We have GOT to do better, Christians: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!*

*Aretha Franklin hit the nail on the head with this song about demanding her proper respect! 

Hello D.W.D.I. Family!


    How are you all doing? Me? I'm hanging on in there.  Studying again is a mess but I'm just practicing and learning as much information as I can.  I'm just tired, physically and mentally, but I'm just trying to make it one day at a time.  I'm sure you all can relate!


    Okay, I'm piggy backing off what I have observed lately with my friends, myself,  and a post at The Big Girl Blog (shout out to CeCe on blogging about that topic on dating).  I'm just gonna say what I've been thinking lately.  We have got to do better about respecting one other.  I still stand by the fact that if there is evil in your life via habits, people, etc., then you need to RUN far away from those things.  Your preservation and your salvation are more important.  But purposefully disrespecting someone is an entirely different matter and is unacceptable.  Whether it is respecting someone's time, money, possessions, positions in their walks with God,  etc., we have got to do a much better job about being sensitive to other people's needs and respecting other people in general.  Why? Because everyone is a creation of God who deserves respect.  Plus, more importantly, you are showing respect to God by respecting His creations and the items with which  He has decided to bless them.  


     Additionally, it's bad enough when nonbelievers do this and are not conscious of these facts.  At least then I can say that nonbelievers just don't know what they are doing and pray that they will soon accept Christ and do better.  However, when Christians treat God's creations, especially other Christians,  in an unloving and disrespectful manner it is even worse because Christians should know better than to treat people, especially Christians, who are the children of God, in an unloving manner.  YEAH, I SAID IT! We as Christians should know how to treat people and yet we fail to do this a lot of the time.  While we are not perfect like God and are not sinless like Christ, we are to follow Christ's example and to love one another.  Respect is included in this love.  We will mess up and sin but we as Christians should strive to make every day better than the last and to exhibit Christ's love towards all in every aspect of our lives (jobs, relationships, etc.).  Christians cannot take the same shortcuts as nonbelievers because we answer to God and He has set us apart to bring about His kingdom on earth.  It's the light burden we bear thanks to our salvation through Christ and we have to love and honor one another to show God that Jesus did not die in vain for our sins.  We have to put on our big girl and big boy pants and walk in the ways of Christ for our good and for His glory. 


   And, don't forget, demand that you receive proper respect, too.  You deserve to be treated with respect.  Don't let people walk all over you.  There is a difference between being a pacifist like Christ and in being a pushover.  My tendency to be the latter is waning as I get older so I hope you all learn and demonstrate the difference sooner than me.  :)


     Well, I hope I didn't sound too mean but this is the truth and needs to be said.  I plan to hold myself up to these higher standards and I hope you all will join me.  Have a good night, D.W.D.I. Family and I'll ttys!


Love, 
CCC


 P.S. Please check out this site about the difference between God's creations and God's children.  It gives a much better explanation than I could along with Biblical references.