Crosswalk.com--The Devotional

[Judy Harder]

June 9, 2010

Creating Rainbows
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

"I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be
the sign of the covenant between me and the earth." 
Genesis 9:8


On Friday night, I saw one of the most beautiful sights I will ever see. No, I wasn't hiking in the mountains or watching the sunset. I was in a very ordinary setting actually - just driving home through downtown Richmond in rush hour traffic. The weather had developed schizophrenia and my windshield wipers were flashing at full speed even though the sun was shining. People were huddled under trees as they waited for their bus, and businessmen in suits were dashing toward their parking garages. The traffic report was not in my favor, and I resigned myself to a long drive home. That's when I saw it.

One end of a rainbow touched the end of my street, seeming completely out of place with the city skyline and blaring horns. But the rainbow was there all the same; in fact, it grew brighter, until the colors were as distinct as they are in a child's coloring book. Then a second rainbow appeared over this first one, and as I got closer I could see both ends of the rainbows. I kept snapping pictures on my cell phone, even though I knew that no camera in the world could really capture those colors. That dreary late afternoon commute changed into something that was, well, magical - or, as Noah would have said, miraculous. That very ordinary day was transformed by the visible reminder of God's promise to Noah. 

The commentator Matthew Henry read the Genesis passage and wrote these words: "The rainbow is the reflection of the beams of the sun, which intimates that all the glory and significancy of the seals of the covenant are derived from Christ the Sun of righteousness... As God looks upon the bow, that he may remember the covenant, so should we, that we also may be ever mindful of the covenant, with faith and thankfulness."

God displayed a visible reminder of His everyday grace on Friday for anyone who looked up, reminding me of the promise He made to extend a common grace to all living things. How often do I take that promise for granted? The truth is, I nearly yelled at a driver on that same drive home after I saw the rainbows, letting a momentary panic get in the way of meditating on an eternal promise. My perspective so often slips into the ordinary, when God's daily grace is all around me. My prayer this week is that I will not lose focus, but instead, remember the rainbow. Everything else pales in comparison with the brilliance of His glory.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Rainbows appear where the circumstances are just right - where there's rain and sun. Am I letting rainy day blues crowd out the sun, like I did in responding to the driver who cut me off? Or am I letting the sun break through the ordinary clouds and circumstances? The glory of the Lord shines most brilliantly not when everything is right with the world, but when I live my daily life in remembrance of what He has done for me.

Further Reading

Pay Attention to God's Presence
Discover What's Holy in What's Ordinary

[Judy Harder]

June 10, 2010

Swallowing the Pink Stuff
by Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Entertainment Editor

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11, NIV


As a pet owner, I try to do what is best for my cats-even when they don't like it.

Since they don't understand the tried-and-true "This hurts me more than it hurts you" line, I usually try to love on Demi and Denté a lot before having to do something unpleasant to them.

So I'm sure you can imagine what I'm going through right now, as I'm having to give medicine twice a day to Demi. Let's just say there's a whoooooole lot of "love" going on.

Because of a bacterial infection in her liver, the vet prescribed two weeks' worth of amoxicillin. You know, it's the pink stuff. Perhaps you've taken this medicine yourself at some point in time. It's ooey, gooey and sickening. Thick, pink and downright dreadful. But it's a hard worker, going straight to the infection and putting up a wall around the bacteria. Pretty soon you feel as good as new, if not better.

And that's all fine and good in theory. But try explaining that to a 13-year-old cat who's had enough of you. And your pink stuff.

When I use the dropper to squirt the medicine in Demi's little mouth twice a day, she fights me, meows loudly and wriggles incessantly while I'm trying to help her. 

"But this is good for you, Demi," I say in my most soothing, pet-owner-ish of ways.

She doesn't understand that the pink stuff is going to make her better. And if she doesn't go through this process and swallow it down, then she will not get well.

Like my feline counterpart, I find that I respond in a very similar fashion when required to follow the instruction of the Lord - especially when it's distasteful. Sadly, my first reaction is not compliance or obedience.

I turn away. Then I whine and complain. And I throw an emotional tantrum and see if there's any way possible for me to get out of what God is asking me to do or what he's asking me to swallow.

In the middle of my own dosages of the pink stuff, what I can't see is that what is being administered to me is actually making me stronger and healthier. Putting up a wall around the sin in my system, teaching me truth or testing my faith-so that I may be more able-bodied to serve and glorify the Lord.

I don't know if I will ever gladly reach for the spoon when being administered a daily dose of the pink stuff in my life. But hopefully, I will learn to swallow a little easier as I am continually reminded of the difference that Christ in me can make.

Intersecting Faith & Life: The next time you take or administer distasteful medicine, remember that life circumstances that seem unpleasant at the time can be used to "produce a harvest of righteousness and peace."

Further Reading

Psalm 34:8, NIV
2 Corinthians 4:8-10, NIV

[Judy Harder]

June 11, 2010

Traveling Mercies
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day.
Psalm 91:5

With summer travel season upon us - well, for those who haven't been grounded by the economy - I've been reminiscing upon all the times the Lord has watched out for me on the road through all my journeys. Here are just a few examples:

When I helped my wife - before she was my wife - move from Columbia, South Carolina to Farmville, Virginia, we rented an auto transport to trail behind the U-Haul so that we could both ride together in the truck. I had helped load her car onto the transport before we left. We decided to get out of town and onto the interstate before we gassed up. We'd traveled up and down hills, across several railroad tracks, on the interstate, in stop-and-go traffic... and it was raining. You'll understand the reason I tell you all that in a second. When we pulled into the gas station, we realized we didn't have Valerie's key chain. It held the keys to her car, her new home, her old home, and several expensive keys to the University of South Carolina. Neither of us had any idea where they could be. I got out of the truck to think... and I spotted them, there on one of the two-inch thick beams of the auto transport. I yelled for Valerie, who came to look. I carefully touched the keys with my fingertips... and they dropped to the ground. Neither of us could believe our eyes, or that those keys had remained there of their own accord over the route we had driven. It had to be the Lord. If not, well, He sure got the praise and glory anyway.

Another time, when I was just a boy, my mother's station wagon had a flat tire on a remote stretch of road outside Tucson. My sister and I were in the car as my mother struggled to get the hubcap off. In those days, on that model, a special tool was required to be able to get to the lugnuts. We didn't have the tool. Just then, a guy rode up on a bike. He happened to have the tool. He handed it to my mother, who to this day swears he was an angel. I'm not sure I can argue with her.

At other times there have been individuals who showed up with just the right help during blowouts, or - believe it or not - airline personnel who actually made my trip better than it could have gone. The most memorable of these instances, truly, have come during times I prayed, read my Bible, and had decided in advance not to get bent out of shape about delays or other problems. One such cross-country trip resulted in an out-of-nowhere upgrade to first class from Philadelphia to Seattle, where I was also in position to solve a dispute between passengers. Indeed, the Lord has been gracious to me in travel.

My wife's family has a tradition before every trip they take to read Psalm 91. It reminds them that He is their refuge as they go, wherever they go. And of course before every trip we take my family prays for safety, and mercy... and the opportunity to minister, even if it is an inconvenience to our plans.

One way or another, this prayer is always answered. Still, it's hard to remind myself of that. Sometimes I still feel that the trip, the vacation, is my time. That whatever gets in the way shows that the Lord does not care, or did not "bless" our travels. Then I remember Paul's travels. I am sure he didn't think shipwrecks and imprisonment were helps toward spreading the word. But in the end, they were. Are our travels - no matter what purpose we think they hold - any different?

Jesus told a story about a traveler who had been robbed, beaten, and left for dead on the road. Those who passed him by had in mind only their own agendas and their desire not to be inconvenienced, even if they were priests by vocation. What would you do? Would you have the time, yearning, and empathy to interrupt your travels to do as the Samaritan did?

Understand that I am not discounting that the Lord must lay on your heart the decision to stop and help, especially in these troubled times. But do be open to it. So few times anymore do we make it outside our home or neighborhood. Those times we do should not only be restful, but ministerial. Pray that God would give you opportunities to serve him - and yes, even to see His glory in watching over you! - as you go.

Intersecting Faith & Life: This summer especially, be on the lookout for fellow travelers who are stranded. In some parts of the country, rising gas costs are causing more and more motorists to run out of fuel. Consider taking along a spare gas can and assisting stranded folks, who might be in need of the gospel message.

Further Reading

Luke 10: 25-37
Psalm 91
A Father's Summer Trip Road Rules
Tips to Keep Your Family Vacation Affordable and Fun

[Judy Harder]

June 14, 2010

Ditching the Do-it-Yourself Attitude
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

  "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
      Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
John 13:8


Wedding planning taught me two things. First, I'm a do-it-yourself-er that would like to believe she's fully competent to handle every detail. Second, that belief is absolutely ridiculous.

Why is it so hard for me to accept help, especially when a dozen people have offered? In a small way, my attitude smacks of Peter's response to Jesus when the Lord was ready to wash his feet. "What? You, wash my feet? No way, I can't let you serve me like that! You have more important things to do! I'll do it myself!" Guess what's at the center of that attitude? The desire not to "inconvenience" anyone because "I can do it, really" is often intertwined with simple, sinful pride. Accepting help means accepting my limits. It means being humbled by others' service, and I'd rather not, thank you.

Jesus told Peter that unless He washed Peter's feet, then Peter wasn't fit for the Lord's service. I think that's because Peter wasn't willing to humble himself and accept the Lord's act of service. Peter is the father of do-it-yourself Christianity, in which people start believing that they can't accept grace. We forget that "serving others" and "bearing one another's burdens" implies that somebody has to be the recipient. Heaven forbid that recipient be us, because that makes us the weaker party! We'd rather be Jesus than Peter, because then we're saving the world instead of needing salvation ourselves.

I've finally begun to realize what a blessing - and a relief - it is when the body of Christ works together instead of me trying be every part myself. And here's the surprise element: relationships have started to grow as I've spent time with those assisting me in this grand endeavor, and I know these people will keep praying for me even after the big affair is over. These ladies, pastors, and friends have taught me while helping me. They've been Jesus to me. And when my gifts are needed, I'll have a better understanding of how to serve - because they've showed me how.

Intersecting Faith & Life: In what areas, whether spiritual or physical, are you tempted to be a do-it-yourself Christian? Over and over again, the apostles encourage believers to serve one another and live in fellowship with each other, but that only happens when we're willing to be transparent about our strengths and weaknesses. Focus on one area where you need help, and allow others the joy of serving you in prayer or action.

Further Reading

1 Peter 4:10
Romans 12:3-6
Ephesians 6:7
How to See God More Clearly

[Judy Harder]

June 15, 2010

Live Like You Were Dating
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Managing Editor

Let marriage be held in honor among all..."
Hebrews 13:4

I heard the Tim McGraw song Live Like You Were Dying in the most unusual of places the other day - my head as I slept. Normally that's a huge annoyance, a song looping through my brain while I toss and turn. This time, however, I think I was so relieved it wasn't something by The Wiggles or VeggieTales that I went along for the ride.

Only thing is, I began to dream along with the music. As weird as that sounds, the dream varied just a bit from the theme of the song, which is: in order to make sure we don't take life for granted, we should check off that list of things we've always wanted to do, and do not go gently into that good night, but rather sit on top of angry bulls. Or something like that. Basically, you should act like you don't have much time left, because really you don't.

