The Plumbline

The fruit of the [consistently] righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise captures and wins souls [for God—he gathers them for eternity]. (Proverbs 11:30) The fruit of the 'consistently' righteous - those who make the choice to live 'right', following the directions God gives over their lives. The idea of consistency might just vary a little bit depending on who you ask. To the one who is 'always' on the mark, they will define it as never missing the mark. To the one who occasionally misses the mark, they might define it as making good decisions the majority of the time with a 'once in a while' slip up. I will not debate this with anyone - when God asks for consistency, he means with no or very few exceptions. He forgives those exceptions when we ask for his forgiveness, repent, and actually turn back to him. He would much more prefer that the seeds he sows into our lives would produce 'consistent' growth, but he knows that even the most ...

 Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. (Mother Teresa) “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities." (Luke 16:10) Faithfulness in the little things may seem like a bit too much when you are struggling to get the 'big things' right at the moment, but it is the cumulative effect of the little things that actually helps you to get the 'big things' right! The often overlooked 'little things' in life are the ones we should spend our time on, not just the big ones. This might be the time we spend in prayer, thinking prayer has to be a certain amount of time on our knees, lifting holy words to Jesus, but prayer is so much more. It is the simple ones that add up throughout the day. The moment you express one thought of gratitude for some blessing you enjoy is a moment of prayer. The simple 'God help the...

  Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. (2 Peter 1:4) Sometimes we aren't sure we are doing everything that will make a difference, so that we are living in such a way that our lives truly please God. We want to live consistently in a manner that allows God to be seen through us to a hurting and searching world, but we aren't sure we are 'consistent enough'. Let me assure you of this - if you are walking with Jesus in a genuine manner - heart, mind, will and soul committed to serving him - you are 'consistent enough'. We don't always hit the mark we are aiming at, but we are taking steps in the right direction (at least generally)....

“ You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.  You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for. " (Matthew 5:5,7) In the older translations the word for meek was used to indicate a person was humble and patient with others. Most of us really don't use the word "meek" or "meekness" in our vocabulary all that often today, opting for the more commonly used word "humble". Mercy seems to be something we pretty much understand - at least in theory, if not in perfect practice yet in our lives! Now, you may not have seen either word in these passages, but if you go to a more "traditional" translation, you will observe: 5 Blessed are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth! and 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!  Jesus sa...

In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences. (Ephesians 4:2) Walk, better yet, run! How many of us have barely figured out how to walk with Christ, let alone actually run well? This walking with Christ thing isn't as easy-peasy as 'snap your fingers and make it so', is it? We actually have to take some steps in the 'training' of our lives to be able to 'work up to' running with him. We all have a road to travel - at first by just taking some consistent steps forward - eventually learn...

Those who spend their lives teaching will tell us the ability to learn a subject is directly influenced by our specific desire to learn that subject - if we don't find the subject interesting or useful, we often discount the learning opportunity, making it more difficult to ever get much from what is being taught. We often miss out on some of the most profound (yet insanely simple) lessons in life simply because we don't want to take the time or energy to apply ourselves to that learning. There are also times when we feel that we don't "need" to learn the lesson being offered - seeing ourselves as above the lesson - already having knowledge about a particular subject and feeling as though we didn't need to learn anything else. Both scenarios are dangerous ground to tread, for learning happens only when hearts are open. If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction!  (Proverbs 12:1) It is shortsighted to ...

In the field of medicine, we often use the phrase, "See one. Do one. Teach one." It describes the process of not only being told "how" to do something, but demonstrating you are going to do it with consistency each time. The other night, I made mom a pot of soup as she had been saying she fancied homemade soup. I had lots of ingredients for the vegetable dense soup, complete with 97% fat free ground beef with which I created a multitude of tiny meatballs to add the mix. She loved it. After it was all gone, she asked if I'd make another pot, but if you know how I make soups, you will quickly know that no two pots turn out exactly the same! I add a little of this, that, and the next thing until I reach the taste I am looking for with whatever ingredients are available at the time. Needless to say, she ate it and enjoyed it very much, but as she said, "It wasn't quite the same." The consistency was not there between the two pots of soup because there ...

11 For the free gift of eternal salvation is now being offered to everyone; 12 and along with this gift comes the realization that God wants us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and to live good, God-fearing lives day after day, 13 looking forward to that wonderful time we’ve been expecting, when his glory shall be seen—the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13 TLB) Have you watched one of those "infomercials" on TV and heard their hard-sell pitches to get you to buy their product? It isn't enough we get one of those non-stick magic pans for the low, low price of $29.99 - hold your hat - we get two (for an additional shipping and handling charge which is equal to almost as much as the cost of another pan). They show you ten meals in less than one minute, dazzling you will the hype of how this will make your life so much easier, while giving you the healthiest meal possible since God created the first apple tree! Life offers u...

A long time ago I began to realize the very best thing to do was to change before someone told you that it was time you did! While change is not always easy, it may be the more respectable and desirable of courses to take! Those who actually "make it" in big business will tell you they have to remain ahead of the curve - they must keep up with the demands of their customers - always anticipating if change will be necessary in order to have a product or service that will remain in demand. There are just some things that must change in order to remain "ahead of the curve" in our lives, but there are also some things that must remain very consistent if we are to change in the right direction! Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment...

