The Golden Rule

We have all heard the "golden rule" before.  In fact, I am sure that we all have it memorized, being that we heard it since we could walk and probably still here it every now and then.  The "golden rule" is a good rule to live by.

Did you know that more than 8 different religions have and teach a form of the "golden rule."  If you are interested in viewing the religions and the "golden rule" you can go here:  http://www.teachingvalues.com/goldenrule.html  I am going to use the scripture from The Bible, Matthew 7:1

Matthew 7:1-5,  from the The Message Bible:
^1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

I love coupons and I have "liked" a few coupon pages on facebook, and one of these sites posted on facebook today, a great deal on an item!  The item was on sale for a $1.00 when it is regularly $20.00.   I started reading all the comments under the post and man oh man, I couldn't believe what I was reading.  People were literally fighting back and forth through their comments.  I read were some people picked up 20 of this said item, just because it was 1.00.  Some people had a purpose for having that many, but some people just bought as many as they could just because.  Now, that my friends is wrong, at least I think it is.  This is where the "golden rule" comes into play.  Think about how many people could have used one, just one of this said item, but in greed someone chose to take more than they needed just to say that they did.  I don't think, if the tables were turned, they would have liked that being done to them.  My point is, in the moment we sometimes do not think about "doing unto others as we would like them to do unto us", but we should.  This applies to everything that we do.  The words we speak, our actions, etc.  We should always treat people with respect, because we all know we want to be treated with respect.  Jesus, would have not been greedy with this said item, nor would he go and bash people.  He gives us the utmost respect, so in turn we should do the same to Him.  We should always think before we do and ask ourselves, WWJD (what would Jesus do)?


Love in Christ,

Alicia

Reason for the Season

I have tried to write this post at least three times.  I was trying to figure out how to put into words what I read and to make sure I didn't say the wrong thing.  I then decided that I just need to put it out there.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and belief, but parts of a letter that I recently read on the Internet just hit me wrong.  So here it goes:

The letter was written by a mom to her daughter regarding the subject of santa.  I am not going to share the whole letter, because I do not feel it is necessary.  I know that everyone has their own opinion about santa, and I am not here to criticize that in anyway.  In fact, my family does santa, but we also know and talk about the REAL reason for the season.

The part of the letter that I would like to share is this:

"Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived.  What he does is simple, but it is powerful.  He teaches children how to have belief in something they can't see or touch.

It's a big job, and it's an important one.  Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family.  You'll also need to believe in things you can't measure or even hold in your hand.  Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he...all the people whose hearts he's filled with joy.

With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns...that would otherwise be impossible.

Santa is love and hope and happiness.  I'm on his team, and now you are too."

Now,  I would like you to go back and reread the section of the letter above, but this time replace the word santa with Jesus.  Replacing the word santa with Jesus makes much more sense, don't you think?  Jesus is the one that can provide every need for you and Jesus is the one that is love and hope and happiness.

It surprised me how many people commented back on the letter.  Some people were even moved to tears over the letter that they had read.  Only one person out of the comments that I found mention  God.  The other comments were encouraging and thanking this mom for the letter idea. 

It is just sad the reaction that was given over this letter.  Jesus is the Alpha and Omega!!! Plain and simple!

As the holiday season approaches remember the TRUE reason for the season!!

Note: Parts of the letter were left out as to not divulge certain information, as I do not know the ages of who reads this blog!  Thank you for understanding.

Love in Christ,

Alicia

Up in the Clouds

As a little girl, I remember laying in grass on a warm summer afternoon with my mom and brother looking at the clouds. It was a favorite past time of ours. We would lie there and make shapes and animals out of the clouds. To this day I still sometimes stop and look up at the clouds just to see what animals or shapes I can make out.

Last week I was flying to Nebraska and I noticed how beautiful the clouds were. If you have ever flown then you know what I am talking about. These clouds were like none I had ever seen. They were thick and stood tall, like cotton candy on a stick. I really can't describe how magnificent they were, because it would not do it justice. Being in the clouds reminded me how small I am compared to this vast, majestic world.

