Dr. Bob's message this week has stuck! Do we really think about what we are saying before we say it or do it...usually not. Do we take the time to be "our own steward of thoughts, words, or actions" or do we let someone else dictate to us who we are, what we like, who to be friends with, and who to be? There are a lot of young people especially that first of all, believe whatever they are told, are obedient to someone who has a strong personality and to keep peace, follow their lead to make them happy, or who choose actions towards others because someone told them to even if those people were good friends before. Sounds like jr. high doesn't it? Unfortunately, people that do these things are adults who are in their twenties and thirties and beyond. They are too shallow of individuals to think for themselves or to look deeper than the surface.
I spent the majority of my life with a strong personality. I, over the years, learned to not think, feel, and live for myself but for his thoughts and feelings and it kept peace. After years and years of it, I changed and for the past five years almost, I have been discovering who I am and who I want to be. I, during all those years, De-friended people because "he" didnt' like them or had issues with them. I didn't make new friends because he didn't like to go through that new friend awkwardness. I took his word on "how the story went" and didn't open my eyes to the real story....all sides...and I misjudged others and didn't give them a chance. He was very convincing and could make sense of anything that manipulated things his way. I was gullible and narrow minded for a very long time.
That was then and this is now. I am who I am and I choose to be the way I am today. Dr. Bob said that we need to make a conscious effort to honor God with our words and actions. He made reference to a bracelet to remind him not to complain or dishonor God with what we say or do. It is a shame that we need something like that to remind us not to be that way. His message was dead on. He is amazing.
You have to ask yourself these questions: Am I being a good friend to people I have claimed to be friends with? Am I honoring God with my actions, words, and thoughts? Am I a follower of someone who manipulates and paints pictures so that others do and act how they want them to? Do you call yourself a Christian and then choose purposely to hurt others with your actions and words because it was the "in" thing to do? Does this person who is so manipulative honor God with his or her actions and should this person have so much influence over your life? Following God is the right way.....following someone else and letting them think for you is the wrong way.
Think before you speak....think before you do.....think before you act.....FOR YOURSELF. We aren't clones of each other...we are individuals.
The funny part is that most will read this and discount it as they aren't like that...but there will be a few readers that will know that this pertains to them. Isn't it funny how that works?
The first surprise was the camp ground's most famous resident, "Charley the Alligator
Angel Oak is so huge that just one of its many outward stretched limbs doesn't appear large until someone stands by one (sister, Bonnie)
Charleston is beautiful with its gardens and historic buildings.
Arches, gas street lamps, and cobblestone streets adorn the city.
My visit to the ocean on the first day was my chance to get some prayer and solitude. The sounds, sights, and smells of the ocean open the doors to my soul.
Life on the beach is amazingly beautiful. 
My sister and I .....just love her to pieces!
This was taken after about 10 pictures....my silly sister started making faces and it snowballed into the funniest picture session.
My nephew AJ, moved to Charleston and is a policeman downtown Charleston. I enjoyed his insights as we walked around.