But the montage that played upon my closed eyelids wasn't about me, important moments, my death, or things I want to accomplish. Instead, I was treated to a slide show of moments from my courtship with Valerie (1995-1998). What fun life was then! The things we did, the places we went, the way we treasured each other and every moment together...

I awoke in a very good mood, even if I was confused about the connection between the song and the dream. On my drive to work some of the words from the song slapped me upside the head:

"... and I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying..."

Ah, I see... that sentence sounded a lot like the guy I was when I was putting the moves on the tall, big-eyed, opinionated babe who liked my jokes. It did not sound so much like the ten-year married version of myself, who has been going through the motions.

Still I wondered: how can I live like I did then, when I have none of the freedoms afforded me during those years? Unless I'm mistaken, the very word "dating" implies occasionally going on a date...

I interrupt this devotional because at this point Valerie calls me from her cell phone saying she can't get the car to start. The ignition won't turn because the steering wheel is also locked, and she can't jiggle the keys or wheel enough to get either to turn. She's embarrassed, and I can hear her banging and straining away on the dashboard components. She thinks she's gonna be stuck in someone's driveway all day. I suggest looking in the owner's manual to see if there are suggestions. There aren't. We decide she'll have to call a Toyota dealer or Triple-A because I'm too far away to help. 10 minutes later I check in on her because I read online that she might want to use the parking break from now on to prevent this from happening again. Turns out that wasn't the problem. It was that she was trying to start her Camry with the key to my Corolla...

And so it occurs to me - not only can I count on my wife to spice up our life with a good laugh once in a while, but maybe our dating engine simply has to be redefined. It still exists, but it's not going to be started with the same set of keys that got it running 10 years ago. That doesn't mean it's not a reliable vehicle for shuttling us to all of life's events in a manner befitting our faith. If I could find a way to regularly appear as outwardly joyful as I inwardly feel whenever I reflect on how blessed I am to have such a mate, I'd go a long way towards helping fulfill the purpose for this marriage, which Valerie and I long ago decided was to be better for the Lord than we are apart. That felt easier when we were dating. So with a cue from Tim McGraw, here are some ideas...

Loving Deeper
"Love does not seek its own..." (1 Corinthians 13:5)

In Colossians 3:18-19, and again in Ephesians 5:24-25, we are quite simply told by Paul how this marriage thing is going to work. Unfortunately, I've heard the first half of those verse pairings - the "women submit" part - quoted and exercised far more often than the equally important "husbands love" portion. Remember how much easier those commands seemed back then? This was the most wonderful person in the world. They communicated well, never sought their own way; it would be so easy to submit to or actively display love for them. Then time, comfort, bad habits, and the daily grind got a hold of you both. Satan tossed clutter everywhere. Threw in some doubt. Sprayed super-green paint on your neighbor's lawn and spouse. Marriage, it turned out, was complicated. I'll be the first to attest to that, although the Bible doesn't really think it's so complex if you go by the fact that it's not dripping with verses on how to navigate the maze. You leave, you cleave, then you love/submit. Those simple instructions don't seem to get us very far down the path. In fact, they seem to take us happily up to the vows and leave us there. Perhaps that's the point. Perhaps there is no "trick" to loving deeper, you just need to get in touch with what it is you fell in love with this person for in the first place, and act on it, since it's not a feeling anyway.

Speaking Sweeter
"If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal..." (1 Corinthians 13:1)

