PREFACE
  
If you’ve been misunderstood and judged by others, remember they haven’t walked in your shoes.  If you’ve misunderstood and judged others, remember you haven’t walked in their shoes.
I’ve always taught my children, “If you encounter a mean-spirited, rude person, always remember there must be something going on in their lives that you don’t know about.  People aren’t mean for no reason.”
Thank the Lord Jesus that we have Him to handle people and things for us.  His solution is always perfect, and it’s His responsibility to expose people’s sins.  Ours is to love and speak faith-filled words of encouragement.

1
STOP THEM (OR ME?)
 
Maybe this isn’t news to you, but we aren’t perfect.  We sin, and so do those around us.  It’s something we certainly hate to see in others, and more often than not we recognize it in them before we recognize it in ourselves.  It’s that old “speck in your eye and log in mine” thing in Matthew 7:3.  Still, there are certainly times when we do witness our family, friends, and even acquaintances and business associates and allies make terrible life choices that we know they will suffer for.  In our human nature, we want to do something about it, hopefully out of compassion and not out of revenge.

What’s your “it”? Nobody ever made “it” by listening to nay-sayers, doubters or discouragers. Whatever your “it” is, go for “it” full blast and with passion. Not everyone will “get” “it” or get behind “it”, but I guarantee there are more for you than against you. Artists, songwriters, musicians, photographers, business owners, moms, or whatever your passion is, go for your “it”! And if anyone tries to discourage you or question your abilities, intentions or motives, just ignore them. They don’t have any authority in your “it” You know your purpose so go after “it”. If you need encouragement just contact me! My dream is to make your dreams come true! That’s what TCMA and CCM are all about. We LOVE Yall! LKW
texascountrymusic.org christiancountrynow.com
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Linda Wilson
01/11/2020

Have you ever been vacuuming your house and the vacuum cleaner just seemed so terribly heavy?  You know that the bag (or rather the inner container that holds the sucked up dirt) is probably full, but it’s such a burdensome job to change it!  You kick on the front of the vacuum just to see how full the bag really is – you know – whether or not it’s to the point where it’s “packed” or not (knowing full well is must be or else the machine wouldn’t feel like you’re pushing around an 18 wheeler!) and you nearly break your toe on the BRICK that’s formed in the bottom of the bag!!  ​

​My kids think I’m OCD.  Really, it’s not something that I haven’t thought myself before.  For a long time now I’ve noticed that I really just want things done right – even the little things.   And if I don’t have the skill to do it right, then I don’t want to do it at all.  I’d rather leave it to someone who does have the skill.

Technology is awesome.  Every day there are new mobile phone apps that help make our lives easier, like banking, entertaining us, help us in business or communicate with others.  Then there are the search engines like Google.  It's so common when we are looking for directions or answers to just "Google It".  ​

My Mom was such a character.  I miss her.  She had so many little "sayings".  Seems like she had one for every circumstance!  One of hers was "Well, the fats in the fire now." or "Goodness gracious gravy grew." (I'm still wondering what that one really means, but she always said it when things looked impossible.  ​

​Aren't Sundays great? Not only is it a day to spend time at church getting some spiritual fuel for the upcoming week, but it's a day that many of us are able to spend some real quality time with family. 

Our lives are so busy these days. In the past (and I'm probably giving away my age here) businesses and stores were closed on Sundays, church was an absolute, not an option, and dinner at grandmas was common. At least it was for my family. I miss those days....sort of. I mean technology is such that we don't have to wait until Sunday to hear great messages from some awesome ministers on TV or online, or be encouraged by some great inspiring Christ centered music on a multitude of radio stations. Of course, none of those things compare to making time to read and study our Bible. The Word is just so personal, so real and SO very encouraging.