When it happens

Colossians 4:6 NASB
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

I will be honest. I have gotten to the point where I will not sugarcoat it for anyone. Does that mean that it is a sin? I have notice that I have been very blunt to the point where I have said the equivalent of "man up".
Did I cross the line where I have no grace left whatsoever for men?
There is something in me that desires biblical submission...... Where I am supporting and am under godly leadership. Where my desire to encourage and exhort is there.
So I find myself at the cross. Where God's grace and mercy meet. I need to change.

Yes lets

Let us dance
Where twilight and moonshine meet
The stars beginning to share their glow
And eyes meet and hold
Emotions clear in the depths
Yet this is just a part of us

Kneeling on lush grass
As the sun lightens the heavens in dawn
Quiet words are reverent
Seeking guidance
Praising God
What unity we hold as we seek
The One

They trickle in one by one
Grace and peace greeting the gathered ones

Clarity

I talk more about moments of spiritual enlightening and what I learn. I don't mention friends or the conversations we have, family or even some acquaintances because God had shown me that opening conversations to the scrutiny of others would be the gossiping I had loved when I was younger. I love the talks I have with my friends. I love hearing about your kids. About your lives.About moments good and bad. I want to hear how God has changed you. I love you all. My favorite times are fellowshipping with friends about the Lord. Where we have Jesus in common.
I have thought very recently about family and realizing that though we may spend a total of 4-5 hours together per week the bulk of my time is at work, or with friends from work. The people that we grow up with, once we grow will not know us like they thought in the past. We had shared experiences a while ago and some even recently but it's not deep. Sometimes it is sad.
I like sharing, fellowship to me is bearing ones burdens whether one laughs or cries with you.
I want to be there for both.
So I want to share some things God is continuing to bring to my mind.
The Bible says in 1 John to not love the world or the things of the world because they are passing away. Having a new phone, new clothes, it doesn't matter.
The second thing is that while testifying to the work of God is great, I don't want to compare my life to anyone elses and consider it better or worse. If there is sin involved it is wrong and it needs to be rebuked, but as for things that are a conscience issue I am not going to worry about it.
I better get moving I am working this morning.

The past

Do you remember the past?
This week has been a blast from the past. With people who have changed much I am sure. Changed by life, grown up. People had their circumstances, their lives. It was great to see the blessings God bestowed on them. The kids are sweet, great parents. It was so great to spend time there.
Thinking about the past has me thinking about sin and God's work of sin removal and payment for sin.
The bible says that God removes our sin as far as the east is from the west. That he remembers our sins no more. God is gracious to mend the past and I have mentioned it before. My past is full of sin yet Christ by his blood has washed it away.
I rest in the love of God knowing that his love, is not conditional, its not earned by works of righteousness. He will sanctify me day by day until his return.

The Love of God and the reflection of Marriage

As some of you know. I waver from optimistic romanticism to ugly cynicism. God is so unlike man, because the love of God is deep, it is not based on worthiness, he sets it on the undeserving. He crowns our lives with loving kindness. He died for us. From daily mercies, he attests to His faithfulness. He will never leave us or forsake us.
I am single so all I view of marriage is from the outside looking in. In the Christian marriages I see its lovely. They try to make it a reflection of the love of God. So they seek to reconcile, they show their love to one another. They become more sanctified the longer their union occurs. They want what is best for the other.
To those who are not believers, there is a sense of faithlessness. They are only committed inasmuch as the other person provides what I need. When they stop it is over. There are children who lack fathers. Single parent homes where there is a lack of parenting. Starting a cycle that is doomed to repetition unless they learn from God what is a man and woman supposed to be and the union that binds them.
It is better to be single than be with an ungodly man.
The love of God and its reflection is better than what the world offers infatuation and then regret.