Everyday MattersThere's a reason for everyday.
Despite the bad and the good, everyday matters. |
7/16/2021
SignificanceFriday Matters-July 16, 2021
Everyday Stripped of Titles I’ve been going through what I describe as a “stripping away” from titles that made me feel important. I chose to step down as an artistic director, a spokesperson for a noble organization but I didn’t realize how important these titles made me feel. In Colossians 3:4 God told me, be content with obscurity, like Christ. I was to be content with being unimportant. When Jesus said, “Become like a “little child,” He meant we’re to be willing to accept ourselves as least in importance. The least is a symbol of those who have the lowest places in society; the poor and the oppressed, the prostitutes, the tax collectors. But Jesus concern was that these should not be despised or treated as inferior (Matthew 18:10). He was well aware of their feelings of shame, and because of their humility and His compassion they were of REALLY great value. God’s grace falls on us not because of our titles in society, but because it’s His good pleasure to love us just as we are…everyday. 7/15/2021
Compassion with HurtsThursday Matters- July 15, 2021
Everyday Compassion in Challenges It was his first day back on the job after more than a year on disability leave due to a freak explosion in the plant that, among other injuries, left him legally deaf in both ears. But when he walked into the plant that morning several of his colleagues used sign language to say; “Great to see you,” “Welcome back” and “We missed you.” It turns out that nine of his colleagues got together and took a sign language course, just like he did, over the several months he was absent. They did this so they could easily communicate with him when he returned. This kind of compassion truly shows that people are what life is all about. Only people last forever and the way we treat others is the legacy we leave behind. I can’t help but think of that verse in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that says that with the compassion and love God’s shown to us; we too can show that to others…everyday. 7/14/2021
Selfless LoveWednesday Matters- July 14, 2021
Everyday What About Me Life isn’t all about me? Okay, but what do you think about me? There are all these others things more important than me and my needs but yet there is this loving personal God who says; “Talk to Me. I’m listening. I care. There’s a lot of ugliness and injustice in the world with war, loneliness, hunger, death and these issues are rooted in man’s rebellion. The answer is not to complain about how awful it all is or heap the blame on others. It’s to look at myself and understand that revival begins with me. It’s humility. Submitting to God and changing direction from thinking “life’s all about me.” Putting a Band-Aid, here and there, on this or that moral problem is not the answer. Throw-out your selfishness. Acknowledging the death and resurrection of Christ is the one foundation for Christian community and world peace. National and international meetings; crusades against immorality are good and have their places, but none of them is an adequate substitute for dying to self…everyday. 7/13/2021
JealousyTuesday Matters- July 13, 2021
Everyday Jealousy A few years ago I watched a music video of a woman I used to mentor. I was amazed at the talent and beauty she displayed. But instead of feeling happy for her, I was jealous; “Why her?” Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Jealousy is one of the most dangerous poisons which can literally destroy us. It’s challenging because we know we shouldn’t be jealous so we pretend it’s not happening and we find reasons why the other person shouldn’t have success. I called my husband and said; “I’m jealous.” As soon as I brought my jealousy to the light it no longer had power over me. I was able to congratulate my friend and the poison of envy didn’t infect me. We have a special friendship and I’m proud of her. King Solomon asks; “Who can stand before jealousy?” No one can because it’s as cruel as the grave. It’s hard to be honest about this part of our lives, the jealousy that creeps in so let God show you the success He has for you by you BEING YOU…everyday. 7/12/2021
Loving Others AuthenticallyMonday Matters-July 12, 2021
Everyday Dorothy of Kansas Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Ya know, the question which Glenda asks Dorothy before her ruby slippers can bring her back to Kansas is one I’ve asked myself when trying to understand my own dramas. "Dorothy, what have you learned?" "Well, I guess it wasn't enough just to want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em and its if I ever go looking for my heart's desire, I'll look no further than my own back yard because if it isn't there I never really lost it to begin with. Is that right?" "That's right, now those magic slippers will take you home in two seconds.” The scarecrow says, "That's so easy. I could've told her myself.” Wise Glenda replies, "No, she had to learn it for herself." We certainly can learn from what others experience but life’s lessons never seem to hit “home” until we’ve learned them for ourselves. Glenda may have been wise but Jesus is the way and Truth and without Him we’ll always be lost...everyday. 7/9/2021
