Blog Archives - IRONSTRIKES

Christ, The Saviour of the World

6/30/2018

In September 1878, a dreadful accident happened on the Thames, when an excursion steamer, named the Princess Alice, was cut down by the Bywell Castle, an outward bound merchant steamship. More than 700 persons found a watery grave.

Among the brave efforts that were made on that occasion to save the drowning people, one of the noblest was made by a man who was in charge of a small boat at some distance from the scene of the collision. Rowing with all his might into the midst of the struggling passengers, he pulled several of them one after another into his little boat, which was now full and in danger of sinking, and prepared to row away. But when he saw the upturned faces of many others and heard their piteous cries: "Oh save me, sir!" "Don't leave me sir!" it is said that in agony he threw up his arms and cried: "O God, that I had a bigger boat! Oh, God!! that I had a bigger boat!!!" His heart was large enough to save all who were perishing, but his boat was too small; his power was limited.

It is not so with Christ. He is the life-boat of perishing humanity, and in Him there is room for the whole race, for "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

W.T. Fleck, pages 28-29 in One Thousand Evangelistic Illustrations, edited by Webb, A. (1924). New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers

Revival: The Bigger Vision

6/29/2018

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” (Acts 4:32-35)

When churches speak of “revival,” the model most often referred to is the account of Pentecost in Acts 2, and there are good reasons for this. The disciples obeyed Jesus, they gathered together in harmony as He commanded (“with one accord in one place” [Acts 2:1 KJV]), and they waited obediently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God kept His promise and allowed the first “infant” steps of the Church to reflect God’s miraculous, barrier-breaking love and power.

Pentecost demonstrated that other barriers seeming to impede God’s mission are just as easily removed. In Acts 2, the Gospel was preached and heard clearly outside of the native language of the disciples. God’s intention is to have a global Church where men, women, teens, and children can live out the good news regardless of ethnicity or geography (see Matt. 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8).

There is a second aspect to revival, found in Acts 4. Here we begin to see the long-lasting impact of the initial revival experienced in Acts 2. We see ecstatic moments of supernatural communication and healing, the deepening of the community of faith (the Church), and thus the Church’s broadening impact on those around them. In other words, the disciples did not leave the Pentecost experience with simply a good feeling and a story to tell their children. They also left with a clear vision of a Church that would impact the poor, the widows, the oppressed, and the hungry.

The spiritual transformation and experience of Pentecost were not the full content of revival. Instead, they were a precursor to the larger revival that involved Christians, empowered by the Spirit, putting their faith into action as a witness to the love of Jesus Christ. The results of this lived out love, according to Acts 4:32-35, included sharing their wealth and possessions with those in need. What they did on behalf of those in need was both a reflection of and an ongoing product of what they experienced.

There was no separation between a spiritual transformation and helping the needy in the early Church. These were married together, just as they were in the ministry of Jesus Himself! This is the fullness of revival as Acts describes it.

Can we pray together for real revival? Revival implies the breathing of new life into God’s people. The purpose of this revitalization is sharing the love of Christ with each other and those in need through our lives. This Christian love is expressed in a variety of ways, ranging from sharing words of hope to sharing a meal. Revive us, O Lord!

Prayer:

“God, give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love, and a single eye, and then let men or devils do their worst!" (George Whitefield)

This post was written by Charles W. Christian the managing editor of Holiness Today. You can find the original post here: holinesstoday.org/a-bigger-vision-of-revival

Discipleship is a Two-Way Street

6/28/2018

Phil. 2:19   I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I may be cheered by news of you. 20 I have no one like him who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 All of them are seeking their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But Timothy’s worth you know, how like a son with a father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him as soon as I see how things go with me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I will also come soon.

Observation:

Paul had invested much time and energy into the life of Timothy. It is apparent that Paul now had complete trust in Timothy and that he would faithfully fulfill his duties. He was confident that he could send Timothy in his place because he knew that Timothy’s passion and concern would reflect his own. There would be no self-interest in all of this, but simply a genuine desire to glorify Jesus Christ.

