7 Thieves that Rob You of Time

Weekly Contributor, Kim Brenneman

Before exposing the time thieves let’s look at what the scriptures say about time and how we are to use it.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ~ Ephesians 5:15&16

We understand God's will for our time when we study the scriptures. It’s certainly not found in this common thought, “I just listened to my heart.” This phrase is often used to explain a questionable decision. What guides every little decision you make from the moment you rise up until the moment you fall asleep?

Jeremiah 17:9 says, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and test the mind,to give every man according to his ways,according to the fruit of his deeds.

It is natural but wrong to trust our hearts to lead us in our use of time. And so it takes deliberate thought and effort on our part to seek God’s priorities.


The verses preceding Ephesians 5:15-16 teach us many things about living the Christian life. A short list includes:

• Be imitators of God
• Walk in love
• Be moral
• Be pure
• Let there be thanksgiving
• Do not associate with the sons of disobedience
• Walk as children of light
• Discern what is pleasing to the Lord
• Take no part in and expose unfruitful works of darkness

Another short list from the verses following 15-16:

• Do not get drunk but be controlled by the Spirit
• Address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
• Give thanks always and for everything
• Submit to one another
• Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
• Let the wife see that she respects her husband
• Honor your father and mother

Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 further guide women. The Proverbs 31 lady embodies everything listed above in a practical way. She is strong and dignified, trustworthy and excellent; she’s not idle and laughs at the days to come. In Titus 2 we are specifically instructed:

• To be reverent in behavior
• To be not slanderers or slaves to too much wine
• To teach what is good and so train the young women to love their husbands and children
• To be self-controlled
• To be pure
• To work at home
• To be kind
• To be submissive to our husbands

When we don’t keep our priorities in line with scripture we rob God of His best use of time in our lives. Are we running from God’s will? The reason we run from God’s will is the heart (Jeremiah 17:9). We need to put off the old woman and put on the new by the renewing our minds (Ephesians 4:22). We need God to perfect our hearts everyday through prayerful repentance.

In no particular order here is a list of seven thieves that rob us of time.

1. Television and Books - When I stopped watching daytime television as a young mom, I taped Philippians 4:8 to the front of the idiot box which reads, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
   
   That verse also led me to avoid certain genres of books. Both television and books can be means of escapism. We don’t need to be caught up in someone else’s imaginary world. God gave us a life to live! What we are to be is controlled by the Holy Spirit. We can relax and have down time without offending Him.
2. Computer - We need fellowship with other believers but often we exchange relationships with real people in our physical community for relationships with people in a narrow little band of online people that believe every little thing exactly like we do. The Proverbs 31 lady was in her community, her husband was honored at the city gates because of her renown, she extended her hand to the poor, and more.
   
   Online communities can be a venue of encouragement and relation to others, but spend more time getting to know your neighbors. Be salt and light!
   
   Computer rabbit trails also steal time from our first priorities. Be careful, be wise, make a plan for the time you spend online and use a timer.
3. Poor Planning  - Do you wonder what you’re supposed to be doing when you look around at a big mess? Do you drive like crazy and never accomplish anything of real purpose? Do you stare into the cupboard and wonder what you’re supposed to make for supper? You’re wasting time. Plan your work and work your plan. Work on being efficient and you will accomplish so much more.
4. Health and Sleep - When we don’t take care of our health we get slow and sleepy. When we take care to eat and drink right, take supplements, get exercise and sunshine, we have energy to be our best.
   
   Women are often sleepy and sluggish when they need to take better care of their health. Rise up and go for a walk! Maybe you need to walk on over to the doctor to have a chat about it, or to the health food store for B vitamins, or to the pantry to throw out all the junk. Get healthy!
5. Over Committed - Are you over committed? Start prioritizing and making your allotted hours in the week fit God’s top priorities. Who or what is getting the best of your time? When we try to do everything we do nothing well. Focus on your first priorities and then carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully refine them before adding to them.
6. Telephone, Email, IM and Gadding About - We women like to talk and oftentimes this gets us into trouble. The Bible warns against the misuse of our tongue in 1 Timothy 5:13, "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."
   
   It’s an old, old problem. Don’t be an idler, gossip, or busybody going about from house to house via the telephone, email, IM, or visiting. Save your talk time and be meaningful with it. There is no need to say the same thing five different ways in your conversation. In doing these things you are stealing your own time, God’s time, and the correspondent’s time. Give thought to your words.
7. Disobedient Children - Disobedient children take your time through cleaning their messes, repairing their destruction, threatening and repeating, arguing with them, and mental anguish. Unruly children are not enjoyable. They will rob you not only of time but also relationships. Your friends may avoid your family because of your children. Babysitters don’t want to have to deal with them.
   
   Do something about it. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Pray for wisdom. Enforce consequences and make the consequences mean something. Spend time with them teaching them respectful behavior. It takes time and deliberate thought and action on your part to teach them obedience and manners.

Blessings,

Kim Brenneman

Kim is the joyful wife of Matt and the blessed mother of nine children.

When not busy homeschooling and farmschooling, she enjoys writing, gardening, cooking, reading, sewing, and crafting.

Kim lives on a farm in Iowa where her family grows beef cattle, corn and beans, and operates a micro-dairy selling cheese at farmer’s markets. She loves to write and speak about her passion for home and family. She is the author of Large Family Logistics: The Art and Science of Managing the Large Family. She blogs about the same subject at:
http://largefamilylogistics.blogspot.com.

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Fix That Leaky Faucet!

And a Titus 2sday Linkup!!

Introducing our host today, Jessica Heights...

Jessica is a passionately Christian, blissfully wed, full-time homemaker and mother of four. She is the author and founder of Muthering Heights and Other Senseless Sensibility, in which she grows alongside and encourages women as they blossom as mothers, wives, seekers of truth and conduits of grace. She is also a co-host of Relevant and a contributing writer to Raising Homemakers, and Christmas Change.



If there is one area you could improve in your marriage – specifically in your treatment of your husband - what would it be?

Sadly, if many husbands were asked this same question, referring to your treatment of him, they may offer a different answer than you might think. And so today, I’d like to address a topic that I’m sure will hit home for nearly all of the wives out there: resisting the womanly urge to become a “dripping faucet” in our husband’s lives; aka, a NAG.

As women, I feel that it’s easy to fall into a pattern of needling our husbands when they repeatedly annoy us. Doesn’t it seem as though your husband required a thousand reminders about even the smallest thing?? Doesn’t he seem to need your direction on just about everything???

The short answer is NO!

I probably just lost half of you, but stay with me here, ladies: if you strive to make your home a haven for your family, a place lit by loving camaraderie and mutual esteem, why on earth would you want to make the man to whom you joined your life uncomfortable there? Who {especially a male “who”} wants to spend their time in the presence of a pugnacious person every single day?


…and a quarrelsome wife
is like a constant dripping.
~ Proverbs 19:13b


So what is a wife to do?

I’ve outlined a few points that have helped me to avoid becoming contentious to my husband. While I’m certainly not a perfect wife, keeping these things in mind helps me to stay focused on being his crown, rather than a constant dripping!

1. Choose your battles.
   
   
   Better to live on a corner of the roof
   than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
   ~ Proverbs 21:9
   
   
   When Jordan and I were newly married, I began to notice some little habits of his that, to be quite frank, drove me crazy {yes, he knows I’m sharing these things with you}. The first is that he never closed a door – closet or cabinet. I would walk through our apartment to find every door he had touched ajar. The second is that somehow, he managed to teleport out of his clothing without pulling it apart; I was quite literally pulling shirts, undershirts, pants, underwear, and socks apart for each of his outfits every time I did the laundry!!
   
