Thursday's Talk

The tongue. How hard it is to control and as it says a verse earlier in James "No man can tame the tongue". One of the hardest, there are many hard things for me to do and many that are hard for me not to do, but taming my tongue is right up there at number 1 or two. Controlling what I think is right next to it. As I read these verses I am thinking, crap, this is a big struggle. Sometimes it can come out in the form of gossip, other times it is just downright rude, and I am not even referring to my stirring the pot...although that can be part of it.... if I have ever stirred your pot and you have been hurt. If this has ever been the case, I need to know ,& you need to confront me on it or how will I know when I go too far. We have talked about accountability, well it would certainly include this.

The tongue: That verse: ...praise God and then the next minute say %#$@ you. Matthew 5:22 says anyone who calls his brother a fool is in danger of the fires of hell. I remember in Africa how I was with a group of other AYC "kids", and we were talking with the missionary, and one of them said to the missionary, oh you fool. One of the Africans ran for his Bible and brought it to his attention of what it said in Matthew. The missionary talked to the person at length that what the person had called him was not meant with the intent in which it was spoken. Makes me want to be more careful in what I say, and take my time before I say it. I remember being told that a diplomat thinks twice before saying nothing. Hmmm digressing??? maybe...All this to say. I need to watch what I say, and what I think. All these things to remember ... but on the bright side, friends to keep me accountable. That's your job friends.

Wednesday's Worth

Well I finally finished reading Ecclesiastes. Most of it I found... okay this is depressing, everything is meaningless, life, riches, wisdom, you name it. Man, it sounds like I could have written this about two months ago as i began searching. At that point I was thinking, what is life all about if this is it. (In fact, believe it or not, that is the very first blog I started to write, but never finished it or published it on the page). One of the first times I heard Billy Graham speak, probably 25 years ago at a crusade (TV), he said "what's life all about if this is it, you live a short time, then you die, then it's all over? There is a meaning to life and a purpose." Amazing I still remember word for word what he said then, but did I pay attention for these past 25 years (must be the Eeyore in me - stubborn old mule). Oh yeah, foolishness too says Ecclesiastes is also meaningless. As you read in chapter 12, at the end of the book the conclusion is given....great place to put one, maybe I should have started there. Live and learn right...hmmmmmm, hmmmm and one more hmmmm. So, the conclusion you ask, I heard you ask :)~, it says in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Shouldn't that make us think, at least for a minute.

After you leave this page, most of you, like me, will forget what I blogged about today, but if you remember anything, remember those two verses. Should that not scare the sugar twin out of us (sorry for the low calorie cussing), to watch how we live? Well, back to the grind, have a nice one.

Tuesday's Task

Thinking thinking hmmmm Weekend for the most part was quite unproductive, except for the BBQ last night. Looking back over what I did with my weekend, makes me think I need to be accountable, not only to Marlene but also wondering about the people in the church bloggers small group if they are up for it. Now I have to be honest here, for the most part I don't mind sharing a lot of stuff on the blog because I don't care what people think about what I am blogging. This is me. I think that if you (church bloggers) are willing, maybe we could start up our own accountability group. Think about, pray about it, let each other know.

Monday's Mesh

Short and simple today.

Friendship - Whats it mean to you? - wikipedia says this about it.
What to you are some of the important things you look for in a friend or in a friendship. (If you don't feel comfortable blogging it here, email it to each other).

Here are some quotes on friendship that I think apply when I think of what friends mean to me.

"Friends are the siblings we never had".

"You'll always be my best friend, you know too much!"

"When it hurts to look back and your scared to look ahead you can look beside you and your best friend will be there."

Best Friends Listen to what you dont say.

"People never know how special someone is until they leave, but maybe sometimes its important to leave, so they are given that chance to see how special that someone really is!"

Video - You find out who you're friends are.

Sunday's Service

Well it was a fairly uneventful Saturday...work in the morning, shopping for tomorrow's BBQ at the park, reading and hmmmm the casino....who me? Nah? The mask of Mike...such a complicated thing. I did not even do a Tim Horton's run... hmmm

Okay that book I have been reading has been a major challenge every page, let alone every chapter. I don't mind some challenges every now and then, but every day. I think the BBQ will be enough of a challenge just to stay dry, but that is an easy challenge compared to living the Christian life, at least most of the times.

Was thinking, the other day I mentioned about spiritual gifts...can I use them if I don't go to church...you would think.... right??? I am asking the churched people this question (that includes those who go to church in the parking lot - so don't try and get out of this one). What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? To edify the church ....right? To edify one another also?

Okay, just for you Amanda, here is a riddle of the week.

If I say "Everything I tell you is a lie," am I telling you the truth or a lie?

Bonus riddle.....

If your sock drawer has 6 black socks, 4 brown socks, 8 white socks, and 2 tan socks, how many socks would you have to pull out in the dark to be sure you had a matching pair?

Saturday's Suck Sometimes

Well this should make for a quiet blog day today as far as comments with a lot of people out of town. For the next week + I am "baching" it. I am a terrible bachelor, get bored really quick, I mean there is only so much TV worth watching, and a couple of hours on the computer is lots. Reading, yeah I will do some. What to do, what to do, Hmmmm casino anyone :)

One topic I would like to talk about is what ticks you off the most...is it gossip, back biting/stabbing, people who complain, people who swear ( %$#^ just asking here ;).
Gossip really bothers me, especially when they are talking about my friends. I am getting much better lately. I will now and then, cut in, depending on the person. There is way too much of these things going on in Christian circles. Another thing (what's that you say - there is more) that really really scratches the chalk board with finger nails is whispering. You walk by and all of a sudden it goes from regular tone talking to whispering. &*%$# (oops sorry for those offended by swearing - close your eyes). If you have something to say to me say it to my face, at least I know where you stand with me. What's your beef!!!!!

If I don't get back to your comments real soon, I have gone to the casino. Have a great one.

Friday Favor

Today is that one topic you have just been dying to talk about on the blog. Well, okay maybe not. Spiritual gifts (That's not what you thought,right?) The other day on the "church blog" we discussed rewards in heaven, and one of the passages talked about talents, and minas. When I read the parable of the talents I think of it as we are all given spiritual gifts, some one or two, some 5 some ten some more. Do we use those gifts that we have been given? Maybe you think the verse is talking about something else, I would like to hear your opinion. Now having said that, do you know what your spiritual gifts are? and the obvious follow up question is are you using it? Anyone wanna start, awwww thanks Su-ann I knew you would just want to jump in on this one ;) Some of the gifts are helps, giving, mercy, hospitality, faith, discernment, knowledge, wisdom, prophecy, exhortation, pastor, teacher, evangelist, healing, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues. Are there others?

P.S. We had a great evening with all of you last night. Thanks for everything ... food, fun and especially your friendship.