I’m disgusted with the word disgusted.

Newsflash:  we live in difficult times.  Well, I guess it’s not much of a newsflash.  Right is now wrong, and wrong is now right. It is so difficult to see some of what is happening all around us.   The pressure is on!

My heart aches every time I hear God’s people say, “Well, if you are gay that is disgusting.”  Or, if you embrace this or that, “You are disgusting.”

How can we minister to the lost effectively when we hurl insults?

There are many spiritually sick people today, and they need Jesus Christ to change their lives.  I was spiritually sick for many years.  In my teen years, I am sure there would have been “church folk” who thought I was disgusting.  Actually, I was a hurt little girl trying desperately to find my way.  While I might have been disgusting to some, I was deeply loved by God.   I needed His love, grace, forgiveness and healing.

Do you know the difference between a believer and an unbeliever?  It’s the condition of the heart.   As believers we now have redeemed hearts, and a redeemed heart should be broken over the person who has a sin-sick heart.   Let’s not forget that Jesus came to our rescue when we were lost.

While I believe in standing up for the Word of God and right living according to His Word, our greatest impact will not come by getting in people’s faces.  It will come by getting in their hearts.    When is the last time you prayed, “Oh, God, let me lead someone to Jesus today?” “Oh God, lots of things will try to upset me today, but use me to be a voice for You.”  “Father, I pray for _________ who is trapped in sinful lifestyle.  “Father, save _______, and use me to help reach him/her.”

The greatest way that the Church will impact the nation is returning to the Great Commission:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus died for the person(s) we find disgusting.    As a matter of fact, I confess, “Jesus died for the disgusting Barbara Benton.”

God loves sinners.  Do you?

Spring has sprung in the deep south!  I love the blooming flowers, the green grass and the warm, sunny days.

Over the weekend, my grandsons were playing in my backyard.  There was running, laughter and playing with the sand table.  There were also about half-dozen bees that continued to visit us.  Andrew thought it was so cool and smiled and was ready to be friends with a bee.   Yikes!   Today, kids have watched so many cute cartoons that show friendly bees, snakes, mice, lions and other creatures of nature, that now it’s easy to think of these creatures as something fun.   While the bee, in itself, is not bad, if one gets tangled up with the bee, that’s another story.

It is our job to teach and model, that while these creatures might look fun and harmless, they can be harmful, even deadly.  While the boys were smiling at the bees, Grammy was quick to tell them that the bee will hurt them, so don’t go near it.

As I have watched over the last decade, so many things have become cute and fun, that are really harmful.   There are things, that appear to be fun and life-fulfilling, and yet have been detrimental, especially to our youth.  Too much has been packaged as normal and inviting.   My heart breaks to see a ten-year old child engaging in or preoccupied with things that should not even be in their young minds.  Yet, it packaged as cute and fun all around them.

It is an hour when parents must be parents.  Teachers of God’s word must be teachers of God’s word.   Clearly in many instances, right and wrong are spelled out in the word of God.  Warnings of consequences are written in black and white.   Why are we so afraid to say that?    While we must not say it in a rude and hateful manner, we still must speak the truth in love.

I want to be a “mother in Israel.”  I want to speak the truth in love.  I want to have a voice that speaks God’s wisdom.

It’s not a time to make friends with a bee!

We recently had two of our grandsons over for a morning.  I had been sick for a while, and we had not spent much time with them, so I had to see them!

Joseph is such a sweetheart, and is on the autism spectrum. Sometimes we have to work through little things, and I often clap for Joseph through every little accomplishment. We worked through something that morning, and I clapped and celebrated every time he did it. Eventually he was doing it on his own, but he would look and me, clap and say, “Yay!”

Joseph has learned to celebrate his little accomplishments.  Joseph has learned to celebrate himself.

Some of us can only see ourselves through a negative light.  We look at everything we have ever done wrong. We look at how much we weigh.  We look at how much farther we should be down the road. We look at the accomplishments of others.  After all that looking, all too often we can see no good in ourselves.

Stop and think for a moment.  What can you celebrate about you?    I know some are having a hard time coming up with something, and that ought not be!  Are you kind to others?  Are you an encourager?  Are you a good parent? Are you a prayer warrior? Have you grown in your relationship with God?

Today, I challenge you to celebrate YOU.  Celebrate what God has done in YOU and through YOU.   As a matter of fact, I challenge you to comment on this blog by writing something good about you.

Let the party begin!  Celebrate YOU!

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, marvelous are Your works! And that my soul knows very well.” – Psalm 139:14