Sunday, August 8, 2010

Sin Stinks

14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?

II Corinthians 2:14-16



I drive past a hog shed everyday to and from work. As you approach- and some days are worse than others, but it STINKS. There are also a few houses along that road and I've often thought to myself- "I would NOT want to live in one of those houses and smell that everyday". The farther I drive, the smell goes away but some day's, it can almost bring tears to your eyes.



Growing up, I had a great uncle that raised hogs. When I would visit a few times a year, he would let my cousins and me go in and see the new little pigs. When you first stepped in, again- it STUNK, but the more you were in there, it because bearable, and sometimes you almost couldn't even smell the stench.



I was thinking about sin this week and how sometimes it's so obvious- it's like a stink you can't get rid of. And other times, it's gradual, you get used to it and at times you tolerate it and hardly know it's there. God HATES sin and He never gets used to it and neither should we. The farther we are away from God in our faith, the more we can't smell the stench of sin. We almost become immune to it and that's deadly, emotionally, physically and spiritually.



In II Corinthians 2:14 it says: "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. When we belong to Christ, we don't stink- we smell like Him and others around us saved and unsaved smell it too. When we're saved, our sin still smells to us sometimes, but that smell is not from Him- it's from satan, wanting us to remember our mistakes so we can continue in the sin or dwell on it and not be fragrant for Him. Don't allow satan to fill your nose with the foul smell of sin.



Sometimes we need to smell it to remember how bad it was and how we don't want to be caught up in it again. The stink should remind us to get as far away as we can and draw close to Christ- He cleanses us from ALL sin. But we should never wauler in it like a pig.



Father, I praise You. Thank you for the forgiveness you always extend. Thank You for the sense of smell and that to You- we are a sweet fragrance. In Jesus Name- AMEN


Julie

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Hats

We talk a lot about hats and the different ones we’ve worn in the past, we currently wear or will wear in the future. I look back on my hats and I can visualize them. Some were comfortable, some were not. Some were fun, some were not. Some were protective, some were not. Some were practical, some were not. And some were pretty, attractive or trendy, and some were not.

I do like hats (not as much as purses) but I like hats. We hosted a Kentucky Derby party at our home this year and the ladies all wore hats- including my infant granddaughter, Kamryn. No matter how old or how young- we all have hats. Some of my hats have included:

A Fun Hat- maybe a baseball hat or a jesters hat at times. Growing up I was active, was involved in my church and in my school. At times, it felt like I didn’t have a care in the world- I could laugh and enjoy life because I was going to live forever… we think that when we’re young, don’t we? Like we’re invincible- we can conquer the world if we had the chance. I remember my mother telling me “these are the best years of your life”. Being young and carefree was nice, but then came,…

The Vail- I got married, it draped down my shoulders like a protective shield. It was shear and light, it was quickly replaced by a soft handmade cap for our new son and then a daughter. Yes- becoming a wife and a mother soon brought hats that filled my life. Sometimes I wore,…

A Bakers hat- I was the Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, A Chauffer hat- I was the taxi driver getting everyone where they needed to be. And most of the time I felt I was wearing a Hard Hat- I was the disciplinarian and had to make rules and make sure they were followed. Life started speeding up. The situations and circumstances came flying by like meteors, dodging and ducking out of the way to not be hurt. I’ve worn a Nurses cap, used more band aids and peroxide than you can imagine. I’ve wore a Maids hat- cleaned and tidied up behind everyone.I currently wear a Sun hat when I garden, I still use the Chef and Maid hat as well, but my Chauffer hat has been up on the shelf along with Nurses hat, which I still use occasionally.

I wouldn’t trade any of these hats. They’ve all served their purpose and fit me well throughout the years. But there is one final hat I plan to wear and it’s one I’ve been looking forward to my entire Christian life- the ultimate hat- a Crown- My Crown. The Bible says we’ll receive a Crown of Righteousness.

“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:8


Are you ready for this final Hat? I am!


Father, thank you so much for all the hats and responsiblities You've allowed me to have throughout the years. I was so blessed to wear each one. I thank you for the lessons that came with each. I ask you continue to bless me with many hats and that I use each one for Your glory and for Your praise. I ask these things in Jesus Name- Amen

Julie