Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Monday, December 17, 2007

"A History of Integrity"

Last week, as I tracked the upcoming storm via TV news, I noticed everyone seemed to be anxiously waiting to share the findings of "The Mitchell Report". While I don't watch baseball and have not really kept abreast of the investigation into the use of anabolic steroids, obviously many others are very interested. And so I listened to the list of names, (I think I recognized five of them) and I listened as sportscasters predicted the effect this report would have on the sport. Each "expert" had a different opinion, which didn't surprise me in the least. What did surprise me is that not one of them (the ones I saw anyway) doubted the validity of the report. In fact several times I heard different ones say that Senator Mitchell was chosen because of his "history of integrity".
What a powerful testimony! I don't know Mr. Mitchell, nor do I know anything of him. All I know is that those in the media who are always so quick to report faults and dishonesty have made statements regarding this man's integrity. Evidently this man is honest enough that he has consistently behaved truthfully. It isn't that he just told the truth once or twice, it seems to be a habit with him. That is amazing! I began to wonder how many of us would gain the same testimony?
Could people look back at our lives and say that we adhered to our principles? Could they say that we did not practice situational ethics? Could they? Let me get one thing straight, I don't believe that George Mitchell is perfect, that he has never made a mistake, or a bad decision. But, I do believe it says a lot for his character that his "history" is one of personal integrity. That gives him credibility! That gives his words power and validity!
God says, "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes the crooked path will be found out." (Proverbs 10:9) This man of integrity, the man who walks upright, is the man God promises to bless, to guide, to govern. The man who keeps his integrity intact in all situations is obviously a man who lives by an unchanging standard---ahhh . . . I know all you preachers are already thinking, "hey, I have preached that before"--- (grin). In a society with ever changing standards, integrity has become a very rare commodity. One of the definitions of integrity uses the phrase, "steadfast adherence to a definite set of moral values". We live in a world where very few things are "definite". God's standards are! They do not change. What He expected two thousand years ago is what He expects in 2007 and what He will expect in 2008. And those who are "walking in the light" are those who are consistently building a "history of integrity".
When I look back on my entire life, I know that my history is less than stellar. But isn't that what the blood of Christ is all about? Isn't it about taking our past and purifying our present? Isn't it about a chance to create or allow Him to create a history for us? Praise God for His patient sacrifice, for His unchanging standard and for His gift of second chance! May we all begin today working on our "history", so that as we share the gospel message, our words have credibility, they are valid because we are the kind of person who is trusted, all because of we have a "history of integrity".

Peace
Neva

19 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

It amazes me how you can hear the same things as all the rest of us, yet you pick out some word or words with which to teach or encourage us. You have a gift, my friend.

Pat

12:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You are right, I have preached that before. ;)

Good post, sister

Carlos

12:30 PM  
Blogger Monalea said...

Integrity is a powerful word and one I want to be remembered for.

Monalea

2:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Integrity is very black and white and yet we continually try to make it shades of gray.
Gray and integrity do not co-exist.

Interested Bystander

4:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It is easy to speak of integrity but integrity can be very costly. Some of us may have to change jobs or worship with different congregations or choose different friends in order to preserve our integrity. It is often difficult to do. I am surprised the media admitted and almost admired someone of integrity.
Good post
Dan

6:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I remember hearing you speak about integrity before when you were teaching our class at SIBI. I have never forgotten what you said and have been striving to be a woman of integrity.

7:44 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You have more integrity than anyone I know--thats what makes you credible. Thanks for the example and the reminder.

Rachel

9:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The standard never changes, therefore we always know what God desires of us. Should be easy to be a people of integrity.
Great post, Neva

Corinne

10:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Integrity is a topic we dont address very often but we should.
Thanks for the thoughts

Jarrod

1:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really liked the part about because we are people of integrity, we can share the Word of God with confidence and credibility. Good job Neva.

Georgia

10:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season. We are getting ready to head south to see family so I wont be reading but I really did want to wish you Merry Christmas and a very happy New year! Thanks for making this past year one that Judd and I will never forget. We are eternally in your debt. Thank you for sharing Jesus with us!

Love
Kara

4:23 PM  
Blogger Bob Bliss said...

Recently watched an episode of "Reba." She was trying to get a job. She couldn't find a parking spot and then spied a handicapped sign she had in the seat next to her. Her daughter and son-in-law had received it and she was trying to teach them that it wasn't right since they didn't need it or deserve it. Well she used the sign because there were no parking spots available. She ran up and met with the boss. Convinced him that she was a "straight-shooter." It turned out he was in a wheel chair and then looked out the window and asked if that was her gold van in the handicapped spot, which it was. She lost the job. She took the wrong path instead of integrity and it cost her.

4:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Integrity is what you have not what you do. Of course it has to be all the time, all the way. It is an absolute!
IMO


Eileen

9:29 PM  
Blogger Larissa said...

i posted the pics on my blog. they haven't come in yet, but i have them and can email them to you.

2:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
Your grandchildren are beautiful!
I know how proud you are of them.

Rachel

3:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very cute! Especially the baby!

Pat

9:18 PM  
Blogger ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Amen girl!! I TOATALLY agree!!!

10:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Integrity, the lost characteristic!

Dean

12:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen!

Carol

10:10 PM  

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