Maintaining Integrity in Your Relationships

Relationships. Some say you can't live with them. Others say you can't live without them. Whether you know it or not, you are wired for relationships. They are not always easy, without issue, or stress-free, but make no mistake: God created us to be in relationship. Using the acronym for Integrity, here are some simple ways to maintain integrity in your relationships:

Involve God. My closest friendships are built around common faith and values.

Never compromise God's standard for acceptance. No relationship is worth devaluing your soul.

Tackle difficulties. Don't let disagreements fester and uneasiness linger.

Graciously extend mercy. Relationships are a work in progress on both sides.

Reflect on your motives for what you do, say, and who you interact with.

Invest yourself in the relationship. Don't be notorious for taking and never giving to the relationship.

Tame your tongue.  Relationships have been shipwrecked by words, emails, fb posts, and rude texts.

Yield your relationships to God and trust His guidance. If he says, no, not yet, or not time, trust God.

Proverbs 27:17 says, "You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another." MSG

 Steel sharpens steel. Steel doesn't bash steel.

Positive relationships sharpen your mind, your spirit, your emotions, and bring life to you. If you're in the kind of relationships that sharpen you, I encourage you, to not let them become dull with apathy, disuse, or abuse. Treasure the beauty of flourishing relationships and do all in your power to maintain them.

Joy, Peace, and Church <3

Love Me Beyond The Season

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas! Tis the season to be jolly. Sadly, an estimated 50% of relationships break up in the two weeks leading up to the most joyous time of year. Why is that?

Is it the stress of trying to find that perfect gift? Is it the demand put on the man to give a bigger, and better gift than he did when he first met you? Is he/she just too frugal to want to spend the money? Or do you always find yourself in a seasonal relationship? Let me define that for you:

A seasonal relationship is we are in a committed relationship except for any holiday season, like Christmas, New Years, Valentine's Day...you know, when you have to "demonstrate" love with a gift.

I say to you ladies and gentlemen, that you deserve better. Don't let anyone play you like a broken instrument. You should expect your relationship to last through all seasons. The most important thing is not the gift that comes wrapped, but the gift of a committed heart, to you, to the future you will share together.

Make the decision  that you will not allow anyone to treat you like a part-time love. You are worthy of love for all seasons!

Blessings and Church Love!