"LIVING IN SIN"

"Living in sin"

We, the church are so quick to point a finger and whisper and gossip and judge.  And it isn't God's plan for couples.  Marriage is His plan.  I believe in it with my whole heart!  So I'm not condoning living together.




But let me take a bit of liberty here.  "Living in sin"  is usually associated with living together and not being married.  But let me suggest to you, that maybe pointing fingers and not loving these people into the kingdom might just be "living in sin' also. We are judging them.  Wait let me ask you Do you struggle with a sin even though you are saved?  Do you lie?  NO?  Gossip? No?  How about worry? No?  Do you perhaps eat to much? Gluttony? No?   Which sin has been around so long that it's like a pet?  Pride?  Envy?  Hate?  Lust?   Are you uncomfortable yet?  I am and I'm writing this.  Unsettling isn't it?

Well as Christians we are forgiven but we aren't perfect yet.  We are postionally perfect  but we haven't walked it all the way out yet.  We are on that journey though.  I suggest many of us are "living in sin"  and we should not cast the first stone.



Remember as Jesus told them to take the woman caught in adultery and the one without sin could cast the first stone.  Can you imagine the scene?  The angry crowd that just  moments ago were shouting and accusing.. the woman laying on the ground, ashamed as her deepest sin is out there for all to hear about.  But now there is silence on the hot day, a little breeze blowing perhaps,  Can you see it?  Jesus squatted down writing something in the dirt.  Maybe the women crying softly as she fears for her life. and slowly you hear the stones drop, one by one on the hot dirt street.  Cause I believe they were hefty solid rocks because when we want to accuse others we pick up the hefty rocks to sling.  Our rocks are words though.  We spit them out with disgust and judgement. Do you SEE what they are doing?  How THEY are living?  We get all smug and self-righteous as we hurl our word stones now a days.  We don't "stone" with real rocks any more. We are less obvious.




But back to our scene.. The stones drop one by one. hitting the dirt with a swirl of dust floating up in the afternoon sunshine as Jesus continues to write something in the dirt.  Quiet footsteps fade away down the street until not one accuser is left.  Jesus says to her in John 8:10-11 "Woman, where are those accusers of yours?  Has no one condemned you?"  She said, "No one, Lord,"  And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."



He doesn't give her a pass.  He does tell her to sin no more.   According to the law of that day she should have been stoned for she was "in sin".  But he didn't condemn her.  He said sin no more.  And He is till saying to us "sin no more".  And we like her endeavor to obey.  But we struggle.

We must remember how much He has forgiven us and how we are still working out our salvation with fear and trembling.  Only confront sin in others if the Holy Spirit is guiding you into doing it. A word fitly spoken into lives.  For mercy's sake don't go out on your own and try and do the Holy Spirit's job.  Condemnation doesn't lead to repentance.  Conviction does.

You want to do something about other's sin???  Really???  Do you really???  No kidding???

Then let me suggest this radical idea.....Love on people.  Show mercy!  Shine His light in the darkness!!  Be kind!!  You are to be Christ like.   Speak the truth in love led by Him not by your own fears and pettiness.  Love them into the Kingdom!!!  It's simple.  Spend time with Him and his Word and walk it out and lead by example.  Be ye Kind one to another!



And if you want to do something about your own sin here is a link to a teaching about obedience:
 http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/CBNTeachingSheets/Obedience_and_Disobedience.aspx

Remember this verse:  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9

Post note.....
It is a balancing act to teach truth to our children and grandchildren while being forbearing and loving.  But pray, pray, pray and He says if you lack wisdom He will give it to you.   

I admit I'm still learning but I think my thoughts here are in line with the Word of God.

Fernando Ortega - Give me Jesus

Going to Church

This dedicated to my niece Tammy Loftis and all those I ever asked to come to church..


Someone said, Tell your Mom you went to church that will make her happy (or something close to that). And it hit me. I and others have sent out the wrong message to our family and friends. Sure we want them to "go to church". But just going to church doesn't give them relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Just like walking into someone else's house doesn't make you their family.  

See, what I really want for people is that they begin a journey to know the Lord. That they begin. Because it is a never ending adventure to know Him. He is so deep, so amazing! His love for us is deeper than the ocean, wider than the sky. His love is more overwhelming than a tsunami wave. Walking with Him is the adventure of a lifetime.  There is the deepest peace you will ever know. He loves us so so much. I want for you to begin your journey walking and talking with the one who created the universe, who calls you by name. He isn't a God who is indifferent, distant.  One of His names is Jehovah Shammah. It means the God who is there.  I want you to become aware that that our Lord is right there with you.  A Savior. Yes. But also a companion. You can talk with him just like you do your best friend. 

