Being Deceived – now THAT’s scary!

James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desire; he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin and sin when full grown gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived my dear brothers.

Deceived: The act of being misled. Entice: Lure, tempt, snare, hook, seduce

James, the writer uses ‘my dear brothers’ in the verse. That means he’s speaking to fellow believers. Yes, believers in Jesus can be deceived…by their own (evil) desire. What has so enticed you that it has dragged you away from your sweet fellowship you had with Jesus? Maybe you have fed that enticement and it now has a stronghold on you? Can’t you smell it? The stench of decay? It is a slow death to your commitment to grow closer to your Lord. Death of a promise to your children. Death of your peace. Death of your "I'm going to live christ-like at school this year". Birth to anger, tension and frustration. Birth to a walk of laziness and self-focus. Can’t you see where it has or will lead to? The Bible tells us to run from sin. God has warned us of that snare.
I got good news for you my dear friend. The good news of the gospel. Jesus is in the soul resurrection business. He’s the light we’re to follow. We’re not to walk blindly as others walk. Take off the blindfold of deception and return in repentance and obedience to Jesus. Hey, he’s calling for you now...

Father, there have been many times when I willfully, not blindly, ran to sin. Thank you Lord for the forgiveness you extend. Thank you for the chastisement…it has let me know you love me. Thank you for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Thank you I am not who I was and for molding me into being who you want me to be.

Woods Reality

Tim and I went for a hike before we went to work this morning. We live beside Jenning State Forest. God has truly blessed us as it gives us great pleasure to walk in the forest beauty. As we walked this morning I learned a few things. God used them to speak to me in their application of areas in my life but use your own imagination.

When you are following someone too closely, you can get slapped by the branches recoiling.
When you’re staring at your footpath, you can walk into big ol’ honkin spiderwebs.
When you’re focusing ahead, your feet can get tangled in the vines and cause you to trip.
As I tripped, I reached out for support. The support had thorns that hurt.
Turkey tracks are best seen in sand. Deer tracks are best seen in the mud.
My neck itches!
Purple mushrooms?
God is amazing in His detail.
I love hiking with my husband. I'm ready for some hot coffee - again!

A great weekend!

My family and I had a great camping weekend, so much so we played hookie on Monday and spent another quiet family day together camping. Friday-Sunday we had at least 75 people there @ Yogi by my count. Lots of fun, games and fellowship. Sunday, Tyler Denmark (sorry, Taylor?) Kelsey B and Trey led our service in worship then CJ taught our adult Sunday School lesson. Awersome. Sitting there under the oak trees, Bibles open, listening to the word of God being taught. Just as in the days of old....
Sunday was so pretty Tim said we were going to have another day, just us to enjoy some family time. Ping pong (2 games!) swimming in the beachfront - yes with Clyde! He loved it. Dinner was a mix of leftovers...it was edible... and then a trip to DQ for some ice cream. What a great day! Making family memories...I love it.
p.s. Thanks Edwards and Gandys for the firewood and thanks Kalinas and Edwards for the offer of groceries for our unexpected night..it was SO sweet of you to offer...I think my family thinks I should have taken the chops!! :)