Peace…yeah right

This morning I was thinking…

Has there ever been a time in your life that you’ve had to ask yourself whether or not you should choose peace or money?  I often wonder if it’s possible to have both…at the same time.  Financial freedom or joy?  I could go on and on.  But in that same thought another question comes to mind.  Wouldn’t the lack of financial freedom or the inability to meet your financial goals or responsibilities steal your peace and suffocate your joy?  Still thinking…

Another thought.  For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, our strength, our provider, our calm through the storm – should these questions even be something we waste our thoughts on?

Just wondering…

Advertisement

Nothing Good to Say…

Growing up, my mother use to tell us, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.”  And over the years I’ve tried to adhere to that, but not today.  This past weekend, I had planned to set aside some time for reading a few romance novels. I was soooo looking forward to it – that I even purchased two of them!  One was by one of my favorite romance writers – Brenda Jackson.  And as usual, she did not disappoint, but the other one – whole different story.  It was so poorly written that I am torn on whether or not to put the author’s name out there!  I was shocked!  I have read several of her romance novels over the years and they’ve been pretty good, but I hadn’t read anything lately.  And after trying to get through this one, I don’t know if I ever will again. It was so bad that I was tempted to take it back to the store and demand my money back ($6)!  Actually it is so bad, that I want someone else to read it, and tell me if it was only me or if they feel the same way and want to throw the book across the room.  BUT, I don’t want you to pay for it.  Why should we both waste our hard earn cash.  Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll let you read mine!  I started to toss the book, but I figured, maybe I should keep it on my desk as a reminder on what type of work not to put out there!  It was like someone had taken a first time writer’s work (I’m talking first attempt, without editing), and put this author’s name on it.  …I wonder if that’s what happened? I also just noticed that it’s not even listed on her website.  Hmmm.

At any rate, normally I’d be the first person to toot an author’s horn if they’ve put out an extraordinary story. So why not call out an author who has truly disappointed – especially a bestselling author? I guess my question to you is, if you read a book that was really, really bad, would you called the author out?

What to do, what to do?

Sharon C. Cooper

Light of the World

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

When I was in my late twenties, there was a lady I had befriended who truly was a living testimony of Matthew 5:14-16. She consistently walked around with a glow about her- like all was well in her world. Even through various trials and tribulations, unless she told you that she was going through, you would’ve never known. She had such a beautiful spirit. I remember thinking, I want that. I want what she has. Turns out, it was her faith and relationship with God that made her light shine as bright as it did. Over the years I’ve tried to emulate her attitude, behavior, and strengthen my faith. I finally felt that I was on the right track when a business associate started calling me “Sunshine.” Each time she’d call me that, I’d think of that verse above.

But I’ve been thinking. Sure it’s easy to let your light shine around people you like and respect, but I wonder what those other people see when they see us. I’m talking about the ones who are always negative, or have a “Woe is me” attitude whenever you see them. I’m embarrassed to say – those are usually the ones I stay clear of. It’s already hard enough to maintain a positive attitude, but you have to work even harder to maintain it with people like that – but isn’t that what we’re suppose to do? Be a light to a dark world?

What are your thoughts about the subject?