Our attitude has a lot to do with how we think and act. Once we become children of God, the Bible tells us that we are transformed into a new creation. This transformation will make you think and act differently. This tranformation will make us become more like Jesus everyday.

As we look at Jesus, we see that He was not controlled by power and wealth because He gave all that up to do the Father’s will which was to come down to earth with nothing but a desire to please God. So we see to be like Christ, in this area, we must change our focus. Unfortunately today, we are so consummed with achieving wealth and power and this is so contrary to what Jesus was like. So do you have an attitude like Jesus in this area? If not, what are you going to do about it?

Paul tells us that Jesus was humble. It takes a lot to achieve this but we know that nothing is impossible for God. Unfortunately we view being humble as a weakness but was Jesus weak. We should be more concerned about what God thinks than man and we will be able overcome the obstacles of being humble.

We also know that Jesus was obedient to God. Despite the challenges of what God called Jesus to do, He did it. He didnt try to talk God out of it because it was challenging, He didn’t procrastinate, He did only and exactly what God called Him to do. What about you?

Finally Jesus was a servant to God and others. Jesus was a servant to everyone and not just His family. We often find it easy to help and serve our family but God calls us to higher level of servanthood. First we must serve Him. How many of you are serving in your church? How many of you are serving God with the talent/gift that He has given you? Most of us give our talents to our company and not our church, what a disservice to God. We are also called to serve others with our wealth. Unfortunately, this world is in the decay because for years we have only thought about ourselves and material things. We have become slave to the lender and as we result we have no wealth to share with others when they are in need. How sad God must be. Do you have the servant attitude of God?

So to conclude, do you have some work to do to align your attitude with Jesus’. Are you willing to work on these things? If you answered yes to this, I recommend that you start with reading the Bible, join a Bible study group, listen to Christian radio which you can find on the web now. Try visiting LWF.org, intouch.org, Biblegateway.org, which are some of my favorite radio programs and Bible resources.

Remember if you are expecting your children to have an attitude like Christ, then you example that attitude. They will follow you!

Let me know what you think about this on Facebook.

Kathy Kirk
Christian Parenting Coach
www.MyChildsHeart.org

The television industry is in a battle. Its weapons are a potent concoction of sexually titillating programming launched with savvy marketing tools aimed at your family, and especially your kids and grandkids. In recent years hundreds of cable and satellite networks have flooded the marketplace. The result has been that each of them shares a thin slice of the viewing public pie. Competition for the pie is fierce. So, many of these networks have introduced sexually explicit programs in an effort to lure viewers. Network executives know that younger viewers are drawn to such programming. And, most importantly, they know that young people make up the lucrative market advertisers crave most.

In his book, “Who Speaks for God,” Charles Colson tells of a humbling experience he endured one night at a banquet. He was seated next to the president of one of the major television networks. Colson saw the seating arrangement as a rare opportunity to convince the network president of the value of airing more family oriented programming. After all, a Gallup study proved that there are over fifty million born-again Christians in the United States. What a financial boon it would be to the network if they would pursue this huge block of viewers by offering them good clean programs.

Colson marshaled all of his persuasive abilities as he made his best case. The network president listened politely. At the end of Colson’s presentation the network president asked this question: “What you’re suggesting, Mr. Colson, is that we air more programs like, say, ‘Chariots of Fire?’”

“Yes!” Colson exclaimed, “That’s a great movie with a marvelous Christian message.”

The network president went on to explain that his network had, in fact, aired that movie just a few months before. That same night the other two networks were airing “On Golden Pond” and “My Mother’s Secret Life”, a show about a mother hiding her past as a prostitute, both of which did very well in the ratings. “Chariots of Fire”, on the other hand, brought in very poor ratings and was a big money loser for the network.

“So,” he concluded, “where are your fifty million born-again Christians, Mr. Colson?”

Unfortunately, numerous studies indicate that the viewing habits of Christians are not, on the average, any different than those of non-Christians. The so-called “family hour,” that a few years ago the major television networks instituted after being pressured by concerned groups, has all but vanished from the airwaves. And, instead, networks are in a race to see which one can titillate the most, push the envelope of decency the farthest, and score the highest shock value.

I remember several years ago when a major network featured the first openly homosexual character on a prime time program. It was big news. The Church was outraged. Letters poured into the network’s headquarters. Things certainly have changed, haven’t they? Just yesterday I saw a tabloid headline that declared “T.V. Goes Gay Crazy.” Featuring homosexual lifestyles in a positive light is now the norm. And it’s a trend that has invaded countless programs.

Entertainment Weekly, not exactly your most morally conservative magazine, even questioned the moral depths to which television has plunged. Frankly, I debated whether I should share with you the gory details of what is available to our kids on a daily basis via the T.V., as reported in that magazine. But I don’t know how else to make the point clear. So here goes…

Entertainment Weekly reported in its August 11th issue that MTV recently featured close-up video of the dissection of comedian Tom Green’s diseased testicle. On various networks a prime time commercial for Eddie Murphy’s Nutty Professor II: The Klumps suggests oral sex between a man and his grandmother. This past summer CBS proudly aired a Reebok shoes commercial featuring a mock but obvious homosexual act. Reebok’s VP of brand communications, John Wardley, stated in the article that the commercial was aimed at the 16-24 year old market. The writer of the article summarized, “The notion of indecency has become obsolete.”

