character

Courage To Embrace More

/ The WheatandTares

There is a delicate balance between our own selfishness and walking in freedom.

There is a fine line between enduring till the end and not becoming a doormat.

There is a beautiful dance between knowing when to walk away and when to stay.

And it takes a mountain of courage to know when the time is right.

The journey is never the same for every person, and each one must not only have the ability to be honest with self,

But more often than not, you also need a coach who can walk alongside you and give guidance.

A coach is not like a loving friend.

A coach is not like a comforting mother.

A coach isn’t like a disciplining father.

And yet, a coach has a bit of all three of these wrapped up in one.

A coach wants the best for you.

A coach won’t drink the Koolaid of how great you are.

A coach can see further than you are right now and can help you get to those next steps to win.

A teacher instills knowledge for growth.

A counselor inputs wisdom for healing.

A coach imparts both along with tactics to spur you to success.

Finding a coach doesn’t seem to fit with the thought of having courage to walk away; yet, if you’ve ever been stuck between staying and going, having a coach makes all the difference in the world!

Moses coached Jethro, and Naomi coached Ruth.

As Christians, why should we be any different?

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

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showingintegrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Titus 2:1-8

Where is Your Focus?

/ The WheatandTares
Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis, excerpt

If you’ve not read The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis, I encourage you to pick up a copy. It is a phenomenal fiction from the perspective of a “strong” demon writing letters to another “weaker” demon, his nephew in training, about their assignment to a Christian and their antics and schemes to keep that Christian from serving their Enemy, God.

It is such an intriguing concept and high can shed many incredible truths on our purpose and plan as Christians to impact God’s kingdoms and the purpose and plans of the enemy to keep us that very purpose. It really is a great read, even if you are not a person of faith or have no concept of the “Christian life.”

This excerpt impacted me greatly as I read it, and it describes perfectly what we are seeing in our modern culture. So many are focused on people they don’t know or with whom they have no interaction on a daily basis, but find it easy to shout blame, find fault and constantly point fingers for the demise of our society.

We are all tempted daily to become distracted by the news, social media, or even “word on the street” as we search for someone to blame for the chaos. When we all should be looking inward at our own hearts, our own attitudes, our own thoughts that ought to be bringing conviction for change.

Not one of us who live on this green earth are able to say, “I am without sin.” By no means, can one of us claim perfection in our actions, our words, or even in our thoughts. We are no better than the most wretched among us. We all are born into sin, are tempted by sin, and are pursued by sin our entire lives.

The only difference between me and the one who receives a death sentence of eternal sin is that I have confessed my sin to the One who can forgive. I have surrendered my life to the One who created me and the boy One who can save me from myself. I have committed my life to His will rather than my own.

That is the only difference.

And that makes ALL the difference.

And that difference is FOR ALL.

This difference can be possessed BY ALL.

So, let us all stop being distracted by the accusations, the lies, and the enticing scheme to keep our eyes averted from truth.

Let us all begin to look inward and find the wrong and seek to find the One who can make it right.

And only then, can we begin to rightly “fix” the world around us.

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Psalm 51:1-6

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Psalm 51:7-11

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 51:12-17

Fear Not

/ The WheatandTares / 7 Comments
*I do not own this post, and I do not know this person. So, I am not endorsing or condoning anything of his other than this post alone.*

I screenshot this post way back in 2020 as a simple reminder for myself and others.

During those hard months of 2020, I felt myself tempted to be fearful.

Then, I felt myself tempted to grow angry at some who decided to walk in fear of the future.

Then, I felt tempted to get “preachy” at what Christians should and shouldn’t be doing.

Then, I just stopped and had what you might call an epiphany…

At times, there is an expectation from the culture around, maybe even a demand, that we, as Christians, should never worry, fear, fail or be sinful.

As Christians, I believe we often can have the same expectation or demand of each other.

As humans, truthfully, we should all realize this is a false reality that will only bring more pain, disappointment, and often, more sin and failure to each of us.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we will never have troubles about which to be concerned.

Being a Christ follower doesn’t mean we will never face a terror by night, a tragedy or certain death that might bring fear.

