Polluted Fountains

 

Picture by Caprice Miller

“If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.” –          Proverbs 25:26

 “For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.” – Psalm 36:9

I’m not sure what is happening to this pretty fountain, but Caprice swears she didn’t do it.  I guess we’ll have to trust that she just happened upon it like this.  Occasionally pretty fountains like this need to be cleaned out, I suppose. Or someone got bored and said “I wonder what would happen if…”  Either way, the current state of this fountain is not as it should be – it’s polluted. 

It is a reminder of the verse above.  Too many times we allow ourselves to ponder the “I wonder what would happen if….” question to the extent that we actually test it.  Next thing you know you have a fountain full of bubbles and you are running for the nearest hiding place.  While bubbles in a fountain will soon go away, there are other actions that we give in to that aren’t as easily remedied.  The culture we live in today continually tugs at us to just go along with what they are pushing.  Sometimes the pull is so hard and the enticement so strong that we find it easier to give in than to fight against it.  As a result, our lives become polluted and muddy.  Our thoughts become polluted and muddy too.  We begin to even think that we may be so polluted that we can’t be used by God any longer.  We then allow that thought path of self-loathing to continue and convince ourselves that we are unworthy of God’s grace and forgiveness so we might as well just continue to give in to those enticements. 

This is such a common tool of the enemy.  He infiltrates our thoughts and plants lies that play over and over again until those lies drown out the truth about God’s love for us.  His lies cause us to shame ourselves into isolation from God and those who can speak truth into our lives.  But here’s the truth:  The Bible, God’s WORD, tells us we are not alone in this.  You see, we have all “given in to the wicked”….sinned…and have fallen way short of God’s glory.  (Romans 3:23)  The reality is that God Sacrificed His one and only Son, Jesus, for us though.  He did it so that we could be forgiven of those sins and be able to spend eternity with Him.  (John 3:16).  The second verse above reminds us that God is the fountain of life.  He will wash our lives and cleanse us of those sins that have polluted and muddied our lives.  In those times that we “give in to the wicked” it is imperative that we recognize the pollution we have brought into our lives and ask for forgiveness.  God’s desire is to have us step out of the polluted fountain and muddy spring and be cleansed from those sins.  Allow God be your fountain of life and be amazed as He cleanses your life and replaces the lies of the enemy with the truth and light of His love.     

OH YUM!!!

Picture by Caprice Miller

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! – Psalm 119:103

When I saw this picture for the first time I think I experienced a little sensory overload.   I am a chocolate lover and this is some of the finest chocolate there is – Godiva!  Melt in your mouth, creamy deliciousness! My favorites are the truffles.  And with Godiva truffles you always get that great diagram of what’s inside the truffles in the box so you can actually know what you are going to find, unlike Forest Gump and his box of chocolates.   I can’t think of a time I have been disappointed when I experience them. 

Even if you don’t appreciate the joy that chocolate can bring to life (my own mother doesn’t but I still love her deeply though.)    I’m sure there is another food that you might have a similar reaction to when you taste it.   When we even ponder the thought of consuming this treat there is a craving ignited in us.  We just can’t wait to get our hands on it and get our fill. 

In a very real sense this is what happens when we have experienced God’s word too.  When we allow it to melt into our lives, it provides that sweetness that nourishes, comforts, and gives us strength to take that next step.  If you read through Psalm 119 you’ll see how much the writer loves God’s word.  It’s as though he can’t get enough of it.   It’s a contagious sensation.  Just reading it creates that desire to want to know more of what is being written about.  God’s word is truly amazing.  From beginning to end is the thread that weaves through history of the greatest story ever.  It is living and breathing and brings new life to those that consume it.   

 I have to say, even as much as I love Godiva chocolate, I have my limit and I know too much of a good thing is not good at some point.  HOWEVER, there is no such thing as too much of the sweetness of God’s word.    The more that is taken in the more you want and the better we are for it.  It is true, life giving sweetness.  Go ahead - “Taste and see that the Lord is good….”  Psalm 34:8

Fire Starter

Picture by Caprice Miller

In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.  But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. -  James 3:5

There is something special about having a fire in the fireplace on that first cold night of winter.  After it ignites I find myself sitting and just watching it for a while.  The flames dance and the colors change.  It really develops a life of its own.  It’s fascinating to watch and consider fire in itself.   In any survival type reality show you see, you are told about how essential fire is because of what it provides.   It purifies water to make it safe to drink.  It provides warmth and light.  It provides a way to cook a meal so you can have nourishment.  This contained fire provides life giving qualities.   

