The Plumbline

We think about things that are neither excellent, nor true. We forget to think about things that are worthy of praise, or significant to our well-being. We dwell upon stuff in our minds that tells us there is nothing within us that is any good, or worthy of much appreciation. Yes, we are flesh and bones. We don't have an infinite source of strength, right choices, and a 'we can do it' kind of confidence within us unless we have allowed Christ to take over the control of our lives. The only one who will give an infinite source of strength is him - we don't have that infinite source within us - we tire, wear down, and our flesh gets really, really weak. We need God! You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. (1 Corinthians 10:12) God is always FOR us - but we can be quite easily set AGAINST us. How do we set ourselves AGAINST ourselves? I think we think the wrong things at times - ge...

Back in 1988, Bobby McFerrin released a song that rose to the number one spot in quite a short period of time. The song's lyrics: "Don't worry, be happy!" Did you realize that saying had been around since the 60's and was attributed a 'spiritual master' from India? The idea of the saying had many meanings in the 60's that depended upon when and where it was used. I'd like us to think of it this way - stop fretting so much about the stuff you cannot control and learn to control what you have been given control over - your emotions! I don't know about you, but one of the hardest things in life has been to keep my emotions under control. I get down, bounce back up, fret about stuff, and rest in peace. It is a roller-coaster of sorts, huh? Just how many times do we have to go up and down this roller-coaster of emotions before we learn to get some control over them? I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved...