Have you ever uttered these words? Or perhaps you have been nagged for eons by the wisdom you would like to share but just don’t feel it is the right time or place. So today I thought I would lay out the why and when you should say what you need to say. Or not.

First of all, we have to carefully determine if we are in a place where sharing our thoughts or opinions is going to be helpful. Let’s just suppose you and I had a little falling out (ok, it happens). No matter how tactfully I may hand the situation, it is unlikely that I’m now in a place of admonishment.

Admonishment…

Yep, the land of sharing our opinion of a wise or proper course of action. It’s not about you, it’s about the person who desperately needs our help.

Next up: speaking the truth in love. Do you genuinely care for and want to help this person in need? Right there is the why.

“Ground wisdom in His words… not yours.” Michelle Myers lit it up with “when life is so much more complicated than uttering the dude word”

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:14-16

Always seek to build  the other person up – knowing in the short-term it may be difficult for them.

I often find I’m more likely to share my thoughts and opinions with my daughters than with a co-worker. That’s fine, I may even pull of admonishment with a relative using a quip. If the co-worker is smoking cigarettes I am probably going to be more likely to offer them encouragement to quit if we share a close friendship.

Of course, we can choose the venue…

And the when?

Remember from Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… a time to be silent and a time to speak…

and sometimes not… consider the nosy neighbor…

So I had a fellow blogger ask for some input recently. This friend is rather accomplished… bestselling author… tons of fans, followers and likes. I think he knows me well enough to discern that I’m not a pundit but simply an honest fan, so I shared with him that it often seems he is more interested in advancing his own kingdom than that of the Lord.

That’s the why and when you should say what you need to say…

One more thought:

Let’s say you find yourself on the other end of the stick, someone is sharing their wisdom with you this time around. Here’s some great advice:

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Test everything to see if it jives with God’s word. Disregard the shower of Babel…
His word is perfect and complete. Need we say more?

What suggestions can you provide for “helping a brother out” through admonishment?

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If you’ve got the gigawatts, one day there just may be another way back to the future. Today, there’s just one honorable way.

The summer doldrums… do you know the feeling? I love the longer days of summer but the heat is a bit much here in Jacksonville, Fla. By the time Labor Day rolls around every year I am yearning for the season of change. Fall. As my mind wandered to change I got to thinking more about it and came up with two ways to change history…

The secret to change is not resisting what we’re called to leave behind, it is the burning desire to build upon what is new. (Click To Tweet)

Until there is a time machine gizmo to take us back to the future, like Dr. Emmett Brown’s, we’ll have to settle to some other ideas for changing history. Fortunately, I bring good news today. If we think of every moment as moving on the continuum from past, through present, and into the future, there are two ways to change history:

– I’m first going to share with you an unbecoming way to change history: to muddle the truth. My example: the attempt to convince that Martin Luther King Jr. was not an awesome guy. Wait what what? Yep, the notion that if we throw him under the bus his influence with be diminished. I believe MLK Jr. came in the name of love, as the U2 song goes. If you try to change the truth you’ve come to raise the dead. There is only One who can and will raise the dead. His name is Jesus. Raising the dead by anyone other than Jesus is spiritual attack. We can effectively defend that by using God’s word (the sword of the Spirit), putting on the shoes to keep moving in the forward direction of the future (shoes point that way for a reason).

– The second way to rewrite history is to Change it before it occurs. Remember “#52: Thankful It’s A Keeper” – maybe not lol… I wrote an inspiring piece about the last week of the year. It was several years ago. I ventured into a challenging week with an optimistic spirit. In doing so, I was able to be a change agent in what otherwise might have been an embarrassing and ill-fated journey down a dark road for a few folks. We collectively changed history in that moment.

Be it the summer doldrums or some other season that needs a spark in the right direction, we can change history as it happens. Changing the past by manipulating the truth is looking for trouble – I wouldn’t suggest venturing down that one. Let the truth speak for itself.

If you’ve got the gigawatts, one day there just may be another way back to the future. Today, there’s just one honorable way.

In what ways are you being a change agent to the glory of God?

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Time to saddle up and ride?

Life change can be super scary. I’m not going to kid you and try to convince you otherwise. I think that’s why we’re often so resistant to change, because it requires a leap of faith. It leaves us in an uncomfortable place called vulnerability. Change takes guts, sometimes just to recognize and then profess that we need to change, and to take the resultant, formidable action. Yikes.

“Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” John Wayne

Well said Duke, on the courage to change, or saddling up in the spirit of doing good.

How do we know when it’s time for a change?

