Category: allegories, analogies, and parables

Me Do It!

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My ThoughtsLeave a comment
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My heart hurt as I watched my two-year-old granddaughter’s growing frustration as she struggled to fit a plastic shape into its hole. She had gotten the star and heart shapes into their openings but the triangle just wouldn’t fit into the square opening. She had gone from sliding the triangle back and forth across the opening to trying to force it with every bit of small might she had. I yearned to share my knowledge with her but each offer to help was met with a defiant, “No! Me do it!”

“There’s a special hole for each shape…” I started only to be interrupted with, “No! Me do it!”

“You can’t fit a triangle into…”  was cut off with “No! Me do it!”

“Here, let me show you…” was answered with a growl. “No! Me do it!”

So I sat back and let her work. If only she would listen.

Angry tears now filled her eyes as she pushed even harder. Failing that, she began slamming the poor triangle onto the opening. Over and over she tried. Over and over she failed until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

With a scream, she threw the triangle across the room.

I held out my arms. “Come here, baby.” Sobs racked her tiny body as she clung to me. Sitting there on the floor, I rocked her until her breathing slowed, her tears dried, and she was once again at peace.

You would think that the next time she played with that toddler toy set, she was more willing to allow me to help her. But no.  Again she insisted on doing it herself, getting upset in the process, and ending in my lap sobbing out her frustration.

Eventually, one day, she accepted my help. Then, with a triumphant smile, she gently pushed the triangle piece into the triangle opening.

I wonder if we don’t do the same thing to God. He knows how things work. He knows how to solve problems. But we think we can figure it all our on our own. We think if we work hard enough and long enough, we can solve all our problems. We ignore God’s way to create our own way.

When we do this as an individual, it’s called rebellion.

When we do this as a society, it’s called humanism.

This is Google’s summary of humanism based on American Humanist Association’s definition: Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that emphasizes human reason, ethics, and agency to find meaning and fulfillment. It is a secular worldview that affirms individual dignity and social responsibility, using science, art, and compassion to create a more just and compassionate world. Humanism does not include supernatural beliefs or theistic views. 

In other words, humanism, which is rampant through every part of society, is mankind saying to their Father, “Me do it!”

Why do we humans continue to strive to become equal to God regardless of the consequences? Didn’t Adam and Eve teach us anything?

Why do we humans think we know better or can do better than the One who created us? Cain certainly tried, and failed.

Why do we humans repeatedly try to serve a holy God our way like the Israelites did when moving the Ark of the Covenant?  Uzzah paid the price for that.

Why do we humans insist on creating an image of God that pleases us but not Him? The golden calf should have been a clear warning.

Why do we humans keep looking to ourselves to fill our needs? David knew from experience who to trust.

Why do we humans fight so hard to be independent of God? It never worked out well for the Israelites.

Some people have said: “Oh, that just happened in the Old Testament. Today is different.”

Is it?

Adam and Eve

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Gen 3:4-7

Cain

In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:3-7

The Golden Calf

And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” Exodus 32:4-10

The Ark of the Covenant

And he cast for it four rings of gold for its four feet, two rings on its one side and two rings on its other side. And he made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold 5 and put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark to carry the ark. Exodus 37:3-4

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry. Numbers 4:15

So Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levites. Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. And four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.  But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were charged with the service of the holy things that had to be carried on the shoulder.  Numbers 7:6-9

David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:1-7

Trust in God

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. Psalm 20:6-8

Comfortable Cages

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

Children face many challenges as they grow up. They count on the significant people in their lives to provide truth and guidance. They model themselves after these people, and take their words into their hearts. This is fine and good if the words are positive and truthful:

you are loved,

you’re worth my time and attention,

God made you perfect just the way you are,

you’re fun to be around,

you have a good mind.

But lies and half-truths can hurt the child’s heart:

no one likes you,

you are stupid,

you’re not worth the air you breathe,

you are a burden,

you can’t do anything right.

These lies form cage bars which, when reinforced over the years, keep a child securely bound.

That’s where I found myself at twenty years old. After years of unsuccessfully trying to break the bars, the lies I believed, I gave up. I was stuck in that cage. Death was the only way out. And so, I curled up in the corner and waited to die.

