The Message

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous.  (1 John 3:11-12)

To Hug or Not to Hug - That is the Question

At the church I attend, we greet each other with hugs. It’s simply a reflection of the joy and fellowship we have in Jesus. It’s hard to believe, but some people want to make hugging into something almost like a crime. That’s right – a crime.

For some reason, they claim hugging is dangerous – some sort of malicious act full of evil intent. How sad. As society becomes more psychotic, normal affection is viewed as sinister!

Can you imagine a world where children are not hugged? Or where single moms, widows and widowers never receive loving embraces? How many grandmothers’ hearts would break if they were not allowed to hug their grandchildren?

Of course, as a Christian, I do not worry about hugging. After all, the Bible clearly tells us to greet one another with a “holy kiss.” It’s true. God encourages such loving and pure contact and found it worthy enough to include in His word, not just once, but 4 times.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. (Romans 16:16)

All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss. (1 Corinthians 16:20)

Greet one another with a holy kiss. (2 Corinthians 13:12)

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. (1 Thessalonians 5:26)

I say, forget the hugging, and let us greet one another with a holy kiss!

In holiness, purity and righteousness,
Robyn

Wildfires & the First Amendment

The Western wildfires have caused major damages, and my heart goes out to the victims.

Some face devastation. Others lost loved ones or their very lives.

Similarly, in this global media age, words also spread like wildfires. They remain almost impossible to put out in a timely manner – destroying the innocent.

Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  (James 3:5)

Some claim that “We’re all journalists now,” but it seems to me that America has decided to embrace “The National Geographic mentality” with all of its sensationalism. Sadly, some individuals take advantage of and hide behind the first amendment to literally ruin lives.

According to the above article, “[A lot of self-proclaimed journalists are] determined to express name-calling, raw anger, half-truths, fear-mongering and untruths in the name of ‘freedom,’ rather than through making reasoned arguments based on verifiable reality and careful persuasion.”

Others simply enjoy reading the latest gossip – a choice morsel to them – and passing on what they’ve “heard” adding, of course, “I don’t know if it’s true or not, but…” or “Bless her heart!”

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.   (Proverbs 18:8)

Again,

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts.   (Proverbs 26:22)

I find it truly appalling to read lies written and “reported” by someone who thrives on name-calling, fear-mongering and untruths! It’s an insult to anyone with any intelligence and concern for human beings, and quite frankly, reminds me of high school!

As the West battles the affects of blazes, let us consider how to extinguish the words of a gossip and live in peace.

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.   (Proverbs 26:20)

So Smart and Yet So Stupid

Ever wonder how someone can be so smart and yet so stupid?

It’s simple: That person hates correction.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.   (Proverbs 12:1)

Just something to think about.

Guilty by Look

We’ve all heard the saying, “If looks could kill,” but what if looks could convict?

Can you imagine someone in authority declaring your guilt because of your look? Think about it. 

Maybe your eyebrows forged too close together. Maybe your mouth was open slightly or perhaps it remained closed, but just a little too puckered. Maybe you exercised your right to sit quietly.

It’s really unimaginable, but I know someone who “reported” – with certainty – that a man is guilty because of his look. 

Well, isn’t that something? Haven’t we come a long way in America? Gone are the days of guilty by association; now one can be guilty by look.

They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.  They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it."   (Psalm 35:20-21)

Well, this should simplify things. Just let the authorities look at suspects. No need for a fair trial— what a perfect way to save time and money for everyone! 

But…in some cases the convicted look could actually kill, couldn’t it? Think about it!

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."  (John 7:24)

Intimidation

Remember your high school days? 

Remember the drama? 

I recall times when mean kids drove by wearing a huge, fake grin from ear to ear waving frantically just to intimidate – to rub something in my face.

Can you believe that some adults still practice this? I know – it’s pathetic, but it still happens. In fact, I know someone who literally tries to intimidate others using this same juvenile, wicked method. 

The scoundrel's methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.   (Isaiah 32:7)

Praise God, our heavenly father, that as Christians we have no need to fret, no need to worry and certainly no need to be intimidated; for He is our refuge – our shield – so much so that He repeats the promise!

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.   (2 Samuel 22:31)

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.   (Psalm 18:30)

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.   (Proverbs 30:5)

He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,   (Proverbs 2:7)

On to victory!

Amen and Amen!

Robyn

The Blame Game

It’s human nature to blame others for our own faults.

When my boys were small, I interjected during one of their arguments with, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? (They were very familiar with this verse found in James 4:1-2.)

Immediately – without any hesitation – one turned, pointed directly at his brother and declared boldly (and loudly), “HIM!”

To be honest, I had to turn my head in order to hide my smile and laughter. 

While this can be cute in youngsters, it’s repulsive in adults. 

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  (James 4:1-2)

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.  (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Indeed, even secular experts advise against playing the blame game. According to SixWise.com, “When you constantly blame others, view yourself as a victim and feel others are causing all of your hardships, you inevitably surround yourself with anger, resentment and negative thoughts… Most experts agree, taking personal responsibility for yourself is not only the adult thing to do, it's the right thing to do…”

 

This proves the Bible true – again!

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.  (Acts 10:34-35)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  (Romans 12:17)

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.   (2 Corinthians 8:21)

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed.  (2 Corinthians 13:7)

Don’t you hate it when grown-ups refuse to do what is right? Don’t you find it extremely unnerving – to say the least – when individuals never, ever take responsibility for their own actions, for their own decisions, for their own failures?  Now, imagine you received the blame when you were truly innocent.

This happened in a previous court case in which I was involved. It’s hard to believe, but the defense attorney actually blamed a devoted wife and mother for the husband’s infidelity.

Why? Because his wife planned menus and cooked large meals.

No kidding – it’s true! They literally refused to do the right thing – take responsibility and humbly admit guilt – and placed the blame on the innocent party.

And so it goes. I know someone else who has done this for thirty-plus years and shows no signs of stopping.

It’s sickening to watch really. What a vile act to betray and blame the blameless instead of doing what is right – taking responsibility for one’s own actions like a mature adult! Goodness, even the world knows better!

Be careful, lest you be taken in by those who place blame – rather than accept it – and become a pawn in their game.

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.  (1 John 3:10)

We would do well to consider the blameless – as it is a salvation issue.

LORD , who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?  He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart  and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,  who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD , who keeps his oath even when it hurts,  who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.   (Psalm 15:1-5)

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.  (Psalm 37:37)