Henriet's Blog

The Test of Integrity

Undoubtedly our integrity will be tested as we face difficult situations and are forced to make the choice of going along with the world or standing up for what is right. Integrity calls us to do the right thing when it costs us something, maybe even everything. Tough times may test our integrity, but good times may test our integrity too. Maintaining integrity when we experience success, power and wealth can be equally or even more challenging. As Charles Swindoll says, "Real integrity stays in place whether the test is adversity or prosperity."

Ultimately, it becomes an issue of commitment. To whom do you belong? A life of integrity is lived not to please the crowd but to please an audience of one — God. He blesses integrity.

The Nail and The Penny

Odd how when the stakes are high, I have found it relatively easy to count the cost. Yet when other less important things test integrity, I seem to struggle. When I'm driving to an appointment and running late, many possible excuses I could give to make myself look good fly through my mind.  Lying is not integrity! Or ways to tell the story to avoid people being disappointed, mad or hurt. Lying is ...

My husband and I were in a hardware store with our son who was six. He'd taken a long nail out of a bin and put it in a pocket. In line at the cash register we discovered the nail.

"Well, you have to pay for it. Do you have money?" He had no money. I knew that. He searched through his pockets and came up  with a penny he had found in the parking lot.  Looking hopefully at me and sheepishly at the checkout clerk, he surrendered the nail and penny. The clerk, suppressing a grin, rang up the nail. Total cost: $0.01. My husband and I didn't suppress our proud smiles. My son breathed a sigh of relief.

Did he learn integrity? Time will tell...

Integrity and Effectiveness

Integrity is vital to your effectiveness.

Agree or disagree? It seems to me that a life of integrity lived in faith and obedience should result in unity, peace and love. Well, apparently, not always. Sometimes doing things right according to God's Word and with the best intentions leads to upheaval, persecution and discord.

So is it worth it? Is it true that in the end, all we have is our integrity? As the psalmist states in Psalm 25, "May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you."

How Do You View Integrity?

I define integrity as thoroughly being who you are, doing what you say, and saying what you do. Integrity means completeness, wholeness, soundness, honesty and sincerity. It entails being truthful, reliable and genuine. Integrity depends on sound character and can only be sustained in communion with Christ.

Integrity is essential for anyone who aspires to be like Christ — exhibiting integrity of heart, a heart wholly devoted to God without falseness or falsehood. Christ exemplified this, and He is our model, our source and our strength as we seek to become men and women of integrity.

So what does it mean to live a life of integrity? It means fearing God and shunning evil — like Job. It means not following the crowd in doing wrong (see Exodus 23:2). It manifests itself in honesty, sincerity and soundness in our words, thoughts and actions. It means living a life of faith and obedience — regardless of the outcome.

I am learning that living a life worthy of the calling is not to be outcome-based, with an attitude of "if it feels good, I will do it." Rather, a life that pleases God exhibits integrity, even if it leads to persecution or upheaval. When integrity isn't enough to ensure peace on earth and good feelings to all, integrity is still required. In the end, integrity is the only thing we have — and it is always enough to live a life that pleases God!

What is your view on integrity?

Check out my published article on the subject: When Integrity Isn't Enough."

Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday

Just a quick note (on a non-blog day for me) to acknowledge that today is Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in French. Mardi Gras came to the United states in 1699 with the French explorer Iberville. 

The History of Mardi Gras dates back to an ancient Roman celebration in mid February. It was a circus like festival somewhat like Mardi Gras today. "When Rome embraced Christianity, the early Church fathers decided it was better to incorporate certain aspects of pagan rituals into the new faith rather than attempt to abolish them altogether. Carnival became a period of abandon and merriment that preceded the penance of Lent." 

Mardi Gras is celebrated the Tuesday before Lent. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and spans the forty-six days before Easter. The Tuesday before is the last day to live it up, eat drink and be merry. Hence Fat Tuesday. Have you ever celebrated Mardi Gras?

Falling Through Thin Ice

Thin ice. It' easy to fall through. I know, I've done it.
My intent was to walk on the ice, slide around and have fun on the way home from school. I used to love to ice skate and would be on the ice as soon as it was safe and for as long as I could--each day. This day, the ice would be solid enough, but I'd been told to wait...

Waiting to go on the ice is like waiting to eat chocolate. The rule was that I had to wait until my dad tested it. I should have listened. Instead, I just knew I could do it. After all, kids were skating on the other section. So I skipped that section and went on the ice on the next section. There was nobody there. That should have been a clue! There were weak spots. I almost made it to the side when I heard the renting and cracking sound.

I went in and nearly under.  It was so cold. Brrrr.

I went to the house across the street to warm up. They called my parents. I didn't want to go home. I eventually did and went to bed.  I did not complain. I don't remember them being angry. They didn't need to be. I felt so guilty! And foolish. I learned and never went on untested ice again. I was eight years old.

Not having integrity is like walking on thin ice.

Friday Follies

What did you do for Valentine's Day? Fred and I went out to lunch. At night, I led a small group at church. Our topic was adultery and divorce because we're at that section from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapter 5). Kinda funny on this day! It's just how it came out.

Here's what Google did for Valentine's Day: Do you notice anything unusual?

"I'd like to buy a consonant please. Oops." (As posted Seth Godin's blog).

Jason commented on the Google logo too on the Mental Floss blog's Valentine's Day entry. Have you noticed how Google changes it's logo for special events? The idea for changing the logo in honor of special events came in 1999, after founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin attended the Burning Man Festival (see that logo here).

Here's Google's explanation. Strawberries are red, stems are green...

Posted by Dennis Hwang, Google Doodler
When you look at the logo, you may worry that we forgot our name overnight, skipped a letter, or have decided that "Googe" has a better ring to it. None of the above. I just know that those with true romance and poetry in their soul will see the subtlety immediately. And if you're feeling grouchy today, may I suggest eating a strawberry.
A very happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Labels: Google doodle

Just thought it was an interesting tidbit for the end of this week. Hope it made you smile. Have a great weekend and see you Monday!

Authentic Relationships and True Love

I value honesty and authenticity--especially in relationships. I like being myself, being real and living in relationship with others who are themselves. The best part of being in authentic relationships with people in the faith community is growing together in our relationship with God and with each other.

Authentic relationships are key to connecting with people. Whether we are hanging out, doing a community project together or having true conversations--it only means something if we show up being real.

People are not interested in charity or being a project. If you are not honestly showing up out of a genuine care for people, not seeking authentic relationships with those in your neighborhood and community, then whatever you are doing together becomes a farce.

Being real and doing life together. Serving with others together in authentic community. Showing true love in all situations. It sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day week. I'd love to hear your thoughts?

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is a big deal in the U.S. Did you know that cards became mass-produced for this occasion as early as 1850?   

Valentine's Day had little to do with friends originally. It all started with Christian martyrs named Valentine. Click here to read more. The history of Valentine's Day is obscure, and further clouded by various fanciful legends. The holiday's roots are in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration commemorated annually on February 15.

Pope Gelasius I recast this pagan festival as a Christian feast day circa 496, declaring February 14 to be St. Valentine's Day.

How did we get from martyrs to lovers? An interesting statistic is that 85% of all Valentine's gifts and cards are bought by women. Hmmm. 

I remember buying Valentine's cards for my son to give to his classmates when he was in elementary school. What's up with that "tradition"? Who says marketing does not work?!

In our home, we might get cards for each other and buy chocolates. We like chocolates. No gifts though. Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? How?

One In A Million

When I read this week's comments on names, the meaning of our names (thank you Darnell, Wendy, Cindra and Kathleen) and our God-given strengths, it all points to the same thing: We are unique.

Yet we all want to be understood by each other. Have you noticed how in a conversation people will say, "do you know what I mean?" This often comes after an explanation of a specific point, idea or opinion. What's the typical answer? "Yes."

Really? If I am one in 33.5 million people with my strengths my way, add to that my name, my experiences, my personality, and my gender--just to name a few criteria--then I am really the only one like me. There is no mold. I am not just one in a million. I am the only one like me in all creation--ever. Just like you. You are the only one like you in all creation. Amazing, huh?

It's a miracle we understand each other at all...you know what I mean?