On Judging Others

Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. ² For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.


³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.:  (Matthew 7:1-5)



I saw this quote the other day, "Don't judge me for the choices I've made until you understand why I made them."  I can't remember where I saw it, but it stuck with me.  I believe the Christian application would be this - "Instead of judging me, get to know me, understand me, and build a relationship that can lead me to Christ/rebuild my relationship with Christ."  I was reminded of Matthew 7:1-5 where Jesus confronts the hypocritical judgment that puts others down in order to build up oneself.  What is cool is that the book, The Prodigal God,  I'm reading also touches on this very topic.  

I must say that have I been guilty of  judging others. It's mostly unintentional, but that doesn't excuse me from doing so.  In fact, if we are honest with ourselves, I think we all have judged others at some point in time - and - I guarantee we've been judged by others as well.

Matthew 7, Jesus isn't telling us to overlook bad behavior or things that are wrong.  Instead, he is saying we are to be discerning. I like what my NLT Bible commentary says concerning Matthew 7:1-5, "Jesus' statement...is a call to be discerning rather than negative.  Jesus said to expose false prophets (7:15-23), and Paul taught that we should exercise church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1,2), and trust God to be the final Judge (1 Corinthians 4:3-5).  


Discernment helps us to recognize, understand and respond to God's will.  Discernment requires us being in tune with God, making us sensitive to God's timing. Discernment helps us to be sensitive to and respond to the needs of others as well. Discernment helps us see truth from that which is false.  Discernment does not pass negative judgement on others - it helps us lovingly correct others when needed - even if that process requires tough love.  

Truth is, we often have no idea what is going on in the lives of others - the pain, suffering, or difficult circumstances they are facing or have faced.  Therefore, we are in no position to judge.  


Hurt and wounded people need Christ not our negative judgment.    


Bottom line, I need to leave the judging up to God. Besides, I'm pretty messed up as well...so I am in no position to judge someone else!


Praying for a humble, discerning heart.  And when I am the victim of judgement, I pray that God would help me to respond in love and that He would work on the heart of the one passing judgement.


Peace!
In His Love, Cathy

Summertime DIY on a Dime

I love summers.  One of my favorite things to do in the summer time is DIY projects I never have time to do during the school year.  Last summer I tackled a complete redo of our kids bathroom as well as painting the main part of the house.  This summer, I've already redone my laundry room and helped my daughter, who just graduated from high school, redo her room.

And since our daughter was paying for her room redo, all was done on a dime:)  

 Silver Dresser & Night Stand:  Silver Krylon Spray Paint ($4.74 x 4 cans), Silver Wrapping Paper from Target for two dresser drawers, bottom night stand drawer, and top of dresser/nightstand ($2.98 for 1 roll), crystal drawer knobs ($14.99 from Target), spray adhesive ($5-6 1 can), spray clear coat.($4-5 1 can).

Pillows were made by my daugher.  She reused and recovered pillows she already had.  Cost of new fabric ($20 at Wall Mart) and roll of polyfill for round pillow ($7.97).
















We also had to break down and buy a new washer and dryer this summer after limping along for 1 1/2 years with a pair that were dying.  A new washer and dryer motivated me to spruce up our laundry area with new floor tiles (free- had them lefover from a prior project a few summers ago), new paint (free - leftover from painting the living room), a shelf over the back of the washer/dryer to keep things from falling behind them ($9.98 from Home Depot), and a curtain rod for extra hangers ($9.98 from Home Depot).  I already had all of the wall wreaths and baskets so I used them to help organize the storage of laundry detergent & softener (middle basket), dryer sheets (small basket on the right), & spare light bulbs and bar soaps (small basket on the left).


My family made fun of me decorating my laundry space, but hey, I spend most of my time either in the kitchen or doing laundry.  I figured I might as well make it a space I don't mind hanging out in:)

Peace!!!

In His Love, Cathy

Encouraging Others

"Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.  Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.


Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.  Give your complete attention to these matters.  Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.  Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching.  Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you."


