Our mouths...

...aren't that far from our hearts.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29, NIV

"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." The Message

As women, we talk a lot. A lot. This is scientifically proven, but let's be honest, we didn't need a bunch of smart guys in lab coats to tell us that! All we have to do is sit quietly, if possible, in a room full of women and we're not going to find silence. Some things are impossible and that is one of them...because even if we had a mandated moment of silence in a room full of 1000 women, our minds would still be talking, talking, talking to us. Thank God He is big enough to hear all of us at once, AND make sense of it!

We talk about everything under the sun. We talk about our days, work, relationships, friendships, neighbors, history, the future, saving the world, peace, war, diapers, dinner, toenails, injustice, advocacy, family, dust under the refrigerator, betrayal, life, love, death, bargains and sales, recipes, stocks and bonds, God, ironing...and then, we talk about how we feel about all those things AND more! I'm not saying any of it is bad...I'm just saying I am aware that I talk a lot.

Unfortunately, sometimes we talk too much. We say things that are in our hearts, even if they are ugly, because it's important to share how we feel. "I'm just telling you how I feel." "Well, that's my opinion and since I have one, everyone should hear it." "My feelings are valid so it's my right to express them." Just because thoughts careen through our minds at a million miles a minute does not mean that it is our job to speak them into existence if they aren't beneficial to anyone listening, including ourselves. And when I say ourselves I mean that by allowing those thoughts to freely fester in our minds we are willingly becoming our own party to " toxic infection" which will eventually lead to necessary intensive surgery or even amputation.

No. None of us is perfect or able to keep our whole body in check, as James says in chapter 3. He also goes on to say further down the chapter that,

"With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

...but we can sure as heck try...

And what if what is on our hearts is something we share with a friend? We share our feelings about something or someone with another person and are seeking their counsel, perhaps, or just a listening ear, but did sharing teeter on gossip? How is the listener supposed to feel now? What are they supposed to do with that information we just got off our chests, which feels SO GOOD TO DO, but now weighs heavily on their hearts?

Since there is no such thing as a secret when it comes to God knowing our hearts and thoughts and intentions, as humans, but specifically as women, it is FIRST asked of us to lay our burdens on God. I'm sure our cell phone bills, as well as Internet email activity, would be lessened if we first went to God with our thoughts, feelings, and opinions about situations or people. And with all that money and time saved, I wonder if we would create margin in our pocket books, minutes on our phones, and actual time in our days to enjoy the people we meet, thanking God for making them the way He made them instead of envying who they are, what they do or what they have?

Well Notes:

The Well – June 8th, 2009

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again at the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “This woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “If any one of you is without sin let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to walk away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared.
“Go now and leave your life of sin.”

This passage from John 8:1-11 has been on my heart non-stop for the last couple of weeks. Read it again in another translation and try to imagine the scene, if you will.

•If Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not get rid of it, why didn’t he just say, “Knock her down, boys!”?
•Why didn’t he pick up a stone himself?
•What does his posture in the scene tell us?

This story is talking about the specific sin of adultery. Jesus didn’t say, “If any one of you hasn’t committed adultery, throw the first stone…” He didn’t say, “Compared to what she has done, if you’ve sinned a bigger sin, walk away, but if your sin isn’t as big, take her out, guys!”

Jesus said, “Without sin.”

What is the ‘golden’ standard? Why do we compare our sins? When we do compare ourselves to others, aren’t we then mocking grace, belittling its worth…aren’t we standing there, beneath the cross shouting, “Jesus thanks for dying for my sins, but hers are much more: grotesque, despicable, news worthy! She slept with so and so, she murdered her child, she’s a gossip, slut, and whore! A real biotch! What you are doing certainly isn’t for her is it?!”

So then, what is grace? When is it sufficient? When are we good enough to receive it? What’s the bottom line?

Hebrews 3:12-14
Ephesians 4:29
1 Peter 4:10


Each of us has been assigned a different task, given unique gifts, and has the same expectation placed upon us…we are called to love one another. John 13:34&35

If you can sit quietly for the next month and dig into the book of John, HOW we are to love others will be modeled through the life of Christ documented by his very own friend. And then, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and show you how to love, and to love RADICALLY. He will…He’s faithful.

