Lies

"Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart."

 Psalm 119:69

 

Recently I was told by someone that when someone lies about you it is important to "forgive and forget."  Well, I do believe that we are to forgive because the Bible tells us that we are to forgive as Christ forgave us, but I also believe that we are to remember in order to protect ourselves in the future.  We may also need to distance ourselves from certain individuals.  God gave us a memory in our brains for many reasons.  He wanted us to learn from our hurtful lessons and bad decisions.  We have to remember how we felt when someone said an untruth about us so that we will think before doing that to another.  In the past month I have seen an all out explosion of lies.  I have seen it with many of my students at school, I have experienced it from people I loved, and even from "church friends" who spoke quickly and did not check their facts.  Most of the people who have told falsehoods about me have all come and apologized and I have accepted.  I also now know to guard myself around these individuals.  That is not a bad thing for it will help to protect me from them in the future.  You know me, I went straight to the Bible and looked up "LIES" which I found tons of scripture about.  People have been hurt by lies since the Garden of Eden.  God does NOT like it when we lie about anything but especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.  I know this because I read it in His Word.  I encourage you to do the very same thing.  I know all of this has been a real learning experience and I am even more aware of my words and how they can break other people. 

Write What You Want

One year ago, this sweet man, Dan, contacted me and asked if I would be interested in writing a monthly column in his new magazine.  I was beyond flattered.  I remember asking him what my guidelines were.  He started explaining the length of the articles.  That wasn't what I meant at all.  I meant the religious guidelines.  To that he replied, "I don't have any. Write what you want."  I was in shock but so thankful.  Since then I have written for one year now articles that were given to me straight from the Holy Spirit himself.  God will open doors for you that man cannot and this was definitely one of those for our ministry!  Thanks, Dan!

Sea of Caregivers

When I see this crowd of people I see a sea of caregivers.  No matter where I go or what I am doing I come in contact with caregivers who are hurting, overwhelmed, or even hopeless.  God has given me a heart for these individuals and I immediately feel a connection to them.  Just the other evening, I was eating in a local restaurant with my husband and daughter.  While in the restaurant for only one hour, I came in contact with three different caregivers.  Each one's story was so very different but their burden and their struggles were oh so similar.  I listened to each one as they shared what they had been facing and how they were feeling.  I know from experience how precious that can be as a caregiver.  One was a young man whose fiance has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  The next was a couple who cares for their special needs son who recently had surgery.  The last was our precious waitress who not only moved to our town to take care of her grandmother that has passed away but also works full time while raising two young boys as a single mother.  Caregivers are real and they need the support and the love of the church.  My prayer is that those who lead our churches will see this need in each of our communities around the world.