To Protect the Heart

I was delivering mail one day, when a police officer that I have gotten to know a bit drove up to check on me. It was kind of strange seeing him in uniform, as we have seen each other in our civilian clothes on a number of occasions. We chatted for a minute, I told him I was doing ok, just very hot (which he could do nothing about) and he drove off. To me, he doesn't look all that impressive just as himself, but I noticed a difference in him, clothed in his uni. He looked.....bigger....more impressive, I guess, and I couldn't figure out why.

I delivered some more mail and stopped for my lunch break at a convenience store. There I saw another police officer and then it hit me (God does that a lot). The bullet proof vest!!! That's what made Tim look so big and impressive. That which is part of his uniform, intended to protect his heart and all the delicate organs, was the thing that made an impact on me. I then thought of all the delicate things that the armor protects, and how we had an officer about 10 years ago was hit by a richocheting bullet that entered his body vertically through his clavicle and ended up making a mess of him internally.

We are the same way. Before we were saved...on our own, we were not impressive. We walked the devil's ways, did his bidding and he was happy. But when we are brought into God's family by grace, through faith by a relationship with Jesus, we then become the devil's enemy. We no longer are to walk his ways and keep on doing the things we used to do. We serve a new master and that makes the old master angry. But God already knew this, and designed armor for each of us to wear each day. WE are still not impressive, but with this armor, God gives us the ability to withstand the attacks of our formidable foe and emerge victorious on the other side.

The scripture tells us in Eph 6 that there are key components of this armor and what each part is for. But the piece for consideration here is the breastplate of righteousness, which guards our hearts (and liver and bowels and so on). With a right heart, we then love God and DO right to others. The scripture tells us often that the heart is wicked (Jere 17:9) and we're to allow God to change it. But God has placed the responsibility of protecting our hearts squarely on us. Prov 4:23 says to "guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." God wants the eyes of our hearts to be enlightened (Eph 1:18-19) so we can know what God has for us. And in our relationships, we're to guard our hearts, so that if we're married, we cherish and protect that and guard our hearts from distractions; and if we're single, that we keep our hearts in tune with God's heart so we can do what is right, in God's good time. We're to be wise as serpents but gentle as doves, not allowing our hearts to be fooled into relationships that will not honor the Father, but be open to what He is doing, so we don't miss out on a blessing.

May the cry of my heart be as David's in Psalm 51; "Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me!!" Lord, help us all to protect our hearts and keep them pure for You.

Others can, you may not

Please pardon the...uh....earthy nature of this blog. The opening subject matter is for illustration purposes only. Thanks!

It is mating season for the doggies in the 'hood where I deliver mail. I have been charged by 2 testosterone enhanced doggies in the last 2 days and had to resort to chemical warfare to keep them at bay (mace can, part of the uniform). Today's encounter in another part of the hood, provided a valuable illustration to me about the heart and nature of all of us.

On Central Ave, there is a corner house where there are several dog pens, full of various kinds of dogs, and a few mutts tied up around the yard. There are probably 8 or 9 dogs at the house total. I heard a terrible barking--a mean, viscious snarling "I pity the fool" kind of bark, not a "woof, woof" kind, alerting the owner that someone was in the yard. I approached carefully to make sure the snarling dog was tied up. THEN I rounded the corner and there was my answer. A stray male doggie was getting into the scent (perfume, maybe?) of one of the girlie dogs tied to the laundry line pole, and quickly, uh, mounted his attack on her. (I think I faintly heard the female dog whistling the "Copulatin' Blues" or something like that... One of the pedigree dogs in the pen was going OUT of his ever-livin mind, because he wanted to get in on the fun that the stray dog was having, but the pen kept him from doing so. I went back to the truck to reload and took another look at the situation. The dogs who were in action were already finished and sharing a cigarette, then God made His point as I started on the next walking part (btw, that dog in the pen went nuts for the next 45 minutes!!!!)

We, as Christians, are like that dog in the pen. I've been there...my natural self would like to participate in the "fun" going on in the world, but God has established barriers, (a pen, so to speak), so I don't participate. Paul wrote in Galatians that the flesh and the spirit war against each other, so that you may not do the things you please (Gal 5:16-17). And what I have to remember about God establishing the barriers, is that He doesn't do it to kill our fun, but to protect us, because He loves us. He knows if we follow the foolish desires of our hearts, they will lead us off the narrow road that leads to God and eventually will kill us (Jere 17:9, Jas 1:13-15). There are things we just aren't supposed to do because God calls them wrong and they are harmful to us. For instance, stealing is wrong, according to the scripture and by doing it, we hurt others and ourselves. Abortion leaves at least one dead and at least one wounded. There are other things, like sex, that are totally good and beautiful when expressed in the proper context, but off limits in a big way until God's criteria are met. God allows the expression of physical intimacy, when He sees the covenant of marriage entered into. He then lifts the barriers, allowing full and passionate expression.