   At that point in our marriage, he was working so much that I only saw him for about two hours or so each night. Rather than ruining that time with him by reminding him of the fact that he wasn’t living up to my expectations of door-closing practices and undressing techniques, or complaining that he left his clothing entangled, I made a choice. I decided that the two seconds it took me to reach my hand out to close a door was not worth risking an argument. I did, however, ask him to please pull his clothing apart as he deposited it into the hamper…and lo and behold, he was happy to do so!
   
   
2. Speak to him gently.
   
   
   A gentle answer turns away wrath,
   but a harsh word stirs up anger.
   ~ Proverbs 15:1
   
   
   Let’s revisit the scenario above. If your best friend, your closest and most treasured female companion was engaging in those particular behaviors, would you storm up to her and bellow “What is wrong with you?? Can’t you SEE the hamper 3 feet in front of you???? WHY can’t you do something as simple as pulling your underwear out of your pants? Are you incapable of closing a door?? Were you raised in a BARN?” or sigh audibly and stomp around to show her how righteously angry you are? I would hope not! {And if you answered yes, how many close friends do you really have?}
   
   Your husband is far more than your best friend; the two of you are one! He is your mate, your leader, your lifelong counterpart whom you owe respect, affection and grace. Instead, of spewing out commands, insults, or even using an acrid tone, simply ask gently! Remember that bit about attracting more flies with honey? It’s applicable to your man as well!! Because I was kind in my request concerning the clothing, my husband was more than happy to undress in a more contentious manner.
   
   
3. Nix that critical tongue!
   
   
   Reckless words pierce like a sword,
   but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
   ~ Proverbs 12:8
   
   
   Let’s face facts: no one likes to have their flaws and shortcomings magnified, discussed, and regularly picked apart. I repeat: No. One.
   
   Imagine that your husband has just returned home from work. For all you know, he had the WORST day of his life, and hoped to find some reprieve when he came home…but instead, he is greeted by snarling criticism. Wouldn’t that just make him want to hurry home into your presence the next time he left the house?
   
   If your husband treated you that way, imagine how quickly the barbs of his words would bring you to your knees! Again, if you would not treat a friend in this manner, you must never behave this way toward your husband!! Rather, you should endeavor to regularly compliment him, as a means to build him up. Now, I’m not insinuating that you need to shower him with praise every minute. But by keeping your focus on the positive, he will feel respected and cherished. In addition, when the majority of your speech is positive, it will create focus on the concerns you voice {gently}, and demonstrate that doing what you ask is important to you.
   
   
4. You are his wife, NOT his mommy.
   
   
   Your desire will be for your husband…
   ~ Genesis 3:16b
   
   
   Listen to me here, ladies: you are not raising your husband!
   
   The meaning behind the verse listed above raises a very important point. Due to the sinful, fallen nature of humanity, women have a natural desire to control their husbands. We try to micro-manage them. Manipulate them. Change them. We just can’t help ourselves, can we?
   
   Your husband may have habits, some trivial {like my silly laundry problem}, and some gravely serious sin issues that have roots in his childhood. Your continual digging at him will never change those things. It will only make you seem like a constant dripping! Rather, with loving, supportive words from you, prayer may be the only way to help him overcome larger issues and hurts.
   
   What you need to understand is this: it is not your job to “fix” him!! Some things may never change. If his mother trained him carelessly when he was a child, the fault for that is on her head, not yours. As his wife, your place is to prayerfully support him in overcoming. Stop trying to hold the world on your shoulders, girl! Give these things to God!
   
   
5. Bottom line: you married a human being.
   
   
   Be completely humble and gentle;
   be patient, bearing with one
   another in love.
   ~ Ephesians 4:2
   
   
   Unless you know something I don’t about your husband, you married a flawed, fleshly sinner. {If you have a Stepford husband, feel free click your remote, start a foot massage, and skip to my next post. But for the rest of you, this is important!}
   
   He is going to make mistakes. He will annoy you. He will forget to do things you’ve asked him to do, he will fall back into negative behavioral patterns, and will be snared by the devil into issues of sin. This is why he needs you-his helpmeet, companion, and other half--to offer your steadfast support and to lift him up in prayer!! You would crumble internally if your husband expected you to me superwoman…so conversely, you cannot expect him to be superman!!!!
   