Then Jesus found me. He woke me up and told me He had removed the bars. He called me to the freedom He offered those who followed Him.

I celebrated the freedom. I danced around my cage with excitement and devotion to my Savior. I told everyone who came near me about the freedom that He paid for. I soaked in His love and loved Him back with all that I had.

But I didn’t leave the cage. The problem was I still saw the bars. The lies were still binding me because I believed the lies over the truth. They were more familiar. They made more sense. They felt right. They were what I was taught and were frequently being reinforced by people I respected. I must have misunderstood what Jesus had said. I questioned the definition of the words He used and convinced myself that He wasn’t talking about me. I was fine where I was no matter how hard it felt at times.

Over the years, fellow Christians told me they loved me. Some even got in the cage with me so they could feel what I did. They acknowledged the difficulties of my environment and offered me pillows and a blanket to make me more comfortable in my bondage.

But a few Christians loved me enough to continually redirect my attention to the bar-less doorway. They challenged, coaxed, and urged me to see the truth. They didn’t try to make my cage more comfortable. That would have just enabled me to stay where I was. They didn’t offer to stay in the cage with me, validating my belief about the bars. Instead, they confronted my choice to believe the lies and gave me the information I needed to gain freedom.

Which Christians loved me like Jesus loved people when He was on the earth?

Did Jesus come to free us from sin or to make us more comfortable in our cages?

I think people today confuse empathy with compassion. Empathy is feeling with, understanding, and sharing the feelings of another person – while compassion is feeling for them with the desire to help alleviate their suffering. Empathy is a feeling that often comes before compassion which turns that feeling into helpful action. Empathy is a feeling. Compassion is action.

Jesus has compassion on us. He feels deep sorrow for the pain our choices cause us. But He doesn’t leave us there. He paid the price to free us and He gave us His Word to counter the bars we see in front of us.

Jesus walked the earth with compassion. He didn’t enter anyone’s cages, agreeing with how hard and painful life was, and commending them for the ways they had made their cages more comfortable. Instead, He consistently called people out of their cages. He spoke the truth no matter how comfy the cage was. He offered freedom – not acceptance of their plight.

I have looked but cannot find any place in the Bible that Jesus affirmed the lives of sinful people and left it at that. He ate with them. He talked with them. He accepted them as beloved people.  But He called them out of their sin. He preached repentance. He told them to “sin no more”. He told His critics that He had come to the sick and the lost. He taught about the kingdom of heaven. He called them to follow Him and to tell others about Him. And He commissioned His followers to do the same.

I hear frequently that we need to love all people like Jesus did. I totally agree. However, if we’re going to love people like Jesus did, then let’s love people like Jesus really did. Not how modern culture says He did. Now how our personal convictions make us feel He did. Not how other people claim He did. But how the Bible shows He did. Let’s compassionately and courageously love people enough to call them out of their cages and into the arms of their Savior.

Scriptures

Sin is Bondage and Leads to Death

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. John 8:34 

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 

Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Matthew 15:17-20 

Why Jesus Came

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19 

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 

… God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38 

Repentance

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect Matthew 5:48 

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:14 

Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]] John 8:10-11 

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23 

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. Matthew 5:29 

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. Hebrews 13:4 

Don’t Sin Yourself as You Help Others Out of Their Cages

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 2 Corinthians 13:5 

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7:3 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 

Directions from Jesus

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 

That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 

The Authority of the Bible

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Open Your Eyes – He Is Who He Is ( Bonus Allegory Included)

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, Open Your EyesLeave a comment
Photo by Mian Rizwan on Pexels.com

Susan stopped typing and stared at her brother as he pulled a can of paint out of a plastic bag and set it down on the desk next to hers with a loud thump. “Sammy, what are you doing?”

 “I’m going to paint my desk.” He pulled out a brush and can opener from the bag.

“I don’t think the boss will like that.”

Sammy shrugged. “I don’t care. He’s not my boss.”

“What do you mean he’s not your boss?” Susan turned to face him.” He’s in charge of everyone who works here.”  

“I don’t think he’s worth all the allegiance people give him.” Sammy began to empty his desk into the plastic bag.

“What do you have against him?”

