We all know the saying,
‘if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and sounds like a duck-it’s a duck.’
I would also surmise that we would assume correctly that a woman donning pink clothes and driving a
pink car is more than likely a Mary Kay makeup consultant.
Just as a police officer is known by his uniform and badge.
A soldier recognized by his fatigues and dog tags.
A doctor or nurse by their medical garb.
You get the idea…we are easily identifiable.
How would we be identified?
Does what we wear or how we act or the words we say identify us as Christians, i.e., followers of Jesus Christ?
In the Bible, God’s Word, it says that, ‘Each tree is recognized by its fruit’ (Luke 6:44)
No one would pick an apple off a tree and call it an orange.
Or misidentify a pear for a tomato .(Yes, a tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable!)
If an apple represents a Christian ~would we be identified as apples or orangen’t we sure?
Maybe we would even be considered a kumguat—a fruit with both a sweet and sour taste.
Do we really want to profess that we are an apple when our behaviors and words are characteristic of an orange?
Contemplate this question, ‘if you were arrested for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?’ Wow?!—the presentation of evidence might include what we read, where we go or what
we watch. Are you ready to take the stand? Could you testify on your own behalf…claiming to tell the whole truth so help you God…that your walk matches your talk? What if the verdict was ‘lack of evidence’?
If you profess that you are a Christian and nothing in your life has changed , orangen’t you concerned?
For God says, that ‘if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away,
all things are new’ (II Corinthians 5:16) When we ask Jesus Christ into our hearts –we change.
Not by our own doing or by any efforts on our part lest that any of us could boast or pat ourselves on
the back. Salvation is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned or bought. It can only be asked for…from God.
We live in- what is considered – ‘a Christian’ country, therefore, most, Americans profess that they are
Christians. However, if we profess to have a relationship with Jesus Christ there needs to be evidence (fruit) in our lives to validate that claim.
We cannot manufacture ‘evidence’ any more than an orange tree can bear an apple.
We will begin to bear evidence—or fruit---of being followers of Jesus Christ
by -- making positively sure that we are ‘saved’, reading the Bible so that you can learn about God and how to live out your faith and attending a church that preaches the truth found in the infallible Word of God plus surround yourself with others that share your beliefs to encourage one another.
Often times the simplest phrases express the greatest truths for example, “Actions speak louder than words’. When others watch you what do they hear? Contradiction or confirmation?
*Remember, ‘if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck and sounds like a duck—it’s a duck.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rufus has a best buddy~Mr. Ball
Mr. Ball is his constant companion.
When Rufus gets overheated by playing outside with Mr. Ball—not only does he come in to cool off and get a nice cold drink, he also brings with him, Mr. Ball, and puts him in the water dish so that he can also cool down!
Rufus is very considerate of Mr. Ball in that way, however, he also throws Mr. Ball under the bus (literally) to get attention.
Among humans this syndrome is medically referred to as
Munchausen by proxy. That is the perpetrator (Rufus) feels satisfied by gaining the attention and sympathy of (his grand-parents, mom, aunt & uncle) by creating scenarios where Mr. Ball is in dire need of help.
Proof of Rufus having Munchausen by proxy syndrome are the following but not exhaustive examples of his MBPS:
After looking around to assure himself that we are not observing him—he will drop Mr. Ball into the fountain and then begins barking loudly and incessantly to alert us that Mr. Ball is drowning and needs rescued!
Or he will maneuver Mr. Ball between the plexi-glass gate and the deck railings and once again demands our attention with earsplitting barks to communicate to us that Mr. Ball has been imprisoned and needs bailed out.
His latest tactic is to drop Mr. Ball off of the deck and then bark
like a siren making a loud prolonged warning sound that Mr. Ball jumped off the deck in an attempt of suicide, when in actuality—Rufus pushed him over the edge…to the rocks below.
Rufus expresses much happiness each time Mr. Ball is rescued…but his euphoria is short lived..in that --as soon as our backs are turned he is planning or executing the next demise for Mr. Ball.
Why is Rufus so desperate for attention….at the expense and harm of his buddy, Mr. Ball?
Is it that his father abandoned him as a pup (while he was deployed to Iraq)?
Or that his mother neglects him by day (while she is at the Dance Studio teaching dance)?
The answer maybe only lies with a dog-whisperer.
So, until we can schedule therapy or an exorcism for Rufus….
we will encourage Mr. Ball to take out a restraining order against Rufus
…and place Mr. Ball into protective custody.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
A Daughter's Love for her Mother
As I have been fondly reminiscing the weekend spent with you & Dad at the end of September--I thought about how I often declare
‘I am a Daddy’s girl’...and I am.
However that is not a slight against you. I love you both equally.
I just assume that you know that (& have known that throughout the years)--but you know what they say about when you assume…..so I want to remind you of this fact so that there never is a doubt.
You are my Mom and I love you dearly.
If you were holding my one hand and Daddy the other and there was a tug of war over who is my most loved parent—well, you would have to pull me in half…
As a Mom, myself—I know full well that you were the one who primarily cared for me from birth through the adolescent years. You nurtured me, taught me respect towards others and instilled in me manners. You brushed my hair, ironed my clothes ( & sometimes my hair in an attempt to straighten out my curls!) You made our house a home & every evening at 5 PM we gathered as a Family to share a home cooked meal and stories and laughter. I always felt loved and safe in our home, because of you (and Dad).
The list is endless of all that you have done for me.
You sacrificed much for me to have more.
I was not always easy—and I wish I could go back through time and have a ‘do-over’ because I would never want to be disrespectful or hurtful. (I hope you also know that it was more of a maturing process than an attack on you as a parent.) If God would give me a 'do-over'---and give me a choice in the matter--- I would pick you all over again as my Mom.
Being a Mother is undeniably the hardest job in the world and a life long vocation that no one is trained for or has earned a degree in...and yet it is also the most rewarding privilege. Children are truly a gift from God...and Mothers are a gift to their children. I know this is not true concerning all mothers...but it is of you!
I admit that --as a mother myself -- my heart desires to please God in all my actions and reactions with my own children--- yet though my spirit is willing, my flesh is weak…and thus I fail—more often than I like.
I so loathe those times---however, those very times humble me and keep me on my 'heart knees'- before God.
Dependent on His mercy. Relying on His forgiveness.
Embraced by His grace. Lifted by His love.
And I believe that is just where He wants me—not just during those times—but at all times!
So, yes I am a Daddy‘s girl—of my heavenly father and my earthly father.
However, I am also my Mother’s daughter, your little girl --no matter how many years go by.
I am a daughter who loves her Mother very much and
I am also immensely grateful to God that you are my Mommy.
This is why I send you flowers on my birthday.
It is my birth day, but more importantly it is a day to show my love & thanks to you for being my Mom.
I love you Mom! Happy Birthday!
May we Sell-ebrate many more this side of Heaven.
Your daughter, ~Wendy Lee
Wendy's Witz-dom: Honoring our Parents is the only commandment accompanied with a promise!
God’s Wisdom: ‘Her children rise up and bless her’ (Proverbs 31:28a)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
