Take the time you normally would to read this blog to pray for our world leaders to receive divine wisdom to know how to successfully battle global terrorism. Thank you. . .
karan k
Category: Daily Grind
Clogged Grace
“The very center of the whole Bible is the doctrine of the grace of God.” —-J. Gresham Machen
In August 1988 George H. W. Bush accepted his party’s nomination for president of the United States. During his speech that day he made this remark, “I want a kinder and gentler nation.”
Some of you may remember hearing his words live that day. Or heard one of many replays of the remark, serious or sarcastic that followed in the news or tv shows such as Saturday Night Live. (Dana Carvey nailed it). Younger readers may not know or care about it but President Bush’s remark has become a catchphrase in the history of American politics.
A lot of jokes were made about the line at the time. But now almost 30 years later, in light of our escalating violence, wouldn’t it be comforting if we had a kinder and gentler nation in 2017? I’m not here to discuss politics today but to share some thoughts on the words spoken by our 41st president.
What does being a kinder, gentler nation look like? A place where people treat each other with dignity and respect no matter their differences? I’ll take that.
For a country to make a shift from division and dissension to kindness and gentility I believe much grace is required.
Realistically, we know that not everyone in our country sees the Bible as the ultimate authority and so the idea of the grace of God is foreign to them.
But for those of us who have experienced the grace of God, we must put what we know into practice.
Ideally we should accept God’s ultimate grace to save us eternally first and then extend HIS grace through kindness and understanding to others during our everyday activities. Grace should flow freely at home with family members, at work with co-workers, out and about with store clerks, friends, neighbors etc.,
So why have we missed the mark if there are so many Christians in our country filled with His grace? Why haven’t we become a kinder, gentler nation? I think we need to start with our own conduit of grace making sure it’s not clogging the flow.
Remember the flight attendant spiel before every take-off? You have to take care of your own oxygen before helping others. We must intentionally treat ourselves with grace to maintain clear conduits. Do we tend to offer grace to others but not ourselves ? This can cause clogs in the system. . .
I get mad at myself. I get impatient with myself. I get frustrated with myself and disappointed at times with myself. And to avoid all of that, most times I push myself way too hard. Or I beat myself, and in effect my conduit, with the hammer of guilt too often. Does any of that sound familiar to you?
I submit to you that attempting to stream grace to others while our conduits are in such shape will lack power and purity. We cannot flow His pure grace if we are not receiving it ourselves. We have clogged grace. So how do we offer grace to ourselves and unclog the conduit? Here are some ideas I use:
- I imagine someone I care about coming to me for help. They explain their issues and how they handle them exactly as I have been doing. Would I tell them to lighten up on themselves or push themselves harder? Would I encourage them to give themselves permission to relax and dump their issues on Jesus? Most times YES! So relaxing, lightening and dumping are in order for myself. (I Peter 5:7) GRACE!
- When I feel I’ve failed, I remember the sovereignty of God and that He will use my failure for good somehow. (Romans 8:28) GRACE!
- When I feel I’ve let someone down, I remember that I am not to be everything to everyone. Only God can do that. (Hebrews 4:13) Helps me put things in proper perspective. GRACE!
I find that when I offer His grace to myself first that I am in a freer position and mood to shower grace on others. Then I can truly FLURISH while flowing sincere grace wherever I go. Only then can I pay grace forward one person at a time and pray it becomes contagious. Enough of us do this and we become a kinder and gentler nation.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.” Ephesians 4:31 New Living translation
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 New Living translation
Shine on. . .
karan k
To learn more about grace, study the life of Jesus recorded in the Gospels.
Sucker Punch Betrayal
“It is not an enemy who taunts me—- I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me— I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you–my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God.”Psalm 55:12-14 New Living translation
How many of you have felt the stab of betrayal? A Julius Caesar moment? Someone close to you, a friend or family member commits something injurious against you? How do you handle it or how have you handled it when it happened? Feel free to share in the comment section.
The closer the person is to us the deeper the pain because we’ve opened ourselves up to them. We let them into our inner world. We allowed our hearts to be vulnerable because we trusted them. How could they do this? WHY would they do this? Questions all of us have asked ourselves without receiving answers. It’s simply an ugly part of our humanity since the Fall.
