Be ye kind while Keepin’ it 100!

So, in the distance I hear my children arguing with each other. After hearing both sides of the issue, we quoted together the Scripture which speaks of “being kind one to another...” I had them repeat it several times. I had them look into each other’s eyes and quote it, and we moved on.

So, about an hour later, I hear my children arguing again. I ask, “Are you being kind to one another?” My daughter, aka “all mighty mouth Trinity,” says, “Kinda.”

I reply, the Bible says Be Ye Kind, not Kinda.

Now, my children are 7 and 9, and while they are extremely smart (no really, I’m not just bias) they are still learning the significance of taking GOD at His Word and simply put – OBEYING IT.

Unfortunately, there are many Bible-believing adults who do the same thing as my children did, justify their actions or partially obey the Bible, to make their actions not seem so severe or wrong. So, I guess Trinity could have meant “Kinda, since we haven’t physically hurt each other yet.”

I’ll tell you like I tell my children - partial action is no action, partial truth is a lie, partial obedience is disobedience.

My whole point of this blog is this – as a whole, we need to be a kinder people. Now, I’m the last person to squash anybody’s feelings or thoughts and the freedom to express them, because I LOVE to tell what I think about any given issue. As this generation puts it “Keepin it 100!” However, there is a way to express your views, thoughts, beliefs and opinions, while respecting others views, thoughts, beliefs and opinion. Showing respect does not mean you agree with them or condone their actions or lifestyles.  

I have spent many days in my 48 years around unkind, mean and thoughtless people. There are some harsh, unkind things that have been done to me and said to me over the years that some still sting today in my thoughts.

But, I vow to not be such a person, as I know how it effects those who have had to deal with it – whether in a relationship, a work environment or in and around the community.

Don’t get me wrong, I AM NOT asking you to make a new year’s resolution. We should resolve to be kind year-round, why wait until a new year comes. If that’s the extent of its importance, then as sure as that New Year’s diet will end by Feb. 1, so will your resolution to be kind.

So, I encourage you to do as I will continue to have my children do – quote Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Be NOT conformed to this world

Today's sermon was very fitting for today's headlines. "There is still Hope." As we look at the tragic and often grusome headlines and wade our way through the event "Formerly known as the presidential campaign," we tend to lose hope of there ever being a REAL change for the betterment of this country. The Scripture was Genesis 18:23-33 when Abraham was asking God if he would spare Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction if he could find as little as 10 righteous people in the city. Abraham was interceding in prayer for the city. The point was brought across that Lot, a righteous man (and nephew to Abraham), lived in the city that was to be destroyed by God and yet he had made no impact on anyone outside his family to bring them to a relationship with God. I guess his light wasn't shining too bright. Thus the mere 4 people who got out! Many of us today, go about our lives - our CHRISTIAN lives - never once sharing the Gospel or the love of Christ with anyone. Truth be told, many of our close aquaintances don't even know we are Christians. It was also brought out that many Christians have allowed themselves to be conformed to the world's way of thinking and living, as opposed to leading anyone to Christ. Now, how is it fitting for today, you ask. No sooner I had left church, I received some disturbing news about a local church that is allowing God to be mock in His house. A people who is blatantly ignoring God's word and allowing people in positions of leadership who are unqualified, by God's standards, to stand before God's people. After today's sermon, and even more so after receiving this news, I realized how important it is for us to also intercede in prayer for others. Others include our future president, whomever that may be, and everyone in positons of leadership around this country. This blog, however, focuses specifically on the leadership in the Church. By Church I mean God's people. Not God's creation, because that's everyone. But those who say they have accepted Christ as Savior. Churches today have lost their desire to serve God at all cost, and instead are embracing the world's lifestyles and beliefs and allowing them to bring those lifestyles into places of worship and stand before God's people in positions of leadership. I believe that everyone, no matter what kind of lifestyle you are living, should be allowed to attend a Bible believing and bible teaching church. God did say love everyone and that Christ came for the sick not the well. If you keep the sick out of the hospital, how do they get better? How else will they learn God's Word and allow it to change them. However, when the church, GOD'S PEOPLE, ignores the WORD OF GOD, which is clear on what God says is sin and an abomination, and allow a person openly living outside of God's Will to stand before God's people - that is SAD. Don't misunderstand me, sin is sin across the board. If a person is shacking, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church, If a person is fornicating, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. If a person is committing adultry, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. If a person is living a transgender or homosexual lifestyle, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. No matter the sin, they should be seated in the pew to learn God's Word and Way, so when they decided to change they will know just HOW to go about it. I am appaud and sadden because this news hit close to home today. I was sadden because I know there are those in this church who are keeping silent to keep the "peace." Know that there is NO PEACE with out Christ. Know that your silence is also condoning. Remember, the safest place in the whole wide world is in the WILL of God. I am and will continue to intercede on behalf of those who seem to have lost their way.
Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2