Debra Farish's blog

Haven't in a Long Time

Is losing interest part of my modus operandi these days?  Usually it's the simple words from someone that makes me wonder about how I'm perceived.  A friend at work said that I get all excited about one thing then turns out to be not so much as time goes by.  

It's first time in a long time when I can just linger on the computer.  Haven't had the desire to do that much lately. Can't tell you, how long it's been since I've even wanted to blog about something.

That's until I found these paraphrased words of the Apostle Paul to Timothy:

1 Timothy 1:5-7 The Message (MSG)

The whole point of what we're urging is simply love—love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into cul-de-sacs of gossip. They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven't the remotest idea of what they're holding forth with such imposing eloquence.

These words startle me:  self-interest, counterfeit faith, and wander off into cul-de-sacs of gossip. I never want these words to be used to describe my heart towards God, but they do.  Just when the weight of regret hits me, I read further to learn truth about the One who redeems:

1 Timothy 1:15-16 The Message (MSG)

Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy.

Despite my sinful thoughts and actions, God in His mercy still chose me, which gives me an abiding peace.  Like Paul, I could have never made it either, except that fact that I have Jesus.  

Doing Satan's Job For Him

This is the phrase that jumped off the 104th page of "A Purpose Driven Life."  Here is the whole quote:

Whenever I judge another believer, four things instantly happen:  I lose fellowship with God, I expose my own pride and insecurity, I set myself up to be judged by God, and I harm the fellowship of the church.  A critical spirit is a costly vice.

The Bible calls Satan "the accuser of our brothers."  It's the Devil's job to blame, complain, and criticize members of God's family.  Anytime we do the same, we're being duped into doing Satan's work for him.  Remember, other Christians, no matter how much you disagree with them, are not the real enemy.

Thanks to years with my life coach, I've learned that my healthy default system is living in accountability.  Which means I thrive when I admit my shortcomings and see what I could have done better in the situation.  I struggle when others throw off any ownership to the problem then throw hand grenades into the mix.

According to Wikipedia, a hand grenade is an anti-personal weapon that explodes a short time after release.

Whenever a person can't be confronted on the issues of a disagreement, they lob in their own anti-personal weapon to distract, which always causes more damage than before the conflict began.  That can be the past argument, not letting something go, or a personal character trait attack.   

My goal is not to do the work of Satan, but emulate my Savior.  So, here is my "intentional statement:"  I am willing to build up the body of believers today.

I Thessalonians 5:9
God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.