Month: September 2023

Music to My Ears

/ The WheatandTares / 6 Comments

What would your life be like without music?

Honestly, I think any life would be dull and lifeless without music. There’s a quote that says, “Music is the words of the soul.” And I believe it’s true.

I’m not just referring to music with instruments, vocals and different genres, but I’m talking about any music. There’s a melody in the trees as the wind rustles the leaves. There’s a lullaby in the setting sun basking upon the mountains. There’s a cadence in the insects that hum and the birds that sing. There’s a crescendo in the waves crashing upon the rocks and shoreline.

In all actuality, there’s probably more music to be found in the nature around us, or in the children’s laughter that rises above the chaos, or the babies cries that surround a mother’s comforting coos than there is in the simple clanging of cymbals and piano keys.

This music brings peace to the soul and laughter to the lips. It brings strength to the mind and healing to the whole being.

So, where my life be without music: lost. Totally and utterly lost without hope. And I am eternally grateful for great melodies, regardless, of where they come from.

How about you?

The Ground Shifts

/ The WheatandTares

As we walk forward in this life, the ground is always shifting and changing shape.

When you step in the sand, footprints are left, and sand follows you.

When you step in the grass, shoe prints are left, and grass collects on your soles.

When you step onto the bus, dirt is left, and the smells surround you.

When you step onto the road, unseen impressions are left, and the cars consume you.

When you step into your own, intimidations are left, and confidence embraces you.

So, step up.

Let that ground shift.

And keep on walking.

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25

On Top of the World

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

Even when you’re living on top of the world, you might have to pause and take a moment to look around.

You might need to take a minute to catch your breath.

You might need to wait just a second to ponder and take it all in.

Even when you’re living in the moment of your greatest successes and doing all the things you dreamed, you might need to deliberate a juncture.

You might need to suspend the occasion to contemplate the point in time.

You might need to interrupt life to reflect and meditate on the given adventure.

Even if, or maybe especially, when you’re on top of the world…

I will remember the works of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.

Psalm 77:11-12

One Opinion

/ The WheatandTares

One opinion can wreck our whole day.

One opinion can destroy our whole mood.

One opinion can demolish our whole level of success.

Why?

Why do we let one simple opinion do that?

The wise statement is so very true:

“Care about what others think, and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu

Enough said.

Let it go and go do better.

The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25

It’s the Small Things

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Sometimes, it’s the small, insignificant things that end up mattering the most. We can be so focused on the big picture that the portrait diminishes because we failed to notice the details.

Pay attention to the small things.

Be aware of the little nuances whether in people, situations or surroundings.

Being able to notice can be a game changer.

Sometimes, it’s the small, seemingly insignificant things that will unravel the larger, more glamorous moments because it’s truly the little things that being together the big.

This is true in paintings.

This is true in circumstances.

This is true in relationships.

This is true in life.

If we ignore the minuscule things that make up the whole, we can miss a vital key that can unlock future and further withholding.

Don’t ignore the small things.

They can truly turn out to be the big things.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

Luke 16:10

Run a Little. Walk a Lot.

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

How often do you walk or run?

Honestly, I don’t run at all. It’s actually not a good choice over the long haul. I know. I know. All the runners out there are scoffing right now. I’m sorry. I’ve read too much about the detrimental effect running has on your knees and all of your joints.

And I have watched personally a man in our community who proudly proclaims how much he runs (minimum 5miles) every day. I’ve seen him run in our community for the last 22 years, and he doesn’t look healthier. He looks older, more bent over, and stiff. Now, I know he’s only one example, and I’m sure you could give me a list of runners who are not so.

But I also have a troublesome knee that won’t let me run much. We did a running program a few years ago, and I was so excited to pick up my long forgotten running record from high school and try it again. To give a little background, in HS, we’d always have to do those fitness tests twice a year (yes. I know I’m that old. Lol), and we’d run all year long. So, I’d leave the girls behind and run with the guys. I usually would finish 4th to 5th place running anywhere from 5.30-6min miles. Once, I completed a 4.55minute mile, but I think I could’ve died that day. Haha.

