HERE, EAT THIS!

Two years ago I realized that I had become VERY comfortably cocooned among the couch cushions. I was the proverbial ‘couch spud'. One day, I lost the remote and while searching and lifting couch cushions I became.... short of breath! I use to be in shape! I needed some exercise! I went outside, walked 50 yards and was too tired to continue! I returned home. The next day I walked again and jogged a little. I was quite proud of me!

Aside from the sedentary lifestyle that I had cultivated, it occurred to me that my program selections were a bit inappropriate. My wife and son had encouraged me to "watch something else." They were right. Most of the world’s TV broadcasts are pleasing to the eye but they are a diet of drama and deceit.  

I began analyzing the TV shows that I had occasionally watched (picked). As I peered at it from a slight spiritual eye, they seemed different than I remembered them being when they had first aired. I suddenly realized that they (and I) had changed. They had started out rather innocuous but, as time had slowly progressed, each show had gradually and decisively shown a salacious theme.  For instance, there is a show about a guy that dates women. His divorced brother (that lives with him) can’t seem to find ANY women to date. The divorced guy has a son that appears oblivious to all the dating (at first). This would be a fine setting but, as we ALL realize, today’s television shows are allowed more liberties. As the show progressed throughout the season its morality spiraled and the ratings escalated! It glorified womanizing, alcohol, soft-porn, hard drugs, attempted suicide, voyeurism and even more alcohol. I admit that it is a 'funny' show, in a worldly sense. After all, human behavior is a hoot and us humans can really create some messes! As I watched the show, there was this 'inner feeling' that kept asking me, "Why are you watching this?" After all, NONE of the show was even remotely glorifying God nor was it indicative of MY lifestyle. It was not “of good report”. Indeed, why was I watching it? I guess I was duped into taking a small nibble of the fruit that Hollywood offered. Suddenly, I was accepting the 'images' and lifestyle as societies' norm. Just like my comfortable cocooning on the couch, my diet of TV shows had become accepted as well.  It tasted bad but I kept chewing ! I was developing a mind of mush to match my sedentary state. I stopped watching. I did miss it....a lot! Maybe I was experiencing withdrawal?  After several weeks passed, it was no surprise to me that one of the stars of the show was spread across the news. He had begun to mimic the TV lifestyle that he was portraying by actually playing it out in reality! "Life imitating art"? Hmmm... apparently. The adage, "By beholding we become changed" pops into my head. I believe II Corinthians 3:18 is very applicable. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed unto the same image from glory to glory, even as the Spirit of the Lord." At first this text is confusing, well.... to me.. It seems to say: If I dwell on the Lord's reflection, I will be changed for the better. In short, "by beholding I will be changed". The reverse is true as well: Dwell on the better and your life will be sweeter. Dwell on debauchery and you'll act 'raunchily'. (Hey! I'm a 'rap' star!. Quote me if you wish!) 

Television is the modern day definition of a "graven image". We don’t carve it but if allowed, it will carve OUR minds! Some religions place their ‘idols’ in an alcove or their 'statuettes' on a dashboard. We hang our idols on the walls of our home and allow them to 'carve' our minds and feed our head with anti-commandment advice and activities.

Another show is about three smart young men very proud of their doctorates. They admit they are a bit of the stereotyped social misfits. In brief, as the season continued, one 'sleeps' with the girl across the hall, the other men exhibit their sexual prowess and then other sexual issues are addressed. Suddenly, POOF, right before your hungry, spongy  mind, the men are on a perpetual hormone-raced lifestyle. The show is funny in a worldly way, (people are hilarious) but as a Christian I am uncomfortable laughing at the lifestyle the social misfits portray. Surely I can find more appropriate funny and uplifting shows. Surely there must be something better to watch! Fortunately, there is! We made a choice to watch 3ABN on our TV, watch HOPE-TV.org  on our laptops, watch AmazingFacts.org on our TV or laptops attend more church activities and, most importantly, to talk to each other!!! We are two very interesting people! Well, my wife is more than I!

I know that some think I sound like a religious zealot, preachy or a stick-in-the-mud BUT I offer no excuse. I have made some mistakes. (Who hasn't?) I for one feel it is very appropriate to laugh at sexuality, yes it is funny, BUT laugh and grow with your spouse about it/'life'. I can admit the shows are funny and that the writers are creative. It's just that the shows seem to be glorifying an inappropriate lifestyle. It even affected the star of the show! I don't believe the writers have an agenda to lure us into a trap. They are just like us, searching for the best fruits. The orchards of the world are attractive. It is a blast to enjoy them, in an appropriate way. Maybe its how we measure 'appropriate' or what manual we use.... if any.  I guess I just need to choose my orchards wisely and  very be selective as I pick my fruits!

