Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee Lessons

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest – Joshua 1:9

I’ve always heard it isn’t the trial, but our response to the trial that matters most. Admittedly, there are days we handle adversity better than others. It is important to turn to God in times of difficulty – for He is the only answer to life’s troubled situations. Maybe you’ve been cynical lately? You’re tired of seeing the wicked prosper and the “good” person continue as the underdog in life? We may get weary, but the Bible instructs us not to be weary in well doing! (Galatians 6:9) Onward Christian soldiers!  Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the “Carrot, Eggs, and Coffee,” before. There is something significant for the Christian to glean in the following illustration...

The author said, "A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to

the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.

Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed

eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil

in silence.

A short time later, the mom turned off the stove. She fished the

carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them aside

in another bowl. Then, she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a 3rd bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see.”

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

 Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity --boiling water. 

Each reacted differently!

 The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became
hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

 "Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

 Life Moment: Let us ask ourselves, which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but

 with hurt and adversity, I wilt. I become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?  Did I have a flowing spirit, but after a spiritual valley, a breakup, a financial crisis or some other trial, have I became stiff and rigid? 

Is it “my way or the highway?” You might as well be honest with yourself – God KNOWS all of you.

Does your shell look the same, but on the inside you may harbor secret bitterness?

Others may THINK you’re compassionate but you have a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the 

actual circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the

fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their most terrible, you get better and change the situation around you.

How do you act during adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Look UP my friends!

Let That Burden Go!

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:6, 7

Sometimes when I close my eyes to rest at night, my mind refuses to turn off. Do you relate to that? I say with a smile that I hope it’s not just me!  I can’t stop thinking about what events I should have handled better that day – opportunities missed to share the Gospel - tasks to complete the following day - stressors of different varieties, family matters, business dynamics, and so forth. My mind just won’t turn off. Often if I’m in that “cycle” of not resting, I get up and go over to my Bible, hoping (expecting) to find some nugget of truth to ease my mind. I have always found reliability in God’s Word. It’s one source of communication with our heavenly Father that never fails!

 I turned to the Scripture this afternoon after I spoke with a sweet lady whose college age son died unexpectedly a few months ago. The news was devastating. I was quite blessed and humbled by her ability to smile and offer me a return hug without breaking down. She demonstrated, and is, a wonderful example of GRACE. Tears came to my eyes as I read the following verse in Psalm 55:22 “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

The past several weeks, the Lord had been speaking to me about casting my burdens or cares upon Him--now today I encountered that theme again! Don’t we just feel “small” sometimes after hearing someone else’s hurt and pain?? I know I sure do. Suddenly, I knew from talking to this grieving mom, that I needed to stop worrying so much about all MY adversities. Life Moment: It’s healthy to be “sick of self” sometimes! We should think less and less of ourselves, and MORE of Him!

 I need to hand over my burdens to HIM – you do too, friend! All my worry about different situations and what will happen if the worst outcome comes to fruition...Let them go!

If and when I mess up, He is big enough to handle it! I don’t need to carry the burden. If I’m being brutally honest, I’m a natural ‘worrier.’ This goes against my faith. This goes against our Christian beliefs! I’m embarrassed by it. Although, I do seem to have a natural knack for attracting stress like a magnet!

Worries/cares come in all sorts of different volumes and shapes. A book I read said it this way..."If we’re not self-aware, and spiritually aware, we can worry and “overly care” about all the things we need to do, what we've said or done, overly taxed about other people, stressed about our health, and the list goes on and on." At the time, the weight on our shoulders can seem heavier than anything else in the entire world could possibly be!

But whatever our care might be, we weren't meant to carry it! We were meant to cast it. It's actually prideful of us to consistently worry and carry our cares when God tells us to cast them. God cares perfectly for each one of us. Our Father urges us to humble ourselves--admit our inability--and cast every worry, burden, and care upon HIM.

Try it! You’ll feel lighter when you close your eyes tonight…

Look UP my friends!

Do You Rely on Prayer?

 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19- 20)

Prayer is such a large and personal aspect of our daily Christian walk. As I’ve matured in the Christian faith, I try to be more cognizant and steadfast in my prayers. I keep an ongoing list of people and/or situations in which I petition to our Father regularly. Not that HE needs the reminders, but because I do. {Lists are certainly not required}. One quick note, I try to start my prayers out with GRATITUDE and a spirit of thankfulness.

One of my personal convictions is that I make it a practice not to say, “I’ve been praying for you,” if I really haven’t; or “Yes, I’ll pray about that,” if I’m just being nice out of human concern. There’s another way to be nice without making a false promise. We need to be careful of those things which we promise other people. Some people are really RELYING on our prayers. If we tell another soul we’re praying for them, I believe it is our Christian duty to actually do it! We DO believe in the power of prayer, right?! If someone asks you (or me) to pray for them, make an effort to be found reliable!

My husband recently phrased it to me this way:  If someone is relying on you to pray for them, they trust you with 2 basic things: You have the right address (meaning heaven, through our Lord, Jesus) – and that you have the right heart to be heard by God. (I thought that was a wonderful way to break it down!). We wouldn’t want our prayers to be in vain or to be unfruitful would we? It IS important in those ways that the petitioner understands what the Bible says about prayer and how we have an advocate with Christ.

When I signed on to be a prayer writer for Guide Post ® I received ‘formal’ training on written prayer. This was both helpful and surprising! I’m not sure WHY it was surprising to me, but I thought it was great practical learning! Christians do need to practice active and effective prayer lives! Life Moment: Guide Post ® has a few options for responding to public prayer requests. Don’t hesitate to go to their website if you feel like this could be an area of service/ministry for you.

I have copied the following paragraph from one of the Guide Post ® training sessions I received. I have underlined and “bolded the font” in areas that I had made personal notes in.

“A person asking for prayer is often looking for someone to stand with them in the midst of their struggles and difficult circumstances. As an OurPrayer Ministry prayer writer, you have the unique opportunity to offer a tangible sign that someone cares and they are not alone. Written specifically for the person’s need at the leading of the Holy Spirit, Personal Prayer Responses are messengers of faith and love that inspire hope for the future in their heart. Prayers of faith invade the darkness of despair with the light of Jesus Christ, when they are prayed with the awareness of what He accomplished on the cross for us at Calvary.”

I say, Amen! Blessed is the Christian who can petition prayer to our heavenly Father!

 The phrase “darkness of despair,” hit me like a thunderbolt when I first read it! That IS what Christ Jesus (and prayer) does in the life of a Christian…He offers hope to the hopeless, Light in the darkness, sight to the blind, encouragement to the downcast, peace to the weary, manna to the hungry, comfort to the lonely, freedom for those in bondage, and Praise the Lord, salvation to the lost!

Keep this in mind when you pray today. HE is listening.

Look UP my friends!

The Lady at Table 7

Matthew 9:36-38 - But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

There's no way you can suitably prepare your mind and heart for a homeless shelter. Even the signs on the streets going into the area make you wonder what you're getting yourself into. For a quick instant I thought perhaps a billboard should warn people and boldly read, “Welcome to ‘Povertyville.’  It could easily happen to you!” I admit I was getting a little anxious looking at the destitution and state of homelessness my fellow citizens were in. (I had convinced my husband I would be safe and that I was familiar with the area). However, it wasn’t long before I began to envision a carjacking or other frightening crime. It’s often easy to let your thoughts get away from you! Then I prayed – asked God to forgive my fear – and reminded myself that He is with me and I’m under His hand of protection. {Life Moment: Psalm 100 is a good passage to recite in anxious situations!)

