Flakiness is Better on Biscuits

There's nothing better on a Saturday morning than a fresh-baked batch of good 'ol buttery, flaky biscuits! Looking at this picture, can't you just smell 'em. Mmmmm...

Okay, okay. Now let's get to the point. Why am I bringing up biscuits? Because that's one of the few places where flakiness is actually appreciated. However, it's not too attractive on a person's character.

Be honest. Can people rely on you to keep your word? Let's do a check-up.

• Do you frequently make plans with friends or co-workers but end of backing out at the last minute?
• Do you sometimes over-promise and under-deliver to your employer, employees, or organization members?
• Are you nice to certain people only when you want something from them?
• Do you flippantly agree to support someone's fundraiser or cause but then renege when it's time to pay up?
• Do you "really" work only when being watched?
• Do you wait till the last minute to get a project done, then push your work off on others when the deadline approaches?
• Do you make excuses about why you couldn't follow up on an important phone call or email?
• Do you frequently keep others waiting on you?

If you just let out an "ouch" here and there as you read this, chances are you may be flaky. A flaky person is someone who is just plain unreliable. Now, I know that all of us have a little flakiness about us sometimes. But what I'm actually talking about are frequent offenders; those people who just don't have enough regard for others.

If you're honest enough to admit that you've committed some of the above offenses more often than not, there's no shame here. Admitting it is the first step. The next step is to find out why you behave this way, then pray and ask God to help you change.

There used to be an old saying back in the 80's, "word is bond." It was a way of saying, "You can depend on me." People who are known for being dependable have far better relationships and far more peaceful lives. God desires that for you. Do you desire it for yourself?

Let's take to heart what God's Word has to say about empty promises.

"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." ~ Matthew 5:33-37

Remember, flakiness is only appreciated on biscuits :-)

The Push Precedes the Promise

I saw this and absolutely HAD to share it! Sometimes we're on the verge of a breakthrough, and all we need is a PUSH.

Even Eagles Need a Push Movie | Even Eagles Need a Push

Where Are Your Stretch Marks?

Yes, I had the nerve to bring up stretch marks!... But not the ones you think. I'd like to engage you into a little deeper thought. In case you didn't know, I usually find spiritual analogy in just about anything :)

Question(s): When was the last time that you truly went out of your way to help someone else?You know - got out of your comfort zone, threw convenience to the wind, and really went the EXTRA mile, no matter how exasperating the process was. When was the last time you didn't pause to psychoanalyze or critically judge another person's outer package and just delved into your compassion, followed the Holy Spirit's lead, and produced what, to the that person, seemed like a miracle, but to you was just a mere unconditional act of human kindness?

Personally, I've been on both sides of this proverbial coin - as the stretcher and as the reacher (if you will). Neither position feels good at first. When my lifestyle conditions were up, I have to admit I wasn't always as conscientious about other peoples' plights as I should have been. As the reacher, I often lamented about the times that I wasn't as sensitive as I should have been. Why? Obviously, it's easier to relate when you can feel the pain. That's a shame. But I thank God for my time as a reacher (and the pain) because now I realize that God loves stretch marks! It means that our minds are not focused on what it costs us to give, but what we gain by giving. It means we not only trust Him for the return, but also for the means to meet the need, even if we don't quite know how it's all going to play out. He loves to see us trust him enough to shove our egos and pride aside and actually do the work of the kingdom. At the center of God's daily agenda is people. It always will be. And if we are going to conform to the image of His Son Jesus, the needs of others is going to have to become paramount to us too.

I believe that if the world is confused and can't distinguish us from themselves, it's probably because they don't clearly see our identification badges - STRETCH MARKS. Jesus said it like this:

"This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other" ~ John 13:35 (MSG)

Let's take a lesson from The Good Samaritan (Luke ch. 10) and purposefully, habitually stretch ourselves. Those who are reaching are reaching for Jesus. Will they find Him in you?