Being a believer certainly doesn’t mean we somehow never fail or never fall into sin and live a perfect, “Pollyanna” lifestyle.

And if anyone ever told you those lies, or you picked them up for yourself along the way; then, I pray you will grab your Bible right now and start reading it, cover to cover.

Our faith isn’t based on some fairytale that paints a false reality.

Our faith doesn’t result from some superpower of strength and knowledge that alters the world in which we live.

And our faith certainly isn’t founded on a plethora of perfect people, living perfect lives.

No, our whole history is filled with the wretched, the broken, the flawed and the desolate.

The only difference between my life and someone who isn’t saved is my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Because with Him, I may not always be fearless, but I will certainly fear less.

Because of Him, I may not be ever be without doubt, but I will certainly doubt less.

Because of His grace, I may not be perfect, but I can definitely live my life seeking His perfection.

Because of His mercy, I may not become sinless, but I will definitely sin less as I pursue His purpose and His plan rather than my own.

So, if you’re struggling today to live out this Christian faith without mistakes, give yourself a break and just have a little talk with Jesus.

And if you don’t know “that guy,” I challenge you to simply say His Name. Take a minute and talk to Him, too.

You might be amazed at what you’ll find…

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.’

Isaiah 41:10

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Hebrews 7:26-28

Narrow is the Path to Success

/ The WheatandTares

The road to success is filled with detours, roadblocks and alternate routes.

Where you decide to go will often determine where you end up.

Happenstance can occur, and you can end up on the “right” path, but truly this is a rarity.

Success takes focus.

Success takes hard work.

Success takes determination.

Success takes forward motion with no deviation.

You can’t find success by chaotic search, and you will never find it by standing still.

Success can only be found by just that…

A true search.

So, let’s go hunting and see what we find.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gateand broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

What’s Your Filter?

/ The WheatandTares

Everybody’s got a filter.

You hear through that filter.

You see through that filter.

Your perspective is guided, cleared and clouded by that filter.

You can choose to allow your filter to be filled with your pain or your victory.

You can choose to create your filter to be filled with good things or evil.

Th choice is yours.

Choose today for 2023.

Choose well.

Extra Note: I love coffee, but it’s not a great filter filler for my life. 😉😂

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

Be You, Not Them

/ The WheatandTares

There is such a push in modern culture to do the same things, wear the same things.

There is such a demand to be the same as everyone else, compare and correlate.

If you are a follower of Christ, He never designed for this pattern.

Look at His disciples. Look at His creation.

Peter and John seemed to be polar opposites.

Snowflakes and raindrops are never identical.

He called you to be you, tempered by His Spirit, molded by His Son.

Find yourself in His design. Find yourself in His plan.

You’ll be amazed at what you discover.

You’ll be overwhelmed by what you reclaim.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Rise Up!

/ The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

You can choose to stay there in the muck and mire

You can choose to remain tied up in those wires

Full of disappointment, turmoil and pain

Or you can rise up and let that agony become your gain.

You can choose to settle for the heartache and tears

You can choose to agree with the brokenness for years

Full of misery, shackles and despair

Or you can choose to rise up and let that torment become your celebratory affair.

It is your choice. It is your decision.

You are never a victim. Your state is never of simple derision.

Choosing can be difficult. Choosing can be hard.

But choosing is freedom from a lifetime of bars.

Then they remembered that God wastheir rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer.

Psalm 78:35

You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.

Psalm 66:12

Everyone Has a Prison

/ The WheatandTares

No matter who you are, where you came from, where you’re going,

We all have a prison to live in.

It may be your career, your education, your ambition that demands your concentration, your dedication.

It may be your possessions, your economic status, your greed for more that commands your toil, your allegiance.

There is a prison, and it beckons your name.

It may be your pain, your heartache, your past that haunts your thoughts, your recollections.

It may be your anger, your temper, your impulse that forces your allegiance, your agreement.

There is a prison, and the door is open wide.

It may be your children, your spouse, your family that claims your devotion, your approval.

