On Discovering Life

I’m back from a much needed break from the blogging world.

Things wrapped up well as I finished the semester and said good bye to my students. I’ve gotten to know some amazing women over the course of two semesters.

I’ve had about a week of R & R and now I’m ready to get on what I call my ‘summer grind’.

I don’t want the summer season to give me an excuse to be lazy, so I’ve made some short term goals.

1) Workout every day

2) Spend some time reading and writing every day

3) Memorize Scripture

4) Spend some time with my instruments twice a week

My summer job starts up next week, so that will help provide some structure for the goals above.

Here we go!

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve on another.
Galatians 5:13

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
1 Peter 1:22

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves have been born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:7

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Provers 10:12

Lord Jesus,

Today I confess my need for You.
I am so desperate for You and I can’t do this life thing on my own.
Today may those around me, see You and only You.
Guard my mouth and direct my heart.
Today may my words be a wellspring of life.
Silence me and help me to be still before You.
I need You.
May my words be few and Yours be ever increasing.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Gossip destroys.

As I stated earlier, I’m guilty of this sin. I’ve also seen it ruin the lives of those I care about deeply and been victim of it myself.

That ‘sticks and stones’ phrase is foolishness. Words hurt and words can destroy.

But for some reason, it has become okay to gossip. I was recently reminded by a friend to be careful with my words but until she spoke up, no one ever confronted me. Shoot, I haven’t confronted those around me either.

We have somehow found joy in destroying other people’s reputation and gratifying ourselves. We become judges and rejoice in declaring those around us guilty.

‘So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.’ James 3:5-6

Let’s cut to the chase:

- I talk about other people
- I judge other people
- And when I’m not doing one of the above, I entertain gossip

I shut up when I need to speak up and speak up when I really should be shutting up.

What is wrong with me? Really? What is wrong with me?

The God of the universe sent His son to die for me, I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior years ago, yet I somehow muster up the courage to talk about His people.

I’m not beating up myself (because I’ve repented and have been forgiven) but I just have to be real. We gotta call sin what it is, repent, and change.