Don't be a Pharisee

I'm sure we've all met someone in our lifetime that had a superior attitude and acted as if you were beneath them. But there is no more irritating a person as a "haughty" Christian. Really, if we are "Christians, we are supposed to be "Christ-like". Jesus' nature was a loving, compassionate servant, who humbled himself even unto death. He is the Son of God, sent down from Heaven, and yet he was born of humble beginnings, washed his disciples feet, lived patiently with some very imperfect minister-trainees, and ultimately subjected himself to be mocked, stripped, beaten, and killed, all because of the Father's great love for us. So, a "haughty or prideful Christian" is an oxy-moron. You can't call yourself a Christian and think you are better than others. In fact, the Bible clearly says in Rom. 12:3 "...do not think more highly of yourself than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith that God has given you." You've heard the parable of the Pharisee who prayed like this "God, thank you that I'm not like this tax collector here..." (Luke 18:9-14) but Jesus explained how the tax collector would be forgiven because he admitted he was a sinner in need of a Savior, while the Pharisee counted on his goodness to give him right standing with God.

Unfortunately, I must confess, I've been on BOTH sides of the fence before. I've been the humble tax collector, so grateful for God's grace to save me. And, at times in my life, I've been the Pharisee, acting as if God loved me more than everybody else. God has a way of humbling you if you don't humble yourself. That was not a fun time in my life, but I am grateful that I am free from that judgmental spirit. When I feel that ugly spirit trying to raise it's head again, I must quickly confess it and not give it a foothold.

Besides being annoying, there are some real bad affects of a prideful Christian:

1. The world sees them as hypocrites and tends to lump all Christians in the same basket. It's a real turn off to evangelism.

2. It causes a legalistic mindset and is especially harmful to baby Christians.

3. It brings about condemnation, as opposed to the conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit.

4. It opens oneself up to a divisive spirit, wanting to separate the "holy" ones from the rest of the world & luke warm Christians. Many a church split has resulted in a group of believers who have taken it upon themselves to "get everybody straight" for God or "come out from among them".

Let's always remember that we are all in this together, each member making up a part of the Body of Christ, with our own unique gifting and testimony. Also, we are all on different levels in our walk.

• We have those who have been born again for years, growing in knowledge & understanding, applying what they've learned (mature Christians).


• You have those who are learning the Word, realizing they have authority in Jesus name over the enemy, and beginning to see God's purpose for their lives, but are still sometimes led by their emotions and vacillate between being a responsible, mature Christian, and a baby (teenage Christians).


• You have Christians who are just beginning to find their legs in this walk of faith (toddler Christians),


• You have Christians who are just born again and hardly know anything but are alive in Christ and determined to grow (baby Christians).

God loves each and every one of these Christians the same, just like we love our kids at each stage of their lives. It's not like we say to our newborn, I will love you one day when you're all grown up, or to our toddler, I can't believe how many times you keep falling down, I wish you'd just run already! So, we must be patient with one another, realizing we grow line upon line, and precept upon precept, here a little, there a little. Praise our Heavenly Father for all of His children...

I'm on a winning streak!

I can't even believe this...honestly, I usually NEVER win anything, but this week I have discovered I won a free blog makeover (thank you Nan!) AND an Honest Scrap Award (thank you Beth!). I am so blessed by all my blogging friends. So, keep your eyes out for my new blog design that is coming soon. And, in keeping with the Honest Scrap Award, I am supposed to write 10 honest things about myself. Here goes:

First of all, thank you to Beth at "I'm Heading Towards My Destiny" http://bethinnc.blogspot.com/ for honoring me with this award.

Now, 10 honest things about myself. . .

1. I don't eat any kind of beans (except maybe french style string beans, but only in a

casserole).

2. I am very afraid of spiders, even if they're small.

3. I still have to count on my fingers sometimes, I'm really bad at math

4. I buy junior mints because my kids & husband don't like them so I get them all to myself.

5. I've always dreamed of being an author but never had the guts to go for it after I was told

at an early age that I'd never be able to make a living at it.

6. Whenever I watch a good, clean love story, if the characters are fighting and just about to
get back together again, my fingertips start to tingle. I have NO idea why?

7. I've had the same best friend since I was 3 yrs. old - she now lives about 10 miles from me

and our children are good friends.

