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John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
That’s the success of life.
That’s true courage.
There are so many things that can hinder you, limit you or intimidate you.
And you can certainly let those things hold you back.
But you have a choice.
You get to choose whether you build a little cage around your life or set yourself free.
You get to choose whether every time something scares you, you set another bar in place till the cage has a lock and key,
Or whether you remove those bars of fear, intimidation and shame and loose yourself from that bondage.
I say, Saddle that horse and ride it.
You may not ride it too well.
You may bounce and jostle and even almost slip off, but just hold on!
Hold on and soon, you’ll be able to enjoy the ride.
And maybe later, you’ll be racing that horse through the country.
But you’ll never win if you quit, lay down or die.
So, saddle up! We’ve got a journey ahead of us!
You can do this thing!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Life can change with one phone call, one conversation, one unannounced visit.
No one is guaranteed the next year, the next day, or even the next hour.
What you decide to do with that will determine your life’s trajectory.
Sometimes, it’s not talent or even skill that causes one to survive well.
Often, it’s just sheer grit that causes the survival.
It’s the simple will power to get up, to keep breathing, to continue one step at a time.
You don’t have to be perfection, just live.
You don’t have to be a huge success, just stand.
You don’t have to be the American hero everyday, just fight.
Fight to survive. Fight to live. Fight to win.
There’s always someone coming behind you who needs to see your achievement in real time.
It may be the very inspiration for their next breath.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:3-5
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Being in the church culture these days, I hear much said about what a Christian should or shouldn’t say, how a Christian should or shouldn’t respond.
There’s always a new vantage point, a new opinion they needs to be heard, and typically, there will be two or three in oration at various times, even if these are in opposition to one another.
So, who is right and who is wrong?
Who are we to listen to?
Who are we to follow?
Well, for Jesus followers, the answer is abundantly clear, or at least, it would be argued that it “should be.”
Yet, even in the Church Body, there are varying opinions, beliefs and denominations that cause us all to land at various points of standards concerning any one given “biblical rule.”
So again, who is right and who is wrong?
Who are we to listen to?
Who are we to follow?
We definitely need to start in the Word of God. If you claim to be a Jesus follower, that truly should be your book of preference for daily living and lifestyle.
And then, we definitely should start with the life of Christ. If He’s your main guy, then mirroring His examples will definitely be helpful.
And finally, starting with the specific things God loves (there are seven actually listed in specificity), and maybe the greatest commandments of which Jesus Himself spoke might be great beginning.
By the time I do these three suggestions to their fullness, it’s usually bedtime, and I don’t have a lot more time to add more opinions or fingers to point toward all the things everyone might be getting wrong.
Maybe we should all take a step back and begin again.
Maybe we should all take a moment in front of the mirror and take a really long, hard look inside.
Maybe we should grab His love letter to us and begin reading for what it has for US and to convince US instead of all it doesn’t have for THEM and has to condemn THEM.
And maybe, just maybe, by the time we do these three things, we will have given enough time for Him to begin to change us from the inside out.
And then, maybe there will begin to be a whole lot less wrong AMONG US, and we can become a whole lot more effective FOR HIM…
But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lordyour God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:34-40
And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:3-5
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
There are moments in life when reality settles in. When the hard work of living pauses for just a moment, and you’re able to look back and recognize where you’ve been, what’s been accomplished, and where you’re going.
There comes a time when you realize some sacrifices were necessary to carry on; some were foolish, and still more were simply necessary for survival.
Then, there’s that season of recognition when the fear of the pain is passed, the apathy of the seared feelings has diminished, and all that is left is the confidence of your preservation.
When you’ve walked through the flames of life, innocence may be lost and intimidation may be vanquished, but the growth and strength that rises cannot be denied.
So, walk on, my friend. Walk on.
Be a flame walker. Take the fiery journey.
You can endure.
And then, go and rescue someone from that same inferno.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Jude 1:20-23
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
It’s easy to tell someone to forgive until you’re the one who is wronged.
It easy to tell someone to forgive until you’re the one who is falsely accused.
It’s easy to urge that one to forgive until it’s your baby who’s wounded.
It’s easy to urge that one to forgive until it’s your baby who’s wrenching in pain.
