Yesterday I wrote about Pastor Michael's sermon and that I thought I heard him say Caleb was not a Jew. Yes, I was nice about it. And he responded - and sent me two pages of an article that explained it. I did not know this stuff. Comes from not going to seminary, I guess, and not having reference books to go through like most pastors do. But Caleb was NOT a Jew, although in Numbers it says that he is from the tribe of Judah. See where I was confused? Caleb was an Edomite who was 'adopted' into the tribe of Judah - probably as a young man. He believed in and followed God, and lived with the Israelites in Goshen and left with them when God brought them out of Egypt. It was a very interesting article and I'm glad I inquired as to what I heard. I learned something - and that is always a good thing.
We actually had our first 'heart crew' class last night. I fixed taco soup and chicken chili - and bought ice cream for dessert. (butter pecan for me; chocolate chip mint for hubby) We had two people come to class, but we have decided, after some discussion, not to do Discipleship, but instead do a workbook (grateful for that!) titled 'Seeking Him'. I love this study and have done it with a class and on my own. I'm ready to do it again. Last night we mainly just got acquainted and had dinner together. It was a good time and we will start our class next week - maybe. I'm thinking that since they won't get their books until Wednesday (I placed the order last night after they left), we may need to postpone it a week and give them time to read through and work on the first week.
Haven't heard back from our grandson as to when to take him to dinner. It can get moved out if it fits his schedule. Our time is kind of messed up for a week or so anyway. I will try calling him tonight and hopefully he will answer his phone and we can discuss. We can go tonight, if he wants. I had suggested to him Thursday night, but I forgot hubby has his wisdom tooth pulled Thursday morning, so he isn't going to be any fun for a few days. My oldest son called me as I got to the gym last night and offered us Saturday evening to take the grandson out as they would probably go on Sunday as a family. Not sure what the grandson is doing nor if hubby will even feel like going out to eat. Soft food diets don't leave much to the imagination when a steak is what you are wanting. We'll figure it out with the grandson and see what he wants to do.
My youngest child had called earlier in the day to let me know that Saturday was MY day to receive my Christmas gift from him - time alone with him - and what did I want to do. Earlier I had suggested pedicures and manicures, but he said no one was touching his feet. LOL Men. Hubby loves pedicures. I suggested finding a cooking class somewhere. But we'll go to lunch and figure it out. I do have Needles of Hope Saturday morning but will figure out what I'm doing once my son and I decide what we are doing together. I can do Needles of Hope for a couple hours then drive to his house, meet up with him for lunch and then do whatever we decide. I don't know what to suggest. It may just be lunch - and that's ok too.
I John 3:18 (NKJV): "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
How many times have you heard some one tell you that the love you, respect you, care about you, but then treat you like dirt? Yell at you? (Yeah, I did have a couple people come to mind....) Sometimes people don't respond as their words say they should. Do you agree? Even we, sometimes, have our moments that although we love some people - we can easily lose our temper and say or do things that are cruel and mean.
It should not be so. When you love someone, you care about them, and you want to treat them with love and respect. Even when they irritate you. Even when they make you angry. Even when you know they are wrong and know you are right. (or think they are wrong and they are right). Sometimes we let ourselves get the best of us and push it through - even though we know we are wrong in doing it. Make sense?
I lose my temper at times. Yes, I know that is a shock. I get irritated (seriously!). You've read my 'feelings' and 'emotions' many times on here. And I'm not always right. Yes, I will admit it. Sometimes, even though I say I love someone, my irritability at them will come out and boom! And you know you do it too.
But we shouldn't do that. If we say we love someone, we can calmly bring the issue to them and ask for understanding and clarity in to it. Right? But we don't. We react. But let's try something different. Instead of being irritated at that child for not doing what you wanted them to do; instead of being irritated at that spouse because of whatever reason.... take a step back and ask yourself how important that entire issue is. Is it enough to cause strife within the family? If it is - then calmly bring to their attention what you feel and hear their side of it. If it isn't - then just let it go. Go into the back room and yell it out and get it out of your system. Sometimes that is much better than causing pain through words spoken in anger or picking something up and throwing it across the room in anger. Yeah, I can call myself out on a few things as well. And I'm sure you can too.
Take some time to review this last week.... were there some times that you lost your temper or your attitude was out of whack and you took it out on those you say you love? Perhaps it is time to apologize to them and say you were wwwwrrrooonnnngggg. Remember Fonzie from Happy Days? He always had a hard time getting the word out - and sometimes we do too. But it really isn't that hard. Try it.
Blessings!
