Hypocrisy or Humanity?

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves,
you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance
for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us
all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace
that comes from Christ RULE in your hearts. For as members
of one body you are called to live in peace, always
being thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15
NLT Translation

Have you ever been around people who were said to be very spiritual, they knew all the correct
things to say and motions to make, but they spent a majority of their time finding fault with each other?

We often see people tear each other down
to make themselves feel better. Usually that
is a sign one feels inadequate themselves.
Inward introspection and addressing our own flaws
and correcting them, is a far better daily pursuit
than looking at what is wrong with everyone else.
Truth be told, we cannot fix someone else anyway.
What we have control over is our own emotions and actions,
and we always have things we need to correct in ourselves.
Let God be the judge!

I think most of us have a tendency to be critical,
but it is not a profitable pursuit, and we need to
bring our thinking in alignment with the word of God.
Have you ever heard someone say I don't go to church because there are too many hypocrites? It always amazes me to hear people say that. Because no matter if you go to church or not.. you do things you know are not right, and wish you had not. You are compelled to do that which you do not want to do, instead of that which you know you should. That is hypocrisy. We all do it.. we all feel ashamed, and we all know that we were not being true to ourselves. I believe hypocrites live on every block, in every home, are on every job, and in every company, and in every country. Because people often say what they think they are, and it is not who they really are. So next time you go to church, remember no one there is perfect. Just like they are not any place else. We are all under construction, we have all done things wrong. And knowing this.. we should be more compassionate, understanding, and far less judgmental of people.

Everyone you know has a past, including yourself!

The building blocks of a person who is maturing, is knowing their faults, addressing them, and not wasting their time trying to "fix" everyone else. If you disagree with someone, or the way they live, the most powerful thing you can do is pray for them. Jesus said: But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who spitefully use and persecute you. Matthew 5:44 Prayer can change any situation, any person, and any problem. It is not our last resort, it is our greatest hope!

Love always,

millie

PS. We must always forgive, but it doesn't mean we are able
to forge close intimate relationships with everyone. It is just
wisdom to choose your companions carefully

10 Little Christians

10 Little Christians standing in line
1 disliked the preacher, then there were 9

9 little Christians stayed up very late
1 overslept Sunday, then there were 8

8 little Christians on their way to Heaven
1 took the low road and then there were 7

7 little Christians chirping like chicks
1 disliked music, then there were 6

6 little Christians seemed very much alive
but one lost his interest then there was 5

5 little Christians pulling for Heaven's Shore
but one stopped to rest, then there were 4

4 little Christians each busy as a bee
1 got his feelings hurt, then there were 3

3 little Christians knew not what to do
1 joined the sporty crowd, then there were 2

2 little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done
differed with each other, then there was 1

1 little Christian can't do much 'tis true
brought his friend to Bible study -- then there were 2

2 earnest Christians, each won one more
that doubled the number, then there were 4

4 sincere Christians worked early and late
Each won another then there were 8

8 splendid Christians if they doubled as before
In just so many Sundays, we'd have 1,024

In this little jingle, there is a lesson true,
You belong either to the
building or to the wrecking crew!
- Author Unknown

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"THE PERFECT CHURCH"

If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don't join that church;
You'd spoil the atmosphere.

If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining it
You'd mar the masterpiece.

If you should find the perfect church
Then don't you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground;
You'd be a misfit there.

But since no perfect church exists
Made of imperfect men,
Then let's cease looking for that church
And love the church we're in.

Of course, it's not a perfect church,
That's simple to discern
But you and I and all of us
Could cause the tide to turn.

What fools we are to flee our post
In that unfruitful search
To find at last where problems loom
God proudly builds His church.

So let's keep working in our church
Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church
Without an imperfection.
--Mavis Williams