Beware Flattery and Faithlessness - Psalm 5:9

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth
Today, you can find biblical standards in the media, but you have to look carefully for it. However, this isn't a media problem, but a social problem. 
Media is viewer-driven. 
It is all about the numbers. If the numbers go down, changes are made. Apparently most viewers would rather see sex, drugs, and unfaithfulness on their tablets, phones, computers, and televisions than wholesome and godly programs. 
Are you supporting ungodly media by watching, rather than boycotting them? 
Their inward part is very wickedness

People are adept at hiding what they are doing in their personal lives. Ask the Lord for discernment so that you will know who is sincere and who is not. Don't let the outside appearance of people catch you off guard. Pray for discernment and expect to receive it. The Holy Spirit will give you discernment.

Their throat is an open tomb

Cursing makes me wince inwardly. In my before-Jesus life, I cursed quite well. I was in the Navy and sailors are known to curse right? This was my excuse for cursing. Today, cursing makes me wince inwardly because through Jesus Christ, I have become a new person. As a new creation through Jesus Christ, I want to speak encouragement and healing words, not negativeness and ugliness. 

They flatter with their tongue.

The comedian and actress Mae West liked to say, "Flattery will get you everywhere." This is a truism because flattering people can make them want to help you. It may not work all the time, but it will work pretty well.Therefore, the motive behind flattery is that the flatterer wants something from you. It might be your time, money, or a commitment, but they are flattering you to get something in return. 
Compliment or Flattery?
My husband likes to compliment people. However, the only motive he has is to make them feel good because someone said something positive to them. Motive is the difference between flattery and compliments. The flatterer wants something in return, but the complimenter is trying to encourage and uplift the person they are complimenting. Brothers and sisters, make sure you are speaking compliments rather than flattery. 

A Joyful 2016 Thanksgiving with Family

Last year my Ashley volunteered to have Thanksgiving at her house. 

Her sister and I took her up on the offer and we had a wonderful time with all of the kids, grand kids, my parents, and us. I am so thankful to spend time with my family.

In October, I asked her if she still wanted to host the Thanksgiving dinner this year. 

She said she would have to talk to her boyfriend and get back with me. Last year they were just dating, this year they are a couple. In the end, she said yes and published a private Facebook event and invited the family to post what they would bring. This simplified the process of a family Thanksgiving meal a lot! It is the perfect halfway point for her sister and has LOTS of kid stuff for the grandchildren. I am thankful that they agreed. I am thankful to spend time with my busy daughters and their families.

Wednesday Before Thanksgiving

Wednesday evening, I joined Ashley in her kitchen and provided some advice on her apple pie making while I demonstrated how to make bread stuffing. As a young girl, Ashley wasn't interested in cooking. I tried to teach her the basics, but these weren't her favorite lessons. I am thankful to be this girl's mother. She brings me joy.

However, over the last three years,

I have received a lot of texts and phone calls about how to cook side and main dishes. I'm happily providing this information and sharing my recipes with her. (Her sister did this about ten years ago.) At last! I can share and pass on my knowledge of family cooking that was shared with me by my great grandmas, grandmas, and my mom with my other daughter! I am joyful and thankful that I am able to share traditional family dishes with my daughters. 

My parents weren't able to make the Thanksgiving meal this year. 

Mom and Dad hosted my brother Rick and his family. I am thankful that I have parents who are healthy and able to live independently.

My son-in-law Curt had invited his dad, but Buell had said no. 

However he did show up unexpectedly and we welcomed him with open arms. Buell's wife died two years ago and as a one-time widow, I know how hard year two was for me. I am thankful my silent prayer was heard and we could enfold Buell with our love during this difficult time. 

As usual, the meal timetable didn't work out because of a faulty turkey timer. 

However, this is why Buell was able to sit and share food with us AND Ashley told Scott she should have listened to him about using their meat thermometer. Her sister made a video of Ashley saying this to prove that she had actually said this! Laughter and love surrounded these two moments. I am thankful that we laugh at the unexpected and love each other unconditionally. Yes, our family members have faults, but we know people aren't perfect. I am thankful for the laughter and love we show and share with each other.