The prime time program Undressed, which interweaves 23 different story lines of sexual exploits, is winning a following with the young MTV crowd. A few years ago the WB Network discovered the same mother lode of teen and young adult audience sexploitation and began mining the market with Dawson’s Creek. Entertainment Weekly called Dawson’s Creek, “The frankest depiction of teenage sexuality ever seen on the small screen.” Variety exclaimed, “If hormones were explosives, this would be World War III.” The Washington Post and USA Today agree that Creek is “a raging stream of hormones,” and “a one-hour ride on the Raging Teen-Hormone Express.”

Last summer on the cartoon South Park one of the main characters gets hooked up with an organization that advocates pedophilia. In the episode one of the members declares, “We are an organization dedicated to showing that sex between a man and a young boy can be a beautiful thing…”

The Howard Stern Show regularly features vulgarities, perversions, and illicit sex as its subject matter, as does a growing number of other prime time shows. What was once relegated to the late night hours of extra charge channels like HBO and Cinemax is now splashed across the screens of prime time television in a network race to see which one can most effectively prove the maxim “sex sells.”

If I were writing a book I might have the space to scratch the surface of the moral depravity available to our kids with the push of the remote button or simply by “stumbling” across it while panning the dial. But I think you get the idea. Most of us have a moral bomb in our living rooms. We can’t expect our kids to diffuse it. So that leaves you and me.

Some families have chosen to “clean house” by tossing out the TV. Many have found this option to be a refreshing change and one they have been able to make permanent. Perhaps more families have tried eliminating the “boob tube” from their lives, only to find themselves sheepishly returning it to their living rooms in a weak moment. For the family that wants to keep a television in their home, but only if it can be controlled, here are a few suggestions:

1. CONSIDER YOUR HOME A SANCTUARY AND YOUR TV A GUEST

Your home is the one place your family can take daily refuge in from the onslaught of negative influences in society. All other attempts to tame the TV must revolve around this one point. When you dedicate your home to the Lord, you are setting it aside; sanctifying it, if you will, for the special purpose of “growing” your family.

Your TV is not a part of the family. It is a guest in your home. As with any guest, you expect it to behave within certain moral guidelines. If any other guest in your home were to tell lewd jokes to your children, brag explicitly about his sexual exploits, take the Lord’s name in vain, or relate gratuitously violent stories you would undoubtedly ask that guest to change his behavior. Why should the TV be any different?

2. TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE

Both mother and father must lead the way. Don’t be afraid to change the channel when needed. Your children will respect you and follow your example more readily when they see your consistency.

3. TEACH YOUR FAMILY TO THINK CRITICALLY

It’s not enough to tell your children they can’t watch something simply because “it’s bad.” If you expect them to make mature, informed decisions on their own some day, you must first give them a values base from which to make those decisions.

Teach them to understand the true nature of TV as it relates to God’s Word. Make them aware of the fact that the number one reason TV exists at all is because someone wants to sell them something.

The average high school graduate has viewed over 350,000 commercials. If your children are taught to watch commercials critically, to look for the half truths and manipulation of much of commercialism, they will be better able to say no to the flood of materialism that is so much a part of TV.

Teach them to look for the philosophical message in television programs. I remember watching an episode of a popular “family” program a few years ago. This was a program that most people would consider safe for family viewing. Yet this particular episode gave a thumbs up to premarital sex between two teenagers.

Make your family aware of the fact that there is no such thing as an unbiased opinion. Everyone, including television executives, writers, newscasters and actors, have a philosophical bent. Quite often that bias is promoted through the powerfully persuasive medium of television which they control.

The now famous Lichter-Rothman study of 350 media elite surveyed the top decision-makers in national news, movies and entertainment television. The responses given by those leaders indicated an overwhelmingly liberal stance on such issues as abortion, homosexuality being taught in schools, adultery and Christian values. Yet the most striking finding of the study was that 66% of those television entertainment leaders surveyed felt that television should be used to promote social reform. So if you don’t think that these leaders use their power base to influence your kids, think again.

Finally, teach your children to watch for the interplay of good versus evil in the story line of a program. Does the program glorify evil or is evil depicted in order to show its true nature. Sometimes Christians are too quick to criticize the depiction of evil without examining whether or not its depiction is necessary to demonstrate its wrongness. There is a difference between gratuitous evil meant to titillate and limited but necessary depiction of evil.

