Archives

Stapled Apples

Jan29

I was in a small group of moms a short time ago, studying together about parenting. Between us six women we had 22 kids ranging from college age to infant. One of the books we read together was Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp. There was an analogy in there that I will never forget.

Tripp talks about children behaving out of the heart. He gives an analogy about an apple tree in your yard. Every year it blooms and grows apples, but just before they are ready to be picked, the apples fall to the ground and rot. In order to fix the problem of not being able to enjoy delicious apples, you go to the store, buy a couple of bushels of apples and an industrial stapler, cut all the old apples off the tree and staple on the pretty red ones you just bought at the store. What a great idea, right?

Wrong. As Tripp said, the problem is more than a fruit problem; there is something fundamentally wrong with the tree. You have exchanged good fruit for bad fruit, but it won’t last, because the tree itself can’t produce good fruit.

One of my mantras has been: “You can’t legislate morality.” The Pharisees tried to do that. More laws didn’t save them. Only Jesus coming and giving His life to break the hold sin had on them changed them–but only if they let Him.

David and I don’t give our money to political causes: we give our money and our time and our very lives to helping change hearts. James 4:1 says wars and quarrels happen because we want what we want. Our hearts are dark. But Jesus is the Light. We don’t want to just staple apples on the tree: we want to be grafted in to the perfect root that will bring the most beautiful, delicious fruit. Change from the inside out.

Taming the Tongue

Jan28

A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. (James 3:3, 4 MSG)

I can’t remember the statistic exactly, but it takes something like 20 positive comments to erase the effect of 1 negative one. I think the ratio is even higher than that actually. My husband has often mentioned in our 20 years of marriage that I still don’t believe it when he tells me I’m pretty. That’s because I never heard it when I was growing up. And did, in fact, hear joking comments to the contrary.

I was single for more years than I’ve been married, so maybe that’s why the numbers haven’t caught up yet. I tell my kids that they aren’t allowed to say things like “look at you–you’re so fat!” (My kids are all slim.) Even the joking and the “Just kidding” afterwards doesn’t negate the negative affect of the words.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Such a great and wise instruction. May it be so for all of us today.

Faith and Works

Jan27

The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse. (James 2:26 The Message)

Tomorrow, a group of people from Vista Community Church Vista Churchare heading into the city of Orlando to help meet the needs of the people of the city. We call it “Vista Serves.”

Do we in any way think doing these things will save us? Emphatically, No. But are we commanded to serve? Emphatically, Yes. The living, breathing church is people, serving other people. Bring a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus.

I don’t have any idea what my family and I will be doing tomorrow, but I know that by doing it, we are living out our faith, proclaiming the name of Jesus by what we do.

All men are equal

Jan26

At the beginning of the year I started a year-long study called Draw Near: 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with God. I write a note about my thoughts on each day’s devotion, so I thought I’d just copy that here and share them with you. I’m 25 days in, so I might go back and share past ones; we’ll see how that goes. Meanwhile, here’s today’s, straight from my iPhone with no pretty enhancements. I may add that later. Or not.
James 2:9
We’re in the midst of studying U.S. sites and symbols at school. Yesterday the class learned about Abraham Lincoln. They made a poster with all kinds of different people represented on it. They talked about slavery and emancipation and freedom for all people. It’s what the country was founded upon, yet even today not all people are free. Slavery exists, even in America.
But besides physical slavery, people everywhere are enslaved to sin: addictions hold them captive as firmly as any chains. Do I look down upon them? Do I consider myself better than they? James warns that I’d better not, or I am guilty as they. Don’t turn up my. nose to anyone because but for the grace of God, there could I be.

Contentment

Jul28

The scene on our bike commute to Colorado State University

Having just returned from a 10-day trip to Colorado, I feel compelled to remind myself that contentment does not come from my circumstances, which are constantly changing, but from my God, who never does. I’d love to live in Colorado, where the weather is decidedly cooler and the mountains and surrounding valleys are picturesque and peaceful. But God  has me in Florida. If I can’t find contentment only in Him and where He has me, then I will not be joyful in any of the tasks He has laid before me. God is in Florida as fully as He is in Colorado. Or California, which is my first choice.

Sunset over the Gulf as seen from Marco Islando, Fla.

And, along with contentment and joy, I want to be happy. I know that God cares more about making us holy than He does about making us happy. I’ve heard those sermons before. But, really, I’d like to find happiness in the life He’s called me to, also. “But godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). “For the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). Contentment, joy, happiness. I can live with that. Even in Florida.