Danger Zone

"Well, she said that ..."
"I heard he..."
"Really? What did she do about it?"

We have all been in a conversation where words like these have peaked our interest and stirred our desire to know more.

Today, I am going to touch on an area where all of us have a problem and I like to refer to this area as the 'Danger Zone'. We have probably all seen the movie "Top Gun" that was so popular in 1986. What? You don't remember that movie? Well, maybe this will jog your memory: It is the movie where actors Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer fly fighter jets and look really good doing it! Oh?! Now you remember. I thought so!

Anyhow, that movie helped shoot the song performed by Kenny Loggins, to the #2 spot on the music charts after debuting at #85!! The song stayed in the top 10 for four weeks and in the top 40 for 9 weeks!! The song ends with the lyrics, "Out along the edges always where I burn to be the further on the edge the hotter the intensity highway to the Danger Zone gonna take you right into the Danger Zone, Highway to the Danger Zone"

Okay, okay, I am full aware they are technically referring to the excitement of big engines and pushing them to the edge. The song was perfect for this particular movie about fighter pilots, although a quick trip through research shows that the song was originally written about a car, a corvette, if I'm not mistaken!~ However, I want to go out on the edge and use it as an analogy for my topic today...

Let's take the phrase 'out along the edges always where I burn to be the further on the edge the hotter the intensity'. This is exactly where gossip gets us. Bear with me, I will make my point and bring this together, I promise.

Gossip, or as I refer to it, the Danger Zone of our conversations, does not always start full-fledged in gossip. It starts with subtle phrases like I mentioned above, "Well, she said that ..." and "I heard he..." or "Really? What did she do?" This is where I compare gossip to the phrase 'out along the edges always where I burn to be', because we all have our desires to know just a little bit about the person being discussed. So, what do we do? Even though we know it is wrong we make a conscious decision to just get a little more information, just put our toes in - so to speak. Telling ourselves that we can stop this 'pushing to the edge' before it turns into all-out gossip.

Then, we hit the second part of the analogy 'the further on the edge the hotter the intensity'. Well, if you are following my train of thought at this point, you know that as we push the edge, the more we share the more we want to hear. Then comes the 'hotter the intensity' part. We are at a point where both of our feet are full in the fire of gossip. Uh oh, how did that happen? I told myself I could stop this before it turned into all out gossip, yet, here it is already at all out gossip.

Okay, if you don't have and never had the problem or temptation of gossip, God bless you. You are one of the very rare ones. But, for the rest of us 'normal' carnal-born sinners, we have a problem with it. I will tell you the truth my friend, one of the biggest places we have this problem is in our churches. So, how do we solve this problem? How do we help ourselves?

The answer is obvious and right in front of us, but, just like many things in this day and age, we just don't always see it. The answer is simple. So, my personal feeling is that we need to individually take the simple answer and apply it to our lives. Here it is right from scripture:

Leviticus 19:16 (NIV) " Do not go about spreading slander among your people."

Psalm 15:1-3 (NIV) "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman."

Proverbs 26:20 (The Message) "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."

Let us take a few moments and really soak in those scriptures...

My father is retired from the ministry and leads the men's ministry at the church where my husband and I go. My father is one of very few men in my life that I trust whole-hearted as a sincere man after God's own heart. He seeks God in everything he does and wins people to the Lord with a caring heart, no matter where he is. But, most of all, he is a man who does not speak of other people and whose walk is seeking to be blameless and righteous and he speaks the truth from his heart.

I mention him because recently he said something that hit me right in my soul and has changed the way I read the scriptures. He said, and I quote, "people are too inhibited when they read the scriptures."

So, let's read those verses again and let's truly let the words soak into our souls and into our lives and let the living, breathing Word of God do the changing in our lives. We can do all things - but only WITH CHRIST!! Never on our own. And what better place to learn than God's own Word!

Scripture Verses for today:

Leviticus 19:16 (NIV)
"Do not go about spreading slander among your people."
Psalm 15:1-3 (NIV)
"LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman."
Proverbs 26:20 (The Message)
"Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."