4. BECOME AN INFORMED VIEWER

Subscribe to American Family Journal (available at www.afo.org), Media Watch, Plugged In (available at www.family.org) or other publications that can keep you up on quality programs as well as those you want to be wary of. You’ll also want to check out these websites for other helpful hints.

www.family.org/pplace/pi/tv/

www.liveit.net/family/mfam20000922.html

www.liveit.net/family/mfam19990108.html

5. PLAN YOUR VIEWING AHEAD

Avoid watching TV just for the sake of watching. Use the TV programming schedule to help you decide what is worthy of your family’s time. Consider limiting the number of hours the TV may be on in your home.

6. CARTOONS WITHOUT COMMERCIALS

When my daughter was younger we had a video tape labeled “cartoons without commercials”. This is a tape I put together one Saturday morning. The several hours of programs are all “parent-approved” and free of commercials. She watched it countless times.

7. CONSIDER THE TRUE VALUE OF A CAMCORDER

One weekend my wife and I took the plunge and invested in a camcorder. We couldn’t afford it (we thought), but we’ve never regretted buying it. That was fifteen years ago. In that time we’ve captured hours of memories that would have otherwise faded with the years. To this day my kids still love watching their younger years on TV. This is not an option for everyone, but the cost may be more affordable than you think when measured against the memories you’ll capture.

8. PLAN FAMILY ACTIVITIES

One of the most destructive things about TV is not only its potential negative influence, but its tendency to rob your family of the positive things in life. In other words, what could you be doing with the time now spend in front of the TV? Could that time be used more constructively? Family activities will give you a good excuse to spend time away from your TV and with each other. But you must plan those times or you may never get around to doing them. Hiking, bowling, stargazing, going to museums, swimming, camping, reading together, concerts or whatever your family enjoys doing will be enriching experiences that television can never duplicate.

9. FILL YOUR HOME WITH GOOD MUSIC

The television is often used to provide background noise in the home. If you’re not actively — and critically — watching it, turn it off and turn on good music. Quality music helps set the tone for your family sanctuary.

10. SET A BOOK GOAL

Some years ago I started setting a goal of so many books to be read in the coming year. A couple of years circumstances have caused me to miss it, but that’s ok. I still read more books than I would have had I not set a goal.

By setting a goal, whether monthly or annually, you are disciplining yourself to spend the time necessary to meet the goal – much of which might otherwise be spent in front of the TV.

Have you ever noticed how much better you feel, how much more fulfilled, after reading a book as opposed to watching an hour of TV? There’s a reason. Reading forces your mind to visualize the action. Television visualizes it for you. Reading allows you to stop and think critically about the material. The action on television goes by so quickly that there is precious little time to think. Reading puts your mind in an active state. Television puts your mind in a passive state. A number of scientific studies suggest that when your mind is in a passive state the messages it is receiving imprint themselves more readily onto your subconscious without first going through your mind’s rational-critical grid. In short, reading is exercising your mind; watching TV is putting your mind on pause to a great degree. Sometimes we need to put our minds on pause, but too much inactivity brings on mental atrophy.

11. DON’T CONFUSE THE MESSENGER WITH THE MESSAGE.

Television programming is made up of two components: The Messenger and The Message. The Messenger is the vehicle in which The Message is carried. The physical make-up of the program — the characters, the action, the dialogue, etc. – is The Messenger. The philosophical tone and moral lesson of the program is The Message. Sometimes The Messenger can be good while the Message is destructive. For instance, a movie that has no nudity, swearing, or violent content (The Messenger) might still have a very negative moral lesson (The Message). Just because a program has no obvious “objectionable” content doesn’t mean it’s good for your family.

Conversely, another program might have some violent content (The Messenger) but have a very positive moral lesson (The Message). An example of this would be, at least in my mind, the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” Although I would not recommend the movie for young kids due to its violent content, it has a very powerful, positive message of heroism and patriotism.

By evaluating a program’s Messenger/Message content you’ll be better able to evaluate its value for your family.

12. Consider what effect these few words from Scripture would have on the content of television programming if they were used as a guideline by the television industry. Perhaps more realistically, what effect will they have on your family’s viewing habits?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Phillipians 4:8 NIV

Rod Robison is the Vice President of Development for Family Life Communications Incorporated.

In my parenting class last week we didn’t get to our parenting topic because their where life issues to address. We discussed the storms that come to all those who believe. Sometimes as Christians we wonder why a loving God would allow His children to suffer because we wouldn’t do this with our own children. We wouldn’t and don’t do this with our own children because we don’t have the strength nor understanding of the benefit of allowing our children to make mistakes and suffer. One person in class brought back to memory James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Instead of looking at the problem, we should look to God. Instead of praying to get out of the storm; we should be asking God what is it we can learn in the storm. Instead of thinking woe is me; you should be thinking thank God it is me. As James tells us, trials bring about perseverance and perseverance brings about maturity in Christ.

It amazes me that Christians feel like they do not deserve trials but what makes us think that we are better than Christ. Unlike Christ, we deserve whatever happens to us because it is to make us more like Him. He didn’t deserve to die a horrible death on the cross. Based on Christ’s crucifixion, we know that God allows things to only happen for a good reason. Christ’s was to save us all; I wonder what your trial is for?

