Redeeming the Times...

Ephesians 5:1 NKJV - Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
Ephesians 5:2 NKJV - And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:3 NKJV - But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
Ephesians 5:4 NKJV - neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Ephesians 5:5 NKJV - For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Ephesians 5:6 NKJV - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:7 NKJV - Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Ephesians 5:8 NKJV - For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:9 NKJV - (for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
Ephesians 5:10 NKJV - finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:11 NKJV - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose [them].
Ephesians 5:12 NKJV - For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
Ephesians 5:13 NKJV - But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Ephesians 5:14 NKJV - Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."
Ephesians 5:15 NKJV - See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,
Ephesians 5:16 NKJV - redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:17 NKJV - Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord [is].
Ephesians 5:18 NKJV - And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Ephesians 5:19 NKJV - speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:20 NKJV - giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 5:21 NKJV - submitting to one another in the fear of God.


With the president being called "tar baby" and "boy" by a congressman and a news pundit, I admit my defenses were up.

So, when I had to deliver a discipline to a subordinate, his rejection of the reprimand I took probably a little more personally than I should have.

I have a genuinely good working relationship with him. I remained calm in the brusk encounter, but I fumed later in my office.

I listened to praise music on Pandora (Canton Jones station), and Sho Baracka piped "Love of My Life." He said something to the effect "don't act like the fools around you."

I don't know if that's scriptural, but I do recall a sign my mother put on my bedroom wall:

"It isn't smart to argue with a fool: listeners can't tell which is which."

So, I'm praying for my subordinate. I'm not reducing the incident to race or politics. He just doesn't agree. I'm covered by the Grace of Almighty God!

That's what the Word tells us to do...sometimes through gritted teeth when our flesh wants to punch the wall or someone's lights out.