Warning signs and advice aren’t offered because someone is trying to be a killjoy.
Rules and directions aren’t given because someone is trying to restrict your freedom.
Boundaries are set for our safety.
Barriers are placed to protect others from recklessness.
Sometimes on rare occasions, there may be a person or organization that has become power hungry and feeds on the controlling of someone else.
But those tendencies can be easily observed through reputation, rapport, and the consistency of the restrictions.
But for the most part, when you see an attention getter, a show stopper, or a posed hand making you stop, there’s a rhyme for that reason.
And the reason could very well save your life.
So next time, take a minute to breathe. Step back and assess the situation. And follow the signs to a greater liberty than you once knew.
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know thetruth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32
My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
*I do not own, posses, nor even know this site or name. Simply using meme found.
John Wayne once said, “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
That’s the success of life.
That’s true courage.
There are so many things that can hinder you, limit you or intimidate you.
And you can certainly let those things hold you back.
But you have a choice.
You get to choose whether you build a little cage around your life or set yourself free.
You get to choose whether every time something scares you, you set another bar in place till the cage has a lock and key,
Or whether you remove those bars of fear, intimidation and shame and loose yourself from that bondage.
I say, Saddle that horse and ride it.
You may not ride it too well.
You may bounce and jostle and even almost slip off, but just hold on!
Hold on and soon, you’ll be able to enjoy the ride.
And maybe later, you’ll be racing that horse through the country.
But you’ll never win if you quit, lay down or die.
So, saddle up! We’ve got a journey ahead of us!
You can do this thing!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
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.’
Sometimes, we hang onto friendships that are so shallow, they are never beneficial in the difficult season of life.
Sometimes, we keep close those friends who are fun and exciting, but the depth to their soul leaves a gaping hole in our tragic moments.
Sometimes, we nurture the relationships that are too toxic, worrisome or meaningless and we let the truthful, deep and most important ones slip through our fingers like grains of sand.
Take a minute today to look around you.
Reevaluate. Take a deeper glance.
See who’s there and who needs to be.
Cherish those who will walk through fire with you.
Treasure those who will pull you out of the fire.
And chase after those who are carrying the torched lamp into your darkness when you can’t see.
Don’t let them get out of your sight.
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
There’s a song by Kathy Mattae, “Standing Knee Deep In A River.” She talks about friendships that we take for granted, and we let them slip on by.
As I grow older, I realize this is a hard truth that many of us either recognize early enough to rescue the few that may remain, or we acknowledge way too late that they’re already gone.
Friendships that are found to be easy and never have “a bump in the road,” a confrontation, or a season where questions arise if it’s really worth it to keep going, are truthfully, not those knee deep waters.
Knee deep water is when you can still jump around and splash, but one slip, and you’ll be under water fast.
Knee deep water is when you can still feel secure in your footing, but let the current get a little faster, and that footing will be tested and reevaluated.
Knee deep water is when you can choose to go a little deeper, explore a little more, or you can choose to step back in the shallow, safer waters and not take the risk.
Knee deep waters is when real friendships learn to survive.
Friendships that are made to last will be found more valuable and cherished when those waters rise.
What kind of friendships are you keeping today?
It might be one that will be a lifeline to your survival tomorrow…
A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Sometimes, especially on Monday mornings, you’ve got to remind yourself whose circus you’ll attend and whose monkeys you’ll attempt to tame.
Sometimes, especially on Mondays, you need to remind yourself that only your circus is worth watching and certainly only one due your hard earned money (time and effort) for the tickets.
And sometimes, especially on a Monday, you’ll have to remind yourself that although, those monkeys at that other person’s circus might look entertaining, rest assured…
THEY WILL EAT YOU ALIVE!!
Get out while you still can and go tame your own raucous monkeys!
Happy Monday!
He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Too many people in this world bite, ridicule and wound those closest to them who care the most.
Too many people in this world viciously attack the ones who love them the most because they’re willing to speak truth.
Too many people don’t know who their friends are and walk away from the best.
Too many people embrace the toxic, the loud, and the angry, believing because “they’re family,” that’s what they’re suppose to do.
Too many people hold onto a bloodline that kicks them around and demands they be a doormat when they should say goodbye and not look back.
Too many people keep close those whom should be released and let go of those whom should be captivated.
Look around. Evaluate. Be honest.
Don’t stay out of obligation, fear or routine.
Don’t walk away out of rage, envy or apathy.
Open your eyes to see clearly and hear with precision.
Make wise choices, and make calculated decisions.
You can do this.
And the next generation is depending on you to do it right.
They are watching and waiting.
Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.
To be an effective leader, you’ve got to have the temperament of both a lion and a lamb.
If you are only portrayed as a lion, you will be fierce, fearless and free.
But you can also be too sharp, intimidating and terrifying.
If you are only portrayed as a lamb, you will be calm, cautious and caring.
But you can also be too hesitant, timid and fragile.
Oh. But to have a beautiful balance of both characteristics of the lion and the lamb, you will be effective, encouraging and excellent.
Boldness without love turns to arrogance.
Courage without caution turns to recklessness.
Freedom without awareness (of others) turns to abuse and neglect.
Let’s be the leaders we were meant to be.
And if we are Christians, let’s simply follow the example our God set before us of being both the Lion and the Lamb.
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:5
And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
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.
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.
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 narrowgate; for wide is the gateand broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrowis the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
the grizzle grist mill 