   It has been said many times, by many people that love is a choice. That is not only true for you, but also for your husband. For goodness’ sake ladies, in a world that holds so many things fighting to seduce your husband’s heart away from you, fix that faucet and make it an easy choice!!
   

If you have any questions or comments, you can contact Jessica through her website, Muthering Heights:



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{TITUS 2} SDAYS

Come and join me on Tuesdays starting January 11th (yes that's this coming Tuesday) so that together we can encourage one another in faith!




The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour
as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to
much wine, teachers of good things; That they may
teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands,
to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at
home, good, obedient to their own husbands,
that the word of God be not blasphemed.
~ Titus 2:3-5


I'm asking bloggers to link up posts that will encourage women to joyfully live out their roles as wives and keepers of their homes. So if you have posts on marriage, parenting, housekeeping, or recipes, join us by linking up here!

I'll post my article late Monday night or early Tuesday morning along with a button code that you can use on your site, and a linky tool to add your button to my post.

So get your posts ready to go and come back here Tuesday morning.

This is a brand new meme, but I think we're going to have a lot of fun sharing the Word, sharing ideas, and encouraging one another in faith.

Not a blogger? Not a problem! I think you'll enjoy following the links that you'll find.

See you on 2sday!

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

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An Exhortation to Young Wives

Dear Darlene,

I read your article about the woman who’s husband would set up his saw in their bedroom and how his wife would look past his faults.

I wish I had been that woman. I went into marriage with the story book idea of living happily ever after. When my ‘knight in shining armor’ turned out to be just a local peasant, I turned bitter. I was constantly on his case trying to change him into the person I wanted him to be. Every little thing he did that displeased me became blown out of proportion and I made sure to point his faults out constantly.

I went through years of hell wishing I had never married him and wishing he were someone else. I never really took a good long look at myself or saw what a nag I had become. I got angry when others would say how ‘hen pecked’ my husband had become, and I would think that they didn’t really know this man like I did.

When Jesus came into my life I began to see my faults and began to change a lot of my actions. I finally learned to live in contentment and be thankful for the great man I had. I couldn’t believe how he stood by me all those years.

Suddenly my husband passed away after 35 years of marriage, and now I am alone.

I am writing this in the hopes that some of the younger women will change their minds and attitudes before it's too late. For every fault you see in your husband you will find as many, or more, in yourself. Learn to be content with what you have and build on that foundation.

The funny thing is that those little things he used to do--the things that would annoy me so much--are the things that I miss the most now. I miss him leaving his clothes lying around. I miss him taking so much time in the bathroom. I miss having to clean up after him. But most of all--I miss him.

I wish I could have started out my marriage with God in control, because I wouldn’t have so many regrets today.

We don’t realize what we have till it is taken from us.

Anonymous



The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour
as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given
to much wine, teachers of good things;

That they may teach the young women to be sober,
to love their husbands, to love their children,

to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,
obedient to their own husbands, that the word
of God be not blasphemed.
~ Titus 2:3-5



Have you been to "Women Living Well?" She's started a new meme today called "Living Well Wednesdays," where you can find women encouraging each other in their faith.



For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

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The "X" List

My bedroom was a typical 17-year-old’s room: a single bed, vanity dresser, enough make-up to stock a large drugstore, and “Africa” skipping on an old 45. I had my own telephone line, a black and white television, and a full-length mirror that Dad hung on the back of my door to free up some bathroom time for him and my mom.

