Let's Talk

We have lost our minds!! That is what I thought when I was perusing through social media the other day. It was crazy! One party posted a picture that seemed to me an odd endeavor. The image was not a photo of a puppy, a flower, or anything soothing. Now I will not say exactly what it was, but there was no way it was not going to solicit a reaction…and then the reactions began to pour into the post…people taking sides, being ugly to each other, getting bitter, and the like…it was crazy!

I could not help but think how unproductive the posting had been. I thought to myself, what if those same folks were in a room together? What would that reality look like? And what if Jesus was in the room with them? How would that actual conversation work its way through? Would people be cussed, chairs thrown, weapons brought to bear? Honestly, I don't know, but one thing I have determined, any type of digital media is a poor substitute for in-person conversations.

Let me make a suggestion for this year. If you are exasperated with someone this year, take the time to sit and talk face to face. Please don't go all scorched earth on a digital medium without actually sitting down, in the real world, and attempting to work it through. If the issue is so important that it fires you up, go talk to the party in person. That is the uncomfortable, adult thing to do and the Biblical Way.

Matthew 18:15 "If your brother or sister sins, go and point it out just the two of you." Yep - that is What HE said. Nuff said.

Peace and Grace,

Brother Chip 

A Time to be Thankful

I will be honest; I do not generally see myself as an ungrateful person. Yet with Thanksgiving approaching, I am reminded I need to be more conscious of those people and circumstances for which I am very thankful! The truth is I am not ungrateful, but I rarely take time to count my blessings. You know how it is to go from one day to the next taking care of whatever is right before you, right? We go from one event to another, one to-do item to the next, one ballgame to another, etc, etc… We get so busy. We are not ungrateful, just terribly busy.

So let me suggest we take a moment this Thanksgiving to pause and be grateful for all our many blessings. Just think for a moment, what are you thankful for in this season? A great family, good job, excellentmarriage, healthy children, food on the table, all the bills being paid...what would you put on the list?

As I sit here, a few things come to mind for me. A good family, job, house, health, and the like. I have tons to be thankful for in my life. I suppose one difference in myself and many I see in the world around me is who I thank for wonderful gifts. Whenever I count my blessings, I cannot help but give praise to God! It is amazing how that one step makes a huge difference in my soul. Not just to be grateful, but to acknowledge who is the giver of all the wonderful blessings in my life.

As we come to the Holiday season, I encourage you to take time to be thankful, but also be sure to thank the one from whom all blessings flow!

(Psalm 26: 6 - 9)

Peace and Grace,

Brother Chip