Christian Character

I get a few home school newsletters.... ironic I know as I don't even home school (although I DO believe every moment with our children can be and IS a teaching moment or opportunity...and also that each family has the RIGHT to choose how ever they want to educate their children~ the state should NOT have authority over this area of parental rights). These e-mailings do have LOADS of great material in them to build up the children and offer me many ideas of fun things to do....and they DID come in handy that summer I had to teach phonics to my guys because the school dropped the ball on that one....but that's for a different blog post....LOL!! So I get this news letter (from The Teaching Home ) about the ABC's of Christian character and that got me thinking....to work on building up my own and my children's Christian character....so we don't end up like so many Christian "Characters" we see today! Let me explain.....So what's a Christian "Character" ?? It's someone who just plays the role (really well too,I might add).... yet acts like a character in a play, just performing for others to see......they don't really have character, they'll give a lot of lip service to it -then only act like they do or just role play -they don't let God's truths really take root in their hearts or even try to live them out at all....it's really sad to see that in the world today. And lets get it straight....I'm NOT talking about perfection at all or pointing any fingers....it's a general attitude...just something I've noticed in the Body recently.....(I'm sure it's the falling away I'm seeing/feeling)......So here's the ABC's of Christian Character as written by Joy Marie Dunlap...something I hope we can all work towards in the new year....maybe that's what my focus study will be for 2009???

Christian Character ABC's by Joy Marie Dunlap
A is for Alertness, being careful to see Things which could hurt others, and which might tempt me.
B is for Benevolence when the things that I do Are for the good of others, and to God's Word I'm true.
C is for Courage to do what is right, When in trials we walk by faith, not by sight.
D is for Diligence, when I work with a will, And if the job is not done yet, I keep working still.
E is for Endurance, with my eyes fixed on Him, And the joy set before me, my resolve must never dim.
F is for Faithfulness, when I do heartily All the good in my power, which God has for me.
G is for Gratefulness, not forgetting the ways, In which God has done good to me all of my days.
H is for Honesty, saying only what is true, And not deceiving by the things that I do.
I is for Integrity, when people can see, Because my heart is sincere, that they can trust me.
J is for Joy, that contentment of heart, That comes from obeying and doing my part.
K is for Kindness, when we are careful to treat, As well-loved by our Father, all those whom we meet.
L is for Love, when I'm patient and kind, And do my best good for others each chance that I find.
M is for Meekness when I take last place, When I'd rather honor others than save my own face.
N is for Neatness, keeping all that is mine, From being a distraction and taking people's time.
O is for Obedience, when Jesus is Lord, And my life is all His, I obey all His Word.
P is for Patience, when I'm willing to wait, Because I have faith that God's timing's not late.
Q is for Quietness when my heart is at peace, It comes when my own wants and plans I release.
R is for Resourcefulness, when I creatively use What God has given me, contentment I choose.
S is for Sincerity, when people can see, That my motives are pure; I'm not living for me.
T is for Temperance, when my senses don't reign, As I enjoy in moderation God's blessings and gain.
U is for Unity, when God's heart we share, We serve Him together and each other's burdens bear.
V is for Virtue when my life is a light, Because obeying God's Word is my chief delight.
W is for Wisdom, seeing things through God's eyes, When I study God's Word, that's how I become wise.
X is for eXcellence in all that I do, As unto the Lord, His own plans to pursue.
Y is for Yielding to God's perfect will, Giving up all my own plans, His plans to fulfill.
Z is for Zeal, sincere eagerness to Make life count for God's kingdom in all that I do.