Rules for Christian Living

Don't take it for me---that's what my Bible titles this section I ended up reading and crying about last night. :)

But seriously...it affected me. Big time.

[i may be melting]

Romans 12:9-wherever I stop.

"Be sincere in your love for others. " Already I stop--at a loss. One sentence in and I can't even fit the bill. I know there are people in my life that I "love" because it's the right thing to do, because it's the "Christian" thing to do. But I don't think I really "love" them sincerely.

Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.

Hate bad, love good. Love and honor others more than me. In other words, be wise and be self-less.

Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord.

Ok, so funny thing first. I accidentally typed "sever" instead of "serve", but I caught it. I don't want anyone to get any weird ideas from my typos. I have a tendency to give up on God--I think I reach a "last" straw and get angry and cynical and hurt and questioning....

Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in trouble and never stop praying.

And there is the problem right there:

I lose hope.
I get impatient.
I quit praying.

But I know when I have hoped and waited and prayed during times of trouble--it has gone much better for me. I learned more and made fewer mistakes. I pray that God will continue to remind me to hope and be patient and prayerful--during this season and others to come.

Take care of needy people and welcome strangers into your home.

As Mary would probably say, "not strange men." Which I would now have to say "Good idea."

Ask God to bless everyone who mistreats you. Ask him to bless them and not to curse them.

I stared at the computer screen, then played an online card game--avoiding writing more.

Hope.isnt.always.easy.

`-`