Scotch taped next to the mirror was a piece of stationery with the words, “Ten Things I Want in A Husband” printed across the top:

1. Christian
2. 5’10” – 6’0”
3. Likes music and singing
4. Blonde or light brown hair
5. Born in 1960-1965
6. Blue eyes
7. Likes the Bible
8. Likes kids
9. Assertive
10. Good sense of humor

As you can see, my list was quite specific, and I prayed over it seven days a week (probably twice on Sundays).

Not included on the list of “Hopes and Dreams” were expectations. The expectation list existed, but I kept it in an entirely different place. It was written on the inside of my heart. The "X List" I’ll call it was compiled by assumptions I had collected over time. Contributing sources to this list had stepped in and out of my life over the years, but each one had left their impression:

• Boys that broke my heart
• Television heart throbs
• My father
• Rock stars with their soothing lyrics
• Athletes
• Comedians
• Friends
• Magazine photos
• Romance novels
• Chick flicks

My ideal man was a work of art sculpted by the mind of a die-hard romantic, and designed by the unrealistic desires I held. My future husband had a lot to live up to.

God gifts men in a number of ways: intelligence, strength, talent, skill, wisdom, courage, sensitivity, humor, financial success, and the list goes on… Men might have one or several of these gifts, but I have yet to meet a man who possesses them all. God didn't create perfect human beings--you, me, our husband's... we're all sinners saved by grace. Every one of us comes complete with flaws that we struggle to overcome.


For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,)
dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present
with me; but how to perform that which is
good I find not.
~ Romans 7:18, KJV


And then there are fruit of the spirit, which are evident in those who walk with the Lord:


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things
there is no law.
~ Galatians 5:22-23, NIV


And yet there isn’t a man alive who lives in the fullness of that Spirit every moment of every day. And there won’t be until we are finished our earthly battle with the flesh. One may for a season or two, but unlike Christ he will eventually fall and disappoint someone in the flesh.

So here we have our expectations of a man in one hand and our husband in the other, who we’ve come to realize isn’t all that we expected. You wanted fun on Friday nights, not sluggish on Saturdays. You wanted courageous, not weak. And you wanted a man who’d walk through the door with a dozen roses after work, but instead you get a dozen reasons why he’s too tired to take you out.

The problem here isn’t our husband, it’s that the level of expectation we hold is outshining his character. When we measure him up against the weight of expectation, we are left with an unbalanced scale.

When we first moved into this house our walls were white. Every room, every wall, and every door was egg shell white. Before long the boys had scuffed up the front entrance, and there were a few hand prints that wanted to stay. The rest of the place looked great, if not for the boot marks that made the entrance look dirty.

I remembered the painters had left a can of white paint in the laundry room, so I decided to give it a quick touch up, but once the paint dried I had an entirely different problem—I now had “white” scuffs on my walls. It looked like I washed a portion of the wall while the rest of the room was dirty. Not good.

Lives are much the same way. They can be the most beautiful shade of white until we compare it with the vibrant white of the "X list." People have scuffs, and people have scratches; that’s the beauty of who they are. Take a look at furniture these days and you’ll see all of the work that goes into making the cupboards, the tables, and chairs look used. There's beauty to be found in character flaws.

Do we excuse his sin? No. I’m not asking you to do that, but I am asking you to look past the human frailty of a man to seek his beauty by removing the weight of expectation we hold. That's how we balance the scale!

You are loved by an almighty God,

Darlene

For comments or questions, contact me at:
darlene[at]darleneschacht.net

THIS Is The Day

It seems as though I have heard a whisper in my ear since the day both of my children were born, reminding me to live for the day, to enjoy the process, to not wish the time away, daily... minute by minute...

As I have observed and listened I have also learned a lot from things I have heard others say such as...

"I sure wish she'd learn to sleep through the night!"

"Life will be easier when he can EAT something, and he's not so dependent on ME!"

"Diapers are so expensive. It'll be nice when she's potty trained."

(TICK...TICK...TICK..TICK...)

"I wish she'd learn to walk..."

"All she knows how to say is "NO!"

"All I do is chase her around all day!"

