Jelly Bean Insight

(Picture from: www.holidays.net)

Three o'clock is called "Candy Time" around here. It's not a great thing health-wise, but the kids love looking forward to three candies at three o'clock each day - especially our boy child. (I typically look forward to time for sweets, too.) Recently, our daughter chose to eat some jelly beans that had been packaged in a bag with a Jelly Bean Prayer on it. It goes something like this:

(Picture from Michelle at Honey I'm Home blog)

In our house, at least three out of four of us agree that the black jelly beans are delicious, so at first, there was some disappointment that the black jelly beans represented sin in our lives. I mean, why should the best tasting ones represent the saddest and worst concept?

Then our son had a thought: Sin can "taste" so good to us. It tempts us and we can crave it. We are drawn toward it and desire it. We may want to eat a big bunch of black jelly beans, but they are full of sugar and that would be bad for us - similar to how sin is bad for us.

Unlike jelly beans, where a little is okay for you, a little sin is not. To us, some sins are worse than others, but to God, they are all equal.

(Picture from a Facebook post)

I keep desiring to eat healthier, but as I think back to all the food I ate during Thanksgiving week and how many cake balls and cookies I have eaten in the last few days. They are so delicious and tempting to me! But, they are not good for me, especially in that quantity. I was reminded of my son's insight about sin. I resolved to keep up the fight to eat better.

What remains of the cake balls and cookies (except the acorn cookies are gone now...)

Another aspect is being aware of what we should be putting into our minds (and bodies). From the body perspective, I realized last night that I hadn't had a sip of water practically all day long! In fact, I hadn't had a sip of anything! I missed out on the benefits of staying hydrated, and that was possibly part of the reason I developed a headache last night.

Ignore the "big book of cupcakes" behind the water.

From a mind (spiritual) perspective, we need to "feed" ourselves on the word of God. We need to spend time in reading the Bible, praying to God, and praising Him. We receive spiritual nourishment from these practices.


So, what are some of your "black jelly beans?" What sins seem "tasty" and desirable to you? No need to share here; just think to yourself. (Share in the comments if you'd like to share, though. You never know who else you might help.)

What do you need to do to move away from sin and further into a right relationship with God? Feel free to share any of your ideas about this, too.



The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. - Romans 13:12

Therefore I urge you, brothers [and sisters], in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:1-2, parenthetical addition mine

When tempted, no one should say, " God is tempting me." for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. - James 1:13-15

My son [or daughter], if sinners entice you, do not give in to them...my son [daughter], do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths - Proverbs 1:10, 15, parenthetical additions mine

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. - Psalm 1:1

For the lips of the adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. - Proverbs 5:3-4 (This can apply to all sin, not just adultery.)

For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.I - Proverbs 5:21-22

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29

That Which We Call a Rose...

A rose is a rose. Other flowers have different names: tulips, hydrangeas, daisies, carnations, chrysanthemums, and the list goes on. But these other flowers are not roses, not even if that's what we choose to call them. Neither is a lie or sin the truth or the right way, even if we try to call it the truth or the right way. A rose is a rose. A daisy is a daisy. A tulip is a tulip. That is not going to change. Absolute truth is always true and does not change, no matter what individual people want to believe.

A current topic in the news right now that is being discussed in the Supreme Court and commentary from people on social media has prompted this post, although I intend to stay away from the specific topic at this point. Instead, I'd rather talk about sin and what the Bible says. There are so many more verses that could be included, but these are the ones that have jumped out to me in the last few hours.

The current popular worldviews in the American society (and many other places of the world) are in conflict with the Christian worldview. A worldview is how you see the world and the way you suppose it should be. It the "lens" through which you view everything. We all have a worldview, even if you haven't realized what yours is yet, and everything you say and do reflect your worldview.

Today's popular worldviews often quote the Bible and say "do not judge," "love your neighbor as yourself," and other verses like this and today I hope to address the use of these and provide some other verses for your consideration.

"Do Not Judge"

Matthew 7:1-6  "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

Luke 6:41-42 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Yes, these verses say not to judge. But they do not say to accept or ignore sin. They say to remove your own sin and then confront your brother's sin.

