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Apple of My Eye

Apple of My Eye

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Apple of My Eye--bowl of applesOver the years, several children and youth have become the apple of my eye. I love them a bushel and a peck and consider them my children. They have included:

The apple of my eye is someone or something special or cherished.

I favor them over others. Feelings run deep.

Often, as in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this expression refers to a romantic relationship.

“Flower of this purple dye,
Hit with Cupid’s archery,
Sink in apple of his eye”

This expression appears several times in the Bible.

“In a desert land he [God] found him [Israel], in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10 NIV).

“Keep my command and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye” (Proverbs 7:2 NIV).

“For this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—’” (Zechariah 2:8 NIV).

As seen in these verses and in the verse below, the expression refers to both human and non-human objects of affection.

God wants everyone as His children, the apple of His eye.

Accepting God’s gift makes all the difference for this life and the life to come.

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 17:8 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Confession Is Good for the Soul

Confession Is Good for the Soul

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Confession Is Good for the Soul- mother kneels to comfort a crying child“Tell me the truth. You will feel better if you do. Confession is good for the soul.”

How many times have children heard those or similar words? They do something wrong and get caught red-handed. The more they try to hide their wrong, the worse they feel. If they don’t tell the truth, they get in more trouble.

Of course, the same relates to adults. Trying to hide our mistakes or deliberate evil only makes a bad situation worse. We feel guilty. Our guilt makes us sick, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Confession is good for the soul declares great truth.

When we confess, we free ourselves from:

  • Guilt
  • Shame
  • Stress

We come clean. This applies whether we commit small or large misdeeds.

Confession is good for the soul pertains to all our relationships.

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Enemies
  • Strangers

The other person may or may not forgive us. We are not responsible for their reaction. However, we are responsible for our own.

We find this truth in the Bible.

The words vary, but the truth remains the same. Its greatest application is in our relationship with God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion and the photo.

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Salt of the Earth

Salt of the Earth

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Salt of the Earth-Truck in front of Bonnieville Salt FlatsTo view salt of the earth, take a trip across Utah’s Bonnieville Salt Flats. I thought that solid white scene would last forever.

Such a long stretch of salt flats reminds me of salt’s many uses. Salt helps us:

  • Cook
  • Preserve
  • Clean
  • Remove stains

We also use salt mixtures as a:

  • Mouth rinse for sore throats
  • Spray for stuffy noses
  • Soak for pain relief
  • Beauty scrub

Salt can also cause problems, such as:

  • High blood pressure
  • Road and driveway damage (after using it to melt snow and ice)

Today we will focus on salt’s benefits.

To say people are salt of the earth is a compliment.

We mean they are:

Such people are worth their salt. We respect and trust them. They work hard and treat others well.

This expression comes from the Bible.

Jesus describes His followers as salt and light. Like salt and light, God created us to make our world a better place. However, if we fail to fulfill our purpose, we become worthless.

May we always flavor, preserve, protect, beautify, and heal our world, especially in these difficult times.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion.

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Ox in the Ditch

Ox in the Ditch

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Ox in the Ditch--cow in water behind treesMy friend Phyllis recently had an ox in the ditch. She and her husband dressed for church. Then they noticed a cow having trouble birthing its calf. Their cow needed help. Putting first things first, they helped their animals. They arrived at church late but with an attitude of gratitude for a healthy cow and calf.

An ox in the ditch is not usually an ox.

Examples of an ox in the ditch include:

  • Sick people who need a doctor
  • Crime victims who need the police
  • Buildings on fire that need firefighters

An ox in a ditch means an emergency.

 The need demands:

  • Immediate action
  • Total attention

A great need replaces a good plan.

The Bible says Jesus healed a sick person on the Sabbath. Work was forbidden on days of worship. However, Jesus asked if people would not pull an ox from a ditch (or well) on the Sabbath. Another time Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27 NIV).

God expects people to rest and worship one day a week. However, God also expects believers to put feet to their prayers – to meet needs when they arise.

“Then [Jesus] asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” (Luke 14:5 NIV).

Thanks to Phyllis Patton for the suggestion and Bart Woodrum for the photo.

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In the Books

In the Books

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In the Books--children's libraryWhen we want to check if something happened, we look in the books.

Anything in the books is a matter of record.

It is:

  • Completed
  • Finished
  • History

For example:

  • A new year begins. The old year is in the books.
  • Lawmakers pass a law. The law goes in the books.
  • A person retires. Her job is in the books.
  • Someone dies. His life goes in the books.
  • People turn over a new leaf. They put their old habits in the books.

Not everything in the books is correct.

Mistakes happen. Just because we see something in writing does not make it right. Therefore, we want to check for truth.

However, we can always trust one book.

The Bible shares God’s truth with the world. We want to go by the book with that book. Therefore,

  • Open it.
  • Read it.
  • Live it.

God remains ready to give us a fresh start anytime, anywhere. If we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, our future is secure. Our salvation is complete or in the books.

“I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12 NIV).

Thanks to Sue Davis Potts for the suggestion.

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Fine as Frog’s Hair

Fine as Frog’s Hair

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Fine as Frog's Hair-Carlton Hughes photoPlease welcome my friend Carlton Hughes as today’s guest writer. Carlton and I met at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. Carlton, represented by Cyle Young of C.Y.L.E. Agency, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesdays and Sundays, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who enjoys classic sitcoms and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Focus on the Family, and numerous devotional books from Worthy Publishing, including The Wonders of Nature, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb, from Ellie Claire/Hachette Publishing. Carlton also enjoys dressing up as crazy characters and making videos for his children’s ministry. He once made actress Emilia Clarke laugh.

