Its hard to be 'real' nowadays. Always wanting to put up a good front, to be liked, to fit in with the rest of the group. Am I the only one this way? Oh, I stick in just enough of the real me so as to not come across fake, but hold back enough so as to not come across as weird or loud or any of that other stuff people might not like.
This might get me well liked in a group, but what I am finding (as I read in the 'friends' section of my Make Over book today) is that only giving people the surface of me, gets me only surface friendships. And when you only have surface friendships, you miss out on a lot.
Jen H. in her brilliance likens this to Jesus' relationship with Mary vs. His relationship with Martha. While Mary took her time to get to know Jesus and spend time with Him, Martha spent her time hosting Him and doing the work. So, when it got down to the nitty gritty (the death of their brother) and Jesus explaining things to them, you can really see the difference in the depths of His conversation with each woman based on the friendship He had with each of them.
What a lesson! #1: I need to take more time for my friends. In one of her questions at the bottom of a page she asked why we thought it was so hard to cultivate real, deep relationships. My immediate response was, "We don't have enough time." On the next page she asks, "What would you say to a woman who sees only incredibly busy women around her who couldn't possibly have time to be her friend?" Ouch. I'd say its time to stop making excuses and start making room. Real friendships pay off way beyond their worth of time invested.
I am one of those women with a TON of surface friends. I can hang out with the best of them and a lot of them. I am, sadly, one who doesn't have a lot of deep friendships. I have 2 friends who have stuck by me since the age of 14. They are amazing. Their only downfall is that they live 100 and 4,000 miles away. I am so grateful for phone calls! I have two other friends close by that I would consider great friends as well, but so many others that I would love to be deeper friendships that I just haven't taken the time for.
Lesson #2: Cultivate a friendship with Jesus, so that when it comes time to talk to Him, I can have a Mary conversation instead of a Martha one. These conversations can take place everyday through my prayer time.
Once again, there is that time factor. So, in hindsight. Take off the mask, be yourself and take the time to become real and deep. It is only these types of friendships that really pay off in the end.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Monday, May 14, 2012
Bear With Me
Disclaimer: This is a pity post. I have been in a funk for the last week and need to vent a little. Mostly so that I can go back through it and realize how silly I am being after I write it. There is no need to try and make me feel better or compliment me in any way. That is not the reason for this posting. This is simply a me-pouting-and-fuming-through-my-keypad-to-get-it-out-of-my-system-and-hope-it-will-go-away post. If you're not into that kind of thing, I suggest you just skip this one and join me tomorrow.
With that being said, I continue....
I have been in a funk this last week. I ran the Lincoln Half Marathon last Sunday and really enjoyed myself as always. I got to see a great friend I hadn't seen in over 6 months and chat/run with her for 10 miles. My training buddy ran with us for 5 miles and then had to make a pit stop. She sprinted to catch up with us, but went so fast she passed us and we never found each other again. She finished in 2:01. I finished in 2:08, 3 minutes over my goal time. I think this is where my funk begins. I have this little nagging inside of me wondering if I could have done better. I felt great after I was done. Didn't even take a nap in the afternoon (mostly because I had too much other stuff to do). This tells me I could have done better. I wish I would have done better, gone a little faster, pushed myself a little harder, made myself a little more tired. I need to get over it. I'll do it again next year and push harder then. I just need to come to that realization.
Funk #2 is my scale. It seems to be up a bit the last few months. My strategy when I have a few pounds to lose? Exercise more. I am one of those weird people who actually likes exercise. It makes me feel good and skinny. I am not so good at the eating part. Oh, I eat pretty healthy. I love fruits and veggies and chicken and all that kind of stuff, but I have a very hard time saying no to sweets. I am a chocoholic and crave it hourly. Sadly, my exercise more and don't change your diet theory isn't working out so well this time. Darn you 30's! And try as I might, I am failing at the eating part still. Once again, the half marathon comes to haunt me asI look at my pictures. I look huge. My husband tells me it is because my shorts were too big and they just make me look poufy. Nice try sweetie. My leg definition is missing (which when you have huge, manly legs to begin with it is not good not to have muscle definition or your legs are just huge) and there is definitely some extra poundage in the caboose. Not to mention my always-been-flat tummy has developed a few rolls no matter how many bicycles, crunches and mountain climbers I sneak into a day. Grrr! I just can't seem to get it right. And nothing depresses me more than feeling fat.