There is a model for Biblical confrontation of sin in the Bible - again, not saying that we should ignore or accept sin. Matthew 18:15-17 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 

We are called to judge - circumstances, not people. Luke 7:24 says Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." None of us can ever fully know the heart of another the way God can, but we can know the Bible and judge whether something is sin or not sin, a situation we need to get into or avoid, a person we need to be close friends with or not, and more. There is right and wrong, dark and light, evil and good. How can we ever distinguish the difference if we don't make judgments about them? You must judge circumstances. We need to judge and address sin. Luke 17:3 "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him."  Also, there's James 5:19-21 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Too many people have followed the worldview issue that there is no absolute truth any more. What is true for one person may not be true for another - as this belief goes. People, please know that God does provide absolute truth! Do not ignore Him!

"Love Your Neighbors"

Matthew 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replies:" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Mark 12:29-30 "The most important one [commandment]," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

Matthew 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Yes, we are to love our neighbors. More than that, we are to love our enemies (Matt. 5:43-47, Luke 6:27-36). But love does not negate consequences. Love does not negate judgment. Love does not mean to accept and make-as-your-own the sin and beliefs of others. Love does not equal tolerance. Love is not separated from the Law.

Jesus did not excuse sin, yet he loved. He did not accept what was done by the Pharisees and Sadduccees.

As a parent, does one not put down boundaries and rules for their children? Are there not consequences for breaking those rules? If you discipline your child, do you believe you are not loving them? That's not true, is it? Yes, we have boundaries and rules that hold consequences for our children. Yes, we discipline them - because we love them! There are so many verses about training up and disciplining children, but here are the ones that jumped into my mind as I was preparing for and typing this post: 

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 3:12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

"That's why people are leaving the church."

The above is a statement I read someone make yesterday - and it's true. Instead of changing their beliefs and behaviors to be like God's, they want God and the church to change to fit their personal beliefs. Unfortunately, many churches have caved to the social and public pressure and have made aberrant changes that fit more closely with society and have begun turning away from God. Again, we must judge - you need to know what your church believes and if it is in-line with sound Biblical doctrine. Are the church's words and actions in line with God's word? It is important that you know - or find out.

John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.

It needs to be more about God and less about us. It needs to be about His values and beliefs, not our personal ones. Please, dear friends - turn back to God! Lean on Him! Trust Him, follow Him, believe Him!

Truth in You

One more thing that came to me was that we must have the truth in us. Walk in light, not darkness. Turn from what is evil. Be salt and light.

1 John 1:5-10 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

1 John 2:4-6 The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Here are some other verses that came to my mind for you to look up on your own:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Deuteronomy 11:18-23

John 15:12

Romans 12:19-21

Matthew 5:14-16

Deuteronomy 7:26

Deuteronomy 8:5-6

James 4:4

James 5:8

Matthew 24:13

Matthew 7:14

Mark 13:13

1 Timothy 3:12

1 John 2:21

John 8:31-37 (Verses 35 and 37 really stood out to me.)

Mark 2:17

Luke 11:42

May we turn to God and spend time in His word so that His truth may be in us.

Tangles and Pigtails

I really don't plan to post this often, but I've been thinking about things to share for a while and want to get this page started off right.

Last night, my daughter informed me that she wanted her hair in pigtails today. I love the opportunity to fix her hair and she really is cute in pigtails, so I was game for it this morning. Then came the tangles. And then came the wiggly head that wouldn't stay still while I tried to part her hair, comb it in the right directions, and get the hairbands on.

What can I learn from this?

Sins in our lives are like tangles. They can be hard to get out of, cause pain, and require work. It's not something that you can rush through, though. You have to take your time and do it correctly or you'll just end up with worse tangles - or more pain than necessary. I can't find the reference right now because I let a friend borrow the book it's in, but I think Beth Moore shared something she learned through an experience with tangles in the hair of one of her daughters. At this time, I can't remember the lesson she was led to.

And the pigtails? Just like I was trying to make my daughter's hair look right, so our Father wants to make our lives look right. He has a good and perfect plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11) if we would just quit wiggling and squirming to do our own thing our own way. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Unlike an earthly parent who might just give up on the wiggly kid's hair, clothing, or whatever else it may be that day, God does not give up on us and it is His will that will prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

Below are some other verses that I thought of in regard to this post. I'm sure there are many more but these are a few I found in a short time this morning. I've been reading a lot in Proverbs lately.

Hard work: Proverbs 10:4-5, Proverbs 18:9, Proverbs 12:27, Proverbs 13:4
Going too fast/acting or speaking in haste: Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 20:25, Proverbs 21:5
The Lord's will prevails: Proverbs 16:4, 9, 33; Proverbs 20:24