Funny Friday
character
What Do You See?
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 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
Soul Applications
Truth is not enough to sustain your life lest you apply it.
Application of truth is the only way our lives become transformed from what they have been.
So, let’s ask ourselves some heartfelt questions today,
How much Truth am I receiving?
How much Truth am I accepting?
(And yes. There is a difference in receiving truth and accepting that truth as truth.)
If I am accepting Truth, am I applying it to my life?
If I’m apply this Truth to my life, is there fruit coming from my life?
Simple as that.
We can hear Truth all day long, but if we fail to receive it, accept it, apply it, and then, produce it, we fall into the age old trap of becoming a fool.
The lack of Truth being applied in someone’s life doesn’t change the Truth.
It only leaves a void of change in the hearer’s life.
And that, my dear friends, leads to a most tragic end.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
John 8:32
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
James 2:14-19
Unexpected Grief
Goodbyes to those who have caused pain can be all together freeing; yet, the grief will come in waves as the broken covenant becomes a reality.
It can be all together overwhelming.
Just because the decision to leave is right doesn’t mean it will be full of joy and laughter.
Just because the need to walk away is necessary doesn’t mean the path is smooth and easy.
It can be the hardest season of life.
And the loneliest.
Yet, never doubt the resolution to remove toxicity and never return to it simply because of the sharp agony of separation.
Cry the tears that must be shed.
Weep and wail.
Rant and rage.
Then, take a deep breath and exhale.
And know that through the grief, an inner strength will grow which will extend beyond the pain.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:1-5
True Character
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
Friend or Foe
Sometimes, it’s just hard to deal with certain humans.
If we’re being honest, you know it’s true.
Yet, just as it’s important to walk away from toxicity and dangerous relationships, it’s also important to be able to discern those who might be in a bad mood and those who are truly damaging.
And this distinction can truly make or break a leader.
Come to the wrong conclusion, and you can damage a relationship, a ministry, a group of people, and even a home.
Assume a friend is a foe, and you lose a covenant and companion for life.
Suppose a foe is a friend, and you may walk away wounded and scarred, or worse, you can find yourself enclosed in a cage of emotion.
Presume inaccurately on either side, and you can wound the most innocent among you.
Judge incorrectly, and the grace needed to make amends can sometimes be insurmountable.
So, step carefully and evaluate slowly.
Learn to recognize warning signs and decipher welcome flags.
Acknowledge personal hangups and triggers and work harder to overcome.
Create an atmosphere of curiosity and courage and allow for input from the older, wiser sages near you.
Open your heart wide and your ears and eyes even wider.
And above all, if you believe in the One who created you, pray and ask Him to guide, not only in the final decision but to the people who can help lead you in that direction.
A friend can be hidden from immediate view because the search is always an adventure.
A foe can be veiled from initial sight because the desire for communion is always a heart’s home.
Friend or foe, learning the difference is essential.
Open rebuke is better
Than love carefully concealed.Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.Proverbs 27:5-6
Ointment and perfume delight the heart,
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.Proverbs 27:9
Carry the Buckets
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
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
Learn That Lesson
Sometimes, walking away is the only thing that brings peace.
Sometimes, letting go is the only thing that will ease the pain.
Walking away isn’t always the easy road filled with presumed pride and celebration.
Letting go isn’t always the rebellious act of arrogance and annoyance.
Often, the turning away is the only way for healing to start.
If someone has walked out of your life, honestly assess your heart, and if no wrong can be found, then let them walk.
Sometimes, the walk is more for them than for you.
If someone has let go of you, take a soul check, and if you can truly find no fault, then let it rest.
Sometimes, the release for them will bring strength and reconciliation.
But if a speck on your heart is found, if a blemish within your soul is revealed, then cry your tears and talk to your Maker.
He’s the only One who can mend the wounds and bind what has been broken.
He’s the only One who can restore what had been forever lost.
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 22:24-25