Fine as Frog's Hair -- tree frogI used to go to church with a man who introduced me to this phrase. Whenever I greeted him and asked how he was doing, he always answered the same way.

“Fine as frog’s hair!”

Frogs don’t have hair, but, if they did, it would be fine — thin, hard to see. This phrase is a play on the word “fine,” which can also mean “good.”

We often greet each other and give an automatic answer.

If you ask me how I am, I will answer, “fine” without even thinking.

I recently had the flu, and I definitely did not feel fine, frog hair or none. If someone had asked “How are you,” I could have honestly answered, “Horrible!”

As Christians, we need to be real with each other.

Putting on a fake smile and pretending everything is okay when we are hurting is not the way to go. The Bible encourages us to bear each other’s burdens. We don’t have to give a gloomy answer when someone asks about our condition. However, we should be honest with our Christian brothers and sisters if something is wrong.

“An honest answer is a sign of true friendship” (Proverbs 24:26 GNT).

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A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

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A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing--sheep on a mountainWe read about a wolf in sheep’s clothing in Aesop’s Fables and the Bible. Both show the danger of an enemy who looks like a friend.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing looks harmless.

The sheep skin disguises the wolf. However, looks can deceive.

  • The wolf is not a sheep.
  • The wolf is still a wolf.

People with evil plans can look or sound harmless.

They hide their true colors and pretend to be friends. They:

  • Dress well
  • Speak with kindness
  • Act helpful

Yet, they are dangerous. They still have evil plans.

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 2--two wolvesWolves in sheep’s clothing can be found almost everywhere:

  • Work
  • Church
  • Families
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • School

Scams occur every day. They come to us through:

  • Telephone
  • Mail
  • Visits
  • Internet

As a result, we must be careful.

We want to love and be kind to everyone. We want to trust people. At the same time, we must not accept what we know is false.

Be prepared. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

  • Learn right from wrong.
  • If something does not sound right, check it out.

God gave us brains. We need to use them.

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15 NIV).

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Photos courtesy of Pixabay.

Cross a Bridge When We Come to It

Cross a Bridge When We Come to It

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Cross a Bridge When We Come to It-covered bridge Everyone knows we cross a bridge when we come to it.

  • Not before we come to it.
  • Not after we come to it.

We cross only when we come to it.

We understand that about physical bridges. We often forget that truth in our personal lives.

We cross a bridge when we come to it by dealing with life as it happens.

We don’t worry about something before it happens.

  • If it never happens, we worried for nothing.
  • If it does happen, worry did not stop it.

 Instead, we handle each moment as it comes. We plan and prepare, but we don’t worry. We don’t borrow trouble or tie ourselves in knots.

Cross a Bridge When We Come to It-church framed by bridgePrayer prepares us to cross a bridge when we come to it.

Rather than becoming a worry wart, we ask God to lead us. The Goddard Covered Bridge in Fleming County, Kentucky, shows that well. When we look beside the bridge or through it, we see a small country church. That church, like so many others, reminds us to trust God.

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27 NIV)

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Bear Our Cross

Bear Our Cross

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Bear Our Cross: a cross with crown of thornsTo bear our cross means to carry a burden.

Similar expressions include:

  • Carry our cross
  • Cross to bear
  • Cross to carry

All mean we live with difficulty. We often carry our burden alone.

Burdens or responsibilities may include:

  • Illness
  • Financial problems
  • Difficult relationships

We may sometimes joke about small burdens, such as:

  • Chores we don’t like (for example, cooking and cleaning)
  • Busybody neighbors
  • Active children

To bear our cross comes from the Bible.

Before Jesus was crucified, soldiers beat Him. Then Jesus had to carry His cross. When Jesus became too weak, soldiers forced another man to carry Jesus’ cross for Him.

Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. He loves us that much.

Yet, after three days, Jesus rose from the dead. He won the battle against sin and death. If we accept Jesus as Savior, He forgives our sins and promises us eternal life. He gives us a fresh start. That is the promise of Easter.

Jesus told His followers to count the cost and take up our cross.

That means we:

  • Choose Jesus above everything.
  • Give God control of our lives.
  • Follow God’s will wherever that leads and whatever the cost.

Taking up our cross for Jesus is not always easy. It is always worth it.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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By the Book

By the Book

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By the Book--stack of instruction booksSome people go by the book. Others fly by the seat of their pants.

People who go by the book follow directions.

They want to do their work right the first time. They don’t want to have to do it again. Therefore, they follow the rules.

People who fly by the seat of their pants think If all else fails, follow the directions.

Going by the book makes life easier.

It helps with:

  • Learning to use new products
  • Building anything
  • Measuring amounts for cooking or other work
  • Practicing new skills

People make mistakes when they fail to go by the book.

Sometimes their mistakes cause no big problem. They can go back to the drawing board and start over.

Other times, mistakes mean the difference in life and death.

For the best life, go by the best book.

  • Read the Bible.
  • Follow its directions.
  • Share its truth with others.

“Consult God’s instruction” (Isaiah 8:20 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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