It may be your health, your well-being, your countenance that orders your commitment, your adherence.

It may even be a wall of bars you’ve allowed someone else to control the size, the depth, the yielding of your attendance that confines your submission and your surrender.

We all have a prison waiting, which one will you choose?

You can also decide love, joy, peace, and goodness will be your eternal home.

This prison will bring more freedom than you can ever imagine.

Then, you’ll want to lock the door and throw away the key.

Choose well. For once the latch is turned, you may never leave your abiding cage…

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:15

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Galatians 6:7

Lock the Door

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments
I do not own or possess this pic. Google search.

Ok, so this meme is posted to be funny, and I hope you’re laughing.

But honestly, there’s a little bit of truth here, and realistically, on both sides.

We can’t go around “locking people out” of our lives every time we dislike what they say or do.

Yet, for our own well being, there may be times that we need to lock that door.

If you’re feeling quick to agree or disagree with me, I’ll urge you to pause.

Your feelings of justification or accusation may not be accurate once you hear my thoughts…

In this culture we are living, it seems everyone can be offended, and everyone is demanding tolerance and acceptance.

In this modern society, everyone screams to “let me be me,” and if “you don’t, you hate me!”

Candidly speaking, this is a dumb statement on both ends of the spectrum.

If you are in the camp of those who are quick to gain offense and demand acceptance, in actuality, you are forcing that of me, but yet, I’m not allowed to do the same of you (because then, I’d be intolerant).

If you are in the camp who states emphatically that my disagreement proves my hatred, then in reality, you have just pointed the finger to the very thing you are doing to me (because now you are “hating on” me).

Both responses are unfair and unreasonable.

Both reactions are illogical and quite biased.

If you are truly desiring relationship, these expectations are one sided and selfish, and they only bring toxins and codependency.

If you are truly looking for companionship, these pressures are pompous and even narcissistic, and they only bring death and destruction.

If you are truly seeking connection, then you’ve got to have some give and take.

If you are truly pursuing friendship, then you’ve got to become less demanding and a little more understanding.

And this is when the decision to open the door or close it becomes essential.

Not because we need to go around locking out every controlling or domineering person we encounter,

And not because we need to become people of only rules and regulations; there must be second chances for mercy to flow.

But rather, we need to open the door wide to those who welcome, warm, refresh, strengthen and challenge the heart.

And we need to close it to those who demean, ridicule, imprison and manipulate the soul.

Learning when to lock the door and expand it takes a lifetime of wisdom, love and self-control.

Learning takes a lifetime of failing and succeeding.

It’s a hard lesson, but it is attainable.

It’s a arduous journey, but it is worth it.

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

Amos 3:3

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

1 Corinthians 15:33

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. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17-21

Eternity Echoes

/ The WheatandTares / 2 Comments
I do not own or possess this pic.
Google search.

What we do matters.

What we say is important.

Who we impact echoes into eternity.

Too many today attempt to play the nonchalant card.

They try to act as if they can do what they want, you can do what you want, and no one pays any rewards or consequences.

It’s just living life.

But oh. How wrong we can be.

If I always do me, and you always do me, all we create is two spheres full of selfishness and self centeredness.

If I’m focused only on me, and you only on you, we become consumed on our own desires, our own requests, our own demands.

And eventually, no one else matters.

Yet, it’s supposed to matter because after all, my expectations are highest priority to me.

And your expectations are highest priority to high, and then, we’re both at an impasse.

Because if it’s all about me, and it’s all absolutely you, then, you don’t matter to me, and I don’t matter to you!

What wretched and lost souls we become, and what wrecked havoc we leave for those behind us.

All kindness, and love and harmony is expected for me (and for you), but it sucks the life out of all those who are impacted because they are seeking the same.

And what about the children racing toward the edge of a knife?

What about those innocent souls who cry out to be loved, nurtured and directed?

Our self consumption depleted their hope for tomorrow because all they can see is our command for the now.

What we do in life does echo in eternity.

It is a repeating anthem across the chasms of time.

What will your reverberations be?

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

Proverbs 13:22

So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.

2 kings 17:41