 “Several things. First, he’s cruel and unreasonable, like when he fired Gary, Frank, and Jill for nothing.”  Sammy scooped the last of the loose papers and pens into the bag, and then carefully picked up his computer monitor and headed for the back counter.

Susan followed him with her eyes. “Your friends were stealing from him and bullying the others in their department.”

Setting the monitor and bag down, he returned to his cleared off desk. “No, they weren’t. They were just doing what they thought was best to make the department a better place, including using office funds to pay for gym memberships and nicer clothes . Everyone knows that looking and feeling better leads to more productivity. The people objecting were just making trouble, which my friends dealt with for the betterment of everyone else.”

Susan’s eyebrows shot upwards. “Really? That’s how you see it?”

“It’s the truth.” Sammy declared, prying open the can of paint. “Second, he has way too many rules. Why can’t I do whatever I want as long as I’m not hurting anyone?”

“It’s not just hurting others. It’s hurting yourself, too. He knows what’s best for you.” Susan’s voice rose in pitch. “You’re not really going to paint your desk yellow, are you? It’s not your desk. The boss owns it along with everything else in here.”

“You’re just repeating what the memo said. And yes, I really am going to paint my desk yellow. It’s what I like. It makes me feel good.” He dipped the brush into the paint and began swiping it across his desk. “How do we know the memos even came from him? We’ve never seen him or heard him. Anybody could have written them.”

“Some people have heard him.” She nodded towards the desk on the other side of hers. “Mindy has.”

“That’s what she says. I doubt it. If he really did call her, why hasn’t he called the rest of us?”

“Have you checked you phone? Maybe he has.”

“Are you kidding me? He doesn’t care about anything except himself.” Paint splattered across the floor as Sammy slapped his fully-loaded brush down hard. “And I don’t like that he is unjust and cruel.”

“Even if what you say is true, it doesn’t change the fact that he is the boss. Your feelings – your beliefs – about him don’t change who he is or his authority over us as long as we are here in his building.”

“That’s your opinion. I can do whatever I want and I will not accept an invisible boss who forces us to submit to him.”

“So, you’re leaving?”

“No, I like this building. I’m just going to do what I want in it.” Sammy wiped his yellow hands on his pants. “I’m smart enough to make my own decisions.”

———————————————————————————————————————————–

The above conversation might seem silly.  But a similar conversation is being held all across our country every day. Only, instead of being about a boss, it’s about the Boss.

It’s puzzling to me to hear people say they won’t accept God because of what He did or what He commanded the Israelites to do in the Old Testament.

They may not understand why God did the things He did.

They may not like it.

It may not line up with their sense of morality.

But it doesn’t change the fact that God is God.

There is no other Supreme God to choose from.

There is no other Creator of all things.

 For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (He established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the LORD, and there is no other. Is 45:18

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Rev 4:11

It’s even more puzzling to hear people say they love, serve, and honor Jesus as God, but reject the God of the Old Testament.

Do they think there are two Gods? Or do they think Jesus is God 2.0?

God is God whether the invisible Father or the God-made-visible Son.  

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. Col 1:15-16

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8

Would they reject Jesus if they reread the Old Testament inserting the name Jesus in the place of LORD God?

I think we sometimes forget that we didn’t create God or install Him as God.

He is God because  THAT   IS   WHO   HE   IS.  Period.

Why do we think our brains are big enough to comprehend Him? Why do we think we get to say what God should be like?

Whether or not we agree with Him doesn’t change who He is.

Whether or not we like what He did in the Old Testament doesn’t change who He is.

Whether or not we understand His rules and ways doesn’t change who He is.

Whether or not we choose to worship Him doesn’t change who He is.

Everyone worships something because we were created to worship. Look at all the religions around the world. One thing they all have in common is worship. What and how they worship differs vastly, but they all worship what makes sense to them.

And that’s the problem.  We worship what we choose according to what we reason out with our small, finite minds. Or we worship what others tell us to worship. Even Christians. I would estimate that only a small percentage of those who call themselves Christians actually worship and serve their Creator. 

And the LORD said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men. Isa 29:13

If we don’t worship or serve Him, who or what do we worship and serve?

Nature, power, sex, celebrities, political parties, woke-ism, social justice, good works, ministry, climate control, saints, religion, family – the list could go on forever.

But I think many people spend their lives serving the god of self. Life is all about what they want, what they think, what they prefer. They may clothe it with the worship of something else, but deep down, they are the ones sitting on the throne in their hearts.

Bottom line – God doesn’t have to make Himself worthy of our worship. He doesn’t have to conform to our thinking. He is God because He made all things.  Let’s not pretend He doesn’t exist because we don’t like who we think He is or we prefer a different god. Let’s not recreate God in our image. Instead, let’s bow before Him and acknowledge Him for who He is as He is. Sooner or later everyone will.

so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

Open Your Eyes

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My ThoughtsLeave a comment

My granddaughter loves riding lessons, and I love watching her as she directs her horse to walk, trot, turn, and back up. She’s not really in charge, but she doesn’t know that. She interacts with the volunteers who lead the horse and walk by her side, but since she’s the one with the reins in her hands, she believes she’s in control.

One day she had fallen asleep on the way to the stables.  It was a heavy sleep, and she resisted my efforts to wake her up when we got there. I carried her into the stable, hoping the greetings from the people and the neighing of the horses would help wake her. But although a small smile would escape her lips from time to time, she refused to open her eyes.

I set her on the ground and led her around to each horse and then to the donkeys. Not even their loud braying convinced her to open her eyes.

The instructors suggested they put her on the horse anyway and let Frankie do her “horse magic”.  I handed my granddaughter to the experts and went to stand by the fence. I could hear them talking to her, coaxing her, teasing her, and distracting her through questions – all while they helped her mount and walk their warm up laps. Still, those little eyes remained closed. And they remained closed for half of the lesson, totally dependent of what her instructor and the volunteers told her.

A month ago, the Lord told me things were going to get rough and that many were not prepared. They were not listening. He asked me to pray that they would wake up, open their eyes, get into the position He assigned them, and strengthen themselves by praying.

I suspected that the election results were going to cause some problems no matter who won. What I didn’t see coming was a post like the one that popped up on my social media feed a few days ago. My heart is still grieving over it.

It’s been reposted numerous times, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post it here. So I’ll just say, the poster accused Christians of questioning the faith of those who “didn’t want to support a man who represents the opposite of everything Jesus taught”. 

First, my heart aches for those who are hurt by the questions of others. Pain is real no matter the cause.

Second, what are some examples of how Trump represents the opposite to everything Jesus taught? Which teachings are being referenced? And which teachings are being ignored? Jesus believed and followed the Old Testament. Is that included in “his teachings?” Vague accusations are a common tactic of the enemy.

And third, why are we not allowed to question what we see? Where is the dialogue? How can we understand when the door is slammed shut as soon as we ask? Do we not get to have our own opinions?

I have watched both political sides now for four years. I have watched full debates, rallies, hearings, and commentaries. I have listened to both liberal and conservative media. And I have prayed a lot.

What I have seen is a clear difference between the sides. Although there is a bias on the right side, there are outright lies and projections on the left towards the right.

The people in charge of the left have their narratives and I can understand why they say and do what they do. But I can’t understand how regular people, especially Christians, can believe what they say. It’s like people are walking around with their eyes closed, totally dependent on what the media is telling them. Things like…

There’s nothing wrong with Biden, except when it became too evident to hide it anymore. 

Listen to the science, except in the case of gender and in unborn children.

My body, my choice, except when it comes to vaccines.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion, except for white men and Christians/conservatives.

The contradictions are clearly there. Why do people not see them? What if it’s because they are riding life with their eyes closed, totally dependent on what they are being told? They may be holding the reins, but being in control is just an illusion. They are limited to where those in charge lead them.

This also goes for those on the right who blindly follow what they are being told.

Regardless of which side we are one, we need to know that this not a political issue and it’s not a social issue.

It’s a spiritual issue.

There is an enemy who is neither blue nor red. Invisible, yet firmly in control of many.

