About that conscience...

One of Carolyn's former school friends, a delightful young woman, visited us this week for dinner. One of the things we discussed was letting our 'conscience' be our guide. She maintains she does not need to pray, go to church, etc., that she knows right from wrong and follows her conscience.

I admit to follow one's conscience is usually a pretty good rule of thumb, not the best rule, not not a bad one except.... some people don't have any or some peoples' consciences are so dulled from misuse and abuse, they bareful register a conscience. I imagine Ted Bundy (the infamous serial killer) had a conscience at one time or Scott Peterson. Even psychopaths are probably born with one. After people start doing wrong and ignore repenting or 'fixing' the wrongs, repeatedly ignoring the call of their consciences, their conscience gets less and less strong. Some people lose it all together.

To be on the 'safe' side,' it is always best to check with God or the Bible in questions of morality especially. There is no shame or weakness in needing or wanting a 'guide.' Someone stronger than ourselves is usually a better guide than our conscience.

Some peoples' consciences are even over developed; they see 'sin' or wrong or guilt in everything they do. Not such a good guide that way, either.

Rather than letting your conscience be your guide, why not let His word be your guide. It's never wrong.

I. Cor. 8:7 "Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled."

Thanksgivings to God

I visited one of my favorite sites today, 'Thanksgivings to God,'
http://www.writing.com/main/forums/message_id/1465738
I wrote for the day:
I'm ashamed I don't get here more often for I get a blessing or more every day of my life. Here it is, not quite 5 a.m. Everyone is asleep except me and Juleane. She is one year old. Is there anything any sweeter than a year old baby girl? She doesn't care that I haven't shaved yet, that the coffee's still brewing, that its windy outside. She just looks up at me and smiles that big few-toothed smile with her red hair wild as as a wart hog's and knows she's the greatest thing since buttered bread. I am 43 now and will be pretty old when I get her educated, yet I know this is the blessing God has sent for our old age. Every little wiggle tells me so. :)
Thanks for you, too, Tammy, for having a place to say good morning and thank you Lord!

If you get an opportunity, visit the site. You won't be sorry.

This 'handy little chart' was posted there, and I like it as a quick reference

HANDY LITTLE CHART - God has a positive answer:

You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 ) You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: "I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1) You say: "I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7) You say: "I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you.

If we want, we can find plenty to complain about. We can moan and grumble and ask 'why me, Lord?' On the other hand, we can say 'thank you, God' for we are still here to enjoy the blessings of life and still here to pass them on to others.
YOU are needed, and God has a plan for you if you will join with him. I'm convinced of that. It's not money that makes the world go round although having enough is very important. It is communication. We can either communicate, as my dad used to say, 'gladly or badly.' I prefer 'gladly.' :)

I have nothing of great importance to say, never do, but I do have love and blessings to pass around. Did you just receive yours?

What a day of loss....

My day began with early news, and the news kept getting worse, it seemed. An Ohio ball team loses several members in a terrible bus crash. At least 20 people are dead from tornados. Anna Nicole is buried while her mother is heckled in the Bahamas. If one ever thought there was some permanency in life, this day should make them take another look.

Every moment spent living is precious, especially if it is spent with the true love of Life, our Lord. For the poetry lovers among us, from 'The Love-Life of our Lord,'

A Persian fable says: One day
A wanderer found a lump of clay
So savory of sweet perfume
Its odors scented all the room.
"What are you?' was his quick demand
'Are you some gem from Samarkand,
Or pure nard in this plain disguise,
Or other costly merchandise?'
'No, I am but a lump of clay.'

'Then whence this wonderous perfume -- say!'
'Friend, if the secret I disclose,
I have been dwelling with the rose.'
Sweet parable! and will not those
Who love to dwell with Sharon's rose,
Distill sweet odors all around,
Though low and poor themselves are found?
Dear Lord, abide with us that we
May draw our perfume fresh from Thee.

May you appreciate your life, the small parts of it as well as the large, and not forget who loves you as you are.