All For One

I was told years ago that if all of the muscles in our body were moving in one direction at once that we would have the ability of lifting 25 tons. I wonder if that applies to everything in our lives moving towards one purpose, one vision, God's vision.

How would that draw on God's spirit to flow through us in that direction?

The bible tells us that a house divided will not stand; that a double-minded man is unstable in all his goings and to let him not think that he will get anything from God. It also tells us to let our eye be single.

There's the key to connecting to God...
keeping our eyes on Him...
committing our thoughts and works unto Him.

If we do that can our thoughts and works be contrary to His will ad His word?

I don't think it can. How about you?

Let's get back to the basics and find out what His word says His will is.

Let's read His Bible and line ourselves up with His word.

Until next time...

No Artificial Sweeteners Please

One day, many many years ago, I went to a restaurant and ordered my usual meal with my usual drink.

I hadn't noticed the slight change on the menu.

In accordance to their new policies for joining the "battle against obesity related diseases" they decided to convert their menu into low-carb, low-calorie items.

Translation...

Out with the real... In with the things that only "look" real.

Instead of using sugar they used one of the calorie-free artificial sweeteners.
Instead of using oil, they used a chemicalized, non-stick spray.
Instead of using cream and butter they used some homogenized oil and chemical product.
Instead of using real farm fresh eggs, they used an egg substitute full of artificial ingredients to make it look like egg.

The flavor was off, it didn't stick to my ribs and it left me wondering... "What just happened here?".

Let's just say it left a lot to be desired. I didn't know that in order for me to get the real thing I would have to request it. The default or standard had become the 'prop' food.

And...

to top it all off... they upped the price for the conversion!

WHAT A RIP!

It was the equivalent of my ordering a burger and fries, but being given a package of top ramen w/ a flavor packet and then being charged almost double.

Now I realize that for the many who've never tasted 'real' food this entry may seem a bit trite and even a pointless rant, but it does have a point...

I grew up with my grandparents growing their own produce. When it was dinnertime we went to the backyard and harvested whatever was on the menu for that day. The flavor was awesome and distinct. So much so that when we weren't spending time at our grandparents we didn't have a taste for produce... no 'real' flavor in the stuff we bought in the stores.

We live in a time of almost forced disposable convenience and faux realities. Things move so fast and cheap [not inexpensive but 'cheap'] that we've forgotten [and for some, never knew] what quality looks and feels like, so we discount it, easily discard it or just pass it by for lack of recognition.

We've been re-programmed this way and when real things come along we don't get it - we're too jacked up on the artificial.

Artificial food.
Artificial relationships.
Artificial beliefs.

Artificial LIVES.

Have we grown so accustomed to the facades that we don't care if it's real or not just so long as it "looks" real?

What is real?

I don't know about you... but I don't want anymore artificial sweeteners in my life.

I want what will sustain me; what will build me; what will organically grow - without the hype.

I want the real deal.

If you're on this same wavelength... then the next time you're presented with one of those clever counterfeits in your life, you'll stop for a beat and say...

"No artificial sweeteners please."

and move on.

What are the artificial sweeteners in your life?