Storms of LifeFriday Matters-July 9, 2021
Everyday Waves of Life My friend, Michelle, shared; “The waves (trials and circumstances) can be very real and overwhelming. The question is not whether or not I see them; the question is whether or not I see ONLY them. They are temporary, but they are tempting me away from the Eternal One. It's not about the waves; it's about walking...simply because He says ‘Come!’” That’s truth and it’s beautiful! It’s the truth we read in Mark 4:35-41. Jesus says to the disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake” but a furious storm of hurricane proportions arises with waves crashing into the boat. Where’s Jesus? He’s asleep inside the boat. “Master, don’t You care that we’re dying,” the disciples ask. Without answering Jesus rises and rebukes the wind and sea, “Be still,” He says and a great calm of perfect peacefulness comes. When Jesus says, “you’re gonna to get to the other side” you better believe you’re gonna see the other side no matter what stormy trial you’re facing. Go forward…everyday. 7/8/2021
His Peace Into Your Heart And SoulThursday Matters- July 8, 2021
Everyday Aslan like Jesus Reassures I love the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis and in the second book, Prince Caspian, there’s a wonderful illustration of how Aslan, the main character in the series, portrays the character of Jesus. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. There’s a scene where Aslan meets and comforts Susan; He’s all powerful but also gentle and compassionate. Aslan appears mysteriously to the four children to show them the way they should go in order to help Prince Caspian but because of her doubt, Susan is the last of the group to see Him. When she must greet Aslan, she’s crying and I expect that Aslan will reprimand Susan for her lack of faith but instead He says, “You have listened to your fears, child. Come, let Me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?” He doesn’t scold but instead breathes His peace into her heart and soul. This is so like God because as we read in 2 Corinthians 2: 3 the Father of mercies and God of all comfort longs to do the same for us...everyday. 7/7/2021
Guitar True LoveWednesday Matters- July 7, 2021
Everyday Guitar Love Relationships that rock your world in the worst way are ones we want ejected from our memory and our playlist of heartache. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. But the pain of the past doesn’t have to define your future. Janet shared; “It’s been ten years since my abusive ex-fiancé sold my favorite guitar. He sold it on the day I left him. When I went to claim my belongings, he was proud that he had sold it to a pawn shop. Luckily, I managed to track down the guy who bought it from the pawn shop. He was sweet, and gave it back to me for free, on the condition that I join him on his front porch to play guitar with him. We ended up sitting there on his porch for the rest of the afternoon playing music, and talking.” He’s been Janet’s husband for nine years now. With Jesus there’s redemption in all things, there really is. So, if you’re like me you need to pray something like; “I do believe God just help me in my unbelief…. everyday. 7/6/2021
A LIVING GodTuesday Matters- July 6, 2021
Everyday God IS Alive God’s not dead. He’s surely alive. The Newsboys sing about this. I like to talk about this. God’s living and actively concerned for our joy and well-being. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. Jesus is God and as Author and Pastor Timothy Keller explains, “Most people love those who love them, yet God loves and seeks even people who are His enemies.” The opposite of love is not anger, but indifference. “The more you love your son, the more you hate in him the liar, the drunkard, the traitor,” (E. Gifford). To imagine God’s situation, imagine a judge who also is a father, who sits at the trial of his guilty son. He knows his son deserves the punishment and as Judge He cannot let the crime go unpunished. So, He offers his child a way out. Admit the wrong and accept the Judge’s pardon, or ignore the Judge’s offer and suffer the punishment. Jesus is the pardon, but only if accepted—Everyday. 7/5/2021
Questions for MomsMonday Matters-July 5, 2021
Everyday Mom Questions I remember the season well in life when I had four sons under the age of 7 years old and it was constant busy and constant questions. Hey this is Debbie Griffith with Everyday Matters. I love my boys, don’t get me wrong but some days I thought I might explode if they asked me one more question with the sentence beginning with the word, “MOM______!” I remind young moms now, “The days are long but the years are short.” But no matter how many questions they asked I always wanted them to be sure that they knew they were being heard and, no matter what I would never stop loving them. The same is true with the love of Christ. There isn't anything about us or our questions that would cause Him to withdraw from us. He welcomes are questions and He’s okay with where we’re at. But never forget the life changing answer He gives us in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me…everyday. |
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