fI am always amazed at how many opinions I have and how freely I throw them around. I am also amazed at how hurtful they can be and how wrong my opinions look to me a couple of weeks later.
When I am honest with myself I can see where my selfish words and self-seeking attitude has brought needless pain and heartache to others. Part of the story of what God has done in me is that
I am much more careful of how I say things and much more considerate of what my words mean to those around me.
Do you ever accidentally get it wrong and hurt people in the process?
We are in the middle of a large transition. God's hand has guided us in this decision and has given us favor among our Freedom family. This gracious way of 'leaving' and this honoring of the other over the honoring of ourselves is the mark we want to hit during this time of transition.
And the wrong words and the wrong attitude (even an accidental word or attitude) can take away from God being rightly honored.
We all know that wrongly placed words can hurt people. Worse then wrongly placed words or false and inaccurate information is a potentially divisive spirit that looks for problems where none exist and spreads gossip as if God enjoyed it. God is not honored nor is He pleased when we shape events He is orchestrating into events we can manipulate and make petty.
Please do everything to avoid mean-spirited talk or empty-headed chatter.
Please do share the stories of the new relationships and experiences this year, share about what you learned about the Lord, and tell how you got closer to Jesus this year (and are looking more like Him!).
Please do talk about the church plant and what God is doing. Be encouraged to ask all the questions you want and to engage in the discussion of what God is doing.
God will be honored as we tell the story of His people--you and me--walking hand in hand in obedience and peace and joy.
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