Sliced, Diced, and Mashed/ Under the Cloud

Under the Cloud

And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

                                                                                                                      ...Exodus 13:21

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

                                                                                                               ...I Corinthians 10:1

            The year 2005 will be a year to remember for so many hurricane victims.  The hurricane season seemed to last forever, spewing wrath upon the coastal areas of the U.S.  Between storm surges, high winds, tornadoes, flooding and homeless, panic was rapidly and secretly affecting many, even in outlining states.  The physical elements were obviously felt through winds, rains, and floods.

            Hurricanes, tropical cyclones, low pressure, or a tropical depression, all from off a large body of water like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, or the Atlantic.  Most storms have been named for easier tracking and logging.  Some familiar names have been Hugo, Fran, Katrina, Rita, and more resent, Wilma. Today's forecasts are much more accurate, compared many years ago; there were no warnings.

            Weather and physical elements have been noted and logged since Bible times, but not quite in the same way as today.  The Bible speaks of a cloud, which followed the people of Israel through the wilderness.  Under this cloud there was protection, provision and leadership. 

Once the Israelites began to be weary of manna, they also began to encounter problems, wanting more, something different.  But many of them God was not pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (I Cor.10:5)  When they were not satisfied with the meat or the drink, they were also not satisfied with the spiritual food and drink.  They were tired of God His protection, provision and leadership. The children of Israel wanted changes, and got what they asked for!  A whole generation died in the wilderness because of rebellion.

Be careful of tiring of truth and begin to look elsewhere.  You may wish you had just savored more the flavor given to you by many generations.  They too suffered because of sin sick souls, but God allowed that truth to arrive to you, because of many faithful warriors.  Maybe you are bored with Jesus?

Be thankful that so many were under the cloud, under the weather, and even went through the sea, just for you to hear the simple plan of salvation.

Try resting under the cloud, not under the weather, and led by the Light when you are facing the deep sea and mighty winds of adversity.

Carol Levergood's blog: Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Disappearing ACt

Carol Levergood's blog: Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Disappearing ACt

Sliced, Diced and Mashed/Disappearing ACt

Disappearing Act

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

                                                                                                         …Revelation 15:3-4

            Watching some of Amazing Videos, I saw the “extreme” displayed with unexpected, surprising events even to those participating.  The word “amazing” can not express the evening’s program.  Before us a choir of two hundred Brazilians, with much enthusiasm and talent sang their hearts out.  I was totally impressed with the beautiful Portuguese music and the appearance of one combined, harmonizing voice.

            Just getting into the feel of the music, all of a sudden the floor beneath the choir gave way to the weight of the members.  Now there must have been some heavy choir members or heavy metal somewhere. No one was critically injured but quite a few hurt in the mishap.  I almost felt like it was a sophisticated gong show.  In all seriousness, it could have been much worse, and thankfully there wasn’t tragedy written in the next morning’s paper.   The building or concert hall was for that purpose, but the documentary that evening did not indicate what caused the floor to collapse.

            Can you imagine what the heavenly choir will sound like?  Talk about moving the floor beneath you! We are to be victorious Christians because we have a lot to sing about.  Our praise to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, should lift the roof off of any prayer closet or personal sanctuary.  Just think putting all those who know Jesus together, will even lift the roof off.  The world will know who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  John saw seven angels singing the song of Moses, and the song of the Lamb.  Now that is a “Wow” verse, or one to get excited about.  And you thought Baptists couldn’t get excited! 

            Praise Him, all ye saints and nations! Glorify His name! …for all nations shall come and worship thee… Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess; what a day that will be.

Sliced Diced and Mashed/Lost Art

Lost Art

And the judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

                                                                                                              …Isaiah 59:14

           

            My husband and I were driving around our city of Springfield, Missouri commenting how there doesn’t exist morals, and godly character any more.  The words proper, decent, and appropriate are words which my husband refers to as relative. Meaning—depending on how individuals perceive, or view the subject matter, is whether it is right or wrong.  I even found myself looking up the word proper in the dictionary to see if there was a p or pp, since the written form is almost archaic.

            Discussing further, trying between ourselves to solve the world’s dilemmas, it was mentioned how we don’t see any integrity displayed.  My bother-in-law applied for a job, went to the interview where a question was asked of him, “If you saw a fellow worker stealing, would you turn him in?”  Interesting isn’t it, that the question would need to be asked?  The code of thieves is, “Don’t tell.”

            A couple of days later, we were driving in a residential neighborhood when I caught a glimpse of a yard sign with “Integrity for rent” in big lettering.  I chuckled to myself as I thought, If you haven’t any integrity, rent some.  We are almost to that point aren’t we?

            Of course, the integrity sign displayed a home realty company advertising on their rental property.  We have to have a sense of humor in this world of mixed up values.

            I know where a guide for living can be found with tools that will equip anyone to be proper, decent, and appropriate in every way; in the Word of God.  His Word is not archaic, it is Truth.  Here, integrity is not rented it is free, for those who choose to live a godly life in Christ.  A question that deserves pondering, “Why is it hard to find these qualities in our Christian family, when we have it displayed so clearly in the person of Jesus Christ?”

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.