As I watched less TV I replaced it with walks in the park, exercise and other more productive activities. There are many GREAT things to do in this world. Watching the sexual escapades (or murders for that matter) is not one of them. 

Keep your mind pure. Christ provided specific direction regarding foods we should digest. Forbidden fruits still exist. Pick wisely! Be more spiritual. It's okay to cocoon in the cushions now and then but 'watch for Christ's sake', for your own sake and then emerge as a ‘remnant’ of His word! Be healthy! Be Fit! 

The Have's, Have-Not's & Share-a Lot's

Have you ever found yourself wishing that you lived someone else’s life; that theirs seemed so much better and, in comparison, yours was less exciting, less eventful? Have you ever thought to yourself, WOW! She/He has ‘THE LIFE’ and that you don’t? If we were to be completely honest, I believe we have ALL caught ourselves comparing. It might be that we compare cars, kids, clothes, vacations, styles or even yards. God has an *‘app’ for that! It’s found in the Bible in the section I call the ‘ians’ (pronounced ‘E-uns’) Get it? à Corinth-ians, Galat-ians, Ephes-ians, Phillipp-ians!" God’s *’app’ is Divine direction; Divine application!

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).

It’s healthy to compare….that is, IF it is a healthy FORM of comparing. IF it motivates you to do “good works” and, as the Bible says: “work as God prepared you to do”, it is healthy. However, IF you allow yourself to linger in a ‘me-ist’ state and NOT allow your ‘friend(s)’ the opportunity to enjoy their success(es), your dislike WILL fester into hate! Let God 'deal with' them. Christians are NOT here to hate. Time is too short to linger on the perceived negatives of others. Your treasure is too great to miss. God has told us to bring our ‘offering’ to Him. God is NOT comparing. He and YOU know what YOU can do. If we bring the wrong offering to God; one of coveting, dislike and hate, it is displeasing to Him. Consider the offerings of Cain and Able. Consider the end result.

By allowing a wrong ‘comparative-state-of mind’ you are admitting you are uncomfortable in who you are; that you don’t recognize yourself as the treasure God made you. As Christians we shouldn’t constantly look for approval by comparing ourselves to a neighbor, co-worker or friend. We shouldn’t try to out-dress them or out-perform them. Competition is a curse when it is allowed to breed and fester. Cooperation is a blessing that needs to be fertilized. Comparison is a distraction that shrouds the gift of cooperation. Comparison is a thief that steals your joy, focus, energy and time. You are the workmanship of God! You are created with a purpose for a purpose. You are equipped to do everything He's called you to do.

Stay free from a spirit of competition and just run your own race. You will enjoy your life more. You WILL see your gifts and talents flourish! You WILL move forward into the life of victory that He has in store for YOU! You WILL see His blessing and favor in a greater way. Don’t compare! COOPERATE! Oh, and by the way, share your ‘blessings’ with others. YOUR life is probably what your friends wish THEY could live!

 “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).

*App. Not a computer ‘app’; A Biblical ‘app’-lication.

Mimic Him!

Small kids love to mimic and imitate what you say and do! They try just about everything!  They raise their eyebrows, purse their lips, grin and laugh. They are like small sponges in a sea of experiences waiting to absorb the next move. That receptivity is what God intended; it is how we are all pre-wired. We all imitate and soak up what’s around us. It’s how we learn. It’s GREAT to imitate BUT we must be careful! Our ‘Noggin-Brand’ (brain) computer stores EVERYTHING!

Many people today are unaware that they are imitating the world, a show on TV, the news or a magazine story.  The influence is subtle. The scripture tells us that we are to be imitators of God and follow His example of love.  We are inundated with the world so we must bathe our minds with Christian influence (devotionals). The Bible says: "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV).

Is there something in your life YOU want to change?  Change what you are imitating; change your focus. The more you focus on the world, the more you will imitate it. The more you focus on the WORD, the more you will imitate it! Try it NOW—imitate this: bow your head, clasp your hands, and close your eyes.  Be like a kid, absorb it. Be like an adult, control it. ~Pray