• Whenever we yearn for the future or escape by daydreaming about memories. I know what you’re thinking… it is good to be excited about the future, and to have fond memories – we’re in the same boat on that one. However, if we’re not living for the here and now, we’re missing something. There’s a disconnect for some reason. Figure it out, and give it a twist – just saying…
• When the daily routine seems like we’re just going through the motions. Life becomes stale and stagnant. We’ve essentially stopped growing at this point. The routine is drab. This is as draining as being stuck in hypothetical paralysis. Dude, it’s time to lively up yourself.
• If you find yourself avoiding the truth. You could just be lying to yourself or to other people as well. The truth is foundational to change and growth. Remember, where there is truth there is freedom.

“Being true to yourself means living in truth with each person in your life. It means refusing to say or do something that you don’t believe is right. Living in truth with other people means that you refuse to stay in any situation where you are unhappy with the behavior of another person. You refuse to tolerate it. You refuse to compromise.”
— Brian Tracy

Time for a cool change?

Something or someone got you down… but you’re beginning to see the light?

Remember, there may be some resistance or hesitation… so you may need some help.

Strap on the armor brother and join the enlightenment found in the Word of God!! Memorize some “it is written’s” to carry with you throughout the day, and lock down some friends of the faith as prayer warriors. They’ll also be there like a rock to help you move forward. If there is anything ailing you that you need to give up to the Lord, jettison it. You have a choice to make and the choice should be to be happy.

Change is good. It happens. Embrace it for all the goodness this world has to offer.

How do you recognize the need to make change in your life? Do you have a close circle of friend who you can count on to help you move forward in life change?

Image by Auntie Rain on flickr.com

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So I was thinking about peace since that is something that I try to write about here frequently. When I think about peace, especially on Veteran’s Day, my thoughts drift to those conflicts that affect us globally… fighting for a worthy cause. The big ones, like WWII. What if we chose not to fight? What would the world look like now? What if…

Interestingly, my thoughts today were focused on trying to foster peace closer to home, here in my own community… with everyone that I come into direct contact with. What if we chose not to fight? What would the world look like now? What if…

I came up with lots more questions…

What would that look like, to try to bring peace to my community?

Who would be involved?

What would I say, or do?

What if?

Do you feel like there is peace in your community?

I see a lot that can be done here…

I guess this is pretty much a continual process.

… and so I spent some time looking for the answers.

I think most of us find some form of peace in our own world.

Would we say that the battle is won then?

Maybe a lack of conflict doesn’t really define this word… peace, does it?

Peace… one typically will not find this until they seek and listen for the truth. Like maybe the whole truth. Maybe call this part wisdom?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18

These verses, to me, just seem to breathe with lovingkindness.

Sowing in peace… this sounds like it would take work. Like kneading the dough, if you will. Starting within… and working out from there.

Maybe today it’s just a kind word. A smile. Or even something that requires more thought, or even more effort… Forgiveness? Mercy? Or grace?

Grace… extending kindness to the unworthy. Why? Well, because that’s the example that Jesus gave us. But I don’t feel like it? Do it anyway. But I want justice? But maybe it’s not all about you (or me), right? Impartial and sincere… and for a noble and worthy cause.

An encore performance…

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18

Peace, truth and grace…

Are we winning the battle?

What if we surrendered it all to God?

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That’s One Big Heart!!!

Boldness is one of those words/concepts that I’ve been stuck on lately. I pray boldly, asking God to bless me bigtime!

Something pretty strange happened to me just a few days ago… maybe you remember a while ago I wrote about “the ahhh haaa moment?” This was something really crazy that happened to me a while back… one of those “it could only have come from God moments” … there have been others, too, and I’m sure that you have some as well…

So… yep, I had another recently…

this time God gave me the go ahead to use my own judgement and make an important decision… ok yep, related to the HB! So, what happened? I guess it was kind of silly really because I think God pretty much knew what I was going to decide anyway. But I don’t want to belittle this in any way, because, to me, it was HUGE! For over a year now, I have felt like God has been leading me and showing me the way… He showed me His will for me down a very specific pathway. While difficult at times, He has asked me to be patient and wait… WHAT? Oh please Lord, not that one… I really don’t like to wait… just get on with it already, right? Hmmm… guess again… P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E is a part of being a Fruity 1, so if you’re in tune with the Holy Spirit you can wait… and then wait some more! Yea, ok,  I know, whatever… I agree it’s still sucks to wait…

Well, I did wait and something else happened along the way… God is working one of His great miracles!

So I decided to share this today because I thought it may help someone else figure out the whole God thing and free will and all… this verse sets the tone and puts it all in context…

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:18-22

This tidbit starts with an IF…

Well, actually the second part starts with Beloved… Ha! Which should be comforting in any event. 🙂

On to the if… IF our hearts do not condemn us… WoW… that’s a big if… and that’s between just me and God… Yep, He knows! Everything!! It seems like trouble is potentially brewing whenever we get on this heart topic… so guard it already!

