The Plumbline

Know why so many arguments happen? We aren't walking 'in tune' with each other - we have gotten out of step with one another. We are so focused on something else and we get all 'out of whack' with each other - sometimes without even noticing. Whenever we are 'doing our own thing', we have little concern for what the 'other guy' needs or wants in the relationship. We find ourselves running over each other quite easily and that is what leads to frustration, eventually either emerging in an argument or hurt feelings. God doesn't want this to be the way we live, so maybe we should consider how to avoid these relationship pitfalls. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing...

Every now and again we just need a reminder to be grateful, don't we?  When I stop to consider some of the stuff others around me are dealing with, my "issues" pale in comparison.  When I stop to consider my "momentary afflictions", the life-long battles some face with disease make my aches and pains look like a vacation.  Sometimes we forget the principle of thanksgiving as the scriptures would teach:  Give thanks IN everything, not necessarily FOR everything.  We don't have to give thanks for the flat tire, but we can give thanks we have roadside service to get it changed! On your feet now—applaud  God !   Bring a gift of laughter,   sing yourselves into his presence.  Kn ow this: God is God, and God, God.  He made us; we didn’t make him.   We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.   Enter with the password: “Thank you!”   Make yourselves at home, talking praise.   Thank him. Worship him.   For God is sheer be...

As I grow older, I hear of the passing of those who have served as mentors in some way in my life.  People who invested not only time taking me through the Word of God, but who also lived a testimony solid in every way.  Some have been relatives; others strangers God brought across my path for the specific purpose of allowing me the influence of their testimony to impact my life.  One thing I have come to understand - we all have "numbered" days on this earth.  None of us is immune to the aging of our bodies!  Try as we might to "hold back the clock", we all have to face the facts - life (breath in this physical body) ends at some point.  When it is all said and done, what we leave behind is referred to as our legacy.  Some will leave enduring legacies in the lives of many and know it.  Others will be unaware of the tremendous legacy they leave - simply because they never really had that "out front" position in this life.  I wonder what legac...

What "marks" do you bear in your life?  Some will answer, "I have a tattoo on my shoulder - of Mickey Mouse!"  Others might say, "I have this birthmark on my back, the shape of Texas!"  Still others might be inclined to answer, "I have this scar - from a recent surgery!"  There are all kinds of "marks" we bear, aren't there?  Some are of our choosing, while others are clearly there because of nothing we did ourselves.  There are two "marks" in our lives which are both a result of our "choosing" and someone else's "doing".  These are the marks of God's grace and blessing! God, mark us with grace  and blessing! Smile!  T he whole country will see how you work,  all the godless nations see how you save.   God! Let people thank and enjoy you.   Let all people thank and enjoy you.   Let all far-flung people become happy  and shout their happiness because y ou judge them fair and square,  you tend t...