"We Stand Corrected!"

This will be one of my shortest blog entries to date. It's a simple thought that I've been marinating in as of late. One of the most quoted, and I believe most misquoted statements flippantly spoken today is, "I made a mistake!" And, some will even qualify the size of the mistake, "I made a BIG mistake!"

Every now and then, some people may even through in the word "Sorry" at the beginning. Well, allow me to just shine some light or apply some correction tape here for just a moment.

---> If you knew what you were doing was wrong, then it wasn't a MISTAKE, ...it was a bad CHOICE. #past

---> If you know what you are doing is wrong, then it isn't a MISTAKE, ...it is a bad CHOICE. #present

---> If you know what you will be doing is wrong, then it won't be a MISTAKE, ...it will be a bad CHOICE. #future #premeditationofwrong

Check out what the Writer of Wisdom says in Proverbs 27:12: “A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty.”

I believe we must stop trying to soothe our consciences with passive acknowledgements of wrongs thought, spoken, or done, and conveniently saying, "I made a mistake!" Rather, we must begin accepting responsibility for the decisions made on a daily basis and admit the premeditation of the wrongs committed.

But, how do we do this?

By simply “Trusting in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The way to avoid "mistakes" is by making better choices when and where they begin - in our minds. The apostle Paul provides direction, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Let us be intentional with our thoughts and we will experience such better results in our daily decisions.

#renewyourmind #realignyourwill #reinforcewithyouractions

"Get Real & Stop Playing the Blame Game"

Do you ever get tired of reading social media, watching the news, and listening to some people's general assertions, such as:

"That's why our country is where it is."

"You can thank Washington or our President for that tragedy?"

These statements, along with others, are referring to the media highlighting the twisted responses to perversion, profanity, tragedy, and appalling proclamations of those who claim a monopoly of certain "correctness," or demonstrate a reckless disregard for humanity. Just because one feels they have the "right" to do what they want in the name of moral, legal, or religious freedoms, doesn't necessarily qualify it to be "approved."

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)

Human reasoning should never be the sole apparatus to rely upon when traveling through life. Mental mathematics and intellectual evaluation, when pursued without prayerful inquiry and the absence of a biblical compass, is a sure formula for self inflicted defeat. Now, don't sit there and try and make sense out of that statement. 

I have a confession to make: "I Am REAL'igious!"

You see,...

You may be living for the Weekends.

You may be living for the desired Money tree.

You may be living for the next "off 'da chain" Party stop.

You may be living for your moments of indulging in mere Sensuality.

BUT listen friend,... if you aren't living to follow Christ, then you are bankrupt, barely breathing, on life support, and weaving a web of your own demise. 

Do yourself and so many others a huge favor. 

Stop spinning and start "REAL'ing." Begin taking note of what the REAL issues are and don't be so apt to blame everything and everyone else for some of the issues that were born and bred in selfishness, neglect, and a much larger pool of problems. 

SUMMING IT UP: We would all experience less undesired and unfortunate circumstances in our individual lives, communities, nation, and even our world, if we'd all be more responsible to "set our affections on things above and not on the things of this world." (Colossians 3:2) Each one of us need to cultivate sound courage and be more consistently committed to leading by example in all of our relationships. But, guess what!?! This demands intentional definition, discipline, and the deployment of daily devotion.

Prioritizing life is REAL'ly simple when focusing on the things that not only feel right, but those things that truly matter most. Often, we are so quick to claim certain priorities, yet our practice reveals something is out of alignment. Our practices reveal what our true priorities are in life. And, what do you think it is that populates our priorities? It is our perspective. If we have the correct perspective (viewing field), then we will establish sound priorities, and those priorities will shape and determine our practices (behavior / actions). 

Ask yourself,

"Do I have an eternal perspective?

Or, have I settled for an earthly, temporal,

emotionally driven, and self absorbed perspective?" 

Oh, and BE REAL with your answer.

"Are YOU Connected?"

Through the years, I've been asked the question, "Do I have to join a local church?" My response has always reflected many key points regarding church membership. However, I've often begun by simply saying,"No, you don't 'have to' join a local church, but when you become a Christ follower and are committed to Him, you will 'want to' join a local church."

Recently, I read a short article written by pastor and well known author Rick Warren on this subject. After reading it, I concluded it would serve as a great resource for those who may have questions, or even contemplating church membership today. 

Take a moment to absorb his perspective on the importance of getting plugged into a local community of faith.

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Pastor Rick Warren writes...

"Why You Need To Join A Local Church"

"...they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. (2 Corinthians 8:5b NIV)

Whenever a child is born, he or she automatically becomes a part of the universal family of human beings. But that child also needs to become a member of a specific family to receive nurture and care and grow up healthy and strong. The same is true spiritually. When you were born again, you automatically became a part of God’s universal family. But you also need to become a member of a local expression of God’s family.

The difference between being a church attender and a church member is COMMITMENT. 

Attenders are spectators from the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. 

Attenders are consumers; members are contributors. 

Attenders want the benefits of a church without sharing the responsibility. They are like couples that want to live together without committing to marriage.

Why is it important to join a local church family? Because it proves you are committed to your spiritual brothers and sisters in reality, not just in theory. God wants you to love real people, not ideal people. You can spend a lifetime searching for the perfect church, but you will never find it. You are called to love imperfect sinners, just as God does.

In Acts, the Christians in Jerusalem were very specific in their commitment to each other. They were devoted to fellowship. The Bible says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42 NIV).

God expects you to commit to the same things today.

Joining the membership of a local church is the natural next step once you’ve become a child of God. You become a Christian by committing yourself to Christ, but you become a church member by committing yourself to a specific group of believers. The first decision brings salvation; the second brings fellowship.

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Friend, wherever you are in your life journey today, wherever you may be in your walk with God, just know...

YOU matter. 

YOU matter to God. 

YOU matter to others. 

YOU are so valuable and important to God that He placed within you something that is unique to you that can only come from you. Something so many other people need in your community, in your city, on your job, and in this world. You see, we are at our best when we are sowing into the lives of others. The way to reap a harvest is through the sowing of seeds. Each and everyone of us reap what we sow! 

The apostle Paul encourages you and I to "get Connected" and in doing so, we will fulfill the very purposes of God for our lives personally and His Church corporately in Ephesians 4:16: 

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

If you are not yet connected to a local church, begin taking the steps today in finding one. Remember, no church is perfect, because it is comprised of imperfect people. 

But, here's some good news:

YOU + ME = WE, and together, WE are stronger!