Born To Speak the Truth

I have this little badge that i keep, on it is a simple phrase, "Born To Speak The Truth".
I love truth, I hate lies and injustice.
I love truth. I love seeking out truth and digging deep for it. I love defending it. I love sharing it. I am passionate about truth.
Sometimes my need or desire to speak the truth is not always well received, partly because I can get quite ...um....passionate. . . . combine this with a confrontational character and it doesn't always go down well.

But just this weekend I realised that there might be another reason the Truth that I speak is not always well received.

I had one of those conversations. You know those rare gems. A moment when you are just chilling, chatting to a friend and suddenly you can tangibly feel the presence of God as words of wisdom and encouragement are shared. A conversation that is the catalyst to instant change in your life. A truly annointed conversation.

I can honestly say that I walked away changed from that conversation, and having experienced a measure of break through in an instant, that I had been longing for years to see. So what made this conversation different. [and lets be honest, these conversations are rare in our lives.]

Was it the fact that truth was being spoken to me? and not just any truth but truth based on the Word of God?  I have had many conversation centered around the Word, and listened to many sermons but not all have left me changed. . . .but why not?

Was it because the conversation was anointed? I mean, i could tangibly feel the presence of God? Honestly I have had many conversations and counselling sessions where the person was anointed by God and yet I walked away unchanged. I mean these others, there was no doubt about the anointing being there. There was no doubt about truth being spoken. But I either left unchanged or I had to fight really hard to embrace, accept and apply what was being said.

Yet one simple conversation between two friends, and in an instant things shifted. I realised a key that I have never fully understood before, though it has been staring me in the face for years. . .

Scriptures tells us in Ephesians 4:15 to speak the truth in love.  I believe this is a vital ingredient. I believe this is the ingredient that helps us receptive to the truth and the anointing.

You see, this friend that I was talking to, we have a good, long standing godly friendship that has been established over the years. There is a connection there, and I know them well enough to know that they have my best interest at heart. So I know that when they share truth, even if it is hard truth or convicting truth...even in those things... I know this person's heart and therefore I am open to hear it.

I think this is the difference. . . I think often as Christians we speak truth to convict or share an opinion and its void of love, therefore it just becomes a clanging symbol, resounding Gong!!! a non fruit producing blurb.

I think sometimes we try hard and we try to speak the truth with love. Our zeal is strong, and we sincerely want to make sure it sounds like we have the love of Christ. we really want it to be behind our words, but its not quite there.

Speaking truth in love comes from a different place, a place of relationship. We see it time and time again through out scripture . . . relationship is key. its not just about well worded phrases dripping with "love" cliches but no heart. . . we need to actually LOVE.  I am sure that is why Jesus could hand out some heavy rebukes to his disciples like "Get behind me satan", and yet they remained faithful to him and walked into restoration. Because as harsh as the words were, they knew where they stood with Jesus, because they were in relationship. This opened the door for them to speak freely.  To be able to bring truth, even the hard truth. To be able to know how to bring truth etc.

I encourage you all, dont be like me . . . dont be running around just speaking the truth because you see a need for it to be spoken . . . even if you lace the sentence with a reminder of how much you love the person..... Speak it in love.....truly in love....  and let it be more than words, your lifestyle needs to reflect your heart too.... i love how Ephesians 4:15 is written in the amplified bible.
But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head—Christ

Sunday Random Sunday 2

It's that time of the week again...time to have a fun look at what has been going on. Truthfully its been a super busy week, which is why there haven't been any other blogs written this week. Work has been quite chaotic and busy. . .perhaps its the weather....speaking of the weather - we finally had some sunshine and warmth this Saturday just passed.... and boy did it arrive with a vengeance ...but we are back to rain today.

Despite being busy. . . there was of course time for art. . . I learnt a new technique this week... moved on a bit from sketching and learnt some dry brushing. So I have been experimenting with that, as well as working on last week's pic.

Despite the stress of the week, I seem to have rediscovered my love for baking. . . art class were treated, and then I had a fun weekend with friends popping in to say hi or play games for hours . . . I do think a rule needs to be established, "if you are in someone's home you may not beat them in their own games...especially if they taught you how to play the game." I am just saying!!!!

Also if the cupcakes stick to the wrapper and fall apart, throw the pieces in a bowl and smother in chocolate ganache. . . home made of course....also added some Marshmallow Fluff [not home made this time].... it was decadent and yummy. . . and a great time with friends, even if some of them beat me at my own game....often!

Please notice i have a kettle....some super delightful friendie bought it for me as a housewarming gift....woohoo....makes life so much easier.

Little by little am adding in some plant life to my patio....so glad most of my plants survived being transplanted....now may they thrive....can't wait till its all set and finished and i can just relax out there....just me and the millions of mosquitoes.....man this place is swarming!!! 

so that is a bit of randomness and fun, despite a stressful week . . . i must be honest i end this week and i feel like i have hope again. I am amazed at the goodness of God, so often He is so busy behind the scenes that we miss it....but this weekend [especially] my eyes have been opened.....more on that in blogs to come.....

I know its an old song but this song has really been in my mind and my heart this week . . . its such a beautiful song, and we are so privileged to have his love, and be in his heart. simply click on the title below to go to the link....

Lord you have my heart

I am obviously a very wordy person.... more of a novelist than a blogger. . . sometimes we have a truth in our hearts and then we are chatting with a friend and then sum it up perfectly in a simple sentence that is so deeply profound it could change the course of your life....so i leave you with a quote my friend shared with me this weekend. So profound i made them say it twice and then email it to me....