We all need to wake up to what’s really going on in our country. We all need to open our eyes to the evil that is trying to destroy us and the God who is trying to warn us. We all need to find our place in Jesus again. And we all need to pray. We need to be strong to face what’s coming. Because I’m pretty sure the rough times are not over.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Mark 14:37-38

Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Revelation 3:3

But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. Ezekiel 33:6

Are We Living In a Social Earthquake? Part 2

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My Thoughts1 Comment
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The damage from this social earthquake is intense. Ruined family relationships, the instability of morals, the destruction of respect for others, and the broken trust in our leaders and media.

The results are a nation of people living in a constant state of high anxiety, struggling with their instincts of fight or flight and clinging desperately to what they think will provide stability and safety, whether or not it really will.

I can’t speak for non-Christians, but what if those who identify as Christians respond to this social earthquake in a different way than in the previous paragraph? What if we actually live what the Bible teaches?

Oh, wait. Those are trigger words today. Let me rephrase it.

What if we actually live the two most important commandments that Jesus gave us? To love God first and foremost, and love each other as He loved us?

If we love God with all of our hearts, we won’t be giving our hearts to the wrong people or ideas. As a bonus, as God loves us back, we won’t be looking to others to fill our need for love. We won’t need others to affirm us, and we won’t be offended if they don’t.

If we love God with all our souls, we will conform ourselves to Him, and not be confused or shaken by changing social dictates.

If we love God with all of our minds, we will be focused on Him. Meditating on His ways and character  will leave us little time to be misled by ideas being pushed and lies being told.

If we love God with all of our strength, our energy will be directed towards what God wants and in doing good. We won’t have enough energy left to bicker and point fingers.

And if we love each other as Jesus loves us, we will be keep busy focusing on the good of others.  Speaking truth, tolerating each other’s quirks, listening to the heart of others instead of what we might see on the outside, meeting their needs, and enjoying various personalities will keep us so busy we won’t have time to think about ourselves. We won’t need to. Jesus said seek the kingdom first and the Father will supply our needs. That means spend your time taking care of others as God leads, and He will take care of you no matter how strong the earthquake.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34)

Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Ps 37:3

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

Are We Living In a Social Earthquake? Part 1

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My Thoughts4 Comments
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I was reading about earthquakes the other day. Having never experienced one myself, I was fascinated to read the accounts by those who had. Their descriptions of the ground rolling and undulating, of the difficulty of walking straight, of buildings swaying, and the loud rumbling and groaning noises are hard for me to imagine. But then, I thought, maybe I can understand, because I may being living in one right now.

 It seemed when I was a child back in the 50s and 60s, life was a lot more stable, generally speaking. It was easy to identify right from wrong. Lies were called out. People were held accountable for their actions.

But over the decades, life seems to have become increasingly unstable, like the vibrations of an earthquake growing ever stronger. Today, it feels as if we are in a nation-wide 8.0 social earthquake. Just like an 8.0 physical earthquake causes major damage to land and the buildings on them, this social earthquake is doing major damage to the social and spiritual foundation of our country. People’s beliefs, attitudes, and lifestyles are shifting and shaking as ideas are pushed on them by vocal groups, politicians, and biased media. It’s hard to walk a straight path when we are being told to go first one way, and then another. Good is now being called evil, and evil is now considered good. Experts contradict each other, polls show whatever their creators want them to show, and AI blurs the lines between real and false. We no longer know what to believe, who to listen to, or where to go to find safety.

What if we stopped looking around and looked up instead. What if we got quiet and listened to what our Maker might be telling us.

He might be saying, “Hold on to Me. Don’t put your trust in what you see or don’t see around you. The only place for your trust is Me. I am the only one who knows everything that is happening, and how it all turns out.”

Polls media reports, political interviews can all be skewed. We can watch, discuss, research, and develop opinions – but we shouldn’t trust any of it to save us, save the nation, or to predict the future.

Trust the one who has the future in His hands. He is the only one who can save us and make our steps firm.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 1121: 1-3 

for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ Isaiah 46: 9b-10

In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:10

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie. Psalm 40:4

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Psalm 118:8

The Difference Is… God is Omnipresent

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

Julie rang the bell, and then smiled at the man who opened the door. This was her second week to babysit for Mr. Thompson while he conducted a meeting in his living room. She had been surprised last week to find the playroom in the basement, but it had been well lit and filled with toys and kids

“Hi, Mr. Thompson,” she smiled at him.