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm of the Week - 119:159 - April 24, 2016

Quicken me. 

Quicken is a verb that means several things. I applied what I think are the four most pertinent meanings to my relationship with the Lord.

1. to make alive: revive                                      make me alive, or revive me, O LORD

2. to cause to be enlivened: stimulate                cause me to be enlivened, O LORD stimulate my faith  

3. to come to life                                                cause me to come to life, O LORD, to grow and                                                                                       develop

4. to shine more brightly                                   make me shine more brightly, O LORD

I love the principles and commands that are set out in the Bible. 

The Lord know this about me. I desire to be made alive, enlivened, to grow and develop as a Christian, and to shine more brightly in my faith, according to the LORD's loving kindness. 

Verse of the Week - Proverbs 25:23 - June 22

This comparison is meant to show that the consequence of attacking others verbally is as natural as the north wind bringing rain. There will not be a different result. 

The Benson Commentary has this to say about verse twenty-three,

Undoubtedly the north wind brings clouds and rain in some climates, and if, as some assert, it generally does so in Judea, as according to Aristotle it does in those parts of Africa which border on the Mediterranean sea, this interpretation ought certainly to be preferred. Either of them, however, shows the odious disposition and character of backbiters; and that they ought to be discountenanced and frowned upon by all that love their fellow-creatures, and wish peace to be promoted among men.

Backbiting does not promote love, or peace. It brings anger in the same way that the north wind brings rain (or storms).  

Psalm of the Week - 101:5 - 22 June, 2015

I still remember what being cut off from God feels like - a hole resided deep inside me. This hole could not be filled with sex, drugs, liquor, food, work, adrenaline-filled activities, or anything else that I put there to try and live a happy life. 

I had a proud heart and a high look. Pride in doing things myself. Pride in being strong and accomplishing goals. God did not get ANY praise from me. The only time God heard from me, was when I was in the depths of drunkenness, or was in trouble. 

Does this sound familiar? I hope not because I ended up being miserably unhappy. God let me continue to make my own decisions until I finally called upon him at 1:00 A.M. in the morning. Sober, unhappy, and in despair, I made a heart-felt plea. I told God I would do anything if he would just make the pain go away. 

Two days later, my partner aimed a gun at me during an argument over whether he should shoot the family dog because it wasn't friendly to him.  I survived, grabbed my little girls, and the dog, got in the car, and drove out of that dysfunctional, separated from God, life. 

My new life began with God being over everything. He is the great I AM. He is the center of who I am. My god-centered life began that day and continued to improve into a life that is better than any dream. 

Do not separate yourself from God by slandering others. Do not separate yourself by taking the credit for every accomplishment in your life. Being cut off from God is not a happy path. I know, I have been there. 

Verse of the Week - 1 Peter 3:10 - June 15

I remember the day that I took this picture very clearly. My bike was in the shop for a tire change, so I rode with my husband on his bike. Our destination was Grand Gulf State Park outside of Thayer, Missouri. Click Here for more information about Grand Gulf State Park 

Not one cross word escaped my mouth that day. I enjoyed the Ozark scenery and the feeling of being at one with my husband and the motorcycle we were riding down the highway. More than once, I thanked God for blessing me with such an amazingly perfect day.  

Just remembering the day causes happiness to bubble up inside of me. Have you had a day like this? 

Peter gave us an excellent prescription for living a happy life in the midst of this ill-natured world. We need to stay in control of our tongue. If we strive to be sincere, peaceful, and discreet with what we say, we can pass peaceably and comfortably through the world. This is the best way to keep life calm and manageable.*

*paraphrased from Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary 

Verse of the Week - Ephesians 4:31 - May 18, 2015

Psalm of the Week -37:8 - Week of May 3, 2015

In context, this psalm says to not fret because of evil doers. Wrong doing surrounds me today. I turn on the television and see shows that completely disregard the biblical model for living life. Developers displace the poor, widowed, and orphaned to create a new mall.Alternate lifestyles have become so common that they are being pictured in family television viewing. People of every color and culture are compartmentalizing themselves instead of living a life of faith that overcomes all barriers. Christians are heckled, jeered, and persecuted for speaking up about God's word and its model for living our lives. 

