Topic of the Day: Congressional Mess

These past months, or more accurately years, we've watched our leaders step into office with high ideals and hopes of making the country they love better and then over time, many lose sight of who they had intended to be. They discover if you want to get something done in Washington you have to learn to play the "game", you have to compromise your principles, make deals and sometimes even break laws. And eventually many (too many) lose their way and forget what truth and service is all about.

Today our congress is a mess. It's a place of back-stabbing, deception, power grabbing and self service. I'm disappointed and I fear for my country. And I wonder what happened to the honorable men and women who stepped into office to serve?

Our congressional mess has been nagging at me, and this morning I came across a familiar scripture verse that helped me understand what I can do to help. "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." I read through it and moved along, without giving it a lot of thought. I was pulled up short by the Holy Spirit and went back to reread the verse. "Acknowledge Him" tugged at me. Just how do I do that? I thought on it and prayed on it and this is what I got.

Seek God's will in EVERYTHING. Slow down and listen to Him. Desire His will above all other desires. This isn't easy. We've got to make time for Him, spend time reading and studying His Holy Word. He waits for us, longs to spend time with us. He wants us to lay our hearts and our needs before him. The whole concept of God wanting to spend time with someone like me is hard to comprehend, but it's true. The other side of all this is that we've got to listen and wait for His answers. And when we place ourselves under His authority He will show us the path we're to take. That path will not lead to lies or deception, but to decency and honor.

Who we are is linked with who God is. Our leaders are not excluded. If we're going to get out of the mess we're in, we need more than political and financial experts. We need men and women of God, for God is the only one who knows exactly what we ought to do.


Turn to The One who knows it all.

Be an example. Do the right thing even when it's hard.

Pull our own weight.

Ask, how can I help?

Be honest.

Be kind.

Honor God.

Pray for our leaders. Pray they will know God.

Tough days are ahead, but we're not alone.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Topic of the Day: Christchurch is part of our world.

Have you read the headlines? Jennifer Aniston has a new haircut, Sarah Ferguson was left off the guest list for the royal wedding and Lindsay Lohan's back in court.

In light of what's going on around the globe I'd consider this news trivial. Why are they noteworthy? Did you read about the mother trapped amidst the rubble in Christchurch who left a touching message for her son, saying "I don't think I'm going to make it." Her arm crushed beneath the rubble, she kept calling out for help. She was rescued. Now, that's news. Good news in the midst of terrible tragedy.

I'm confused about what we see as being newsworthy. Why do we want to know about things like hair cuts, royal weddings and movie stars facing a judge? My guess is we need distraction--something safe, something that doesn't threaten our personal world. Life is complicated and sometimes difficult and actually stepping into the sorrows of others can feel overwhelming. I get that. But sometimes we've just got to wade in and feel other people's suffering and become involved.

One of the headings I read in the news accounts about what's happening in New Zealand stated that the work was no longer about saving lives but about body recovery. Body recovery. Can you imagine what it would feel like if one of those still missing was your loved one?

The people suffering in New Zealand, the Middle East, Africa--across our world are closer than we think, closer than we want. No matter where we live mankind is connected. We need to care about and for one another. Take a moment, stop what you're doing and care enough to imagine someone else's circumstances. We need to feel and to do what we can to help.

My niece married a man from New Zealand and he has family in Christchurch. I don't know these people, but they are living in the midst of tragedy. And I need to care. They're family. We are all family.

So, what can we do to help? Care. Pray. Offer assistance where we can. Connect with the human family across the world and in our own communities. Love one another.

One day it will be us who needs someone to care enough to reach out.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- We May Have Only Today

Have you considered how you want to live out your life? Have you thought about how important each day is and that we don't know if there will be a tomorrow? Only the Lord knows the number of days we have on this earth.

While we're here we may be the only image of Christ someone else will see. Most of the time we don't know that people are watching, observing what makes us different from someone who doesn't profess Christ as Lord. More times than I'd like to count I've not been a good example. In my younger years I could quickly become a "mother bear" in defense of my children, a not so attractive example of Christ. And I could and can still get my dander up over an irritation or difference of opinion.

I've made numerous apologies over the years because of a quick temper. It's humiliating to go back to a store clerk and apologize for my short fuse. But it's equally rewarding to see that clerk brighten and graciously accept my apology.

As I've aged, many of the lessons learned have stuck and I'm calmer these days and less likely to loose my cool. However, I haven't arrived.

Being a living example of Christ isn't just about maintaining emotions. It includes being gracious, generous, kind, and helpful. Well, actually all you need to do is look at the fruit of the spirit, which is listed in Galatians 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

We shall be known by our fruit. Scripture tells us to live out our faith. If we do our days will be filled with blessings, we will likely do something worthwhile and possibly something spectacular such as introducing Christ to a new believer.

What would I do if I knew I had only one day left on this earth? I'd give out lots of hugs, I'd make sure to tell those I love that I love them, I might even bake my "famous" chocolate chip cookies for the last time and share them with my friends. And I'd definitely sit down with people who don't know Christ and tell them all about Him.

It's time for us to live like today is our last. We will be blessed. Today will be richer and more joyous, not just for us but for those around us.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie