influences

Yesterday morning I was listening to a local preacher. This particular church broadcasts live their church services. One thing the preacher said really caught my ear. He said, that each individual person influences at least 10,000 people during a lifetime. And if true, and I really think it is, I cringe at the idea of what my influence would be on anyone prior to being saved. Before I was saved, I thought nothing of telling lies, cursing so badly that it would hurt a sailors ears to hear. Truth be known, everything was about Joan. Some people might want to blame the bad childhood years, but you know, there's too much of that going on these days. It's so easy to blame others for our sins. Once a person is saved they realize that they themselves are to blame for their sins. I was at a certain church one a Sunday many years ago, when the preacher ask for testimonials. The man named Alan stood up and testified about his army service and how that his fellow servicemen were to blame for his drug use.You see here was a Christian man, blaming someone else for his sins. With him were his wife, and two very impressionable young son's. Here, he was teaching his young sons to blame other people for any wrong doings that they may do. It's so easy to influence others by our actions. Especially young children. You know I said before, I wish I were a Christian when I raise my first four children. I wish I had taught them according to God's law, using the Bible as a parenting book. To be honest what goodness is in my children came from outside sources. My last son David was raised by me using the Bible as a parenting book. Any time he would do something objectionable, I would use the Bible to explain to him the wrong in what he had done. One day, he said to me,'' why are you always using the Bible against me?'', I gave him a clear and understood answer ''because that's what I'm supposed to do''. Now David may not follow the rules and guidelines laid out to him, but he and God knows I did the best I could. And now it's up to David whether he wants to go by those guidelines will take another path. I know I seem like I'm rambling, but I'm just saying things as they come to mind. Somewhere in all the rambling is a point to be made. And the point being, asking yourself the question. How am I influencing my family members, my friends and my community. I would like to say this to all the young parents out there. Would you please, please and I say please again, stop teaching your children how to curse. I hear some of the most vulgar language come from parents, whose children are standing there learning these awful words. I see parents laughing as their little toddlers repeat these ugly words back. This is saying to that todder that it's something cute to do. Shame on you! I repeat shame on you!

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Now, knowing that we influence so many people, maybe just maybe we'll stop and think about what we do and what we said.
Until next time Willard and I wish you health and happiness, God bless and God save.