“He doesn’t have to say he’s sorry” my 4 year old daughter’s said after I told my son to apologize to her. It wasn’t in a disrespectful tone, but one of forgiveness. True forgiveness, one that can’t be bought or faked. She got it.

Lies come in many forms, whispering our insecurities as though they carry some entitled information. Whether these lies are self imposed or negativity spread from those around us, you can’t dwell on these things. It will suck the life right out of you. Focus on who God sees, a person of value,  a person with purpose, a person who is loved.

Lately, I have been hearing a lot of people angry over legalism. What is legalism? I am sure if you asked multiple people what it is you probably would receive various answers. This seemingly attainable type of mindset eliminates the need for a Savior and yet it falls so far from the truth because no one is perfect (Romans 3:23). Bottom line, we need a Savior. Jesus fills the gaps of our imperfection and provides a means for salvation. However, sometimes I feel people take the term legalism too far, falsely assume many matters the Bible discusses as debatable. This too is dangerous because it undervalues the fact that God placed it in the Bible for a reason.

I flip through the television channels as magic and sorcery is strewn through cartoons masquerading itself with innocence and enchantment, blurring lines with childlike imagination and deep spiritual darkness. The thought that these could go hand in hand is weird, yet they almost seamlessly do. As though it’s a game of ring around the rosies. On main stream television it is almost impossible to find something without magic. Then the pick and choose battle begins, or as some parents I respect do, go without TV. Wondering what will cause the greatest impact?

Who else feels the need to cover their eyes while passing Abercrombie and Fitch? Anyone, anyone? We live in a very lustful society, our minds are being polluted on a daily basis, just from merely turning on the tv or passing a billboard. We are constantly bombarded with the notion that open sensuality and promiscuity are ok, but God desires so much more for us. Nobody else will guard your mind for you, you have to make a conscience effort to do that, or you too can fall prey to the norm.

I sit and watch as snowflakes hit my windshield one after another. I am amazed at how detailed and beautiful these handcrafted drops of ice are. How often have I had the chance to even pay attention? How easily it would have been for God to disregard the details in the snowflake, because, unless you really stop to pay attention, who really cares if they were just balls of snow with only a practical purpose? But God cared. It makes perfect sense, aligned with His nature, that the Artist that created the world paid attention to the details we rarely notice. Life can be like a good movie; the more you watch it, the more you see the details that were placed there by the director.

I am so thankful for second chances. Life is such a journey filled with ups and downs. Sometimes we are on our “A” game, other times we fail. We are reminded in our human state how imperfect we are. Yet, through our moments of imperfection, we are humbled with the realization of Gods grace and mercy as He forgives us and gives us a second chance.

We live in a very open minded society. Anything and everything goes. Dare we say anything contrary to the “Live as you please” mentality it is considered judging. But does everything really fall into the judging category? When does accountability take effect and how can we avoid judging?

There is no simple answer to this complex question. I am attempting to answer it the best I know how, and that is through the knowledge provided in the Bible. We may never completely understand it because it may be beyond our comprehension. But one thing we can be confident in, is that God is good, and God hates evil too.

Handcrafted by a loving Creator, you were etched from your toes to your head. You are not a mistake. Society may say you don’t fit the beauty mold, but God looks at you and smiles, knowing that He created you just the way He wanted. Do you think God failed to get the latest fashion magazine to see if you fit today’s view of what is beautiful? Over the decades our society’s view of beauty has changed but God’s has not.