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One of the most important things in the life of any disciple of Christ is balance.

God doesn’t expect us to be so serious that no one can stand to be around us. However, He doesn’t want how we choose to have fun to destroy our testimony for Him.

One of the greatest parts of contention for many Christians is drinking alcohol.

While the Bible says don’t be drunk with wine (Ephesians 5:8), it also says drink a little wine for your stomach’s sake. (1 Timothy 5:23)

The religious leaders called Yeshua a ‘winebibber’ because He drank wine, yet He never got drunk (Matthew 11:19).

Psalm 104:15 says wine ‘gladdens the heart of man’.

So, yes I will drink an occasional glass of wine or enjoy a drink during quality time with my wife, but I never get drunk.

There’s one thing we have both noticed when we go to the liquor store to purchase wine…

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In general, people who are shopping in liquor stores are happy, cheerful, friendly, polite…and did I say happy? I’m not talking about drunks either.

We’ve noticed that for the most part, the people who work in liquor stores are very friendly and accommodating.

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Some church people could learn a lot from a trip to the liquor store instead of judging those who go in…especially if they are ‘sending someone else’ to purchase their liquor😀

The liquor store kind of reminds me of Chick-fil-A. People in Chick-fil-A are always so happy. And, the workers, for the most part are eager to tell you, “MY PLEASURE!”

Of course every liquor store or Chick-fil-A isn’t like this, but anecdotally I’ve found it to be true.

Remember, not getting enough of something is just as unhealthy as getting too much…physically, emotionally and spiritually. One of the keys to life is balance.

I THINK I’LL RELAX & STUDY MY BIBLE WITH A GLASS OF WINE (from my archives)…

MORE RIGHTEOUS THAN JESUS?

BE BLESSTIFIED!

Two of the most common insults in today’s society is calling someone COUNTRY or GHETTO!

People use these insults to call people…

Low-class…

Lazy…

Not fashionable…

Not ‘cultured’…

‘Slow’…

Uneducated…

Sheltered…

Not progressive…

And, the list goes on and on.

However, people who look down on these demographics of our population could actually learn a lot from them…

Some of the strongest parents are in the COUNTRY and GHETTO…

Some of the strongest families are in the COUNTRY and GHETTO…

Some of the most resilient and focused students are in the COUNTRY and GHETTO…

Some people in the COUNTRY and GHETTO have the most grit, determination, commitment to those who are important in their lives.

Some of those with the strongest integrity and character are in the COUNTRY and GHETTO…

Some of the strongest values are in the COUNTRY and GHETTO.

And most of all, some of the strongest FAITH in GOD is in the COUNTRY and GHETTO!

I grew up in a small town that had many of the big-city problems on a smaller scale, such as drugs for example. Everyone knows the correlation between drugs sand crime.

However, there was one difference. When I grew up, there were also drug addicts of every race just as in the city, but EVERYBODY KNEW EVERYBODY in my small town. So, no matter how bad their drug habit was, they kept some sort of job to support their habit. And remember, smaller towns have fewer job opportunities. The result…less drug-related crime. Also, that sense of community led to people helping one another when in need rather than just turning their nose up at them. Those are distinct cultural differences.

As much as people in big look down on ‘trailer parks’. In smaller towns, those people who live in the smallest most humble trailers aren’t homeless.

One of the things that attracts people to ‘gang’ culture is the sense of belonging and loyalty. How much loyalty and what sense of belonging do you find in corporate America, politics, manufacturing, education, or in some of the most ‘affluent’ and ‘upper-class’ neighborhoods?

Some of the strongest family ties are in the COUNTRY and GHETTO. There are people who work two and three jobs to make sure their families are taken care of.

Many people label the ghetto as being filled with ‘deadbeat‘ dads because they say they aren’t there for there kids and don’t support their children.

However, I can’t count how many ‘professionals’ who are ‘deadbeat’ parents because even though they have the same address as their children, they are absent in their lives as they prioritize career over family…sometimes throwing money at their children to replace true parenting.

Many country and ghetto families keep their heads to the sky…knowing the only one they can truly trust with their lives, families, safety and future is God.

Remember what the Bible says…

James 2:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Listen, my beloved brethren: ^(A)Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be ^(B)rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom ^(C)which He promised to those who love Him?

I was raised in a small town and protect many of those values that were instilled in me. I’m unapologetically COUNTRY!

BE BLESSTIFIED!