Heartbeats

What Do You See?

/ The WheatandTares

There is a beautiful quote by Marcus Arelius that says, “To offend a strong man, tell him a lie. To offend a weak man, tell him the truth.”

So many people in this world are okay with less than truth. They can be inundated with lies and never be distracted. They can receive half truths and simply run with it and retell the story. And when truth actually confronts them, it is like a slap in the face, and they become offended.

As this becomes more and more prevalent in our modern society, you can watch a whole culture become divided and polarized, as fallacy makes a home like locusts and devours the innocent, while truth reigns in the hearts of a few, and a great chasm opens between them.

May we all examine our hearts today and determine which side of the canyon we belong.

For weak men will rise to power when weaker men rebel against truth and seek their own desires, demanding falsehood as the accepted edicts.

How you respond when you hear the truth exposes your strength of character. How you retell a lie displays to the world the depth of who you are. Even how you respond to this quote can determine your success or failure.

Strong men will be relegated to the haunted ghosts of yesterday as the masses embrace falsehoods as their standard.

But wisdom cries out to be heard. Truth never changes simply because someone silences it.

Rest assured, Truth will reign in the afterlife, and all will weep who did not heed the call.

Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet.
She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors:
“To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men. O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart.
Listen, for I will speak of excellent things,
And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
For my mouth will speak truth;
Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
They are all plain to him who understands,
And right to those who find knowledge.

Proverbs 8:1-9

Generational Fade

/ The WheatandTares

The natural progression from generation to generation is a proven fact.

What one generation places value in, their children rise to place more value in.

Or they revolt and rebel against that value.

Typically, there’s not a lot of gray area found.

So, if you’re a parent and you place a high value on education, often your children will do the same.

If your parents were hyped about ballgames and competitive sports, more often than not, you will do the same.

If you as a parent struggle to hold down a job throughout their formative years, many times, your children will, too.

If your parents weren’t super committed to God, a relationship with Him may not even be on your radar, or it may be seen as a dismissive once-a-year-whether-I-need-it-or-not event.

It’s truly the way of human nature. If you’re conditioned in one way throughout your childhood years, you’ll walk in those footsteps paved for you.

To walk a different path, you will literally have to fight and claw to be different.

This has been proven for generations. Look at abuse statistics, divorce patterns, and even educational journeys from one generation to the next. It is what it is.

So, if you want your children to be what I would call, “God chasers,” those kind of people who seek Him with all their hearts and work diligently to not only know Him and follow His will for their lives but also who live intentionally to share His love with others, this begins now, with you.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

At the Foot of the Cross

/ The WheatandTares

I have no righteousness within me.

I do not deserve mercy and grace. How can this be?

I stand in humble adoration of the One who gave me life.

I kneel in repentance and plead as He washes me of all the strife.

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…

Romans 3:23

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

1 John 1:9

True Character

/ The WheatandTares
*no association or ownership of pic

Character isn’t revealed in the joyful moments.

Character isn’t unveiled in the easy, smooth, congenial patches of life.

Character gets put on display when the hard settles in like a cold, hard rain.

When the days are gray and the sunshine is hidden from view.

When the lights have been painted black and the doors have been slammed shut.

This is when character gets exposed with the spotlight of scrutiny.

These are the times when words are cheap and actions cut to the core.

So, take note what you do in the little things when the sun is bright and the crowd is loud.

Pay attention to the thoughts that harbor within the inner bays of idleness and the daydreams that yield in the hours of solitude.

For these are what will avalanche into the overflow of courage and virtue when crisis arises and all eyes are on you.

…each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

1 Corinthians 3:13

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:1

Your Superpower

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

You were created to be you and no one else.

You were fashioned to be as He intricately designed you.

You were crafted in the image of One who loves you the most.

So, never compare, compete, or contend for another.

You were never meant to be them.

You were meant to be a better version of you.

So get busy pursuing the you He has created you to be.

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

Psalm 139:13-15

Carry the Buckets

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Be the one who carries the buckets of water toward the flames.

Be the one who carries the light to pave the path.

Be the one who carries the torch to brighten the tunnel.

Be the one who carries the blanket to shield the frozen.

Be the one who carries the keys to unlock the prison doors.

Be the one who carries the swords to join in the battle.

You can be a life changer or a death claimer.

It is your choice.

But first ask yourself which you’d want if the flames were on you.

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:12-13

Allow for Some Goodbyes

/ The WheatandTares

Change brings adjustments in relationships.

Adjustments bring uncomfortable conflicts.

Conflicts bring choices to remain or walk away.

When you are seeking to better yourself, sometimes, it will irritate those who want to remain the same.

When you are moving beyond the trauma, sometimes, those who enjoyed the drama will want to stay.

When you are healing and pursuing something better, sometimes, those who liked you broken cannot handle the new strength.

And that’s ok.

Keep walking ahead.

Keep healing from the past.

Keep moving forward toward wellness, peace, and joy.