I thought I was ready this month. I had volunteered several times before, and working in healthcare has given me a good foundation for assisting those in need. But when I arrived, followed the check-in procedures, and looked around at what I’d be doing for a few hours, I was instantly saddened. My heart began to beat a little faster as I saw women, children, elderly people of all descriptions sitting at the door amidst city trash, debris, and other mounds of unknown but filthy items. They were waiting for the lunchtime meal program.

A few flies buzzed above the noise of the steady clatter of dishes being washed and assembled. I felt a sense of despair as I looked at the dirtiness of those kids, the people on the streets patiently waiting, the flies, and the gentleman eyeing the bread table like a ferocious animal in the wild.

I stopped staring. Finally. And I got back to work. It was my job to serve the noodle mixture – it looked like chicken, peas, and wide noodles to me. The menu was noodles, garden salad, corn, rolls, and day old doughnuts for dessert. It looked pretty good. I regretted not bringing green pepper, orange wedges, or parsley to make the plate pretty. Make food pretty? For the homeless? I’ve been mocked and scorned for this by the much-loved crew – but why not? Everybody deserves a nice plate of food! We expect it when we eat out at a restaurant, right? We eat with our eyes first, is what my grandma used to tell me. It’s my way of showing I care.

After forty or fifty people were served, one of the crewmembers suggested that I help feed the lady at Table 7. She had made quite a mess at attempting to feed herself. Noodles were around her plate –not ON her plate – juice had run everywhere, her salad was astray on her clothes. She appeared to weigh less than 100 lbs. If I had to guess, I was say she had about three or four teeth to counter-set the 3 or four hairs she had poking out from the top of her shiny scalp. The adult diaper she wore needed changing terribly – or she may not have bathed in a solid month or two. I wasn’t sure. I knew she had walked into the room, but beyond that, she looked extremely frail.  My first thought, to be brutally frank, was, “Sure, I’ll help feed her. I just hope I can smile and not throw up because of the odor.” {Life Moment: Not all nurses have strong stomachs. As for me, I’m sensitive to smells}.

She did not speak as I sat down and introduced myself. I was certain to make good eye contact and speak slowly and softly. I tidied her plate up as best I could – did a ‘clean up’ in the immediate area around her. She ate a little with my assistance, but what she wanted most was for me to sit so close to her and hold her hand. She didn’t talk. She just patted my hand. Her hand was wet. It was moist and sticky. {Yes, I wondered if it was urine soaked – it took me a few seconds not to care about it!} It probably was. Don’t judge me too harshly – we nurses are trained to wear gloves for everything! Germaphobe is our middle name when it comes to body fluids.

I just sat there with “Table 7 Lady” as long as possible. Most of the citizens had left the cafeteria and returned to their day - whatever that would be - I’m honestly not sure. In that brief space of time, I was blessed with a newly found love.  I smiled and said, "I love you" to her. “I hope you’ll rest tonight, and come back tomorrow.”

She grinned – her mostly toothless, sweet, little grin – patted me on the hand and said, “I love you too, baby.” My eyes began to tear up! I had to look away for a moment to compose myself. I really do love this woman! She loves me too. What a gift from our Heavenly Father.

As I helped her stand up and button her coat, I noticed she was humming a little tune. I became quiet as a mouse. I thought I recognized the tune. I bent my head down to listen more closely.

...”I heard an old, old story. How a Savior came from glory. How He gave His life on Calvary...so save a wretch like me!” She hummed louder.

You bet I knew that song! Victory in Jesus! One of the greatest Christian hymns ever written in my estimation! It was written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr. in 1939. But, oh, how it still magnifies and glorifies the body of Christ so beautifully!

 I joined in – boisterously humming myself... We smiled silently. And we left the shelter holding hands. Then she walked to the left –and I to the right.

I hope to see her again. I have a feeling if I don’t see her again down here on earth; I’ll see Table 7 Lady in heaven some day!

Look UP my friends!

Top 5 Encouraging Comments

I love reading encouraging stories and comments. I’ve been a bit of a “bookworm” since I was a young child if I do say so. Yet, I also understand that many people can’t even stand the thought of opening a book or reading a blog, so I like to share short, quick commentary too. Everyone needs a boost – a bit of motivation as we face the adversary! For example, at my work place, I update these quotes and illustrations every month – I hang them in unexpected random places. You never know what a difference a little bit of encouragement can make!

This month’s Top 5 Encouraging Comments:

“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. “ ~ Harriet Beecher Stowe, American Abolitionist and Author 

“I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.” ~ Clara Barton, Founder of the American Red Cross

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” ~ Henry Ford, American Industrialist, Founder of Ford Motor Company

“It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up again.” ~ Vince Lombardi, American Football Coach

“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish Scientist and Inventor

Okay, we read these quotes from great people…now let’s look to what God tells us in His Word! (My list changes every month – keep in mind these are ones I’ve chosen, but you may have your own favorites too).

This month’s Top 5 Encouraging Promises from the Bible:
Philippians 4:19 - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2 Peter 1:4 - Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Philippians 4:6-9 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

There’s one thing about God’s promises…He ALWAYS keeps His Word! We can never be disappointed in Him! He’s a REAL promise-keeper!

Look UP my friends!

A Member of the Weasel Family

1 Thessalonians 5:22 - Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Have you ever spoken with someone and you knew they were bluffing? They carried themselves in such a way as to “play the game,” but you really knew they were wasting their time and perhaps your time by not being honest? I’ve been in conversations where I wanted to give out an Academy Award®. Boy, people can act and tell you some seriously extreme stuff! It would be a lot easier on everyone if we would all communicate truthfully. Do you relate to that experience? Maybe a young child afraid to admit the truth. Perhaps an adult unwilling to take personal responsibility? Someone who just can’t acknowledge their actions in an honest manner?

Allow me to speak straight forwardly ~ I don’t perceive myself as playing the ‘game of life’ very well, because I am not attracted to politics and alliances, but you probably know some people who are talented in this manner! I regularly hear stories about work place corruption and relationship predicaments, so I’m convinced I’m not the only one who has found themselves in the wrong situation at the wrong time. Life Moment: Please note that I said talented. Not gifted.  It may sound harsh, but I don’t consider having an agenda and/or the inability to accept personal ownership in a situation as a gift. It can be downright deceptive – and draining on the person who has to listen to the lies, game playing, and excuses. Use caution if you see or experience someone who is a game player! Ask God to help you. Proverbs chapter 4 clearly tells us to avoid the path of the wicked. To turn far from it actually! Don’t just walk away -- sprint!

I had a confrontational experience today – not one I personally initiated – but a situation I had to address in the work place.  About mid-way through this barrage of misinformation, I couldn’t help but think about a badger. Yes, a badger! It is a member of the weasel family. You’ve probably heard that expression, “badgering someone to death.”

A badger is a ferocious creature. They are low to the ground and often not over 30 inches in length. Badgers are notoriously fierce fighters and are known for their long, sharp teeth. They can “put a hurting” on creatures much larger than they are. They’re known for their skills in combat.  However, what their foes may not recognize is the badger’s tremendous ability to bluff! They can also take on a different form, in a manner of speaking. Do you know how a cat or dog’s fur can be rubbed the ‘wrong way?’ You can’t do that with a badger, according to my research. Badgers’ hair can go both ways! {Life Moment: Did that term “both ways” strike a chord? Did you think of someone who plays or played both sides of a situation? Have you ever done this? Be honest!}

 One article I found said, "A badger’s hair is so thick and supple that another animal cannot get a good grip on it. It’s one reason the badger is known as one of the greatest escape artists! It is also a bright little creature making its home in the rocks and crevices in the forest. They will avoid a conflict by running back to their den if possible."  Go figure, for a creature that is a king among fighters! Their first line of defense is to run.

This is a good time to examine ourselves – to ask youself some tough questions.

