Proverbs 27 "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall!"

I am going through the fun baby phase of life with my son. Everything is so new and interesting. He stares at his hands trying to make his little fingers move. He is starting to wave his hand when we say "Hi"; but it ends up more like he is beating his chest. He says dada and will not say mama. He loves looking in mirrors. He always gets the biggest smile. I sometimes wonder what might be going on in that little head of his as he tries to grab his fingers through the glass.

19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man

During my lifetime I have stared at that same mirror. Sometimes, I have liked what was staring back and sometimes it has brought me to tears. I long to have a genuine relationship with Christ that when people look at me He is all they see. I know that I am human; but if I can let people see Him most of the time...well, maybe I will be on track. I want my heart to be a true reflection of the One I follow.

I just finished a book, "Jim and Casper Go to Church", it has really challenged me to show Jesus through the things I do; be more than just someone who goes to church. I need to "BE" Jesus to people. I can't just sit around hoping that they will come to me. I need to get out and help people and really care about people. I can't just make them another number on my conversion tally. I need to seem them as Jesus sees them even if they choose not to follow Him.

People can see past all the fakeness and believe me I have mastered fakeness at times. Being a pastor's wife, I have learned how to put up walls and put a smile on my face. I think that I get away with 100% of the time. But, I am beginning to believe I am wrong. When people come to our church, I don't want them to see me as that "unusually happy" person greeting them at the door. I want my heart to show genuine love and compassion, not a fake happy this is what I do attitude. People are not dumb and they can see past all that garbage. They know when a person is genuine or not. Help me Jesus to be real; because you are a real God.

17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

I love books, friends and family that help sharpen me. Sometimes, the sharpening really hurts. But, I do not want to be dull and ineffective. So thanks Jim and Casper, Jenilee, Jennifer, my parents, my grandma and John for never leaving me dull. I hope anyone reading this can find people in your life that will help sharpen you!

Today, may my heart reflect Jesus and I will...

GET JOY!

Check out my friends perspective on Chapter 27!

My son is six months old. I took that picture two days ago. He is so wonderful and I love him so much. Thanks Lord for such a wonderful Joy!

Proverbs 14 "See the Need"

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,

and no one else can share its joy.

I find that this is and interesting verse. I had a different view of it first and then I read some commentaries and now it has changed a little. Here in this verse it is basically talking about that no one really knows what is going on in someone else's heart except that person. We can not know the sadness or the joy thats inside.

Why is this important? I think all of us make assumptions on why people act the way they do and responded to them based on those assumptions. Oh, I have been so wrong, so many times about various people. I have had to learn the hard way. This is why Christ wants us to love others with His love. He knows all our hurts, all our joys, all our pain and all our thoughts.

I remember in one of my classes at CBC, one of my professors taught us the "Jonathan Principle". To sum up it was about how his young son "Jonathan" had taught him to look past peoples hurts and see the "need"! That "need" is their need for Christ. We can not know why people act the way they do; that however, should not change the way we respond to them.

It is easy to show love to those whose heart's is full of joy. But when they are ugly to us, "see the need". When the ignore us, "see the need". When they are shy,"see the need". When they say mean things, "see the need". When they are bitter, "see the need". When they are hurting, "see the need". When they seem indifferent, "see the need". In any circumstance in any situation, "see the need".

We can not know what God will do if we do not move out of our comfort zone and reach out with the love of Christ. There is an aspect here of not only seeing but doing something. God wants' us to reach out and meet peoples needs what ever they are. Not only is there a need for Christ; but there are other needs that we must meet. There are needs that are "felt". "Felt" needs are real life needs that need assistance like food, clothing, shelter. Those are "felt" needs. There are also physically, mental, emotional and spiritual needs. Let's look past how the person may be acting out as a result of their needs and try to help them with those needs. So that they may come to know Christ.

Our hearts should always be filled with His compassion. Then we will be able to see through His eyes. Then we will better understand what our neighbor, friend, church member, acquaintance, the homeless person, co-worker, single mom....anybody might be going through and see their need.

See "the need", move, and...

GET JOY!

See my friend's perspective on Chapter 14!

The picture is of my great grandma Clara. I love this shot of her; because you are wondering what she might be thinking.