For some reason, most fall into two main ways of seeing others and ourselves. On the one hand, we are willing to see others’ flaws while overlooking our own. On the other hand, many of us fall into the trap of fixating on our own failures, imagining that we are worse than or somehow more broken than everyone else.

Whatever the case, our vision is skewed, and it creates a warped sense of justice. We prop ourselves up based on miscalculation of our own merits, or we cast ourselves down with a twisted sense of unworthiness.

We move through the world encumbered by crippling thoughts of comparison and competition that corrupt our hearts and keep us from enjoying or expressing the grace of God.

But the truth is, we are no better or worse than most of those with whom we cross paths. We are all flawed. We all miss the mark. We all come up short!

But the truth is also that we are God’s beloved, and we are of inherent value and dignity, and worthy of respect—every single one of us.

It is impossible that you can ever meet another human being that God does not love. Get it?

And I realize that sometimes the person who needs to hear that most is the person staring back at you in the mirror this morning!

God loves you. God is merciful. Love and be kind to yourself, today! Love others and be kind to others out of that overflow!

Be kind to yourself.

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

Freedom of speech is not license to lie, to be rude, to gossip, to spew hatred, or to hurl insults or hateful rhetoric.  

Yes, we can say what we want, how we want, to whomever we want, but should we?

Our words are powerful.  Our words build and tear down.  Our words frame realities…

So, yes, we have the freedom to say what we want, how we want, to whomever we want, but should we?

Are our words life-giving, light-shining, liberating, loving expressions?

Speak.

Are our words hurtful darts, hushed daggers, haunting, heavy and  hateful? 

Choose silence. 

See how that works?  

Yes, we are free to say whatever we want, however we want, to whomever we want – but should we?

Our careless words have consequences beyond our control!

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.  

James 1:26

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

One of the most difficult things to do when you’re feeling threatened and stressed out is to learn how to slow down and listen for the Spirit’s guidance.

The enemy thrives off of anxiety that expresses itself in knee-jerk decisions that may provide immediate relief but then trigger a chain reaction of consequences that are beyond what we anticipated.

Sure, there is a time and place for quick and decisive action, but sometimes the best thing we can do is to slow down, to think, to pray, and to listen for the voice of the Spirit.

Learn to pause before speaking and acting.  Learn to discern God’s will in a way that allows for appropriate response and not rash reaction.   Sometimes all it takes is a moment.

I can bet all of us have moments we wish we could have back – words we wish we hadn’t said, and things we wish we could do over…

Learn those lessons.  Slow down.  Glean wisdom from experience, and then do differently… 

¹⁹ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

James 1:19-20

ihs,

just adam

As a new work week begins, pace yourself.  Try to do the best you can with each moment.  I know that most of us have a lot on our plates, but you can’t do it all at once.  

There are 24 hours in a day, and right now one-third of it is already done! So let’s take the next sixteen hours, one moment at a time – beginning with gratitude and then continuing with this simple confession:

“God has given me everything I need to meet this moment… My hope, my health, and my help are already with me…”

To this confession, add also this simple profession;

“When anxiety threatens to disturb my peace, I remember that God is with me and remain at ease.”

I know there’s a lot going on out here, but we will get through it – one moment at a time! 

Peace comes a moment at a time!

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Isaiah 26:3

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

There are some people who refuse reason.  There are some who will not endure the truth.  There are some who choose convenient lies rather than the challenge of wrestling with an uncomfortable reality.  

Unfortunately, these choices come with consequences. Ignorance whether willful or otherwise is never bliss.  It is dangerous and expensive.  Keep a distance!  Do not waste time or energy trying to drag someone where they don’t wanna go! 

The effort will cost you too much, and keep you too long!  These people rob us of more than our resources – they disrupt peace and steal joy!

Hear me, I am not suggesting retreat from the first sign of disagreement or tension. And I am certainly not saying that we refuse mercy or generosity to those in need. 

But, I am saying avoid those who ask questions but only want arguments.  Avoid those who abuse compassion and use their pain as an excuse to abuse others.  Don’t waste your energy on grown greedy folks who abuse generosity and take kindness for granted! 

We all have limits on our time and resources, and sometimes it’s okay to say, ‘No.’ 

Pray for discernment.

Jesus said it like this:

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. Matthew 7:6

Jesus had a way with words!

Good Morning. I love you all!

ihs, 

just adam

I used to think that when people were well informed, they would eventually be able to make better decisions.  My assumption is proving to be flawed.

Human judgement is skewed by selfishness and short-sightedness.  Add to this the fact that we are being flooded with disinformation, we are being manipulated by those who benefit from our ignorance. We are striving against those whom we once shared common ground. We are digging in and drawing battle lines that are driving us toward mutual destruction.

And on top of it all, many of us feel right and justified in clinging to positions that are doing harm to our neighbors with the misguided notion that peril is not also stalking us. 

We are content to destroy the vessel that is carrying us all while failing to realize that our arrogance will precipitate our own ruin.  We are inextricably bound to one another.  The evil that besets one of us will eventually consume us all. Listen!

We go down looking up with the glib presumption of our own rightness.  Our arrogance and ignorance form the unholiest alliance that assures our demise.  We may all do well to humble ourselves, to seek a higher wisdom, and to pursue not just more information but greater inspiration – that is revelation that may spare us even greater suffering…

God help us all!

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 16:25

Pray with me today.  There has to be a better way!

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

The US government shutdown at midnight, and  times are likely to get tough for many of our neighbors, there will be inconveniences and gaps that will occur. 

The sun rose this morning and we will go on.  Because that’s what we, as resurrection people, do!

In crises, we will not panic.  We will yield to the calmness and compassion of the Spirit.  We will care for one another. We will call on those granted the mantle of leadership to consider their ways.  We will carry on.  Because we are resurrection people, and that’s what we do!

We will not become callous.  We will not concede our hope to the caustic fears that corrode our joy and create hatred and bitterness.  We will not close our hearts to those who we’ve been called to care for.  

The US government shut down last night. The sun rose this morning.  God is still on the throne.  We will get up and go on!  Because we are resurrection people, and that’s what we do!  While others collapse and fall, we will rise!

⁷  Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

⁸  They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.  

Psalm 20:7-8

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam

When we are surrounded by trouble, it’s easy to forget what’s really important. Right now, as we are being inundated with bad news, we should certainly be grieved, but we mustn’t give in to despair. 

You see, part of pushing back against all the bad news is to become even more deliberate about celebrating the good.  We cannot survive in a constant state of emergency- it is exhausting!

Part of our resistance should include our intentional efforts to celebrate life – that is to make the commitment to cultivate joy even amid life’s struggles!  Get it?

Now, more than ever we need to be lifting one another up, cherishing the little things that make life meaningful, the simple gestures that remind others that they are seen and valued, and refusing to surrender to reacting to everything that happens with anxiety!  

Hug someone, hold someone’s hand, write someone a note, make a phone call to someone who you’ve been thinking about. Smile at a stranger.  Hold a door.  Let someone go in front of you…

In a world being pushed relentlessly toward frustration, fear, and futility – be kind, be patient, and be generous – just because! You may be surprised at the response you receive!

I dare you to try it.  You may change someone’s entire day.  And if not, at least you will change yours!

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…

Colossians 3:12

Good Morning, I love you all!

ihs,

just adam