Application

Taking the time to invest in the lives of others is vitally important. Every now and then God will place a Timothy into your life. He was a young man that was worth the investment. Paul could see his potential that simply needed some nurture and care. There were times that Timothy was timid and afraid, and that he needed encouragement. He was young in his ministry assignment and there were those who didn’t always like the ways in which he did things. Timothy probably had trouble speaking up for himself and yet, there were always those letters from Paul. He encouraged Timothy to keep pressing on, never to be distracted and to remain faithful for the mission of Jesus Christ.

Intentionality in discipleship and mentorship is vital if we are to have a future. There will always be young people like Timothy with great potential, but sometimes what is needed is encouragement to be unlocked, or unleashed. As followers of Jesus Christ we should always be looking for opportunities to raise up the next generation of leaders. There is no need to be intimidated by them, for our greatest joy will come from watching them grow and develop far beyond our capabilities. Paul knew what Timothy’s weaknesses were, but he never exploited them, instead he found ways to strengthen them for the benefit of the kingdom.

It becomes pretty obvious that Timothy was willing to be mentored. His spirit of humility comes through in his actions. He has learned from Paul what it means to truly follow Jesus Christ. He doesn’t seem to try and take the place of Paul, or do this work or ministry for selfish gain. The motivations of the heart need to be checked when one is seeking a mentor. The motivation should always be for the sake of the kingdom, not to receive personal fame. Genuine love for God and love for others needs to flow out of the recesses of one’s heart.

When this faithful mentorship becomes a two-way street, it is possible to hand off the baton to the next generation. This is faithful cultivation of sustainability within the kingdom of God. We all have a responsibility to act in this way, respecting and encouraging others to be faithful and successful in the work that God has called us all to do. Sddenly there is genuine love for God and service that rises above all other motivations and the Lord is glorified.

We find great joy in the work of others when we realize it is all for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Prayer:

Lord, open my eyes to be discipled and to be a discipler for your glory. Amen.

This post was written by Rev Carla Sunberg. You can find her original post here:  reflectingtheimage.blogspot.com/2018/04/faithful-mentorship-is-two-way-street.html

For a free, comprehensive discipleship program, go to:  disciplers.org

Reducing Distractibility

6/27/2018

Almost all of us get distracted when we need to concentrate for a long time on a task.

When we need to sit through a meeting or boring lecture or training session. When we’re reading a dull document or textbook (or really any book). When we’re replying to an email. When we’re writing a report, essay or article.

Concentration is essential for everything we do and yet it can often be hard to come by.

“Behavioral scientists tell us that many of today’s jobs, schools, and lifestyles put us in unnatural positions—literally: neither our brains nor our bodies were made to focus for countless hours on end,” writes Heather Fishel in her book Fidget! 101 Ways to Boost Your Creativity and Decrease Your Stress. “We were made to move around. The long periods of sitting, the lack of changes in our physical and mental scenery—they’re enough to test anyone’s attention reserves.”

Fishel notes that according to Purdue University, fidgeting is when one activity focuses part of the brain on the key task, while another activity uses a different part of the brain and body to release built-up, antsy energy. “The second activity—the fidget—frees up the main part of the brain to devote its focus to the important project at hand,” she writes. “Even though it seems counterintuitive, distraction and loss of focus often arise not because we’re out of energy, but because we’ve got too much mental and physical energy that isn’t used up in the process of doing whatever it is we’re focused on.”

In Fidget! Fishel encourages readers to move—to move our bodies, to daydream, to doodle—because this can actually help us become more productive, more creative and more engaged. Below are valuable tips and insights from Fishel’s book.

