Cleaning Out the Junk Drawer

Have you cleaned out your junk drawer lately? I spent some time a few days ago giving our kitchen junk drawer a much-needed decluttering. I found all sorts of interesting things. An assortment of rubber bands. A jelly container from Cracker Barrel. Business cards. A lonely dime. Keys, and I have no idea what some of them open. I even found my son's ruler from 5th grade, along with binder clips, glue, magnets, and a host of things that made their way to the garbage can. 

The kitchen drawer is now clean and tidy. Until it gets cluttered up again.

My Thursday Morning Bible Study Group has been studying the 7 Feasts found in Leviticus 23. This week we are studying the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins the night after Passover. My kitchen drawer provided a good illustration.

In the Bible, leaven is often a symbol of sin. The leaven used in baking bread reminds us of the permeating power of sin in our lives. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a reminder to examine the sin that so easily works its way into our hearts. Just like the clutter that works it’s way into the kitchen drawer. The Feast was a reminder to clean out the leaven, which is a picture for us of confessing our sins and seeking God's forgiveness.

The Apostle Paul put it this way in the New Testament:

"Cleans out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb has been sacrificed." (1 Corinthians 5:7 ESV)

Once leaven (yeast, for example) has been added to dough, it can't be removed. The only way to get rid of it is to throw the batch out and start over with a new batch (or a new "lump", to use Paul's words.) That has taken place because of the Cross. Because Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed to pay our sin debt. That makes us a “new lump”.

It does not mean we will live perfect, sinless lives from now on. Far from it. Because we still have a sin nature. And so we need to continually "get rid of the leaven". We do that when we confess our sin and seek God's forgiveness.

Otherwise, just like my kitchen drawer was cluttered and overrun with unneeded, unwanted "stuff", so too our lives get overrun with unconfessed sin. Unless we confess our sins and seek forgiveness. Not just once in a lifetime. But daily. Maybe even more frequently. 

Today might be a good day for a clean up.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 ESV0

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:10-12 ESV)

Little Foxes

 

"Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining the vineyard." (Song of Solomon 2:15") 



In Solomon's day, little foxes were a nuisance in much the same way squirrels and chipmunks are a nuisance in my yard. In Solomon's day, the vineyards were not up on trellises but often lay on the ground, and the foxes would come along and eat the crops. If you have squirrels or chipmunks, or rabbits, or deer, doing damage to your garden, you get the imagery.

In context, Solomon is comparing these little foxes to the little irritations that can cause problems in the marriage relationship. In our day, we are often told not to sweat the small stuff. But Solomon tells us we should. Because it's the little things - the little foxes - that grow into bigger problems. 

Particularly in the last 2 years since the outbreak of Covid we can relate to this imagery of little foxes in a way that perhaps we had not previously. These last two years have been filled with foxes. Not literally, of course. (Depending on where you live!) But life is full of frustrations and discouragement and all sorts of challenges. Daily we are bombarded with yet another "new normal". (Have I mentioned lately how much I hate that phrase!) 

Our foxes have taken various forms. Masks. Closings. Quarantines. Altered school schedules. Cancelled vacations. And the list goes on. We have become so stressed by it all that even the smallest things rattle us. I read recently that the number of traffic accidents and “road rage” incidents has increased dramatically in the last two years. All these frustrations are compounded when we add in inflation, rising fuel costs, and all the regular stresses of life.

While we can't control any of these little foxes, these events that have come into our lives, we can control our response. These foxes - these irritations of life - can rob us of our joy. If we let them.

Life is not all about "big" events and "big" choices. Life is also about, perhaps even more about, the little everyday things. The little foxes. The regular, everyday, little frustrations that become big foxes when they are magnified by things like Covid-19. 

So what are we to do? How do we deal with the little foxes? It's about focus. If we don't want the foxes to ruin the vineyard, I believe we must learn to "fix our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and not on our circumstances. We must learn to trust that "God will supply all our needs" (Philippians 4:19) And we must remember that God is working all things together for our good and for His glory. (Romans 8:28-29) 

Seeking God. Learning to trust. Giving thanks in all things, even when there are little foxes trying to spoil our joy. It’s a choice.


"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith develops endurance." (James 1:2-3) 

Like Walking the Dog

Moving from the mountains of Western North Carolina to the city a few years ago changed a number of things in our lives, one of those things being walking the dog. We didn't actually walk the dog in the traditional sense when we lived in the mountains; we opened the door, let her out, and she barked when she was ready to come back in.

But life in the city meant putting Molly on a leash when she needed to go out, and we took her out, on a leash, for exercise as well. If you have ever walked a dog, then you realize just how little actual exercise the human gets in that endeavor. Walking the dog is a start and stop, stroll a bit/sniff a bit endeavor, and actually involves more standing around and waiting than walking. Molly has been gone for a few years now, and I miss those walks. But she left a lasting impression. I began thinking about Molly this morning as I was doing my Bible Study. Does that seem a little odd? Let me explain.

Taking Molly out was always something like walk five steps, stop and sniff, walk two more steps, stop and look around, walk a little more, then just stand there. And I think walking the dog has much in common with the Christian life.

When Molly and I would go out the door, we (at least I) always went with a definite purpose in mind. A goal, if you will. A plan to walk in a certain direction, take care of business along the way, and then return home, all within a definite time frame. There was no plan to stop numerous times along the route, or to be distracted by other dogs, or by birds or rabbits, or by cars driving by, or by any of the numerous other distractions along the way.

We begin our Christian walk in much the same way. Once we have committed our lives to Christ, we set about learning to live for Him for as long as we are in this life, until we reach our ultimate heavenly home.  It is never our intent for our spiritual growth to be sporadic, or stalled, or that we go off course. But that's what often happens, isn't it?

The Christian life is very often three steps forward, four steps backward. It is sometimes very focused, but there are often distractions that hinder our forward progress.  

Even though our expectation may be steady forward progress throughout our lives, reality is more often a series of starts and stops and twists and turns. Does that mean we aren't really Christian?  No, it more likely means we are just human. Not perfect, even though we might like to be.

The good news is that the Christian life is about our relationship with Christ, not about our performance.  

And even though we might find ourselves more often than not in a "walking the dog" mode, there is help for us. The solution to dealing with these distractions is focus. That's why the writer of Hebrews tells us to "fix our eyes on Jesus." (Hebrews 12:2)

Walking Molly was always filled with starts and stops because she was so easily distracted. The same is true for us in our Christian walk. The starts and stops and stutter steps come because we are distracted.

The solution is focus. And discipline.

Something to think about today.

"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness."  (1 Timothy 4:7b NASB)

It’s Almost Over

 It’s almost over. Very soon, spring will arrive. Although those 19 degree temperatures over the weekend were anything but springlike. This brings a phrase from Shakespeare to mind. This has definitely been "the winter of our discontent."  (And yes, I realize that I have taken that phrase completely out of its context.)

This has seemed like a long, long winter. I, along with many others, have complained loudly and frequently about this never-ending winter. About frigid temperatures. And about gray, gloomy days.  

But the calendar says it's almost over. Spring arrives in a few days. I am not so naive as to believe we will suddenly have warm days and flowers and never-ending sunshine. That may be no more cold and gloomy days. Spring can be unpredictable like that. Even so, it's encouraging to know that, at least on the calendar, spring is almost here. Winter is almost over.

We have been a very discontented people during this winter season. And not only about weather. We have whined and complained. We could (meaning I could) have, or should have, done a better job of listening to the Apostle Paul, who said "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content."  (Philippians 4:17 ESV). Somehow I don't think he would have been whining so much about the weather.

And I confess to you that I have become quite a whiner this winter. Shame on me!

But winter is almost over. And I'm grateful. I'm looking forward with great joy and anticipation to flowers and blue skies and sunshine and warm temperatures. I'm sure you are as well.

Winter is almost over. I wonder what will we complain about next?

"Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?"  (Job 2:10 NASB)

Monday Morning Musings. Grateful.

A few years ago, on the morning of Friday, March 13, 2016,  I wrote a blog post about frustrations. On that same morning I had posted this quote from A. W. Tozer to my Facebook page:

"God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves."

Just a few days after the post about frustration, I wrote another post, this one about God's timing. Here's part of what I wrote then:

On Saturday, just 17 days short of one year since we signed the listing agreement, we signed an agreement to sell our house. 

The house was shown on Friday, and on Friday afternoon we received and accepted a verbal offer. On Saturday it became "official".  And "real".

 It's overwhelming! And we're still a little numb. After months of praying and waiting, we have our answer. And in many ways, it's hard to believe it's real. 

But it is!

And our God, who is able to do "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:18), has done exactly that, and we are set to close in just 45 short days.

Every year when March 13 rolls around, I remember. Remember that God answers prayer. That He answers in His time, and not in mine. A lot happened quickly in the weeks after that Friday afternoon showing. We signed the contract to sell our house. We spent hours looking for the right house here in Spartanburg. And just when it seemed the one we wanted was no longer available, suddenly it was back on the market again! That made our decision very easy, since this house was our favorite of the ones we had looked at.

We packed. We unpacked. Then we went on that whirlwind trip around the country for Al's work. We returned home, feeling a lot like we were moving in all over again.

When I look back on that year, I remember it as a year of transition. Of time with friends. Of making new friends. Above all I remember it as a year of gratitude! Of course, it ended much differently than we might have anticipated - that was the "stroke year" - but even with all that, still I am grateful.

Grateful that God's timing is perfect. Grateful that even through our frustrations and our impatience, He knew what we needed and when we needed it. Grateful for the way He has provided all our needs.  Grateful that even when life took a strange turn at the end of that year, God provided our needs then too.

Just so grateful.

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."  (Psalm 34:1,3 NASB)

The Time Change Blues

I'm not sure who first decided that moving our clocks forward or backward every six months was a good idea. I seem to remember that Benjamin Franklin has been credited with the idea. Of course, when Ben mentioned daylight savings time, it likely was in the middle of a satirical essay, which may means even he didn't think it was such a good idea. The idea became standard practice many years ago, and now it seems we’re stuck with it. Unless “they” change “their” mind.

Taking an hour from one end of the day and putting it on the other end of the day really accomplishes nothing, in my humble opinion. There are still only twenty-four hours! Well, it does accomplish something. It messes with my body clock. And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one!

Since we will spring forward over the weekend, it is likely I will spend next week trying to adjust. Not really sure what time it is. A little out of sorts. Thinking it's mid-morning when it's really almost noon. Things like that. Of course, I'll adjust. We all will. We're flexible like that. But I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who will be complaining about it.

Adjustments are a part of the journey of life. Tonight at 2AM, we're adjusting to the time change. (Who decided on 2AM?) Tomorrow we may be adjusting to something different. But no matter what adjustments there are to make, we have the option to complain, or to make the adjustment and move forward.

It's a choice. Which will you choose?

"Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  
(Philippians 4:8 ESV)

Malicious Intent. A Book Review.

 

Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn may be my new favorite book. Yes, I know I say that about a lot of books. Usually my favorite is the one I’m currently reading. But seriously, this may be my new favorite. Or, at the very least, very high on my list of favorites!

This is the story of Dr. Ivy Collins, CEO of a company about to bring a cutting-edge prosthetic to market. Ivy’s life is going well, except it seems that someone is trying to sabotage her business. Meanwhile, someone in her company has deposited some counterfeit money, which gets the Secret Service, and Agent Gil Dixon, involved. This is the same Gil Dixon who was Ivy’s childhood friend and first love, although they haven’t seen each other for many years. Their back story, which eventually takes center stage, is part of what makes this so interesting.

Malicious Intent is fast-paced and suspense-filled from start to finish. It is a story of greed and revenge that was hard to put down and held my attention from start to finish. The characters are likable, and the dialogue realistic. There’s suspense, mystery, friendship, and romance. This is the second book in the Defend and Protect series, but it easily stands alone.

Lynn Blackburn has done a fantastic job with this one! A great plot. Characters that you really want to get to know better - and some you don’t! Suspense from start to finish. Don’t miss this one!

I received a copy from Net Galley and the publisher. The opinions are my own.

Refreshed

We all need it from time to time. To be refreshed. To be renewed. To relax.

Life can be stressful. Whether it's because of health or financial concerns or Covid or for some other reason, I think we can all agree that just living life in the 21st century is stressful. We experience it to some degree. 

Al and I took a quick trip down to Florida over the weekend. It was our first trip to Florida since before Covid hit. We had a wonderful trip. A great visit with family. We celebrated our son’s birthday. We had an unexpected meal with dear friends on the way down. We enjoyed laughter and hugs and good food. Beautiful Florida sunshine. And delicious Florida strawberries!

I didn’t get any photos of family, but I did get photos of my favorite berry!

Family. Friends. Good food. Beautiful weather. And strawberries.

More happy than my heart can hold.

Today my body is weary from the trip. But my heart is refreshed.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul…..” (Psalm 103:1)

Jesus: Understanding His Death and Resurrection

Despite what you might think as you walk through the malls and the discount stores, Easter is much more than jelly beans and chocolate bunnies and peeps. Easter is about Jesus! About His death and resurrection. With all the commercialism that surrounds Easter, sometimes we need to take a step back and refocus.

That's where Jesus:Understanding His Death and Resurrection comes in. Written by Kay Arthur and David Arthur, this is a "40-minute, no-homework Bible study." It is designed to be used by small groups over a six-week period, but it is just as effective when used in personal devotions. This study is the third in a 3-part series covering the Gospel of Mark, and this book focuses on the final three chapters of that Gospel.

Like all Kay Arthur Bible studies, this one is inductive, which means the Scripture is your primary text. It also means means observing and marking the text. There are questions to guide group discussion, or to stimulate your thinking if you are using this for personal study.

This is an excellent study for any time of year, and especially in these weeks leading up to the celebration of the resurrection. I highly recommend it.

Safely Through

Yesterday was one of those days. You know the kind. Frustrating. Aggravating. The kind of day when you don’t know whether to scream or cry. (Neither helped.) The kind of day when you just want to punch somebody. (I didn’t.) 

I had begun this post early yesterday morning. Before all the drama and frustration. (And, no, the drama and frustration had nothing to do with my husband, in case you might have been wondering.) Today has been a better day, but a busy one, so I’m just getting back to finishing what I started.

I have a collection of old hymnals on my bookshelf. Some newer, some older. Some well worn. Some I can remember singing from. Some were before my time. This recent acquisition is particularly special as it is the hymnal I remember from my childhood. We used the old Broadman Hymnal on Wednesday nights for prayer meeting downstairs, but this “New Baptist Hymnal” was upstairs in the Sanctuary. I didn’t check the date, but I think it was published in the 1940s, which made me chuckle a bit. Just as I chuckle over the much older “Modern Hymnal” I have on the shelf.

Music has changed a lot over my lifetime, just as it did over lifetimes before me. And just as was true in years past, some of today’s music will endure, and much of it won’t. But that isn’t my point today.

As I was looking through this hymnal, I came across this old hymn I remember from my childhood.

This is one of the hymns that “didn’t make the cut” into more recently published hymnals. Although this text from John Newton, a name you will recognize from Amazing Grace, and composer Lowell Mason (Nearer, My God, To Thee and My Faith Looks Up To Thee, to name just a couple), this less familiar hymn is still a good one. One worth remembering, even if it is seldom sung any more.

Particularly in these trying times, it’s good to pause and remember this text.

Safely through another week

God has brought us on our way;

Let us now His blessing seek,

Awaiting in His courts today.

As we face a new week, it is good to remember that it is God who brought us through the last one. And it is God who will carry us through this one.

As we think of the turmoil of the last week, it is good to remember that it is God who brought us through. And it is God who will carry us through the uncertainty if the days ahead.

 On the good days and the bad days. One the uncertain days and the frustrating days. On the up days and the down days and all the in between days, it is God who carries us through. Safely through God has brought us on our way. Every time. And He’ll do it again.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear….” (Psalm 46:1-2 NASB)