·         Is your tendency to be straight forward or to bluff?

·         Do you camouflage what you really think and/or who you really are?

·         Are you overly confrontational?

·         Do you “play the game” to get ahead of others?

·         Do you actively practice prayer and listening skills during adverse times?

·         Does your pastor know the REAL you? Your spouse? Your BFF?

·         Do you “fight” fairly? Do you “badger” someone until you get your way?

·         Do you teach your kids to live with accountability?

·         Did you develop the habit of “making excuses” at an early age?

Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable…with a spouse, a close Christian friend, but most importantly with God. You don’t have to pray long, structured, religious, formal prayers! Just speak from your heart. We must be honest with God and ourselves – it’s where spiritual growth begins. You cannot bluff God! Ever. Pray sincerely. Truthfully.

Oh, in my case from earlier today, after a brief prayer, I sent the badger back home!

Look UP my friends!

Our Own Self-Importance

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

Someone once said that a diploma is like the curl on the tail of a pig. It doesn’t mean very much, but it sure does tickle the ham to which it is attached. (Kent Crockett, Making Today Count for Eternity, Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001, p. 132) Maybe it’s just me, but do many people come across as self-entitled? Superior? Holier than thou? I’m speaking of the Christian and the non-Christian. We seem to be a society of people who glorify OURSELVES.  I simply ask where your humility is….and how much do you/we buy into our own self-importance.

A few weeks back, one of the guests on a popular morning television talk show was/is an athlete and bodybuilder. The host asked the athlete if he would show off his muscles to the audience. The host wanted to be bench pressed to show off this athlete’s big muscles. With a big grin on his face, the athlete faced the viewers and cameras, and flexed his muscles. "Wow,” the host said, “you sure do have the muscles.  She coquettishly added, “What do you use all of those muscles for?" The athlete didn't answer, but continued to flex and smile at the audience.

Again the host flirtatiously asked, "What do you use those muscles for?" Still grinning, the athlete remained silent and continued to show off. Within a few more seconds, he bench pressed her body several times.  Squeals and squeaks cried out in fake dismay. However, the answer was obvious. He didn't use his muscles to do any useful work, but only to glorify himself.

We can elevate ourselves in many different ways. We can use our God-given external DNA – or restated - how we look, intellect, job status, possessions, and/or personal accomplishments to lionize ourselves. We can even use our spiritual gifts and ministries to praise ourselves instead of the God who blesses us with those gifts.

“I would never do that!” you say. I believe you, but what would others say about you?  People do it all the time – often unaware of themselves.

 Here are a few examples the Christian can actively consider:

·        A former heavyweight boxing champion boasted, “I am the greatest.” The Apostle Paul said he was the “chief among sinners”.

·        Pride is deeply offended when people are unnoticed for their work.

·        Pride is offended with someone else is recognized.

·        An anonymous gift or action isn’t anonymous if you tell people “not to tell it.”

·        The Christian doesn’t put someone “down” in order to lift themselves up.

·        Pride makes sharp and insensitive comments masked as humor.

·        Pride is smugness – an “it doesn’t apply to me” mentality.

·        Pride looks around at others instead of looking inward.

·        Pride is religious – it is superior in its perceived connection to God.

Archie Bunker once said, “I’m not prejudiced. I love all those inferior people.” (Kent Crockett, Making Today Count for Eternity, Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2001, p. 130)

I encourage you to pray the following prayer:  {Life Moment: You may have already said to yourself, “I don’t think I have a problem, but I’m going to pray anyway.” That’s pride!}

Father, in Jesus’ name I ask you to forgive me. Help my heart not to be proud, nor my spirit to have haughty eyes. Today, make known to me, and take from my heart, every kind, form and degree of pride. Today, empty me of self, of thoughts of myself, and awaken in me the deepest depth and truth of that humility which can make me capable of Your revealing light. Please allow me to honor YOU, not my flesh. Amen.

Look UP my friends!