This is where I have a problem, being gruff by nature. I'm pleasant enough to co-workers and strangers. I've even earned the nickname "Small-Talk" from one of my buddies, but for some reason, those I love the most are sometimes blessed with a symphony of grunts, groans, and snippy comments. Not only is that gruff nature part of the "former self," but I recall that it did not dare rear its head during our dating days. That's not just because I was trying to sell this woman on my finer qualities, but because I truly felt the love and respect for her that I was dishing out. I therefore gave no place to impatient or intellectually-superior speech. In the words of James, there were, when I was dating Valerie, precious few times when the same fountain sent out both fresh and bitter water. But gradually, as I failed to guard my tongue, I lazily allowed that small amount of bitterness to befoul the whole cistern. I don't want to give the impression that I stalk the grounds of my house grumpy and cursing when I'm actually a pretty decent husband and father, but this is where I need the most improvement in my relationships, and I know it. Harkening back to the days when I wrote poetry, quoted scripture, wooed from afar, and encouraged about the future has helped me to remember the importance of bridling my tongue. James says horses and great ships are steered by very small bits and rudders. Likewise, the direction of my marriage may be steered by brushing up on the language I spoke when dating.

Giving Forgiveness
"Love does not take into account a wrong suffered..." (1 Corinthians 13:5)

Do you often hear people saying, "I'll forgive, but I won't forget"? It's an especially popular thing to say with the camera in one's face on a reality TV program. Thank goodness that's not how the Lord defines forgiveness. He instead wipes out our transgressions, turns crimson to snow white (Isaiah 1:18), and divides us from sin as far as East is from West (Psalm 103:12). Which way is your marriage M.O. regarding wrongs done to you? Do you refuse to go to bed angry, do you grant mercy every morning, or do you have a little file drawer in the back of your brain that lists All the Stupid & Hurtful Things He's/She's Done to Me? Once again, think back to your courtship, and ask yourself how many little foibles, faux paus, and thoughtless words you let slide with little more than a tiny reprimand just because you were so in love.

We all get caught in those lulls in marriage where the wind isn't blowing, the air gets stale, and nothing new happens. And it's admittedly a tad trite to think living out some song lyrics is going to lift the doldrums, but it's worth a try. After all, one thing all married folks have in common is fond memories of meeting and dating our spouse; otherwise, hopefully, we never would have bound our lives to theirs. Looking back is a good way to appreciate all those things that led to the commitment.

Intersecting Faith & Life: If you've been married a while, try living like you were dating, even if actual dates are few and far between, and see if remembering your first love doesn't translate to renewing your first love.

Further Reading

Communication in Marriage

[Judy Harder]

June 16, 2010

Battling the Buzzing Nemesis
by Fred Alberti, Crosswalk.com Director of Social Media

In an effort to improve my health I have added trail running to my morning regimen. So five days a week I strap on my New Balance All-Terrain running shoes, throw on a cap, grab my big stick, and set off through the field for the woods.

As much as I struggle with getting up early for this activity I find that I have it better than the many woodland creatures that are constantly awakened by this weird guy crashing through the brush. Most of them quickly get up and take off. However, some, like the buck that lives on the property, will make their displeasure known before bounding away. These don't bother me, and no, the big stick is not for them.

I reserve the big stick for the many spider webs I encounter on my journey. I'd much rather the stick bear the brunt of the webs and the spiders that guard them than my face.

Even so equipped there is one more thing I must fend off. I don't know what it is exactly. What I do know is that it is big, buzzes loudly, and loves to swoop at my face. No matter how fast I run or how much I swat or flail my arms this buzzing bug will not be deterred from its mission to strike my heart with terror and my mind with distraction.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 that Satan, "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

For the child of God, the Devil is much like my buzzing nemesis. His goal is to strike fear, discouragement, and divisiveness into the heart of the believer while distracting him from completing the task God has designed for His purposes.

I've found that bug repellent is an excellent solution for my dilemma. I spray it on and I am, for the most part, left alone.

Have you been struggling with a buzzing nemesis?

God too, gives us the equipment we need to "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" and to stay focused on Him. It's called the Shield of Faith and you can learn about that as well as the rest of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Intersecting Faith & Life:  Take the family camping or go hiking and remind them as you spray on the bug repellent that just as it protects them from the effects of biting insects so the blood of Jesus Christ protects us from the "wages" of sin.

