Doses of Faith

 How would you like to be reminded of something that happened fifty years ago? Recently, a lady called me to tell me about something that she had heard that happened fifty years ago. After the call, I wondered why in the world dig up old dirt on someone from their past.  We may never know the trials and pains a person may have endured over their lifetime. People make bad decisions. Some people regret those decisions and change to a better life. Then, along comes the little reminders through the words of a busybody. Words shared to one. The one shares with another. Most of the others continue the cycle. Words. Not words to encourage, but words that reopens a painful season. If only we all consider our words before speaking, because words matter. "But I say to you that every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement. For your words will be justified and by your words you will be condemned."              ...

Saved by Grace. Just what is grace? Before answering I will consider how broken I continue to be. Yes! I have been saved by the grace of God. I believe it. Why me?  Once I was broken and all the pieces have not been put together yet. I have my faults. Yet, with those imperfections, I continue to learn and grow. With all those imperfections, I was a teacher of the gospel. I didn't ask for it as it was offered to me. I didn't feel qualified, but there was that sweet quiet teacher there to encourage me with every lesson. I studied. I prayed. I reached out to God. He was always there. My words were not mine. As my mind was filled more and more with God's grace, I learned to be more loving, giving, and forgiving. Yet, God is still working on me. Why me?  Just because. No reasonable reason for the intellectual mind. Why not the talkative social butterfly? Wouldn't a talker be better? Why not the Bob Jones University graduate who has studied under Bible scholars? Wouldn't ...

 As I start my day, I am faced with many choices of how to start this day. Today, I wonder how much that choice influences my thoughts, words, and actions. With the little phone within reach, I can see what is happening in the world through the eyes of those on social media or any news outlet. Each has the power to control my thoughts and views. Then, if I avoid that little phone, open the door and simply listen to nature out my back door calming my spirit and lifting my thoughts to the beauty of our beautiful world, I can find joy in God's creation. However, there is another choice. The choice many may never consider. This is seeking the greatest of all Influencers. "... for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that ROCK was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4)  People and circumstances will always continue to be the same. When Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Corinth, the church was surrounded in a society of idolatry overflowing with forni...