In the
Christian world it seems honesty is difficult “to do” because it means people
can see us as we are instead of who we want them to see us as. I try to be honest even when people ask “How
are you doing?” in passing by, sometimes shocking them with my answers. So here’s my bit of honesty…
My head
wanders around with little direct focus.
There are about ten things in the Christian realm on which I continue to
contemplate, several of which cause me to ponder Christianity and the mess it
seems we (in the West) have become, three of which I need to make a decision as
to action to take. My body continues to
ache from I don’t know what combined with heavy pulling, lifting and throwing
of branches from the fallen tree. My
mind sometimes misses what a person says to me, perhaps only hearing the last
word.
In between
all of the hard work of clearing branches, changing the house around and major
cleaning, I enter in to a video gaming mode instead of what I should be doing-
spending more time with my Love. Today I
realized there is little if any of this ‘down time’ that will benefit me in
Heaven as it will mostly be ‘burned up’ as useless chaff. All this time and effort--- for nothing. How much of our lives will be like that?
Ah, now I understand my current state. There are certain things I am avoiding…
It’s easy to
fall into the ruts of our pasts, far easier than heading in new
directions. I’m sure there is also some
fear of the unknown kicking in there too.
The truth is I’m tired. I don’t
want to post. I don’t want to think so
much. But in the midst of this mess I
can’t forget this thought I found online.
John the Baptist preached:
Therefore bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, … And now also the axe is laid to the root of
the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is cut
down and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do
then? … He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. And he who has
food, let him do likewise. And tax-collectors …said to him, Teacher, what shall
we do? And he said to them, Continue to do no more than that commanded to you.
And the soldiers also asked … what shall we do? And he said to them, Do not forcibly
extort anyone, nor accuse any falsely.
And be content with your wages. Lk. 3:8-14 (in part)
Jesus preached:
But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse
you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you
and persecute you, Mt. 5:44
And He also said to him who invited Him, When you make a
dinner or a supper, do not call your friends or your brothers, or your kinsmen,
or your rich neighbors; lest they also
invite you again, and a recompense be made to you. But when you make a feast,
call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you shall be blessed, for
they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.
Lk. 14:12-14
For I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty,
and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in; I was
naked, and you did not clothe Me; I was sick, and in prison, and you did not
visit me.
Then He shall answer them, saying, Truly I say to you,
Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of
the least of these, you did not do it to
Me. Mt. 25:42,43,45
Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and
give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, take up
the cross and follow Me. Mr. 10:21
Sell what you have and give alms… Lk 12:33
Whoever secretly
slanders his neighbor, I will cut him off; him who has a high look and a proud
heart, I will not allow. Ps. 101:5
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
and if one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, but you do
not give them those things which are needful to the body, what good is it? Even so, if it does not have works, faith
is dead, being by itself. But someone will say, You have faith, and I have
works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith from
my works. Jm. 2:15-18
How many of these things do we ACTUALLY do?