When There Are No More Child Proofs...

Nowadays, there is a way to child proof our houses from wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling. If there is a potential danger, there is a lock, or some plastic contraption that even most adults will have trouble bypassing. All parents approach this differently; there are the hyper-vigilant parents that even lock their refrigerators and the parents who might have most of their outlets covered. I would say I fall somewhere in the middle, along with most people I know.

But really, as good as most of these safety measures are, someday our children will have to learn that there is danger in drinking a gallon of bleach or playing with the steak knives. Kids eventually become smart enough or even just tall enough to get into whatever they want to and we hope by that point that they can make the right decision or that we are there to stop them.

I think we live in a world that is accustomed to these safety precautions. We all want things that are not good for us to simply be out of our reach or to be locked away so we don't have to face a moment of "big kid" decision making or even worse, waiting for an answer.

How many times have we said prayers like, "God, if you don't want me to take this job, just let them reject me."? It would be nice if the right door was the only one that was open all the time. While kids are frustrated by the child-proofing in general, they love when doors are open to them. An open door is our way of saying, "Go on. It's safe here." Somedays, I still wish that every open door was a good and safe option, but unfortunately, it's not always that clear.

One of the things I dread most as a parent of two very mobile toddlers is going to a house that not only doesn't child proof the medicine cabinets and outlets but it's like they are tempting my children to turn the night into an ER visit or to break their most priceless antiques. They take great-great-grandmas, one of a kind, china doll and place it on the lowest shelf...right next to a tub of toys. Obviously, they mean for my kids to play with the tub of toys, but that is only obvious to everyone over 4 ft tall. So, I sit for a nervous vigil over my children, hoping that my voice is enough to keep them from danger and folly.

And really, eventually that needs to be enough. The voice of the Father, in our ears, leading our every step and directing us where to go, or where not to go. That, and the voice of experience telling you certain things are bad for you and have consequences that you don't want to have to deal with. Just like children must learn to obey our voices and stay away from known dangers, we have to come to a place of maturity in which we learn to wait on God when things aren't clear and walk away when we know that it would be a mistake.

Fortunately, we have a promise that He will always lead us. Isaiah 30:21 says, "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left." 

Believe today this Word is true in your life and don't feel afraid to move forward--even when there are no more child proofs. 

The Truth Vigilante

"It is only the cynic who claims "to speak the truth" at all times and in all places to all men in the same way, but who, in fact, displays nothing but a lifeless image of the truth...He dons the halo of the fanatical devotee of truth who can make no allowance for human weaknesses; but, in fact, he is destroying the living truth between men. He wounds shame, desecrates mystery, breaks confidence, betrays the community in which he lives, and laughs arrogantly at the devastation he has wrought and at the human weakness which "cannot bear the truth." -Dietrich Boenhoffer

We all know that person, the one that "tells the truth" no matter how harsh it is. If you ask if your hair cut looks good, or if your recent weight gain is noticeable...watch out. If the worship leader misses a note or the pastor wears an ugly suit...be on guard. For the truth vigilante there is no truth to base or critical to say, because after all, we are called to speak the truth, aren't we?

Ah, but there is the catch. We are called to speak TRUTH. What is truth? It is the life giving Word of God, the affirmation on earth to the affirmation of heaven. It breathes for you when you can't stop holding your breath. It sings a song of freedom when you are bound in chains. Truth is uplifting, hopeful, and life changing. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free".

When we speak facts or statistics to someone in need of truth and mask it as truth it can be damaging. Do we lie then when asked a question that leads to an unfavorable fact? No! We speak the truth! We say what God says in that situation! God would tell someone they are beautifully and wonderfully made. They are called to be a priesthood and a holy nation! He would say that nothing is impossible for them.

Saying, "Goodbye" to My Political Career...

And He (Jesus) said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and Prophets." Matthew 22:37-40

I'm not a politician. There. I've said it. And, I will continue to remind myself of that daily. I will start with an apology to those I have bulldozed with my ceaseless debating and rambling rants. I apologize for any disparaging remarks or reposts about the leadership of our country. (I could post an entirely separate blog of repentance but I will leave it at that.)

Recently, I've read a few blogs and posts and had a few conversations that have brought me to this revelation. There are many "issues" that I have strong opinions about or I am truly passionate about and that is going to continue to be true. However, I now am coming to believe the internet is not the place to air those ideas.

The blog I recently read that has spurred this change of heart, helped me to realize that my assessments of current issues, politics, legislation, etc. are better expressed in a setting with friends, in person with people, or in some cases, not at all. Its difficult to come across loving or to even be loving when conversing with the "internet" and its just not how Jesus would have done it. He dealt with people on a personal basis and ALWAYS from an overflow of compassion.

Bottom line, I truly do love people and have a heart to see lasting, impacting change in our world today towards God and His purposes in our lives. However, that change isn't going to happen because I let you know my opinion and you aren't going to feel my love because I let you know what I think of your opinion. I want you to see Jesus' love coming from my posts, not my emotional reaction to something that has recently come up or that has been bugging me.

I want you to know that I love you even if we don't agree. I want you to see in my life that while I stand for the truth of God's Word, it is because I know God is loving and therefore His Words bring peace, security, blessing, love, truth, light, purpose, identity, joy, and all manner of true GOODNESS into your life. I want you to feel like you can talk to me and know that I'm for you because Jesus is for you. No matter what mess you are in I will cry with you and stand with you. No matter what mountain top you are on I will rejoice with you, I will not envy.

Living the two greatest commandments, the summation of the Bible, that is what I wish to be known for. I want to love God with everything in me and truly love others and put them first. My "political career" is over. No more debating "issues" on social media, no more ranting about political problems, no more bashing of opposing views. I may still feel the same and face-to-face you might get to hear all about it, if we are friends, but the world wide web is safe from future tirades. It is more important to me that you know WHO I believe in and how He operates, than my mood in any given moment.

I'm committing to show God's love and character more in my social correspondence. I will continue to stand for God's Word and the truth in it, but I will seek to do it from a positive stand point and by the prompting of the Holy Spirit and not in an agitated whiplash. Political agenda aside and Godly love at center stage from this point. I am convinced His Word holds absolute truth and I am not shying away from that, but I will no longer use it as a tool for something as trivial as personal politics, but instead as a way to bring healing and hope to a world that is in need.

I am not perfect, I will not be perfect but He IS perfection; He who is beginning this good work in me is faithful and just to complete it.