Let's Make a Deal
NOT!
I have run across several individuals over the years who make "bargains" with God. It goes like this, "God, if you will do this, then I will do that." Most often when the person gets what they want, they go on their merry way and completely forget their obligation to the Almighty.
The same mentality often manifests itself in reverse, "Lord, I did this, so why didn't you do that? Or even more open, like one girl wailed at the jail, "I'm a good person, why did God let this happen to me??"
Truth be known, we've probably all been guilty of this kind of divine manipulation in our hearts at some point or another. It's what is known as a presumptuous sin, the one that David asked to be kept far from. "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression." Psalms 19:13
There's good reason the words "great transgression" are used in connection with this kind of thinking. It goes like this:
1. When we try to make deals with God we're not doing what we should be doing anyway.
2. Our "bargains" reveal the idols in our heart, the things that we have put ahead of God.
3. Bargaining shows that we follow God for the benefits, that our love for God is circumstantial.
4. Bargaining says the empty tomb is not enough.
Make a deal with God? I don't think so.
Lord, keep me from presumptuous sins!
12.11.2012
2.07.2012
Running with the Ball
Have I mentioned that sometimes God just drops awesomeness in my lap? It happened again this week. I was in the Wal Mart parking lot when the phone rang and a fellow beek (slang for beekeeper) asked "Hey, you want my extra Hawaiian queens?"
Do I want Hawaiian queens? That's like asking if I want to live long and prosper, a new SUV, or a winning lottery ticket (not that I play the lottery mind you). But yes, I wanted them!
The deal with a Hawaiian queen in February is, it gives you a serious head start on your bee year. A good honey crop is imperative on having healthy hives with many, many bees. And the sooner said hives can build their population from the winter slump, the more bees will be ready to start making the sweet golden stuff when the surrounding nectar producing flowers are in full swing. The new queens will allow me to split my existing hives with vigorous layers so that I'll have many more bees to make honey with than I would have growing my own queens. It's a good thing.
So yes. Hawaiian queens are my lapload of awesomeness this week. Live Long your Highnesses, and Prosper!
Have I mentioned that sometimes God just drops awesomeness in my lap? It happened again this week. I was in the Wal Mart parking lot when the phone rang and a fellow beek (slang for beekeeper) asked "Hey, you want my extra Hawaiian queens?"
Do I want Hawaiian queens? That's like asking if I want to live long and prosper, a new SUV, or a winning lottery ticket (not that I play the lottery mind you). But yes, I wanted them!
The deal with a Hawaiian queen in February is, it gives you a serious head start on your bee year. A good honey crop is imperative on having healthy hives with many, many bees. And the sooner said hives can build their population from the winter slump, the more bees will be ready to start making the sweet golden stuff when the surrounding nectar producing flowers are in full swing. The new queens will allow me to split my existing hives with vigorous layers so that I'll have many more bees to make honey with than I would have growing my own queens. It's a good thing.
So yes. Hawaiian queens are my lapload of awesomeness this week. Live Long your Highnesses, and Prosper!
1.10.2012
Welcome 2012!
Yes, I know I'm ten days late and I was supposed to think all this through before now, but I have to tell you, your predecessor threw me under the bus there at the last and I really couldn't think about you.
I guess it's only fitting that 2011 went out on a loud note for me. In a way, 2011 was just LOUD for me. There was the wedding, there were the business and financial issues, there were people coming and going so fast that I thought our door was a high speed fan. There were great blessings, and there were great sorrows.
And there was God. I have to tell you, the only reason any of the other made sense, let alone worked out, was because of Him. It's like everything bad you threw at me, He turned it into good, even the broke ribs you left me hurting with as you whimpered off into the history books.
So I welcome 2012. I don't know if this year will be any better, but you know, that don't matter. I know the One who created and controls time, and I know how the story ends, whether it ends with you or one of your children . . . so it's ok. I welcome you, I embrace you, and while I don't dare hope you'll be kinder and gentler (after all, raw dependence on God does have it's benefits) I look forward to walking with and through the coming months with you.
Yes, I know I'm ten days late and I was supposed to think all this through before now, but I have to tell you, your predecessor threw me under the bus there at the last and I really couldn't think about you.
I guess it's only fitting that 2011 went out on a loud note for me. In a way, 2011 was just LOUD for me. There was the wedding, there were the business and financial issues, there were people coming and going so fast that I thought our door was a high speed fan. There were great blessings, and there were great sorrows.
And there was God. I have to tell you, the only reason any of the other made sense, let alone worked out, was because of Him. It's like everything bad you threw at me, He turned it into good, even the broke ribs you left me hurting with as you whimpered off into the history books.
So I welcome 2012. I don't know if this year will be any better, but you know, that don't matter. I know the One who created and controls time, and I know how the story ends, whether it ends with you or one of your children . . . so it's ok. I welcome you, I embrace you, and while I don't dare hope you'll be kinder and gentler (after all, raw dependence on God does have it's benefits) I look forward to walking with and through the coming months with you.
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