How You Truly See Someone....

Oftentimes, we are afraid to be truthful because of how we think that will make us look.  We fear judgment from our peers, family and friends based upon a perception that we think they have of us.  The question always becomes, "How do you see me?"  We dare not ask the question out loud, for fear that we are not ready for the answer.  We instead choose to adjust our image to be pleasing the sight of others.  However, I can't help but wonder, who is really impressed by that?  We had a guest speaker at church a few weeks ago, and he stated the following:

If you want to impress someone, tell them of your successes.  If you want to impact  someone, tell them of your failures. 

That really stuck with me, as we tend to cover up our failures while broadcasting our successes.  To me, what that does is create a 'perfect image' of a person, who is placed on a pedestal so high that we dare not mess up for fear that the 'perfect image' is tainted, and we are looking up at the pedestal, afraid to share our own shortcomings.  Ironically, the image exists only in our minds.  We each have a testimony, and we have it for a reason.  That reason is not to say "Oh I made it through that" but rather to say, "Look at what and where God has brought me from."  If we be honest with ourselves, is this not how we truly want to be seen?  Is this not how we desire to truly see someone?  Selah..

The Truth...

Truth:  a simple 5 letter word that has many defitions.  What are they?  Of course, I went to my fav dictionary site. http://www.dictionary.com/, and this is what I found:

truth   /truθ/ Show Spelled[trooth] Show IPA


noun, plural truths  /truðz, truθs/ Show Spelled[troothz, trooths]

1. the true or actual state of a matter: He tried to find out the truth.
2. conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.
3. a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.
4. the state or character of being true.
5. actuality or actual existence.

If truth is so simple, then why do we often struggle with telling the truth, or being completely open with one another?  It can be suggested that we release something when we tell the truth.  As adults, we look at children who say things like "She stinks", or "He's really bald" and we shut down those thoughts and dismiss them as being rude.  While this may be the case, the larger issue that would remain would lie in what it does to the child if it is not explained effectively.  We then grow up learning not to show or express our true selves, for fear of judgment, rejection, or being hurt.  The irony is, we have a God that we serve that loves us unconditionally, no matter whatever the truth may be.  So why then, wouldn't we be honest with one another, if we are truly covered under the blood?  Just a few random thoughts....selah..

Gift and a Curse...

The major drawback of being strong is that it is difficult to perceive weakness, therefore one assumes that you don't need them, when in fact you actually do...

It's an interesting paradox, because when one is in that position, and they try to express themselves, they are brushed aside, as though it is nearly impossible to assume that this person has any feelings. When they do, often the response given is to suck it up, don't worry about it, or other cues that their behavior is somewhat unwarranted. Eventually a person shuts down, because face it, at the end of the day, we all want to be heard. So while the trapped person feels that they need to be heard, others around them assume that the person is impermeable, like Teflon, and anything bounces off of them. Honestly, the opposite couldn't be more true. The sad thing is, they are people with feelings too, and if we truly have the Love of Christ, then we accept, embrace them and pray for them. This is how we build the Kingdom...

Forgiveness

He wanders in and out of doorways, windows and cracks,

Making you think that "I'm good," when in fact you could open a can....

That small voice that tries to tell you that they still owe you

When the deed is in fact already done...

Building....

One of my church members started building a restaurant a few months ago. I saw him in service on Thursday with the official logo of the company that he built. In modern technology, 3 months is no time when building a major edifice or infrastructure.

I thought about this and how it applies to our spiritual walk with Christ. When we come to Him we are washed clean, sins erased and names transferred from the Book of Death to the Book of Life. It takes nothing more than our simply asking for forgiveness and moving forward with the life that God has intended for us to live.

The Daily Battle

Often times, as believers we understand fighing the big fights....those larger than life sins that we know not to commit--adultery, murder, etc.  What happens with those little things?  Being short with a friend, or failing to tell the whole truth when asked a question?  How do those indiscretions challenge our daily lives and our walk with Christ?  In one of my bathrooms, I had a small leak in my old house.  Over time, the small dripping of the leak led to having to have the floor replaced.  I kicked myself, thinking, if only I had caught the small leak....that's how sin is in the body of Christ.  While we watch for the large things, its the small things that often have us bound....just my thoughts.  You don't have to agree.

Generosity...the Killer of Pride

Pay it forward.” This popular phrase describes the importance of taking the good things one receives and giving to others. Paul realized this principle as he challenged the Corinthians to consider the purpose of God’s provision.




You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2Corinthians9:11).



God’s blessing and provision bring much joy to our lives. Many believers received exactly what they need at precisely the right moment. Other believers seem to receive much more than they need. The key principle lies in the purpose for the provision God gives us. God desires that we “pay it forward” in generously giving as He directs.



Regardless of how we might feel about our personal wealth, God gives us the means to bless His kingdom and those around us. He wants us to look for opportunities to pass on His great blessings