As you go through your trial, it is okay to ask God to take you out of it because Jesus did this as well. He asked God if there is another way for this to happened then please consider it but He also told God, “Let your will be and not mine.” So as we pray to be delivered, we must remember to ask God for His will not ours.

As I close, I want to share that all of us have our crosses to bear. Christ cross was the death for all of our sins. Your cross maybe, a bad marriage, a husband that doesn’t love you, unemployment, sickness, death of a love one, a wife that is demanding or nagging, a bad relationship with a family member, a child or spouse on drugs or alcohol. No matter what it is, remember this is your cross and only you can carry it. As a friend of mine told me, “I am thankful for my cross because I am familiar with it and would not want anyone else’s cross. So I say this to say, that we all have our cross so don’t assume that others have it better than you because in many cases you don’t know what their cross is or will be in the future.

Thank God that He loves us enough to perfect us! Praise God in the middle of your storm and show others that you have greater power living in you that overshadows your flesh and causes you to have joy even in the midst of the storm. What an awesome testimony to someone who doesn’t know Christ to see you having joy despite your circumstance.
God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptations per James 1:12 so don’t miss out on your blessing!

We show our children our commitment to God by obeying Him and being separate from the world. God tells us in Romans 12:1-3; Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Your children need for you to set a godly example because the world is doing a great job of showing them the ways of Satan. Show them that God’s view of you is more important than the world’s. Let them know that God has set certain standards for us and they are totally different from the world. Our children are watching us and we must show them something that is different than what they see on television and at school. So when you are talking to your girl friends and buddies and you are gossiping, using inappropriate language or language that is not edifying; you are teaching your children that this is okay.

The camera is rolling, what will your life story look like? The other day, I was watching a comedian on television and he had clean jokes so I was so excited about getting my laugh on for the night. As I continued to watch him, something alarming happened; he used the Lord’s name in vain. I was disappointed and tried to ignore it but my spirit would not let me. So, I eventually turned the channel. So many times no one is watching but God!

Your children notice what you are watching on television. So you cannot tell them not to watch certain things and you are watching these inappropriate things.

The Word tells us that anyone who causes these little ones to sin might as well be wearing a millstone around their neck (Matthew 18:6). When we live our lives in ways that do not honor God and do not give our children the proper tools to know and worship God; we are in essence causing them to sin.

By Kathy Kirk the founder of My Child’s Heart Ministry. Read more about this in her E-book, “Becoming an Intentional Godly Parent.” www.MyChildsHeart.org

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4: 15).

In verses eleven through sixteen, Paul presents the means of spiritual growth. The early church in the absence of the complete word (New Testament) had miraculous gifts (vs. 10, 11). These gifts had a uniform goal, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (vs. 12). The word that was directly supplied in connection with these gifts was to stabilize the early Christians and guard them against error (vs. 14). There was anticipation regarding the coming of the “unity of the faith,” which was the totality of God’s revealed will for man, the New Testament (I Cor. 13: 8-10, Jas. 1: 25). When the full word was delivered and made available to man, these miraculous influences would cease (vs. 13). “Speaking the truth in love” is part of God’s plan and provision for spiritual growth (vs. 15). Notice that “truth” is objective and “in love” is subjective. Truth, then, is tangible while the motive for speaking the truth, love, is not as apparent. Let us now turn our attention to examining the matter of “speaking the truth in love.”

What speaking the truth in love is not. There is no small amount of confusion as to what constitutes speaking the truth in love. In fact, there are so many misunderstandings that in some situations it is impossible to speak the truth in love.

Speaking the truth in love, first of all, is not holding back parts of the truth. Paul said, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20: 27). Paul appreciated the truth to the point of allowing it to make those whom he loved his enemies (Gal. 4: 16). Notwithstanding, I have had people say to me, “Don, you do not have to teach on all matters, in fact, if you love people, you will spare them the truth on especially painful subjects.” One man who is today a preacher himself once told me relative to his parents who were members where I preached, “If you have love, you will not teach on divorce and remarriage because you know my parents have both been married to others!” Therefore, he demanded that part of the truth be withheld and used “speaking the truth in love” as his authority (see Matthew 19: 9). Love rather than causing one to withhold what is needed and applicable will actually precipitate “declaring the whole counsel of God” (cp. Prov. 13: 24).

Speaking the truth in love is not watering down the truth. Some seek to dilute and weaken the truth (I Pet. 2: 1, 2). “Preacher, tone down your preaching,” we hear and, “Do not rock the boat.” The same writer who penned, “…speaking the truth in love” also wrote, “Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4: 2).

Speaking the truth in love is not being so obscure that the hearers do not understand. Some preachers are skilled in circumlocution. After patiently listening to them, you realize that what they have said cannot really be decisively understood. Spirit led preachers who spoke the truth in love were clear and precise in their preaching (cp. Acts 2: 37, 38-41).

What speaking the truth in love is. The way to determine what speaking the truth in love constitutes is by considering approved examples.