I don't want you to come to church and just hear the words of the preacher like you were hearing a nice lecture. If the preacher is serving God at all, he has asked God to give him what to preach. And if he is preaching the Bible than he has words of life to help you, encourage you, help you to grow in your walk with God, to help you know the Lord better.  

Just think if you wanted to be a nurse. You would need to go to school and learn all about it. You would need to know all the bones of the body, the systems, how to give shots, bedside manner ideas, etc, etc.  The preaching and teaching of good teachers is your learning place except God is involved and many times the sermon or lesson will hit right what you need. It will seem personal like he was peeking in your life. He isn't but God is.  That's why it seems that way.  Other times you are just learning things you will need on down the line.  Like packing a backpack for a hiking trip. You don't need a bug repellent now but on the trail you might. Or a granola bar. But when you get hungry you will.  Sermons are like that.  Come Tuesday morning when everything in the world goes wrong, the words of the pastor that were "God will keep you in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him" will come back to you to help you stay calm and carry on.

Also I want you to know of God's love for you.  It's a great romance this love between God and us.  There is deep mysteries and great adventures waiting in our relationship with him.  He loves you so deeply. He thinks you are beautiful! He has these awesome plans for you.  I don't want you to come warm a pew. Just come and "check that duty off my list".  I want you to know God personally. 

Oh for the right words to tell you...  the whole purpose of Jesus coming was to reconcile us to Father God.  To forgive our sins and give us a meaningful life. Not all people will do big, huge things. But all, if they follow him and fall in love with Him, will find a fulfilling life.  You might just be a light shinning to your children and husband. You might just make your workplace a better place. You might just bring a smile to others. But to a child whose mom or dad was super that will make a difference. To a friend who is struggling with depression, your prayers and kind words will be like cool water on an August day. You, having the light of Jesus in you will make the world better. And he will thrill you like nothing else.  

I want you to learn how to know God and in that everything will change.  He doesn't want you to be anyone but you. But be the best you. He will take your talents, your desires and use them to change your world if you let him.  And in that pouring out your life for Him you will find  purpose, contentment, satisfaction and joy.

For instance, at one point in my life my friend talked me into working in a four year old class at church.  I was terrified and it was hard because I wasn't used to working with others. But the sweet little children and their pure, innocent love touched me. And sharing simple lessons was fun and doing art with them I enjoyed. And a bonus I didn't even know would be there I made lifelong friendships with the other workers in the class.  Sweet friendships that I cherish, that changed my life.  But God steered me into doing something I wouldn't have tried on my own.  This is just a simple example of an adventure He took me on.  I learned new things. I grew as a person, as a Christian.  I received love through the children and through my fellow workers.  Church gave me these opportunities. 

You may not ever work with children. Because your talent might be different. You may not even work at the church you might just be a part and take what you learn out into your life.  What I'm trying to say is that God will use your talent.  I work well with children, I love art, I love people.  Those were MY talents and needs and God fulfilled them there for that season.  I want for you to serve God and use your life in service to him so you can feel that satisfaction and contentment, find encouragement.  

Church or a small group or a Bible study group..whatever you find...become a family.  Not to replace yours but a church family. People who love on you, have your back, pray for and with you, walk through dark times with you, rejoice with you when you have good things happen.  Real, amazing friendships. That is what you are missing.  

Mostly I want you to know deep down in your heart the most profound truth in the world: That Jesus loves you and he knows you and died just for you.   He wants to be your closest friend. To walk with you daily, all day long. He wants you to belong to him, to grow as a person and to live well and love your life. He wants to give you a clean slate. Wash away all your sins.  A new beginning.  I want you to begin that journey.  It will have ups and downs and curves and twists. But it will be the adventure of a lifetime.  That is what I want for you!  Not ever "to just go to church". NO NEVER!!! But walk with the one who laid down His life for you.  To KNOW Him.  That is what I want for you!!! For you to dance through this life with the one who formed the universe.  To KNOW HIM!    to really know him.... 

This song above tells how I feel and how I would love for you to come to feel too. If you ever get to know him you will feel the same I'm sure. He will capture your heart if you let Him.. 

A Wise Woman

A truly wise woman recognizes that others have wisdom too


We don't have to be a know it all. Have you met those annoying people that know it all? They drive me crazy. They push everyone away with their attitude and than wonder why they don't have friends. Of course, those friends would be wrong most of the time. The world must be a hard place for them.

Being annoying isn't acceptable. On my form for writing up misbehaving children on my bus, there is actually a place to check annoying. So it is official. You must not be annoying in life! Work on it people!!!!