Entry #12 -- White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha, Double Shot

Many, many years ago, prior to the days of taking the entire class to the Book Fair, our school allowed any student with any amount of change to go to the Book Fair at any time during the day. Those were tough days on a teacher.  I’m fairly well convinced that students were coming up with coins somehow…rummaging through desks, digging in playground pebbles, shaking gym shorts…not sure how they managed to do it. The point is that on Book Fair days, kids were always coming and going, up and down the hallways, in and out of classrooms, back and forth to the Book Fair—you get the idea!

You can only imagine how frazzled this 6^th grade teacher was as I attempted to maintain some type of learning atmosphere in our room.  Yet there he was!  In the hallway, just outside our door—flailing his arms, flagging down students, and whispering to them before they entered the room. Even though it was still early in the day, the limit of my patience (which usually isn’t much anyway) had officially been reached! I squared my shoulders, donned my stern look, and with all the teacher authority I could muster, marched myself to the doorway and barked, “Paul [not his real name], what ARE you doing?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs. Willmon.  I was just trying to warn them to enter quietly because you haven’t had your coffee yet.”

Oops.

Sometimes who we truly are reflects in ways we cannot fathom.  Students understand this when they set their freshly completed homework on the kitchen table or counter, and the tiniest of forgotten crumbs can soak through that paper becoming a horrifyingly visible oil spot. That’s pretty much the same way the cares of this world within us soak through to the outside. The Bible clearly teaches us that our inward focus does become our outward billboard. So the question becomes:  What concerns within me are bleeding to the surface in ways I do not recognize?

Are you concerned about work? Too much work? Too little work? People at work?

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”    Colossians 3:23,24 (NIV)

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”   1 Thessalonians 4:11,12 (NIV)

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work.  Do not be afraid or discouraged for the LORD God, my God, is with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.”  1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)

Are you concerned about gossip? Unkind words? Hurtful words? To you? From you?

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”  James 1:19 (NIV)

“Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.”   Psalm 139:4 (NIV)

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  Proverbs 15:1  (NIV)

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”   Ephesians 4:29  (NIV)

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”   Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.”  Psalm 29:20 (NLT)

Are you concerned about a rocky friendship? Need to be forgiven? Need to forgive?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”   Ephesians 4:32   (NIV)

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Colossians 3:12, 13  (NIV)

Are you concerned about finances? Bills? Savings? Taxes? Basic needs [not wants]?

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  Philippians 4:11-13  (NIV)

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19  (NIV)

“First, help me never to tell a lie.  Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!  Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.”   Proverbs 30:8  (NLT)

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?  Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 

1 Chronicles  29:14 (NIV)

Are you concerned about health issues? Tired? Weary? Losing hope?

“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”  Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”  Isaiah 46:4  (NIV)

“So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.  Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.”  Hebrews 12:12,13 (NLT)

“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”  Psalm 55:22  (NLT)

Oh, and one last thought.  Just for the record, I patted Paul lightly on the shoulder and commended him for the fine job he was doing.  Then I smiled, and asked him to come back inside the classroom—as soon as he was finished.  No, it wasn’t one of my shining moments.  Now retirement age is creeping up on me.  As I sit here sipping my white chocolate peppermint mocha—double shot (these days, a rare treat); I realize that the more I trust God and rely on His word, the less likely the billboard of my life will ooze unsightly oil stains from within.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian

Entry #11 -- Little Bunny Foo Foo

My blog opens today with an old children’s sing-song style rhyme. 

Little Bunny Foo Foo was hopping in the forest, scooping up the field mice, and boppin’ ‘em on the head.  When down came the Good Fairy, and she said, “Little Bunny Foo Foo, I don’t want to see you, scooping up the field mice and boppin’ ‘em on the head!  I’ll give you three chances, and if you do not behave, I’m going to turn you into a goon!”

Now the rhyme is quite long—ask any parent or grandparent—it seems to go on forever. But alas, Little Bunny Foo Foo uses up all his chances to get his act together, and POOF, the Good Fairy turns him into a goon.  The moral of the story?    Hare today, Goon tomorrow!

I fluctuate on and off Facebook from time to time.  I seem to have too much in common with Little Bunny Foo Foo.  I seem to be gifted in the ability to mess up.  Often I’ll post a one-liner with the most sincere intention of humor, only to be REceived and PERceived as anything other than funny.  Through the years this has cost a few friendships.  Thankfully, I don’t have to answer to a “Good Fairy.”  I answer to a Heavenly Father who is full of love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  I am overwhelming grateful that He accepts my requests for forgiveness time and time again. I’m reminded of the chorus of an old hymn:

           

            His love has no limit; His grace has no measure. 

            His pow’r has no boundary known unto men. 

