Run Aground?

When you temporarily run aground, remember that there are no failures in life. There are only results. Consider the adage: Success is the result of good judgment, good judgment is the result of experience, and experience is often the result of bad judgment! - A.Robbins

Casting Stones?

He that is without sin let him cast the first stone.

Lord, please never let me be judgmental of another, for my duty as one of Yours is only to love and care about others. It is You only that must judge their lives and motives.

Refining Our Words

Words are celestial invitations

Utterances spoken upon being tried by fire
The heat melting away all imperfection
Can I withstand the fiery purging
numbered seven, in honor of redemption?
Is my desire great enough to honor the undertaking?

Why would I pen such a poem? Please realize that I am not trying to be hateful but I am so tired of hearing words and seeing emails that have no place being connected to a child of God. Certainly we are free beings with a distinct voice but I wonder, would the Lord go around saying (and sending emails) that reflect such character slamming?

Unfortunately, we live in a nation of negativity and degrading the dignity of man. It is not only in politics but is prevalent in the church - destroying the character of the ministry, its leadership, as well as the character of many of its saints. And it doesn't stop there! It runs rampant in families - pitting one member against another with loose, hurtful words.

Please don't misunderstand my post as we must enjoy the "wild" antics of others, laugh at oddities said and performed, and just enjoy chuckling about others (and ourselves) and their (our) "whacky" ways. The world would be a difficult place to live in without humor. However, we need to laugh with, not at others (if we choose to laugh at ourselves, that's up to us). Can't we just disagree (which is a God given right) without being disagreeably UGLY?

Well, with that said, I can get off my soapbox now, zap those "ugly" emails I keep receiving, and get ready for camp meeting.

Kindle Not Strife

An event happening in the last few days reminded me of one of my old poems. It is a reminder of how careful we must be, particularly if we profess to be one of His. It's called, Kindle Not Strife.

Friend, I beg you to kindle not strife,
setting ablaze the core of malice.
For the sin of animosity cannot burn
unless fueled by a wagging tongue.

Therefore, speak no wrong of any man
for by careless words, evil is ignited.
Raging at the character of humanity,
scorching the soul, causing great pain.

Allow no settling of contentious wood,
which may release a fire to consume the flesh.
For in keeping the flames of agony intact,
no one is destroyed by the crime of arson.

Friend, kindle not strife through your words,
give honor and dignity to all creation.
Subjecting yourself to a governed tongue,
reserving your judgment for another day.