The examples of speaking the truth in love clearly exemplify boldness. Jesus’ teaching was “open” and “plain” (Mk. 8: 32; Jn. 10: 24, 11). One descriptive word used by the Holy Spirit to describe the preaching of the apostles is the Greek parresia, which is often translated “boldness” (Acts 4: 13, 29, 31). To the same people to whom Paul wrote “…speaking the truth in love,” he later wrote in soliciting their prayers, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6: 19).

Speaking the truth in love necessitates the use of both the positive and negative. Modern man in his education has often come to believe that preaching must be positive. The Positive Movement even in some churches of Christ has precluded New Testament preaching and actually speaking the truth in love. The New Testament is replete with what to do (positive) and what not to do (negative). The word encourages good (positive) and exposes and condemns evil (negative, 3 Jn. 5-12).

Speaking the truth in love entails the presentation of all that God has said. What some do not realize who hold views that circumvent and prevent speaking the truth in love is that the truth sets free and saves (Jn. 8: 32, Jas. 1: 18ff.). Therefore, if one truly loves others, he will deliver the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20: 27). Also, the word is designed to often be punitive in order that correction and repentance will follow (2 Tim. 4: 2, Heb. 12: 5ff.).

What to expect when there exists speaking the truth in love. First, spiritual growth should be expected and realized (Eph. 4: 15, see context). Christians should increase in spirituality and vitality and the lost should come to a knowledge of the truth. The church is God’s arrangement to effect spiritual growth and spiritual increase is predicated on the presentation and reception of the truth.

One should also expect some adverse reactions to the matter of speaking the truth in love. Jesus’ speaking the truth in love caused some of his disciples to “…walked no more with him” and even resulted in division among his Jewish brethren (Jn. 6: 66; 7: 43). Speaking the truth in love resulted in Stephen being murdered by a mad mob (Acts 7).

In closing our examination of “…speaking the truth in love,” I might point out that the hearer should primarily focus attention on the word being spoken, whether it is the truth (cp. Acts 17: 11). This is what John called “…trying the spirits whether they are of God” (I Jn. 4: 1). I say this because the hearer cannot immediately ascertain the subjective part of Ephesians 4: 15, “in love.” It behooves all preachers to speak the truth and to speak it in love. Hence, there is the constant need not only for making sure what is taught is the truth (book, chapter, and verse, I Thes. 5: 21), but also that the motivation for speaking it is love. Still, there will usually be those present who do not agree with the truth and seek to find fault with the speaker by charging, “…you are not speaking the truth in love!” By thus charging, they think that they have avoided the consequences of opposing the truth and have shifted guilt to the presenter of the truth. Paul spoke the truth in love, yet, he was relevant, cogent, plain, and often rebuking (cp. 2 Cor. 12: 20, 21). Speaking the truth in love, this is the constant challenge and worth while goal that is before us.

Many Americans are now struggling with the emotional aftermath of our recent national tragedies. Of all the normal emotional, psychological and physical responses we experience in times like these, anger is perhaps the most challenging to process and manage effectively.

How you choose to respond to your anger in the days, weeks and months ahead will make a difference in the quality of your relationships, your physical and emotional well being and your effectiveness in bringing about positive and constructive change. Here are some practical tips you can use to help you manage your anger more effectively.

1. Understand What Anger Is

Anger is not sin, but rather a natural, God-given physiological response to hurt, fear and frustration. When we believe that we have been mistreated or when we experience disappointment related to an unmet need or want our bodies prepare for action. It is this physiological response that we call anger. Anger has the potential to help us protect others and ourselves and can serve as a catalyst to bring about needed change, however, its relative value is largely determined by what we decide to do with it.

2. Control Your Initial Response

The emotional and physical numbness triggered by a traumatic event typically gives way to feelings of anger that can range from mild agitation to violent rage. The greater the sense of hurt, fear and frustration, the greater the intensity of our anger. It is always important to remember that our initial or “automatic” response to anger may not be the most constructive. We need to watch our words and our actions so that they do not become a damaging expression of our pain.

It is important to note that recent research challenges the once widely held belief concerning the value of letting one’s anger out through the

release of physical energy, e.g., hitting a pillow. It is now believed that this form of “catharsis” can actually reinforce the expression of hostility and aggression, which may increase the likelihood of a similar and even more intense response in the future.

3. Acknowledge Your Anger and Its Source

Go ahead and say it: “I am very angry at all those responsible for hurting and killing innocent people and for violating our freedoms and sense of security as a nation.”

Admitting to yourself, and to those around you, that you are experiencing anger as a result of feeling afraid, hurt or frustrated is key to managing your response. Simply saying out loud that you are angry can help decrease the intensity of your feelings. When we fail to acknowledge our anger we run the risk of holding it in until it overflows or begins to destroy us physically, spiritually and emotionally. Remember, feelings that are buried alive do not die!

4. Tell Yourself the Truth

Here are some objective facts:

• “I, along with my family, friends and country have been seriously and unjustly hurt. To feel angry about that is normal.”

• “To respond to my anger irrationally or aggressively will not serve any positive purpose.”