            For out of his infinite riches in Jesus,

            He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

                        He Giveth More Grace, #317, Hymns of Heritage and Hope, 2001

                        Words: Annie Johnson Flint, 1941 / Music: Hubert Mitchell, 1941

And so—I continue to write.  Why? Because I’m great and know a lot of stuff? NO! Most certainly NOT! That’s pretty obvious.  I write, because perhaps the mistakes I have made will encourage others to take another path.  I write, because I have experienced first-hand the forgiveness of a loving Heavenly Father.  I write, because whatever talent or ability I might have comes directly from Him.  I write, because above all, I want to serve Him and do the things that honor Him.  Do I fail? Sure, bunches!  But God picks me up and sets me straight; He is always faithful.

In closing, I would like to tell you about another one of my dear friends (JRP), whom I have never met in person, but only through Facebook.  She is probably among the most gifted and talented of writers whose works never cease to bring inspiration, hope, and comfort.  But if you ask her, she is quick to say that all credit is due to God, and that she is only happy to be obedient in writing what He lays on her heart to share with others. Recently her posts have included many inspirational sayings of A.W. Tozer—and here is my favorite:

“If God gives you a few more years, remember, it is not yours. Your time must honor God, your home must honor God, your activity must honor God, and everything you do must honor God.”

                        --A.W.Tozer

What is the bottom line?  Little Bunny Foo Foo used up all his chances.  I plan to choose wisely.  I plan to honor my Heavenly Father with all that is within me.  Mistakes may come and go.  However, God is faithful to those who put their trust in Him.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian

Additional Sources:

WWW.REVIVAL-LIBRARY.COM and WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/AWTOZERMANOFGOD

Note:  The date and author for the original “Little Bunny Foo Foo” are listed as unknown, although there currently exists a myriad of versions in song, print, and video by various authors and artists.

Entry #10 - Stoop-idity

Most of us are fortunate enough to have at least one or more close friends. Let me introduce you to one of mine.  We are just a few years apart in age and have boys who are just a few years apart in age. We attend the same church, enjoy music, enjoy having breakfast (or lunch) together, and we enjoy the same career—teaching, although she retired last year and I still have a year or two to go.  My dear friend is someone with whom I can talk, listen, laugh, cry, and pray.  One other commonality is our view of using Facebook as a means to keep up with family and friends, and yet we are equally frustrated by much of the unsolicited Facebook suggested posts.

Today, my friend and I made a new discovery.  Apparently (according to Facebook), science has proven people who use inappropriate language (i.e., swear words), have a much greater vocabulary, and are therefore smarter than other people.  Really? Seriously?

A quick stop at Global Language Monitor: www.languagemonitor.com reveals as of January 1, 2016, the English language contained an estimated 1,035,877.3 words.  (Just like you, I’m wondering what the three-tenths of a word could have been.) It is estimated that one new word is created every 98 minutes which comes to roughly 14.7 newly generated words per day. (Yes, I did the math… 24 hours X 60 minutes ÷ 98 = 14.693877551, which rounds to 14.7 words per day. No, don’t ask about the seven-tenths of a word because I have no clue!) The same site purported Shakespeare created 1,700 words during his lifetime.

I realize many families, including ours, have uniquely generated words.  This is in large measure due to a child’s inability to correctly pronounce words.  Hence we have words such as “pasghetti” instead of spaghetti, “dink” instead of drink, and “baff” instead of bath.  Obviously, this was not the focus of the Facebook suggested post.  So how does the Christian respond to the topic of swear words? Isn’t it a person’s “right?”

The Bible is quite clear on matters regarding our words and the wisdom of speech.  James identifies the tongue as being a small part of our body, and yet capable of producing great evil when left unguided, (James 3:1-12).  David reminds us that the LORD examines our hearts, knows everything about us, and knows what we are going to say even before we say it, (Psalm 139:1-6).  The Wisest of the Wise, King Solomon, repeatedly warns:

·        The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. (Proverbs 10:11, NIV)

·        The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. (Proverbs 10:32, NIV)

·        Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18, NIV)

·        A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1, NIV)

·        The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. (Proverbs 15:28, NIV)

·        A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. (Proverbs 16:23, NIV)

If you take time to read through Proverbs, you will easily recognize that I have only provided a small sampling of wisdom regarding the importance of choosing our words carefully.  Words matter.  Words are a reflection of our hearts. 

Do you know what bothers me the most? The use of inappropriate language is so prevalent in today’s world, that even Christians—who would never think of actually using such language themselves—have grown callous of its use by others. We are becoming immune to the recognition of swear words in movies, songs, commercials, and even Facebook posts. We are stooping to a new low.  Now you understand the title of this blog:  Stoop-idity; the state or quality of stooping to the world’s standards. (Yes, I just made that up.  It’s one of the 14.7 new words for today.)

Thankfully, we are given a solution.

“And whatever you do, whether in WORD [emphasis mine] or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Colossians 3:17, NIV

“Let your conversation be always full of grace…”  Colossians 4:6, NIV

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness [e.g., foul language; again emphasis mine], and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”  Titus 2:11-13, NIV

Yes, we have a choice.  We can say “NO!” to stoop-idity.

Respectfully written and submitted by:

Dotty Willmon, Resurrection Christian