As you know, I preach at RV parks from November to March each year. At one at least once a month, the other only two times. One of the pastors who spoke at the one here in town decided to retire so his scheduled Sundays are being reassigned - and I got an email asking me to take on two of his. LOL They had already increased my speaking engagements to six, and now they have given me two more - so I will be speaking 10 different Sundays this year. It is a lot of work to prepare, trust me, but I love sharing about Jesus and how much He loves us. And, they must like what I say cause they keep asking me back! I need to (as I say every year) start preparing messages this summer break so that I will have some ahead for this coming year, especially with having so many - and a couple are back-to-back. But this is what I love and although the money they pay me is nice, I would do it for free. I love sharing about Jesus.
I mentioned journaling a few days back and said I'd get back to it, and I'm not sure if I will say much about it today as my time is running out this morning. I just finished the chapter in the book I was reading and journaling has a new thought in my mind. She mentioned keeping a journal with you wherever you go - to jot things down in - to write thoughts that God gives you - to remember things. As forgetful as I get sometimes, that might not be a bad idea. How many times has God spoken to me and I forget about it - until something triggers the mind and I think about it to share with you? Of course there are some things I don't share.
One thing she did mention, and I agree with it, and that is that your journal should be something that is private. It should contain your thoughts, your prayers, your whatever - and you should not be afraid that someone is going to pick it up and read it. I have over 30 years of journals laying around. I would say that for the last 3-5 years I have quit writing daily as I used to do. I've gotten away from it. I felt that I was writing more than I should about things that I needed to give to God and let it go. People have different thoughts about writing in a journal and I've recently read about two different ways, yet they are similar. I want to pause and think about that.
But, I did pick up my journal this morning and began to write about things; the truth of what I was feeling and not just writing what I would want others to read. I wrote the real me. I wrote about my hurt and my anger at someone. I wrote that because I want God's grace extended to me, I must extend that same grace to them. Sometimes that is so very hard! I don't WANT God's grace for them! And I'm being honest here. They are not nice to others and are self-centered and self-focused. They are their own admiration society.
But God calls us to look beyond that and forgive; to love; to pray blessings. Sigh. Sometimes it is so hard.
I still want to go through my old journals and destroy or redact some words and sentences. I would never want to hurt anyone's feelings by the honesty of my own opinion. God's grace covers everyone. His grace covers me. Anyway - I will write more about journaling at another time.
I did go meet with my favorite boss and former CFO yesterday morning and we had a great time together. In fact, time slipped away and it got to the point I had to tell them I had to leave and get back home as I had several emails already that I needed to respond to (I had checked my work email on my phone). It was good seeing them, and I needed that. I don't meet up for another 'admin meeting' until July now. In June, my boss is going on a 10 day cruise in the Caribbean, plus has other days off. I can't take any days off (except the holiday of Memorial Day May 27th) until my friend comes back to work from her medical leave on June 20th.
Last night was the last time with my favorite trainer, Trayden. That young man is like a grandson to us. He has really touched my heart. He said that if he couldn't get over to have dinner with us before Tuesday, they would stop by on their way out to say goodbye. They are going to Wyoming to visit his family before heading to Chicago to live. He already has an apartment there and also a job waiting. I will truly miss him, in fact, both of us will.
Romans 8:1-2 (NKJV): There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Sometimes it is so hard to NOT walk in the flesh, isn't it? Life is hard without Jesus. I can honestly say that. People who hurt and belittle others, we want to strike back and let the flesh take over and say things and do things that those people deserve. Am I right? Well, maybe some of you haven't experienced that. But I have. And not just with one person. When someone comes at me, many times you will read about it in here.... but I have to restrain my flesh and shut my mouth to these people and not allow the flesh to take over and tell them what I REALLY want to say. As our former pastor used to say something about "Hurting people hurt people". And that's true, I believe. So many times when people say words to us, we want to strike back, whether it is in defense or just because we are right.
I have learned over the years it is better to just remain silent. Even when my name is being slandered on facebook. I spoke to my brother recently and he asked me about a recent tirade someone had put on facebook..... because this person had pulled my name into the tirade, he thought I had posted what was said. I told him I didn't post anything, but he insisted I had, because my name was there. And how many others thought that I had said what I was accused of? I saw it when it was there.... and I wanted so badly (to speak in the flesh) to call this person out. But I knew that to walk in the Spirit, I could not. And I did not respond to any comments made. They may act like nothing happened now, but it has changed things. Relationships have changed. One learns to 'love/like' at a distance.
And, I have started my rambling, haven't I! I choose to allow Christ Jesus to live in me and follow Him. I cannot allow my flesh to take over. There is a difference in all of us. Some step away with angry words and actions. Some step away in silence. Sometimes stepping away is the best thing. Unfortunately, there are others you want to be with that suffer the consequences. Oh that we all could love and live like Jesus! Sometimes we let the flesh take over, and then we have to repent. And repenting, although vital, is never fun.
So where do you stand this morning? Are you walking according to the flesh, or according to the Spirit? Do you need a refresh? Ask God! He's willing to refresh you in Him.
Blessings!
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