It's been a couple of months now that I haven't really gotten the chance to sit down and write something in my blog. The craziness of a new job, a new move, new experience with homeschooling the kids, and all that comes in between them has kept me from sitting down in front of my computer for more than 5 minutes! But I resolved to at least put a little effort in posting something in my blog from now on so here I am at 5 in the morning ticking away at my keyboard while the kids are still snoring... hehe
For the past few months I've started a new job in a new place. God has been graceful to us as He has provided both me and Ryan a job in dialysis clinics. It's a new experience for me since I've never really done Dialysis before. So far, the clinical experience has been rewarding. The best part of it is that we don't have to work on Sundays! What a treat!
Well, as we would all expect, a new job brings with it new people to deal with. Not to mention, a new environment to get used to. We are currently in Houston, TX which is a whole lot bigger and busier than the little town of Tyler, TX that I've come to love. One thing about Houston, though, is that it is also a whole lot more "hostile" for me.
It has never been difficult for me to adjust to a workplace and the people that I work with (that includes patients I take care of) because I've been used to a fast turnover of contracts when I was doing Travel Nursing in the past. Yet, recently I felt that although I get along well with most of the people I work with right now, there's something that keeps creeping up behind me that makes me wish I'm somewhere else.
The people that I work with are amazing individuals. The patients I currently take care of are such wonderful people. The only issue I have with my workplace right now is that I'm always exposed to cursing and filthy language. It seemed like a lot of people here had "cursing" as a second language.
I've always considered my one year stay in California a bit of a wild ride since there were a lot more liberal views in California than in Texas. But no one prepared me for all that I'm exposed to right now in Houston! I am concerned about it. I am afraid that the more I get exposed to all of it every time I work, I would eventually be numb to it and no longer react. I do not want to become desensitized to anything evil that surrounds me.
The bible teaches us about filthy language and corrupted talk. Listen to what these verses say...
"Let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29) NKJV
"Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." (Ephesians 5:4 & 11)
I'm pretty sure I've already been labelled "Ms. Goody-Two-Shoes" since the day I hushed someone when they mentioned a cuss word. I become more antsy when they start using the name of my Lord in vain. Most often than not, you'll hear Jesus' name used over and over again in vain where I work. I do my best to quickly react and say "Please don't say that," or sometimes just literally Hush somebody w/ a couple "Hush...Shhhh!". It's even more frustrating when the mouths that you hear it from are professing that they are "christians."
I believe a lot of people these days have totally forgotten the 3rd commandment and needed a refresher course on it. Truth of the matter is, God made sure it's in the TOP 3 of His commands that we not use His name like it's nothing.
The book of Exodus tells the story of when God first gave his 10 Commandments to Moses. And in Exodus 20:7, God made it clear that there is a consequence to disobeying this command:
"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (emphasis added)
The word "vain" here in Hebrew is "shav" which means "EMPTINESS". God had cautioned all of us not to use his name in a degrading and disrespectful way. This 3rd commandment cautions each of us to revere God's holy name and to give reverence to it by not using it "Just Because".
Yet, most of us these days have been desensitized and no longer react to those who easily defile God's holy name. In fact, we don't even consider the "OMG" statement a taboo any longer. With whatever ittle blimps we have in our daily lives and we go "OMG!" as if "G" which stands for God was some nonsense thing we throw around. Worst, we hear Jesus' name defiled by those who use it as a cuss word. They may give excuses to their heart's desire, but the bible made it clear that God never wanted us to use His name in vain.
A person who professes to be a "Christian" ought to know that we are warned to walk wisely and cautiously these days.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them;8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. " (Ephesians 5:6-17) ESV
Have you been desensitized to the evil around you? Walk carefully and watchfully for our days indeed are evil. And psalm 1:1-2 shows us that desensitization occurs slowly but will surely lead you to where you wouldn't want to be if you are not careful. It may begin with just a walk around the vicinity of evil that would soon lead to you standing in its high places. If you aren't careful, you'll eventually become desensitized and are already able to sit in the company of evil...
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
(Psalm 1:1-2)
Your words reveal who you really are inside... "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks..." so, if you don't have a blessing to say then just
