Cause for Pause

I read a small devotional the other day from Heartlight: "The Corinthians boasted in their wisdom, giftedness, and tolerance. But, no matter how gifted a church, no matter how full of earthly wisdom, no matter how tolerant, if the people of that church are caught up in petty arguments, cliquishness and ugly quarrels, they are immature. Rather than being a place where Christ is known and shown, it is just another gathering of human foibles". 

It led my thoughts to an incident that occurred last week when I got crazy mad cuz someone figuratively stepped on my mother toes.  Oh boy... Lioness time! I choose not to react in anger outloud but took it to the Lord and threw it down at His feet. I was angry just getting it off my chest to Him.  I prayed.... still angry.... prayed some more.... dog gone .... still angry. Determined to wait on the Lords direction before I spoke to this person to give them a piece of my mind. (Humm, a mind is a terrible thing to waste - thought just popped).  You know what the Lord did?  He gave me a clear and perfect set up for dispensing my anger but I did not act on it.  I was flabbergasted that I didn't!  I suddenly saw the deep woundedness of the other person, that "hit dog hollars" kind of thing.  The Lord held my lips shut then pushed them up in a smile and suddenly it wasn't about me anymore. I have to say thank you Lord... I would have done wrong on my own.  Wow pushing 70 and seeing signs of maturity and wondering why it takes so long. 

"You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men"?  (1 Corinthians 3:3) 

A pearl to string:  I've come to an age where I am not tempted so much by the things of this world.  Family, friends and the desire for health hold more eartly value than anything else.  But I find a long life becomes my most difficult temptation when I yield to my own way.  I have to fight being set in my ways - it is definitely a cause for pause so I can let the Lord lead. 

God loved us first

and He loves us now,

                               Lyndi

Stormy Weather

Victor Hugo, who is famous for his novel the Hunchback of Notre Dame, also wrote a story called "Ninety-Three." It tells of a ship caught in a dangerous storm on the high seas. At the height of the storm, the frightened sailors heard a terrible crashing noise below the deck. They knew at once that this new noise came from a cannon, part of the ship's cargo, that had broken loose. It was moving back and forth with the swaying of the ship, crashing into the side of the ship with terrible impact. Knowing that it could cause the ship to sink, two brave sailors volunteered to make the dangerous attempt to retie the loose cannon. They knew the danger of a shipwreck from the [loose] cannon was greater than the fury of the storm.

Ever notice that you seem to weather the storms of life but it's your "loose cannons"  that take you down?  A spirit of bitterness, jealousy, pride, greed or unresolved hurt, anger, a lack of forgiveness, guilt, or lust.  All "loose cannons" inside  our hearts that can rock our world and shipwreck our relationships, our faith or even our life. These cannons violently crash about lashing out from within us severely wounding loved ones and peoples of our lives and capable of doing life long damage to another.  

A pearl to string:  We each make a choice to be self controlled or we give ourselves permission to be out of control just by saying, "that's just how God made me". Horse feathers!  God didn't make no junk!  Each person is responsible for doing their own inventory before the Lord and bringing to the forefront any unresolved "loose cannons" in their life.  If you really love others then deal with your stuff  and bring it under control by the Holy Spirit.  Be brave - go to your ship's cargo and retie your "loose cannon". 

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works".  (Titus 2:11-14)

May the joy of the Lord bless you,

                                                  Lyndi