• “It is good to express my anger in a healthy, God honoring fashion.”

• “Ultimately, God is in control and His judgment will prevail.”

Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. Psalm 44:5-7

5. Limit Your Exposure to the Things That Trigger Your Anger

Repeated exposure to stressful images and information can intensify your emotional response. If you find that your anger intensifies when

you watch the news, read the newspaper or talk about the tragedy with a friend or co-worker, then you may need to significantly reduce or eliminate these activities. Find alternative activities to engage in like exercising, reading a book, playing with your children, working around the house, community volunteer work or watching a funny movie. Give yourself a break to help you keep your perspective.

6. Take Constructive Action

Effective anger management often includes engaging in constructive and creative forms of expression. Here are some examples of how you may want to respond to your anger.

• Write letters of condolences to the families of victims

• Write letters of appreciation to those involved in the rescue efforts

• Talk openly and honestly with friends, family and co-workers

• Join in local community relief efforts by donating money, blood or other needed items

• Write a poem, song or letter that expresses how you feel

• Write a letter to those who have attacked our nation and tell them what you think

• Identify ways to help eliminate hate and violence in your community

• Meditate on God’s promises found in Scripture

• Call or write to your government representatives and express support of their efforts

• Participate in community based memorial and prayer services

• Wave the American flag

• Pray without ceasing!

7. Forgive the Offenders

Most importantly, we must come to the place where we are willing to model Christ’s example of forgiveness. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”

Ephesians 4:26-27

Not too far from my house a man has a pair of mules and they’re fun to see as we shoot past on our way to town. We’ve seen them scratching each other’s backs, whispering sweet nothings in each other’s ears and even just resting companionably in the sunshine.

This time past I noticed one was lying down, resting, and the other was nearby grazing, and I saw the evidence of their consistency. Where they lie down is worn down to bare dirt in an almost perfect circle, but beyond that circle all is green. I really wanted to stop and scratch their ears and tell them that if they would move their resting area over just ten feet they’d have nice soft, green grass to lie on. Do you think they’d listen to me and move? No, probably not. In that I’m just like those mules. I’m so stuck in my rut that I don’t want to move even just a few feet to a nicer place.

God has provided me, and has offered me, a beautiful place to rest, but I stubbornly insist on staying in the same place I’ve aways been. I have a lot of mule in me and it’s not how God meant me to be. He has green pastures and still waters for me, not just a small, hard packed circle of dirt. Maybe it’s time for me to stop acting like a mule and remember that I’m a sheep listening to my Shepherd’s voice and enjoy the good He has for me.

“The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”
~Psalm 23:1-3 (NASB)

Patty Wysong is a wife and homeschool mom of 5 who is passionate about wrapping lessons in pretty packages that will point others to God.

Blog: http://pattywysong.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

You see we live in a metropolitan neighborhood where our houses are pretty close together, but not too close where you can’t tell where your yard separates from your neighbor’s yard. So, when I pulled up and seen their trash sitting on our freshly mowed grass next to their driveway I about flipped out. I thought my head was going to start spinning in circles or something. I was ranting and raving like the old guy in grumpy old men. After I reached our front door I started laughing at myself out loud. I thought to myself “Gee wiz what kind of witness am I?”

A few days later my husband had been working a lot of overtime and people on our street tend to have the inability to park in their driveways. Unfortunately this makes it very difficult to back out of our driveway without having to back in and out ninety times to avoid a collision with a parked car. Being a little sleepier than normal my out of character cutie gets up walking around the house mumbling this that and the other rubbing his eyes. I said, “Honey what’s up?” He stopped at the counter and looked at me and said, “You know I would like to get a tank and just drive down the street nailing every car that is sitting out there one day.” I was like, “Whatever you are tripping.” I giggled and told him about the episode I had with the trash earlier that week.

What made this ever funnier to me was that evening on my way home from work I had heard a teacher on the radio that I listen to a lot talking about how we are all seed planters and not only do our mouths plant seeds but our actions do so even more. He said when you are a Christian and a neighbor parks somewhere you don’t like, to make sure that you wave to them the next morning with a smile. He said if your neighbors trash somehow winds up in your yard don’t shun them because of their inconsideration instead offer them a hand next time before the trash runs and help them take it out to the correct spot. That way you have a window of opportunity to speak to them about the Lord as well as showing them the correct spot to put their trash without saying a word about it.

You see when it comes down to it, in the end the trash gets picked up anyways. Not only that but when you keep showing someone how to do something the right way, eventually they catch on. I told my husband about the sermon and he started laughing.

You see each week we pay others to come by and pick up the trash that builds up in our houses each week. We put it in bags close them up and set them out at the edge of the curb and a truck drives by and picks up all our garbage. Have you ever wondered what would happen if no one was paid to pick up our trash? What would happen if there were no landfills? What would happen if no one ever invented trash bags? What would happen if all that garbage was scattered around everywhere? Our cities would look awful and our houses would be filthy.