Funk #3 comes from re-reading a book that really inspired me when I read it around Christmas time and realizing that I didn't do anything about it. I resolved to do so much better with my mommy skills and reverted right back to my grumpy, serious self. I need to lighten up. To have more fun. To not take myself and my kids so seriously and I am failing. Hopefully, reading the book again will help. So far it is just making me mad at myself.
Funk #4 came from out of no where. I got a bad cold turned into a sinus infection last week and lost my voice for quite a while, like more than a week. I got to thinking "What if it never comes back?" Then that turned into a hole other set of issues. You see, I love to sing. Absolutely love it. I kinda freaked out a little bit for some odd reason. Then that got me to thinking that it didn't really matter if it didn't come back since I am not that great at it. Oh, I can carry a tune fairly well, but I am far from someone who will make you stop and listen the minute I open my mouth. I have always wanted to be better, but have never taken the time or had anyone interested enough to help me. I am never asked to do the solos but am good enough to get a small part here and there. This bugs me. Why does it bug me? No clue, but it does. I am such a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none. I am pretty good at a ton of things. People always ask me if there is anything I don't do. Not really. My issue is, I do it all, but I am not great at any of it. Singing is one I wish I could really master. It speaks to my soul. But again, I come up short.
OK. I think I am done. That made me feel a little better. I deleted Funk #5 because even I got tired of reading my whining. But, when I type things out it is kind of like thinking things through "out loud" and they just make more sense. Thanks for sticking in there with me. Yes, a total pity party and no, nothing is really wrong. I have expectation issues and body/weight issues and all sorts of other issues.
I need to step back and rest in God. To remember that He created me to be exactly who I am and to try to do my best to glorify Him. But it has just been one of those weeks where I just don't want to hear that. I just want to sit at the bottom of my pity pool and soak it all in. Oh, I'll float to the top soon and laugh at myself and my issues once again. Please tell me I am not the only one who does this.
With that being said, I continue....
I have been in a funk this last week. I ran the Lincoln Half Marathon last Sunday and really enjoyed myself as always. I got to see a great friend I hadn't seen in over 6 months and chat/run with her for 10 miles. My training buddy ran with us for 5 miles and then had to make a pit stop. She sprinted to catch up with us, but went so fast she passed us and we never found each other again. She finished in 2:01. I finished in 2:08, 3 minutes over my goal time. I think this is where my funk begins. I have this little nagging inside of me wondering if I could have done better. I felt great after I was done. Didn't even take a nap in the afternoon (mostly because I had too much other stuff to do). This tells me I could have done better. I wish I would have done better, gone a little faster, pushed myself a little harder, made myself a little more tired. I need to get over it. I'll do it again next year and push harder then. I just need to come to that realization.
Funk #2 is my scale. It seems to be up a bit the last few months. My strategy when I have a few pounds to lose? Exercise more. I am one of those weird people who actually likes exercise. It makes me feel good and skinny. I am not so good at the eating part. Oh, I eat pretty healthy. I love fruits and veggies and chicken and all that kind of stuff, but I have a very hard time saying no to sweets. I am a chocoholic and crave it hourly. Sadly, my exercise more and don't change your diet theory isn't working out so well this time. Darn you 30's! And try as I might, I am failing at the eating part still. Once again, the half marathon comes to haunt me asI look at my pictures. I look huge. My husband tells me it is because my shorts were too big and they just make me look poufy. Nice try sweetie. My leg definition is missing (which when you have huge, manly legs to begin with it is not good not to have muscle definition or your legs are just huge) and there is definitely some extra poundage in the caboose. Not to mention my always-been-flat tummy has developed a few rolls no matter how many bicycles, crunches and mountain climbers I sneak into a day. Grrr! I just can't seem to get it right. And nothing depresses me more than feeling fat.
Funk #3 comes from re-reading a book that really inspired me when I read it around Christmas time and realizing that I didn't do anything about it. I resolved to do so much better with my mommy skills and reverted right back to my grumpy, serious self. I need to lighten up. To have more fun. To not take myself and my kids so seriously and I am failing. Hopefully, reading the book again will help. So far it is just making me mad at myself.