Draw weird and wacky doodles. Mix unrelated ideas and thoughts in unique ways. For instance, you might put a flamingo’s legs on an elephant, sketch an underwater scene in a forest, or put a garden on the moon. And you might do this during a droning lecture, because it provides “an outlet for your boredom, inspiring your brain to think in different ways while your ears continue to take in the information being discussed.”
Draw exactly what you hear. This is another strategy to do during a lecture (or meeting). Draw whatever comes across as the loudest word. For instance, at your meeting, your boss mentions a significant increase in cash with a certain project, so you draw dollar signs. At your training session, the instructor mentions the new travel policy, so you draw an image of a credit card and airplane.
Stare out the window. Let yourself focus on what people are doing, where cars are going, how the flowers are blooming, how the rain drops from the sky. “Referred to as Attention Restoration Theory by some researchers, the act of simply looking out a window gives the brain a short break and moment of relief,” Fishel writes.
Move your hands and fingers. This helps “your body to channel distraction without giving in to it,” Fishel writes. For instance, you might squeeze a crumpled piece of paper or rub a smooth stone. You might flip and twirl the strings of your hoodie or push buttons on a calculator.
Move while reading. “Reading is almost made to make restless minds wander: a long, immersive, concentration-heavy activity that requires focus on every word, detail, and theme, reading is something we’re taught to do while remaining silent and still,” Fishel writes. Instead, get up and move around—pace around the room, walk in circles or walk on the treadmill.
Snack on tricky foods. This might be anything from a granola bar to toffee to beef jerky to a lollipop with a chewable center. Basically, you want a snack that makes your mouth work. Interestingly, this helps you to develop a rhythm and keeps you calm. Fishel notes, “your mouth is kept busy by the tricky treat and your brain doesn’t have to try to control or instruct it.”
Listen to the songs sung by birds. According to Fishel, “The notes of a nightingale’s song, the continuous patter of a woodpecker, the chirps of a blue jay, and a dove’s cooing all create the same effect: cognitive stimulation that increases focus, betters brain function, and invigorates energy.” You might listen to a birdsong soundtrack, open your window, or go to the park.

Today, our minds are frequently distracted. After all, distractions are aplenty: Different alerts ding all around us. We receive new emails every few minutes. And we naturally might not be able to sustain our concentration for hours anyway. Which is why fidgeting can help. Try the tips that resonate with you. Pay attention to what works best. And use your boundless creativity to come up with your own fidgeting strategies.

This post was written by Margarita Tartakovsky. You can find her original post here: blogs.psychcentral.com/everyday-creativity/2018/06/when-you-need-to-really-focus-these-strategies-can-help/

Summer Vacation With Kids

6/26/2018

June Parent: “Wait until we get through the end of the school year, then there will be less stress.”

August Parent: “Wait until school gets started and there is more structure, then there will be less stress.”

Who is correct? If you answered “both”, you are very correct! The academic, social and extracurricular strains of school and the lack of structure and responsibility to academics each bring their own set of struggles and stresses for parents and adolescents alike. The balance in finding summer activities, jobs and responsibilities that allow for summer freedom and structure is a tricky equation for families to achieve, sometimes having to vary that balance for each child or adolescent. Here is a quick guide to help families striving to find that balance….

1. Summer is a great time to pursue an interest. As parents, we spend so much time trying to help our kiddos be happy and accomplished. There is a vast body of evidence that learning something new and rewarding is one of the prime ways to help support interests and enhance joy. Has your child always wanted to try acting? Had some untapped potential on dad’s guitar? Wanted to try their hand at surfing? Seems to have a green thumb but hasn’t tried gardening? You get the idea. It is a wonderful opportunity to allow kids to choose their own interest and support it through a camp, formal instruction, or school. Often, community colleges, local non-profits, town recreation departments or a google search can identify some inexpensive choices to pursue an interest or hone a talent.

2. Summer is a nice time to add some family structure. How many times do we fall into the trap of wanting more time to spend as a family but not being able to prioritize it because of our jobs, homework, extracurricular activities, etc.. Summer can be a great time to pick a couple of nights a week and have some low key fun that is also family oriented. Wednesday picnics at the park, Friday dinner and a movie nights, Sunday BBQ fests or Tuesday trips to a beach for din-din can be great ways to have a less structured meal and add some family time to schedule that often cannot accommodate it during the school year.

3. Take time to give time. Volunteering has a great way of benefiting the recipient as much as the provider. Even a one or two day a week volunteer position can help add some much needed structure while getting the added benefit of helping others and yourself. It can look great on college applications and center around an area of interest. Local non-profits are always looking for volunteers…..

4.  Project your projects for summer fun and added structure. Always wanted to organize the junk drawer? Clean the shed? Start that garden where the weeds have taken over? Bettering our living environment can often benefit our stress levels and mental health. Working on a single project once a week can get a lot of those random tasks that “we will get to some day” completed today. By starting a calendar and having a weekly project to complete, we can add to our sense of achievement and togetherness.