I Corinthians 7:23

“Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”

You see when God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross He became our trash man. Fortunately for us, the debt was not one that we have to pay each week. God paid it once in full! However as Christians we still have trash that we have to take to the curb of the cross. We have to bag all that crap up that gets into our lives and comes between the cross and our neighbor. You see the Word of God instructs us to be walking epistles and a light that shines forth in a dark place. If we approach situations the same way others who don’t know the Lord do, are we not false witnesses? Claiming to know the Son of God and yet being “far from Him” in our hearts though we speak of Him from our mouth? (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:18; Mark 7:6)

I Peter 3:4

“But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”

You see Christ was a meek and quiet spirit who was a great price that God paid so that our trash might be taken out of sight each time we take it the curb. Problem is a lot of times our bags are like the ones that you buy at the dollar store. They are made of the strength that we try to muster to rid ourselves of the garbage in our spirits and they always get tears and holes in them causing things to fall out and stuff to drip through the bottom. God wants us to surrender that stuff in hefty bags and make sure that there are no openings at the top so that nothing can get out. He wants our hearts to be hidden in that ornament of Christ so that our spirits will be incorruptible. The Bible mentions in Acts 5:15 that people used to take the sick into the streets on beds and couches in hopes that simply the shadow of Peter passing by would overshadow them. I find it amazing that someone carried the ornament of Christ so strongly that his faith radiated from him. If we could catch a glimpse of that faith in our lives today can you imagine the impact for Christ we would have in our society today?

I Peter 3: 8

“Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:”

If we as Christians could grasp the mentality that God wants us to possess people would be longing to find what it is that we have. Instead a lot of times people are pushed off from Christ because of those who claim to know Him as Lord and Savoir. You see there is so much trash in our home spiritually that it’s cluttering up the space in our hearts for that priceless ornament to shine forth. It is especially difficult to speak of the love of God to a lost and bickering world, when the body of Christ seems to be so lost and bickering itself. We must love one another despite our differences and love each other regardless of disagreements or doctrinal issues. The Bible instructs us to seek out one’s own salvation with fear and trembling. The only time we should address our brethren is out of love when we see him falling into the snares of the enemy. If his salvation is not threatened than we are called to be courteous and compassionate and directed to stay away from disputing of the Word. However, discernment is of utmost importance here because we must be sensitive to the spirit of God and how He leads us to minister to others. We cannot allow others to be misled but at the same time we must know how to minister to others so that the seed is planted in a way that it will be prosperous. Though many will say that God says His Word will not return void, I have heard many people trying to witness to others who are not speaking “His Word” but they are speaking their own thoughts and when that happens you can push people away from the truth of salvation and a relationship with God out of your own selfish ambition.

I Peter 3:9

“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

It’s funny as God has been dealing with me about this issue, it has taken some time to get me to actually sit down and begin to write it. I guess because it is such a difficult subject to talk about. Nobody wants to face their own shortcomings especially when it comes to serving God because we all have so many. As I pulled up in my driveway today guess what tomorrow is? It’s my neighbor’s trash day, so lo and behold there sat their trash cans in our yard again. As I put my car in park I looked at my step daughter and I said, “Look, there they did it again..argh.” At that moment in the back of my mind, ok so not so far back in mind.I decided come our trash day I am going to put our trash in their yard, and see how they like it! Unfortunately if I do that I will be putting up a fence or a barrier within’ myself and I will be unable to hear the spirit of God in regards to my neighbor because I will be acting in a disobedient manner to the instruction of the Word. However, if I don’t act of the nature of man I will inherit the blessing of a relationship where the opportunity will arise for me to witness to them on a level that will be in friendly conversation.

Isn’t that just like all of us though? We want to get back at those who despitefully hurt us and use and abuse us. We want to get even somehow with all the stuff they have done to us even though we try to help everyone as much as we can and we try to be a person’s friend. The Bible says in Matthew 5:44 that we are supposed to love one another and pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. Now my neighbors are not purposefully trying to upset me so that situation is a bit different but I was just trying to use that as an example.

I Peter 3:10-11

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

I have read this scripture many times often amused by it, but tonight I am looking at it with a different perspective and it no longer amuses me, it breaks my heart. I think about the leaders of our country and the leaders of our businesses in America and the Hollywood movie stars and our military government and I think to myself it is no wonder America is not at peace. It is no wonder gas prices are so high. It is no wonder kids are killing kids. It is no wonder parents are killing their children and vice versa. It is no wonder poverty exists in the same plain as Donald Trump does. How many Americans love life? How many Americans actually refuse to speak evil and speak truth at all times? How many Americans truly seek peace and follow it? It is burdensome for me to watch presidential debates and million dollar funding because a man or a woman that can openly bash others choices or lifestyles in the land of the free and home of the brave is a hypocrite. They stand up there degrading the very essence of another persons’ life instead of telling us what they are going to do and how they have arrived where they are.

