WATCH THAT WHINING

Dear Abby

Once when you were very small, your brother was fussing about something and you said: "All this whining is giving me a headache!" Now there are more of you in the family and you know how crazy it can get when one or more decides to whine about something. Whining is nothing more than vocal selfishness. It is an "all about me and how difficult my life is" attitude. If you think listening to children whine is rough, try listening to adults that whine!

If we don't squelch the urge to whine and complain while young, it becomes a nasty habit that gets worse as adults. Listen to those around you and see if there is a pattern of whining in their everyday conversation. Check yourself when you feel the urge to whine and ask the Lord to help you nip it in the bud! Replace the whine with pleasant words that lift your spirit and those around you. I love you very much and may the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.

Grammy

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS, OH MY!

Dear Abby,

When I was growing up I thought my parents were not afraid of anything. Because of that, I never had a fear of storms or people or life in general. ( Except for those huge palmetto bugs, lizards, spiders and other critters the South is so infamous for!) I do remember when horror movies became popular and occasionally I was allowed to go see one with friends. (I have no idea what my parents were thinking.) That is when I would struggle with fearful thoughts. Even today I cannot allow myself to watch things that involve murders and frightful evil.

There are a lot of "what-ifs" in this life. Your mind must be protected as much as any other aspect of your being. It's not that we should bury our heads in the sand and ignore what is going on in the world, but we are instructed in PHILIPPIANS 4:8 to think about things that are" honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report." The only way to do that is to guard our minds. Be careful about what you read, watch and who you listen to.

If you do become fearful of anything, ask God to help you to overcome it. You can quote scripture and pray for peace of mind. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1:7) Abby, a "sound mind" is what every Christian should have. Guard it and nurture it as you do your body. May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. Much love and prayers go out for you.

Grammy

WHAT ABOUT AUTHORITY?

Dear Abby,

I am sure by now you have come to realize that life on earth is all about submission. We are all under the authority of someone at all times. It is necessary to have an order to things if life is going to be productive. Within your home, your parents have the authority over you and your siblings. At school, teachers have authority over the class. In government, we have those in authority to help keep law and order in our land. There must be a method to the madness lest chaos reign.

God is the one that established the idea of authority. Romans 13:1 says "the powers that be are ordained of God." It goes on to say if we resist the powers over us, we are resisting God's design for our good. We need to follow the design that the Creator gave us.

I read this definition of submission: "One equal, voluntarily placing himself under another equal, that God may be glorified." That really puts things into perspective! When I choose to submit to those over me, I bring glory to God with my life. We all have a choice to make. Should I have a submissive spirit (not to be mistaken for weakness) or should I go through life doing as I please and no one better get in my way!

Papa and I talked about this subject a few days ago. He began to name people who are examples of those "under authority." He also named some that he felt did not have an attitude of submission in their daily walk. We should be known for our submissive spirit. Our attitudes and actions tell all. The opposite of this would be "pride and arrogance."

Abby, you cannot go wrong with an attitude of submission. You understand the difference in that and weakness. It takes more character and strength from God to be under authority than it does to be rebellious and prideful. Ask the Lord to give you that submissive attitude that will bring glory to Him. Your life will run much smoother if you do. May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. I love you very much.

Grammy

BE ALL THERE!

Dear Abby,

I read this quote by Jim Elliot, missionary to Ecuador, written about 60 years ago: "Wherever you are, be ALL there!" The first thing I thought of was how frequently I am looking at the top of someone's head because they are looking down at a phone, iPad, or some other device. When Jim wrote this quote he didn't have this technology so he was referring to giving your attention to people regardless of the era you live in.

My point for you is to "be present when you are present!" (You can quote me on that one.) It is so important to give people our full attention when we are with them. We don't know what opportunities we are missing by zoning out or looking down at something all the time. We should not be walking around with a phone in our hand all the time as if our life depends on the next text or phone call we may receive!

Your generation will have to learn to put those things aside when you are in the presence of others be it church, family meals, or just visiting with friends. If you don't learn the appropriate time to use these, you will be robbed of deep intimacy that comes from face-to-face communication with people in your life. You will be like a bunch of marbles bumping into each other all the time.

So what will you choose to have people know you for? Will it be the top of your head or your sweet face and smile? Abby, wherever you are, be ALL there! May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. I love you very much.

GRAMMY

GREAT TREASURES AWAIT YOU

Dear Abby (and Grant),

If I could bestow on you anything I desired for you in this lifetime, it would be something that the Bible says is "more precious than rubies." It is something that brings "riches and honor" to your life and who doesn't want that for their grandchildren? It is the gift that keeps on giving because it also brings "pleasantness and peace," "happiness," "safety," "sweet sleep," the knowledge of God," "length of days," "preservation," "promotion," "understanding," "life and health," and so much more!

Of course I am talking about "wisdom." All of these "jewels" come straight from the book of Proverbs. In Proverbs 2:6 we find that "the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." God has given us His Word to guide us in the way of wisdom. We must choose for ourselves to go after it. As much as I want it for you, you have to choose it for yourself.

There are also dire consequences that come to those who refuse instruction and act out of their own understanding. Those people fall in line with ungodly people and their lives are needlessly turned upside down along with those who love them deeply. You can also read about them in Proverbs.

You must make the choice to follow after wisdom. If you will listen to the counsel of the parents God has so graciously given you, and go to His Word to give you wisdom, you will have nothing to lose and great treasures awaiting you! So many people love you and desire this for your lives. May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.

Grammy

PEACE AND QUIET

Dear Abby,

I grew up in a home with two brothers and two sisters. I shared a bedroom with both sisters. We shared one small closet and had maybe two drawers each for clothes. There was one bathroom for seven people to share! I was always trying to find a place for peace and quiet. I never did like noise and still have a low tolerance for anything loud. I avoid large crowds especially the day after Thanksgiving when all of America is at the mall! (You may or may not be there yourself). I used to climb trees or go to my room at night when everyone else was watching television just to have peace and quiet.

Yours is a different world than mine. The world has become much noisier since my childhood. There are so many distractions now (also known as computers, iPads, iPhones, iPods, Kindle, etc.). It is much more difficult now than it was then to find a time in your life for quietness. Even in church you can hear a phone ring and occasionally someone will even answer it!

Abby, in order to have a quietness in your spirit, you will have to find some time away from distractions and noise. I have come to appreciate the place computers have in our world along with some of the above mentioned electronics. However, good things can become the enemy of great things. There are some things that are only to be obtained in a place of quietness. The Lord himself had to slip away from crowds to get alone and get refreshed. I am really concerned that all of these "distractions" are going to become escape hatches that take people completely away from reality. It is hard to hear the voice of God when we are tuning Him out with everything else.

If you are to come to recognize the voice of God speaking to you, you must allow yourself the luxury of getting away from entertainment and information overload. "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (ISA. 30:15). May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. I love you very much.

Grammy

CHOICES

Dear Abby,

I never cease to be amazed at some of the choices seemingly intelligent people make! Everyday that we are given on this earth, we wake up and begin the day with choices. The first one is to get out of bed, after that one choice follows the other until the day is over and we choose to go back to bed! Sounds silly, but true nonetheless. I found this clipping tucked inside of a book and thought it worth sharing with you.

I CHOOSE

Everyday I choose who or what will control me.
If I choose to sin, sin strengthens its control over me.
If I choose to obey my Savior Jesus Christ,
He will give me the power over the destructive power of sin.
Every moral decision determines who controls my life.
I choose my master. I belong to my choice.
Who will I choose today? (written by Cathy Maple)

Powerful words to ponder. May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other. I love you very much.

Grammy