Flying monkeys can choose to ignore the gossip, or they can ask the one gossiped about; they have a choice.
I do blame people who treat others badly because of what they have heard and not seen for themselves.
They are pawns, of course, but it is a choice to believe something merely because they want to maintain the friendship of the one who is a rumor monger.
It is one thing to listen to a trusted friend and perhaps even believe them, and quite another to pass the information to someone else.
When truth is the most important thing to a believer, they dismiss gossip, leaving room for another side to the story. Many people present to others what they want to believe about a situation rather than sharing facts.
The prejudice against a person will determine how a story is shared.
It is unwise to believe the first version of an account without witnesses to corroborate the story.
There are those who are dedicated to misunderstanding someone because they dislike that person. Because of this, it is my practice not to pass on information shared with me by a friend, not because I think they were wrong in their observations, but because there is the element of "needing to know." Does the person I share information with have a need to know it, or are we just attempting to gain converts to ourselves?
I like to share life stories I have encountered with people without their names. I do this not to gain converts but to teach life lessons about the encounters I have personally had with people. I don't like to share things I have heard or observed without all the information about an event.
And, this may be a shocker to some, I do consider even good stories no one can prove as a form of gossip. It doesn't matter if the act is good or bad; if we cannot prove it is true, then we should just ignore it.
Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
It is corrupting to pass on good or bad information that may not be true and cannot be proven. Even if the information sounds good, we might be believing a lie if it is only one person's perspective without truth.
Proverbs 6:16-19 "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."
Lying of any sort, whether gossip to demean and tear down, or gossip to cause others to idolize someone because of good deeds.
It is not gossip to call out, even publicly, the false gospel of a preacher who has influence over many people. In cases like this we are to rebuke in the presence of all so that others may fear committing the sin that occurred.
1 Timothy 5:20 "Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning."
It is reasonable and even commanded that we call out the gossip when they are causing division while destroying relationships because of their idle chatter.
We have to remember that not everything we see or everything we hear is our business. People are treated with contempt based on gossip they have heard without justification and without knowledge or wisdom.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 "11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you,"
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Follow the Example of Christ in Our Inheritance
It is reasonable to decide to do what Jesus Christ does; He only leaves an inheritance to those who love Him. We can leave our inheritance to those who love us; it is not revenge, just good sense.
To think we have to give money to people just because they were family is to place too high a value on money.
We gave them our love and the first 20 years of our lives, along with our training, so they would be able to live a kind and righteous life, but they chose otherwise, so they can live with what they chose.
Never allow the culture to guilt you into giving to people who do not love Christ and do not love you.
1 Peter 1:3-5:14
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Our children's salvation is far more important than money. No rebellious child will suddenly begin to love Christ because they inherited money from us. Perhaps no inheritance will show them their need for Christ.
Our money and goods should go to those who love Christ, so that it will be used to the glory of God.
To think we have to give money to people just because they were family is to place too high a value on money.
We gave them our love and the first 20 years of our lives, along with our training, so they would be able to live a kind and righteous life, but they chose otherwise, so they can live with what they chose.
Never allow the culture to guilt you into giving to people who do not love Christ and do not love you.
1 Peter 1:3-5:14
A Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Our children's salvation is far more important than money. No rebellious child will suddenly begin to love Christ because they inherited money from us. Perhaps no inheritance will show them their need for Christ.
Our money and goods should go to those who love Christ, so that it will be used to the glory of God.
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Love Revealed by Author Unknown to Me
Judas is a reminder that betrayal does not always come from strangers.
Sometimes it comes from people who sat at your table.
People who knew your story.
Knew your struggles.
Heard your prayers.
Saw your kindness…
Knew your struggles.
Heard your prayers.
Saw your kindness…
and still chose to hurt you.
Jesus walked beside Judas for years.
He shared meals with him.
Served him.
Loved him.
Trusted him enough to let him stay close.
Served him.
Loved him.
Trusted him enough to let him stay close.
Yet Judas still betrayed the Son of God with a kiss.
Think about that.
The greatest act of betrayal in history came disguised as affection.
That is why betrayal cuts so deeply.
Because the pain is not just about what happened.
It is about who did it.
The people we expected to protect our hearts…
sometimes become the ones who wound them most.
sometimes become the ones who wound them most.
And if we are not careful, betrayal can change us.
It can make people cold.
Distrustful.
Bitter.
Guarded.