Those who are meant to go with you will arrive.

Those who aren’t will remain where you were.

And that’s ok.

To thrive, sometimes you have to say goodbye to the old you and also to the old them.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14

Thank You For Your Time

/ The WheatandTares

Valiant men and women signed on the dotted line to fight for the freedom we have. Strong and ready young men and women gave up the comforts of home, the easy living, the enjoyments of friends and family to lend us their courage to fight, to serve, to do the hard things to make this country what it is today.

So, we pause in this hour to say Thank You.

Our thanks could never be enough, but it’s all we have to give. So, we give it sincerely, and we mean it deeply, more than words can adequately express

Thank you for all that have served and who are now serving.

God bless you, each and every one.

❤️🇺🇸❤️

Happy Veterans Day!

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

3 John 1:2

The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Carrying a Burden

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

Thinking about convos I’ve had over the past several days and how I’m thankful for the Body of Christ.

Hear me. You don’t have to be in the same church to be the Body. You don’t have to be in the same seasons of life. You don’t have to run your households the same way. You don’t even have to be in the same state.

You just have to walk in agreement, following the same God, and BE THE BODY.

Recently, I called a lady who had visited our church on Sunday simply because they had friends there, and they had “a day off” from their congregation because of a building move situation. She was a pastor’s wife, too. She encouraged me as she spoke about the great things of our church, the great message my husband preached, and the refreshing they needed and felt while they worshipped with us. She thanked me, and we prayed for each other.

THIS is being the Body, my friends.

I had another conversation in which I just listened as my friend shared her struggles with a health issue. Cancer. All the fears, transitions, frustrations, and unwanted prognosis while attempting to hold onto faith in a faithful and loving God, knowing without a shadow of a doubt that He’s still God.

Another conversation was filled with excitement and heartache as her son moves away to college, and while she misses him terribly, she knows he’s at the right place, in the right season, doing the right thing. This conversation was concluded by a hand on an arm, a strong look in the eyes, and one friend telling another, “It will be an adjustment, but you enjoy this new season of time with your husband. Focus on putting your attention on him and his on you…Empty nesting can be fun!”

Another in which the wife is watching a terrible disease daily rob her husband’s quality of life, and there’s nothing she can do about it but pray. This conversation didn’t amount to words of solution or even of any words I felt could be of great comfort, except, “God is with you, and please, tell us how to help (because we won’t impose, but we’re here).”

In all these, the Body was being the Body as it should be. Carrying one another’s burdens. Being there, not just in word and deed, but simply in presence and love. Sharing the raw, unedited feelings of the heart and not shielding it out of pride, isolation or fear.

If you’re not a believer, you may have no idea what I’m talking about. And that’s ok.

But if you are a believer in the One True God…

Let’s BE THE BODY, Church. ❤️

“Bear ye one another’s burdens. For in this, you the law of Christ.”

Galatians 6:2

Small Southern Town

/ The WheatandTares / 4 Comments

What do you love about where you live?

I love where I live because it’s beautiful, quaint, and comfortable. It’s also filled you all kinds of options. I’ve always been a “small town girl,” and while growing up, I always thought I’d live in the same small town forever, raising my kids and living in a “little white house with a little white picket fence.”

Well, God kinda had different plans for me. Since moving from my home town, I’ve lived in 2 states, 5 towns, and 1 city. I’ve gone to 3 schools, lived in 12 houses, and have been actively involved in 6 churches. And 3 of those towns have been while raising our sons. But each have been small towns, at least in the scale of metropolitan areas.

And truthfully, I’ve loved every town I’ve lived in. That’s just being content in where you are and who you’re with, but that’s another blog for another day.

So, you ask why I love where I live… it’s a small town that really has grown quite a bit since we moved here. However, we live on the outskirts of town, and we don’t normally deal with the busier side. Our city officials have taken great care to beautify the downtown, moderate what comes in and out, and worked hard to keep that “small town feel” to the area.

I love our church, the people, and the atmosphere of community and family. I love our neighborhood that is well kept, and the people are always friendly. I love that we’re located just minutes from the lake, a few more minutes from the mountains, and less than an hour from a major city. So, you can be anywhere you want within a short amount of time. And I love that we live in an area where people still long for togetherness and a sense of camaraderie among the (smaller) masses.

And I believe that’s what builds love for where you live. When it’s all about you and yours and competition, stress, strife, and success, I believe you loose that sense of community and forsake care and compassion for cutthroat self ambition and ego.

You don’t have to live in a small town to achieve this, but I think it helps. However, I’ve had friends who live living in a big city, and they have still accomplished this by creating a community of family, whether it be in their neighborhoods, churches, or workplace. Where it is doesn’t matter as much as with whom it is. If you are gathered together with likeminded people, accomplishing a common goal for a greater purpose, that sense of family and belonging will naturally arise.

So, what about you? What do you love about where you live?

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:15-18