5.  The season of self discovery. While summer feels like the antithesis of January 1st, it can often provide a time where we can actually do those new year’s resolutions that were dismissed on January 12th. By adding a task that betters ourselves, it can be productive too. Want to eat healthier? Make a weekly meal structure that can be easier to maintain in July than January. Want to increase our appreciation for others? Start a gratitude journal.

This post was adapted from an article written by Jim Holsomback. You can find his original post here:  blogs.psychcentral.com/practical-parenting/2018/06/five-steps-for-parents-planning-a-great-summer-vacation/

Signs You May Be a Textaholic

6/25/2018

“When they open up the time capsule for 2002, 2012, 2020, they’re going to find that what brought us down as a civilization, is texting.” – Judge Judy on The Larry King Now Show

I won’t say it’s the end of civilization as we know it but, there are a lot of things to be said about that statement. When I think about all the levels of how texting has harmed our daily life, and tainted our form of communication, I have to say take a closer look into why this is the case.

Here are some issues I’ve found problematic when it comes to texting:

Frequency: How often are you texting? Are you texting others while at dinner with a friend? Do you sleep next to your phone and get triggered to immediately respond to a beep, ding, or a vibration sound? Do you check your phone for texts even without any notification? If you say yes to one of these questions you might need to consider that you have a problematic relationship with texting.

Cowardly: One can argue that texting versus picking up the phone could be a cowardly things to do. What are you afraid of? Are you using texting to avoid a conversation with someone? Does texting abate feelings of anxiety, or relief you from potential conflict?

Control: Is texting a form of control for you? Maybe you feel the need to control the conversation, and if you are stuck on the phone with someone, and don’t know what the other person is going to say, so you won’t have time to craft your response like you would in a text. Is texting a way to control a relationship based on how fast you respond to a text? Does that put you in the drivers seat and make you feel in charge?

Obsessed: Do you scroll back and re-read text conversations to analyze it, and pick it a part to understand the meaning behind words? Often times we can obsess over even just one text, or even just one word in a text.

For example:

Text: How are you?
Response: Cool. Busy.
Reaction: Ok, so you’re cool, but busy too. So, are you blowing me off? Are you too busy to talk, or not interested in further engaging with me? Or are you just cool, busy, no big deal? I don’t know and can spend a lot of time ruminating on it.

Another example:

Text: Love you.
Response: I love you too.
Reaction: Why didn’t he or she say I love you. Does it make it less valid when you shorten those all so crucial three words? Do you sorta love me, or think of your love for me in passing? Sounds crazy to pick apart words in a sentence but people do it, and the time spent trying to determine the meaning behind words in a sentence can drive someone crazy.

Dependent: When was the last time you had a conversation in person or over the phone? Are you so dependent on texting as a form of conversation that you have lost the ability to form relationships with human contact? Does the thought of not having access to your phone for texting cause you anxiety or stress?

These are just some examples to consider. On the flip side, texting does have it’s benefits, for it is at the very least a form of communication but, is it your number one form to engage with civilization? Let’s hope not. If you were to count how many times in a day, or even an hour, that you look at your phone to check for texts or write texts, and find yourself falling into any of the warning signs listed above, maybe you’re experience of civilization is void.

This post was written by Erica Loberg of PsychCentral. You can find the original post here: blogs.psychcentral.com/manic-depression/2018/05/23/5-warning-signs-for-a-textaholic/

Uncle Buddy: Aging in a Wooden Coffin

6/24/2018

A few years ago there was a certain brand of whisky made in old Kentucky, advertised, “Aged in the wood.” When I was up there the last time, a few gentlemen got a jug of this whisky, and when I left Kentucky these same gentlemen were aging in the wood.

Robinson, Reuben A. (Bud). The Collected Works of 'Uncle Bud' Robinson (Kindle Locations 4511-4513). Jawbone Digital. Kindle Edition.

Penalty Unnecessary?

6/23/2018

A person once said to me, "I hate your God; your God demands blood. I don't believe in such a God. My God is merciful to all. I do not know your God."

If you will turn to Lev xvii, you will find why God demands blood. "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for your soul."