Thought for today:
If we are truly seeking to be godly men and women...
Why even play with the edge of gossip?

Song for today:
I know full-well that this song is from the 80s and does not fit into the Christian
music realm, but, it was definitely where I got my inspiration for today's topic.
"Danger Zone"
Performed & Written by Kenny Loggins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPYF2p-cGx8

This is the song that will help us remember
to seek after God's will for our lives and not our own
"More Like You"
Performed by Clay Crosse
Sorry- no youtube video available at this time!
However, this link is where you can read the lyrics and play the song:
http://www.lyricsdownload.com/clay-crosse-more-like-you-lyrics.html

Seen And Not Heard

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Although my heart's desire is to truly live by faith and sing praises to the Lord, sometimes, I find myself trying to live daily on my own accord instead of putting all of myself in the Lord and depending on His accord to pull me through.

Do you ever look back at a moment in your life where you should have been SEEN but definitely not HEARD?

I read in a popular book of recent about people who become disappointed, stressed and angry are like lemons. The book continues to explain further by stating; as times get tough, these people tend to feel squeezed. And just like a lemon, sourness pours out!

Whoa! Let's ponder that for a moment...

Yes, I have to admit, that is me these days. I have allowed the busyness of the holidays and the busyness in my life in general to make me feel exactly those things; disappointed, stressed and especially angry.

Do you know what happens when I feel squeezed these days? Yep, you guessed it - sourness pours out of me!

Do you want to take a quick guess at who feels the 'sourness' that pours from me? Yep, again, you have guessed it - those whom I love the most -my family!

It is amazing that in what is suppose to be the happiest time of year, so many of us find ourselves not happy at all. I am convinced that this is because I have temporarily put my faith in others and myself instead of where it is suppose to be, with God alone!

Have you ever experienced this or am I alone in this area? I have a tough time believing I am alone in this area. Especially with how many people in this world are touched by depression, disappointment, stress and anger! Not to mention the fact the Bible says none of us is good, no not one! Be honest with yourself - has this ever touched your life?

So what do we do about it?

Well, I personally want to sulk and feel sorry for myself. Do you think that is what God wants me to do? Yep, you guessed it again - NO! The Lord God wants me to run to Him with my whole heart open wide and confessing my sin to Him.

Here is a prayer from the song "God of All of Me" by Sandi Patty from the Album My Utmost for His Highest: (Lyrics & music written by: Michael W Smith & Bob Farrell)

"Lord you are God of the morning light
Master of the shining sun and ruler of the night
God of the earth and God of the sea
Voice that fills creation from the mountains majesty
Lord God of all
You know my ways
Giver of breath to my dying day
Almighty God of all I can see
Build up your kingdom in me

Father take my heart
Hold it in your hand
Be the God of all of me
Father take my life
Everything I am
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me

Lord in my soul
In secret parts of me
There are places in my heart
That only You can reach
Brighter shines my hope
Than the morning light
Deeper is my stain of sin
Than any dark of night
Father who rules
All of earth and sea
Reign over dreams that I dare not speak
Lord God of all
Be God of these
Rule ev’ry kingdom in me

Father take my heart
Hold it in your hand
Be the God of all of me
Father take my life
Everything I am
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me

Father take my heart
Hold it in your hand
Be the God of all of me
And Father take my life
Take ev’rything I am
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me
Keeper of my soul
God of all of me"

Let us pray this prayer together and pray it from the depths of our hearts with total sincerity.
Then, let us see what God has in store as we move forward in God's grace & mercy!

Scripture Verses for today:

Galatians 5:19 (The Message)
It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.
1 Timothy 2:4 (The Message)
He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned: that there's one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free.
Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)
Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 25:10 (NIV)
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant.
Psalm 33:4 (NIV)
For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.
Psalm 86:15 (NIV)
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
1 Samuel 30:6 (NIV)
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Thought for today:

Where or what do you run to when things get tough?