While a controlled fire burning within its boundaries is a great thing, it must remain contained or we will be burned.  We see stories on the news of the destruction that happens when a spark starts a fire that rages out of control.  It destroys forests, wildlife, homes and takes lives.   Fire has amazing power for good and bad. 

We can consider our words in a very similar manner.  We have the opportunity to create an internal fire in those we speak to.  And like a real fire, it can provide life giving qualities or it can be destructive.  In other words, we can choose to use our words to spark a fire that encourages others and builds them up or we can choose  words to tear another down.  Our words can create a passion in others that could make them want to strive to become the person God created them to be.  Words can also spark a fire of anger and self-destruction that could cause someone to run from ever realizing the potential God put inside them. 

Considering these options, we probably would say to ourselves, “Why would I ever choose to tear someone down like that?  That’s just cruel!”.  Unfortunately, we seem to live in a time that words are not considered as they freely roll off the tongue or from our fingertips into the social media world.   It’s easy to make” less than attractive” comments to a faceless world we don’t see.  It’s much easier to allow sarcasm to roll off our tongues rather than sincerity.  It’s as though the world around us has forgotten how to find the positive in people and give a sincere compliment.  So many times we don’t even realize the negative words and tones that we use so easily.    

God created us to be relational beings.  The impact we have in these relationships and these relationships on ourselves too can be very strong.  It is so great to have those friends in our lives who help us recognize opportunities for change and improvement in our lives.  They spark a fire in us to become what God has created us to be.  However, there are some relationships that spark that fire of anger and self-destruction.  Before we know it, the impact those relationships can have are causing us to run from our potential.  Words that carelessly rolled off a tongue created a fire of rebellion in order to overcome a sense of defeat. 

My prayer is that my words create a fire in those around me that encourages them to want to know God in a deeper way so that He can show them who He created them to be.  Can you imagine what would happen in our individual worlds if our words were always intended to build others up?  The ripple effect would be…like a wild fire - a controlled, life producing wild fire. 

Fenced In

 

 

Picture by Caprice Miller

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law. – Proverbs 29:18

When first looking at this picture we might consider singing the song “Don’t Fence Me In” for these horses.  (This is Hagen, Morty and Gus by the way.)  Such beautiful creatures need to run free and wild, right?  While there is a place for less domesticated horses to run wild, consider what might have happened if these powerful creatures were not given some boundaries to roam within.  Instead of taking this lovely picture of them, Caprice might have been trying to avoid hitting them in the road.  They would have become a danger to themselves and others.  Thankfully, they were protected within their fence.   It looks like they need to utilize more of the space given to them though.

Sometimes the concept of a fence or boundary can be misunderstood.  It can be considered limiting and restrictive.  But let’s consider boundaries within the context of God’s laws.  In His infinite wisdom and love for His children, God gave us laws that are meant to protect us.  They are boundaries for our lives so that we can live in peace and harmony with Him and with those around us.  God’s laws give us direction, a vision for our lives.  And as the verse today says, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained…”.   (In other words, we can hurt ourselves and those around us.)

As parents we have a vision for our children to grow into healthy, intelligent, wise adults who love the Lord.  We realize that in order for this vision to have any possibility of becoming reality we must give our children boundaries to work within.  We keep them away from hot surfaces and sharp objects that will harm them.  We don’t allow them to run in dangerous places like busy streets.   And we make sure they are safely strapped into car seats for protection.  We can only imagine the results if we did not give our children some boundaries of freedom to live within.   In much the same way God has done something similar for us.  His laws for our lives are designed to protect us so that we may grow into the adults He has designed us to be.  His vision for our lives is so much greater than we can ever imagine.   What would happen if we actually lived in the freedom within those boundaries instead of pounding against the protection surrounding us?   Like the horses above, maybe we should utilize more of the freedom God has given us as we strive toward His vision for our lives.