Wednesday, June 10, 2009

In Any Church

I was in the local Lifeway bookstore a few days ago trying to find my workbook for the LPM Summer Study. As I was scanning the shelves looking for the red-covered book a gentleman came up and stood beside me. I smiled at him and we exchanged cordial greetings.

As he scanned the workbook filled shelves his eyes caught the title of a Beth Moore book that made him laugh out loud. He said, "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things - now that will preach!". Before I could stop myself I replied, "In any church!". His response was, "You got that right!".

We looked at each other and both kind of chuckled and smiled. He began to tell me about his rough day. One of his church members was cross with him over an email he sent out to his regular church mailing list. In it he was challenging each person to examine their lives and to surrender to a life of holy living. But somehow she took offense.

It wasn't long before she picked up the phone and began burning up the lines making calls. Later that day, the Pastor heard through the grapevine how she had been offended. He called her and tried to explain it wasn't directed to her individually. But no matter how hard he tried, his words seemed to be landing with a thud.

Now he was dealing with a family upset and threatening to leave the church as well as half-truths and un-truths that were spread among the fellowship. What was meant to build up encourage the body was instead being used to tear it apart.
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20
Several years ago when teaching this passage God gave me this phrase, "We need to take it to the throne, before we ever take it to the phone". As I began to put this into practice, I found myself talking less and less on the phone. I no longer needed to run it by someone to ask if I was reading the situation right, if I heard them right, if I was doing the right thing.
for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say. Luke 12:12
Father, may I continue to learn from You. Teach me to be quick to listen and to let my words be few. Open my mouth when it is appropriate for me to speak and silence my tongue when it is not. Keep my anger in check at the urging of your sweet Spirit. Lord, continue to chisel away at my flesh as I desire to live a life of righteousness. For I know that a life of holiness is what you require of me and is your desire for me. In the name of Jesus my Savior I pray ~ Amen.

8 comments:

Skoots1moM said...

you need to make a button with that quote on it...
:)

Brook said...

"We need to take it to the throne, before we ever take it to the phone". Amen! I purposely came to a quite place to study and just took a break to read a blog post or two and looked at my cell phone to see the time. A girlfriend had called me three times in the past two hours!

I am excited that you are joining the Me, Myself and Lies study by Jennifer Rothschild. I am facilitating a small group and can't wait!

Beth Herring said...

I like that - now THAT will preach.

Great post friend.

creative gal said...

I love that!! Take it to the throne before we take it to the phone!! GOD IS GOOD!! Thank you for sharing with me!!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a fine lesson and word! Thank you, Lisa. I , too, will remember to go to the throne at each turn. I do not use the phone much and am more of a loner these days so am more likely to worry, think too much, take things inwardly. No difference... taking all to the throne first!
May your day be blessed.
~ linda

Yolanda said...

Sister, this does teach and preach and you did a great job in sharing it with us. I often ask God that He would remind me if & when....I get pricked that He is THE One teaching me through that pricking and because He is, that means He loves me.

Crown of Beauty said...

Hi Lisa, thank you for visiting my blog and your encouraging comment. I do appreciate your remembering me and praying for me.

This post is so true, the very antidote that we as women need against gossip. THere is a proverb that says, "The wicked flee where none pursue." It also means that they find offense where none is meant!

And offense is what we in our team call "The Big O" and is Satan's most effective bait to trap and ensnare us! We have to constantly be on our guard against it.

Thanks for sharing this.

Lisa Smith said...

We need to take it to the throne, before we ever take it to the phone

Well said...That will preach. In any church! (especially one of women) LOL

Describes my last several years of life. God is my lifeline not the phoneline!