The Plumbline

Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. (Psalm 112:4 NLT) Please take note: scripture never says the godly will not face dark times - it says they will have light in the midst of those dark places. We imagine giving our lives to Christ will result in nothing but good times, but we live in a sinful world, complete with an enemy who would love nothing more than to see us deny Christ and choose our own way again. Sometimes the darkness is our own doing because of bad choices we have made, but most of the time, the darkness comes because we live in this sin-filled world. We don't choose it - it just comes. We never need to fear it, though, for we will be the ones with the Light in the midst of all that darkness! Three characteristics of the one who lives 'in the Light': Generosity - the giving of oneself for the good of others; not just out of our abundance, but out of whatever we have been given in the way of talent, weal...

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. (Thomas Jefferson) Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. (Proverbs 11:3 NLT) The fact that honesty has kind of become 'obsolete' in some circles is not to be taken lightly. There is a constant struggle going on with us attempting to uncover dishonesty in political circles, manipulative online schemes, and advertising that sucks in the gullible. Million-dollar corporations have been formed to 'unmask' the hidden and manipulative online schemes we refer to as scams. Hours upon hours are spent ferreting out hidden agendas in political meeting rooms. All this manipulation of truth can make a soul wary - even when truth comes plainly and unmasked. Good people don't fear honesty - they are not going to compromise their integrity for the pleasure of being accepted by the 'in crowd'. The honest don't fear God's presence - for they know even when they have to be honest about som...