on checking your motives

You really need to remember why you started this blog - to help you pay more attention to the things God is teaching you, to take more time to hear Him speak, and to record those little revelations so that you don't lose the lesson and have to keep relearning it over and over.

I remind you of all that because I know what you've been thinking...how you've wanted to use this little forum to preach, not to me (or you, since we are one and the same) but to someone else that you don't have the courage to approach directly.

I just wanted to remind you this is not a weapon you use against others...its a mirror...and its for YOU.

My dear self, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger doesn't produce the righteousness God desires.  Because you know this, you need to get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, including your self-righteousness and your "at least I'm better than so-and-so" mentality, and humbly accept the word planted in YOU, which can save YOU.  Don't just listen to the Word and deceive yourself - DO WHAT IT SAYS! If you just listen to the Word and don't DO WHAT IT SAYS (i.e. let it change you) then you'll be just like someone who looks in a mirror and then walks away and forgets what she just saw there.  But if you look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continue looking and learning and changing and applying all those things in YOUR LIFE, then you will blessed in whatever you do.  If you think you're religious and you can't even control your own tongue, you're delusional and you would be better off not even dragging Jesus' name into things.  All your talk doesn't matter to God...he cares about your heart - do you look after the orphans and widows?  Do you care about the hurting?  Are you trying to keep pure and doing all you can to avoid getting stained and polluted by this fallen world?  (James 1:19-27, translation mine)

This is just a gentle reminder that we have plenty of work to do, and to allow Jesus to do, in US.  We really don't need to worry about anybody else.

PS We're still friends, right?  You know I only say these things because I love you.