CLOTHED IN HUMILITY!

Clothed in humility. What does that look like in today's world?

Is it so rare, one is shocked when they see it?

How does one ...accept situations as humbling as a "pie in the face?"

Regardless of the approach??????

How does one ...tie on the servant's apron, as ταπεινότητα, the Greek word for humility indicates?

Humility is the "tea" of our souls which nourishes and enriches others!

Humility....a choice of all Christians who desire to serve others!

This group earned a big cuppa humility-TEA---make that 2 cuppas!

Chance or Condfidence

"Human pride loathes the suggestion that God orders everything, controls everything, rules over everything." (John MacArthur) Fate or chance defines the theology of the prideful.

I, along with many others, find confidence in God's sovereignty/

"haugh-TEA--pomposi-TEA---superiori-TEA--vani-TEA"

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18, NIV)

How many ways can one "negatively" spell pride? A.r.r.o.g.a.n.t./ B.o.a.s.t.f.u.l. / C.o.n.c.e.i.t. / H.u.b.r.i.s. / S.n.o.o.t.y.

How many destructive results can pride bring into one's life?

• Pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God. (2 Chronicles 26:16)
• Pride is as a chain about their neck (bondage) (Psalm 73:6)
• When pride cometh, then cometh shame (Proverbs 11:12)
• Only by pride cometh contention (quarreling) (Proverbs 13:10)
• A man's pride shall bring him low: (Proverbs 29:23)

The results are destructive; the root is pride. What's the root of pride? Self!!!!!!!!!

prIde---I (self) is in the middle of it all. 

Memo to prideful person: "Get over yourself." 
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

Drain those dregs of haugh-TEA-ness, pomposi-TEA, superiori-TEA and vani-TEA from your life's cuppa and allow the Lord to serve you a cuppa humili-TEA from His wounded hands!

CROSSWORD CLUES

10/8/12

2 Down. Self importance. 3 letters.

Last weeks USA Today’s crossword puzzle clue had an easy answer. EGO.

This week as I have been preparing a lesson from James 4:1-10, I’ve come face to face with the sin of prIde, which is the result of an over-inflated ego.

An ego, simply stated, that……..

Edges

God

Out

The remedy for that sin, given both in James and Philippians, is humility. A “more of Thee and less of me” concept.

Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. ;(Philippians 2:3, CEB)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; (Philippians 2:3, NASB)

Putting self before God and others is sin---the clues to that truth are found in God’s word. 

Who inspires all scripture?

Three letters. Starts with G.

ABCs addendum

11/9/11 Late posting---still mulling over some comments/responses from Wednesday's blog.
Said mulling took awhile and the original words I wrote listing more ABCs have now been set aside. Certain implications began to become clear through e-mail comments and discussions with others as we began to see the "self" agenda/focus (or ABCs) of our own lives. Interestingly enough, ideas that were first tossed around---All 'Bout C limbing, All 'Bout C arping, All 'Bout C hallenging, were about "others." More often than not, a relative. Hm-m-m why is a negative ABC so much easier to see in lives of other people???

All 'Bout C heap---my daughter labeled me with that one. I negated it by saying I was just frugal and that didn't start w/ "c" so that didn't count. Yet, with Molly's label, I realized that for those who know us best, their perceptions of irregularities of our own lives and our penchants for "self-serving" or rationalization can offer opportunity for spiritual growth---finding balance. I realized that whether I'm frugal or cheap, the nomenclature doesn't matter---it's the intent of my heart. Am I watching my $$ as a good steward of God-given resources? Or....am I showing a lack of trust in His on-going provision by padding my accounts, just in case? Is that an obstacle for the spiritual growth of my own children? More mulling began.

Then the biggie came to the surface. Too many of us were focusing on others. Negatively focusing. That was not the intent of the ABCs blog. The intent was for a little soul-searching for ourselves, not bashing others--- a reminder that the tenets our lives need to be All 'Bout C hrist. An e-mail from Margie Honor had me immediately seeing her as All 'Bout C ompassion! Christ was all about compassion, so her life would be one for me to emulate in that area. Mercy might not be my spiritual gift but it doesn't mean that I can't grow in that area. Look around for positve ABCs in others & commend them. Use their "glowing" ABCs to spur positive "growing" ABCs for yourself!

Are you seeing faults in others easier than taking inventory of your own ABCs? If so, take heed, lest you too shall fall.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (I Corinthians 10:12)

Those are my additional thoughts, what are yours?

Forgive Me....

1/14/11 Forgiving Fridays are easier to write about than to practice. Yesterday I semi-publically (is that a euphemism for a public of fewer than 5) made a comment that I very much regretted. It wasn’t exactly the words as much as the implication---the slight rolling of the eyes. It was the skepticism in my heart. I should have been rejoicing at the comment that someone was attending church.
CONVICTION had me return later in the day and ask forgiveness of the one whose comment I was somehow questioning. She was very gracious and said she hadn’t thought a thing about it. She did accept my forgiveness.
Now the next phase has entered, I can’t seem to forgive myself. I keep taking it around the block with me---can’t let it go----beating myself up about it. Is it fear of what others must think of me as I have shown my sinful self? Pride? Is there more I am to do?
God said do you believe my Word, Dotsy? I forgive you.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. (Micah 7:18)

Forgive me Lord. Forgive me for not taking you at your Word and relishing your forgiveness and mercy, thereby forgiving myself.