The Christian Walk

Just read this great little book about change. This is how the author describes it; "cheese is a metaphor for what you want to have in life whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health, or spiritual peace of mind. This is a story of four characters who live in a maze and look for the "cheese" to nourish them and make them happy." Spencer Johnson, M.D. Change is difficult because you never know what to expect and it takes some faith that God is going to provide the "cheese." In this book the characters find the cheese and its this huge stash, they like it so much that they move their homes closer to it. They invest their whole lives in this particular cheese. Then one day it runs out. Two of the characters move on to discover more cheese while the other two are left behind. These two "hem" and "haw" are frustrated and angry that the cheese is gone. Hem stews in self pity and resentment while haw decides

I just saw the play, "The Screwtape Letters" written my C.S. Lewis. This story is about a demon and how he teaches his student demon in tempting a human man who just became a Christian. The part that stood out to me was when Screwtape writes to his student that you don't have to do anything fancy or big to distract him or to entice him but just use slow, subtle techniques. He says that before you know it- the Christian will do a slow gradual decline away from God. As long as the demons can keep him out of a Bible believing church, away from acting on his faith, away from mature Christians, and engaging in an active prayer life they are well on their way to deterring him from his walk from God. They actually jested about the church and said that it could actually work to their advantage. This past weekend my pastor taught on Ephesians 2 and how the Church grows up together in maturity and how as Christians we are to put aside our pride, and selfishness, and to die to self.

I have two nephews that I babysit and I love them dearly. They are ages 3 and almost 1. Their smiley faces and the adorable things they say give my life great joy. They are always on their best behavior for me yet when mom walks in the door they start acting up and end up crying or demanding something right away. It seems that most kids do this and I can only think that maybe they feel secure enough to let it all hang out. They know mom will be there during the late night hours when their tummy hurts or when their just plain miserable and want to whine and cry all day long. They know mom will still love em when they get into trouble and misbehave. I think that sometimes we do this with God. We know that He will forgive us no matter what, but I think sometimes we take advantage. I was reading the passage out of Malachi and God was displeased because his appointed priests where offering him sacrifices that were polluted, blind, lame, sick or blemished. He says; " A son honors his fa