Tag: meekness

Posted in Christian, Faith, Leadership

The Success of Silence

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Success of Silence

Jesus calls us to His rest, and meekness is His method. The meek man cares not at all who is greater than he, for he has long ago decided that the esteem of the world is not worth the effort.
~A. W. Tozer

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Meekness

Numbers 12:3 KJV
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Moses was likely the second greatest leader since the beginning of time, and God said of him that he was “very meek.” The world views meekness as a weak character trait. They want someone who is loud and confident, and it’s not to say that a bold person isn’t a great leader. But the point of the matter is, God does not view leadership in the same manner as man. We often view it from the flesh. God knows the heart, inner strength and depth of wisdom that goes far deeper than knowledge and confidence. Moses had a stuttering issue that convinced him that he wouldn’t be the best leader, but God proved to him that if He listened to God’s guidance he would be successful. Isn’t that a novel concept? Moses was not only the greatest leader on earth he was the meekest man on earth. I find that fascinating. I personally do not know very many meek leaders. I know a few… my Pastor for one. Moses led millions of people for four decades. They weren’t just blindly following him. They rebelled several times. But he never lost control. Isn’t that amazing? What about this meek man made people listen to him?

Don’t Undervalue the Meek

Psalm 22:26 KJV
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.

Psalm 22 bears the prophetic words from Jesus on the cross. Psalm 22:1 KJV “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?”

The greatest leader of all time is of course Jesus. He who wrote the words of meekness and tells us the value of meekness. My Dad was a meek man. I never, not once, heard him raise his voice. He meekly lived his life, reading the word of God, teaching the word of God and didn’t argue; but rather knew what he believed, and allowed others to believe what they wanted to. I try to live that way, but I have a tendency to want to convince others that believe something else to change their viewpoint to mine. I don’t do it demanding, that is not my personality. But if you back me into a corner on what I believe, I can be loud. I don’t believe that Jesus, even being half man, would have succumbed to shouting if He was backed into any corner. When they threatened to throw Him over a cliff, He simply walked away. Oh to have such inner strength! I want to run my mouth, I always think that will make me feel better. It doesn’t. But it does let some pressure off the pop off valve inside me once in a while.

If meekness was also the character of God, should that not be our goal? Of course it should. And if we would ever reach that goal, two blessings would come from it…satisfaction and praise. Two valuable assets in life. To be in a state of being satisfied with where we are and so happy we’re praising the Lord! Yes, let it be so.

Don’t Mis-Understand Meekness

Psalm 25:9 KJV
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

A meek leader may not force their viewpoint upon you, they may allow you to continue in the way you were going until you fall flat on your face, but don’t view that as an error on their part. That’s what happens so often in this world of blame where anything that happens is “not our fault.” The left and the right have been playing the blame game rather than just stating what they’re for. A meek person stands for what they believe in. You will seldom, if ever hear a meek person putting the blame on another person for the struggles in life. They understand that things happen. They understand that this world is terribly broken. They understand that they’re not perfect and when they stand before Jesus, they alone will answer for their errors. Meek people don’t waste words, especially on those who won’t accept their advice.

The Holy Spirit is also meek. After all it is the third part of the Trinity. It’s not yelling at you when it says, “Don’t do that.” “Don’t say that.” “Don’t go there.” And then you do. And maybe you don’t but it’s like I almost feel the Holy Spirit roll His eyes inside of me. He doesn’t yell at that point either. He simply forgives me and together we move on. But I understand that it was me who messed up. I didn’t listen to His guidance. If I had just been meeker and went the direction I was being told, my life would have been better.

Today, as I begin Tuesday, August 20th, 2024… this very noisy person is a little quieter in my soul. I pray I continue that way… I understand that meekness doesn’t always make noise.