I love how things, like clouds, can put you back in perspective. This is God's world and He created us for a purpose. So when we think we got it, he likes to remind us they we really don't, but He does!!

I am going to close with the first few verses from the first book of the Bible, Genesis.

1: 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

If you are interested in reading how the world came to be or just want a reminder you should definitely read the whole book of Genesis.

Love in Christ,

Alicia

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Don't Judge A Book...

I am sure you have heard the statement, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." There is a lot of truth in this statement. I can't tell you how many times I have done this. It was just recently that I became aware that I had done it again. I have a neighbor that I occasionally see when I am going to work or just outside in the yard but never really take the time to talk to. I have waved a few times and said "Hi" but, never got a wave or a "Hi" back from her. I thought to myself how rude and she must be a snob! I stopped saying hi and waving even though I knew it was wrong and not the Christian thing to do. A couple of weekends ago we had a garage sale and she and her daughter came over to look around. I over heard them talking to each other in Spanish, then as they were paying for their items the daughter told me that her mom doesn't speak very good English and that is why she doesn't really speak when she sees us. She is not able to carry on a conversation in English,therefore she chooses not to speak. Ah ha!? I felt about an inch tall. All this time I have been ignoring her instead of accepting her; all because I judged her. I told her daughter to tell her not to worry about it. After visiting with them I learned that they are extremely nice and that she is trying to learn English and is embarrassed that she can't speak it very well.

After I was brought to my knees because of what I had done, I realized that is not what Jesus would have done. He would not have ignored her or judged her; He would have embraced her and continued to say hello and wave no matter her reaction. So, there really is some truth to the statement, "Never judge a book by it's cover."

If you go to The bible and look in the book of Matthew, chapter 7:1-3, you will find the verses below:


Chapter 7

1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

The verses above give you something to think about the next time you go to "judge a book by it's cover"
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The Place of Exaltation (O.Chambers)

"We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, when we have seen things from God's perspective and have wanted to stay there.  But God will never allow us to stay there.  The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain.  If we only have the power to go up, something is wrong.  It is a wonderful thing to be on the mountain with God, but a person only gets there so that he may later go down and lift up the demon-possessed people in the valley.  We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life--those are simply intended to be moments of inspirations.  We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength.  Yet our spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mountain.  We feel that we could talk and live like perfect angels, if we could only stay on the mountaintop.  those times of exaltation are exceptional and they have their meaning in our life with god, but we must beware to prevent our spiritual selfishness from wanting to make them the only time.

We are inclined to think that everything that happens is to be turned into useful teaching.  In actual fact, it is to be turned into something even better than teaching, namely, character.  The mountaintop is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something.  There is a terrible trap in always asking, "what's the use of this experience?"  We can never measure spiritual matters in that way.  The moments on the mountaintop are rare moments, and they are meant for something in God's purpose."
(Scripture: Mark, Chapter 9)


"My Utmost For His Highest" by O. Chambers

If  you read the above and have never been on top of "the mountain" you can ask Jesus to come into your heart and be your personal Lord and Savior!!  All it takes is a genuine asking for Jesus to be apart of your life.  He is already waiting, so all you have to do is ask!  Jesus will guide you the rest of the way.  Through the peaks and the valleys!  He will hold your hand and lead you!  So go on ask him!

Those of you who are followers of Jesus, but have been lacking in faith and hope, can create a fresh start today!  Jesus wants to use you just like He has in the past!  Go on, start fresh today!!!

Love In Christ,

Alicia

Boxed In

This morning I was getting ready to leave for work and I saw something fly by me into the garage.  I waved my hands, thinking it was a moth or butterfly.  When I looked up, I noticed it was a small bird.  The poor bird was frantically trying to get out of the garage, but could not seem to find it's way out!  I tried to "shoo" it in the right direction, with no luck.  I finally, just closed the garage door and prayed that the bird would be ok until I got home.  I thought about the bird off and on all day while I was at work.  I was thinking to myself, how scared this little bird must be in the dark, boxed in with no way out!  When I arrived home this evening and pushed the button to open the garage, I was hoping I would find a bird flying about.  While I didn't see it fly right away, it did eventually come out from it's hiding spot.  I tried once again to "shoo" this helpless bird in the direction of freedom, but I still did not have any luck.  I went inside, but left the garage door opened so maybe, just maybe it would fly out.  My husband came home and was able to get the bird to fly to freedom.