Further Reading

The Shield of Faith
Ephesians 6:10-18
The Power of Prayer

[Judy Harder]

June 18, 2010

The Perfect Heart
by Meghan Kleppinger

"But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart'."
1 Samuel 16:7, NAS

"I have made a very important decision," I announced to fellow editors, Sarah and Shawn, shortly after arriving at work.

Piqued curiosity gave way to undivided attention, so with a stage set, I continued.

"I have decided to marry A) an Englishman, or B) an American willing to live in England, or C) an American willing to put on an English accent for the duration of our marriage."

My co-workers responded exactly the way I hoped they would... and the way I needed them to so I could write this devotional! It was meant to be a somewhat humorous declaration because everyone knows I'm an anglophile. Yes, more than one visit to the country turned me into a lover of nearly anything British including, but not limited to, the actual country, literature, movies, chocolate (Cadbury chocolate is the best ever), and of course the smooth accent.

I did get a laugh or two in response, and, in reference to my seemingly juvenile and superficial decision I was asked jokingly, "So, when will you be turning eighteen?"

Poor Shawn, he walked right into my trap. "How," I asked, "is this any more superficial than someone saying, 'I won't date anyone shorter than 5'9', or with brown eyes, or younger?'" He agreed and mentioned the human habit to create wish lists.

We do that, don't we? We create lists, have ideals, and look for what we think would be the perfect candidate - whether it be for a marriage, a friendship, or a position for a job that needs to be filled. Once upon a time, back in college, I created my "perfect guy" list.

I found him, too. He lined up with everything on my list down to the occupation he was entering. Not only was he a Christian and genuinely nice guy, he was what I had dreamed about - the right hair color, height, and age too! He wanted to find the right girl, get married, and settle down... I'm telling you, he was great.

You won't believe this, but I broke up with him! This wonderfully perfect young man, who literally made the list, bored me to tears. The lesson God taught me was two-fold. First, He taught me that I had no idea of what I really wanted or needed, but more importantly, He showed me that the perfect person for me is more important than finding a seemingly perfect person.

When the prophet Samuel hiked up to visit Jesse and his sons, I'll bet he had an idea of what God's choice for Saul's replacement should look like. He probably got excited thinking about the tall, strong, mature and wise leader who would rule Israel. Samuel saw Jesse's son Eliab and thought "Surely the Lord's anointed is before Him" (1 Sam. 16:6b). That is when the Lord shared with Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

God was looking for the right heart, not the right body. He chose a young shepherd boy named David. I love Ray Boltz' song, "Shepherd Boy." One of the verses in the song that refers to this event goes,

Well it wasn't the oldest
It wasn't the strongest
Chosen on that day
And yet the giants fell
And nations trembled
When they stood in his way

The chorus, and the point of the song is, "When others see a shepherd boy, God may see a king."

So, what is my point? Well, first, when we look at others, we obviously need to look beneath the surface, but that's something we've been taught since preschool. My point is that we need to start looking beneath our own surfaces because that's where God is looking.

There was a time I was up for a position that I was excited about and had the heart for, but I knew I wasn't qualified and that there were better candidates. I was chosen, however, and went in to the job feeling the weight of intimidation and inadequacy. The skill set was way beyond what I could handle at first.

My mother encouraged me by reminding me that God works that way sometimes and that He prefers imperfect willing vessels because not only does it give Him something to work with, and not only does it make His vessel completely dependent on Him, but when success is achieved, it's so obvious that it occurred because of Him.

David knew he was not only small and young as well as untrained, but he also understood that God was bigger than any of his shortcomings. God used this weaker of vessels in mighty way. A Giant fell, nations trembled, and God was glorified through it all. Have you ever wondered what would have happened if David had said, "I can't do that because I'm just a shepherd?"

Don't let what you think you are lacking keep you from what you know God is calling you to do. There may be gaps in your skill set, but if you have the willing heart and workable spirit desires, He will fill those holes with Himself.