Sneaky sucker punches coming out of nowhere have been my experiences with betrayal. Just moving through the daily grind, thinking all was well in my world and BAM! Someone pops me in the face with a powerful punch of betrayal causing me to reel with emotional disbelief and damage. Some of these sucker punches had small consequences and others were total life changers. In either case, the betrayal crippled or killed the relationship.
Slander. Lies. Adultery. At worst, Murder.These are painful acts of disloyalty. I wish none of us ever had to face this intimate injury but most likely each of us will face some form of betrayal at some point in our life.
Here are a few thoughts on betrayal from my husband:
Betrayal is something that is common to the human experience. Common as it may be however, it is an experience that one never becomes accustomed to, no matter how many times it’s perpetrated on us. While everyone’s story of betrayal is unique, the soul searing, heart wrenching emotions are basically the same.
My experience was in the context of infidelity in marriage. My spouse’s betrayal and the ensuing divorce was THEE pivotal event in my young life. I grew up in the idyllic environment of a small midwestern town, much like “Mayberry” minus sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife. Cheating spouses and divorce was big city stuff read about in the tabloid newspapers in my Dad’s grocery store. I was taught to trust people, to take folks at face value, especially one who vowed in front of God and family, for better or worse, to love till the end. The discovery of the infidelity and the following years of denial of it’s reality was a cold hard gut punch to my pollyanna world view. My children and I were now a statistic. We were now one of the 50% of Christian marriages that ended in divorce.
Yes, we were professing Christians! The guilt from being a divorced Christian was paralyzing. So much so, I couldn’t go to church anymore. I felt like a complete and total fraud. The pronouncements from my church’s leadership, condemning me to “hell” certainly did nothing to reinforce Jesus’ message of grace for all and draw me back to the very place I needed to be. “How could I allow my marriage and family to disintegrate and still sit in church and worship God” I reasoned?
So I left, not because I was rejecting Christ, quite the contrary. I never stopped believing, I just felt completely unworthy of Him and His attention and love. I obviously knew nothing of grace. From all appearances, no one at my church did either.
This one single event of betrayal started a 15 year downward spiral in my life. Unbeknownst to me I had more control than I realized over my life’s events but, as I often say, “you don’t know what you don’t know”. I know now, that we must not let any incident of betrayal and the ensuing anger, bitterness, resentment and thirst for revenge consume our lives. It hurts, it’s painful beyond description, and can be debilitating. Grieve the loss and pain…yes! But move on in Christ’s healing. Run to Him, not away from Him. He has promised over and over and over to heal our wounds and comfort us in our trouble. Trust Him and know there is life after betrayal. I’m living proof.
Whether you are dealing with any leftover pain from betrayal in your past, or are currently suffering or have yet to face betrayal, you can benefit from David’s insights. I encourage you to take some time and read David’s story in II Samuel 15-19. Then Psalm 55 where he shares his agony with his Lord over what happened.
Remember, our Lord suffered this same pain at the hand of two of His closest friends. Judas and Peter both betrayed Him in different ways. So He can definitely feel and understand your pain. Tell Him your detailed hurts. It will be healing for your soul. You will begin to FLURISH inspite of betrayal.
“Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”Psalm 55:22 New Living translation
Shine on. . .
karan k
Needful Phix-ation
Is your life traveling by at the speed of light? One day slips into the next and all of a sudden we are beginning a new month? How did the last month disappear without your notice?
I have experienced these warp speeds throughout my life because I like to keep busy but once in awhile I gotta force my foot to step on the brake.
Sometimes life gets so hectic and stressful even doing good things. We find ourselves in a constant whirl of busy activity. The needs of the many scream louder than our own . Somehow each need around us SEEMS most important and urgent. Our own inner needs are overlooked and sink like lead into the abyss of neglect.
Our souls, hearts, minds and bodies need care if we desire to continue serving others fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19 & 20. Otherwise, the crash and burn is only a lap or two down the raceway of life.
I know it’s NEEDFUL to pull myself and my mind away from all the pressing things of the day whether they be good, bad or mundane. I must choose to follow the advice of the Apostle Paul in his tiny book of Philippians chapter 4 verse 8;
“And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. ‘PHIX’ your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and LOVELY, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” New Living translation
So how do we do we do that? How do we clear our minds and rejuvenate?
It’s time for a NEEDFUL PHIX-ATION. Focusing on PHI-lippians 4:8 and the word lovely. What lovely things surround you? Can you ‘phix’ your mind on them?
Listen more:
I notice everyday about 5:10am or so the birds begin singing and chattering outside my window. Robins, Sparrows, Finches and Cardinals each sing a different song. Doesn’t matter if it’s raining or clear, they’re active and communicating. I always find it a cheery sound even when I may wish to be sleeping at that hour. I take a moment or two to listen and enjoy the loveliness; grateful I’m not on a farm with a resident Rooster.:)
See more:
So much exuberance in our own back yards like the spring flowers peeking up through the grass. Bright colored tulips in rainbow shades adorn sidewalks and fences. Yellow and white daffodils huddle together in flower beds adding their own brilliance to the palette of my neighborhood.
Taking a stroll around the block can take only a few minutes from your day. The benefits of soaking in some fresh air and lovely sights are well worth the time.
What flowers do you see in your corner of the world? When is the last time you took time to look? To really examine their beauty?
Sniff more:
And the fragrance, don’t forget to check for that. When you find a scent you enjoy, inhale deeply and let the natural aroma intoxicate your senses. I love finding Lilac and Honeysuckle bushes. Such sweet smells. Invigorates the senses and definitely helps in the de-stressing process.
Enjoy more:
Another favorite event of the season are the blooming trees, especially the Dogwood. Pink and white petals delicate enough to float on the air it seems. Some areas even boast red Dogwood trees. Any Dogwood is a lovely marvel to behold. I always wish their season could be extended. Driving through the countryside becomes refreshing when I ‘phixate’ on the gorgeous trees instead of incessant thoughts about more pressing matters.
God offers lovely things for us in every season. Sights, scents, and songs to refresh and revitalize our mind, body, soul and spirit. Are we allowing them to recharge us regularly so we can pursue His assignments with renewed vigor and excitement? If we do it will allow us to truly FLURISH while we serve.
Shine on. . . and smell the roses. . .
karan k
Multi-Tasking Mania? A Tale from the Booth
“Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” Ecclesiastes 4:6 English Standard version
A few days ago a woman approached my booth. I could see her face through my front window. I hurried to catch up on paperwork before she actually arrived to pay her toll. I finished filling out my report from a previous customer and I turned toward her. Astounded by what I beheld, I attempted to keep my shock to myself while taking her ticket to process it.
In all my years on the Turnpike, this was a first. The woman appeared to be in her late twenties. She drove 53 miles from the Ft. Washington exchange on the Turnpike wearing dual breast pumps that were actively engaged.
I wondered if I should mention the “Elephant in her car” or remain quiet? I couldn’t help myself.
“So, I guess you’re really busy, huh?”
“Yeah, and this works great on the road. Saves me lots of time,” she answered with enthusiasm.
I smiled as I handed her 75 cents in change and off she went pumping down the road. Just had to chuckle to myself and shake my head.
I wanted so badly to say STAY CALM AND PUMP ON! Gotta love my job, you just never know what you’ll see. This young woman sets the Ultimate Multi-Tasking record in my book.
Now you may not be a busy young mother but are you a multi-tasker? In some scenarios this is a great advantage. I know several women of various ages who pride themselves in their ability to multi-task. There are men who also multi-task but primarily it’s a skill naturally occurring in women.
Me, I can do a couple things at once but are they done well? Probably not. The closest I can get to the young mom’s record is to eat my breakfast while the washing machine is running.:)
I believe women excel at multi-tasking in preparation for the demands of motherhood. I think of it as a God-given ability necessary for a specific time in a woman’s life. Not something to gloat about. At this point I’m passed the child bearing and rearing age and I can tell my abilities to multi-task are fading. This decline is natural but can be so totally unexpected when it starts. Especially if you are a person who relies heavily on this proficiency.
At first sight of losing my multi-tasking ability, frustration overwhelmed me. I had gotten used to my full speed ahead with multiple projects mindset. Inside I felt angry that I could no longer keep all the balls in the air. I felt inferior to my former self and I didn’t like it.
And then I remembered words I memorized years ago from a no nonsense woman of God who has since gone home to Jesus, Elisabeth Elliott**: She used to quote a poem called “In Acceptance Lieth Peace” on her daily radio program.
It was time for me to test that bit of wisdom for myself. To give up the idea that multi-tasking makes a life more productive, more valuable. That somehow I was less because I could no longer juggle 12 things at once. I needed to accept my limitations as a natural part of the aging process.
This is what I told myself and now I believe it to be the truth. For every time I accept what I can do well as enough in any given day my mind, my soul and my body are at peace. FLURISHING is free to flow, no longer blocked by frustration and pressuring expectations. That is priceless.
May you find the same peace at whatever stage and capability of life in which you find yourself. Accept what you can do with whatever He gives you, whether a lot or a little. Read the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
Beware of multiplying your own expectations to multi-task. Remember, God won’t expect more from you than He empowers you to do.
” Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen.” I Peter 4:11 New Living translation
Shine on. . .
karan k
**Christian author and speaker (1926-2015). Elisabeth Elliott’s writings will challenge your faith. Check her out.
The Beast Within
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9 New Living translation
Today was a rough day. Things happened that were unexpected and hard to take. It was a day that will go down in my personal history book as a day of infamy. Yes, it was that bad. I reacted abominably, nothing at all like Jesus!
Today I saw the ugliness of my heart.
It reminded me of a scene from “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring”. The scene takes place early in the movie while in the Shire. Bilbo Baggins just said good-bye to all the shire folk at his birthday party. He disappears from the party. Then reappears in his home where he is confronted by Gandalf to give up his “precious” ring to Frodo. Bilbo gets angry and doesn’t want to give up the ring. It has become TOO precious to him. He turns sinister in an instant. I found that same selfish, ugly spirit in myself today, regrettably.
Something I wanted was taken away from me. Something I considered PRECIOUS. My heart reasoned to itself; I deserve this. After all, the seniority of my position should grant me this perk. All the recent added duties are enough to warrant this privilege and more.
Rather than be grateful for all that I did have, I got angry over the one thing I lost. I felt deprived. Ill used and unappreciated. Feeling unfairly treated, I exploded in anger. And that hurt others who were nearby when my rage erupted.
This experience upset me. My anger seemed foreign and yet somewhere deep in my heart this ugliness thrived as a part of me; as a sense of entitlement. I never noticed it before. How long had this unhealthy attitude been lurking in the shadows?
By expecting what I felt was “owed me”, I had only fed my selfish pride which grew strong and beastlike. I forgot the entire goodness of God and His perfect provision. I lost all sense of gratitude somewhere in the midst of this dark and dirty corner of my heart.
All I could do now was to ask forgiveness and depend on His mercy, which I knew would faithfully cover me.
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” I John 1:8 & 9 New Living translation
I didn’t want to be like Bilbo who really never acknowledged the truth about himself.
” For if you listen to the Word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” James 1: 23 & 24 New Living translation
As a result, he had to face his “Beast Within” again in an even uglier encounter during his time in Rivendell. I, on the other hand, chose to face my beast the first time head on by the Grace of God.
So I needed to apologize to each of the wounded. This challenged me further but it had to be done. His amazing Grace helped me look at the beast within, slay it, and clean up the debris.
Thank You Lord for Your unending mercy and powerful grace! I need them more than I realize.
Purify me so I can continue to FLURISH in my journey!
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 New Living translation
Shine on. . .
karan k
Safeguarded
“The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17 NLT
But what if there’s no time to call for help? Have you ever been in that kind of danger? When something unexpected suddenly crossed your path? How did you react? Please feel free to share any stories you have in the comment section.
One year close to Christmas I decided to pay a surprise visit to my second Mom, EmKay. Preoccupied with carrying a gift and maneuvering the icy steps leading to her front porch, I hadn’t noticed that “Woozie” was out. “Woozie” was short for “Woozem’s Woo” the name EmKay lovingly chose for her black Chow puppy.
Earlier that year when “Woozie” first arrived, he was an adorable ball of fur resembling a miniature bear. I played with him out in the yard several times that spring and summer. Rolling around in the grass and hugging him close so he could lick my face. His cuteness unleashed my playful side. To anyone who knows me well, this would seem odd. I’m not known to be much of a dog person. But Woozie stole my heart.
Months later at Christmas time when I approached the gate giving access to the front porch, I heard a low growl. A large black shadow moved and bared gleaming white teeth. Another even lower growl emanated from the darkness. Woozie dipped into the light where I could see his fully grown form.
“Oh ‘Woozie’ it’s only me”, I said as I innocently reached over the gate to unlatch it. No sooner had the last syllable exited my tongue, then adorable “Woozie” leapt across the wooden deck floor. He snarled into my face, his paws pushing on the top of the gate. With one quick lunge he clamped his powerful jaws around my neck.
Scared out of my mind, not even a squeak could escape from my compressed voice box. Fortunately for me, the cold weather coaxed me to wear a heavy coat that night. This particular coat had a quarter inch thick collar attached that completely covered my neck. Woozie’s tenacious grip did not loosen as he rocked my entire body back and forth on the step. Only the wild scuffling of his toe nails on the wooden deck floor alerted anyone inside the house that there was a problem.
The small porch light came on and the front door opened with instant commands for Woozie to get down. He did not obey. He growled louder. EmKay’s husband had to grab and pull Woozie’s choker before he released his grip.
I tell this story because up until that day, I had no idea how I would react to sudden danger. At the mercy of the jaws of a large and powerful dog, I found myself helpless. However, the protective hand of God spared me. Woozie could have bit my uncovered face or hands or both. Instead he went for the jugular, the one area that was protected.
Some believe such things are only coincidence. I choose to fully rely on what the Bible says about His divine protection of those who trust in Him.
“The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm— He will watch over your life: the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalm 121:5-8 New International version
How about you? What are you trusting in for protection as you travel through life? Our world is growing more chaotic than many choose to think about. Isis, MS-13 and other murderous threats here and abroad are rapidly increasing. Look to the only One who sees all and safeguards His own. FLURISHING cannot coexist with fear.
“For the angel of the Lord is a guard: he surrounds and defends all who fear Him.” New Living translation
Shine on. . .
karan k
Lord of the Rings: Part X
“Hello, is this Karan?”
“Yes, is this Cortney,” I answered?
“Yes, my Dad told me to tell you he will call you soon. We had an accident on the way home.”
“Are you both alright,” I questioned while my heart skipped a beat.
Cortney went on to explain in her mature little girl way that she was fine but her Dad and the bike were hurt. But nothing too bad. She assured me again that her Dad would call me within minutes. We hung up and I felt so helpless. Those minutes seemed like an eternity.
Finally the phone rang. Usually soft and mellow, Dwight’s voice sounded shaken. He explained that just before they got home he took a curve too fast and laid the bike over on the side of a back road. Fortunately there was no other traffic. Cortney had fallen asleep laying against him on the bike before it happened. She never felt anything. She simply woke up in the grass.
I listened as he explained that he wanted so badly to be home for my call that his judgement was impaired. His open vulnerability melted away any clinging fears I had. I wanted to rush right over to make sure he was ok and hug him. In fact, I boldly offered to take him to the hospital and watch Cortney. But he explained Cortney went to her Mom’s and he would take himself to the hospital after our call.
Two and a half hours later, the call ended and Dwight finally went to the hospital. I floated up the stairs to my bedroom totally smitten. Turns out he had a stretched tendon in his finger, a chunk gouged out of his knee and a few other scrapes on himself and the bike but nothing major. I felt the Lord protected Cortney. He just lifted her off the seat and set her down gently in the grass. Not a scratch on her. Dwight, however, received a little divine spanking.
The next day he drove through my lane with a single long stem red rose. He stole my heart again with his big smile and mirrored aviators. He asked if I was free for a date the following Sunday after small group? What could I say? He looked so attractive. “That can certainly be arranged,” I said. He grinned and tore outta my lane.
It wasn’t the type of romantic date you’d expect. Very few shops or businesses were open in January on a Sunday evening in the buckle of the Bible belt. Which was cause for improvisation.
Sunday small group ended and Dwight escorted me to his car. A Cherry Dr. Pepper rested on my seat when Dwight opened the car door for me to enter. One of my favorite treats at the time, he opened the soda for me and proceeded to zoom all over creation’s local roads while I giggled and chugged my Dr. Pepper.
Acting like two teenagers, we stopped at a red-light and did a Chinese fire drill laughing as we ran around the car. He pulled into a nearby WaWa for chicken salad sandwiches and we did the Monkees interlocking leg walk through the store. Onlookers probably thought we were drunk. Just zany silliness but I loved it.
We brought our food out to the car and ate together while making trivial chitchat. At one point he asked me if I liked seafood. I began to answer about the various fishy foods I liked when he opened his mouth like a middle schooler and showed me his food. He just laughed and laughed as I sat there not knowing quite what to think. He still has the heart of a 12 year old but most of the time I find it endearing.
He showed me his business office and explained what type of work he did. Then he got real serious and explained how he felt about me and how hard it was when he got the note from me about the “Male Sabbatical.” He thought his chance had crashed and burned. He got a bit misty eyed and then took me back to my house.
We ended our evening parked in his car listening to “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters at least 20 times in succession. Dwight kept hitting repeat and then he would grin and kiss me. Let me tell you there is nothing like a man smiling with delight as he moves in to kiss you!
After that night, we found ways to see each other every day. A month later on Valentine’s Day he presented me with a ring and a commitment. As you can see here, the ring he offered was a replica of the one the teenager I met in Canada gave me at the beginning of this series. I was to wear it til the man I married replaced it. Only this one was not from Walmart. It was a real ruby with diamonds on either side of it. Astonished at the sight of it, I think I was in shock. You see Dwight never saw the Walmart ring. I already stopped wearing it before I met him.
I believe these two rings were God’s unique way of communicating to me that Dwight was the man He had for me. I had to trust Him big time because I did not feel ready for a relationship let alone a commitment!
(For more details on Dwight’s ring presentation check out “My Love Story” post from 2/14/17 in the archives.
Shine on. . .
karan k
Crumby Toasters
“Catch the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming.” Song of Solomon 2:15 New Living translation
One of my favorite things in my kitchen is a shiny red retro toaster. It sits nestled in the corner of the counter near the sink where the sunlight streams in through the window. I love this toaster even though I rarely use it. Adore bread but sugar issues limit my consumption of it so I just admire the pretty toaster AND I clean it.
My husband has toast or an english muffin everyday before work so any crumbs that collect in the pretty toaster are his doing. Now my husband is not one to shirk domestic duties. Don’t even get me started (unless you wanna hear it) about how well he helps around the house. At times, I have to strategically battle to do any of the housework before he goes ahead and does it. And does it well, I might add.
Fingerprints and smudges mar the beauty of my appliance so I have caught him cleaning the exterior. What about the inside Honey? After all, the insides are what causes the toaster to function properly. The outside is just for show. I can only surmise the reason he doesn’t clean the inside is because the crumbs are out of sight so he doesn’t realize they are STUCK in there.
So on my day off I decided to check the toaster. I looked down in the slots and saw a few crumbs. Nothing much to be concerned about. But when I turned it upside down, the debris that fell out was tremendous. Crumbs littered my entire sink area. I began to shake it and more crumbs tumbled out into the sink. Turning it right side up I heard hardened crumbs rattling inside the toaster, so I turned it upside down again and shook the thing with gusto. Over and over I repeated this process and the stream of crumbs seemed never ending. Where were all these crumbs hiding that were unseen upon a casual inspection?
Some crumbs were small, some minuscule and some were huuuggee!! Also, some were white, brown or a charred black. Guess it all depended how long the crumbs were trapped in the heat.
Sometimes we tend to think the teeny crumbs of sin in our hearts aren’t a big deal. Like the little crumbs or the little foxes that spoil the grapes (see opening passage), our ‘seemingly’ small and possibly daily sins (such as judgmental attitudes, anger expressed in nasty speech, impatience, pride over how we look or what we have, envy over what someone else has etc., to name a few) are ignored or glossed over as if they are harmless. But they can destroy our souls and testimony just like the major crumbs of sin like lying, stealing, adultery, murder etc.,
To God, all crumbs of sin no matter the size are dangerous. They destroy our ability to FLURISH in Him and function the way He intended. If we don’t regularly clean out the crumbs from our hearts, our loving God will allow things to be shaken up in our lives so the crumbs fall out for us, and sometimes others, to see. Crumbs are not a pretty sight. But He allows shaking to motivate us to clean them up and confess our sins. This is the only way we can remain close to Him and FLURISH.
We need to check our toasters and our hearts to evaluate the crumb factor. Crumbs hide in all our toasters and hearts. Give each a good shake regularly. Shake over the sink for our toasters and over prayers of confession for our hearts. Deal with these rogue crumbs promptly. If not, serious damage will occur to our relationship with God and others. “People who conceal their sins (or crumbs) will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 New Living translation
Crumb build up can ruin a toaster. Neglected sins can have deep consequences. God wants to spare His children as much pain as possible. He wants our daily existence to be full of life not dead dreams and suffering bodies because of poor choices. Because of the unseen crumbs of sin festering in our hearts. “For sin is the sting that results in death. . . ” II Corinthians 15:56a New Living translation
So God will shake us like a toaster sometimes. This can be a painful experience. It can last longer than we may want because some crumbs stubbornly cling to the walls of the toaster. Some sins are stubborn too. All the shaking is to get our attention so we address these rogue crumbs that are destroying our insides causing us to malfunction.
When’s the last time you cleaned your toaster? When’s the last time you checked your heart for unconfessed sin? Confession is something we need to practice regularly, even daily or we can expect to get a good supernatural shaking!
“If we claim, ‘We don’t have any sin,’ we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong.” I John 1: 8&9 Common English Bible
Confession Tip: Find a translation of Psalm 139:23 +24 that you like and attach a tune to it to help you memorize it. Sing it to God during your talks with Him as often as you remember and see if He reveals areas of hidden crumbs.
UN-Happy? Part IV: The Bottom Line
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 New King James version
In conclusion to this short series on Un-Happy? I want to share with you something very dear to my heart. It has helped me throughout my life as a source of encouragement. It is a song that pretty much sums up the Christian experience IF you want it to be a happy one and not guilt ridden or stressful! Lets take a closer look at the words of a timeless hymn that has touched my soul. I pray it will do the same for you.
The words to the song were written in 1887 by John H. Sammis. He first wrote the words as a poem inspired by a testimony in which he heard these passionate words from D .L. Moody at a meeting; “I am not quite sure— but I am going to TRUST and I am going to OBEY.” Sammis sent the poem to Daniel B. Towner who wrote the music and TRUST AND OBEY became a hymn.
Read through the lyrics slowly asking the precious Holy Spirit to give you new insights through the words about your own relationship with Jesus. I have bracketed my own thoughts concerning each line to help as examples.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word {GET IN THE WORD}
What a glory He sheds on our way! {LOOK FOR HIS GLORY}
While we do His good will, He abides with us still, {DO HIS WORK WITH HIM}
And with all who will trust and obey.
REFRAIN: Trust and Obey , for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, {TEMPTATIONS, DISCOURAGEMENTS}
But His smile quickly drives it away: {REFOCUS ON HIM}
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, {HIS PRESENCE PROTECTS}
Can abide while we trust and obey. (refrain) {HE WILL CHASE AWAY THE NEGATIVES}
Not a bürden we bear, not a sorrow we share, {DON’T GIVE UP}
But our toil He doth richly repay; {REWARDS WILL COME}
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, {WHEN TRAGEDY HITS, HE KNOWS IT}
But is blessed if we trust and obey. (refrain) {HE’LL BRING GOOD}
But we never can prove the delights of His love {WE WON”T KNOW}
Until all on the altar we lay; {UNTIL WE PUT HIM FIRST}
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, {SUPERNATURAL WONDERS}
Are for them who will trust and obey. (refrain) {ONLY FOR US}
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet, {DAILY TIME ALONE WITH HIM}
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way; {GOING ABOUT OUR DAILY BUSINESS WITH HIM}
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; {LISTEN FOR HIS VOICE, DO WHAT HE SAYS}
Never fear, only trust and obey. {DON’T GIVE IN TO FEAR}
(final refrain)
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Live each moment hand in hand with Jesus. He who saved you for a better life. He who spared you from eternal torment. He who restored your relationship with your heavenly Father. Isn’t He worth your time and devotion not only as Savior but also Lord of your life???
A firm YES from the heart will set you on the path to LASTING HAPPINESS, ABUNDANT LIFE, and forever FLURISHING!!
The choice is yours.
“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” New Living translation
Shine on. . .
karan k
Google TRUST AND OBEY by Big Daddy Weave if you like an updated version to hear the song. There are more traditional versions that will pop up as well. Let me know what you think.
