Question: "What does the Bible mean that we are not to judge others?"
Answer: This is an issue that has confused many people. On one hand, we are commanded by the Lord Jesus, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). On the other hand, the Bible also exhorts us to beware of evildoers and false prophets and to avoid those who practice all kinds of evil. How are we to discern who these people are if we do not make some kind of judgment about them?
Christians are often accused of "judging" whenever they speak out against a sinful activity. However, that is not the meaning of the Scripture verses that state, "Do not judge." There is a righteous kind of judgment we are supposed to exercise—with careful discernment (John 7:24). When Jesus told us not to judge (Matthew 7:1), He was telling us not to judge hypocritically. Matthew 7:2-5 declares, "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others.
In Matthew 7:2-5, Jesus warns against judging someone else for his sin when you yourself are sinning even worse. That is the kind of judging Jesus commanded us not to do. If a believer sees another believer sinning, it is his Christian duty to lovingly and respectfully confront the person with his sin (Matthew 18:15-17). This is not judging, but rather pointing out the truth in hope—and with the ultimate goal—of bringing repentance in the other person (James 5:20) and restoration to the fellowship. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim what God's Word says about sin. 2 Timothy 4:2instructs us, "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction." We are to "judge" sin, but always with the goal of presenting the solution for sin and its consequences—the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6).
I am not saying that I am not or have not judged...I am SURE guilty of it, but I very much feel that the above references my responsibility on the topic. As a Christian, I better make sure "my house is clean before I start judging yours". That is how I feel.
Love me as I am...keep me accountable, but also know that if you are going to stand at my door and shake your finger, check the fingers shaking back at you. Also, just because you have been convicted on a topic by Him, doesn't mean I have. He will approach us as He sees fit.
Please remember this when you start peeking through my "window" or acting under the heading of "Christian". You represent a whole group of people, who already under extreme scrutiny.
I'm now signing out... The "newest member" of the group believer and followers of Christ!
I just updated my Google+ account with some basic info and thought that I needed to share it here. The reason for sharing it here is because it is basically an "about me" update. This is mostly what I wrote on Google+, but I added a few things. This way you can get the gist of me without reading everything... Then you can decide if you want to read more! Enjoy...
I am a busy wife, mom, teacher, student, daughter, sister, Aunt, and friend. I am also a Christian...don't judge me, just get to know me.
I have been married to S for almost 13 years (7/16/99). He is my heart, and I would be completely lost without him! We have fought hard for our marriage, and it is stronger now than ever. We married at 19, and within about 14 months we had 2 kiddos. Needless to say the first few years of our marriage were CRAZY! We would/will both fight till the death to save it or keep it intact. He is my inspiration! He has worked hard to support our family despite many setbacks. While he isn't currently working due to his Bi-polar disease and other mental health/medical issues, he shows me everyday what strength really looks like. I think I am strong in many areas...at different times, but S is the picture of strength...even though he doesn't see it. Even on my best day, I am not as strong as him. I love him more because of it. :) Through all of our struggles, we have done nothing but grow stronger...I wouldn't take even one of them back.
We have lost more people in our lives than any one person/couple should have to go through. Neither one of us now has any grandparents left. And, S lost his mom to Ovarian Cancer in 2006. We are currently watching his step-dad slowly decline due to cancer. If you read more of my blog you will find more about these people. On the positive side, S has recently reconnected with his father. This has been a long road, but it is turning out to be a good one.
We have 2 kiddos, A (08/20/1999) and C (09/19/2000). Currently, they are both in Middle School, and A plays on the school soccer team. He would rather play games than do school work, but he very intelligent. C is on the yearbook Committee. She has yet to find a sport that suites her (despite trying many), but she is great at academics. I am very proud of both of them. They drive me crazy, but I wouldn't trade them for the world.
I teach Special Education and will be entering the second half of my first year when school starts in August (2012). They hired me on in Dec. 2011 due to an influx of students. Special Education is my calling, and I absolutely love it. I have been in school since fall 2007 and graduated from Cumberland University in 2011. I will (hopefully) begin pursuing my Master's this fall (2012) with Bethel University. I think I am a one of those people that loves to go to school...weird, I know. I have 2 degrees...both Bachelors, Special Education k-12 and Elementary Education k-6. I also have a minor in Psychology. I have never considered going to school past my Master's, but I like the thought of being in school, so we will see. I have NO desire to be an administrator...as in principal, but I could see myself in an administrative role by teaching/helping other teachers to handle students with disabilities. It is something I am very passionate about. All teachers should know what steps to take to make EVERY student successful in their classroom.
I am the oldest of 3 girls, and we are all 4 years apart. My sisters are Jo and S (TT) TT is a nickname provided by A when he was little and couldn't say her real name. It just stuck... and everyone calls her that. I am the proud Aunt of a niece (Madison, 8) and nephew (Boston, 3)...yes...they are both named after places. :) They are both Jo's kiddos. I can't wait for S to have kiddos...FUN!
I like or things to be organized; however, if something become "too messy," per my standards, I will become anxious and either go overboard to fix it or i will avoid it all the way. I love home design and changing rooms around. I have grand ideas, but rarely follow through. I usually start them then get side-tracked. I think I have ADD/ADHD. If you know me, you know how RANDOM I can be.
I am also trying to be more health conscious. I am losing weight, and on my way down to my goal weight (135 lbs). I have already lost about 20 lbs. depending on the time of day I weigh. We all know that our weight changes 3-5 lbs throughout the day. That is huge for me as I have NEVER stuck to anything like this before in my life. I am one of those people that stops if something goes wrong or "restarts" on the next day, week, month, etc. For me, I LOVE that I am losing weight, but I just really want to be healthier and more toned. I do love that my clothes are fitting better and that I am going down in size. I am eating smaller portions and healthier stuff, most of the time. But now, I need to get moving! I started this journey and was walk/running a 2 mile loop in my neighborhood. Then, I would run out of daylight or not have enough in the mornings before work, make excuses that I was too tired/ had to much to do/or it got too hot. Yesterday I made a commitment/challenge to myself to do 30 days of exercising. This means 30 minutes for 30 days. It could be any kind of exercise, but it had to get my heart rate up consistently. I need to be held accountable to this so I have asked my FB peeps to help me with this. You are more than welcome to do the same thing. I just ask for no judgement...just a random "did you happen to do your exercise today?" or "what type of exercise did you try out today?" Since I am currently on Summer Break, (only 16 more days until I am "officially back i the classroom) I tend to be a hermit. Please ask me to come walk with you or run...or whatever to get me going.
I am a Christian. This is greatest relationship I have in my life...and that says a lot. I have been saved and Baptized twice. If you want to know why, just email me and I will tell you. My walk with God is my own. I try not to judge others, as I don't want them to judge me, but I fail daily. God loves me anyway. I am constantly seeking to find answers...some in the right places and some in the wrong. He will lead me to where He wants me...I just have to be open and listen. I love my church, but again...I am not that involved in it, not like I want to be. And here comes that "A" word again...Accountability. I am asking that you help me. Just like I said above...please don't judge...just ask if I am doing anything today to strengthen that relationship. I am up for suggestions. Once school starts back I know that church activities will pick back up. They have plenty of women's study groups and even fitness groups. The fitness groups range from daily Karate, exercise, walking, etc. I love the choir, so maybe I will step-up in that area.
Lastly, I have the greatest people in my life...in all areas. I have the best family (even if I don't show it all the time), co-workers (they are always there to help me where and when needed, and they do the same with me), and the greatest friends...you couldn't ask for better (old and new). I have friends that have become family and family that have become friends...who could ask for anything more?! I have friends that have been my friend since before school started (Kindergarten) and friends that I have only known for a couple of years. All mean something very special to me, and I know that those in my life are there for a reason. I would NEVER give up what I have with these people. My very best friends are people who I don't know how I lived this long without. If you read a year or so back you will see that I thought, then, that I had the greatest friends...some of that has changed, but that is life. Time will heal wounds, as will God. I just have to be patient and open to listen. Family is family...usually, but I have some family that I truly consider friends...good friends...great friends...even best friends. They have been the shoulder that I cried on when I didn't want to share all that was going on with my "friends" due to fear of judgment of me or S. Now, having the best friends like I do, I know that they are friends in every sense of the words and would never judge me. I can count a handful of those people that I fully trust, and know they wouldn't love/think of me any less. Many of my friends I don't talk to on a daily basis, but I could pick up the phone and know they would be there, if I needed them. Until writing this, I didn't see the full spectrum of friends that I have. While they may all be varying "degrees" (in when or how often I talk to/see them) of friends, I know they are friends...real friends. God has really blessed me in that area! I am so thankful. I have learned through recent happenings that true friendship is something hard to find and should be cherished!
I hope you feel like you know me a little better now! If you want to read more about me, feel free to do so...I am not an avid blogger (but I am getting better), so posts are staggered over time. If you have questions, please ask. I am a private person about certain things (as we all are), but I will be as open and honest as I can be depending on the question.
Much love!
Rai
P.S.-After this post I am going to start calling S-Babe, A- butt-head, and C-pooh. If you know them, you will know why. :)
Current mood:
What is on my mind… completely random blog…..:
* I just am at a loss as to how to describe how much God truly loves me. No I am not on a "religious kick"! I just can't seem to wrap my head around it. The idea that I am loved for no reason except He chooses to love me is amazing. It makes me blissfully happy and extremely emotional all at once.
* I also love to worship God. I really do. To sit in church and to sing to Him is amazing. Then when I sing songs about what I want or need him to do in my life…or about the things has already done makes me want to just fall at his feet and cry because I know I will never feel or have a love like that.
Change My Heart, Oh God
Change my heart, Oh God, make it ever true
Change my heart, oh God, may I be like You
You are the potter, I am the clay
Mold me and make me, this is what I pray
I love this song!!!!
* Faith. That is such a pretty and powerful word. I am a religious person who has faith. I truly go to church to learn more about God, the Bible, and how they relate to me.
Why am I saying all of this?
I guess because if look back over the last year a lot IN and around me has changed. First of all, since Shawn and I have been married this is the first time we have gone a full year without a member of our families dying. That is a big deal to me. Tomorrow, however, is relay for life and is always emotional. I am also going into my second year back in college and hopefully by this time next year I will have my associates in Elementary Ed and will be in the TSU Teacher ED program.
We are also gearing up for a family vacation to Massachusetts and we will be with MY whole family for 7 days. To be honest, I think I am most excited to just be getting away from the "norm" of things. I am excited for a change even if it is just for a week. This will also be the first time back to Mass. since my grandfather died in 2005. I don't think I am ready to see him at the cemetery and to think about it brings tears to my eyes. This, however, backs up to my current greatest fear…the declining health of my grandmother. I mean I know that people don't last forever, but that doesn't make the thought and grieving process any easier.
As humans, I think, we all want to fit into some crowd…or at least be around people we think are just like us. I know I do that… Then that leads to making sure you know who you are…that would be the hard part. I recently made some type of list to find out my likes and dislikes as I had never really thought about it before. It looked something like a mix between who I thought I was and someone I didn't really know. That is okay with me…it a search to figure myself out…I guess.
Here is some of it:
I have found out some things about myself. Here are some things I love:
*my faith: my God is so wonderful and I can never dream to imagine the love he has for me.
*Jesus Christ: I can never love him as much as He loves me and that is okay with him.
*my husband: we are so opposite of each other, but it works. I am more in love with him today than I was when we got married. He accepts me when I don't accept myself...Whether I know it or now he knows the real me.
*my children, innocent and beautiful: The bring joy to me when I least expect it...even if I don't show it all of the time.
*my family: the love has not always been unconditional from them, but it has gotten better...I really love them and I hope they know it.
*music...it is my passion. I have never said it like that before. It is the by far the true expression for how I feel.
*children: they are the future and I want to be a part of their future. I want to make an impact where no one else ever has. I love the hugs they give and love they feel from me.
*to praise God
*kisses from my hubby
*hugs and kisses from my kiddos
*to hear my children pray and praise God
*to see someone come to Christ
Here are the things I like:
*singing
*christian music
*alternative music
*to dress up
*converse tennis shoes
*snow
*video games
*home decorating
*to make other people happy
*to give even when I have nothing left to give
*the beach
*school
*pizza
*mac and cheese
*black and white pictures
*to feel wanted
*ice cream
*fireworks
*grass between my toes
*camping
*smores
*fall
*flip flops
*pink
*green
*funky designs
*kisses in the rain
*true friendship
*having a voice
*being different
*waking up to the smells of early morning
*the list goes on....
Coming up with this list was a long battle within me to overcome stereotypes and fears. Why you might ask? Because for a long time I lived in a world where I did what was expected not what I wanted. Now that isn't true about all things, but a lot of them...
It is amazing to think about the last year and how things have changed or stayed the same. The difference is that I am more content with life, am trying to "go with the flow" more than ever before, and am more myself that ever before. God has helped me get here and He will never leave me. When no one loved me He always did.
I know this is all random (I told you it would be in the beginning). It is just what is on my mind.
Current mood:
Well..hmmmm....today is the 1 year anniversary of my mother-in-law's (Shelly Broadrick) passing. It has been a hard day...one that is very painful but also happy...knowing that she is in Heaven and that she got to see her mom and dad again makes it ok with me. I miss her like CRAZY...yes...but it makes it ok.
For those of you who don't know who I am talking about.... My mother-in-law was 49 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4C Ovarian Cancer on September 23, 2004. That is a day I will never forget! She went through a very tramatic surgery in October 2004 and recovery process. At which time they moved in with us so that I could help to take care during her recovery and chemo. It was very hard, but I wouldn't trade that time with her for anything. In Feb. of 2005 they moved back home and then in March 2005 she was deemed No Sign of Cancer!!!! YAY!!! She had come very far and had fought hard to get where she was. The doctors had only given her 2 weeks to live just 6 months before. Praise God they weren't right.
Then in November of 2005 we started noticing signs of her in pain...her tests at the end of the year were still in ok range. After her 90 day waiting period...she took the tests again in March and it was back. They said that when it came back it would be full blown...and it was. They started her on Chemo...3 rounds in they found out the chemo wasn't working...they tried another one...needless to say she only got 1 round of it. Then on the 4th of July 2006 she had clear signs of end stages. She went to the Dr on the 5th they said this was the end and to call Hospice...3 days later with having said her goodbyes and family at her bedside singing "How Great Thou Art" (One of her favorites) she went to meet her savior in Heaven. I was with her when she passed (as were several others) and that is by far the most spiritual moment in my life...I could feel her leave this Earth to be forever in Heaven.
I miss her daily...yes, I know that we had our problems, but I miss her EVERY SINGLE DAY.
So, today on her 1 year anniversary... I got 22 teal colored balloons and set off to the cemetery. I met several family members there and I could feel the ones who wanted to be. We released the balloons into the sky. Now what is so special about the balloons (yes, I know that she hated balloons because she didn't like the sound when they popped)? The number 22 is for the number of months that she lived from the time she was diagnosed until she passed. Theteal color is for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. I also attached a card and on the front was her name and dates and on the back was some Ovarian Cancer facts. I said a prayer over them before we let them go...I just prayed that God would use them to their full advantage and that those who were in need of that info would get it. I also did it so that she might make a difference in this world. Yes, she died of Ovarian Cancer but through her experience and our loss we can inform others and maybe change someone elses life. I don't want one other person to have to go through this.
