Book of Life, but we also have the privilege and responsibility to help others get their names written in there too!  God has no other hands but our hands…

Note to my readers:  Enjoy your slice of history!  Challenge yourself to really see how important you are, not only to the world, but also to God!   Thanks for reading. 

I have a friend who, while taking notes of a Bible teaching, accidently typed the word “nope” instead of “hope”.  (N and H are very close on the keyboard!)  When she saw the typo, she laughed and said, “Nope?? That’s about as far away from hope as you can get!”

Her story got me thinking…

There is way too much nope in the world.  We hear it every day.  “Nope” is the world’s answer-of-choice to every question. 

For instance… 

Question:  “Will I recover from this illness?”

The world’s answer:  “Nope.  But here are some drugs you can try.”

Question:  “Will I get this job?”

The world’s answer:  “Nope.  There are many people more qualified than you.”

Question:  “Will I find my soulmate?”

The world’s answer:  “Nope.  All the good ones are already taken.”

These may seem like silly examples, but isn’t that how the world always responds?  Whatever we wonder about, the world has a discouraging answer for.  How about the young girl who wonders if she is pretty enough?   The world almost always answers, “nope”.  And the businessman who wonders if he is successful enough.  The world always, always answers, “nope”!  Even the question, “Can I do this?” often meets with a resounding, “NOPE” from the world.   

Nope is the prevailing attitude of our society because all the schemes of the world are always negative.  They are designed to keep people down and prevent them from achieving their best.  They are disheartening, degrading and can be down-right debilitating.  Nope promotes fear.  And with all this nope in this world, people can certainly become dismayed. 

So, what’s the solution?  The solution to nope is HOPE!

To be clear, I am talking about hope as it’s delineated in the Bible.  People talk about hope in the world, but that hope is hollow.  It is fraught with uncertainty.  “I hope I win the lottery.” That statement really means, “I wish I’d win lottery.”  There is no solid foundation to base that hope on, so it’s just a wish and a big fat “if”.  The hope of the Bible is a sure thing; it is based on the foundation of God’s Word.  It is not an “if”, but a “when”.  There is no doubt that the things of God for which we hope, shall come to pass. 

In Biblical terms, hope is what we have for things that are not available right now.  We believe for the things that we can have now; but we hope for the things of the future. 

There is a hope in the Bible called THE hope, which is the hope of Christ’s return.  Christ’s return is a promise that God made to us.  And this promise is even more sure than the rising of the sun in the morning.   If God says that He is going to do something, He IS going to do it, and all hell can’t stop Him.  God said that He is going to send His son to gather us together unto Him and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  That is an uncontestable promise of an unstoppable event.  Therefore, we have THE hope as the anchor of our souls!  We KNOW that Christ is coming back for us.  And THE hope overrules every single nope. 

In our daily lives, we also have many other hopes.  I’ve heard them referred to as “little hopes”.  For example, I hope my family can visit for Christmas.  It’s something that is not available today, so it’s a hope.  And that hope anticipates a positive outcome.  I can act now by praying with believing and making plans for that time.  I can picture all the fun we’ll have.  But doing those things does not bring Christmas any sooner.  Christmas will still be December 25^th.

Hope in the things of God, carries His guarantee.  God’s words, His abilities and His promises never fail.  And God never changes.  So, our hope in Him is sure.  We are never disappointed in our expectation when we put our hope and trust in God.  However, our hope in people, or circumstances does not carry such a guarantee.  People change their minds, situations arise, any number of things can go awry.  But that shouldn’t stop us from being hopeful.  Isn’t staying hopeful much better than giving into nope? 

Hope encourages.  Nope discourages.  Hope anticipates a positive outcome.  Nope prevents a positive outcome.  Hope strengthens people’s resolve.  Nope beats people down.  We can rejoice when we have hope.  We are defeated when we have nope.  Expecting the best outcome, which hope does, makes that outcome a possibility.  Giving in to the negative schemes of the world, which nope does, eliminates any possibility of success.

There will always be nope in the world.  But hope can guard us from nope’s negative effects. Hope trounces nope every time! 

Psalm 42:5  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

We can hold on to hope with its positive expectations because we can pray and believe.  And when we pray and believe, we can always, always, always count on God! 

Jeremiah 17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Note to my readers:  God is faithful today, tomorrow and forever.  We can always keep our hope in Him!  Thanks for reading. 