Distrustful.
Bitter.
Guarded.
It can make them build walls so high that nobody gets close again.
But Jesus never allowed betrayal to poison His heart.
Even knowing Judas would betray Him, Jesus still washed his feet.
That says something powerful about the heart of God.
Because love is not proven by how we treat kind people.
Love is revealed by how we respond when people hurt us.
And maybe this is what someone needs to hear today:
What broke your heart did not escape God’s notice.
He saw every tear.
Every disappointment.
Every silent moment where you questioned why someone you loved could hurt you so deeply.
Every disappointment.
Every silent moment where you questioned why someone you loved could hurt you so deeply.
And just as God carried Jesus through betrayal…
He will carry you too.
Do not let the actions of broken people make you forget the faithfulness of God.
People may fail you.
Friends may disappoint you.
Even those closest to you may walk away.
Friends may disappoint you.
Even those closest to you may walk away.
But the Lord never will.
Scripture says:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Not some wounds.
All of them.
So give God the hurt you have been carrying.
Because betrayal may have wounded your heart…
but it does not have to harden it.
God can still heal what people tried to break.
The Love Yourself First Doctrine has Destroyed the People
This is what the lie "you have to love yourself first before you can love anyone else" has created. Parental estrangement by adult children is the result of this monstrous teaching of psychology over the past 40 years.
I had conversations with Christians back in the 70's and 80's about this matter of self-esteem, and every single conversation, I was seen as foolish for saying the culture was training the children to only think of themselves.
Even their good deeds were praised for making them feel good about doing the deed. It wasn't about the need of the other person; it was about how good they felt about doing it.
I have seen news casts like this when a young person was interviewed about their kind act, and they say something like, "it made me feel good about doing it." They didn't say "I felt bad for the person and wanted to help."
The truth is, the more we love ourselves, the less we care about others. We are born loving ourselves too much and need to cultivate denial of self to love others. It is human nature to want to think highly of ourselves, which is why so many people who do good acts love being seen for what they are doing more than they care about the people they are serving.
God condemns deeds done to glorify and gratify self.
Matthew 6:1-2 "1“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward."
Matthew 23:1-12 "23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,
3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 1
2 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
I had conversations with Christians back in the 70's and 80's about this matter of self-esteem, and every single conversation, I was seen as foolish for saying the culture was training the children to only think of themselves.
Even their good deeds were praised for making them feel good about doing the deed. It wasn't about the need of the other person; it was about how good they felt about doing it.
I have seen news casts like this when a young person was interviewed about their kind act, and they say something like, "it made me feel good about doing it." They didn't say "I felt bad for the person and wanted to help."
The truth is, the more we love ourselves, the less we care about others. We are born loving ourselves too much and need to cultivate denial of self to love others. It is human nature to want to think highly of ourselves, which is why so many people who do good acts love being seen for what they are doing more than they care about the people they are serving.
God condemns deeds done to glorify and gratify self.
Matthew 6:1-2 "1“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward."
Matthew 23:1-12 "23 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,
3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 1
2 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Making Peace May Not Be What You Think
Making peace through truth will be despised by those who love conflict. I am peaceful even when they are not; those who reject truth are the ones causing trouble, not the ones who speak truth.
God told us to be peace makers, not peace keepers who generally sweep things under the rug to avoid conflict.
When we speak truth boldly but lovingly, we are peace makers. Those who are dedicated to being liked and avoiding conflict while endorsing sin are not peace makers, they are peace keepers to protect themselves.
God never told us to "keep the peace." He told us to make peace by seeking the truth. The only solutions to problems are in facing the truth and presenting God's solutions as written in the Bible.
When we see that our attempts to make peace through truth are rejected, then it is time to move on from those who want to fight against genuineness, authenticity, and legitimacy.
Those who care about genuine resolution to problems will want to talk things out with love in their hearts, not confrontation.
Many years ago, a young woman approached me in angry tones, declaring that we were going to have a fight; this was her idea of resolving things. My answer was: "I am not going to fight with you, if you want to come back calm with a desire to understand my side too, then we can have a discussion." She never came back, which told me that all she wanted was to vent and refuse to hear me, a sort of hit-and-run attitude.
When someone comes to us with kindness in their voice and love in their heart to work out a problem and to discover our understanding, then that is when we know they are genuinely caring about our relationship. When they come with anger to attack, then it is only to win over us in some way.
