“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
                                                                             Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Good Morning Sweet Soul,
          I have been known for my booming voice in the classroom or from the pulpit. Microphone not working, stressful for some, not for me.    My voice carries.  What you might not know about me is that I hate conflict and angry arguments.  In my childhood, my favorite place was my bedroom closet where I would often retreat from loud shouting matches between my parents. Dad would raise his voice and mom would raise her voice louder.  The situation would escalate and most often the declared winner would be the one who shouted the loudest and longest.  Therefore, it is probably no coincidence that I married a strong, silent type. 
            In our marriage we have disagreements as all couples do, but we do not fight.  In our first year of marriage I betrayed a secret I had been asked to keep for a very good reason.  This was the first time I had ever seen Jim angry.  And he wanted so badly to say something mean and that simply is not his nature at all.  So, in a somewhat raised voice, at least for him, he said, “You, you, you old hen.”  That was as mean as he would go.  And then we both burst out laughing because I was the ripe old age of twenty-one. 
            In marriage, parenting, friendships, heck, even with strangers there are scenarios that trigger our emotions and cause anger.  I find it is important to voice your opinion and defend your point of view.  But if you raise your voice and they raise their voice, the real issues become secondary to who can shout the loudest.  I love the Message Bible interpretation of the above scripture, “Fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense… Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”   Let’s you and I choose our words carefully this week and always.  Let us pray for peace to reign supreme in our homes and in our nation.          
                                                                                                         Linda

God gives wisdom to those who ask.  James 1:5

Dear friend,
            Wow, sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by negativity.  Our state now has over 13,000 hospitalized with Covid and over 4,000 new cases each day.   I wear my mask every time I leave the house only to be met with two men at Lowes who ridiculed me and called me stupid.  Job losses abound and many insist it is safe to reopen yet, restaurants are closing as fast as they are re-opening.  Many insist it is safe to eat indoors without social distancing.   Black lives matter marches on our streets are met with quite differing viewpoints also.    So, I feel like I must be careful in my conversations.  There does not seem to be a middle ground on these and other issues that is safe to discuss.  So, how does a Christian respond with love to those with differing and /or offensive views.

            First, humility is crucial, and your perspective is critical to handling the person as Jesus desires. Try not to view the person as a “negative person” but respect, pay attention to, and love them. Do not violate his dignity—no matter how aggravating he is or has been.

            Next, it’s important to pray for the negative person in question. Also, pray for wisdom and for God to reveal to you what to do next and about how to proceed. Be aware that the best way to deal with a negative person may simply be to limit your contact with him, if possible.   If they are family, it is still okay to reduce the amount of time you spend with them.  It’s also important not to feel guilty about this, argue with them, or get drawn into their drama.  This is your life.  You have a right to your opinion.  You have a God-given mandate to “Choose Life” (Deut. 30:19).  You’ve got to accentuate the positive—eliminate the negative.  Do it today.    I wish you joy today and always.
                                                               Linda      
                                                                          

​Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, -Colossians 3:9-11
 
Hello Dear one,
 
          Was watching an interview with Megan McCain this morning and she was lamenting that she doesn’t know what or who to believe anymore.  I’m with her.  For instance, pick a topic like wearing a mask. At the onset of Covid only first responders had to wear a mask and it had to be an N19. A few weeks later an announcement came out that everyone should be wearing a mask in public.  Lying or just new information.  Not sure. 
 
          Are you having trouble believing your friends?  When I am on Facebook it looks as if no one has an imperfect family or child.  Happy birthday to a talented, sweet, and straight A student who loves to clean her room and help her little brother with his chores.  Really!   Boasting or wishful thinking.
 
          Where do you draw the line on lying?  Do you pretend not to hear your cell phone ringing and not answer?  Is that lying?  Do you say you can’t help with the latest fundraiser because of work commitments?  Is that true or a little white lie?  Isn’t a white lie “a lie?”
 
          Let’s start a new trend.  Let’s promise each other that for one week only, we tell the truth.   Praying for a spiritual awakening of moral values.                                                                         Linda

​My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.                                                         John 15:12-13
 
Good Morning weary one,
        It seems on the surface that the world is a frightening place.  Jim and I are still quarantining.  Going outside in public seems daunting.  And now racism is once again rearing its ugly head.  It was always there, but now its headlines on the news, on our streets, and occupying our mind space.  If you are like me, I weigh the right to protest with abhorring the violence and rooting. How can we make our voices heard? How can we make a difference? The issues loom so large; change seems out of reach. As I lay in bed last night, this verse from John keep swirling in my head and I had a new understanding of this verse.  It brings me new hope.  Let me explain.
        To lay down one’s life does not necessarily mean to die.  It means to die to self interest and truly demonstrate love for another.  I see this in the brave first responders.  They are putting aside their lives, their wants, their desire for fun and distraction and lovingly serving their fellowman.  Nurses leaving their families and risking their lives to care for Covid 19 patients.  Clerks in stores are loving as Jesus commanded to make sure we have food on our tables.  And protesters leaving their homes and the comfort therein and walking in the streets demonstrating their love for people of color who are denied basic rights.  If we really look carefully, we see love in action.  Thousands upon thousands laying aside their lives in the service of others.  Let us look for the good.  The innate goodness in all of us.  Look deeply into your own heart.  Drop the idea of separateness and think, “Just like me.”  He desires love and respect, just like me.  He wants a good paying job, just like me.  She wants equal opportunity, just like me.  She wants quality healthcare, just like me.  When we confess with our mouth and lay aside our wants to work to achieve equality, we are loving as Jesus commanded us to love.  What can you do?  How do you lay down your life for your friend?  Please start by being kind in your words and actions to those who differ from you in color, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.  Start a revolution of loving others who crave acceptance; just like me.   Be the change you want to see.  I ask you this week to see the good, loving people laying down their lives for their friends and the world becomes a better and less scary place for us all. 
                                   Spread the love, see joy in the possible,
                                                        Linda