Dear parents, teachers, aunts, uncles, and other adults in charge of children:
Just a few days ago I was verbally attacked by an eighteen year old and her little friends. It happened publicly, on Facebook, because this child has obviously been taught, one way or another, that this is the proper way of handling a situation. Throw out a liberal dose of profanity and beat one's chest in the manner of a gorilla, sprinkling in words like respect.
Sad to say, at first I took the bait, although I did not read this child's entire rant. I responded from the heart. Then I deleted and apologized to anyone who could have read any of that on my page. I am by no means perfect, but I won't listen to that type of speech. I close my ears to it. Using that language at me on the phone earns a hang up. In print, the delete button comes in very handy. I even stated that conversations are welcome; profanity and abusive language would be removed and those involved would be blocked from my page. My husband took it upon himself to guard my page so I wouldn't have to see it all. Why? Because I'm related to the 18 year old and the ones who chose to follow her lead.
I did see that one adult came to the defense of the 18 year old, remarking that no one knows the truth about the 18 year old. The sad truth is, that in this world that can quote and twist to their needs in many cases the verse in the bible that says judge not, everyone does. Matthew 7:1, NIV, states "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Because I was judged, those who read the diatribe on my page judged the 18 year old by her words and by what they could see on the 18 year old's own page.
Truth: People know you by your words and your actions. If you are proud of those words and actions, own it. If you aren't happy with the way people see (judge) you, then perhaps it's time to do some thinking.
Some will dismiss the actions and words of those involved in the verbal attack as those who don't know any better, or "they're going to do stuff like that, they're young". Just kids. I see. That makes it okay then. Or does it? As i said, the main instigator was 18. One of her followers (whether he wrote himself or was "hacked") is in his late 20's.
Truth: Parents, Aunts, Uncles, Teachers, and other adults in authority, we must remember that the words and actions of our children are a reflection on us.
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. KJV Proverbs 22:15
It is up to us adults to teach and to correct bad behavior while the children are young so that when the world sees our little darlings, the world doesn't hold up a mirror that makes us unhappy. We all love our children and we want to be the cool parent whose home is the local hangout, right? That's what keeps our children loving us, right? Not so much. Being a parent means teaching right from wrong, and how to deal with a situation that makes them unhappy. In other words, if we do not correct our children's behavior now, someone else will do it later, and the way it is done may lead to heartbreak. Not everyone will simply hit delete and move on. Some will choose to involve the police or other court system, some will retaliate in kind and introduce violence. We only have to read or watch the news to know that deaths occur everyday in this country(!) over matters that could and should have been talked out. Many scream about how far we've come as a society, and how certain groups are dragging us back in time to "the bad old days." Read your history. We haven't gone forward or backward. We're simply spinning our wheels because the lesson's aren't being learned.
I for one, have many lessons still to learn. I am by no means perfect. But when someone has a problem, I am willing to listen as long as it is brought to me in a respectful manner. Respect is another word being thrown about in this world, like truth, but few know or care about its meaning. That, my friends, is another lesson for another day. For now I have spoken my peace. Thank you for listening.
simply,
Dottie
Good morning! Please forgive me for not posting yesterday. I really have no excuse, it just didn't happen. I will try not to let that happen again.
Today we are finishing up Luke chapter six, specifically verses 39 to 49.
Jesus had been speaking of judging, and being merciful toward one another. He continued this line of thought in a parable.
Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (v39)
41.And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eyes, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?her
42. Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself heholdest not the beam in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Now notice, he did not say don't you dare try to help someone at all by showing them they have a sin that needs to be repented of. He didn't say, mind your own business. What Jesus said was, take care of your own life first. None of us are without fault, but that shouldn't stop us from loving one another enough to say You're wrong. We just need to examine our own lives first, and honestly, and take care of that glaring sin of our own so that we can help someone else.
If you've ever been on an air plane, you know the safety spiel they go through every time. When a situation demands that the oxygen masks drop down, what do they tell you? Put the mask over your own nose and mouth first before you help your kids or anyone else. Otherwise you are not going to be able to properly help.
Children, especially our own, are very observant. Telling them to live one way while they know you are living another just isn't going to fly.
46. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47. Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48. He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the streams did beat vehemently, and immediately if fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
None of us are perfect, but we should strive toward the goal of being more like Jesus every day. We should help our brothers and sisters out, lovingly, if we have examined ourselves first. And finally, do we have that firm foundation built upon the rock of Jesus and his teachings? Or have we built our house on the earth --not focusing as much on God as we are what others say or do?
Because he had just been asked about the end times, Jesus is still on the subject in chapter 25 of Matthew. Now he is focusing on teaching about being prepared for the judgement.