On another note, if you know anyone who is English or can imitate an English accent, please let me know! (Just kidding, of course... I think).

Intersecting Faith & Life: Remember that God will equip you for whatever He has called you to do. Pastor and ministry leader, Adrian Rogers once wrote, "There are two things that form the vessel: the touch of the Father's hand and the turning of the wheel. The wheel represents the circumstances of our daily lives. God sees to it that our lives revolve around certain events, and the whole time God is touching our lives and making them what He wants them to be."

Further Reading

2 Timothy 2:21
Why God Chooses the Wounded and Broken

[Judy Harder]

June 21, 2010

Viva La Vice!
by Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Entertainment Editor

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Let's be honest. We all have vices. Each of us has something that is the thorn in our sides, something that torments and tempts us. For some, it's pretty painful. And for others, it may not even register at all. Either way, a vice is something that causes us to stumble.

I used to think that there might be different levels of vices or sin. Maybe speeding wasn't necessarily as bad as having one too many drinks every Saturday night. Or perhaps polishing off most of a half gallon of Jamocha Almond Fudge by oneself wasn't even close to the same league of say, lying or gossiping.

But you know what? The bottom line is, a vice causes us to stumble. And when we stumble, we sin. Webster's says a vice is "moral depravity or corruption."  "Wickedness" and a "habitual defect or shortcoming."

Most of us will struggle with a particular vice for the rest of our lives. In fact, many of us can point to the same vice affecting several generations throughout our family lines. And so we ask God to help us break these "generational curses" and so forth. 

But sometimes, I think we might also thank God for allowing us to struggle. Celebrate our weakness. And say, "Viva la vice!" 

Why is that? In a roundabout way, our vices can ultimately be good for us for they bring us to our knees. And when we're on our knees, we can only look up and reach our hands upward and cry out "Help me, Lord!" as we ask Him to work mightily and powerfully through us.

The apostle Paul had a vice in his life, too. In 2 Corinthians 12: 7, he called it a "thorn in his flesh." We don't know for sure if this was a physical ailment or something else that tempted him and caused him to stumble. Whatever it was, though, it propelled him to call upon the Lord:

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (1 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Like Paul, we need something to keep us grounded, to keep the focus off ourselves and our "ministry" if you will. A "thorn in the flesh" or a vice, is troublesome and painful, yes. But it keeps us our eyes  on the Lord and reminds us daily that despite this weakness and the suffering it causes, it is an opportunity for God to work through us to accomplish great things. And in that, we can certainly boast!

Intersecting Faith & Life: When was the last time you wrote down your vices? Sometimes seeing something in writing makes it more real. Make a list and ask God to help you in your weaknesses, so that His power may be made known in your life.

Further Reading

Galatians 5:16-26
Why Do Bad Things Happen If God Is Good?

[Judy Harder]

June 22, 2010

The Forgotten Vital Organ
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21


I have decided that many, many medical textbooks are wrong. Each and every one of them has actually left out an vital organ. Yes, they've remembered the heart and the brain and even that strange thing called a pancreas (I know it's important, I just forget why sometimes). But look through the books all you want, and you'll find not one mention of the most obvious vital organ of all: the tongue.

Then again, I myself often choose to ignore the importance of the tongue. I'd rather not believe it has "the power of life and death." I'd like to pretend my tongue is more like an appendix or a gall bladder - easy to forget about because it's not that important - but that's just not the case. Snapping at my family when I'm tired, nagging, and complaining all release a poison from my tongue that works its way through my whole being (James 3:6). Not only that, I infect others with my attitudes and motivations. I begin to spread a disease.

Contrast that with the "words of the wise," as Proverbs says many times. Their words heal and strengthen as they spread encouragement, wisdom, peace, and the Gospel message. Oh, and - get this - the wise actually use their tongues less than other people. The more powerful the tongue, the less it needs to be used. It's like the heart of a well-trained athlete - when someone is really in shape, the beats per minute actually decrease as the heart becomes more and more efficient. In the same way, why don't I condition my tongue to speak fewer words with more meaning?