Suppose there was a law that man should not steal, but no penalty was attached to stealing; some man would have my pocketbook before dinner. If I threatened to have him arrested, he would snap his fingers in my face. He would not fear the law if there was no penalty. It is not the law that people are afraid of; it is the penalty attached.

Do you suppose God has made a law without a penalty? What an absurd thing it would be! Now, the penalty for sin is death; "The soul that sins shall die." I must die or get somebody to die for me. If the Bible doesn't teach that, it doesn't teach anything.

And that is where the atonement of Jesus Christ comes in.

D.L. Moody, page 28 in One Thousand Evangelistic Illustrations, edited by Webb, A. (1924). New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers

The Central Message of the Bible

6/22/2018

Renowned theologian Professor Karl Barth visited the United States in 1962. His appearance at the University of Chicago attracted ministers, theologians, and students from all over North America. And of course, the press was on hand.

“Dr. Barth, you are recognized as perhaps the greatest theologian of this century,” one reporter began in an interview. “What is the most profound theological idea you have entertained?” After a moment’s thought the Swiss theologian replied, “Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so!”

Karl Barth was not being facetious. In his ingenious way, he was getting at the very heart of the Christian faith. The Bible, he must have meant, is both profound and simple—so profound no human mind can ever plumb its depths, so simple “that a fool, though a wayfaring man, need not err therein.”

Many so-called “Bible students” have never seen this. Some consider the Bible an encyclopedia of information about interesting “religious” facts, designed to tease the human mind with such questions as, “Where did Cain get his wife?” Others study the Bible as if it were a divinely inspired jigsaw puzzle, and they invest all their ingenuity in trying to put it together in such a way as to answer all the questions about the end-time, like “Where will Antichrist come from?” Yet others devote their strength and scholarly abilities to defending the Bible as God’s inerrant Word, unwittingly putting their trust in their own ability as men of reason rather than in the Spirit of Inspiration who breathed the Scriptures in the beginning.

The central message of the Bible is Jesus Christ, God’s Son and our Savior. The Bible is not simplistic, but it is “simple” in the true sense of the word—it has one theme: “God loved us and sent His son.”

Martin Luther thought of the Bible as the manger in which Christ is laid. If we spend all our time examining the straw, we may prick our fingers. But if we are wise and faithful, our adoring eyes will fasten on the Son of God.

The one purpose of the Bible is to proclaim Jesus Christ as “the Way without which there is no going, the Truth without which there is no knowing, and the Life without which there is no growing.”

“The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me.” Commenting on these words of St. Paul in Galatians 2:20, Luther gave this important bit of advice: “Read with great vehemency these words, ‘ME’ and ‘FOR ME,’ and so inwardly practice with thyself, that thou mayest conceive and print this ‘ME’ in thy heart, and apply it to thyself, not doubting that thou art of the number of those to whom this ‘ME’ belongeth. The Son of God loved me, poor wretched, damned sinner, as much as He loved Peter and Paul, and gave Himself for me as much as He gave himself for them.”

Therefore read it as you would read a love letter from someone who is dear to you. Read not only the lines but also “between the lines” in order to savor the Spirit which breathes within it. Pray as you read, “Open mine eyes that I may see!” and God will give you the Spirit who will reveal His love and His truth and heal your inner being.

God’s living Word touches every area of human need and concern. Although the Bible has but one theme, the implications of that message touch all of life and history. If in true obedience and simple faith you will attend God’s Word in the Bible, the Spirit who inspired its writers will illuminate your soul.

This post was written by William M. Greathouse (1919-2011) who was a minister and emeritus general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene. For the original post go to: holinesstoday.org/the-central-message-of-the-bible

It May Be Better to Follow the Rules

6/21/2018

1Sam. 2:22 Now Eli was very old. He heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 23 He said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. 24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear the people of the Lord spreading abroad. 25 If one person sins against another, someone can intercede for the sinner with the Lord; but if someone sins against the Lord, who can make intercession?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the Lord to kill them.

Observation:

We met the women at the tent of meeting long ago, during the time of Moses. These women were fulfilling a holy duty, caring for the place where God and man met. During the time of the exodus the women serving the tent of meeting gave up the mirrors which they wore around their necks so that they could be melted down and made into the basin which the priests used for ceremonial cleansing. They gave up their self-centeredness (the mirrors had been used in Egypt so that women could fix themselves up before pagan worship) and allowed this symbol to be used in another symbol of holiness. In other words, they consecrated what they had so that it could be made holy. Therefore, one would assume that the presence of the women in this narrative is that they represent that which is holy and has been consecrated to God.