Funk #4 came from out of no where. I got a bad cold turned into a sinus infection last week and lost my voice for quite a while, like more than a week. I got to thinking "What if it never comes back?" Then that turned into a hole other set of issues. You see, I love to sing. Absolutely love it. I kinda freaked out a little bit for some odd reason. Then that got me to thinking that it didn't really matter if it didn't come back since I am not that great at it. Oh, I can carry a tune fairly well, but I am far from someone who will make you stop and listen the minute I open my mouth. I have always wanted to be better, but have never taken the time or had anyone interested enough to help me. I am never asked to do the solos but am good enough to get a small part here and there. This bugs me. Why does it bug me? No clue, but it does. I am such a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none. I am pretty good at a ton of things. People always ask me if there is anything I don't do. Not really. My issue is, I do it all, but I am not great at any of it. Singing is one I wish I could really master. It speaks to my soul. But again, I come up short.
OK. I think I am done. That made me feel a little better. I deleted Funk #5 because even I got tired of reading my whining. But, when I type things out it is kind of like thinking things through "out loud" and they just make more sense. Thanks for sticking in there with me. Yes, a total pity party and no, nothing is really wrong. I have expectation issues and body/weight issues and all sorts of other issues.
I need to step back and rest in God. To remember that He created me to be exactly who I am and to try to do my best to glorify Him. But it has just been one of those weeks where I just don't want to hear that. I just want to sit at the bottom of my pity pool and soak it all in. Oh, I'll float to the top soon and laugh at myself and my issues once again. Please tell me I am not the only one who does this.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Holy Rest
God's timing is perfect, isn't it? After a week of nothing but planning, preparing and running for way too many things in a 5 day span, God perfectly planned for me to do my Bible Study on nothing other than rest. In this 5 day span I had a teacher appreciation breakfast to help plan/cook for, appointment in Lincoln, program practice for my older kids, birthday party for my son with family of 20+ attendees, a half marathon, the spring kid's program at our church, our final MOPS meeting, a thank you luncheon for our Moppets workers, treats to take to my son's school, and my son's birthday party with a few classmates/friends. I am barely still awake/walking.
Welcome to a study on rest, girlie. Now, before you are ready for a profound post, I must warn you this is going to be short and to the point because I am too pooped to do anything else and I plan to listen to what I learned.
The main thing I got from this is that rest is holy. It is not just something God wants us to do, or something that is beneficial or necessary for us to do. It is something that God created to be holy. It is not lazy or selfish (if done the way God intended), it is something God commands us to obey.
Holy is defined as: specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated: dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion. I never viewed rest in this way and I hope I can take it a little bit more seriously now that I do.
Rest is something God did Himself. He does not need or require rest, but He does it anyway and expects us to do the same. I love how my Study Bible defines why God took the 7th day to rest: God rested on the 7th day, not because he was eary, but because nothing formless remained. his creative work was completed -- and it was totally effectice, absolutely perfect, "very good". It dd not have to be repeated, repaired or revised, andt ehCreator rested to commemorate it.
I think the work commemorate is perfect. Do you ever take time to have some holy rest to commemorate the work that you have done? If not, you should. Join me!
Welcome to a study on rest, girlie. Now, before you are ready for a profound post, I must warn you this is going to be short and to the point because I am too pooped to do anything else and I plan to listen to what I learned.
The main thing I got from this is that rest is holy. It is not just something God wants us to do, or something that is beneficial or necessary for us to do. It is something that God created to be holy. It is not lazy or selfish (if done the way God intended), it is something God commands us to obey.
Holy is defined as: specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated: dedicated or devoted to the service of God, the church, or religion. I never viewed rest in this way and I hope I can take it a little bit more seriously now that I do.
Rest is something God did Himself. He does not need or require rest, but He does it anyway and expects us to do the same. I love how my Study Bible defines why God took the 7th day to rest: God rested on the 7th day, not because he was eary, but because nothing formless remained. his creative work was completed -- and it was totally effectice, absolutely perfect, "very good". It dd not have to be repeated, repaired or revised, andt ehCreator rested to commemorate it.
I think the work commemorate is perfect. Do you ever take time to have some holy rest to commemorate the work that you have done? If not, you should. Join me!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Exact Opposites
Proud: having, proceeding from, or showing a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.
Humble: having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience; low in rank, importance, status, quality.
Two very different words. Antonyms actually. One, God opposes. The other He gives grace. Where do you want to stand?