Do not be angry about wrong doing, or evil doers. Fretting is something that I can fall into easily. I am a soap box woman. My mom called me, "Sallee, Defender of the Faith" when I was still in elementary school. My being vocal about wrong doing isn't necessarily God's will. In fact, I may actually be doing evil myself, if I allow myself to argue or become angry myself. My test for these circumstances is a single question to myself,"Can I change this in anyway?" Usually, I cannot. 

Focus on living your life for Jesus. Let your life be all about Jesus and let the ripples of your faith expand and touch the lives of those around you. Small actions reap huge results in God's world. A word of kindness, a smile, a monetary gift at the right time, a supply of household goods, a "just because" card, random acts of kindness, are all ways we can let our faith touch other people in love.

Christianity - An Alternative Lifestyle

In 1976, I chose to enlist in the United States Navy.
At that time, I had led a fairly sheltered existence in the rural Midwest. My mother was a little worried because I had been so sheltered. Mom decided to enlist the aid of my Aunt Irene, who had left Missouri as a young woman, and had lived in California for about fifteen years.

A Family Talk
My Aunt Irene, my mom, and I sat down in the living room for a discussion. I was a little bewildered, but felt faintly excited to hear what my aunt was going to tell me. To make a long story short, my aunt enlightened me about women who liked other women and the fact that I was going to meet women like this when I left home to start my enlistment. My reaction was fairly matter of fact. After all, I had seen "hippies" on the news, knew about marijuana, drunkenness, and seen clips from rock concerts. I was ready to leave rural Missouri and explore the world.

Naive and Culture Shocked

Today, I laugh at that naive, seventeen year old Sallee. After arriving at boot camp, in Orlando, Florida, I voluntarily stopped speaking for fourteen days due to culture shock. Thirty-five women of all races and cultures shared the "compartment" that was to be our home for the duration of boot camp. The oldest woman in my company was thirty-eight years old and I was the youngest at seventeen years old. For two weeks, I spoke when spoken too, but nothing more. I spent hours just listening to all of the women around me and gained a rapid education about lifestyles outside of central Missouri. 

My First Exposure to Alternative Lifestyles
1976 was my first exposure to lifestyles that did not fit in with how I had been raised. My mom and aunt had been wise to inform me about same sex relationships, or alternative lifestyles. However, I did not care what those girls and women did in private. "Don't ask and don't tell" was the rule during the eight years that I spent in the Navy.

About Forty Years Later
Almost forty years later, same sex couples are highly visible in American society. Ellen DeGeneres, Portia De Rossi, and other actresses, talk show hosts, and athletes have come to represent an acceptable lifestyle in 2015. Ironically, I am finding that my lifestyle as a married, monogamous, alcohol and tobacco free, disciple of Jesus Christ puts me into the category of living an alternative lifestyle.

The dictionary definition for the words, alternative and lifestyle says:

alternative - employing or following nontraditional or unconventional ideas, methods, etc.; existing outside the establishment: an alternative newspaper; alternative lifestyles.
lifestyle - the habits, attitudes, tastes, moral standards, economic level, etc., that together constitute the mode of living of an individual or group

Jesus - Nontraditional and Unconventional
Jesus was a sinner according to the Pharisees because he would not observe the legalistic laws, traditions, and rituals that were decreed by the Pharisees. Jesus was nontraditional and unconventional because of the following habits and attitudes: (Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 5:27-32, Mark 2:15-16)

• Jesus and his disciples did not fast like the Pharisees. (Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-38)
• They didn't wash their hands before eating and when the Pharisees saw this they asked Jesus why they were breaking the tradition of the elders. Jesus replied with a question,"And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?"(Matthew 15:2-3) 
• Jesus called a crowd to him and taught them that what goes into your mouth doesn't make you unclean, it is what comes out of your mouth that makes you unclean. The Pharisees didn't appreciate this oppositional teaching from a Galilean carpenter.  (Matthew 15:10-11)
• The disciples were concerned that the Pharisees, the traditional teachers of attitudes, moral standards, etc., were upset with what Jesus said to the crowd. However, Jesus was upset that his disciples didn't understand that uncleanness is from the heart and includes evil thoughts, adultery, sexual immorality, false testimony, theft, slander, and murder. (Matthew 15:16-20)
• Jesus and his disciples ate on the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5)
• Jesus healed the sick on the Sabbath.(Matthew 12:11-14)