Posted in Christian Service, Family, Heaven, Life Inspiration, Music, Praise, salvation, worship

The Day my Dad Danced

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The Day my Dad Danced

I love to hear the stories of my families faith. Some of it I grew up with, but was unsaved and ignorant to its meaning in my life, and much of it took place before there was me, or I was too young to understand at all. And such was the story of my Dad, Gene Paul Hardway, as told to me by my cousin Jerry Hughes. Jerry, fortunately for me, not only has great faith, but he has a great memory of spiritual matters with family. I could listen to o him for hours because now, it has meaning. Great meaning.

The story was told (as well as I recall) that at an old time revival in the hills of Braxton County, West Virginia my Dad stood to testify and the Holy Spirit took charge. His testimony went from testifying to preaching, and as he preached on the old wooden platform, he danced. My Dad’s dancing was a cross between a clogging style and a soft shoe. Not showy, just softly. I witnessed him do that many, many times as a child and as an adult. He loved to dance. But this night he danced in the Spirit. Jerry said that Dad apologized to the congregation for the dancing, to which they responded for it to continue as long as he liked because they too knew that the Spirit had a hold of my dad. .

It was such a sweet story.You’d have understand my Dad’s demeanor to appreciate the story. He was the most kind hearted, gentle man I ever knew. He never cared if he had the latest and the greatest. He knew and lived apostle Paul’s verse in Philippians 4:11 KJV, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” A matter I’ve struggled with. 

So on this Father’s Day weekend, in honor of my earthly Father who is now with my Heavenly Father I share this story and these thoughts on Psalm 149.

Don’t be Shocked 

PSALM 149 [1] Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. [2] Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 

My heritage (and yours) goes back much farther than that time in the hills of West Virginia when my Dad danced. I have to wonder if Adam didn’t dance in the garden. It doesn’t say he did, but I’d imagine it to be the case. What was the music? Maybe the song birds. Only God knows. But since then, dancing has got a bad rap. Literally. I really don’t understand why unless Matthew 11: 15-19 is an indication. 

[15] He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. [16] But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, [17] And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. [18] For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. [19] The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.

Religion! Always a sour note in life’s song. Far be it from any of the religious tribe to dance. They are far too “dignified” (aka dead) for that. Regardless of what those in the Spirit do, the dead will make light or evil of it. They did in Jesus’ day, and they do in ours. Judgement abounds in the church setting. 

Do I think we should dance in the church. No. It’s not that I would mind if someone did (so long it was of the Spirit’s leading) But the problem is there are always those who find the need for showmanship. And while my Dad was of a meek and gentle spirit, not everyone is. But from Christ’s own words he acknowledged the deadening of the religious and it was not good. 

Dancing is only mentioned 37 times in scripture both old and new. So from that I think we can surmise  that it was not be be a major part of worship. But we also should not be shocked if it happens! 

Don’t be Stupid

PSALM 149 [3] Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. [4] For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. [5] Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

The song of salvation! Of what joy those words bring to my heart. I understand my Dad’s dance. I understand it so well I got me some clogging shoes a few months ago. I hope to learn how to clog just for the fun of it. (Not in worship… although I might praise Him while I dance,) especially if I don’t collapse from a heart attack!  But what struck me as pertinent to our blog today from this verse is the fact that David said God would beautify the meek.  What my Dad did in that little country church was a beautiful thing. He was overcome by the Spirit with gladness in his heart for the salvation Christ had afforded him. Like me, my Dad was in his 30’s when he accepted Christ as his Savior. There was a lot of water (and sin) under our bridges. We knew what God had saved us from and we are grateful! I believe it was because of Dad’s “meekness” that God was glorified in that moment. He wasn’t behaving out of control (stupidly). He was in the perfect control of the Spirit of God. 

Don’t be Silenced

PSALM 149 [6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; [7] To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; [8] To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; [9] To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

It’s an honor to be a mouthpiece of the Lord. I was born for that! My Dad used to call me Charlie because of a character played by Bernadette Peters, who was a loud mouthed woman on a sitcom back in the day. For some reason, I reminded Dad of her. Go figure!  But Dad may have seen in me (at least I hope) the potential that Christ would get a hold of this mouth and use it for His glory. 