Do you ever feel like you are trapped, boxed in, with no way out!  I know that I have several times.  You feel like giving up.  Everything and everyone seems to fight against you!  You are looking for the easy way out, but instead you find yourself running into "walls".  Do you ever stop and think that maybe that is where God wants you to be at that moment.  Probably not! I know I didn't at first!  I just threw pity parties for myself and acted like the world was coming to an end.  Sometimes, God has to "box us in" to get our attention!  Humans are so stubborn, and we think we know what is best, but really we haven't a clue.  When God is ready for you to get out of the "box" He will guide you and make sure you get out.  God is always there!  He wants what is best for you!  He knows what is best for you!  So, the next time you find yourself "boxed in", think about what God is trying to show you or have you do.  There is a reason why He chose you to be "boxed in".  Just like the bird found his way out of my garage, you will find your way too, with the help of God!

And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there. God, not your marital status, defines your life. Don't think I'm being harder on you than on the others. I give this same counsel in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:16-18 (in Context)

Love In Christ,

Alicia

The Second Mile

Lately, the media has been focusing on all the natural disasters that have been taking place all over the United States.  You really can't escape it!  In case you haven't heard, I will give you a little recap.  A few weeks ago, the east coast had an earthquake(no, that isn't a typo; it was the EAST coast).  Then a week later got hit by a Cat. 3 hurricane(Irene).  This hurricane was different, because it didn't hit just one state and then die down, it road all the way up the east coast flooding everything in it's path from the Bahamas all the way up past New York!  This storm was mighty, producing tornadoes and flooding streets and homes.  The powerful storm shut down some of the busiest transit systems.  Thousands of lives and homes destroyed! Over labor day weekend, central Texas was fighting off brush fires.  The combination of 100 plus temperatures and no rain for what seems like forever, made a deadly combination.  The major fire started in Bastrop, over 1,000 plus homes gone.  Then fires began to pop up all over the central Texas area.  None of the fires were linked.  They were all miles apart from each other.  You could see smoke from miles away.  Major highways blocked and firefighters stretched thin.  It was horrific to see all of these disasters on the television and Internet.  Everything that has happened in the last month or so, has happened so fast and furious!  It has left me with a feeling of compassion and servitude.

I want to talk a little about going the "second mile".  We have all heard the phrase, going the extra mile, but what if we went the second mile?  Here in central Texas where I live, there have been a number of ways to help the victims, volunteers, and firefighters.  Schools opening up as shelters, churches setting up as donation stations, etc.  I decided I would donate a few bags of nonperishable foods and things.  Dropping it off I felt good about what I had done, but then I began to wonder why do we wait to go the second mile?  It seems that we can choose to go the second mile everyday, but we don't.  We only choose the second mile when a disaster arises.  The second mile is different for everyone.  Your second mile could be inviting a friend to a family get together, instead of just seeing them at school or the coffee shop.  Your second mile could be volunteering once a week at a local food bank or shelter, instead of just donating the food.  Everyone has their own "second mile", but when do you choose to use it?  God served others in so many ways and never once complained about it.  He didn't serve them when he felt like it or when there was a disaster.  He served the people day in and day out.  God created us all to have a servant heart.  He wants us to serve Him day in and day out.  We don't get to pick and choose when we want to serve.  We should always want to go the "second mile" for God!  He is the ultimate one we should serve!  The world needs people like you and me to go the second mile!  So, will you go the second mile today or wait for another disaster?

Matthew 5:41 says, "And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two."


**The events listed in the above post were the ones that have happened in the last month.  I know that there are probably other disasters that have happened in between.  All of them are equally devastating and important.  Please know that these were the ones that impacted me and therefore the ones that got posted.**

Love In Christ,

Alicia