I am THE way

This Sunday, August 16, 2015, my sweet 7 year old beautiful kind-hearted hilarious niece, Austynn, was baptized.  I got it in video tape, and have a few pictures as well.

Of course her personality has to shine through in all that she does.  After the pastor Aaron dunked her, her mom and dad helped raise her up. This symbolizes that they will always be there to help lift her up and guide her through her faith.  THEN, then she decided to dunk herself.  haha. Double insurance, if you will.  The pastor said in all his years he's never seen something like that before, but he loved it.  It was great.

Also, this was our weekly discussion:

Sunday morning lessons don’t always apply directly to me, or get me to thinking.  Part of this lesson I felt like that.  First time since I’ve been going to church this year that I didn’t think the lesson was talking directly to me.  But I know it was.  And It might later if it doesn’t much this time. 

Still talking about the Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 7:13-14.  “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter it.  For the gate is small and the way is a narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Many people travel wide spiritual intersections that lead to destruction. People assume that by trying to do more good than bad that will help them get into Heaven. That’s not true.  Our bad will always outweigh our good deeds.  Doing good isn’t the way.  Yes, you should “do good”, as a Christian you want to strive to be like Jesus every day.  But just doing good isn’t your ticket to heaven. 

Few people travel the narrow spiritual road that leads to spiritual life.  This is the time to make a u-turn down the wrong road and head toward the narrow road of Jesus. 

Jesus is THE way.  He isn’t a way.  He is THE way.  Doing good isn’t heading toward Jesus.  Doing Good and believing, and praying, and showing others is heading toward Jesus.  There is only one way to God – through Jesus.  Grow to be more like him every day.  John 14:6; Romans 6:23; Romans 10:9. You are driving off a bridge that is out and you don’t even know it. DANGER – slow down and follow Jesus.  Don’t be in such a rush to follow the crowd and get where they are going. Be specific. Your choices do matter.  Not all ways will lead to Jesus. WAKE UP!

Lord,

Thank you for another beautiful day.  Lord, hear my heart and forgive me for my sins.  I want to know you and grow strong in your knowledge.  Lord, please guide me to be more like you.  Amen. 

The Golden Rule

Treat people the way you want to be treated

We’ve all heard this saying a million times. But are you actually listening to it?  Are you really treating people the way you WANT to be treated, or are you treating them based on how you think they deserve to be treated? Maybe they cut in front of you at the supermarket and you get snarky with them.  Maybe it’s a car that forgets to yield to you and you lay on your horn and throw a few curse words at them.  Maybe someone is having a bad day and forgets to hold the door open for you as you follow closely behind them, and you mumble under your breath.  Or, maybe someone at the store bumps into you and you rudely tell them “Excuse me!”.  You are treating them based on their actions and how you think they should be treated when you feel like you’ve been wronged by them. 

That is not what this means.  Matthew 7:12 reads “In everything, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law of the Prophets.”  You have to ask yourself, “How do I want others to treat me?”  You should “Love your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind.”  (Matthew 22:37-39).  Loving God’s people is showing your love for God, and of God.  Loving God’s people brings you closer to being like God, which is what we should strive to do.

Ask yourself, “How can I model this Christ-like attitude toward others?”  Philippians 2:-3-5 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…”  Don’t judge and treat others in a bad attitude because you feel they have wronged you.  They will have to face their own judgment one day for their attitudes.  Respect is given because you desire the same respect for yourself. It is not earned.  Everyone needs a savior, so share the truth with them by your actions. 

Ask yourself, “Do I demonstrate Chris by how I treat others?”  If not, then why?  This is the goal.  John 13:34-35 tells us to “love one another just as I have loved you.” It doesn’t say “Love one another based on how they show love for you.” It says “just as I have loved you”. We have sinned in God’s eyes every single day.  And he still loves us unconditionally and uncontrollably and is there for us when we need them.

Even if you are not a Christian, this is a good attitude to portray to others.  Treat people the way you WANT to be treated. Not how you judged that they deserve to be treated.  You are not the judge and jury.  Do not assume they are guilty and be rude.

This was a great Sunday lesson for me to hear. I’ve heard this so many times.  But I often forget to portray this.  When I left church, this was greatly on my mind and I caught myself wanting to be rude to a couple people when I went out shopping, and then I stopped and thought about it. I took a deep breath, and smiled.  If I can’t say something nice, I can at least smile at them when they push me or run into me with their basket, or cut in front of me at the check-out line.  I don’t have to say anything to them, but I can smile.  A smile goes a long way.

Beach 2015

Well the family wrapped up another year of our annual BEACH vacation at Surfside.  Like all the others, this one was great.  We set up a volleyball net this time and most people who wanted to play did.  This was our first time doing that.  The boys all spent the entire weekend digging giant holes… It kept them entertained.  The adults didn’t want the kids going on the water because they didn’t want anyone to get the flesh eating bacteria.  By the 2^nd day, I was in the water with all the kids 11 and under.  The teenagers decided not to get in and they are the ones that dug the holes.  Talks of next year going to float the river somewhere and leave the beach behind… but WHYY??? I’m not a fan of change, and we have been renting a beach house and doing this for well over 15 years.