Many today talk about how people that don’t agree with them are intolerant. Let’s see what the word tolerant means. Merriam Webster defines it as a capacity to endure pain or hardship, endurance or fortitude, and to allow the existence, occurrence or practice of something that one does not argue with. I tolerate things or those that I don’t agree with. That’s what we are as Christians, we don’t agree with the world’s ideas or morality and because we don’t agree, they label us as haters and bigots. What’s sad is that we do tolerate their way, meaning that we don’t agree with them. They, the world (those who don’t believe in God or His Word), would say that we are intolerant just because we don’t agree with them. Isn’t it ironic that those who don’t know Christ or agree with Him call us intolerant because we don’t agree with them, when the word tolerant means that we don’t agree? I think it’s strange when you realize that either you agree with the world (those who aren’t of God), or you are a bad person or out of touch with reality. However, Christianity allows you to choose to serve God and believe His Word or not. Christians are the most compassionate, giving people on the earth, but a secular media has convinced itself and even the church that we are the bad guys if we believe and act on the Word of God. We are the bad guys, if we disagree with ungodly morals. Let’s be strong, stand up and choose to go against the culture. When you do, it’s an act of love. Why is it an act of love? Because those who follow Christ, love people enough to tell them the truth. God gave us all a free will and you have the right to exercise your free will, but you have no right to expect me to agree with it. Stand for absolute truth that comes from believing the Word of God (the Bible) in its entirety.

Just a Thought,

PSS

One of the secrets to success is giving, not taking. Research done by Wharton Professor Adam Grant suggests that some of the most successful people, not just in business, are in fact classic “givers.” They are people who genuinely try to help those around them. The help does not just come in the form of finances, but also in taking an interest in sharing information and being willing to assist others in their endeavors.

We need to understand that a gracious attitude is needed to be successful. If all you do is take, then you are self-absorbed. On the other hand, if you give, share, or help others get ahead, I believe you will be happier and life will look brighter to you. We should make an effort to comprehend the principle of being generous. You should not expect people to give to you because they have something, but because they are sincerely concerned for you. So many people today are takers and think only of themselves, without any care for others. Givers are more successful than takers, which will you choose to be?

Just a Thought,

PSS

That is a huge question in our world today, even in our Christian communities. Am I allowed to judge? Should I make judgments? Is it right for me to do so? Jason Malec said, “Faith in God will – by definition– grate against a morally ambiguous culture.”

To judge means to separate, pick out, and to pronounce an opinion concerning right or wrong. We make judgments every day, all day. When people say, “Who are you to judge me?” what they are really saying is, “don’t tell me that my morality is wrong.” When you tell someone that you agree with them, you don’t hear them say, “Who are you to judge me?” In reality, you are making as much of a judgment there, as you are if you disagree. People today don’t want, or are becoming unwilling, to be told that they are wrong. The Bible says, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged… For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:37-45, NIV). If you read it in context, it is telling us to not be hypocritical. In other words, if you are drinking alcohol and trying to tell someone else it is wrong, don’t do it. However, to be able to tell someone that they are wrong in the way that they are living (lifestyle, for example) really is right. We should not do this in a mean way. If we don’t uphold the standard of God’s Word and let people know the standard that God put forth on how we are to live, who will? As Christians, we are to let people know what God’s Word teaches on every area of our lives. That, in and of itself, will cause people to either embrace it, or reject it by saying, “Who are you to judge me?”  Either way, we are obligated to teach God’s Word to everyone.

Just a Thought,

PSS

The more I think about being thankful, the more I realize how important it is for our spiritual and emotional well-being. As I am purposing to be more thankful for what I have and less consumed with what I don't have, the more I enjoy life. So often people are consumed with what they don't have, instead of looking at what they do have and being thankful for it, whatever that may be. Thankfulness is defined as feeling or expressing gratitude, being appreciative, aware and appreciative of a benefit, and being grateful.

To be thankful is a choice. It is a choice to look at all the good in your life, instead of always seeing what is not good, in your estimation. For example, some people do not have a job and are desperate to have one. You have a job and instead of being thankful for it, you choose to complain about it. A mentor of mine always used to say, "It could be worse." For some, they can't even see that. However, things could always be worse.

I see so much pain and sickness; there are families falling apart and people hurting other people. It causes me to be thankful for what I have. I thank God each and every day for my life, for protecting my family, and for salvation. I'm even thankful to know that because of Him, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow, for salvation, for forgiveness and His help in my time of need. The more thankful you become in life, the more enjoyable life will be.

Start today and find something in your world to be thankful for. Practice being thankful and I believe you will see your circumstances differently. It will open you up to more possibilities in life, instead of limitations.

Just a Thought,

PSS

We all will experience loss at some time, in our lives. The first person that passed away, and I loved very much, was my dad. It was so painful and sad. To this day, I miss him. But what comforted my heart was the Word of God. “God sent His Word and healed them and delivered them from destruction” (Psalm 107:20). His Word is a comfort, when we experience a death of a loved one. What I have learned is that every one of us will experience it a little differently. Grief is grief and if you really cared for someone you will experience some degree of grief. The basic stages of grief are denial (you just can't believe that they are gone), anger (you are mad that they are gone), depression (you are troubled about them being gone), and then acceptance.

We will all go through some kind of process, when we have lost someone whom we cared for. What's interesting is that God gave us emotions, feelings, the ability to love someone, and then those same feelings and emotions can create in us hurt. However, God has a process for all of us. We must continue to believe Him and act on His Word because Jesus said that He came to heal the brokenhearted. If you are hurting today, maybe you have been grieving the loss of someone you really loved and cared for; start asking God to comfort you, and then find out what God says in His Word about those who are hurting, those who are born-again when someone close to them dies. What I realized is that God says that when another believer passes, we will sorrow, but we will sorrow with hope. Don't allow the death of someone close to you, as painful as it is, sideline you forever. I have met some wonderful people who have experienced such tragedy, only to watch them pick themselves up and act on the Word of God. I have watched God turn their pain around to where they are now helping others who are grieving. God can and will help, if only I believe.

Just a Thought,

PSS