blog is a many splendored thing

Last night I had the opportunity to hear a remarkable young lady speak on goal setting.  She shared with me after she spoke that she had been reluctant to discuss goal setting in a group of “mature Christian Ladies” because she thought we were probably more experienced at life, and at setting goal setting, than she.  But, God kept urging her toward the subject and she did a beautiful job. Her presentation was well thought out and timely since many of us are working on our goals for the upcoming year.  As she was speaking, I felt Gods presence in the room.  I’m sure from the conversations that followed many of us felt convicted.  I wonder if they thought God had urged her to speak on goal setting just for them, I did! She touched on several areas that I myself have been considering in the process of setting some of my own goals.  Her focus was not however just on setting goals, or how to achieve them, but also on the matters of the heart that should...

Proverbs 15:1-3 (KJV) -- A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.  The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. Have you had someone criticize, or snap at you, lately?  Feels great, right?  Did you run right over and thank the offender for helping build your Christian Character?  No?  Me either!  My gut reaction is to give back as good as I got. In such situations, I want to tell someone off, defend myself, and loudly explain my side of the story.  I yearn to point out their blame, recap how lucky they are to know me, and educate them not to discourage or demean me.  I long to yank out my best vocabulary list, select just the right words, and “put them in their place.”  Anybody else ever feel that way?  Please raise your hands!  Let’s use our imaginations for a coupl...