I’ll be taking a short break while I contemplate some changes in thinking, as I explore doctrines I have held to see how they “stack up” against His Word. I recently found a church nearby that really gets into studying the Scripture and, as a result, I am re-thinking some of the doctrines I have taken for granted for some time. One thing I know for sure that will never change: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.-Romans 10:9 (ESV)

I shall return in the near future with some fresh insight in God’s Word that I’ll be happy to share with the reader.

Psalm 5:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

I was reminded this morning in one of the devotionals I read called “Days of Praise” that I should always rejoice. In fact, the article suggested that it is my duty to do so. Some twelve step fellowships teach their newcomers to “fake it until they make it,” or act “as if.” Some days I may not feel much like being joyful for the circumstances I may find myself in or the day I might be having; I have come to realize that God can turn anything around– but I must be willing to turn with Him. Once I act ‘as if’ and start giving Him the thanks and praise, things suddenly get better!

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. -Psalms 19:14 (KJV)

I recently decided to put forth a greater effort to get to really befriend my stepson. We have had our differences and arguments along the way, which really only started a couple of years ago when he moved into an apartment we have in our house. I could get into the circumstances surrounding our difficulty and perhaps even get some sympathy from the reader as a result, but that really would serve no purpose. What I need to get from all of this has nothing to do with validation or sympathy and everything to do with a spirit of forgiveness. So, while we may never become friends (I shall leave “the ball in his court”), at least I know I will have dealt with any bitterness I might be harboring in regard to him.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. -Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)

When I look at this deep-seated anger I have been carrying since last summer when things were said between us, I cannot help but affirm the warning the bible gives us about the tongue– and the power it yields in the lives of those we encounter. I have not forgotten the things he said to me about me in anger and, try as I might, I have not forgotten the things I said to him, either. Some deep and regular prayer on this issue will solve the problem, which could have been avoided (at least on my part) if I had chosen my words more carefully and not allowed myself to be provoked. I must remember that, although a relatively small part of the body, the mouth can have a huge impact.

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. -James 3:6 (KJV)