The Plumbline

No one would call me "street smart" when it comes to actually "living" on the streets!  I am blessed to never have had to endure this challenge in life.  Yet, in some way, a child of Christ is "street smart".  In its truest meaning, street smart defines someone who knows what is going on outside in the world.  There are times when I have come across Christians who have no idea what is actually happening in the world right now!  They don't venture beyond the walls of the church - content to just follow Jesus in the safety of their own little world.  Jesus had a different idea for us. "Now here's a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to c...

The day can be filled with all kinds of activity, almost "over-stimulating" us to the point of sheer exhaustion.  Then it can be as easy-flowing as a gentle brook, just lulling us along in serene rest.  I daresay, my days are more like the first and not the latter!  Most of the time, I find myself in the midst of chaos - one demand pulling after another.  No "pull" is stronger than the pull toward sin.  Wrong choices seem to surround - from words spoken in haste, to thoughts just gravitating to stuff which neither builds up, nor has lasting value.  I have often been asked why the pull toward sin is so strong sometimes?  I guess it is a combination of things - ranging from our own unbridled desires to the devil's hopes of interfering with our developing relationship with Jesus. So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inn...

I am not sure of the exact point in life where I developed the "bent" to be a little bit too much of a perfectionist, but the desire to always succeed, always get it done, always have myself together, etc., just about drove me nuts!  Not to mention the other people in my life!  The perfectionist takes life way too seriously!  I have a message of hope for those of us who suffer way too much from "having it all together".   The focus on always having it together leaves very little room for the spontaneity God needs for us to have in service to him. Going through the motions doesn't please you,  a flawless performance is nothing to you.  I learned God-worship  when my pride was shattered.  Heart-shattered lives ready for love  don't for a moment escape God's notice.  (Psalm 51:16-17 The Message) David said it well - going through the motions doesn't please God, nor does having our act all together!  Both are extremes, aren't they? ...