When it comes to being a Christian, it is very clear where we should all be. This verse from Proverbs (3:23 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble) is repeated two other times in scripture. That alone tells you how highly God thinks of this concept.
What is it about pride that is so hard to control? We all love those moments where we are given credit for a job well done. It is how we handle them that counts. Puff up your chest, smile and take all the credit and you fail in the eyes of God. Say a simple "Thank you, God has really blessed me in this area" (or something equally appropriate to the situation) and you have a entirely different story.
God deserves all the credit. We are His hands and feet. Simple. That is all there it to it.
Hopefully, I can remember this next time I feel like I have done a great job, or the next time I want to do something super special or creative just because I want people to think highly of me (this is the area where my pride issues are attacked the most).
James 4:10 hits it home, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." It is in the very end where the recognition really counts. The only One we need to be proud of us is the One who enables us to do it in the first place.
Humble: having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience; low in rank, importance, status, quality.
Two very different words. Antonyms actually. One, God opposes. The other He gives grace. Where do you want to stand?
When it comes to being a Christian, it is very clear where we should all be. This verse from Proverbs (3:23 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble) is repeated two other times in scripture. That alone tells you how highly God thinks of this concept.
What is it about pride that is so hard to control? We all love those moments where we are given credit for a job well done. It is how we handle them that counts. Puff up your chest, smile and take all the credit and you fail in the eyes of God. Say a simple "Thank you, God has really blessed me in this area" (or something equally appropriate to the situation) and you have a entirely different story.
God deserves all the credit. We are His hands and feet. Simple. That is all there it to it.
Hopefully, I can remember this next time I feel like I have done a great job, or the next time I want to do something super special or creative just because I want people to think highly of me (this is the area where my pride issues are attacked the most).
James 4:10 hits it home, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." It is in the very end where the recognition really counts. The only One we need to be proud of us is the One who enables us to do it in the first place.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Selfish Quarreling
Today, Jame asks a pretty good question. "What causes fights and quarrels among you?" (4:1). He, in his bold writing style, answers the question as well. They come from the desires within us. Selfish ones.
Makes you think a bit. Have I ever been in an argument where selfish motives weren't behind it? I can't really think of many. I might have been defending a belief or someone else a time or two, but in the end, the root of an argument is to win the person over to your side or defend yourself.
It is so hard not to always put ourselves, our wants, needs and thoughts, first. Oh, as a mother and wife, I have learned quickly that my needs often come behind those of my family, but my selfish desires still often win. I am quick to get frustrated with my kids because their messes inconvenience me and cause me more work, even though they are easily cleaned up and gave my kids great entertainment in the process of making them. I have thoughts of my husband being lazy when he asks me to take care of something for him because it will take a few minutes of of my time for the day, or when I get upset with him for not helping me do something that I need to do (can we say double standard?). But these things, that often lead to short little squabbles could be so easily avoided if I would just get over myself.
Later in these verses James says, "When you ask {God}, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you my spend what you get on your pleasures."
In light of what I just stated, it makes me think of the many times I have muttered the little selfish prayer, "Just 20 minutes, Lord." Twenty minutes to myself with no responsibilities, no one saying, "Mommy!", nothing to clean, nothing to think about that needs to be done. Just 20 minutes for me. Yep. I don't usually receive these 20 minutes because of my selfish motives. I want to spend this 20 minutes on me; playing on the computer, reading a mindless book, taking a nap.
God has placed me in a role of service to my family. It is how I serve Him as well. So every second of serving them, I should consider joy. Now, I am not saying that 20 minutes to myself is sinning or not needed, but definitely not something I should feel like I 'deserve' because I work so hard. I am guessing if I worked harder and more efficiently, with more joy in my heart, these 20 minutes might come around more often as a smile to me from my Heavenly Father, pleased with my work. Guess I better get my butt off the couch and off my computer and get to work for the day....
Buckets! It is totally crazy how God uses my ramblings (which started off with me having no idea where I was going with this quarrelling stuff and ended in me serving more joyfully) to teach me so much. Thanks for sticking with me as I think through my keyboard. :)
Makes you think a bit. Have I ever been in an argument where selfish motives weren't behind it? I can't really think of many. I might have been defending a belief or someone else a time or two, but in the end, the root of an argument is to win the person over to your side or defend yourself.
