Wisdom vs. Do's and Dont's

This morning as I read Hebrews 13, my mind went back to the words I've heard so many say, even those who have "abandoned" their faith, that Christianity is just a bunch of do's and don'ts. Let's take a peek at chapter thirteen. I made a few underlines of phrases which might support that view, and here they are:

1. Let brotherly love continue
2. Show hospitality
3. Remember those who are in prison
4. Let marriage be held in honor
5. Let the marriage bed be undefiled
6. Keep your life free from love of money
7. Be content with what you have
8. Remember your leaders
9. Imitate their faith
10. Don't be led away by diverse and strange teachings
11. Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God
12. Do not neglect to do good
13. Share what you have
14. Obey your leaders
15. Submit to them
16. Pray

I was awakened as I read this chapter. I was reminded that there are attributes which ought to characterize my life as a Christian, and this chapter summarizes some of those exhortations in list form. Call them do's and dont's if you wish but I believe a better word choice is wisdom. A wise individual can take a list such as the one from Hebrews 13 and ask themselves, "Does this describe me? Am I this kind of person as a Christian?"

Walk gladly on the path of wisdom. Be willing to inspect yourself, Allow God to kindly show you where you've deviated from His heart which is to be reflected in us. Psalm 139 begins with the words, "You have searched me," and it ends with, "Search me, O God."  May our days fall willingly  within these lines.

Worth It All

It's been over a year since I've written in Field Lily Press.  I would now consider titling this post, "Missing You Too Many Times to Count!"  My dear heaven-found friend, Mary Lee has since established her forever home in the Lord's presence, and I cannot even imagine how awesome and wonderful it is.  For all of the things that Mary Lee endured in her life of which I have no clue, they're forever in the past. For the things that I knew of that I couldn't control or fix, those too are a vapor. All things are in perspective now and she sees things through the eyes of total healing and perfection. Praise God for that, is all I can say. To my dearest friend whom I miss, every hour spent with you and for you and on your behalf, it was worth it all. I would do it all over again, yes, every suffering portion and joy shared, many times over.  You lived so well. You walked so well. You friended beyond what anyone could ever hope or ask for. Thank you.  To and for God alone be the glory, forever and ever, Amen.

 

Mary Lee taught my children to fish. Her  life's shadow crosses over ours daily. As we approach her birthday on the thirteenth of this month, it's one day in a string of  many's that we will love and celebrate her.