Do you know me?

I realize that our influence is important, that at times we have to stop and consider the impact our actions have on other people. I also know that we can't and shouldn't live our lives based on the endless scrutiny of those around us. There will always be others who disapprove of our choices and actions. The key is to "live in good conscience before all men."

Now I can't say that I have always lived in good conscience, or that I don't have any regrets for decisions I have made - I have plenty. I do however TRY to live life to the fullest and with the manner and character that sets a godly standard of behavior that others can see in my actions and behaviors.

All of that brings me to the point of this blog - DO YOU KNOW ME? What I mean by that is do you know me well enough to give me the benefit of the doubt when questions arise? Do you know me well enough to ask or inquire if you have a concern? Do you know me well enough to judge me based on a single comment, facebook post, or circumstance that seems uncharacteristic.

In the past week or so I have had two situations arise that made me question the public nature in which we live our lives (our pre-occupation with everyone's facebook pages),and  people's ability to quickly pass judgment on others. The first situation involved a distant acquaintance who, after looking over my daughter's facebook page (my daughter he has NO relationship with), decided she needed to be called in question over her interest in the Hogworts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No she isn't a witch or sorcerer, but loves the Harry Potter books. The inquiry went beyond appropriate concern to an almost Pharisee-like pre-occupation with judging.

The second incident had to do with posting a facebook picture of me drinking Butter Beer (a creme soda) on my profile page. I was reminded that some people may not know that is a soft drink I am holding in the picture. So that raises the question, "Do you know me?" Are you willing to give me the benefit of the doubt?

I had a preacher friend who went in a bar looking for the wayward son of a church member. Now had you seen this man walking into the honky tonks and bars around Ft. Bragg, NC would you have judged him on what you saw, or given him the benfit of the doubt.

Lesson for the Day: "Let's be really, really careful on how we judge others!"

Where are your priorities?

This week our small group discussion centered on Mary & Martha (Luke 10:38-42). For those who grew up in church it is a familiar story, but for those who didn't here is my quick reader's digest version. Mary is sitting attentively at the feet of Jesus while Martha is upset because Mary won't help with the tasks that need to be completed. Martha is so upset she complains to Jesus only to be rebuked and told, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41, 42).

Now, clearly the lesson has to do with making Jesus a priority in our lives, but the more I have mulled this over in my head, I realize that this less has some other applications that I desparately need in my life. The most important is how I let unimportant things crowd out important things. I have always enjoyed having lots of irons in the fire and different projects to work on. I may take on extra consulting work, decide to build something in the shop area of my garage, or just wash, wax and pamper my Honda Shadow.

All those things are fine till they start interfereing with the priorities that must stay at the top of my list - three in particular:

1. Focusing on my relationship with God. Spending time in prayer, bible study and meditation.
2. Making sure my family knows they are a priority. It is one thing for me to think I am making them a priority, another thing altogether if the "FEEL" like a priority.
3. Finally, my work with African Christian Schools. Not only does this put bread on my table, help those struggling on the continent of Africa, but it is closely linked to my first priority.

It is hard sometimes not to be a Martha and point my fingers at others and see their failures. I realize I must work on myself first, but it is also challenging when I see others neglecting the three or four most important priorities in their life because they are simply too busy, or as the ESV says, "anxious and troubled about many things."

O.K. I will start with myself and clean some of the less important items off my to do list, but I am challenging my friends, family and acquaintances to do the same. Here is my recommendation to get things back in balance:

• Take inventory of what is really important and focus on those things.
• Quit decieving yourself into thinking you can do it all - you are short-changing yourself and others in the process.
• Make those top two or three things your masterpiece. Focus on the quality and not the volume of your efforts.