Jesus Lived an Alternative Lifestyle

According to the definition of alternative and lifestyle, Jesus led an alternative lifestyle. In fact, he gained enemies who wanted to kill him for what he was teaching, saying, and doing. (Matthew 12:14) Eventually, his enemies did succeed in killing Jesus. Today, we would call this a hate crime committed because of Jesus' alternative lifestyle. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, Christians are continuing to live an alternative lifestyle that is defined by Jesus in the Bible.

Psalm of the Week - Psalm 15 - November 17, 2014

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart  3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,  4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,  5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

This psalm contains instructions for a standard of behavior that all Christians should try to reflect. I am not perfect, however I know that Jesus expects me to try and be the best person I can be today.

Perfection isn't the goal. The goal is to care about how we treat other people. Jesus summed this up when he said:

 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 7:12

Personal Application

Lord Jesus, 
Help me keep my walk blameless. Let righteousness become a way of life for me, and let my words be the heart felt truth that you have helped me to see. Let no slander cross my tongue, let me do no wrong to my neighbor, and let me cast no slur onto the people who surround me.  In everything, in all ways, let me do to others as I would have them do to me. 
Amen.

The Anti Fisherman and the Good Fisherman

Today in America, we have seen God's values recede from our media, our government, our schools, and even the churches. Habakkuk saw the same thing happen to Judah and its people. The righteous were under attack from within and without.

Habakkuk Wrote
14You have made men like fish in the sea, like sea creatures that have no ruler.15The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad.16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food.17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?
Habakkuk 1: 14-17 NIV

Who is Habakkuk Talking To?

Habakkuk is talking to God.  Habakkuk's people,Judah, are under attack by the Chaldeans, but they are also being attacked from within by members of their own people. The stronger, more powerful Judeans are taking advantage of the weaker Judeans to become wealthy and quite happy about doing so.

As I read and reread verses 14-17, I thought about the difference between Jesus's call to Simon and Andrew in Matthew 4:19,"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Reflecting on these two passages made me think about the difference between the "The Anti Fisherman" and the "Good Fisherman".

The Anti Fisherman is out with his hooks and catches the defenseless in his nets for his own use. He is happy when his plans succeed and has a celebration(rejoices). His achievements, wealth, and power are proof that he is doing well in life. Who cares about the little fish?

The Good Fisherman is fishing for men also, but He has no earthly wealth. He is storing up spiritual treasures that you cannot see while calling the little fish to Him and teaching them how to live a successful life that includes helping each other, taking care of widows, showing hospitality with no expectation of getting something in return, and loving one another.

Habakkuk saw the Anti Fisherman at work among his own people, but he listened to God and in Chapter 3 he accepted the truth of the Good Fisherman. "17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,18yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior."

In Conclusion
As Christian values continue to erode and be removed from American society, God's people have to focus on rejoicing in the LORD. Put Habakkuk's words into action in your life today, and say," I will be joyful in God my Savior." 


revised 1/1/2015

TONGUE : Praise Not Rage

Tame my tongue Lord. Help me to keep a tight rein on my tongue. James 1:26
Only praise for you will come from my mouth. Psalm 66:17
No longer will praise and cursing both issue from my mouth. James 1:10
Gentle and healing words will come out of my mouth.  Proverbs 16:24
Uphold me Lord. Help me keep my tongue from evil and my lips from deceit. 1 Peter 3:10
Every day my tongue will say that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God, the Father. Php 2:11


TONGUE:Praise Not Rage  is an acrostic scripture prayer to assist you in changing how you speak through prayer. Feel angry? Read this prayer. Over and over. 