Anyway, that’s nothing to brag about. There were three other guys who were lightening speed in comparison, and I’m sure some could read this and think that’s rather slow. Regardless, that’s not the point to this post…

So, I do try to walk, but I’m not consistent to do it everyday, and I certainly don’t walk as much as I probably should or even could. I read post by a good blogging friend, Linda Schuab over at Walkin’ Writin’, Wit & Whimsy, and I find goals I’d like to meet in my walking routines.

So, my goal is to just get out and do it! I am shooting for 3-5 days a week right now. And this week, I’ve got three days down and hope fully, I’ll have a chance to walk this evening; so, that would give me a four day week.

Here’s to walking and making a point to walk some more! ☺️

How about you? Are you a walker or a runner? What do you like about it, and what is a pain about it? I’d love to know!

Silly Saturday

/ The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

You Lead. You Influence

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

Do you see yourself as a leader?

John C. Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence.” So, when the question is posed, “Do you see yourself as a leader?”, the answer for all of us should actually be, “Yes.”

The question should rather be, “Who are you leading?” And “Where are you leading them?”

If you are like me, and you call yourself a Christian, we should be leading others to Christ. Not to a religion. Not to church. Not to a “feel better” lifestyle. Not to a program or to a group of people. But we should be leading others to a relationship with Jesus.

All of those other things might come with the territory, and if we truly have a relationship with Jesus and actually read His Word, many of those things will fall into line. But the relationship is where it’s at. And if you have that relationship, you will have influence. And if you have influence, per John Maxwell, you will be a leader.

And even if you don’t claim Jesus as your Savior, or maybe you declare you’re not into “all that religious stuff,” you’ll still be leading someone somewhere. And again, I’ll insert the question, “Where are you leading them?”

If you have no leader yourself, and you have no foundation of truth, than your path will be quite a crooked one. And in this modern age, a crooked path can simply be foolish and quite frankly, dangerous. For there are buyers for your soul on every street corner, both physically and metaphorically. And typically, the highest bidder will win.

But at what cost? And are you willing to gamble your life upon it? Or better yet, are you willing to gamble with the most innocent among you? Or maybe even better to ask, what about the ones you love the most? Are they worth the precarious journey in your lack of leadership?

Whether you decide to choose or not, it will be decided. Refusal to answer is still an answer, and it will still bring consequences.

So, choose, my friend.

And lead on.

I pray you will choose and lead well.

Funny Friday

/ The WheatandTares

A little late for summer, but I still thought it was hilarious!

Don’t Be So Rude

/ The WheatandTares / 11 Comments

What personality trait in people raises a red flag with you?

Rudeness is a personality trait that raises a red flag for me almost immediately. You can be aggravated and not rude. You can be inconvenienced and not rude. You can even be mad and ticked off and still not rude.

Being rude is simply disrespect and apathy flowing out of your mouth and attitude toward someone else. Being rude is a lack of caring who’s around you or how you might be perceived.

Now, look. I’m not setting myself on a high horse and pretending I’ve never been rude. And it’s also not a “make it or break it” attitude for our relationship. We can all have bad days, and we can all make mistakes.

But if you walk around in life believing it’s your prerogative to be rude anytime you like and to anyone whom you dare, then, we’re going to have a problem.

If you believe it’s your God-given right to be rude to the elderly or to children, that’s when you and I aren’t going to get along.

And if you sincerely feel you’ve earned the privilege to be rude simply because you’re too young to know better or too old to care, then, we probably just can’t be friends.

And if you carry on that way long enough in my presence, I’ll even say something to you, retaliate with a bit of rudeness myself, or simply walk away and leave you to your fate.

Rudeness is never a right of passage nor an achievement of greatness.

It is just what it is: RUDE!

And just in case you’re wondering, speaking truth is not being rude, but there are also plenty of opportunities to speak truth firmly and strongly without being rude.

It actually takes more courage to be right and truthful and not be rude.

And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

Luke 6:31