Wednesday’s Word There is little to nothing more satisfying or sweeter than to watch the growth of an infant into a toddler, from a toddler to a teen and then from a teen to a young adult. And it’s not just the physical changes that we observe, but the level of maturity as well. But how is it we determine our own growth?
Thanks so much for joining me today for Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes United. I was working with one of my favorite attorneys the other day; he’s brilliant…sometimes to a fault, and he admitted this when we were talking about the way he forms his questions as we were talking after the deposition. But I get him; I can literally feel his mind going ahead of his mouth and what comes out sometimes are so many words. This is confirmed when the witness asks him to repeat his question and he looks to me to read it back! J J Praise God, every time I’ve been asked I’ve been able to read it back word for word. He’s a guy who speaks EVERYTHING he’s thinking…just about. I mean, he stores some thoughts up his sleeve for trial. We both talked about how difficult it is for us to slow down in our talking, but even more difficult than that is slowing down enough to let others take their time with what they want to say. This so reminds me of one of the biggest lessons I am still learning in ministry: just because we see something someone is doing, or hear something someone is saying doesn’t mean we get to say something! This is part of growing up spiritually and Proverbs 17:27 describes this level of maturity…in few words! “He who has knowledge spares his words and a man of understanding is of calm spirit”! So no matter what we are hearing or seeing, we can remain calm…and spare our words and even choose to say nothing at all. Love, Kim-Evinda
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Wednesday’s Word Have you ever heard of “The 7 Sins,” or “The 7 Presumptuous Sins”? Actually, I’ve heard these phrases several times and have been curious about their origin and meaning, but I just haven’t gotten around to studying them…that is until a sweet, sweet young lady that I’ve been mentoring pointed them out with a question.
She showed me a passage of scripture she had circled and outside of the circle was a big question mark. It was this portion of scripture, Proverbs 6:6-19, and as soon as I read it, I had my own a-ha moment for finally I was reading about “The 7 Sins”! To paraphrase, they are: pride, envy, lust, gluttony, anger, greed or sloth. Let’s push the pause button right here! What caused my heart to pitter-patter was the definition for the 7th sin, sloth. Sloth means “the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.” I must admit, I’m ecstatic to see that “spiritual” work is included! What does “spiritual work” mean to you? We all encounter slothful or lazy people but how would you describe someone who is spiritually slothful? We are told in Philippians 2:2 that we are to work out our salvation…and I do believe that is a daily workout! When I go to the gym, I usually have a routine, if you will, to exercising. I usually start with some cardio, and then I concentrate on at least two muscle groups. And I don’t take a long time to do it, but I get it done! What does a spiritual workout look like? Now, don’t misunderstand me and think I’m saying our salvation is procured by works because it’s not. Our salvation is procured by grace, not works, but it is an exercise to be completed daily; otherwise, how will your spiritual muscles grow? Diet and exercise do not just apply to the physical being! We are created mind, body and soul and when we feed and/or exercise the body without feeding and/or exercising the soul, we are out of balance. It’s kind of analogous to a car without the fourth tire, or a boat without a captain, or even more dramatic and traumatic, a plane without a pilot. We’ve got to avoid becoming an emotional wreck and out of balance as a result of spiritual slothfulness. To create a spiritual diet, think of it as Digesting Internally Eternal Things. What does that mean? Well I’ll answer with a question: Did you know what goes in is what comes out? What are you taking in with your eyes, ears and mind…spiritually? You can always begin your spiritually fit routine with prayer! He loves it when you talk with Him and consistent communication with Him is sure to grow your spiritual muscles! Start planning your spiritual diet that you may become spiritually fit and not considered spiritually slothful! Thoughtfully, Kim-Evinda Wednesday’s Word I sat there sipping my morning coffee, wondering how I’d make it thru the day. Life had been coming at me hard, on every side, from every angle. In addition to one of my most favorite human beings – my self-adopted mom – being put on hospice care, we had to tell our little 8-year-old grandson that his mommy was no longer with us, and we needed to be as close to the truth as we could without giving him all the details.
Thanks for joining me today for Wednesday’s Word as I share from my heart directly to yours! Have you ever gotten something just in the nick of time? Maybe it was something monetarily or emotionally, or physically, whatever it was, do you remember exhaling a sigh of relief? Or what about receiving something you had no idea you needed as desperately as you did? That’s where I was this particular morning, just a few mornings ago. I was so sad, heavy-hearted, wanting to protect our little grandson from this loss that would surely affect him, his future. I looked down at my coffee cup, one I have drank from hundreds of times and it was like seeing it for the very first time. Only instead of exhaling a sigh of relief, I inhaled…and held my breath, startled by the obvious voice of Him who pursues us relentlessly and loves us lavishly, going through great lengths to continuously express it. And then I smiled, encouraged by His command, His reminder that He had already gone ahead of me; everything would eventually be all right. Words can’t express how encouraged I felt, so allow me to share my coffee cup with you that you too would be encouraged…no matter what you’re going through. I love how He speaks to me; how He is so able to get my attention; He gets me! Love, Kim-Evinda |
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