Jesus, only offensive to our selfishness...

I love reading while riding the stationery bike at the gym. Today I was reading "The Message" and wanted to review the story of the woman at the well. From there I just couldn't put it down, plus, I had 50 minutes to kill, so reading God's word helps working out go by a lot faster! Anyway, the passage below stood out to me and I wanted to share it here with you. I really think I would have loved Jesus if I had lived on earth when He did! I mean, seriously, that guy ROCKED! I appreciate truth, and that Guy sure spoke it! He did not blow sunshine at people and He pretty much just lived His Dad's agenda. Such freedom! He wasn't worried about capturing the popular opinions of the crowds or the 'higher ups'. He lived a life that, although physically was constantly sought after, represented true freedom because it was a life led by the Spirit. Here's the text:

^{John 5:30-33}"I can't do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I'm not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders. If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness. But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all. Furthermore, you all saw and heard John, and he gave expert and reliable testimony about me, didn't he?

^34-38"But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I'm speaking to you this way so that you will be saved. John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light. But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John's witness. It's the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me. The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously.

^39-40"You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you'll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren't willing to receive from me the life you say you want.

^41-44"I'm not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God's love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?

We, too, can live a life of freedom like Jesus lived...free from the opinions of others. And the way we can do it is not to follow the rules of how to behave by the local church but to do just as Jesus said to the woman at the well: John 4:²³"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Jesus didn't have time to live selfishly, yet He didn't seem to mind. Daily we are asked to lay down our lives. Do we have agendas that need to be laid down in order to live freely?

Pondering...

I try to consciously slow down sometimes. Other times, God makes me slow down. The last two weeks have resembled the latter. Why He wants us to slow down sometimes, we may not always know, but when He does ask us to do so, what is our first response? A lot of times I kick back. "God, are you serious? I have too much to do to slow down! You know that! You can see my schedule! I'm too busy here." But, if I truly trust that He is who He says He is, and that He really is personally interested in the intimate details of my life, a life that He created, then slowing down should be a welcomed gift, where I am grateful for His direction for me. Instead, many times I see it as an inconvenience...something that just doesn't fit into my schedule. Well, God knows us better than we know ourselves and if we aren't willing to create margin and free time in our own schedules for the things in life that truly matter, He will graciously do it for us. And let me tell ya, it may not look like you or I would think...

I mean, here's a news flash...God rested. Who are we to say that we are too busy to slow down and rest when God Himself set that example?! Busyness does not equal godliness. God loves us for who we are, not what we do. Imagine a God who does not love us based on performance! That's the difference between religion and grace. Thank God for grace!

Digging deeper...

My mom shared at The Well on Monday night. My mom has been my personal Bible concordance over the years. I call her when I can't find a verse and she rattles it off either right away or prays about it and calls me back later and has found exactly which verse I was seeking. I guess you could call me spoiled...not everyone has a personal concordance! Actually, we do, which is essentially something my mom shared that I would like to share here, via my interpretation. It is the importance of not only studying God's word through reading it, but seeking direction from the Holy Spirit as we read it. Just like many of the Pharisees knew the scriptures inside and out but did not recognize the Messiah when He came to fulfill those scriptures, we can read the Bible every single day, but without the Holy Spirit to give us revelation of the Word, no matter how much life the Bible speaks of, it will simply be just another book.

It is really sad that in some Christian or church circles the Holy Spirit is a four letter word. Yes, it is true that some in the past and even present, have perverted this particular role of the Trinity. Some worshiped the manifestations of the Holy Spirit instead of worshiping the Giver of the gifts. As a result of poor representation and fanaticism, the role of the Holy Spirit has been minimized within the church. This is tragic! Jesus came to point to the Father, then sent the Holy Spirit who came to give us wisdom and discernment about the Father. To neglect Him is to neglect continued growth in who we are in the Lord. To read the Word without Him, without praying and asking for revelation and understanding while reading, is like going to a blind dentist, driving a car without an engine or steering wheel, it's like climbing Mt. Everest without a guide or any equipment....