He smiled back. “Hi Julie! You’re just in time. The kids are waiting for you.”

She followed Mr. Thompson past the dining room to the basement door. He stopped just before opening it. Turning to her, he said, “I heard they gave you a hard time last week. I want you to know that although they may try to convince you otherwise, you’re the one in charge. Remind them of that if you need to. I will be up here if an emergency happens, but I trust you to take care of them until my meeting is over.”

Julie nodded at Mr. Thompson as he opened the door, and then followed the sounds of laughter dancing up the steps. Being paid to do what she loved filled her with joy, tempered with the weight of responsibility. Ultimately, she knew Mr. Thompson was in control of everything, but that didn’t mean he told her which games to pull out, when to intervene in a squabble, or whether to give them their snack on plates or napkins. He trusted her to make moment by moment decisions, and only got involved when she came to him for help or when the noise level indicated his presence was necessary to restore order. Or, if she misused her authority, the children’s cries reached his ears.

Mr. Thompson’s charge to Julie is similar to God’s charge to us concerning the earth. He has told us to take care of it and of each other. Just as Julie had been given the authority to rule the children, He gives us the authority to rule the earth. Ultimately, He is in control of everything, but that doesn’t mean He tells us which shirt to wear, what to eat for breakfast, or what color car to buy. He trusts us to make moment by moment decisions, and gets involved when we go to Him for help or when the circumstances indicate His presence is needed to restore order. Or, if we misuse our authority, the cries of the vulnerable reach His ears.

Some people view God in the same way Julie viewed Mr. Thompson. They believe He is upstairs, but after charging us to take care of everything, He withdrew. He provides everything we need, but He watches from a distance, rarely intervening if at all.

The difference is…

Mr. Thompson could not be in two places at the same time. He couldn’t be at his meeting and watch what Julie and the children did at the same time. Thus he could not make suggestions to help Julie care for the children. He could provide all that she would need, but the floor between them kept him at a distance, leaving Julie to carry out her charge the best she could.

However, God is everywhere at every moment. He is both in heaven watching us as we carry out our charge, and right by our sides whispering suggestions to keep us on the path. He may not tell us which book to read next – although He might – but if we are alert to His gentle nudging, He will guide us moment by moment in the areas that count.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over… all the earth…” Gen 1:26

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.  Is 30:21

Diamonds on the Beach

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

As I strolled the beach the other morning, I was surprised to find what appeared to be large diamonds glittering on the sand. Upon closer examination, I discovered that they were not the treasures they appeared to be. Instead, they were jellyfish.

Jellyfish are beautiful. Their colors, shapes, and movement are quite enticing. But along with jellyfish come something not as readily seen, not as beautiful, and downright dangerous. Tentacles.

The first time I got stung, the welt was so painful I vowed never to go in any water that contained even the faintest hint that there may be a jellyfish floating around. But as time passed, I grew more careless. I saw other people enjoying the water amid jellyfish. It can’t be that bad, I reasoned. I must have just had bad luck with the one I had encountered.

Slowly I lost my caution with jellyfish as, time after time, I successfully swam without getting hurt. But then one day I had just entered the water when a sharp pain pierced my leg. I jumped back onto the beach and stared at the welt growing redder by the second. I hadn’t even seen the jellyfish. I decided that day that, regardless of what other people did, I wouldn’t take the chance anymore.

Sin is like jellyfish. It can appear to be beautiful and enticing. You might see others happily engaged in the midst of it. But the hidden tentacles will eventually sting you. That’s why Jesus says to stay away from it. He is protecting you and others from the pain and sometimes death that results from sin. He’s protecting your future life. And most of all, He’s protecting your relationship with Him.

And that’s worth avoiding wherever jellyfish lurk.

The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. Proverbs 5:22

Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; Psalm 107:17

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:14

For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.   Psalm 38:4-8

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings death. James 1:14-15

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 59:2

Sometimes You Have to Look Harder (An Analogy)

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parablesLeave a comment

Sunrises are easy to see. The whole eastern sky appears to be on fire. The intense yellows and oranges, changing and growing as the sun makes its arrival are breath-taking. But there are two conditions in order to enjoy this magnificent sight. One, you have to be awake. Period. You can’t see a sunrise if you’re eyes are not open. And two, there can’t be any significant obstacles between you and the eastern sky. In other words, you can’t see a sunrise when it’s raining, or from inside a room with west-facing windows or no windows at all.