Songs for today:

"God of All of Me"
By Sandi Patty
From the My Utmost for My Highest Album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XiU9ZYeAK8

AND

(warning to those of you who do not like loud songs with lots of drumming & electric guitars!!)
"Seen and Not Heard"
By Petra

From the Beyond Belief Album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKuvaRSYmmc

Can't Touch This!

My son, 6, called his little sister, 21 months, "dude!" I was surprised by this term of endearment he had chosen for his little sister. Especially since no one in our family uses this term. I am not exactly opposed to the term, it doesn't represent anything vulgar and isn't particularly offensive, however, I don't consider it a proper way of addressing parents, grandparents or adults as a term of respect. So, when I asked my son where he learned this endearment, I was even more surprised to learn that he had picked it up from his 60-something year old Sunday School Teacher!! Needless to say, it served for a good giggle from me!

Today I was reading a dear friend's blog and found a video that helped me clarify why I was surprised to hear such a term came from someone of that generation. I am going to include this video for your own viewing 'pleasure'. You will understand better once you view it:

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e8b21845b6b0acf86f86

Okay, honestly, can you imagine!!??!! Well, from what I understand, this was a video put together to surprise this particular church's Youth and set the tone for a weekend retreat they were having. It worked! (imagine that!) Not only did it work, it opened new doors for the youth and the senior adults to relate to one another. (imagine that!)

Now comes the point of my thoughts for today:

What will it take for our churches so imbedded in tradition to realize we need to meet people where they are and minister to people in today's society. Try to look at it this way; Are today's teenagers and young people going to honestly come looking for a church that sings all five verses of three hymns from the 1800's? Then, are they going to want to come back to that same church that asks for money by passing the offering plate in front of them and then are they really going to want to listen to a sermon from a pastor who doesn't touch on today's topics that teenagers and young people are dealing with today?

Okay - don't get me wrong - I realize these types of churches can have good intentions and yes, they may even be reaching people, but, are they reaching the young people and youth of today and then discipling them? The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of these types of churches are NOT.

If we find ourselves as one of these people who is deeply embedded in tradition. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and ask the Lord what He wants us to do to reach the youth and young people of today! NO - do not waiver from the truth of God's Word when reaching these people! YES - Waiver from our traditions and let God work through us, even if it makes us uncomfortable, let God use us!

Verses for today:

Luke 2:14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Leviticus 19:32" 'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.
Titus 2:2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

1 Peter 2:17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

1 Peter 3:15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Thought for today:

What if Jesus had come to earth in today's culture?

Song for today:

"Joy to the World/A Christmas Prayer"

By Nicholas Jonas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEnM9Q23Br0&feature=related

Give Me Your Eyes So I Can See

Song for today:
"Give Me Your Eyes"
By Brandon Heath

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c

Today's song has been on the radio quite a bit lately. It may be popular christian music right now, but that doesn't mean it is lacking of a message. It talks about seeing people like God sees them. About having compassion for others and actually seeing other peoples needs.

This song makes me stop and think. I hope today as you listen to this song you will truly contemplate the message behind it and ask yourself the following question:

Do I really see others the way God sees them?

Verses for today:

Deuteronomy 4:29But even there, if you seek God, your God, you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. When troubles come and all these awful things happen to you, in future days you will come back to God, your God, and listen obediently to what he says. God, your God, is above all a compassionate God. In the end he will not abandon you, he won't bring you to ruin, he won't forget the covenant with your ancestors which he swore to them.

Galatians 5:22-24But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

Thought for today:

Sometimes it takes a tragedy to see the truth of what is going on. Wouldn't it be better to start seeing the truth of what is going on BEFORE tragedy strikes. Then, we may even be able to avoid the tragedy altogether!

His Eye Is On The Sparrow & I Know He Watches Me!

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!"

Have you ever heard this saying before? Maybe your mother said it to you when you were younger or maybe you have said it yourself to your own children.

Well, have you ever considered the same for your thoughts?

Have you ever had thoughts that were degrating and mean about yourself? Have you ever found yourself with no hope because you thought no one cared?

Well, take heart! Someone does care - it is Christ!