I can only scratch the surface of this iceberg in a blog but think about it. How can we consciously promote degradation of character as being the trademark of the winner of the nomination as who we will choose to run our nation? In my opinion I would love to see someone humble and sincere who will not promise something to our nation that will never be possible by mans precepts, which is peace. The only way our nation will ever achieve peace is if Gods people turn from their wicked ways and humble themselves and pray and seek His face then He will hear from Heaven and heal thier land.

I Peter 3:11

“For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.”

The Lord has the ability to watch over the righteous and those who are called according to His purpose. His Word says that many are the afflictions of the righteous but that He would deliver us out of them all. I don’t know about any of you but since I have surrendered my life to the Lord, regardless of my shortcomings and my mistakes I have faced many difficult times. Many times these trials and heartaches are caused by the actions of others.

I think the hardest part of these tests are not being able to respond to the situations and circumstances the way we used to before we got saved. There have been so many times where if Christ was not my core someone would have gotten a mouth full and/or a fist full from the person I used to be. Temperance has been a big part of my transformation and it has been very difficult for me to allow certain scriptures to sink into my spirit and allow those scriptures to control my actions more so than my feelings and attitude. A few of those scriptures are

Romans 12:20

” Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

Deuteronomy 32:41

“If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.” (I wrote a blog last year sometime called “Glittering Sword” off of this scripture.)

Psalm 40:14

“Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.”

Romans 12:19

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

I Peter 3:12-16

“And who [is] he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”

Why do so many people misunderstand Christ? In the past I have often wondered why it was always so difficult to talk to people about Christ. I often questioned God about different tests and trials that I would face after I surrendered my life to Him. Many times I would get angry and argue with God. I often would search myself and try to see if there was something wrong with what I was doing or how I was living my life. I used to be very critical of myself to the point where I was almost “super spiritual”. I don’t know if you have ever heard the term “Too spiritual to be any worldly good” well I defined that with my life for awhile. But I think that as new Christians many go through that phase on their way to maturity. It’s a growing process.

So today I started thinking about why I gripe so much about my neighbor’s trash. I mean I should be thankful that they are throwing it away right? How much more upset would I be if they let it set next to their house and my driveway if they just kept letting it stock pile and build up? What would happen if I had company over and the stench was so bad it began to make the inside of our house smell? That is when I realized why God had used this to minister to me.

You see, on that cross God sent the “trash collector”. Many people continue to claim to be Christians yet they never take their trash out. They continue drinking and carousing and fornicating and cussing and carrying on in a sinful nature that does not glorify God in any way at all. They misrepresent the body of Christ and the stench an odor of their sin has carried over into the “house of God”. The aroma of false witnesses has lingered through the churches, into the homes of professing believers and even into the Pastoral calling and Evangelical “profession”.

You see God doesn’t care what corner of the cross you kneel at as long as you take your trash with you. He doesn’t care if it is on the right or the left or directly in front. He also doesn’t require you pay a monthly fee, because the service has already been paid in full. Think of your sin as trash because if it never gets taken out it begins to stink up “your house” and “your house” is the dwelling place of God. Maybe that is why our “righteousness stinks in the nostrils of God”.

Isaiah 64:6

“But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Don’t forget we are all a work in progress and I don’t think we should be concerned with where our neighbor or brethren is in ridding themselves of sin, when we have enough of our own trash to worry about. However, it doesn’t hurt to have a relationship and learn from each other and grow from the insight we gain from that relationship maybe you can help them take their trash out..or maybe they don’t even know where they are supposed to put it.

Remember the Bible tells us we are to crucify our flesh daily and to renew our minds with the transforming power of Christ. Continually at least once a week after reviewing your personality and your actions through the week take your trash out. There is always something remaining in us no matter how large or small that is not glorifying to the Lord. From now on when you are taking your garbage to the curb don’t forget to analyze your spiritual garbage.

My name is Tina Leonard. I have been writing my entire life, but it wasn’t until I accepted Christ in 1998 that I began to write for the edification of the body and to bring the rightful Glory to His Kingdom. Feel free to visit my website at www.myspace.com/christisking2.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

We have a daughter who is counting the days until she is five. This child made a “best friend” at VBS this week. Yesterday the teacher (the child’s daughter) reported that her child and mine were inseparable. They did everything together, right down to holding hands on their way to the activities. What a great thing to hear!

On the way to the car I asked my child, “What’s your best friend’s name?”

She shrugged.

“I forget.”

Seems odd to forget a best friend’s name, isn’t it? But I’m guilty of the very same thing.

Jesus Christ is my best friend.

But I don’t just forget His name, I often forget Him.

I run ahead starting my day and I never look back. I make decisions without talking to my best friend. I don’t keep in touch. I don’t read His letters or listen to His Words. An hour becomes a day. A day turns into a week. A week melts into a month. Then some crisis hits and I remember.

I have a best friend.

And I forgot His name.

Do you know your best friend’s name?

When is the last time you two spent time together?

Julie Arduini, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/, is devoted to writing for Christ in ways that encourage and inspire. A graduate of the Christian Writer’s Guild, her writing resume is on her blog’s sidebar. Happily married to Tom, they have two children.

@2008 by Julie Arduini

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS