Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Honest Truth

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet ye are not able. For ye are carnal...

                                                                                                            ...1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Randy and Janice told me about their grandson's first day at school.  Kindergarten is a fun time for most parents and their children, getting the feel of a true classroom for the first time. 

Randy asked his grandson how his first day went, and was taken by his response.

"It's OK!"

"Do you like your teacher?" asked Randy.

"No!"

"Why not?"  Randy continued to probe.

"Because my teacher is old, ugly and wears glasses," exclaimed the kindergartner.

Randy piped up and said, "You aren't going to say that to her are you?"

"No, Grampa, I was going to write her a note!"

Needless to say Grampa Randy was taken back by his reply, and set out to explain to him how we don't always say or write what we think.  Some things are just best left unsaid or unwritten.

               In this case we find a bit of humor, because of the age and innocence of a child.  Randy and Janice did imply their grandson loves to speak whatever is on his mind.  Paul speaks what is on his mind, and has written to the church of Corinth.  Paul writes truth in love.  Randy's grandson spoke truth not in love yet, for his teacher.  In a few weeks ask the same question and his grandson may feel differently.  Paul though writes truth in love, about the carnality in the church. 

            Paul tells the church they are still drinking milk, or taking baby steps when they should be eating meat and walking giant steps as a church.  They are busy arguing whom they will follow.  Do we follow Paul? Paul asks the question, ...was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?(1 Cor.1:13).  

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect (! Cor. 1: 17). 

            Truth most times, is like getting hit on the head with a walnut by a chipmunk.  Randy's grandson told from his perspective how he saw his first day as a child in kindergarten.  It may not have been said the way we would say it, but he was just not impressed with his first day because it was not what it was cracked up to be. 

Paul on the other hand wrote truth as instructed and inspired by the Holy Spirit.  I, though, would not recommend writing a note to a teacher telling her she is old and ugly.  Words like this would not win brownie points if he wants to pass kindergarten. Wouldn't that be something to fail Kindergarten?

 Preach, write, walk or talk, but do it in truth and love.  It takes both to be effective. 

 

Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Chipmunk Menace

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works

                                                                                                        ...Hebrews 10:23-24

            A member of our church, who recently moved from California, decided to rest outside in his hammock.  That alone made me homesick for Brazil where this is a common sight. The summer had proven to be one of the hottest summers on record of continual days at 90º or above for the Springfield, Missouri area.  Finally a rain came and cooled us from the heat for a short time. 

My friend Bill told me he had been napping profoundly when plop, plop, plop, fell walnuts and walnut shells around him.  Chipmunks were rather busy eating or storing for the winter, interrupting Bill's beauty sleep.  He lays back again thinking it is all clear, when plop one hit him right on the head.

            "That's it!"  Bill said leaving the hammock swinging in the breeze.

 I couldn't help but laugh when he described his plight with the chipmunk.  Bill, provoked by a chipmunk resolved to give in and give the chipmunk his space.  Maybe, we would have been much more provoked throwing a walnut or two, back at him.  "I'll show you!" The only thing that saves the chipmunks from harm is they are so cute!  How could anyone hurt them? This incident sure would make a cute cartoon, at Bill's expense no doubt.

            There is always something to provoke us.  Even a cute chipmunk can aggravate us on an otherwise great day.  It is no fun getting slugged by walnuts, or being cut off in traffic, or someone butts in line after you have waited for quite a while for your turn.  This world has turned aggressive, and the only way we can help see it change is to provoke it to kindness. 

            Blood pressure rises, and the desire to correct wrong can take over, I know!  But if we could do as Bill did with the chipmunks and give them their space, we are in the end better for it.  We even become proud of ourselves for not lowering to their level, throwing walnuts back at them.  Be provoked to good works because of God's love toward us.

            Chipmunks will happen, and bumps on the head will appear.  So watch out below!

"Go ahead! Provoke me, unto love and good works." 

Introduction to Sliced, Diced and Mashed

In my hurry to start the short story devotions, I left off the introduction which is very important to understand where this title came from-- so I will place it here--enjoy

Working in the kitchen, one of my favorite places to be, I see fruit blended in the blender, chopped in the kitchen aid, diced, twirled or even mashed and cubed.  I place fruits in various dishes, from Jell-O salads, blueberry cream cheese pie, to glazes on ham at Thanksgiving.  There are upside down cakes with sliced pineapple, apple pie and cobblers, and of course homemade jellies. 

            New food varieties come into existence every year as county fair entries for best recipes are encouraged.  Contests are held for best recipes, encouraging the sale of various company products.  For breakfast a healthy way to start the day with the purist of ways to eat fruit, is raw, with nothing done to it.  This way, vitamins are best utilized for nutritional purposes, in our bodies.

            Have you ever felt like you have been sliced, diced or mashed?  Some of you have been bruised by others decisions and unkind acts.  Their rebellion has affected you and caused such turmoil in your life.  Hard isn’t it to give someone you’re angry with, to the Lord? We need Christ daily for a healthy connection with the Father.  Notice there is a connection, but it maybe is not as healthy as could be.  You may know Him as Savior, but not Lord of your life, if anger presides in your heart. 

If you are the one hurting others, or you choose not to pay attention to the Holy Spirit's directing, you may have to be sliced, diced or mashed a little for God to get your attention.  This of course is not the way of His choosing.  He prefers the gentle cycle.  But if you continue to ignore Him, you will be guaranteed to be different when Christ does the shaking.

Carol Levergood's blog: Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Carol Levergood's blog: Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Sliced, Diced and Mashed

Banana, the Rage

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

                                                                                                                                       ...Ephesians 6:10-11

Bananas are the "food" today and the rage being the high potassium content. Some say bananas come close to being the perfect fruit and even say this delectable is great brain food.  Being diabetic, I allow myself a banana, but being careful not to over do it, as bananas are high in carbohydrates.  I will eat a half of one then later eat the other half to not allow the sugar to rise to rapidly.  I have found no substitute for my favorite food.

Because of hard times during the war and during the great depression, recipes were thought up to help families enjoy what they had available to them.  Mock apple pies made with crackers came into being, and a homemade squash pie could fool anyone into thinking it was a good old pumpkin pie.  I found no mock banana pie in all the recipes I looked through. Nothing tastes as good as the real thing. 

Mocking also extends to other areas, from designer jeans to perfume, to videos reproduced through pirating methods, even stealing labels from garments in the stores, all to give the impression of the real thing. 

Some Christians leave people to think the way they are presenting themselves, is how Christians are to be.  Beware!  Make sure you are the true genuine article, or you might be sending the wrong message.  False labels will be common in the days the Lord is to return.  If people are reading you, what do they see?  Is it Christ, or is it your interpretation, not His.  How are you labeled?

            Just as younger Christians want to stay away from "old fashion," to present a "new generation of Christians," they must be very careful to let Christ be seen in how they present themselves.  Which is worse?  The person who wears an old fashion hair-do acting better than anyone else, a man with a sour attitude, or a young lady who wears next to nothing?  Christ surely isn’t seen in any of them. Have we missed the point, Christians?  I believe so!  

               If you are the real thing, help the world to see Jesus.  Don't use your desire to wear 200 earrings, tattoos, Amish clothing or hair buns either one be in the way of others seeing Jesus.  Many will find out, that they know nothing about what it truly is, to be Christ-like. 

Bananas may be the rage for our aging bodies, but being Christ-like is still the rage that Paul and other inspired writers tried to stress.  

Don't miss the point! There are no substitutes.  Don't be a mock Christian, or a self-invented imitation of what you think Christianity is.  Put on the Designer clothes (armor of God) and he will work in you to be what He wants you to be.

Fear Factor

Down

Fear Factor

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.  They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

                                                                                                                ...Psalm 20: 7-8

            Did you hear me shout when I typed out this verse?  I shouted just as much as I would have, watching Formula 1 races with Ayrton Senna in poll position.  I felt like I was his number one fan.  My husband and I would come home Sunday afternoon and eat lunch while watching the Formula 1 race, in Brazil.  Senna's untimely death kept us from really getting into the races after that.

            Today, if it is not Nascar races, big wheel monster trucks, speedboats, or even driving a Harley Davidson motor cycle, it's driving a Hummer (Humvy).  All of these stand for power in their proper field.  Mechanical power is what seems to be important.  The more expensive toy, for some, means intimidation and more power in the appearance of finances. 

How many go into debt to try to make every one think "he has the power." With this comes a false sense of security from the one that believes he is all-powerful, Satan.  Satan, I am sure, does not like the book of Revelations that reveals his end.  He will try to make you think you have power in yourself to do anything you desire, with no real consequences.  Satan is powerful, yes powerful enough to steal your soul if you let him.

The only power that really counts is the power of God.  All the rest is melted like wax, holding no form.  Those trusting in chariots and horses, says David, will be brought down and will fall. Heightened senses, adrenaline rushes are what many live for. Scars will be present to prove your bravery, as well as broken limbs and blood spilled on the tracks.  But wasting away your life, to hold on to an adrenaline rush for a few moments, is a high-ticket price to pay for an eternity without Christ. 

The power of God is the true power that holds the greatest thrill ever to exist. This thrill is eternity with Jesus, free, paid with the blood that was spilled, yes, the blood of Jesus on the Cross for you.  The blood loss in your power search is a far cry from the blood spilled on Calvary.

The View

In

The View

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

                                                                                                …2 Corinthians 5:17                                                  

            A beautiful double-wide trailer home, with the setting of thick trees behind it caught my eyes.  The trailer home was brightly new, as if just placed on the lot.  One would be impressed at the setting for sure.  Walking in through the door, the carpet is new, and window fixings are starched and fresh appearing.  New appliances lined the kitchen wall, with snuggly fit oak cabinets; even the scent of baked cookies filled the air.

            The bay window in the living area was a delight.  Glancing out the open view, one would expect to see beautiful trees lining the wooded area through the draped windows.  But instead, there stood still erect, the awful sight of their previously owned trailer.

            The disappointing view, took away from the present attraction I had first laid my eyes on.  The siding of the old trailer was off, insulation hung everywhere, and a burnt odor lingered unavoidably so close to the newly placed home. Nothing was done to clear the burnt out frame and the clutter.  Each day glancing out the window was a reminder of the past.

            The burnt trailer reminded me of my sinful condition before I came to know the Lord.  Praise Him for saving me! I But to have to view the old nature everyday would be reminding me of my sin, and the world ways I left behind, or thought I did.  I am a new creature, with a new heavenly home waiting for me, why would I want to see ruins of my life instead of the wonderful things God has for me?  Those past mistakes should have been torn down and given to the Lord, besides the giving of my future. 

            The old nature lingers near for many, like they’re still holding on to something they can’t seem to let go of.  Their whole life they have missed what God intended for them to enjoy.  The scenery from the new home would have been refreshing, but instead they choose to continue looking out at their past. 

            Tare down the old shell of a life, throw the piles of junk away, and look to the trees, the shimmer of sunlight on the leaves, and the birds chirping.  What a more pleasant sight, don’t you think?  Don’t you need a new view?  Begin by giving that past to the Lord, no matter what awful sight it holds.

Father,

I give you my past, the one I held on to when I asked you to come live in my heart. You forgave me, but I selfishly hung on to the memories of the world, the part I thought I enjoyed.  I now allow You room to work and start anew in me.  Thank You Holy Spirit, for continuing to work,convicting me of holding back on God. How could I have traded this view of You for an old painful past. I praise You, in the name of your Son Jesus