It is so hard not to always put ourselves, our wants, needs and thoughts, first. Oh, as a mother and wife, I have learned quickly that my needs often come behind those of my family, but my selfish desires still often win. I am quick to get frustrated with my kids because their messes inconvenience me and cause me more work, even though they are easily cleaned up and gave my kids great entertainment in the process of making them. I have thoughts of my husband being lazy when he asks me to take care of something for him because it will take a few minutes of of my time for the day, or when I get upset with him for not helping me do something that I need to do (can we say double standard?). But these things, that often lead to short little squabbles could be so easily avoided if I would just get over myself.
Later in these verses James says, "When you ask {God}, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you my spend what you get on your pleasures."
In light of what I just stated, it makes me think of the many times I have muttered the little selfish prayer, "Just 20 minutes, Lord." Twenty minutes to myself with no responsibilities, no one saying, "Mommy!", nothing to clean, nothing to think about that needs to be done. Just 20 minutes for me. Yep. I don't usually receive these 20 minutes because of my selfish motives. I want to spend this 20 minutes on me; playing on the computer, reading a mindless book, taking a nap.
God has placed me in a role of service to my family. It is how I serve Him as well. So every second of serving them, I should consider joy. Now, I am not saying that 20 minutes to myself is sinning or not needed, but definitely not something I should feel like I 'deserve' because I work so hard. I am guessing if I worked harder and more efficiently, with more joy in my heart, these 20 minutes might come around more often as a smile to me from my Heavenly Father, pleased with my work. Guess I better get my butt off the couch and off my computer and get to work for the day....
Buckets! It is totally crazy how God uses my ramblings (which started off with me having no idea where I was going with this quarrelling stuff and ended in me serving more joyfully) to teach me so much. Thanks for sticking with me as I think through my keyboard. :)
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Dangerous Territory
I come to section in James I have heard and thought about many times. This is what I consider "dangerous territory" for my daily quiet times in the Bible. It is so easy to mull over them and quickly pass them thinking, "Been there. Figured it out. Lets move on."
But God so often has different things for us to learn each and every time we come upon a section of scripture. The section I speak of today is 2:14-26 where James speaks of faith and deeds.
A very needed part of scripture for every Christian to think on. As the popular Christian song says, "Faith without action is dead." For how real is our faith if it is not followed up in actions and deeds. If we bottle up our faith inside and do nothing about it, how does it grow? Is stagnant faith even really faith at all? These are the things I often think on and read about when studying these verses. Thankfully, my good friend Jen H. has taught me to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance when I read these scriptures. To ask Him to open my eyes and heart to something new, for something I wouldn't see on my own.
He did just that.
The part that got me most this time was 15 and 16 where he mentions passing by hungry people and wishing them well but doing nothing about it. If you have been reading my posts for the last months you know I have been diving into this kind of thing and wondering where God is taking me on this journey. I think this time He is telling me that I have the faith in this area and am searching in the right direction, but my actions are lacking.
I have had all sorts of ideas and thoughts on what to do with this new passion God has given me for the least of His flock, but I haven't done anything more than think on it. Time to get a little more serious, Shauna. I can hear Him saying it in these Words. I have been doing the faith part. Reading more about it, getting more informed softening my heart for its appearances, and finding the scripture that applies to it. But I have done absolutely nothing to put it into action.
I keep using the excuse that I don't know what He wants me to do yet. I keep thinking that I don't think my husband is quite on board with me just yet, and I keep praying that he will be. (Now before you think of my hubby as heartless, its just that we haven't really taken the time -yes, not doing the actions again- to really sit and talk about it a lot to where I can even let him know exactly where I am) As I type that out, I think that might be the first action I need to take....how is that for God answering a prayer. There isn't much I can do in this area without my husband on board, so get him on board I must. (Thanks for riding along with me on that little epiphany.)
So, chat with the hubby I will. Then, more actions must follow. I'll give you an update when I have one....that way you can hold me accountable.
But God so often has different things for us to learn each and every time we come upon a section of scripture. The section I speak of today is 2:14-26 where James speaks of faith and deeds.
