Red faced

Hmm. Yesterday started off so well but later in the day I had an argument with my co-journa and I let my pride get in the way and I said some things that I can't take back. I acted all righteous and got on my high horse and deep down he took offense.

We've patched things up but I know he's going to remember those words for a long time and it's tarnished his opinion of me and of Christianity. I wasn't being a good witness at all.
I didn't say anything really bad but i accused him of being arrogant in his decisions and he took offense.

I've asked for his forgiveness and God's and now I just have to start back at square one and try to be a humble friend.

Reading Titus today gave me some guidelines into character attributes I should aim for.

Temperate, worthy of respect (ouch), self-controlled (double ouch), sound in faith, love and endurance.
To be reverent in the way I live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, teach what is good, to be pure, busy at home, and kind.

(Titus 2:2-6)

It sounds like an impossible list but by the grace of God, i'll do my best.

"To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God but by their actions they deny him. They are destestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."
(Titus 1:15-16)

Yikes. I want to be pure that all things I see do are reflected in that purity.

2 Timothy

Man, I am loving the letters to Timothy at the moment. There is so much good stuff in there, it's like a buffet. It's all awesome but you know you can't eat everything at once and that keeps you coming back again and again.

Here's what I got today,

"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Paul in his letters to Timothy says a lot about being equipped, prepared and ready to 'fight the good fight, finish the race, endure the pain and reap the reward'. Modern day sports fanatic? Maybe.

Oh and I love this one, "Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season".

It's so true though, if we're not equipped or ready we're just going to fall down when we're challenged or tested and what kind of example are we then?