Ok then, back in the groove…

What to do? Get it right… as in my right standing with God. If it’s not in the right place I need to put it there… pronto… like promptly right about now! Then I have to stay super sticky with it… then you know what? SAKES ALIVE all that clean living is about to pay off! I know this for a fact as the “if” statement is followed by an inferred “then” statement… we find… you got it… BOLDNESS before God. Dude, that’s huge because He will lead us down the straight and narrow to the land of milk and honey… Honey… yep, there’s the Capital H! Get it while the gettin’s good Sonny! Now that’s some good BBQ!!

If we’re going to go to  Mojo’s instead and devour the tasty onion rings… the other Gadzooks would be copious amounts of love… you know what this is all about… read it and savor… it’s patient and kind… it does not envy or boast, it isn’t proud, rude, self-seeking and it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and, yep, always perseveres! Love… why wouldn’t we want everybody to know… share… and feel this emotion?

Truth… I want to live… love… learn… and leave a legacy (RIP Covey!) in the green light (though that Red Light Therapy seems to be working miracles on my youthful spirit 😉 )… yes, the green light of the truth. Remember from Ephesians, amongst the armor we have the belt of truth… buckle up! The truth is uber important here and really matters…

I know I’m completely rambling on now… but in full form so I’ll just keep rolling with it…

Action… Oh Sweet Baby Emma (that would be my granddaughter!) I have come to love action/adventure… yep, in real life just a wee little bit… and in a good movie… so… anyway… the nuts and bolts of this one are right here baby… Action means I’m going to make something happen. That’s right… why wait when you’ve got the green light from our Lord and Savior? Get on it my friend and make something happen!

And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. So what’s THAT all about? The truth speaks volumes… it’s larger than Wikipedia! If we feel like what’s in our hearts is amiss… the truth will set us straight… for God knows everything… anyway 😉

And now what may seem like a twist…

I really prayed about this “will” thing again and talked to God about it… like I said, He knew what I was going to do before He allowed me to make up my own mind. I have to chuckle about this because I already knew what I wanted… and that, in this circumstance, fell perfectly in line with God’s will for me too… but do you know the first thing I did when He gave me the freedom to choose? lol… I prayed about it 🙂 Does that sound crazy to you? Oh gosh, sure I had a few other thoughts too… but I really wanted to know what He thought…

My will fell perfectly in line with His… I believe because I want to live for Him. Does that make any sense? I hope so but I don’t know. I am sticking with my direction of committed, unwavering and patient unconditional love. Why? Because I believe this is worthwhile… pure… and a blessing from above… and that living my life for God is a worthy thing to do. Plus I found exactly what I have been looking for. I decided a while ago that doing my best to live His way… living my life for Him was the best way to go. While you can expect that I’ll never ever be perfect… I think we should always try to be authentic!

That’s what I think this is all about… finding boldness before God… love in truth and action. We get to live in His light… in His glory… not because we just ask… because we are obedient and do what pleases Him. It’s really all about Him. I know that makes me want to please him, for sure!

Finding boldness before God… in truth and action.

The Q: Have you ever felt that God asked you to do something big and bold? How did you respond?

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Baby Emma… I’m just seeing Love in this one 🙂

God did a mighty good thing when He blessed us with the capacity to hear sounds… I can hear the birds chirping and singing in the early morning… my sweet granddaughter Emma laughing… and the joyful, reverberating echo of an “I Love You” as it rattles across my eardrums… just to name a few…

A while back I came up with this theory… The Filter Theory… which basically says our past experiences combined with our heart determine how we will react to a given stimuli. I thought I was pure genius to dream this one up… little did I know that this theory had taken root in an age-old parable in the Bible.

This is mixed in with the parable of the 4 soils… and from the prophecy of Isaiah… reading from Matthew 13, verses 9 through 17…

Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear.”
The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables:
though seeing, they do not see,
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
In them is filled the prophecy of Isaiah:
You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.”

I’ve learned that sometimes I have to really focus on listening to hear what someone is trying to tell me. Maybe it’s in part my gullibility I don’t know, but I have sadly come to the realization that I’m still learning a lot about people and picking up on the message that is being sent.

Fortunately, it’s not quite so complicated with God’s voice… earnestly seeking God’s will provides a true, deep understanding and perspective.

God’s voice is there for everyone… when we’re ready and open our eyes to see and ears to really listen 🙂

The filter theory… like Jesus’ words… “He who has ears, let him hear” … and really, all the 5 senses… seeing… hearing… touching… smelling… and tasting… I believe this is all a sensory phenomena rooted in the heart…

yep, it all goes back to the heart… and speaking the truth in love…

Here’s a prayer for today…

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anx­ious thoughts. Point out any­thing in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of ever­last­ing life.“
– Psalm 139:23–24

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