Fleas

“If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.” is certainly a slogan that had to have been taken straight from scripture and worthy of attention and life’s application.

 

Warning signs are given: 

 

1 Corinthians 5:11, “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”

 

1 Corinthians 15: 33, “Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character.” 

 

Proverbs 13:20, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” 

 

Proverbs 22:24-25, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” 

 

2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbeliever. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 

 

 

 

Slogan Thoughts

AA and Al Anon Slogans

I never went to AA, but I did attend Al Anon. We used the same slogans used in AA. They are great ones and some I used more than others. I have no idea who came up with the slogans, but my thoughts are that they are a spin-off from the words in scripture. I know that when reference is made to a Higher Power, that Higher Power, for me, is God. Without Him, these slogans are unattainable.

 

One Day At a Time means to focus on the present, not yesterday and not tomorrow. Scripture says it like this, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 

 

Easy Does It is a reminder to avoid rushing the process and set an even pace. Some might even want to say “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” or “Let the saw do the work.” I found Philippians 2:13 to sum up letting God do the work: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” 

 

First Things First is simply prioritizing things that crop up in life, and God is always first. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33 gives us yet another “first”. (First) … “Put our outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.” Proverb 24:27

 

Keep It Simple is to be cautious, not letting life seem like it is too complicated which means sometimes taking a step back to narrow it down before moving forward. “Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”Ecclesiastes 4:6.

 

Let Go and Let God! This slogan is my all time favorite. It simply means what it says. Turn the problem loose, and let God take the wheel. He is the Higher Power! “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and findgrace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

 

Live and Let Live is to focus on self and not what others are doing, but helping others only if you can. “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them, This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”  1 Corinthians 7:17 

 

Think! This one simply allows for one to THINK before they act. Consider the consequences of actions and words. Philippians 4:8 says, “…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

 

This Too Shall Pass is meant to keep the spirit high. It is not as If it will happen but When it will happen and stay positive in the temporary.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us about seasons, and I do not believe this is all about weather changes. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” 

 

Keep Coming Back is a reminder to keep at it. Maintain support to keep at the goal. In other words, “Show up!” We must continually show up for ourselves and our God, who is willing and able to always show up for us. “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

 

 

Slogans/ Turning to God

     I enjoy reading all the slogans on church signs.  Most of them have a lot of meaning if you just take the time to consider what they are saying.

    "If you can't sleep, don't count sheep.  Talk to the Shepherd."  When I was growing up and could not sleep, my mom would say, "Close your eyes and count sheep."   It did work some of the time, but yet I remember another time when it was late at night.  A thunderstorm came up and I told mom that I was scared.  This time she told me to close my eyes and talk to God.  He was the one in control, and if I talked to Him I would no longer be afraid.  This has been an on-going ritual because I know God will be with me through every phase of my life.  He tells us  "...Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5

     "If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again."  Some may question, how do I get reborn?  The answer to that is simple, for "whosoever believeth in God should not perish, but have everlasting life."  (John 3:16)   It doesn't take a science degree to figure this one out.  All it takes is a simple childlike faith. 

     "If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."  I, for one, am good at making U-turns because I will often try to argue with even the GPS.  I do find that my life is so much easier and I get lost less often and am much happier when I stop long enough to listen to God and strive to seek Him and follow His direction and guidance.   

     Here's a good one:  "In the dark? Follow the Son."  Another  is, "When It rains, look for the rainbow, and when it is dark, look for the stars."    Our troubles cause us to feel like we are struggling in the dark but there is a way out, "The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;  (Psalms 34:19)

     Here is a good one, "No God — No Peace. Know God — Know Peace."  No truer statement could be made.  We all need God in our lives to truly know peace.
    
     "People are like tea bags — you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."  In our weakness we are made strong.  Our hardships should bring us closer to God and serve to make us strong.  There is a scripture that can go with this one too. "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."  Isaiah 40:29

     Here is a humorous and good one for those of us really wanting to change our aging wrinkles.  Instead of a facelift lets concentrate on a faith lift.  "Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!"

     There are so many of these they could fill a book, but one of my favorites is "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Actually this is not just a slogan, it is scripture that is found in Joshua 24:15 whereby Joshua was admonishing the people about turning away from God.  They had a choice to make, but if they chose to turn away from God, then God would also turn away from them. 

     I pray that our nation will very soon become a nation that returns to the God who loves and blesses us, and that our nation will say, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." 

One Day AT A Time

     Most support programs that deal with addiction make use of slogans, such as: One Day at a Time, Live and Let Live, Let Go and Let God, and Listen and Learn.  I even used these when I was struggling through a divorce.  I found myself even breaking the slogan of “One Day at a Time” down to “One Minute at a Time” and then in my deep anxiety, into “One Moment at a Time”. 

     These slogans really work if you find the meaning behind them!   What they taught me was that my life had to be filled with the presence of God at all times.  It is only through the mighty power of God that despair can be lifted from the heart and the mind.  God wants it “all” to be taken to Him.  By doing this we are developing a deep dependence upon Him.  We are forming a relationship that requires going to God for the answers in every aspect of our lives.  As the bad stuff is eliminated from our lives we are opening up a space within our hearts.  This void space needs to be filled with the presence of God; if it is allowed to stay vacant and empty, without God, we will eventually only replace it with other junk and other problems.  If there is already a feeling of being empty inside fill it with God and His word before it gets filled with something far less rewarding. 
     No matter where a person is in life, it is never too late to begin with the end in mind- that is to start by dumping some garbage from your life and opening up a space to allow God to become the master over every thought and event in your life. 
     So, as I head toward my “friendly shade” today, I plan to considerate just what I can get rid of in order to meditate and talk with God so He can truly take over the direction of my life.