A sunrise happens every morning without fail whether we can see it or not. Even if we are facing the correct direction with our eyes open on a cloudless day, we might not be able to see the masterpiece. Or at least all of it. Sometimes life gets in the way. Trees with thick branches made thicker with countless leaves may prevent you from fully seeing the rising sun. But if you look past the silhouetted limbs, you will be able to catch glimpses of the glory on the other side.

The sunrise is there. You just have to look harder to see it.

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11

When Praying is like Swimming Upstream

On By LindaIn allegories, analogies, and parables, My ThoughtsLeave a comment

Does anyone else sound like this when they pray?

God, I lift up my friend Tammy to You. She is carrying such a weight right now. Please fill her with Your strength to handle all the details that are coming her way. It’s hard to sell a house, but even harder when you’re still emotionally attached to it. I wonder if I would feel the same way if I sold my house. The evidence of my kids growing up here are everywhere. I really should get that hole in the wall fixed, though. How do I do that? Do I cover it with wide tape, like duct tape, and then paint over it? Hmmm…. the new paint won’t match the rest, so I’ll need to paint the whole wall. Should I keep to the same color or change it to another? I wonder… oh, right, I was praying.

God, sorry for getting distracted. Like I was saying, please strengthen Tammy and give her the wisdom to make the best choices. I also lift up my daughter, Erica. She hasn’t been feeling well lately. Heal her quickly, Lord, and strengthen her to be able to handle her job and family responsibilities. Her husband may understand her lack of energy, but her baby will not. Mikey needs his mother, and when she’s too tired to spend that time with him, he cries. It hurts my heart to think of him crying. Bob is a good father, but not a replacement for mommy. I wonder why some kids gravitate towards one parent over the other. Erica was a momma’s girl when she was little, but ever since he was a baby, Steve preferred Matt. He still prefers his dad over me. That hurts, like I’m being rejected even though I know he loves me. What did Matt feel when Erica clung to me instead of to him? I never thought of looking at it from his perspective…

Oh.

God, I did it again. I’m so sorry. This time I will stay focused. School is starting soon. Please be with the teachers and students as they return to the classroom. Keep them safe as they start another year. There are so many dangers nowadays that I never had to face when I was teaching. It must be stressful to be in a place where the chance of getting the Covid virus is high. Or where a shooter might show up at any time. I wonder what I would have done if a shooter had entered my school when I was teaching. How would I have protected my kindergarten students? The bathroom could hold maybe half of them, if they squeezed in tight enough, but would they be able to stay quiet? Maybe the rest of them could hide inside the cabinets. I’d have to remove the stuff in them first, but they’re big enough for the kids to fit in them. There were 2, 3, 4, 5 cabinets on the back wall. That would work for five students, but then there’d still be…

Oh, Lord.

Please forgive me. I can’t stay focused. I can never stay focused. I don’t know how You put up with this. I would be so annoyed if someone kept doing this to me. Please have mercy on me and help me to do better. I’m good at some things, like giving to the poor and being kind to my neighbor. But praying – why is it so hard? What is wrong with me that I can’t pray like my pastor does? Or the other people in my small group…

And so it goes on until I eventually finish, give up, or run off to do something I just remembered I had to do.

For me, sometimes praying is like swimming upstream. I’m trying to swim towards God, to be in His presence and stay focused on our conversation. But the current of human weakness keeps pushing me back to my own thoughts. Debris, such as memories, worries, reminders of things I need to do constantly distract me. How much easier it is to float downstream with them than to maintain the energy required to push against that current. This causes frequent feelings of failure or inadequacy resulting in many apologies and pleas of forgiveness. I think God is gracious to keep forgiving me. And He is.

And yet, what if God’s response is different? What if instead of disapproval and tolerance, He looks at it in a different way. What if instead of saying, “You keep drifting away,” He says, “You keep coming back.”

For me, that would be game-changer.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14