Grains of Truth-Number 9

Quote

"Promiscuity is like never reading past the first page. Monogamy is like reading the same book over and over."
  Mason Cooley

My Response

I am in a monogamous relationship with my husband. I never get tired of reading this action-adventure book because every reading reveals new details.
Sallee Bonham

Does Where You Eat Impact Your Witness?

Is There A Difference? 

Where do you go to eat? There are so many choices: At a gastropub, a sports bar and grill, a fast food restaurant, a bistro, a cafe, a diner, a fine dining restaurant that offers drinks with the meal, an ethnic restaurant with or without drinks, and the list can go on. Is there a difference between a restaurant with drinks versus a bar with food? Let's start with the definition of a restaurant vs. the definition of a gastropub.

According to Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster Online:

Restaurant is an old French word (1827) that means "food that restores." Today, restaurant means a commercial establishment where meals are prepared and served to customers.

Gastropub is a term that came into use in the early to mid 1990's. Today, a gastropub means a pub, bar, or tavern that serves good food and high quality alcoholic beverages.

Are You an Evangelist?

As a follower of Jesus Christ, have you ever thought about the impact that eating at a restaurant, or a gastropub  has on your witness? All Christians are lifestyle evangelists whether they realize it or not. Lifestyle evangelism is simply living in a way that makes it obvious that you are a follower of Jesus.

People are watching you inside and outside of your home. You are being watched by your family, your friends, and members of your community. Human nature, curiosity, or a tendency to people watch causes us to watch the actions of people who surround us. Again, my question to you is, "How does where you choose to eat and/or drink affect your witness as a lifestyle evangelist?"

OH No!

My decision of not eating at a gastropub, or an establishment that focuses on liquor, began to take shape after the following incident.

A thrift store opened up in my hometown next door to the local sports bar and grill. Now, thrift stores draw me in as a magnet draws iron shavings. Quickly, I began to park my motorcycle in front of the thrift store, that was next door to the sports bar and grill on a weekly basis. (I take my motorcycle so I can't buy too much!) After several weeks went by, a casual acquaintance at the grocery store said to me," I saw your motorcycle parked at the bar." My response was, "What?" then I laughed and said, "OH no, my motorcycle was parked at the thrift store!" The casual acquaintance's face brightened in relief at that information and they laughed along with me.

Stop It!

I can hear you thinking that the acquaintance was a busy body. Stop it! A valuable lesson was given to me at an important time in my walk with the Lord. My journey in a motorcycle ministry was just beginning when this incident happened.

Simple Choices Have a Large Impact

The incident also showed me how quickly people would believe the worst about me based upon a false appearance. Avoiding the appearance of wrongdoing became important to me. I started parking my motorcycle in the side parking lot between the thrift store and the newspaper office. A simple choice, with a large impact on my lifestyle evangelism, was made. Where I eat at underwent a similar revision.

Effectiveness vs Appearances

Being an effective witness and lifestyle evangelist for Jesus Christ is important to me. I ride my motorcycle wearing a vest that has a picture of a hand clasping a bible on the back. I do not want my witness impacted by eating at a gastropub,or other establishments, that focus predominantly on alcoholic beverages and food. I do not want someone who has heard my testimony saying, or thinking," I saw her at the bar and grill. She is no different than I am! I do not need her Jesus." It is important to me that I avoid the appearance of wrongdoing, or placing a stumbling block in front of someone else.

Examine Your Choices

I am not writing this article because I think followers of Christ should not drink, or that drinking is wrong. My reason for writing this article is to make you aware of how your lifestyle choices affect your witness as a follower of Jesus Christ. Again, I am not saying drinking is wrong, or that Christians cannot drink. I do want you to look at your beliefs about drinking and eating establishments and the impact it may, or may not, have on your lifestyle evangelism. All Christians are lifestyle evangelists.



21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,…

2 Corinthians 6:3-4

Heart Mania aka Valentine's Day and God

Valentine's Day is four weeks away. 