A very needed part of scripture for every Christian to think on. As the popular Christian song says, "Faith without action is dead." For how real is our faith if it is not followed up in actions and deeds. If we bottle up our faith inside and do nothing about it, how does it grow? Is stagnant faith even really faith at all? These are the things I often think on and read about when studying these verses. Thankfully, my good friend Jen H. has taught me to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance when I read these scriptures. To ask Him to open my eyes and heart to something new, for something I wouldn't see on my own.
He did just that.
The part that got me most this time was 15 and 16 where he mentions passing by hungry people and wishing them well but doing nothing about it. If you have been reading my posts for the last months you know I have been diving into this kind of thing and wondering where God is taking me on this journey. I think this time He is telling me that I have the faith in this area and am searching in the right direction, but my actions are lacking.
I have had all sorts of ideas and thoughts on what to do with this new passion God has given me for the least of His flock, but I haven't done anything more than think on it. Time to get a little more serious, Shauna. I can hear Him saying it in these Words. I have been doing the faith part. Reading more about it, getting more informed softening my heart for its appearances, and finding the scripture that applies to it. But I have done absolutely nothing to put it into action.
I keep using the excuse that I don't know what He wants me to do yet. I keep thinking that I don't think my husband is quite on board with me just yet, and I keep praying that he will be. (Now before you think of my hubby as heartless, its just that we haven't really taken the time -yes, not doing the actions again- to really sit and talk about it a lot to where I can even let him know exactly where I am) As I type that out, I think that might be the first action I need to take....how is that for God answering a prayer. There isn't much I can do in this area without my husband on board, so get him on board I must. (Thanks for riding along with me on that little epiphany.)
So, chat with the hubby I will. Then, more actions must follow. I'll give you an update when I have one....that way you can hold me accountable.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Guilty
"It is just a tiny, little thing. Not a big deal at all." A thought that often crosses my mind when I want to get away with a small discrepancy. It is easy to excuse myself if it doesn't really hurt anyone or cause any problems.
But, clearly, sin is sin. No matter how big or small. Every ounce of it separates us from God. So, even if I tell just a little white lie so as to not get in trouble with my husband for forgetting to pick up what he wanted at the store, I am as guilty as a man who committed murder. Seems a little harsh? Yes. But James makes it clear in 2:11 "For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.'" God also commanded us, "Do not lie." So guilty I am.
Ouch. As guilty as a murderer is hard to swallow. Makes you think twice about things you might see as little. Seriously, I just need to tell my husband I didn't want to walk clear across WalMart for a little thing of glue with 3 kids in tow. Being stuck in the sinner category with a murderer is a much worse consequence than having my husband disappointed in me (I guess the best alternative would be to suck it up and serve my husband by getting his glue, but that is another topic for another day.)
Sure, I am not one who goes about my day consciously committing 'little sins', but I am human and I sin daily. I raise my voice in anger at my kids. Guilty. I covet what I see a girlfriend has that I think is just too cute. Guilty. I put other things higher on my priority list than God. Guilty. And so much more.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one part is guilty of breaking all of it." . James 2:10
Guilty indeed.
Thankfully, God is gracious and I can be forgiven, so can the adulterer, the murderer and anyone else who believes in His Son's atoning blood. God is good.
But, clearly, sin is sin. No matter how big or small. Every ounce of it separates us from God. So, even if I tell just a little white lie so as to not get in trouble with my husband for forgetting to pick up what he wanted at the store, I am as guilty as a man who committed murder. Seems a little harsh? Yes. But James makes it clear in 2:11 "For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.'" God also commanded us, "Do not lie." So guilty I am.
Ouch. As guilty as a murderer is hard to swallow. Makes you think twice about things you might see as little. Seriously, I just need to tell my husband I didn't want to walk clear across WalMart for a little thing of glue with 3 kids in tow. Being stuck in the sinner category with a murderer is a much worse consequence than having my husband disappointed in me (I guess the best alternative would be to suck it up and serve my husband by getting his glue, but that is another topic for another day.)
Sure, I am not one who goes about my day consciously committing 'little sins', but I am human and I sin daily. I raise my voice in anger at my kids. Guilty. I covet what I see a girlfriend has that I think is just too cute. Guilty. I put other things higher on my priority list than God. Guilty. And so much more.
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one part is guilty of breaking all of it." . James 2:10
Guilty indeed.
Thankfully, God is gracious and I can be forgiven, so can the adulterer, the murderer and anyone else who believes in His Son's atoning blood. God is good.
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