0% Lemon Juice
Hello.
I am not sure who is taking time to read the SWC Blog but to those who are Hi! I hope you are all doing well and that God is drawing each heart to Him as we live daily looking for His direction and plan for our lives. I was thinking about the first time I read this little sign on the soda dispencer at a fast-food restaraunt. The Minute Maid Lemonade push button says this "0% Lemon Juice". Alright? Then what exactly is this thirst quencher made of? I am asking that question proverbially, not really looking for an answer but wanting to raise another question. How many other products are by common sense expected to be made of one thing only to find out it is actually a counterfeit? Have we come to a place where it doesn't really matter as long as it "looks" like the real thing or "tatses" like the real thing? If we would apply this way of thinking to our spiritual lives would we come to the same conclusion? Imagine me as a christian, a Christ follower, wearing a sign that says "0% Real Jesus". Could it happen that a society, becoming so accustomed to making allowance for fakery, usher in a new type of christianity that doesn't really need Jesus to function? The experience I am talking about is both subtle and unintentional. My perspective is that this is happening in many cases. Please know these are not the musings of a synical mind but in fact the heart searchings of one that desires to see God moving powerfully in these last days not only for the sake of the children but our community and our world. Could this account for the lack of passion displayed in our churches at large? Is it possible that what we need is not only a reminder of our responsibility to the world but a fresh, living encounter with the real Jesus. We must all examine our own heart and ask God for His divine intervention. We will only truly be the light of the world as we are exposed to the real light. That light cannot be extinguished regardless of how dark things get. I am not claiming any superior spirituality I am crying out to God for the life changing, heart transforming, people helping real Jesus in our day and time. God help us all to know Him and be used by Him to reach a world in desperate need.
I am not sure who is taking time to read the SWC Blog but to those who are Hi! I hope you are all doing well and that God is drawing each heart to Him as we live daily looking for His direction and plan for our lives. I was thinking about the first time I read this little sign on the soda dispencer at a fast-food restaraunt. The Minute Maid Lemonade push button says this "0% Lemon Juice". Alright? Then what exactly is this thirst quencher made of? I am asking that question proverbially, not really looking for an answer but wanting to raise another question. How many other products are by common sense expected to be made of one thing only to find out it is actually a counterfeit? Have we come to a place where it doesn't really matter as long as it "looks" like the real thing or "tatses" like the real thing? If we would apply this way of thinking to our spiritual lives would we come to the same conclusion? Imagine me as a christian, a Christ follower, wearing a sign that says "0% Real Jesus". Could it happen that a society, becoming so accustomed to making allowance for fakery, usher in a new type of christianity that doesn't really need Jesus to function? The experience I am talking about is both subtle and unintentional. My perspective is that this is happening in many cases. Please know these are not the musings of a synical mind but in fact the heart searchings of one that desires to see God moving powerfully in these last days not only for the sake of the children but our community and our world. Could this account for the lack of passion displayed in our churches at large? Is it possible that what we need is not only a reminder of our responsibility to the world but a fresh, living encounter with the real Jesus. We must all examine our own heart and ask God for His divine intervention. We will only truly be the light of the world as we are exposed to the real light. That light cannot be extinguished regardless of how dark things get. I am not claiming any superior spirituality I am crying out to God for the life changing, heart transforming, people helping real Jesus in our day and time. God help us all to know Him and be used by Him to reach a world in desperate need.
Pastor Lenny,
I love to see your relationship with Christ. You are constantly looking at Jesus even in ordinary circumstances and places you go. You really have that
character and identity of a true believer. I love your honesty and the transparency in which you expose the Word of God. You are always inspiring and challenging me to be honest with myself. I really have to make a good “scanning” throughout my soul every time you speak. You do a great job bringing out the contrasts between flesh, Spirit and the Word.
