Honesty? When is the phrase "be honest, even when it hurts" a biblical thought?

I've always hated those people who said terrible hurtful things for the sake of "honesty". Ya know, "that dress make your butt look really big." That kind of thing. Just mean. No need for it. Why would you 'put that out there'?

Then there are those times when you ask someone how they're doing and they actually tell you. The Entire story. Yucky details and all. You get all uncomfortable. AWWWWkward!

Yep, that was me the other day. A friend asked how I was "dealing" with our transition...I went all awkward and yacked it up via text. Then, after a good cry, I sat down to write my 5 minute Friday Post and that's when it got even more awkward...Ugg I want to apologize if anyone is feeling that way about my 5 minute Friday post: Perspective. My intent was to write from a writing prompt. NOT to say unnecessary things to be hurtful. I would also like to say that truth does set you free. After hitting "publish" I knew I might get flack. One of the rules about 5MF is no editing. Which is really hard for me, especially since I'm a Wretched 'speller' and a People Pleaser- not a good combo. Anyways. I just wanted to say sorry if I hurt anyones feelings!!!! I have received texted concern from some of these but I'm betting there may be more out there. I LOVE that this person contacted me with their hurt. If you have questions or concerns about it, PLEASE come talk to me {and or Matt}.

I have considered taking down the post but have chosen not to. A couple of reasons why:

• This honesty is something that needed to be said. I wasn't attempting to be malicious. I wasn't attempting to bash this church. I was writing how I felt about circumstances in my life. I did not say this was the church as a whole. But my life isn't all sunshine and roses. Sorry to disappoint-Christianity doesn't "fix" life.
• I also wanted to say that those were my feelings at that time. I was only 'allowed' a few minutes to attempt to put it into words. I wanted to write a follow-up post but now I'm afraid that some may think it's to apease them. What I didn't get to say in those few minutes was that I am overly sad to leave The Church we've been in for the past two years!!! The community God has built. It's something we've never experienced. I've actually talked about that in a previous 5MF post: Community and several other posts {THE Church, What I'm Called to Do}, just not during my hurting while writing that post.

Facts:

I love God!
I love that He loved me even though I'm a big fat sinner!
I love that He no longer sees any of that past the blood of Christ that covers me!
I love the journey God has taken me on thus far. INCLUDING being at this church!!!
I love The Church at Central!
I love what God has taught us at this church!
I love where God is taking us now!

I will not shy away from the truth though. Bringing sin into the light is what the Bible asks us to do. I will not deny that this church as well as ALL churches in America have faults. The Church is...people. People who follow Christ. Those people still = sinners. The Church at this church loved on us more than we ever expected. That's part of how God drew us to this place. I was so full of joy, even just those 1st few weeks we were here, because of their love for us. I'm putting this out there because I want to live, as I've said a bazillion times before, a Transparent Christian Life! "In all that I am a Christ-follower. THAT sums up my entire being. It defines who I am in every other realm. It directs how I live in every situation."

The goal of this blog is to let me write. I love writing. We {christians} are called to make disciples As we are Going. I want to make disciples teaching them how I am 'dealing' with any and everything situation as I'm going. This is my outlet. As a stay-at-home-mom, you kind of have to make those outlets happen. It may not do all these things at once but this is my purpose:

Jules Prayer for readers:
“That visiting this space will edify, teach, train.
That it will create action, send, inspire.
That it will alert.
That it will feed, awaken, grow.
That it will help, heal, restore, mend, and breathe life.
No matter how God chooses to use this avenue in my life or yours, may it honor Him!”

Gossip Kills. Please come talk to us!