It’s easy to say forgive when it’s not you seeking justice.
It’s easy to say forgive when it’s not you seeking revenge.
But when it is you…
But when it is yours…
But when it is all encompassed in your house, your home, your heart…
That’s when the Golden Rule isn’t so clear.
That‘s when the “seventy times seventy” is harder to reciprocate.
Yet, He said it for a reason.
He said it for your freedom.
He said it for your release.
For when you truly forgive, regardless of the apology, that is when you are truly free.
Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21-22
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Sometimes, we hang onto friendships that are so shallow, they are never beneficial in the difficult season of life.
Sometimes, we keep close those friends who are fun and exciting, but the depth to their soul leaves a gaping hole in our tragic moments.
Sometimes, we nurture the relationships that are too toxic, worrisome or meaningless and we let the truthful, deep and most important ones slip through our fingers like grains of sand.
Take a minute today to look around you.
Reevaluate. Take a deeper glance.
See who’s there and who needs to be.
Cherish those who will walk through fire with you.
Treasure those who will pull you out of the fire.
And chase after those who are carrying the torched lamp into your darkness when you can’t see.
Don’t let them get out of your sight.
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
There’s a song by Kathy Mattae, “Standing Knee Deep In A River.” She talks about friendships that we take for granted, and we let them slip on by.
As I grow older, I realize this is a hard truth that many of us either recognize early enough to rescue the few that may remain, or we acknowledge way too late that they’re already gone.
Friendships that are found to be easy and never have “a bump in the road,” a confrontation, or a season where questions arise if it’s really worth it to keep going, are truthfully, not those knee deep waters.
Knee deep water is when you can still jump around and splash, but one slip, and you’ll be under water fast.
Knee deep water is when you can still feel secure in your footing, but let the current get a little faster, and that footing will be tested and reevaluated.
Knee deep water is when you can choose to go a little deeper, explore a little more, or you can choose to step back in the shallow, safer waters and not take the risk.
Knee deep waters is when real friendships learn to survive.
Friendships that are made to last will be found more valuable and cherished when those waters rise.
What kind of friendships are you keeping today?
It might be one that will be a lifeline to your survival tomorrow…
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Sometimes, especially on Monday mornings, you’ve got to remind yourself whose circus you’ll attend and whose monkeys you’ll attempt to tame.
Sometimes, especially on Mondays, you need to remind yourself that only your circus is worth watching and certainly only one due your hard earned money (time and effort) for the tickets.
And sometimes, especially on a Monday, you’ll have to remind yourself that although, those monkeys at that other person’s circus might look entertaining, rest assured…
THEY WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!!
Get out while you still can and go tame your own raucous monkeys!
Happy Monday!
He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Too many people in this world bite, ridicule and wound those closest to them who care the most.
Too many people in this world viciously attack the ones who love them the most because they’re willing to speak truth.
Too many people don’t know who their friends are and walk away from the best.
Too many people embrace the toxic, the loud, and the angry, believing because “they’re family,” that’s what they’re suppose to do.
Too many people hold onto a bloodline that kicks them around and demands they be a doormat when they should say goodbye and not look back.
Too many people keep close those whom should be released and let go of those whom should be captivated.
Look around. Evaluate. Be honest.
Don’t stay out of obligation, fear or routine.
Don’t walk away out of rage, envy or apathy.
Open your eyes to see clearly and hear with precision.
Make wise choices, and make calculated decisions.
You can do this.
And the next generation is depending on you to do it right.
They are watching and waiting.
Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
To be an effective leader, you’ve got to have the temperament of both a lion and a lamb.
If you are only portrayed as a lion, you will be fierce, fearless and free.
But you can also be too sharp, intimidating and terrifying.
If you are only portrayed as a lamb, you will be calm, cautious and caring.
But you can also be too hesitant, timid and fragile.
Oh. But to have a beautiful balance of both characteristics of the lion and the lamb, you will be effective, encouraging and excellent.
Boldness without love turns to arrogance.
Courage without caution turns to recklessness.
Freedom without awareness (of others) turns to abuse and neglect.
Let’s be the leaders we were meant to be.
And if we are Christians, let’s simply follow the example our God set before us of being both the Lion and the Lamb.
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:5
And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
the grizzle grist mill 