Let's focus on a song a day this week. Today's song is "His Eye Is On The Sparrow."

What a promise of hope that Christ cares about the sparrow and watches over the sparrow. However, Christ cares about you even more. Sure, this doesn't mean we won't have difficult times in life, but, we still have hope. Hope that Christ is still in control and He is still there for us, all we have to do is put our faith in Him and live by that faith.

Song for today:

"His Eye Is On The Sparrow"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eAboY5zfYE&feature=related

Verses for today:
Luke 12:5-6 "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God."

Thought for today:

If we are valued by God. Why do we have thoughts that are contrary to God's value of us?

Honor the Lord through our relationships: Part Five - Ourselves

As we go through each day we have conversations with ourselves, as well as, thoughts about what we should or should not do. Sometimes we contemplate different things in our lives and how to handle those things.

What I want to focus on today is whether or not we have the mindset of Christ in our lives.

Today I want to touch on the most important decision a person can make in their entire lives. That is the decision to follow Christ.

How can we strive for the mindset of Christ if we don't know him?

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

We have all sinned and we all fall short of the glory of God. However, there is hope!

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

There is hope because Christ died on the cross for our sins. He took our place on the cross. He paid our price for us! If we believe that Christ died for us we won't perish but we will have eternal life with Him in heaven!

Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead - you will be saved. What an amazing promise that gives hope.

Romans 13:14 "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Commit your life to Christ and seek to honor the Lord first and do not seek to indulge in the pleasures of human nature. Christ is the only true source of happiness and once we commit our lives to Christ and His purpose for our lives and for ourselves, we can have a healthy relationship with ourselves because of Christ.

Verses for today:

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Romans 13:14 "Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

Thought for today:

Have you confessed with your mouth Jesus is Lord and trusted Him as your Lord and Savior?

Song for today:

"Jesus, My Lord, My Savior"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i4_q0IqR8Q

Honor the Lord through our relationships: Part Four - Family

Today I want to touch on the previous three days topics and combine them as a whole into how we can honor the Lord through our relationship as a family unit. To explain further, the element of family I am referring to is: You, your husband and your children. As a family unit, how do we honor the Lord?

Do you have family night in your home? Do you have a night set aside for time together with just your family members? You may call it family game night or family movie night. Whatever you call it, it is a special time that needs to be protected and utilized as quality time spent together as a family.

I opened my email recently to find an acronym of the word "HOME." The lady who wrote the email gave her own version of what she felt the following meant. However, I want to use this acronym with today's topic to help us see a way of honoring the Lord with our relationship as a family. Here is the acronym:

Honor the Lord

Obey His Word

Minister to one another

Establish walls of truth

Honor the Lord. This is what this five-part series on relationships is all about. We, as parents, need to be seeking the Lord for what He has for our lives. As we seek the Lord, we will know how to honor the Lord with our families. We need to be passing that same desire on to our children.

Obey His Word. Well, obviously to obey His Word, you need to be IN His Word to know what it says! This isn't just a part-time request from the Lord, this is a specific instruction to spend time with the Lord daily.

Minister to One Another. This touches on some of our topic from the past few days. In order to minister to one another, we need to be compassionate, loving, kind and supportive. Of course, we also need to be active in one another's lives in order to know how to minister to one another.

Establish Walls of Truth. Now I am convinced this is not referring to putting up walls where we can not relate to each other. I believe this is talking about a bond of truth, meaning God's Word. If we establish a bond of truth between us as a family, we can stand together and walk together in God's will.

If you do not currently have a night set-aside for family time. I would highly encourage you to establish a night for this and keep it protected as a special quality time for you and your family to minister to each other and grow closer together as a family unit.

Verses for today:

Proverbs 15:27
A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live.
Mark 5:19
Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."
Acts 10:2
He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
Psalm 22:9
Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.
Proverbs 1:8
Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
Matthew 19:19
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' "

Thought for today:

How can I minister to my family today?

Song for today:

"The Family Song"
From 'Elmo's World'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXsqprkgyG8