Sliced, Diced, and Mashed/Just Perfect

Just perfect!

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.  For who is God save the Lord? Or who is a rock save our God?It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 

                                                                                                    …Psalm 18:30-32

            Many churches have become sophisticated forgetting the real reason for meeting in the House of God, filtering through memberships as if it were a club initiation.

Becoming so “in-themselves,” they have forgotten whom they serve.  With nose in the air, those guilty, miss the opportunity to serve the little ones of society needing a mentor, or the faint hearted and down.  With head tilted high it is difficult for any of them to see the disabled spiritually, so fixed on the beauty of the crowning, elaborate services ahead. 

            Elaborate were Jewish ceremonies were not quite what God had intended by the time man’s formalities were added.  No longer were the ceremonies sacred, but show.  How would the Jews and the Gentiles ever have peace?   The Gentiles were still considered strangers, and the Court of the Gentiles was as far as they could go to worship.  The outsider could be a proselyte, but not a full fledge Jew.  Because of the Cross, we can go directly to the throne of God.

            God had guidelines for the Israelites to follow no doubt, but they failed to recognize the One to whom the guidelines were preparing them for; the Messiah.  The Cross happened, and we are estranged no longer when we recognize Him as the Savior or the coming Messiah. 

            Interesting, the One, the ceremonies were meant for, has been forgotten beneath beauty, history, and cold rituals that mean nothing, because the Messiah has already come. The very ceremonies were for the One who would be rejected by his own.  The world’s only hope for the lost, proud, and sin-stained, would be through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

            Christian, don’t repeat history and have so much ceremony, there is no substance to be seen, or felt. Otherwise, you will be no different from those ‘spiritual’ leaders of Jesus’ day and snob, or look down upon, the poor soul who sits in the pew next to you—the very same soul Jesus died for.  Do you have a Gentile Court in your church?  I pray it is an open court, for ‘whosoever’ will.

Sliced, Diced, and Mashed/Octopus Ordeal

Octopus Ordeal

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

                                                                                                             …Galations 6:1

An interesting fact:  The first ink used was made from pigment from an Octopus. 

The amazing creature hides from his enemies while camouflaged in the waters below.  But once the Octopus feels an object approaching too closely, he whirls one of his arms out to attack his prey. But not before he sprays this ink screen, or cloud of protection, from his ink sak that almost makes him invisible. 

We do the same thing when we are hurt, by putting up a wall or screen of protection, not allowing ourselves to get too close to people for fear of being hurt again.  We just know it will happen.  Someone will disappoint us, but this time we are determined it won’t affect us, we say. 

An Octopus has normally eight arms and if something happens to harm or hurt one of his many limbs, he can grow a new one. 

Unlike the Octopus, we can not grow back an arm if we lose one. I automatically thought of the church when the mention of amputation came to mind.  A congregation can be hurt worse, if the attitude of amputation exists instead of restoration when it comes to members of our church who have fallen into sin. 

The body of Christ feels the loss or damage done, but imagine what amputation would make them feel?  People have had to face such extremes, when confronted with no other options.  But the body misses the limb and its created function.  It is the same for the church. It will never be quite the same after someone has indulged in lustful ways.

 In this case though, the person that fell into sin chose to do just that. The Holy Spirit lives in us to convict, and he does his job.  If we ignore his pleading, we sin, and really we don’t even fall into sin, we walk right in the front door.  We even open the door, turning the doorknob to the direction we want to go.

We as a church cannot at this point amputate that member of the body.  We must try to bring him to a restoration point.  God is in the business of healing spiritually and even correcting our vision to focus in on Him better. We can’t just grow new limbs, but old broken limbs need reviving loving them back into the fold through the example of God’s love.

Some of us don’t have broken limbs, but we do have a blurred vision of what it is to truly be Christian.  Watch out for the camouflage or screens set up to deter us, and restore the fallen in an attitude of meekness.   

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Found it!

Found It!

Search me, Oh God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

                                                                                    …Psalm 138:23-24

            In the middle of the Silver Dollar City Cave, in Branson, Missouri, one of the young ladies from our tour lost her contact.  Everyone halted and stayed in the very spot they stood.  Flashlights filled the space and surrounding area.  Upon looking and looking, we almost gave up the search when someone yelled,” I found it!” waving the curved contact on the tip of his finger. 

            After searching on their knees, they actually found the eyewear. I would not have believed this story if I had not witnessed the ordeal.  The vast cave and slightly lit corridors on our walk through were not the place we felt a contact would be found.  But here it was in perfect shape; no one had crushed it under foot.

            On my knees searching and asking God to reveal to me any hidden attitude or sin is what I am ashamed to say, not what I do often enough.  Sometimes, I just plain don’t want sin revealed to me.  Yes, sorry to say I have attitudes sometimes too. 

            We must be willing to give God total access to our lives, allowing him to search our hearts and thoughts to see if there be any wicked way.  Not easy to do, but why would be afraid of something so cleansing?  Are you on your knees searching for that hard to spot item that hinders your fellowship with God? Let God shine His Word on your heart. Then you will say, “Oops, found it!”  Problem is, you knew it was there all along; it was just easier to ignore it.

Father, I give you permission to do a Spring Cleaning in me.  Isn’t that better than a demolition group coming in?  A little at a time is better than a major overhaul. Thank you for helping me to see that. I love you Father!

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Empty Carport

Empty Carport

The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.  All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits  Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

                                                                                              …Proverbs 16:1-3

A carport was attached to the first home Bill and I rented upon our arrival in Brazil.  The house faced a small side street with a park in view planted between a busy, main avenue into town. 

Just arriving in country Bill and I were told to learn a couple of words in Portuguese besides hello and goodbye.  These words were hoje nao, not today!  I had practiced and knew this phrase by heart, in case there was anyone that would pass by the house.  How would I communicate with them?  I was ready for anyone, so I thought. These words were a cover all circumstances sort of word—so they said. 

Armed with these words, I answered the door, opening the little window latch.  All I could see were men with items in their hands, and I, not understanding a word they said, told them hoje nao.  How did I know they wanted shelter from the rain?  Not today, not today, I repeated. I said it so well I don’t think they believed me.  These men had been working in the park across the street, when the rain began to fall pretty fierce.

They returned the next day, and after a friend explained our situation, they waved with understanding hard working hands.  Cutting and trimming with large scissors and sweeping the grass with brooms, instead of raking, made me appreciate their hard work.

How many of us have learned or memorized Christian vocabulary so well, we even fool ourselves.  We seem to think we have fooled a lot of people by quoting verses, while living very poor testimonies.  Don’t talk it if you can’t walk it.

Has God asked you to cross the street to invite someone, and all He heard was hoje nao?   Do you wonder why your heart is not touched by missionaries?   Maybe it is because you have failed to love those, right in front of you first. 

Is there someone knocking at your heart’s door?  Could it be the Holy Spirit laying something on your heart?  Listen carefully for His leadership, but say something different than, not today.

Sliced Diced and Mashed/A Far Cry

A Far Cry

But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him.  Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King?  The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 

                                                                                                                                              …John 19:15

               While viewing Amazing Videos, I watched a young Pit-bull playfully running and romping with a seven-year-old.  The mother, sitting close by, was watching carefully laughing and enjoying the playfulness of both small creatures.  Many dogs were at this pound and ready for a home.  Mother and child studied the possibility of taking this pet home, when the scenario changed surprisingly and quickly. 

            Just as quick as the Pit-bull was docile, it turned, and locked his jaws around the leg of the helpless little girl.  Fear gripped the heart of the mother as she frantically pried the jaws open for the prospective little owner to escape.  But before the mother could protect her daughter, he executed another charge at the young girl.  The dog attached himself again to a part of her body.  Mother, racing to her side, saved her from being torn to shreds, but not without first doing damage.

            The perpetrator was filmed later taking the life of a new, helpless puppy.  From a sweet natured, playful puppy to an attack dog in seconds is not new to the Pit-bull. 

My husband visited a home in Brazil and always carefully made his presence known to the family dog, known as a “Fila.”.  Once, slowly placing his hand down for the dog to sniff him and his familiar scent, the dog grabbed and sunk his teeth into his hand.  My husband felt no hint or warning of aggressive behavior coming on.  Pain shot through his hand as he worked it lose.

            This behavior is not just common to Pit-bull or Fila, but in man and mobs.  As Christ entered Jerusalem the crowds cried, “Hosanna! Hosanna!”  Excitement was felt in the air while palms were placed in His path.  Now the crowds are crying out again, but this time shouting,” Crucify him! Crucify him!”  This is a far cry from the Hosannas heard the week before. 

            Mobs and Pit-bull may turn to violence when least expected.  The crowds at the lake turned like a Pit-bull in action.  The crowds, being fed by the lake, didn’t mind the Words of Jesus, but when they were not given bread, physical healing, or wages were not gained, they turned from Jesus.

            Have you turned aggressive because God has pointed something unattractive out in your life?  Or, because this behavior has always been in your nature and you are not letting up your hold on it? God can take that cleverly disguised aggressiveness before it comes out, and turn it into a God loving true Son-like nature.

 There will be no surprise attacks when Jesus grips your heart. Praise Him for He is worthy to be praised.  Worship Him, for He is worthy of our worship!

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/True Luster...Truth Whisperer

True Luster!

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

                                                                                                            ...Acts 17:15-18

            Living in Springfield, Missouri I had the privilege of being around a lot of preachers.  Students, young and fresh out of high school, or young married, came to take classes at the Baptist Bible College.  The college is known for the number of missionaries sent to foreign fields.  But mostly I remember some of the jobs students had during this time.  They had to manage their time wisely to study for exams.  Many took up selling encyclopedias in the sixties, or Lustercraft Cookware. 

              I personally have a hard time selling products like make-up, or Tupperware.  I just don't like to put pressure on anyone. Good pans are worth investing in, but encyclopedias, the facts change too often.  For instance, the population of India is different now than from five years ago, so encyclopedias are not as up to date as the Internet.

Berk Dwiggins told the congregation at the Dunnegan Bible Baptist Church, about his effort in selling Lustercraft cookware about late fifties and early sixties.  He sold one set, and says he still has it today.  We just laughed.  Not everyone is out to be a salesman or saleswoman. 

I hope no one looks at my old cookware, because there sure is no luster where hard work has stolen the shine.  They have been stirred and scraped and sure would have some stories to tell if it were possible. Many sold cookware or encyclopedias years ago, not because they believed in it so much, as it provided an income.  They waited for the day they were ready to enter the ministry, something they were sold on.  The preachers were fanatics, like Berk said, "They believed the unbelievable."  Their faith made it real.  To believe in the virgin birth, the cross, and the resurrection made them fanatics.  I guess I am a fanatic!  I am sold on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

How about your luster?  Has the luster gone out of serving Christ?  Has it become more of a job than a pleasure? 

Want to add some luster or shine to your life?  Invite Jesus into your heart asking forgiveness of sin.  If you know Jesus already, but pushed His Word back behind the encyclopedias, dust the Bible off and let His Word penetrate your heart.  No you didn't lose Jesus you just didn't allow Him to lead the way.  That is why you're off the path now. 

Allow Christ to give you luster in your life.  Let Him stir your heart for the lost and dying around you, like Paul was stirred in the city Athens. 

Christianity doesn't take a salesman; it takes a "truth whisperer."  Believe the unbelievable!

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Easy Does It!

Easy Does It!

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                         …I Timothy 4:1-2

            Driving down the road the Pontiac next to me displayed a bumper sticker reading “Easy Does It,” meaning stay off my bumper—or no tailgating.  I thought, “OK! I believe he wants drivers to stay back.  He doesn’t want anyone messing up his car!  Fair enough!” But when I came beside him in my lane, I glanced over to observe a completely different take!

            The front of the Pontiac was completely smashed in.  He didn’t want anyone ramming into him from behind, but, oops, he didn’t follow his own advice and kissed someone’s back bumper, with the front of his car.  I would have felt real embarrassed still having a bumper sticker on that read, “Easy Does It!”

            Easy Does it, Paul is writing instructions to Timothy.  When I looked at this verse, I felt I needed to understand it a bit better.  Looking through references and concordance I understood what Paul was trying to write Timothy.  In the latter days people just won’t care, or take heed to scripture or godly advice.  They will say one thing and do another with no fear of consequences; apathy sets in.

            Practice what you preach!  Paul continues to say in verse 12-15…be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come…neglect not…Meditate upon these things;

             Wow, was Paul an encourager!  Easy does it should be more than a bumper sticker, it should be a way of life.  We need to practice what we preach, teach and talk, someone will come up beside you and observe.