It's only 10 - why is it so hard???

I mean just look at them, individually they are not hard or difficult. They all make sense and make you a better person for doing them.  Our shortsightedness, our me - me - me attitude, our laziness, our excuse making, and many more all lead to messing these 10 simple things up each and every day.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

Now you may think, I never do this. I believe in God and not a gold statue. I'm safe! Sorry, not so fast. Money, jobs, material things are all lumped into this other gods category. When something like that new pair of shoes comes up even when you have 50 pair at home...Shoe god has won and you have sinned.

2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain.

I actually get upset when people use the GD or JC in cursing but sinful me rarely says anything to that person doing the swearing. Isn't that just as bad accepting someone else saying it?  Plus even though I rarely use those names in vain I do use other curse words. I think that is a sin also because swearing only brings negativity into your life.

3. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

I have a lot of troubles with this one. Yes I go to church but sometimes make feeble excuses not to go. I also work a LOT on Sundays. I catch up on home chores that do not get done during the week when I am working long hours.  I need to learn how to slow down and enjoy everything good I have in my life.  Take a breather people!

4. Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother.

No matter how mad you get at your parents, respect them. This needs to occur no matter what their age. Even if you are an adult, respect them. They really did do the best they could and helped to mold you into what you are today. Both the good and the bad. If they were bad parents you learned what not to do. If they were great parents, they modeled you into good things you can use when you become a parent. If they are gone, still honor them.

5. Thou shalt not kill.

 Boy this should be an easy one right?  I mean I have never physically killed another human being but there maybe more to this one.  I believe you can kill another person's spirit just from hurting them with words.  I know some of my hopes and dreams as a person were killed and stopped just by an others words. Be careful what you say in addition to what you do.

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Another one that by it self should be easy but in today's technological society I think the devil is winning this one. Porn and sex are all over every technology media device out there. Plus it is in so many other media such as billboards, books, and every where you turn.  It is not only men who do this. The women always try to act so innocent on this one but they are just as bad!  I don't think you should become an isolationist but you do need to try to limit your exposure to this sort of thing.

7. Thou shalt not steal.

This one is crazy.  When I think about it I was told in one breath not to do this but in the next breath if someone gave me extra change back I was to shut up and keep it???? Definitely not right but that is how I was brought up. In no way does it make it right, just pointing out that even in a Christian household things are sinful.

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

This one is easy to break and not even think about. How many times did you see something that was not right going on and you either walked, bicycled, or drove right by thinking oh someone else can help them out. What if the shoe was on the other foot? What if it was you that was needing help and everyone just passed you by?  Be nice to others. Do the right thing. Pay it forward.

9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

This is another one in today's society that is easy to make excuses for not following. Cell phones are a great example. EVERYONE has to have the iPhone. Even if they have no idea how to use it or why they need it so bad. Joe has it and says its the best so I need it to! Suri sounds like fun so I just HAVE to have it. Do you really? Stand back and think about it. Do you have a legitimate need or are you just coveting?

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor's.

This ties into #9 only expands to include everything other than the house. God will give you what you need. Be happy with what you have and enjoy the good things in life. I know easier said than done. Wake up tomorrow and try harder.

Please remember these are just my rambling thoughts. I am sure God would look upon my words and find many things I should have said better, differently, or more clearly. I am trying to do my best to think about and explain them to possibly help someone else see the message.
One thing I have learned in my years on earth - the right thing is ALWAYS the harder thing to do. It is way easier to be bad, mad, accusatory, gossip. Heck some of them even temporarily feel better but in the end never the right thing in God's eye.

We have one thing that makes following these 10 items impossible - our sinful nature. It's in our blood to disobey. To be "naughty" and disobey our Father.  Talk about a catch - 22 to be in.  Zowie. I don't have any answers just ideas to try.

I guess I will sum it up with this:
THANK YOU LORD for sending Jesus to die for our sins. We need it badly!