Suddenly everything seems to have gone wrong, and this symbol of holiness, these women, have been desecrated. The priests who were supposed to represent the holiness of God, took the articles that were holy, and used them for their own benefit. If we read the sentence too quickly we miss out on the full effect. The language here can be interpreted to mean that the women were raped by Eli’s sons. The greed and self-centeredness of the priests is vile, these men who believe that they are above the law of God. They have become drunk with power and have lost all respect for the things of God, willing to ruin the lives of God’s precious people, beginning with these dedicated women.

The ordinary worshippers were horrified by the behavior of these two men. They expected Eli, their father and the high priest, to do something about it. Sadly, Eli didn’t seem to know how to respond to his own sons. John Wesley would say that Eli reproved them too gently, with a simply verbal rebuke. This was not going to bring about a change in their behavior. They had chosen to disregard the rules and for that, there needed to be real consequences. There should have been a place for punishment for these two men, but their father was lenient. Maybe it was because they had achieved such a high position, and that they were his sons, that he simply didn’t seem to have the backbone to bring them into alignment with the rules, and make them face the consequences of their behavior.

These sins, against the women, and in the offerings represented the most reprehensible behavior. Their sins were actually against the remedy for humanity — against the sacrifice for sins and the promise of holiness. Sadly, everyone suffered as a result of their decisions. The lives of the women would have been ruined; and quite possibly they would have been blamed! Maybe they were too attractive to work with the priests and they had brought this on themselves. If they had been virgins, they would never be allowed to marry because they were now “ruined.” In many ways any hope of a future may have been ripped from these women, used simply as instruments to satisfy the sensual desires of Eli’s sons.

Not only did the women suffer, but the entire community had to live with the consequences of their action. The community of faith began to splinter and the very presence of God was removed from them. As a people, they wandered in spiritual darkness because of the selfishness of the religious leaders. This occurred because they thought they were above the rules, and their father didn’t seem to have the backbone to enforce them.

Application:

I don’t know if Eli thought he was having compassion on his sons by not holding them accountable, but the end result was devastating. There are reasons why God has given us a roadmap, or rules for holy living. They do not exist for the purpose of removing all joy from our lives, but to give us direction and protection. Our loving heavenly Father does not want us to be wounded and have to live with the long-reaching effects of sin. That’s why there are rules!

Christians need to be hyper vigilant when it comes to living ethical lives. The Scriptures provide us with a basis for living the holy life. No, this is not something that we do on our own power, but the imitation of Christ and his holiness is vital to the Christian life. It is in imitation of Christ that we become reflections of Christ in this world.

The behaviors of the priests in today’s Scripture would never have reflected the character of God. Sadly, the story above is too often repeated today. People in positions of power and authority can be tempted to misuse their influence, thinking that somehow the rules don’t apply to them. It may start in little things, but it can grow far beyond their wildest imagination.

Wounded bystanders must be treated with the utmost care and not simply written off as “collateral damage.” We almost missed the women in today’s story because they aren’t the focus, but their ruined lives were very real. The long-term effects of our selfishness must be recognized. Far too often we have seen the stance Eli adopted; we are more concerned with the individuals in power than we are with the ones who are living with the aftermath. The result is that we think we are showing “compassion” by not enforcing the rules when, in fact, we are reeking havoc with far-reaching consequences.

All of God’s children must recognize the call to a deeper walk with Jesus Christ. We are to embrace the call to holy living and revere those whom God has placed within our circle of influence. All persons are to be deeply respected and the rules should be followed, for in following and enforcing them, the damage is contained. Sometimes punishment is the first step toward healing and can be the most compassionate response to a difficult situation. In the long run, it just may be better to follow the rules, than to live with negative consequences.

Prayer:

Lord, check me if I think that I can bend the rules for my benefit. Amen.

This post was written by Rev Carla Sunberg. You can find her original post here: reflectingtheimage.blogspot.com/2018/06/why-it-may-be-better-to-follow-rules.html