Have you ever heard the saying, “My way or the highway”? 

Many common sayings of today come from ancient roots, sometimes even Biblical roots.  “My way or the highway” is not one of them.  It was coined in the 1970’s and thought to be first used in relation to hitchhiking.  I understand its meaning and even its value in certain circumstances.

You might have heard this saying in the context of a dad speaking to his teenager when they have a difference of opinion.  The dad is saying that he is in charge of the family and if the teenager doesn’t like it, they are free to leave.  Generally, this is an idle threat because dads really don’t want their teenagers to leave, but they are trying to make a point.  And having raised three teenagers, I recognize how difficult parent-teenager communication can be!

We may have heard a coach or employer utilize this saying. In both cases, the ultimatum usually is intended, which isn’t always a bad thing.  A coach needs his players to follow his directions in order to properly function as a team and achieve a specific goal – to win!  If a player refuses to cooperate, they could affect the whole team’s performance, and thus should not be part of that team.  The coach may need to show that player the highway.

Employers also have precise requirements that need to be followed in order to achieve their business objectives.  Employees must obey the applicable laws, comply with company directives and policies, and adhere to multiple rules and regulations.  If an employee chooses not to do those things, he could jeopardize the company’s success, or worse – hurt himself or others.  Therefore, he shouldn’t work for that company and probably should be asked to hit the highway.

In all these examples, “my way” needs to be acknowledged.  A father, a coach, and an employer all have responsibilities to uphold.  Their roles put them in positions of authority.  And as such, their instructions should be heeded.  But what happens if “my way” is the wrong way?  What do we do then?

Do we need to obey wrong edicts?  No!  If we find ourselves in a situation where we are confronted with a way that is wrong (morally or any other way) and we cannot follow it in good conscience, we can show ourselves the highway.  If a person in authority asks us to do something that goes against our convictions, we have the right to choose our response.  However, our response is not a decision to be made lightly.  In many cases, a difference of opinion can be settled by both sides agreeing to listen to the other’s viewpoint and find an acceptable solution.  But if that doesn’t work, the highway may be the only option. 

People in authority should be good examples to follow.  They should lead by doing.  They should care about the people they’re leading, and they should aim to do the right thing.  Their respect should be genuinely earned, not coerced.  For example, a good dad has his children’s best interests at heart.  He endeavors to lead his children in the right way by his own actions and words.  He wants his children to grow up to be successful and happy.  He tries to act judiciously.  And in order to accomplish these things, he knows that discipline must be involved (hence a teenager’s opposition).  A good dad knows that discipline is a necessary part of life, but he is not a tyrant.

In our culture today, discipline has almost become a “dirty word”.  Receiving discipline is equated to cruel and unusual punishment.  Requiring discipline is considered to be stifling and restrictive.  Our culture touts the idea that “anything goes – no limits” is the key to happiness.  Yet, that attitude is actually completely stifling and restrictive because only the loudest and most outrageous people are heard, and alternative opinions or ideas are suppressed.  People are afraid speak out in disagreement, which is the very essence of oppression. 

Quite the opposite attitude is true.  Great athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, and such know that discipline is critical to their achievements.  They all practice mental and physical discipline in order to attain their goals.  And what is more satisfying than achieving a goal that you’ve been striving toward?  Talk about happiness! 

Disciplined people have FOCUS.  And they use that focus to hit their targets.  They know that without discipline, there is no focus.  And without focus, there is no clear path.  And without a clear path, people wander aimlessly. 

So, putting this all together, “My way or the highway” can be a good saying if it’s spoken to encourage positive results, not to be threatening.  It can be a call to work together to allay  differences.  And if it is received with an attitude of cooperation, it can produce much profit.

If you are the one saying, “my way…” just remember;  Jesus Christ is THE way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).  THE way indicates that there is only ONE right way.  In other words, “my way” must line up with THE way in order to be right.  Is your way lined up?  If not, you might have some work to do.

If you are the one hearing, “…or the highway” just remember;  all highways go somewhere.  You determine your destination.  Whether the trip is planned for you, or you plan it yourself, you are still the one who steers the vehicle.  And you can be comforted in knowing that even if your journey involves detours or traversing steep mountains and treacherous roads; God will always provide safe travels. 

Note to my readers:  Lining up your thoughts with THE way and trusting God on your way is the best way to go!  Thanks for reading!