Sometimes, we see the rest of the world going ahead and doing what they want and "enjoying themselves." They're having a blast! And God does say that sin is pleasurable...for a season. This enjoyment is all they get. They'll answer for what they do, someday. Others can, because they want to, but we as God's children may not, until God lifts the barrier for us to participate, IF He ever lifts the barrier. It's hard to do right and live for Jesus, but the fruit of the Spirit includes goodness, faithfulness and self control...ours for the asking. The Apostle Paul knew this as well and encouraged us to not grow weary in well doing, but remember that we shall reap the good we've done, in due season...at just the right time, if we don't get weary and lose heart (Gal 6:9-10). We have to keep our focus going in the right direction and our hearts in tune to His.

Dogs (and dawgs) in the 'hood may do their thang, but I know that God has a life of fulness, fun and joy for me, as I commit myself to doing what is right, commit myself to the memory of and adherance to the scripture and following Him with all my heart.

Can I be any more clear?

Ok, another strange source for a blog...the movie "Space Jam."

I was being ridiculed by a co worker on my very caucasian appearance...how white I am. My youngest son and I share this quality. We can go out on a cloudless night and get a moon burn. It reminded me (so I reminded my co-worker) of the scene in Space Jam when Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Bill Murray are golfing, just before Michael is pulled down the golf hole. This is to the best of my recollection how it went...

Bill: The NBA must face reality. What's happening is serious. They're going to need new players with talent. Skilled guys who never really thought about a professional career. Think I got a shot?
Mike: Come on, really?
Bill: Don't kid.
Mike: lt's a man's game. You can't play.
Bill: What if l tried hard?....lt's because l'm white.
Mike: No. Larry's white. So what?
Bill: Larry's not white. Larry's clear

Without thinking about it, I thought to myself, "man, I wish we'd ALL be clear..." Here's what I mean.

Recently, I have had quite a misunderstanding with someone from another country I have considered to be a good friend. She has suddenly become angry with me and seems to not want to tell me why. We had a long chat a couple weeks ago that I thought brought clarity and understanding to the situation, but even since then, her wrath has again built up against me. We have exchanged a couple of emails, but have not gotten to the root of the problem.

Ponder this...we often cover over our real feelings, or stuff them down inside ourselves, so we can avoid difficult topics and situations and not have the potential of confrontation. Why, confrontation could lead to words being said and feelings being hurt, after all. But isn't that what happens anyway? When we stuff stuff, and not say what we mean, feelings still get hurt and issues still go unresolved and friendships (even marriages) end over this kind of lack of communication.

The Bible encourages us to share with one another from the heart and to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15, 25). We are to speak words that will edify and give grace to the hearer (Eph 4:29). We have to discover 2 very important spiritual gifts...tact and diplomacy. Then we have to pray for God's wisdom to be able to share with someone in such a way that the topic is addressed, and feelings are only hurt by the truth of God's word, as it exposes our hearts for what they really are. Or, as I say in the chatroom often, that we "cover our bricks with velvet to soften the blow." The situations of life and the interpersonal issues feel like bricks when we encounter them, especially from the lips of another person. As we learn to wrap those hard truths in the grace that God offers us, they come across in a much more palatable way. Never are we to sacrifice truth at the altars of political correctness or convenience. We should never side step an issue just because it might be difficult to resolve. God has the resources necessary to help us take on the interpersonal issues, explain them as clearly as possible and do it in with a spirit that pleases Him. The fruit of the Spirit includes aspects of kindness, gentleness, patience and selfcontrol. Paul also wrote in Eph 5:13; "But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light." This means that when we measure our thoughts, words and deeds against the measuring stick of God's Word, we see them for what they are, and then clarity can come from the truth.

We have to be committed to praying fervently about our interaction with others. We have to be committed to speaking the truth in a time and situation appropriate for that sharing. Then we have to be committed to mixing those words with truth and grace, so even though the words may be tough to hear, God has already been at work in the hearts of those we're sharing with. When God is at work, the words are received and the clear and present truth can be acted upon...issues can be resolved and hearts can begin the process of being healed.

Being clear is tough..anatomically and relationally. But God is there to help us when we need Him and has allowed man to invent SPF 212 for when moonburn is imminent.