Always, constantly, no matter what - three "timeless" commands. Always gives absolutely no room for "sometimes".  Constantly gives no space for "once in a while".  No matter what includes the good and the bad.  In none of these words is there any implied "if I feel like it", or "maybe if the circumstances are just right".  In fact, there is little "wiggle room" at all - celebration, giving thanks and prayer are to be continual, unending, and "non-circumstance-based".   Celebrate always, pray constantly, and give thanks to God no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. This is God’s will for all of you in Jesus the Anointed. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 VOICE) Celebrate always.  Ever notice how easy it is to celebrate the home run that brings three other runners into home base, securing the "win" for the team?  There is a whole lot of revelry when this happens.  On the other hand, we don't s...

It is good to know that in a world riddled with all manner of inconsistencies one thing remains totally and completely consistent - God's love and care are never going to change, nor are they ever going to wane.  My job is really focused on removing inconsistencies in how we deliver healthcare to our patients.  We put processes in place which are designed to ensure a certain turnaround time in testing, lab results, etc.  We design processes to avoid making errors with care such as safe medication dispensing and administration practices.  We even look at how we communicate with one another when "handing off" care from one clinician to another.  All because variation or inconsistencies place someone at risk - usually the patient.  I am grateful to know God doesn't change how he treats my sin - consistently extending grace where it is needed.  I am also grateful he doesn't change in his love for me - loving me even before I understood or appreciated his ...

You know when you are strong or weak, tall or short, fairly good looking or in need of a good make-over.  We all examine ourselves in one way or another and make some judgment as to our "status" in this life.  Some will admit to being a little too heavy, others a little too thin.  Regardless of our "status" in this life, we have ways we "show" what it is we really are - through what we demonstrate in this life to others, ourselves, and Christ.  What we demonstrate in the moments we think we are "in control" may be the most telling of the truths about our real "make-up" in this life. This will show that you are a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will show that you are made strong by the words of faith and good teaching you have followed. People tell silly stories that don’t agree with God’s truth. Don’t follow what these stories teach. But teach yourself to be devoted to God. Training your body helps you in some ways. But devotio...

I had a friend in high school who had been a ballerina since she was just a wee girl.  She went to lessons several days a week, making her way from the tiny ballerina dances of twisting and twirling into becoming quite proficient as dancing on "toe".  If anyone knows what I am referring to here, you will recognize the work it takes to get to this point - and the strength.  Toe shoes (pointe shoes) are kind of squared off at the end, and the dancer spends nearly the entire dance up on their toes.  I used to look at her feet and wonder why she'd endure the pain of all those practices, until I saw her dance one day.  I had seen her practice this leap or that twirl, but when I really saw her "dance", wow!  All the "dogged plodding" of her daily practices really showed!  What I saw as "dogged plodding" on her part was really a thing which she viewed as a living and spirited dance!   We ask you— urge  is more like it—that you keep on doing what w...

  14 But when I saw that they were not maintaining a steady, straight course according to the Message, I spoke up to Peter in front of them all: "If you, a Jew, live like a non-Jew when you're not being observed by the watchdogs from Jerusalem, what right do you have to require non-Jews to conform to Jewish customs just to make a favorable impression on your old Jerusalem cronies?" (Galations 2:14 The Message) Paul has spent a significant amount of time giving the run-down of his credentials for preaching the Word of God, his calling being direct and affirmed by those who had walked with Christ during his earthly ministry.  He had submitted to the leadership of the New Testament church in order to have his teachings "validated" or "affirmed".  This was not so much because of any "need" to get his ministry "blessed" by the other leaders, but because he wanted to be sure he was aligned in his teaching - accountable and committ...

Turn my way, look kindly on me,  as you always do to those who personally love you.   Steady my steps with your Word of promise  so nothing malign gets the better of me.   Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women  so I can live life your way.   Smile on me, your servant;  teach me the right way to live.     I cry rivers of tears  because nobody's living by your book!  (Psalm 119:132-136 The Message) We often use words to express our heart.  Our writer is doing just this!  He cries out, "Turn my way!"  It probably is not because God has actually turned AWAY from him, but that he does not sense the presence of God at that very moment.  The writer has come to DEPEND on the presence of God with him - - on the approval of God.  Whenever we ask someone to "look kindly upon us", we are asking them to express approval of our actions.  I am sure we all know that our actio...

33-37 "And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." (Matthew 5:33-37) 26-27 Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world. (James 1:26-27) I remember watching James Bond movies as a kid.  Secret Agent 007 would cleve...

1  If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction!  (Proverbs 12:1) Teachers will tell us that the ability to learn a subject is directly influenced by our desire to learn - if we don't find the subject interesting or useful, we often discount the learning opportunity.  We often miss out on some of the most profound (yet insanely simple) lessons in life simply because we don't want to take the time or energy to apply ourselves to that learning.  There are also times when we feel that we don't "need" to learn the lesson being offered - seeing ourselves as above the lesson.  Both scenarios are dangerous ground to tread. It is shortsighted to refuse correction.  Did you ever consider that "correction" is directly tied to "learning"?  Think of it - you do a series of math problems, turn in your paper, get it back "graded", observing that there are "red marks" on those pro...

5-6  Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;    he's the one who will keep you on track. (Proverbs 3:5-6) The very next verse in this same passage goes on to say, "Don't assume you know it all."  The common theme I hear from other Christians is how much they struggle with "knowing the will of God" for their lives.  Our passage gives us insight into getting "connected" to the will of God.  First, there is a development of a trust relationship with the God we serve.  Next, we have to stop relying on what we can "reason out" in our own minds.  Then, we have to truly begin to listen to the still small voice of God - no just some of the time, but in all we do and in every decision we make.  The promise is that God will help us stay on the right course in our lives if we do. Psalm 32:8 tells us that God "looks us str...