Casting Judgment

"If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions, then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to someone else, for each one should carry his own load."  ~ Galatians 6:3-5 NIV

This verse was  a part of my devotional this morning. It amazes me how God can give us insight when we need it. I know all of us have been in a situation where it is easy to cast judgment on someone because of something they said or did. 

      "She kissed another guy that wasn't her husband, I would never do that!"

      "He embezzled money from his office, who would do such a thing!!" 

       "Look at the way her kids act! Mine would never behave that way, what kind of parent would do that?!"

   But if you look at any of these things, everyone sins, everyone falls, everyone makes mistakes. The woman who thinks about kissing a man who isn't her husband is just as guilty as the woman who goes through with the action. Is keeping incorrect change that a teller gives you any different than embezzling money? And the comment about kids behaving that way, well I may be a little young in the parent game, but I know never to say that because your kids WILL act that someday. And the parent may be dealing with a sick spouse, a dying parent, or just the demands of life weighing them down, and  they are so tired that disciplining their children is a down the list right now.  Sin is sin, whether big or small, God doesn't distinguish beween the two. But by realizing it is sin, and asking for forgiveness, there lies the true freedom.

Never think that you are above something I believe is what is being said in this verse. Carry your own load, don't judge someone or think you are above someone because of their situations. Give them the love of Christ, because there is only one judgment that matters. And it is not ours...

"Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people." ~ Galatians 6:7-10 NIV

Marvelous Monday

All in all it has been a marvelous Monday!! I got a workout in, several things accomplished at work, a surprise mushy text from my hubby that made my day, dinner ready and kids bathed by 7!! We then played Pokemon monopoly and got the kids in bed. It's been a blessed Monday!!
Think about what ways you were blessed today!



Follow the way, the truth & the life,

Harmony

The Essentials

While reading my devotional earlier this week, I came across this point. "In Christian life, begin with the essentials: Put God first. Then read and follow God's book carefully."

What a good point! Everyone says to get back to the essentials, well how much more essential can you get that God? The guiding force in our life. I want to have God speak to me. This week He spoke to me in two different ways. I work at a school district in Technology so this time of year is absolutely NUTS and a tad stressful. (I love my job, by the way) Teachers are coming back, things don't work the way they should, and we are setting up new accounts and getting everything ready for the students. So this week I was trying to find some refuge and opened up my Upper Room devotional. Two of my devotionals spoke to me this week. One discussed the story of Mary and Martha and how anxiety doesn't help. Anxiety is non-productive and means that you aren't trusting God. The other was about loving your enemies and treating others as you would like to be treated. This is a good thing to remember when I'm stressed out and someone comes up and just wants to ask me "one more question."

So I'm trying to get back to the essentials by getting back to the root of it and to the ultimate listener and healer.

Wordless Wednesday

Snuggling in the chair

Marvelous Monday

Only three more weeks till Mr. L starts second grade and four more weeks till Miss E starts Pre-K. Where did the summer go????  It seems like only a few days ago they were getting out of school so excited to start the summer, sleeping in late, swimming, and having fun. Now we are working on buying school supplies and school clothes and trying to get back on some semblance of a schedule. If anyone has any tips for getting back on a schedule after the summer, I am all ears! LOL

This Monday has been "marvelous". I got up and went and jogged/ran 2 miles this morning. I don't like the fact I have gained 17 of the 17 pounds I lost two years ago. (No point in sugar coating it) If I look at the big picture I was probably 15 or 20 pounds heavier than I am now when we got married, and I was 50 pounds heavier when I gave birth to Mr. L. But between my masters classes, two kids, the house, and my own lazy self, I lost my will to work out. But now clothes that were loose are getting to be too tight and that is not good. So my resolve to look good and feel better has strengthened over the past few weeks. I went to the gym three times last week and hope to go 5 times this week.

Another "marvelous" thing on this Monday is that after I picked up the kids from the babysitter we came home, and I did a few chores and started dinner while Mr. L vacuumed and Miss E dusted. So now its almost 8 o'clock and the dishes are already going in the dishwasher, I've wasted a little time on the internet, wrote a blog post, and plan to get kiddos in bed by 9. Wow! I believe I'll start putting the little children to work daily so I'm not quite so stressed out during the week.

Hope you all have a "Marvelous Monday"!!

Follow the way, the truth & the life, 

Harmony

Sunday Fun

This morning as I was sitting with my coffee and my bible I had a crazy thought to get the kids ready really quick and drive 45 minutes to another town where a friend of mine goes to church. So we did.  We got ready and went over to Cornerstone Church in Stephenville and had so much fun. I love a service that is more praise and worship and it really filled up my soul. The kids were in the children's church and had fun as well. The best part of their experience was getting some kind of squishy putty that makes fart noises when you squeeze it. :) After church we went and picked up a few groceries and then stopped at McDonald's so the kids could play & eat lunch. It was a fun Sunday and a great way to start the week!