In the parable of the ten virgins (v1-13) there were ten virgins waiting on the bridegroom for the wedding. Five were wise and five were foolish. They all brought their lamps with them, but the 5 wise girls brought extra oil for their lamps; the foolish ones did not. While they were waiting on the bridegroom, they all slept. At midnight they heard the call: the bridegroom is coming! In trimming their lamps, the foolish ones realize they don't have enough oil so they ask the others to let them have some. The wise girls refuse, concerned they might not have enough to share. Go buy some, they tell the others.
While the foolish girls were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived and took the remaining virgins into the marriage. The door was shut. When the foolish virgins came back, they pounded on the door, begging to be let in. The bridegroom came to them and told them, depart, I don't know you.
v13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
In the Parable of the talents (v 14-30) a business man preparing to go to another country called his servants together and gave them his money. To one he gave ten talents, to another he gave two talents, and to the third servant he gave one talent.
While the master was gone both the servant with 5 talents and the one with 2 talents used the time to double their money. The third servant was afraid and dug a hole and buried his talent. A long while later the master came home and called his servants to him. The first servant came to him and said You gave me five talents, and I earned you 5 more. The master was well pleased. Well done, he said. You have been faithful over a few things, now you will be ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.
The second servant came in and had a similar report. You gave me two talents, and I used it to gain you two more. Again the master was pleased.
The third servant came in but of course he didnt have the same good news to tell. He began to make excuses. He knew what kind of man his master was, gaining where he hadn't put seed, yet he had been afraid and hid the talent. But he still had the one talent given him.
The master was angry. You wicked and lazy servant! You should have taken my money to the bank, where I could have gotten back what was mine, with interest! Give the talent to the man with ten talents. The wicked servant was thrown into outer darkness.
We all have been given talents from the Lord, to be used for him. Whether it be writing, talking with the lonely, sending cards, teaching, giving encouragement, there are things we can do to bring others to Christ and to help those already in the kingdom. Don't bury your talent in the ground, ladies!
Jesus then describes the judgement as his sitting on his throne of glory, and the people of all nations gathered together. The people shall be separated like sheep from the goats as a shepherd would do. The sheep on the right, goats on the left.
To those on his right Jesus will say : Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was naked and you clothed me. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to see me.
The people on the right asked Lord, when did we do any of these things to you?
Jesus replied "Whenever you did any of these things to anyone else, you did it to me."
To the ones on the left he will say Depart from me into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.. I was hungry and you did not feed me. I was thirsty and you didn't give me drink. I was naked and you did not clothe me. I was a stranger and you didn't take me in. I was sick and in prison and you didn't come visit me.
They will say when did we not do those things to you? And he will answer, When you do not do these things to others, you don't do these things to me.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal.
So we must be prepared, use our talents for good, and take care of one another.
Good morning! I'm up a little later than usual today, but J is still asleep and I have two cats on either side of me... such a peaceful way to start the morning.
Jesus is still addressing the multitude around him, focusing on this point at the pharisees. For this part I am not going to copy verses, just going to paraphrase a little. But a little friendly advice: never, ever, not from me nor a preacher nor your best friend, take someone's word for it when it comes to the bible and its teachings. When scripture is mentioned, look it up and read it for yourself. We are all humans and humans tend to make mistakes sometimes. And some will lead you astray if given a chance. That part is very sad, but there are those who know the scriptures and yet will twist them and take them out of context to say what they want to say. Having said that, anything I write here in the Morning Cup series is my understanding. I know there are some with far more understanding and maturity in Christ than I who reads this blog, and if I don't understand, or misread something, I pray they will let me know.
Now, back to today's lesson. : )
A scribe asked Jesus for a sign. (v38). But Jesus answered, this generation isn't getting a sign except for that of the prophet Jonah. Jonah spent 3 days in the belly of a whale and then told the city of Ninevah that if they did not change their ways, they were going to be destroyed. Ninevah repented. Jesus said that Ninevah would rise up and judge this generation (v41). But one greater than Jonah is with you, he said.
Also the Queen of the south (Queen of Sheba) would rise in judgement against them. She had traveled great distances to hear the wisdom of Solomon. She understood. Once again, Jesus said , one greater than Solomon is with you.
During this time Jesus compared himself to Jonah, and said that he would spend 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth (v 40), alluding to his death and burial.
Jesus was right there with them to teach them and show them the error of their ways. We can apply these verses to our own lives by remembering that we do not have Jesus here physically with us, but we do have the bible. We have Jesus to intercede for us when we pray. And I think we as a nation need to wake up and repent, like Ninevah. We have allowed much sin to become the norm here instead of speaking against it. And as much as I try not to become political in this blog, especially in this series, it needs to be said: This country will fall not so much because of what the politicians are doing, but because of the sin involved behind their decisions, sin that is deemed "not wrong" by the people at large, and the silence of those who know better.
I had planned to finish out the chapter today but I see I've gotten rather long winded. We will pick up with verse 43 tomorrow, barring any unforseen circumstances.