The celebration of love is already appearing in retail stores across America, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. On a shopping trip last week, masses of red, white, and pink color attracted my attention as I wheeled my shopping cart past the end of an aisle. Heart shaped cookies, heart shaped candy boxes, and heart adorned cards lined both sides of the store aisle. I will admit that I did turn my shopping cart down the Aisle of Love and look at the displayed candy. Did you know that candy corn comes in red, pink, and white for Valentine's Day? As I looked at the wide variety of heart adorned and heart shaped candies, I wondered what God thinks about all of this heart mania. Hearts mean love, right? Following this idea, I decided to see what the Book of Matthew has to say about hearts and love.

 God Loves Jesus

First, at Jesus's baptism, God announced that Jesus is His Son, He loves him, and He is well pleased with him. Later on, God repeated this message to the disciples, but added, "Listen to him!" Sounds like love to me. A father loves his son, approves his son, and lets the important people in Jesus's life know they need to listen to him.

The Pure in Heart

Then, Jesus preached that the pure in heart are blessed because they will see God. Pure in heart is expressed at Valentine's Day by the white trim on the red hearts. I can see where the holiday symbols actually relate to scripture. However, I do not remember ever seeing a scripture based Valentine's Day card.

Love, Prayer, and Persecutors

 Jesus also said," But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," Love and pray for your enemies. You really do have to love Jesus a lot to pray for your enemies. Actually, when I have practiced praying for those whom I dislike, it removed my anger towards them. Hmm I actually have given cards to people because it was the "right thing to do." Last year I saw chocolate praying hands in the Valentine's Day section of a store. Maybe the candy manufacturers are trying to appeal to Christians on Valentine's Day.

Do You Treasure God or Money?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Such a familiar scripture. Income issues are when I have trouble staying focused on God. However, I do treasure God more than money.  Valentine's Day does cause me to think about how much I treasure my family. That is one reason for giving your loved ones a card for Valentine's Day.

And Jesus Says...

Later in his ministry, Jesus told a rich young man to "honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself. Again, Jesus wants us to love family and acquaintances. 

Finally, Jesus said the greatest commandment was to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." The next greatest commandment is to" Love your neighbor as yourself."

In Conclusion

The scriptures tell me that God and Jesus want us to love each other all the time, not just on Valentine's Day. Heart mania is okay, but do not forget to carry it through the year.

Scriptures

Matthew 3:17; 5:8; 5:44; 6:21; 6:24;17:5; 19:19; 22:37

9/11, Washington D.C. and Motorcyclists

Last night I watched YouTube videos showing the hundreds of bikers streaming toward Washington D.C. Then, I read some of the many articles covering this event and the misinformation that has been dominant with this effort. My motorcycle is in the garage, but I am with my brothers and sisters on the road in heart and mind. Prayers are being lifted to the Lord to protect the riders, their machines, the event, and our country. I still remember the day the Twin Towers fell.

I was at work in Belle,MO at the elementary school when the Twin Towers fell. The principal came around and notified the staff quietly that something had happened on the East Coast and no one was sure what was happening. Then, parents started arriving and checking their children out of school. About a quarter of the students were gone in less than an hour. TV sets were connected to the Internet in classrooms and everyone watched the Twin Towers fall and the crash of the commercial airliner that had been headed for the Pentagon. Little learning happened that morning, but everyone knew that a monumental event had happened in the United States of America.

For the next two or three days, the USA was welded into a single unit. Color, class, and race was forgotten as the population of the USA came together and merged in heart and mind. Slowly though, this merging of the citizens fell apart. Local, state, and federal government contributed to this. Instead of bonding the way the population had, politicians continued to argue and then pass laws that changed the inherent freedom of America. The people dissolved back into factions of culture, race, sexual orientation, and the stew of other issues. The "sleeping giant" faded away.

Please pray for the patriotic motorcyclists who are riding and standing in the capitol city as a gesture of unitedness. Pray for the unity that this country experienced for a few short weeks to return. This unity of purpose is what won World War Two. The "Silent Majority" is vocal and visible today. The bikers who are in the national capitol today are part of the "Silent Majority" who have become convinced we need to show unity and give honor to the victims of the horrific events which took place on September 11.