So, what then? Well, on a practical level, let's read 1 Corinthians chapter 2 verses 6 through 16:
⁶We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"

¹⁰but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. ¹⁴The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:

¹⁶"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Then, let's pray before we read God's word and ask Him to teach us and instruct us as His children, being trained, sharpened and strengthened as we read. It will be the difference between prose and power.

Earth Day

Just pretend that you don't believe God created the Earth. Or, if you don't believe He did, pretend that you do. Just pretend...

For the first group, it's impossible to look at the clouds, moon, stars, mountains, animals, ocean, trees, the beautiful people in their life and not be in awe of the fact that God really does love us and created the beauty we see around us. It's impossible for that group to grasp with the intricate mind in their skulls designed by the Creator of the Universe that God didn't create the air they breathe or the water that replenishes them. It's impossible for those who do believe to view science as something separate from God and the exploration of His creativity.

For the second group, the ones that do not believe in God or that He is the Designer of the Universe, it is impossible for this segment of the population to view the beauty of the Earth around them and not wonder...How? Why? It is also impossible for them to use their gray matter, scientifically speaking, to comprehend with the only 10% of brain capacity available to them that there couldn't possibly be a God and He could not have possibly created the Universe.

If scientists have said we only use 10% of our brain capacity, isn't it possible that those who do not believe that God created the Earth and everything in it should try to tap into that other 90% before they make a formal declaration that they are smarter than the rest of the world? It's that other 90% that leaves room for discussion and wonder...

With the 10% I use, I wonder how boring my life would be if I didn't gaze upon those beautiful Rocky Mountains every day and thank the One who spoke them into being. I guess I would just think they were mountains..pretty mountains, but the AWE would be gone. That just sucks!

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...." Genesis 1:1
...and He saw that it was good.

Radical love

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48

Historically, last week was the introduction of radical love to the world. When you or I show love to another, say a family member, friend, a boyfriend or husband, we usually express it through: time, phone calls, emails, meals together, walks, talks, flowers, cards, hugs, kisses, holding hands, encouragement, listening, finding out the other person's interests, etc. The list could go on and on, but likely the list would never include having ourselves beaten to a pulp and hung on a cross for that person. And God doesn't ask us to do that for another...but He did do that very thing for all of us...to show His love and to conquer the Enemy's attempt on our lives. It's really quite radical.

It doesn't stop there, however. Yes, Christ's death on the cross and resurrection was sufficient for God to express His love for the world. Where it doesn't stop, though, is with those who willingly receive it. God has repeatedly said, "Love your neighbor." He didn't stop there, either. He said to love our friends and our enemies, as well. So, since 'neighbor' is defined by Noah Webster and the gang as 'fellow man', pretty much God hasn't left out anyone we aren't supposed to love. Dang it! He hasn't necessarily called us all to be BFF, either. That would be quite impossible. He hasn't asked us to take meals to everyone and their dog, be aware of every one's business or have our foot in every circle. But, He has called us to love one another.

In all honesty, there are many I don't care to love. And, if I were to be completely honest with myself, there are plenty out there who wouldn't choose to love me. I get that. However, if we are commanded, not suggested nor simply asked, but commanded to love our neighbors, and to love them as ourselves, how are we to practically go about it? God put it on my heart over a year ago to love my neighbors. I have not done it well. It's not that I don't love people. I love a lot of people, especially the ones that love me in return! But, again, God says what good is that?!

Recently I've been thinking of the blessings that God pours out on His people. Are we simply recipients of those blessings, solely reaping the benefits of whatever He gives us? I absolutely don't think so, but in many instances, I have lived accordingly. No. If we have received the gift of unconditional love from God, we are not called to hoard it but to let it also flow from us. Perhaps if we viewed ourselves as conduits to the blessing of God’s love instead of solely recipients, the command to love our neighbors would take on a whole new meaning.

Jesus didn't get to choose for whom He would die. He died for the whole world, for whoever would believe. I am the only one that can turn my neighbor off to God's love. God's love isn't offensive, nor is it exclusive. It's all inclusive, but when I act like it's all mine and not a free gift for everyone else, I'm the one that is offensive. I can't make anyone believe or receive love, but I can love better than I am doing now...and what comes from it, only God knows.