In Genesis 1, God spoke into the darkness, and there was light. Those "mere words" created something from nothing, showing the power of speaking out. My pastor in college told us that this verse had meaning for us, too, since we are created in God's image. We are meant to speak out and bring light from the darkness as He did. That's the power of the tongue in a crazy world. The question is whether we choose to speak light or just add to the darkness.

That little muscle called the tongue holds the power of life and death. That's no small matter. So let's be careful how we exercise it.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Grab a concordance and look up the words "mouth" and "tongue." The reference lists are extensive. It gets even bigger if you include the words "speak" and words." Then, take a seven day challenge to "tame the tongue" in just one way. Perhaps try encouraging instead of complaining. Even taming just that one area is like trying to control a wildfire (James 3:5). Don't get discouraged, but take each opportunity to thank God for the "new song" that He has given you to sing (Psalm 40:3).

Further Reading

Christians and Cussin'
Prayer or Gossip?
The Tongue: Life or Death in Our Marriage?

[Judy Harder]

June 23, 2010

My Conversation with a Hedge
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Managing Editor

He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.
The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
Proverbs 15:32-33

Every summer, my wife and kids leave me for two-to-three weeks to visit all of her relatives in Texas while I stay home and work. For the first day or two that they're gone, I enjoy my freedom from some of my responsibilities. After that, though, I tend to go a little crazy. I find myself wandering around the house, or doing "improvement" projects I have no business tackling. Making up song lyrics. Or having conversations with inanimate objects.

A couple years ago, in the middle of their trip, I was trimming the bushes beneath our front windows. The three on the right side of the stoop grow more uniformly than the three on the left. On the left, the one closest to the stairs is healthiest, while the other two, thanks to heavier afternoon shade, don't do as well. Oh, it's hard to tell, because I keep them pruned so that they "grow together" in the middle and stay squared off on the tops and corners. But obviously, the two weaker bushes suffer the pruning less frequently, because I let them grow out to fill in the gaps.

As I was working, their healthier sibling, I imagined, began to speak to me. Or to whine is more like it...

Hey! What gives?

Nothing, my good man. Just time for your monthly trimming.

But why? I'm not doing anything wrong. Just sitting here minding my own business. Doing good, doing what I'm supposed to do. And here you come...

Well, just sit still, please. Trust me, I have a purpose here.

Really? Well forgive me for asking, but why doesn't that purpose seem to apply to my lazy, stunted brethren here? All this time and barely a scratch. Maybe a nip, a cut. Nothing lost, no pain.

You're not happy with how you look? Where you're situated?

I'm fine. But that's just it. I don't deserve this cutting and trimming.

You think you planted yourself in this primo spot?

Never really thought about it. I just want to know why you're taking so much away from me and nothing from them.

I told you I have a purpose. You can't see what I can see. In fact, you can't see much at all. You're completely rooted in place. But I've seen all around you and through you, and have since you were planted.

But it hurts. I don't like losing things.

Never having them in the first place, and never really growing, that's not much good either. I have to give extra care and attention to those others. I can only hope it brings them up to the same level of maturity as you...

Hmmph.

I finished trimming up the hedges, and went my way, unsure I had gotten through. But when I stood back, I beheld something beautiful. I could only hope those under my care understood, had not despised their discipline, and opted to forsake impractical, joyless comparison.

Intersecting Faith & Life: The next time you feel like others aren't being as challenged as you are, or like the Lord is picking on you unfairly, consider that you can't see all the perspectives or purposes of the Lord, not in your life and especially not in the lives of others. The Lord loves you enough to discipline you, and he knows you're healthy and with enough green growth to handle His pruning.

Further Reading

John 15
Pruning Your Vineyard