On this Father’s Day weekend, I’m so proud to be the daughter of the meek Gene Paul Hardway. But, I’m even prouder to be the child of the King along with my earthly Father. I hope you enjoyed this memory as much as I did, and I pray you have a blessed Father’s Day!

Posted in Bible Journaling, Life Inspiration, Peace

The disease of dis ease

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on The disease of dis ease

I for certain am a work in progress. Especially when it comes to the social graces in life. There are days when I think I have diarrhea of the mouth and I just can’t keep it from running. I know… that’s gross right? Well I warned you about my social graces. But put me in a new or awkward situation and it’s even worse. I want to spill out everything I know in 20 seconds or less. I’ve become increasingly more aware of this lately. Add to that the new health concerns since the heart attack and the times I question… exactly what is that pain? And I’m a mess! So what can I do, other than go to God and say, “Lord, please help.” And for the last few days I’ve heard

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

1 Peter 3:4

That verse does not describe me. Mainly because people see Shari much more than they see the hidden man of the heart, which is Jesus Christ.

The Hidden

Apostle Paul understood the hidden Man when he wrote Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

But the difference between Paul and Shari, is though I too was crucified with Christ upon the day of my salvation; crucifying the flesh is something I have to do again and again. I am not always so willing to allow Christ to have control of the flesh. That’s a personal decision for every one of us to allow Christ to have control. It’s not that we’re not saved, it’s that I’m not obedient. That stings my heart to even say the words, but I know its truth.

The Meek

The most misunderstood personality of them all. More often than not mistaken for weakness. But meekness is the ability not to say what you’re thinking. Not to do what you’d like. Tell me that’s not strength!? Perhaps not for you, but for me it takes great gobs of muscle power of the heart through Christ to pull back the reigns as I lunge toward the fleshly feelings that want to take over.

Meekness is absolute power under perfect control.

In the book of Numbers 12:2-3, Aaron and Miriam were chastised by God for their murmering against Moses. They questioned “Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us? And the Lord heard it. (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)

Moses would not defend himself, but you can better believe that God defended him and reminded Aaron and Miriam that He spoke to Moses “mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches;” (Vs 8) showing Aaron and Miriam the respect that God had for Moses and his meekness in that His relationship with Moses was far greater than with the two of them.

Would to God I would shut my mouth sometimes and listen as Moses did…

The Quiet

The very thing I long for, but am so unwilling to be. The ever so wise Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”

Stuff is not my friend. I want stuff. Lots of stuff. Which causes me travail and vexation of spirit.

Travail is effort. It’s a constant struggle for me to have more stuff. Things that take my focus off of the quietness of God. Not necessarily bad things, just stuff. I’m slowly, ever so slowly learning contentedness in my life. Learning… meaning I have by no means arrived. I perhaps may be barely out of preschool. But I’m learning that God perhaps did not intend for my mansion and my hearts desires to be fulfilled this side of glory. I am learning to be contented with my double wide home in a mansion frame of mind. Grateful for the gifts God has given…

Vexation is frustration and exasperation.  It’s difficult to find quietness in the midst of frustration. Almost impossible. My frustration with the state of affairs of the world and my life particularly vexes my soul and I lose my quiet. This morning my house is quiet. These words came “fairly easy.” But it’s been a week long struggle.

Oh God… that my soul would quiet down and the flesh would be squelched out of existence.

A meek and quiet spirit is to God of great price, because it was great price that He paid to get into the heart of man. God does not want my heart to ache in the manner it does, and not necessarily from heart disease. But more than likely from heart dis ease. Not a typo… I have to wonder how much of my life’s woes comes from not “dis” experiencing the “ease”, comfort of being a child of God.

A good question for myself today. Perhaps for yourself too.