To be a Christian is to be Christ-like, and to be Christ-like is to be kind. It doesn’t come naturally and sometimes it doesn’t come easily. It would seem that we are all too able and ready to criticize than to be kind, to be fault finding rather than to be uplifting. Why as Christians have I seen people be so disrespectful of other’s? Have we forgotten to love as Jesus loved and to consider others better than ourselves? Are we as Christians, regardless of denomination, so determined to be right that we have forgotten to be kind?

Our God in Three Persons is a God for giving; He is a God of goodness, of kindness, of mercy and of love. Our God in Three Persons is forgiving, as He has forgiven us so are we called to forgive others, which is the true test of love and of our faith.

God is the giver of good things, for all good and perfect gifts come from the Lord. He is the giver of life, and of eternal life, he is the healer of both the body and the spirit. He is the giver of the fruit of the spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control; and they are given according to His will to fulfill His purposes and not our own. It is when we align ourselves with His good and perfect will that we receive the blessings and fullness of Christ which is the joy that comes from worshiping Him.

Why as Christians do we concern ourselves with living the posh life? Prosperity is a good thing, but we should concern ourselves with being prosperous of spirit so that out of the overflow, out of the abundance of our prosperous spirits we in turn can bless others. Do we look at others and judge their faith by their lack of material goods? Jesus said blessed are the poor, the meek, and the humble. We can be humble while still in possession of things and monetary goods, however let us not criticize those who would be considered the least of us. Did not God promise to meet all of our needs as He meets those of the sparrow? When we are in need do we become discouraged or do we recognize that our need is another’s opportunity to do His work and be a blessing. Are we kind when we are in need and when we are in a condition of abundance?

I have traveled the circuit of Christendom, I have partaken of the denominations. I have met some individuals who would consider themselves better than others, who would criticize every action, thought and word, which is not what Jesus would do. We are called to be holy and set apart, set apart from the worldly ways of pride. We as Christians do not need to tear others down to build ourselves up. We are a royal priesthood, we are the saints, we are the broken who have been healed and the lost who have been redeemed but let us not forget by whose power and mercy all of these things have been given unto us. Let us not forget to do unto others as we would have others do unto us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, who are we to criticize those that Christ died for? So may we be mindful to be Christ-like and to be kind, to be quick to love, quick to forgive and never confuse living the good life for living God’s will for our lives.

“Following the Shepherd’s Staff”

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Before I wear my green and enjoy corned beef with my family, I am thinking about the life and work of Saint Patrick today and thought I would share the words of his Breastplate. As we begin each day and are called to put on the full armor of God, these words are a reminder of the One who protects.

The Breastplate of Saint Patrick

I arise today 

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the Threeness,

Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion with His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection with His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In the predictions of prophets,
In the preaching of apostles,
In the faith of confessors,
In the innocence of holy virgins,
In the deeds of righteous men.

I arise today, through
The strength of heaven,
The light of the sun,
The radiance of the moon,
The splendor of fire,
The speed of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of the sea,
The stability of the earth,
The firmness of rock.

I arise today, through
God’s strength to pilot me,
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptation of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
afar and near.

I summon today
All these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel and merciless power
that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul;
Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me an abundance of reward.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
of the Creator of creation.

Thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments, messages and support of my book “Following the Shepherd’s Staff”. I have been asked if this is a tale bearing tale of church misdeeds and criticism, a story of the errors of consumerism church attendances, no not at all and quite contrary, it is the story of a “lifelong spiritual journey”.  A story of the blessings of the born again life, the heart drawn to Jesus, the search for church membership and the choices to move on. It is a story of the importance of worship, fellowship and loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. It is a judge not story which is intended to inspire, uplift and encourage.  It is  a story that has spoken to many who have sought a church to belong to, who have been lifelong faithful church members and who have been contented and spirit filled at home Christians, serving and worshiping God as He leads them to.

“Following the Shepherd’s Staff” has been utilized in bible studies, church membership classes and ministers to those who have been spiritually seeking, spiritually wounded and who are spiritually healing.

It can be found online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, in Kindle and NOOK and in softcover, it can be downloaded from Google Books for iphone, ipad and adobe digital reader.

Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing and if you have a story of church travels of your own I hope you will comment, join me on my facebook page and be encouraged by the body of believers who are the Church.

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I have found myself feeling “unwell” last week but really denied that I could actually be getting sick. I have had the flu shot and couldn’t believe that the trusty vaccination could ever betray me, but it did, it happens. The real kicker is that thankfully, because of course I would never wish illness on my family, I am the only member of my household to receive the flu shot and also the only one to have gotten the flu, as they are all too happy to remind me. What does all of this mean really, well, with time on my hands recovering and in between fever and chills I was thinking about my faith, where do I place it and what do I trust in? I would never ever tell someone not to receive a vaccine, my children are immunized and I do not believe in telling anyone how to live their healthy lifestyle choices. But I do wonder about them. Have you been vaccinated to protect yourself from the flu, I think we should have a balanced approach to everything in our lives and the cold and flu season is no exception. I personally am a homeopathic type but will incorporate my elderberry syrup with over the counter medication as well. I have taken the advice to stay home and heal. No work for me but hoping to return soon. In the meantime I’ve roasted several heads of garlic, indulged in gargling with warm water and raw apple cider vinegar and putting a bit of the ACV in my tea. hand washing, drinking emergen-c and oh yes, the most important, rest. Rest in the Lord, he is my strength and my shield. O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. Psalm 30:2. This clip art is posted on my refrigerator right where I can read it, speak it and claim it. I often find that my “down time” is the perfect time to reflect, focus not only on medication but meditation of a scripture verse of healing. Psalm 30:2 is the verse I connect with, what’s yours? Giving thanks for the flu for it has offered me that chance to get alone with God that I may not have otherwise taken, counting it all joy and thankful for an illness that will pass with medication and meditation, and roasted garlic.

www.maryannthipiebane.com