1 Timothy 5:12-16


Timothy needed encouragement.  But Paul provided more than just encouragement. He reaffirmed Timothy's calling.  And he gave Timothy the practical tools needed to face the challenges of ministry - how to live, how to love, how to teach, how to remain passionate and true to his calling.

As a teacher, I am privileged to work with young people.  In my role, I come across students with diverse personalities, backgrounds, cultures, languages, beliefs, and races.  But there is one common thread that I see in all of these young people, they thrive when they are encouraged.  They excel when encouragement is paired with the tools they need to overcome academic or personal challenges.

Chances are, you know people who need encouragement as well - you might even be one of those people.  As I studied this passage, the commentary resonated with what I knew as an educator...people need encouragement and affirmation.  The commentary in my NLT Study Bible highlighted the six principles Paul modeled in providing encouragement and affirmation to Timothy:

1. Begin with encouragement.  People who know we will encourage them will be happy to work with us.
2. Expect of others only what you expect of yourself.  People resist being held to unfair standards.
3. Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience.  People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them.  Be patient with distracted or slow learners.
4. Monitor your expectations of others.  Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations. 
5. Clarify your expectations with others.  People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified.
6. End with encouragement.  People love to be thanked for a job well done.

Notice that encouragement isn't just saying something positive.  It requires more than just words.  It is encapsulated in your behavior towards others, your expectations of others, the way you communicate with others, and the standards you hold for yourself and others.  Encouragement requires action on our part.  But it always begins and ends with words of encouragement.  

I believe leaders who operate using these six principles are not only well respected and liked by others, but also inadvertently motivate others toward success.  

How we treat others speaks volumes of us as a person and as a leader.  I will be making a pointed effort to implement these six principles in my classroom and in my personal life.  

Peace!

In His Love, Cathy

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

Parable of the Lost Son
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. ...

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet....24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, ...

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. ...


31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Luke 15:11-32 (paraphrased)

I encourage you look up the passage in your Bible and read it in its entirity.

I was searching for a good, thought provoking book to read.  As I was scanning the bookshelves I came across The Prodigal God:Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, by Timothy Keller.  It was on loan from a friend.  As I began to read, I was challenged in my faith.  The auther, Timothy Keller, explores the parable of The Prodigal Son, challenging us to think beyond the obvious message of the lost younger son.  Keller addresses the lost condition of the elder son - yes, the perfect elder son who seemed to do everything right was just as lost as the younger.  His relationship with his father is not what it appeared to be.  His motives were far from pure.  He only walked the straight and narrow for all those years, pleasing his dad in order to gain his father's wealth.  And when his misbehaving little brother repented and returned, elder brother's true colors came out.  It wasn't a pretty sight.

The elder son was a representation of the Pharisees in Jesus' day.  On the outside, their words and actions painted the perfect picture of obedience and faith.  But on the inside their motives were not pure. 

Both the younger son and the elder son in the story wanted the worldly things their father could give them - wealth.  However, they both harbored rebellious hearts.  Their manipulative motives were at the core of their actions, both good and bad.  Sadly, neither brother desired nor were concerned with what their father really wanted - a loving relationship with him and with each other.  Though the younger son finally did restore a relationship with his father, the story leaves us hanging as to the relationship between the elder son and the father.  Did the elder son repent?  Was he restored to a right relationship with his father?  What happened next? 

What kind of response should this stir in our hearts?

Keller challenges us to examine our hearts - are we simply going through the motions of Christianity as a way to live a 'charmed' life.  Are our motives for living moral, obedient lives just a way for us to "get leverage over God, to control him, to put Him in a position where we think He owes us?" (pg 38)

Quite honestly, I saw myself in the elder brother of this parable and not in a good way. 

This book has got me reexamining the condition of my own heart.  It has me questioning my motives.  Am I serving God and living for Him because I simply love and adore Him?  Or am I simply going through the motions, playing the Christian game in a pitiful attempt to manipulate God, earn the favor of others and prestige, and to 'fit in' with the Christian crowd?

Let's just say that I am being challenged by the thought provoking questions of this book in a way I have not been challenged before.

Pick up this book, I guarantee it is far more than a good read.

Peace!
In His Love, Cathy