Don't Judge Me!

I'll be the first to say I'm guilty of judging.  I've judged a book by its cover, people by their family members, and a list of other ways that are undesirable. I was dead wrong. I also have made plenty of righteous judgments. I've judged whether or not I should keep going out with those "friends" that party, cuss, and fight. I made my judgment and said, no. I've even judged my friends' behavior and actions, and realized they were/are in full active addiction. I called them out, gently, out of love. That judgment may one day save their life. Listen, folks, a RIGHTEOUS judgment saved YOUR life!  Christ judged you righteously. for He is a righteous judge. We can judge others in the flesh, or we can judge them righteously in the Spirit. It can be done by genuinely caring for the interest of others.  So the next time someone blows the whistle on you, remember, not all judgment is wrong, for a righteous judgment could, or has saved your life.

My Father's Eyes

How wonderful would it be to look through the eyes of the Creator? Observing His children with a close watch. A Father of many children, I'm sure He is a proud Dad.  He's a Father to the fatherless. What an amazing role model; focused on us with eyes of forgiveness, His love is shown with action. A love that covers a multitude of sin.

Will I be able to have this love for the ones that have come against me? Will I be able to view them through His eyes? Looking past where they are, to who they are to Christ. All is made for Him by Him, and for His glory. Father, let me see your people through your eyes. In Jesus' name, amen.            

Backslidden

This won't be a popular mini-blog to the religious, and it won't be all that politically correct. I'm here to testify that I have experienced blessings in a backslidden state. Yes, He's that good. So good, that most stay away, for it reveals the flaws in each individual's life. When looking at one's self, then looking toward the Mighty Maker, there's no denying that God is good. He found me backslidden, but didn't turn His back on me. He picked me up and sat me upright on my feet. He has never turned His back on me, and He never will. I serve a long suffering, patient, and just God whose grace abounds much more than my sin. I testify today that I have experienced blessings in a backslidden state.

Reach Out

I can count numerous times in my active addiction where no one reached out to me. Desiring that someone would, I remained in my condition, broken. I can also remember reaching out in the wrong direction for help. Sharing my problem with someone who couldn't help me. Either way, I remained the same, bitter. I've come to realize that in order to be reached, I must reach out, show myself accountable, and reaching out to the right Source at the right time. Waiting on someone to reach out to you might be a long wait. We must refuse to remain the same, for it is death. Change is our only hope. The time is now, so reach out. Help is closer than a whisper away.

Stop

I painfully watched my 9 year old daughter run up and down the aisles of Target with an empty shopping cart in hand. Carelessly sliding to a halt around the blind corners of end caps. I called out to her multiple times, "stop!" but she ignored me. I told her that someone could get hurt. As her father, I corrected with concern, for I knew best. As her father, I warned with consequence, for I knew best.
My Father in heaven knows best. He patiently watches as I run up and down the aisles of life, carelessly ignoring His nudge of correction as I speed toward the blind corners of the unknown. Sometimes instruction is as easy as "stop!" My Father knows best.