Monday Musings

September 7, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 7 Comments

I wonder how often this is true for us. In this “Me Society” where we live today, it seems so much is about being happy, being satisfied, being fulfilled, even at the cost of someone else’s happiness and satisfaction.

I wonder where we went wrong.

When did it get so important that you’re made happy that it doesn’t matter if, in the process, I am made desolate?

When did it get so determined that your satisfaction could be at the expense of my daily living?

When did it become ok to demand the freedom of one race, one party, one organization or one people group at the detriment of anyone else who might disagree?

Where did we go astray?

Maybe when we began believing the life of a tree was more important than a human.

Maybe when we began determining which life could live and which could die by our own hands.

Maybe when we began believing we could actually give life and take away life by our very own hands and believed we shouldn’t suffer any consequences for the decisions we made.

Evil is evil, and it has been the same since the beginning of time.

The difference today is too many have began calling evil goo and good evil.

And when these things become the norm, no one can escape the fall.

So, where will we go? What will we do? Who will we turn to?

We must go back to the beginning.

We must go back to the moment we went astray.

Return to that place in time and start anew. Repent. Make new choices. Make amends.

It is possible. But we have to see past ourselves to actually make a difference.

Friday Fun Day

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 6 Comments

Yeah, it might have been a week from the latest horror flick.

It might have been a month from the pit, and we’re only on day four.

It might have been a year from Hades…

But you’re still standing there!

You’re still breathing.

So, get up! Take a deep breath and exhale real slow.

Step outside. Take in the fresh air, and look up.

The sun will shine again, and it’s a new day to start anew!

So, go have a day of fun!

Maybe work is calling your name; so, change your angle. At least, you have one to go to.

Change your perspective.

Maybe you’re headed into the hospital. Maybe you’re recovering. Maybe you’re at the graveside.

Just breathe. Let the tears fall, and know He still cares for you.

You’re still standing there.

Your heart is still beating.

If a fun day is not feasible right now, go have a fun moment!

Go have a fun second.

Do what you must to thrive again.

The sun will shine again; I promise.

Just hold on.

And if nothing more, have a Friday Fun Day by remembering the most joyous moment of your life.

And be thankful you have it to remember.

…perspective can be everything… 😉

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8

Whimsical Wednesday

September 2, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 14 Comments

When you’re 14, entering High School for the first time, and you’re having to follow all the new rules, trying to make sense of it all, and to top it all off, you’ve got to wear a mask for 8 hours a day…

You just make the best of it and wear two!

😂😂🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣

It is what it is, and that’s all that it is.

Smile anyway, and let it brighten your day while bringing hope to someone else’s! 💗

Monday Musings

August 31, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 8 Comments

In 2019, I’d never have guessed I’d have face masks hanging from my shower wall awaiting to dry.

In 2019, I’d never have thought of driving into our favorite North Georgia mountain town to find one great restaurant after another either closed early, have outdoor seating only, take-out only or have such dismal cleaning abilities that you’d not want to eat there.

In 2018, I never once worried about whom I could hug on a Sunday morning or whom I couldn’t, unless she was a visitor and then, I’d give it pause to not seem too much.

In 2018, I never once thought about how many people across the nation were dealing questions of, “Should I go or stay?”

In 2017, we had concerns around the world about sickness, desolation and fear; yet, we faced it together. We faced it with purpose.

In 2017, we glanced through the hour glass of time, wondering what the future might hold; yet, we glanced with hope, with promise for a better tomorrow.

In 2016, we had disagreements and didn’t see eye-to-eye; yet, that was a “normal” with which almost all of us could live. It was ok to disagree. It was ok to be at odds.

Life just went on.

I wonder how much has to change in 2020 to wake us up from our slumber.

I wonder how many have to be lost before we realize “that normal” is no more and “this normal” is here to stay.

We have to quit “glorifying yesterday” in order to live for tomorrow and be present in today.

We have to quit pointing the fingers and finding the blame in order to live determines and strong.

If we are to not simply survive…

If we are to choose to THRIVE, then, it starts with you and me…

It starts today…

And it must start now.

“Almost universally, when people look back on their lives while on their deathbed […] they wish they had spent more time with the people and activities they truly loved and less time worrying about aspects of life that, upon deeper examination, really don’t matter at all that much. Imagining yourself at your own funeral allows you to look back at your life while you still have the chance to make some important changes.” — Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff

Whimsical Wednesday

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

Sometimes, you’ve got to capture the beauty right where you are.

You may have just exited a busy store and felt like a corralled calf trying to get through the one way door.

You may have just spent way too much money trying to get your college-aged son settled in his new place.

You may have just wandered down aisles for way too long feeling you’re about to suffocate following the rules of the mask wearing brigade.

You might have just hurried out the exit, gasping for air before a mighty headache settles in.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to look up.

You’ve got to look beyond the chaos, beyond the hustle, beyond the noise.

Look up and capture the beauty that is right in front of you.

Breathe deep. Breathe long. Breathe freely.

Remember Whose you are and rest assured, it won’t be long till He returns.

There is still Hope.

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Mancoming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, becauseyour redemption draws near.”
Luke 21:25-28

Monday Musings

August 24, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

How far will you go to reach the heavens?

How long will you walk the path to hell?

How wide do you stretch your lips to spread evil and deceit?

How deep will you swim to discover the depths of His love?

He is there when you search for Him.

He will find you in the midst of the darkness.

Simply open your eyes to see the light.

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You arethere;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.”

Psalm 139:1-12

Monday Musings

August 17, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

There’s nothing better than a great big glass of ice cold water after a 3 mile walk in the heat of the evening.

You’re parched. You’re tired. You’re breathless.

Yet, that water is like snow in the desert.

It’s refreshing to the bones.

It’s reviving to the muscles.

It’s rejuvenating to the very soul.

This is just how I have found my God to be.

I’m not talking about finding religion, and I’m not trying to convince you of an ancient tradition.

I’m just referring to a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

I’m pointing toward a comfort in times of need, a peace that surpasses all your understanding and a fulfilling joy that words just can’t seem to describe.

You might scoff, and you might even turn the page, but I challenge you to simply try Him.

Just say His name.

Jesus.

He can be refreshing water for your weary mind.

He can be a babbling brook for your exhausted heart.

He can be a living stream for your parched soul.

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:37-38