She was 51 years old with 2 brothers, 5 sisters, countless nieces and nephews, a husband, 3 Children, 3 grand children, several pets and swarms of other family that miss her GREATLY!!! She had a hard life, but wouldn't have changed it for the world. She fought a long hard fight and knew where she was going. So today...I say...I miss you, but you finally got your happy tears!
In Lovong Memory:
Shelly Broadrick
January 3, 1955- July 8, 2006
I Love You and Miss You!!!
With all of that said...please gets some info about Ovarian Cancer. It is a horrible disease and not enough information out there.! Here is a websitewww.ovarian.org . It only takes seconds and could save you or someone you knows life!
Current mood:
Well...we have already had a very busy summer!
Last week was VBS and I had 16 first graders in my class. It was a wonderful week and I am looking forward to next years. We also had all the normal church things going on..chior and meetings and such. This last week has truly been an awsome week for me personally and spiritually. I get really excited when God shows me He is there and that I am just to come to Him!!
I am also starting back to school this fall for my teaching degree. I am so excited and God has really revealed himself to me that this is where he wants me to be.
Shawn's work schedule has changed so we are having to be without him on the weekends. 
The biggest news that I have is that during VBS last week Corrin accepted Christ!!! I am so excited for her and our family! She is going to be baptized this weekend (July 8th)!!! This is a hard day for us as that day will be the 1 year anniversary of my mother-in-law's passing. But I know that She is rejoicing in Heaven that 1 year to the day of her passing her grand-daughter is coming into the family of Christ!!!! I am soooooo excited!!! There has been a lot of things like this going on in and around us. There were at least (that I know of) 3 children in our VBS that accepted Christ! God is sooo Great!!!
We have just over a month left until school starts and I know that it will be here before we know it!! In just 2 weeks we have registration!! I have a 2nd and 3rd grader now! 
Hope all of you have had a great summer so far!!!
Current mood:
Current mood:
I wanted to tell you all about my new (first) Tattoo. I got it today and it is on the lower part of my neck. I designed it and am in LOVE with it! Why? do you ask. Well....I have been thinking about it for a while and I decided if I had control over it then it would be okay.
There is a special meaning to my tattoo...it is not just some random "I want one tattoo". In the tattoo I am the daisy. The 4 petals falling off represent 4 very special people in my life that have passed away and them falling off shows that when they left a part of me went with them. The Butterfly is also representing one of those people watching over me as I grow in life.
The first petal is for my Grandpa, he passed away in 1996. The second is my Grandma, she passed away in 2004. The Third is my Papa, he passed away in 2005. Last, but not least is my Mother-in-law, Shelly, she passed away in 2006. She is also my butterfly...why? you ask. Well...there once was a comment that if she passed away then she would be around us in the form of a butterfly....and I like butterflies.
The colors represent several things. I am a fan of pink, so that is why the pink is in there. The purple is because I like it too, but so did Shelly. The white is for the purity of the soul as it goes to Heaven. And of course the standard colors of a daisy.
I would have never thought I would have gotten a tattoo...not that there is anything wrong with them, but I have fallen in love with it!
Current mood:
6 Weird Things
Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things/habits about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird habits/things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end you need to choose 6 people to get tagged and list their names. Dont forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.
6 Weird Things About Me:
1. I don't like sandwiches... I like the kind with toasted beard but I can't stand the mushy texture....sure fire way to make me get sick! The only hamburger that I will eat is from Mickey D's otherwise they are with out a bun....oh and the ones without a but HAVE to HAVE cheese...while the one from Mickey D's can't.