8. I'm actually an outgoing person, trapped in a shy person's body. I have to push myself to

venture out in social situations. This will be remedied when I get free from my insecurities.

9. I have been a Christian all my life, but I seriously committed my whole life to Jesus in

1990, and I haven't looked back since.

10. I'm really a big kid at heart and sometimes feel like I'm not a responsible mom. I LOVE

going to Chuckie Cheese, I love to play video games, I enjoy playing sports in the yard with

my kids, but I NEVER let them win because I'm very competitive, I run through the house

chasing the kids and I play hide & seek with the dog.

Now, I want to share this award with 7 people, but first, I will explain the rules. 1)You must thank the person who gave the award and list their blog and link it. 2) You must share "10 Honest Things" about yourself. 3) You have to present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you. 4) Last, you must tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

Here are my 7 people:

1. Deanna at http://tobeamother.com/

2. Tara at http://scrapadoodledoo.blogspot.com/

3. Nan at http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/

4. Anitra at http://themamazone.blogspot.com/

5. Julie at http://mom2ways.blogspot.com/

6. Denise at http://shortybearsplace.blogspot.com/

7. Andrea at http://andrealuvsallgodscreatures.blogspot.com/

Congratulations ladies and thanks for all the inspiring posts. Please accept this Honest Scrap award. If you have time and you feel like participating, that's great. If you're way too busy posting about other things...I certainly understand.

Anointed Songs

I survived the fair, thanks to my "fair prayer", haha. I've been so busy ever since, I haven't been able to write. However, many people wondered how we made out at the fair, so I wanted to let you know that it was actually fun. We were later getting to the fair than I had intended, which probably helped my patience and my wallet. My husband did complain briefly about the cost of parking, but since we were teasing him about how predictable he is, it didn't last long. The kids rode 3 rides, we ate a quick meal, and then it was time for the 1oth Avenue North and Jeremy Camp concert.

My youngest was less than thrilled about leaving the many attractive rides to scarf down a meal and head into a concert for the next couple of hours. Especially since you could see the rides and the lights going on outside of the coliseum. I guess to a 7 yr. old, that was pure torture. So, he voiced his disgust every 10 minutes of the concert, which I must admit, did try my patience. I was quick to point out to my beloved son, a rather important newsflash that will serve him well in life, which is...the world doesn't revolve around him. He didn't seem to agree. As the concert went on, he became more and more impatient and he constantly wiggled in his seat. The others were all enjoying the music and the wonderful ministry time going on. Jeremy Camp was awesome, not only in talent, but his heart really came through.

Just about the time I thought it was rapping up, Jeremy began to sing the song "Our God is Mighty to Save". It was very powerful as the packed auditorium joined their voices and we all sang about how Mighty a God we serve. I looked over at my son, now sitting quietly in his seat, and his eyes had welled up with tears and he was wiping them away with his sleeve. Being the spiritual super mom that I am, what do you think my reaction was? Nope, not even close. I rolled my eyes because I thought he had finally given up on trying to bug me into leaving, and had now changed his tactic to crying. I assumed he was sitting there sulking about how unfair life is for a 7 yr. old boy and how mean his family was for objecting him to such treatment. I think I even mumbled "oh for goodness sake", but it's all a blur now, so I can't be certain...haha Just about that time, he leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Mommy, I really feel God's presence." Wow...it was like someone slapped me right upside my head! I said, Oh, that is so sweet....and I hugged him...more tears fell.

After the song was over, he was better behaved, but the moment seemed to have passed. Which got me thinking. Are there songs that have such an anointing on them, that it seems to usher in the presence of God? I believe so. I know that there are songs that touch a nerve with me, songs that minister to my situation, songs that edify and build me up, songs that glorify God...but then there are songs that catch you by surprise, and for no reason you can explain, just feel like you are singing right along with the Heavenly choir and you seem to somehow sense God's pleasure with the worship you are offering.

I have always thought that the Revelation song was just one of those songs. It doesn't matter whose singing it, although Kari Jobe is my favorite, but I've heard it by others, and in different arrangements, but no matter what, I always feel God's presence. And no matter what kind of day I'm having, I can hear that song, and it lifts me right up out of my circumstances and into the "throne room" of God!

Out of curiosity, do YOU know of a song that carries a special anointing on it? If so, please share with the rest of us. And may you all experience "God's presence" today.