THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

March 16, 2022

LIFE IN THE FOLD:

A while back I had gone to my nephew's home to watch his two 3-year olds while he went to a school assembly for his 9 year old. I had fun with those babies, then a good visit with my nephew.

I had taken my shoes off upon my arrival and sat down on the couch to put them back on when I was getting ready to leave. I had on some canvas tennis shoes that I had worn without socks.

Malcolm saw me slipping my shoes on and said, "Letta! Where's your socks? You need socks with shoes!"

Mariah looked over to see what was going on and joined in that I was supposed to wear socks with my shoes. She told me, "Your feet will get sweaty and make the insides of your shoes stinky! You need socks!!"

I knew that why they were saying this. I asked, "Is that what your mama tells you?"

Mariah said, "Yes. Mama says you have to wear socks with your shoes! You have to!"

I laughed and told her that next time I would wear socks with my shoes.

I've babysat these two toddlers since they were babies, so have been around them and in their home for almost four years now. I have heard their mom telling them that they can't wear their shoes without socks, because their feet get sweaty, which makes the insides of their shoes stinky.

That's her rule for them, which in turn, they believe is the rule for everyone. I was breaking that rule, so they were letting me know about it so next time I'd wear socks. I probably will, unless I'm wearing sandals.... or forget.

There are many things in the Bible that says what is right and what is wrong. It is very clear, but often if we don't like what it says, we might try to justify why what we are doing is okay.

For example, in 1 Peter 2:1 we are told to get rid of all evil behavior. We read that and think, "I'm not evil! This scripture surely can't apply to me!"

But the next sentence says, "Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech."

Ephesians 4:31 says, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior."

Colossians 3:8 tells us, "Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty (filthy) language."

We can read through those list of things and pick out the ones that we have never struggled with or done and think, "I'm fine!" But then there may be others that we have dealt with and perhaps know that it is or has been a problem. Perhaps we have a tendency to become jealous of what others have, that we don't. Perhaps we have a tendency to be critical and unkind at times in what we say about others. Someone may say something hurtful or we experience a difficult situation that causes us to allow bitterness to grow and take root in our heart. Perhaps using curse words and filthy language has become a habit. Anger or rage may be an initial reaction when things don't go your way or someone offends you.

There may be times when we see something in someone else, that we don't have an issue with and think, "They need to deal with that!" We may see where it could have harmful results to them or to their spouse or family. We know what they need to do, but fail to deal with things in our own life that God says to get rid of.

Matthew 7:3-5 speaks about that very thing. "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice that log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and look, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Sometimes we judge others of things that they do, thinking they shouldn't struggle with it and be able to deal with it, because we've never struggled with what they do. We think that they should just be able to stop! We have no understanding of why they may have a difficult time dealing with what they are. Does it make it right for them to continue in behavior that is not pleasing to God? No! But perhaps we need to pray for them and encourage them, instead of being critical or judgmental.

Other times we criticize people for the same type of behavior and attitudes and sin that we, ourselves, struggle with. It's more obvious in others than it is in ourself.

We sometimes have a double standard; one for ourselves and another for others. But the truth is, God's Word should always be our plumb line that we use so that we stay in line with His commandments and instructions on how we should conduct ourselves and live.

Just like Malcolm and Mariah have certain rules that their mama has set up for them, our Father has a set of rules that we need to abide by and obey. We need to take them seriously and strive to follow them; but we will only know what they are if we read His Word and spend time in prayer, so that He can instruct and teach us. Then we can teach and instruct others, offer encouraging words, and help them in their walk and relationship with Jesus. But we do so with His love!

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

I suspect everyone is plagued by some negative, self destructive emotions. It may be rooted in feeling worthless or unwanted, feeling overly prideful, feeling betrayed, or whatever. It may lead into depression, anger, jealousy, or greed.

We can overcome those feelings relatively easily if we see they are rooted in something wrong. Depression that comes from feeling worthless could be overcome by seeing our real worth. It's like a plant rooted in sand. It's easy to pull up.

When the roots come from something based in solid facts, like a real betrayal from someone we trusted, it can be much harder. It could require separating ourselves from that person for a long time to overcome it. It could even take years. We need to root ourselves firmly in Jesus, and starve the negativity again and again. It isn't easy, but it can still be done.

ON THE MENEWE:

Pineapple Slush Punch

Heat sugar and water to boiling. Cool slightly (at least 15 minutes). Add juices and mashed bananas.

Pour mixture into freezer bags (2 -- 1 gallon size) and place in freezer.

Remove from freezer about 1 hour before serving.

Add 7-Up to serve. It takes about 3 liters of 7-Up for every 1 gallon of fruit-juice mixture.

Mixture will keep in freezer approximately 1-2 weeks.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

I just ran across a memory from 2013, when I was watching my nephew Jax, who was age 3 (almost 4) at the time.

Jax: "Retta, can you cook for me now?" Me: "That depends on what you want me to cook." Jax: "How about a meat and cheese sandwich?" Me: "I think I can handle that!"

Jax has always liked his sandwiches plain and dry -- just lunchmeat and a piece of cheese between 2 slices of bread. If only "cooking" was always that fast and easy!

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

Please don't ever go back to anything you had to pray your way out of. - TobyMac

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org