Behavior

Integrity

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Honesty…sincerity…trustworthy…truthfulness…decency…morality…respectable.  These are rare qualities in today’s world.  We all have sinned and have done things against the will of God.  Admitting we are wrong is so difficult when the world keeps sending out messages that ‘Me’ first is how we should want to live.  It is true that God is love, however, this does not mean any and all behaviors are acceptable to Him…take a look at Proverbs 6:16-19 or Proverbs 8:13 for some examples of behaviors God despises.  We live in a fallen and broken world and our ability to admit and confess when we are wrong is the starting point to turning away from behaviors that hurt ourselves and others.  Amen.

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9

(This photo was taken in July of 2016 while traveling through North Dakota)

Be Humble

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When we take time to reflect and think about how we interact with others and what our relationships with others look like, what do we see?  Are we good listeners?  Do we seek feedback?  How do we handle missteps or miscommunications?  The triat of humility is lost on many in the world.  If we want to learn about it we should read about the ultimate example of humility in the bible, turn to the Gospel of John, chapter 13…that is a standard of humility all of us can learn from…may we all seek to find ways to be humble in this world.  Amen.

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“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

John 13:13-15

(This photo was taken in June of 2013 in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado)

Trust

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Why is it so hard?  What are we trusting?  If my foundation of trust is related to how everything affects me…I will have very little trust of others…and they with the same perspective will have very little trust in me.  If everyone has a center of self, then we all will be disappointed, frustrated and unable to trust.  Stephen Covey talks about trust in relationships as an emotional bank account…with deposits and withdrawals.  These are the behaviors we exhibit in our relationships.  The faith perspective is what relationship is at the center of your life, your heart and your mind?  Is it you with everyone else…or is it Christ and your relationship with Him?  The world tells you that you are at the center of everything…the Scriptures tells us that Christ should be.  This is a change in values, a change in perspective, a change in attitude…it takes time and Jesus Christ will be there with you every single step of the way.  Amen.

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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 while on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Walk In Love

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The commandments that Jesus himself recognized as the greatest commandments are about love.  Jesus said…“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it:  ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and prophets hang on these two commandments.”  (Matthew 22:37-40)  One the most popular parts of the Bible 1 Corinthians 13 is all about Love.  So what does it mean to walk in love?  It is about attitude and behaviors towards God, yourself and towards others.  It does not mean all behavior is permissible…sin is still sin.  However, we are all guilty, we are all broken and we all do not deserve His forgiveness.  No one sin is greater than another, that is worldly talk.  When you want a reminder of what it means to walk in love go back and read 1 Corinthians 13, it speaks specifically to us about what behaviors constitute love.  May God’s love be in you and flow through you.

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“And this is love:  that we walk in obedience to his commands.  As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

2 John 6

(This photo was taken in July of 2012 on a walk in northwestern Wisconsin)

Strength Of Character

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When one describes the character of a person they talk about a list of elements that are a combination of a person’s behaviors and attitude.  I have often heard statements like ‘well this is just who I am’ or ‘that is just the way he is’ as if at some point in life our behaviors and attitudes have stopped forming, changing or growing and have now solidified and are permanent.  I have been guilty of this way of thinking myself at times.  However, in the study of faith and in God’s Word the message of hope and transformation are central to the spiritual life.  If anything our attitude and how we behave are two things we do have the ability to choose every day and these are influenced and can grow if we are open to it.  Don’t give up on hope and transformation for yourself or somebody else…things may not change in the way or at the time you would prefer but our life is not about everything being perfect according to our timing, rather it is about God’s plan and His time.  Trust Him and believe in Hope and Transformation…when you read about what He has done in the past you know He is working for the good of all people.  May God’s peace be with you.

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

(This photo was taken in August of 2016 in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)