L: Leadership

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14

There are people in the FOC who think they can logically disprove anything I write about my experience in the group by saying, “Nope, that’s not us. Your family was just weird.” Or, “How would you know what we were taught…”. You get the picture. They don’t want me talking about the group, so they try to claim that I don’t know anything. And even if their claims were accurate, they bring up a really serious issue: leaderlessness.

What happens when you get a group of twelve hundred to two thousand people and nobody’s in charge? According to the scriptures, the people fall. After more than forty years, what has happened to this group? The people have their “pet doctrines” -  a fact that was prophesied by the late Walter White. The members argue, bicker, and disown each other. Young people suffer and die. And can you get a straight answer on why these dearly held practices and beliefs continue? No. Every group, church, organization, and family needs leadership.

Where there is no vision, the people perish.

Proverbs 29:18

K: Knowledge

Have you ever been tempted to believe that “ignorance is bliss”? There are so many examples I can think of where a person may be happier (at least in the immediate future) by not knowing certain facts. I remember my parents telling us things that Walter White had told them about ignorance. One of them was that if a person was good but didn’t have the chance to be baptized by a true preacher (FOC, of course), they would be “burned up quickly” at the end of time, rather than spend eternity in hell. They also told us not to read too much of the bible because it would only confuse us and test our faith. We were particularly warned from reading the book of Revelation. How sad to miss that incredible book of prophecy!

When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee

Proverbs 2:10-11

I was discouraged from becoming formally educated because that could lead to questioning my religion and even to becoming atheist. I have found that to be far from true for me. The more I “know,” the more I want to know.

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What do you think? Is there such a thing as too much knowledge?

J: Judgment

Today's  topic is judgment. I thought about this blog post all day. I didn't really want to tackle the subject of judgment because it's huge and there are many ways of seeing it. The most common bible verse we hear about judgment is “Judge not, lest ye be judged (Luke 6:37).”

But I know that I am to show judgment (discernment and wisdom) in the way I conduct my own life. As a parent, I judge situations and safety all the time. My experience has taught me to select adult women as babysitters – preferably a close family member. I don't leave my kids in the care of men or teenage boys. That may seem judgmental, but to me, it is wisdom.

It's hard not to judge others. The temptation to pass judgment is nearly always present when I'm around other people (whether that be family, colleagues, friends, neighbors, students, and the friends and playmates of my own children).

The other day I took my kids to a McDonald's Play Land so they could play while I graded papers. The first thing I noticed when I walked in, was the stale body odor from a group of homeless men sitting at a table near the door. And my immediate reaction was repugnance and fear for my children's safety. Do I have the right to be repulsed by the presence of these men in public? I wish I had reacted by offering to buy them a hamburger.

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

James 2:13

Do you struggle with being judgmental? Or do you have more experience with being on the receiving end of judgment? And what are some of the positive ways we judge?

I: Industrious

I’ve had some jobs that I really hated, for various reasons – mostly boredom. In every one of these jobs, I posted this on the wall above my desk:

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men

Colossians 3:23

It’s not easy to go to work when you have to do something you dislike, or work with people who are obnoxious, or sit a desk and look busy when there is not enough work to do. I am blessed to have meaningful and rewarding work to do, but not everything I do is exciting, important, or fulfilling. In fact, most of the activities that fill my days are mundane, tedious, and frustrating.

Some of the things I do that I find fulfilling are the following: reading and playing with my children; writing and teaching.

Some of the mundane things I spend most of my time doing include: cleaning, grading, and planning.

But I am a happy person, and industrious. I work hard, though I have to admit, I put more effort into the first list than the second.

We are told to work hard always, in whatever task or job we find ourselves in. I was raised in a home where my parents modeled hard work and taught us to work by enforcing chores. I am grateful for the work ethic that was instilled from my early life.

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What is the worst job you’ve had? How did you cope? What is the most unpleasant task you have to complete in your current life?

H: Heaven

In my Father’s house there are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:2

I have often heard certain legalists intone some version of this sentiment: “If the choice were between heaven and nothing, I would choose to live as I please.” Have you ever thought that? That living a “right” life is just too difficult? That heaven sounds boring in comparison with our mortal life on earth?

I am guilty of thinking that heaven will be a bit boring. But the older I get, the more I look forward to a less intense life. And, I think about what eternity will be like. Will heaven be boring? Well living in a mansion with the saints and angels, with God and Jesus doesn’t actually sound so bad. I don’t live in a mansion now – and I have to worry and work hard to live a very humble life.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4

In heaven there will be no bickering, complaining, whining; no sadness and no pain. Yes, please! Sign me up. I can’t wait to get to heaven!

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Dear Readers: What do you imagine heaven is like? Please leave a comment below...

G: Grace

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

Christianity and Christians are taking serious criticism lately by social justice advocates. This is incredibly frustrating and disheartening. I am a Christian who wants to help people. I care about people, and not just the ones I “approve” of. I want everyone to have the opportunity to receive God’s free gift of grace.

Salvation is a free gift and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. There is nothing we can do to earn it. We are not good enough; only the blood of Christ can pay our way into heaven.

If you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and ask Him to forgive you and be your savior, you will be saved through faith. And that's good news!

Praying for the Warren Family

You have probably heard by now that the best-selling author and mega-church evangelist Rick Warren's son, Matthew, took his own life this past Friday.

You can read the story here on NBC News.  You can also learn more about Rick Warren and his ministries here on his website.

Rick Warren's books and teaching have impacted my own faith and Christian walk and I want to honor his family today by asking my readers to pray for and support this grieving family.

Come to me, all ye that labour and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28