Category Archives: Holy Soap Box

2020, Ephesians, Gospel of Matthew, Holy Soap Box, It's a Bonus Post, Political awareness

Words. Words. Words.

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Words. I like words. Words are vehicles of communication; they inform. However, problems arise with using Words. They can be perceived differently than intended. They can be spoken or written hastily. They can be used to edify the hearers. They can be used to wound the hearers (or readers). The speaker is responsible for his or her words. The hearer is responsible too; responsible to do his or her best to listen for understanding and to ask in a spirit of learning, did you mean what I have perceived? This is communication. It’s limited it seems to me these days.

These days we have Word Police. We get warnings or ticketed when we use words others do not like. Now, depending upon the intent of our hearts, that might not put us in such bad company. Here, let me give you an example.

Yeshua.
Some know Him as Jesus. If He were walking the earth today in His GODMAN body He would get warned and ticketed often.
Yeshua said what He meant and meant what He said.
And it was NEVER to hurt; it was ALWAYS to heal. I suspect often, though, it did sting and smart some of the hearers.  (It has me!)
Would you like an example? Matthew 23. Take a look.

And let us do likewise. Let our words be chosen for the purpose of healing, even when they hurt.
I know, it’s easier said than done; but, we can practice!

Ephesians 4:29  (AMP) 29 Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. source

2020, For What It's Worth To You, Holy Soap Box, Just Chatty Today

A Passel of Pain

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I read something today that disturbed me – obviously, I am here writing. When I captured it for my laptop the title it gave itself was amen.

It read this way: “Staying in a relationship just because you love somebody is not worth it. Love is not all you need. Respect is what you need. Reassurance is what you need. Happiness is what you need. Knowing every day you’re their favorite person is what you need. Learn to love yourself instead. 

I can’t give this a strong amen but it bears consideration. Obviously, there’s a passel of pain being experienced when this counsel is given.  

So, relationships are complicated; they are not meant to be but they are because fallen humans are conflicted. And conflicted people think self-centered more often than is healthy for them or others.

Friend relationships. Those can be vacated when one is unhappy in the relationship and the rifted might not be a long-lasting wound; so, in that, I can concur.

Family relationships. They can be and usually are conflicting, complicated, complex, and often downright aggravating, but when it’s the family we don’t walk away, not without extenuating circumstances and a Word from The LORD to seal the deal.

Marriage. That’s a new ballgame. Respect and happiness. O! yes we want those but in my many years of messing up I have discovered and Scripture confirms that you gain respect and happiness by GIVING it and continuing to give it even when at the moment you are not getting it back. Marriage is a covenant – well, godly marriages are covenants and they are the kind that endure through lack; when we feel disrespected and forgotten and ignored and second or third or last on the list of importance. Do I sound experienced? I am.

No-fault divorce. There is no such animal. There is plenty of fault to go around when there is a divorce; it’s not just one or the other; it’s both. And if Both open their Bibles and their hearts to the Spirit of the Living GOD, the marriage can be saved, and not just saved but thrive with respect and happiness and assurance and a whole lot more. Do I sound experienced? I am.

We jump out of marriage way too easily, to the determinant of ourselves and to those who love us.
I’m not saying no marriage is without cause to vacate but I am saying more marriages could be saved than are . . .

And the last point: love yourself.
And to that: loving one’s self unselfishly is above unregenerated humans’ pay grade.
Only The Spirit of the Living GOD highlighting His Word in us can teach us how to do that!

A healthy love for ourselves is predicated on GOD first, and the GOOD of others (as directed by The Scripture) before our own happiness.
And shall we remember happiness is overrated? It fades when the happening fades.
Now, JOY (holy love for GOD, for others AND ourselves) is long-lasting; eternal, even.

So, shall we vacate? What did GOD say when you asked Him?

2019, Holy Soap Box, Political awareness

Me Too

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Just today a friend of mine shared with her world via Facebook pictures of her newborn grandson.  I commented in part, every baby is a gift from GOD, and here adding, no exceptions. I know it to my bones.  And from there formed these words (and I wondered where can I share them?):

Did you ever want to say:
You know why abortion is such an evil? Because every baby, no exceptions, is a gift from GOD to this world and each one that is aborted is a thumbs down, return to Sender, no thank You, You suck in the Face of GOD.
 
Me too!