T.H.I.N.K.

 

In this uncertain time, how should we act?

Today I am feeling a bit apprehensive and unsettled.  Part of it is the attacks on our embassies in foreign countries and part from my distrust of our administration to handle these conflicts.  We need to pray for our President and leaders for wisdom.  I read a post on Facebook today that made me stop and think about the hateful things that are being touted on the media about the presidential race and this current unrest in the middle east.  

To quote:

"It used to be that political season was frustrating to me because of all 

of the half-baked and misleading adds on television. Now political season is frustrating to me because of the number of you, my friends, who start posting hateful things about politicians that you have never met. Things that you would never say to someone you knew personally - no matter how much you disagreed with them. My friends, I would appreciate it (and I believe that our country would be better off) if you would keep the following items in mind when you prepare to post a political comment on Facebook:

1. Barak Obama is our president and a made-in-the-image-of-God person. When you suggest that not only his views, but his very person is evil, sinister, or maniacal and/or compare him to a monkey, you not only twist the truth, you defame the very God who made him. Nor are your mean spirited comments (however humorous you might think they are) likely to convict him of the error of his ways and produce the results you seek.

2. George Bush was our president and is made-in-the-image-of-God person. When you suggest that not only his views, but his very person is evil, sinister, or maniacal and/or compare him to a monkey, you not only twist the truth, you defame the very God who made him. Nor are your mean spirited comments (however humorous you might think they are) likely to convict him of the error of his ways and produce the results you seek.

3. Mit Romney is a made-in-the-image-of-God person. (You get the idea by now).

...

5. No matter who you are it is likely that you have many friends on Facebook who do not agree with you. These friends of yours did not come to the conclusions that they did because they are stupid, or because they wish harm upon our country. You DO NOT help to change their minds by suggesting this is the case, nor do strengthen whatever friendship you might have had with them.

6. Endeavor to have charity towards those who disagree with you whenever you can. Ask yourself, 'how might this person have come by these views? What good reasons might they have for thinking what they do?' And assume the best whenever you can - particularly in the area of motives.

7. DO post about truth. About ideas. After having graciously understood those with whom you disagree, endeavor to convince them graciously, that they may be won not only by your words, but by your life."

These are some wise words that we would do well to follow.  No matter what we think of our leaders we must remember that God loves them and they are sinners just like the rest of us.  God will show them grace if they but will ask.  Therefore the best thing we can do is pray for their salvation and that their hearts will be changed.  The power of God is mighty!  Our country was formed on godly principles and although we certainly have drifted away, the foundation is still there.  We just need the right person to build this foundation back up.  So, pray for God's guidance and hand in this election and certainly do vote in November.

09/12/2012 :: Daily Thoughts -
"Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Th. 5:11)

I found this post on Facebook from Proverbs 21 Ministries today:

Are you talking trash or truth to your heart today? Based on her book, A Confident Heart by Renee Swope, Renee shares the difference and equips us with truth:

• When self-doubt whispers, "I can't do that. I'm going to fail and look foolish." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6, NIV 1984)

• When self-doubt whispers, "I'll never change." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in [me] will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6, NASB)

• When self-doubt whispers, "This is too hard for me. I don't have what it takes to..." Trash that lie and hold onto this truth: "No, in all these things [I am] more than a [conqueror] through him who loved [me]." (Romans 8:37, NIV)

Self- Doubt is an area I struggle with in my life.  I used to be confident in my abilities, but "life" drug me down and took away my youthful exuberance and confidence.  Do you feel this way?  Or is it just me?  I felt good about myself and my job even though it was far from perfect.  Was it because I had people who believed in me? I think that is part of the solution.  I believe that when we reach a certain age, people no longer see us as special and needing encouragement to succeed.  We tend to start drifting into the woodwork.  Probably this is when we need encouragement the most - our bodies are changing, health issues are popping up, and frankly, we struggle with not being "young" anymore.  We need encouragement to nourish our flagging spirits much more at this time in life.

Instead of dragging your friends and acquaintances down with negative talk and gossip, try instead to see something good about that person and build them up.  You never know what effect your words of encouragement might have on someone and turn that self-doubt into self-confidence.  We are told to “exhort one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13) and “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2)

To encourage someone in the Lord  is the key: it puts the focus on God, who is the only One who really deserves to be glorified, and it builds us up in our most holy faith (Jude 20)

~We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ...(Romans 15:1-11)

Remembering 9/11.....

I was on my way to Ripley, WV for a meeting and remember what a beautiful day it was. Between Parkersburg and Ripley, I turned on my radio and knew there was something terribly wrong. When I got to my meeting, I turned on the TV and we all sat in shock as we saw the second plane fly into the tower and then shortly the buildings came down. I remember feeling so far away from my family and just wanted to get home. By the time I was headed home there were rumors of planes flying over WV and government buildings being evacuated in Morgantown.

For us, far removed from the trauma it was still unsettling, let alone those who were involved. 
God met many people in those stairwells on 9/11 for the first time or those returning to Him, to bring them under his wings and take them safely home. 

May we never forget that day and honor it by remembering those that lost their lives that fateful day.