What is Right is not Always Popular, What is Popular is not Always Right

Discovering the Slogan

The title to today's post is a slogan I read on a bumper sticker, in a bookstore. The moment I read the words,"What is popular is not always right; What is right is not always popular", the truth of the slogan sank into my mind and heart. That particular bumper sticker never adorned the bumper of a car or truck, it proclaimed its message from the side of our refrigerator.

Teaching My Daughters

Cassie and Ashley, are fond of saying,"But Mom, all the other kids get to________________." (Place your own words in the blank.) Enter the bumper sticker. In the beginning, when my teen or preteen said this in the kitchen, I directed their attention to the bumper sticker and asked them to read the slogan to me. After some sighing and eye rolling, the reading would begin. My response was then," What does that mean?" More sighing and eye rolling followed my question, but I patiently looked at them, not saying a word. Clearly, Mom wasn't talking until she received an answer. Finally, I heard," Just because others do it, doesn't mean it is right for me." or a similar variation. The routine changed after Cassie and Ashley became familiar with the posted saying. All I had to do was point to the refrigerator after hearing the initial," But Mom, all the other kids get to____________." Either daughter would say," I know! I know! What's popular isn't always right, and what's right isn't always popular. I KNOW what it means, too. It means..."

My persistent message wasn't popular with my girls, but I knew it was one that they both needed to learn. God, the Father, had an unpopular message for his prophet Jeremiah to deliver to Israel. Jeremiah faithfully and persistently followed God's instructions. Whether they were popular, or not.

 Jeremiah, a Faithful Follower

Jeremiah faithfully followed God,(what's right isn't always popular.) even when confronted by popular worship practices that included idols (what's popular isn't always right). Jeremiah's people lived in a world that believed it was OK to worship more than one god. The Judeans felt it would be politically correct to include the gods of their powerful neighbors Babylon, Canaan, and Egypt,  into their worship service. No one wanted to offend the sophisticated, educated neighbors by excluding their gods, so compromise was the wisest thing to do. Very few of the Judeans remained faithful to the God of their forefathers. The God who commanded,"You shall not have any gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves an idol..." (Exodus 20:3-4) Yes, it wasn't popular to follow the one God, Jehovah anymore.

Jeremiah, a Politically Incorrect Prophet

 God called Jeremiah to be his prophet, equipping him to deliver a message to his fellow Judeans that was seen as politically incorrect to blasphemous. (You could be killed for blasphemy) However, Jeremiah was willing to be bold and and delivered an unpopular, politically incorrect message: unfaithfulness has consequences.

The house of Israel and the house of Judah have been utterly unfaithful to me,: declares the LORD. They have lied about the LORD; they said, "He will do nothing! No harm will come to us; we will never see sword or famine. The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them; so let what they say be done to them."

Jeremiah 5:11-13

Are You Willing?

Are you willing to be bold and deliver a politically incorrect, biblical message that isn't popular? Let's learn a lesson from the prophet Jeremiah. Popular beliefs and standards are incorrect if they do not align with the Bible. Christians cannot allow political correctness, or popularity, to lead them into a life that is not aligned with the Bible, God's Holy Word.  The Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Bible says we are to be Christ-like as we faithfully and obediently follow what Jesus taught during his ministry. (Galatians 3:26-29)

But I Want It! Part 1

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. (NIV)

James 4:1-2

• We live in the world, but we are not supposed to be of the world.  What causes fights and quarrels? Self-will, wanting what we want, when we want it. Sometimes what we want is to have the last word because we have had our feelings hurt, or life has given us a bad deal (we think) so now it's time to make everyone else unhappy too. Does this sound familiar?

• Church business meetings, planning committees, where do we go to eat after a church event? All of these situations can turn into a fight or a quarrel if we let our desires get away from us. Have you been at a meeting where one person always seems to get their way because they are verbally aggressive and no one else wants to confront them? What do you do in this situation?

• The first solution to all problems in life is to take it to the Lord in prayer and ask for help, guidance, and wisdom. If you’re in the middle of a battle today try to stop and ask," What would Jesus do?"