"It'll be nice when she can talk, and tell me what she wants!"

(TICK...TICK...TICK...TICK...)

"Just think, soon she'll be in kindergarten, and I'll have some time to myself!"

"I need a break!"

"Boy is it hard getting up early and driving them to school every day!"

"I look forward to the day when I can sleep in again!"

(TICK...TICK...TICK..TICK...)

"I think we need a bigger house..."

"My husband wants another job..."

"My kids need a bigger yard..."

"These kids sure do make a mess!"

(TICK...TICK...TICK...TICK...)

"She sure does talk a lot!"

"I feel like all I do is drive my kids around! I'm exhausted!"

"It was so much easier when they were little!"

"I don't FEEL like shopping for clothes with my daughter."

(TICK...TICK...TICK...TICK...)

Recently my husband and I were helping my daughter with an essay she has to write for one of her college classes. COLLEGE?! Oh, Lord.... Have I enjoyed the process? I am reminded of a song by Nicole Nordeman that says: "I'm going to live for today, I'm going to follow in Your way, I'm going to let my little light shine like there's no tomorrow..."

How can we, as moms, be a light? By rejoicing in and enjoying the process, and living for today.


This is the day which the LORD hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
~ Psalm 118:24


IT WILL PASS SO FAST... DON'T WISH IT AWAY!

The process may be hard and some details are more challenging than others, but we can rejoice in them, and even enjoy them if we choose the right perspective. GOD'S PERSPECTIVE. GOD'S CALLING. AND A WATCHING WORLD...WATCHING HOW WE WILL LIVE THE DETAILS OF OUR CALLING.

So, enjoy the process and "let that little light shine like there's no tomorrow!!"


Our guest today is Gina, a Christ follower, who desires to glorify God in all that she does. Gina became a self proclaimed "old lady" after reading and studying what the Bible says, in Titus 2, about the role of "older women." She prays that she will continue to grow into that role, and most importantly, to LIVE OUT THE GOSPEL and live life WITH you!

You can find her blogging at "Chats With An Old Lady" where she is continually growing and challenging readers to also grow in their faith.

For questions or comments, contact Gina through her website: click here

Am I Good Enough?

Before I clicked publish on this blog, I asked myself, "Am I good enough?" Am I good enough to call myself a Time-Warp Wife? Just because I seek to return to the time-past values I cherish, can I wear that title now--today? Am I good enough to share my beliefs and convictions with others, when I've failed so miserably myself?

I look around the room, and although I've cleaned the house this afternoon it looks like a hurricane hit it tonight. My profile photo is perfect, but I sit here and type in a white robe and socks. My hair is tied back in a pony, and my bangs are unkempt. I sent the children to bed hours ago, and I still hear the shuffle of papers in my daughter's room. She's anxious for school as we all are.

"Go to sleep, Sweetie," I remind her, before she enters the hall for one more trip to the loo. I strive for order in the house, but it gets the best of me most days.

Am I good enough, Lord?

My laundry is backed up, we have few socks to wear, and I have windows to wash. We vacuumed twice today, but the bird had a party in his cage, and seed needs to be vacuumed again.

I'm not a Caroline Ingalls, Olivia Walton, or June Cleaver. I've disappointed my friends, my Lord, and my husband at times. I feel that disappointment today and it wrenches my heart. Loneliness, fear and heartbreak set in.

Am I good enough, Lord?

A voice inside tells me I'm not. It points out my failures and my shortcomings. It reminds me of the many times I've driven my children to school and forgotten a lunch, a note or their gym clothes. It tells me that that I'm disorganized and that I don't measure up to other women my age. It tells me that I'm a sinner unworthy to stand before God.

And then I hear another voice that gently speaks:

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:3-5, NIV

Again I ask, am I good enough Lord? Can I be that faithful servant with every shortcoming I have?

I find the answer in 2 Corinthians...

"Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you." - 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, The Message

Photo credit: Michael Schacht