2. I can't stand to have stuff under the kidos' beds. Not beceause you could see it but because I know that it is there so I will have them pull it out and clean it up.
3. I don't like carbonated drinks...not even the alcoholic kind. I cannot stand the way it "fizzes". Now for the weirdest part of this one...in jr high there was a coke machine that we could occasionally go to. I would buy a Dr. Pepper and barley open it and sip on it all day so I wan't the only one without a drink.
4. My food CANNOT touch. I will section it off on my plate so it won't touch. Now, if it has a skin or is like corn on the cob then it is ok but other than that nope. Yes I can tell when other foods have touch cause I can taste is instanly.
5. I have absolutly random thoughts just pop out of my mouth....just ask my nephew Alex...lol Usually they are about something that I forgot to say or do but nonetheless random.
6. I get sidetracked really easily. I will be putting something away then pick something else up and completly forget about what I was doing....Shawn loves this one... LOL
**6 people to tag: Jordan, Stevie, Becky, Crystal, Anthony, Tracy**
Current mood:
So I have decided to try this whole blogging thing. Now don't get all excited cause it might not last. I have in the last few months been trying to come up with a better idea of who I am. Now, I know that, that might sound odd as Iam 26 and should know this by now, but nope... I don't. With that said... I have been in search of me. I have had a little bit of coaching...you know who you are...and it has helped a lot. But I have also learned that I am a very dependent on my hubby...that is a good thing... and I am not the same person I used to be (before marriage and kidos).
I have figured out that there are a lot of things I like and a lot of things I don't...and some of them surprise me. So the best way to do this is to make a list of likes and dislike that I have discoverd.
Dislikes
-the fact that people like to take advantage of me
-snobs
-people who pretend to be what they aren't... I guess looking back I could have fallen into this category...but that is a changin
-maybe I don't like changing my hair as often as I do...I guess I should just be happy with what I have
-irresponsible people
-taking crap from people because I am too affraid to say otherwise
-those little snip-it comments that people make just to say that they did...
-people who think that they know who you are and what is best for you
- "white trash"
-people who don't respect anyone
Likes
-drums...I would even like to take lessons
-piano...I have taken lessons, but never realized until now how much I like it
-punk rock... I guess that is what you would call it...music.
-Church...I really do like to be there... I don't think it is just my Church though...I would go to any Church
-funny people... I mean I have really gotten a sense of humor here lately
-Being honest... I mean truly honest not that fake stuff
-being truly content with your life...have you ever met someone like that...I have
-Being a stay home mommy and wife
-that I need to look at the small things to find overwhelming joy
-sticking up for myself... I have to work on this one...and when I do... YOU all will know it
-to be in control
-having people that want youto be you and they embrace you
-Softball...WOOOHOOOO... I love me some softball
Well, maybe that is enough for now, but it was nice to write it out. Maybe I am one step closer to being me or a new nad improved version of me!
How do you do this?? you know how when rains for a few days and suddenly the sun pops through a cloud and it instantly makes you feel better? thats you Racheal, your hope, your optimism, your silver lining, is just a beauty to behold, as I sit in this valley wondering how to get out, I see you sitting at the top and I know I can climb again, I know how much you loved Shelly from all the things you did to help her, so I know my pain is only equal to yours which lets me know I can overcome it, I like that instead of dwelling on her being gone , you think of her as she is, happy in heaven, where theirs no more tears no more pain, youve learned a great lesson, how to move forward, Gods still working on me with this, but he set you in front of me and said , see my child it can be done. Thank you Racheal for taking of Shelly when she was sick, for taking on so much, with so much already on you as a wife and mother, for everyday that you watch over J.B. and help lead him and guide him ultimitely it will be you who influcenes him the most, you are his female role model, who he looks to for comfort and looks to as the standard for his own wife, we labor on earth to build our homes in heaven, I know your mansion will be a sight to behold, by your works on this Earth....
... Show more- Reply
4 years ago