I understand your frustration with the 0% lemon juice. You did a very good analogy. The problem is that just a few people will make an effort to drink 100% raw lemon. We know who drank the sour chalice for us. Remember the sour herbs given to Jesus at birth? . It was also commended to the Jewish feast of Passover until today. They had to taste that as a reminder of the suffering of the Messiah. It’s hard to drink lemon Juice, it’s better to add it in some recipes s or dilute with water and add sugar. I think only when we are really sick we drink raw lime juice because we know its power of healing, cleansing and refreshment. We drink it as medicine, not for fun, and not for the taste itself.
My favorite writer, Philip Yancey travels all over the world and got to compare Christianity in different cultures. He finally got to a conclusion “God Is where He is most wanted”
When people realized they are sick, then they drink 100% lemon juice. In some places lemon is the only medicine available and they drink it because it is their only hope and is not expensive. They don’t mind the taste because the sour of their lives are worse.
In a land of entertainment, in “Disney land” where we wear Mickey’s ears on the head, drink diet coke, enjoy mechanical animals, fake rain fake skies, fake fireplaces, where technology makes most for our dollar, we easily get too distract entertaining ourselves. 100% Lemon Juice? , why? if I can get Ibuprofen or Tylenol PM over the counter and quickly forget my sickness? By the way, isn’t that what everybody else does?
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1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
5 Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.
(Isaiah 55)
lemons and limes contain unique flavonoid compounds that have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Of special interest in limes have been flavonoids called flavonol glycosides, including many kaempferol-related molecules. While these flavonoids have been shown to stop cell division in many cancer cell lines, they are perhaps most interesting for their antibiotic effects. In several villages in West Africa where cholera epidemics had occurred, the inclusion of lime juice during the main meal of the day was determined to have been protective against the contraction of cholera. Several other studies on the healing properties of lemons and limes have shown that cell cycles-including the decision a cell makes about whether to divide (called mitosis) or die (apoptosis-are altered by lime juice, as are the activities of special immune cells called monocytes.
In addition to their unique phytonutrient properties, lemons and limes are an excellent source of vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants in nature. Vitamin C is one of the main antioxidants found in food and the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body.
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You are so right. People are way too content with whatever is offered to them....whether it is real or not! I think that a lot of the apathy in churches is because we have grown up believing that a weekly or bi-weekly dose of Jesus from a pastor or teacher is enough to get us to heaven. That comes from our old-line thinking (Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, etc., etc.)that allows us to rely on other people to do the research and then "feed" it to us. WE are each and every person called to get into the word of God and "feed " it to ourselves....grow up in God....be filled with zeal for His house....let that zeal consume us. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would take from what was His and make it known to us. He would teach, lead, guide, counsel, comfort, encourage and show us what is yet to come. It's not just about going to heaven when we die......it is about being of use to God here while we are still in natural bodies. Quite honestly, I am amazed that there arent't more people commenting on this blog.
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Hey Betty, do I know you?
I only know one Betty in church. I'm not sure if you are the one I'm thinking about.
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Well, I don't know if I know you, either....so we probably haven't met. I always come with my husband....he is 6'5" tall with white hair....and we sit in the far left section (as you face the front of the church). We are close friends of Mike and Jill Anderson. Hope to meet you one day! God bless!
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My husbund is Craig Smokowicz. I'm Brazilian. We also sit on the left side, but not all the times. I will try to find you.
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(wow I just noticed the "limited to 3000 characters" sign- hmmm this really limits us preachers...) Actually, just wanted to attach a quick thought to the last comment.
I can't say AMEN loud enough at the concern for our American church culture that puts the responsibility onto church leaders for all the "feeding". We all must learn to discipline ourselves in the study of the Word. Clearly, there's a benefit in both. But I've found that when a believer learns to feed themselves from God's Word they are all the more confident and bold in their spiritual journey. It's no different than how we parent our children- the more they learn to do FOR themselves the more secure they are IN themselves. It's not like my job as a parent is threatened, but heightened by the thrill of seeing them grow and be ready for life as an adult.
May we all see to MATURE in Christ. Just a thought...
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A good friend once said, "During the week you do your homework and come to church on Sunday to have it confirmed or corrected" I have found this to be an encouragement and a blessing.
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