Role Reversals

I just heard on the news about another male/female role reversal. It seems that now there are more women cheating on their husbands than men cheating on their wives.

There is really no need to compete on this level of life. Both men and women should respect their vows and remain faithful to their mates.

In so many ways attitudes about male and female relationships and attitudes have merged. I suppose that women simply have a lot more opportunity than they use to have and are taking advantage of it.

What next?

Choose This Day

People in the Bible like Joshua can teach us about the process of faith as a growing and learning experience. Joshua in fact gives us a basic biblical methodology for growing in faithfulness day by day.

The people Joshua led into the Holy Land had many choices to make as the settled into the land they had just conquered. The people who already lived there worshipped many gods and the land the Hebrews had come from in Egypt had worshipped many gods. Some of the Hebrew people had idols in their possession at the time

It was so tempting to worship like the locals. Do like everyone else and party every Saturday night. But they had been called and chosen by God Almighty, who had said, “Do not worship any other god.”  So now they must make a decision.

Joshua was all about making the most important choice we can make. It all started with God saying, “I will be your god and you will be my people.”  Israel didn’t apply for the job, God choose them and through Jesus has chosen us. Now the chosen are issued a challenge when Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve.”

Being faithful to God is not easy. Acknowledging God is only a matter of recognition but choosing God requires the reordering of everything else in life. It takes real dedication, determination, and devotion. God’s people are severely warned that life with Yahweh is rigorous and demanding.

I say with Joshua: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

No Warnings At ALL

I really should have known better but I did it any way. In Lowes it looked so simple and easy to do. The kit to convert a single flush toilet into a dual flush displayed a few easy steps that “anyone” could do.

Where were the warning bells and lights that should have gone off in my head by remembering past frustrations with plumbing projects? No soundings at all and I plunged into the task at hand. The “two hour” task is now in its second day.

Next time I promise to call in a plumber.

Encouragement

Some people will nag and nag and nag until the other person does what they want. It is the least effective way in the long run to exercise influence.

People have a way of becoming what you encourage them to be. Encouragement is a positive reinforcement that goes a long way to bring out the best in people. When people want to help you because they have been encouraged their efforts are t heir best. When people help simply to shut up up their efforts are at a small fraction of their best efforts.

At the Grave Site

A sealed envelope was publicly handed to the preacher at the funeral. It was addressed to be read at the beginning of the service. The preacher opened the letter and read it:

“Don’t bother coming to visit my grave after I die. If visiting the grave makes you feel better, that is OK, just remember, I am NOT there.” Those were the words of a wonderful lady who had a solid faith and hope of eternal life.

Many people visited her grave to remember her love and grace for living in the presence of God. In contrast to her I have known people who lived in great fear of dying and knew that no one would ever visit their grave. They live in fear of being forgotten by people and God.

How we focus our time and energy in this life is vital to the legacy we leave behind. Here on earth we live in a temporary condition and even the rich and powerful can be forgotten in a few generations. We have a choice strive for an earthly legacy that is fleeting or a heavenly legacy that has lasting significance.

Today I take my Uncle Donnie's body the the grave but I already know that he is not there.

In Loving Memory

My Uncle Donnie died and the family has gathered for the funeral services. It seems like it is weddings and funerals that get us together anymore.

Our once large family of my parents generation is now done to a hand full. Death fo Uncle Donnie cam as a blessing as age and loss of memory had him wanting to leave this vale of toil and join his wife Aunt Virginia.

Donnie was always a good man and treated me like I was more of a son than a nephew. I will miss him but I ham glad that he is relived of his pain and Rest In Peace Uncle.