Words of WARNING!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, 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." Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Disclaimer: I love God's creatures. I even love squirrels...cousins to groundhogs, which I collect...not the taxidermy kind, but little "plush" stuffed animals. I just don't like squirrels eating the food that I buy for the birds...which I really, really love! I don't want to kill the squirrels...just scare them off. As Melea says, "What would we do with a backyard full of dead squirrels?" I am not in favor of guns! In fact my grown children are shocked and appalled that I am a gun owner. Life takes funny turns. I am careful with my BB gun.

Okay, I confess. I'm armed...but not too dangerous. Smile. For Mother's Day, I got a BB gun. Smile again. My husband now calls me "Annie Oakley". Melea and I even checked out a book about her from the public library....teachable moments. Smile.

Well, yesterday a squirrel dared to come to my bird feeder. My hubby grabbed the gun (Yes, we keep the "safety" on, and have discussed gun rules with Melea.) and quietly headed outside. With one shot, he hit that bird food thief right in the rear end! It was like something from a cartoon to watch that squirrel run like lightning through the trees!

This morning, when I got up, once again we had unwanted guests at the birdfeeder. I grabbed my Red Rider, released the safety, cocked that baby, took aim...and shot! I'm not sure if I hit the squirrel (I know I came close!), but he took off!

So, I've been wondering if they go and warn the others. I heard some chattering back and forth as I sat on my porch this morning. One of them sounded as if he might have been in pain. I felt a little bad.

Then I thought, do we spread the word when a cry of warning is needed??? If God has "shot" us a jolt of reprimand or conviction...and we "learned the lesson," don't we have the responsibility to alert those around us of the danger?

Lesson of the Day
Is there something that we are partaking of...indulging in...that doesn't "belong" to us as children of a Holy Father? I'm not talking about actual food, but the "food" of our thought life. What are we filling our minds with? Is it Truth...not just God's Truth, in His Word, but just regular truth. Do we listen to the enemy's lies? The world's lies? As Christians we have the power to be overcomers in our thought life! We have been given "the mind of Christ"! (1 Cor. 2:16) We need to pray to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5)

Our thought lives must be carefully managed. Our thoughts determine our "heart." And "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart....For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." Oh what power we have in our mouths. Just read through the book of James! In fact in James 3:10, we are reminded, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My [sisters] this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"

Paul told us in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up...." Unwholesome talk doesn't just mean curse words, but any words that flow from a critical spirit...critical thoughts...a critical heart.

Oh, Jesus Christ, please take our every thought captive to Your Truth! Please renew our minds...and help our bodies...our mouths to be sacrifices spilled out in a way that honors You and furthers Your kingdom. Thank you for your mercy and your grace. Thank you for teaching us, for correcting us, for trusting us as temples of Your Spirit. Please make us worthy.

Thanks to those of you who have written to encourage me out of my blog delinquency! Thanks for missing me! Summer is here! I'm back!