It is not possible to help others understand us when they are dedicated to misunderstanding, twisting everything we say as something awful, then there is no reasoning with them.
Proverbs 18:1-3 "1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. 2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. 3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace."
God told us to be peace makers, not peace keepers who generally sweep things under the rug to avoid conflict.
When we speak truth boldly but lovingly, we are peace makers. Those who are dedicated to being liked and avoiding conflict while endorsing sin are not peace makers, they are peace keepers to protect themselves.
God never told us to "keep the peace." He told us to make peace by seeking the truth. The only solutions to problems are in facing the truth and presenting God's solutions as written in the Bible.
When we see that our attempts to make peace through truth are rejected, then it is time to move on from those who want to fight against genuineness, authenticity, and legitimacy.
Those who care about genuine resolution to problems will want to talk things out with love in their hearts, not confrontation.
Many years ago, a young woman approached me in angry tones, declaring that we were going to have a fight; this was her idea of resolving things. My answer was: "I am not going to fight with you, if you want to come back calm with a desire to understand my side too, then we can have a discussion." She never came back, which told me that all she wanted was to vent and refuse to hear me, a sort of hit-and-run attitude.
When someone comes to us with kindness in their voice and love in their heart to work out a problem and to discover our understanding, then that is when we know they are genuinely caring about our relationship. When they come with anger to attack, then it is only to win over us in some way.
It is not possible to help others understand us when they are dedicated to misunderstanding, twisting everything we say as something awful, then there is no reasoning with them.
Proverbs 18:1-3 "1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. 2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions. 3 With a wicked man comes contempt as well, and shame is accompanied by disgrace."
Sealed Forever in Christ
Those who have trusted in Christ can believe Him when He says we are sealed forever.
Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 8:15-16 "15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,"
I John 2:3-5 "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him."
1 John 5:13 "12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
When we are transformed by Christ His Holy Spirit lives in us, He never leaves us we are sealed until He takes us home.
Ephesians 1:13-14 " 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory."
Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 8:15-16 "15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,"
I John 2:3-5 "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him."
1 John 5:13 "12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life."
When we are transformed by Christ His Holy Spirit lives in us, He never leaves us we are sealed until He takes us home.
Ephesians 1:13-14 " 13 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory."
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Protecting Our Friendships
Sadly, "laughing emojis" were designed to laugh at jokes, but they are often used to mock others. When this is used at a serious comment meant to help, we know what kind of people these are who use them.
I was raised in a family that mocked to demean and intimidate so I am acutely aware of the covert ways in which people degrade others merely for disagreeing.
It is not possible to have a rational, loving discussion with those who use mocking and demeaning language to control the emotions of others.
We need not take these relationship destroyers seriously, but it is best to eliminate those from our lives who use underhanded and belittling language or gestures.
The reason to remove ourselves from those who use these techniques is to avoid wasting our time and a chance at being triggered.
Matthew 23:27-28 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Unreasonable people who mock and intimidate others cannot be trusted; they cannot be relied upon to make the right choices in life experiences. They cannot be relied upon to do the best for others; their only goal is to gossip and spoil the bonds between those who are their targets and the attachments of their targets.
These kinds of relationships destroyers ruin their own friendships, and our relationships with others.
In these last days of apostacy, it is difficult to find deep, lasting friendships. We must protect our connections from those who wish to destroy them.
Romans 16:17 "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them."
2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us."
I was raised in a family that mocked to demean and intimidate so I am acutely aware of the covert ways in which people degrade others merely for disagreeing.
It is not possible to have a rational, loving discussion with those who use mocking and demeaning language to control the emotions of others.
We need not take these relationship destroyers seriously, but it is best to eliminate those from our lives who use underhanded and belittling language or gestures.
The reason to remove ourselves from those who use these techniques is to avoid wasting our time and a chance at being triggered.
Matthew 23:27-28 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Unreasonable people who mock and intimidate others cannot be trusted; they cannot be relied upon to make the right choices in life experiences. They cannot be relied upon to do the best for others; their only goal is to gossip and spoil the bonds between those who are their targets and the attachments of their targets.
These kinds of relationships destroyers ruin their own friendships, and our relationships with others.
In these last days of apostacy, it is difficult to find deep, lasting friendships. We must protect our connections from those who wish to destroy them.
Romans 16:17 "Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them."
2 Thessalonians 3:6 "Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us."
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