Even toothpaste can be a test.

 

Go with me here for a moment.

 Let’s say you have just filled your shopping cart with everything on your list. You notice all the checkout lines are crowded, so you mosey on over to the self-checkout area. Under the wary supervision of the self-checkout checker/staffer, you scan and bag your items and place them back in your shopping cart.

 You roll on over to the exit, where the welcome/receipt checker looks in your cart and waves you on.

 Now in the parking lot, you load all your bags into your vehicle.

 

Then it happens.

 Suddenly, you notice a loose item in the bottom of your cart. It’s a tube of toothpaste, and the box is the same color as the cart.

 “Did I miss scanning this thing?” You ask yourself.

 So you check your receipt, which is about two feet long, even though you only purchased about 20 items. And you discover that you did not scan and pay for the toothpaste.

 What do you do?

 

This actually just happened to me.

 Here’s what I did. And I’m not spelling this out for extra points or for pride’s sake. I’m not a perfect Christian. I slip up daily in all sorts of ways. Thank God for His grace. I’m just sharing this story because the experience made me ponder the potential impact our seemingly simple and relatively insignificant choices can have on ourselves and others.

 OK, so I grabbed the toothpaste and my receipt, locked my car, and went back into the store. I walked directly to the exit of the self-checkout area, where the same self-checkout checker/staffer was standing. She asked me what I needed. I handed her my receipt and explained that I had neglected to scan the toothpaste. Then I went to an empty register, scanned the item, and paid for it.

 The self-checkout checker/staffer didn’t react or respond. Maybe she didn’t care. Perhaps she was simply bored with her job. But it could be that she was pondering why someone would go to all that bother to pay for an item that cost about $5.

 It doesn’t make any difference whether she even noticed.

 

No matter how someone else responds to our choices, those choices matter.

 WWJD is still a thing. This catchphrase may not be bandied about as much as it used to be. But the warning behind it still stands.

 

1. We live by faith, but it is demonstrated by action.

 We’re not here to show off for the Lord. But what we do shows, whether we realize it or not. How often do pre-believers evaluate Jesus by what they see in His followers? (We know we don’t measure up. That’s the crux of the Gospel. But that’s a question for those who have not yet trusted in His grace..)

 What if that self-checkout checker happens to spot me at church? Will she judge because of my behavior? Sure, we don’t make moral choices based on what others will think of us, but we also know that our actions can prompt others to assess not only us, but everything we stand for.

 Can you imagine her glancing down the row of seats? Maybe I’d smile at her, trying to be welcoming and friendly. But she might just imagine stolen toothpaste on my smile.

 Is it worth risking offending someone who might be considering Christ, just to save a few steps back into the store to pay for a small unpaid item?

 You bet it’s not.

 

2. We have to live with ourselves.

 Once we trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are freed from guilt and shame because of His atoning sacrifice on the cross on our behalf.

 We still have to live out this life until He calls us home to Heaven. We still have to wrestle with sin and fend off the enemy’s darts that accuse us every time we mess up. And we still contend with our own God-given consciences. I know mine can send me spinning when I make a poor choice. Sure, my eternal salvation no longer hangs in the balance, but my peace of mind sometimes does.

 Because we are awed by God, grateful for grace, and eager to please Him, we consider even the smallest choices to matter.

 

3. We live for God, if we belong to Christ.

 That’s the bottom line. And He is the one who said, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much” (Luke 16:10, ESV).

Toothpaste is free at the dentist, but not at the store. And that errant tube only cost five bucks. But a clean conscience is priceless.

 

It wouldn’t matter much to God if my teeth were shiny white, if my truth was tarnished.

 I stumble in all sorts of ways. I can even trip over my own feet. But I believe that our ability to hear from God is fine-tuned, every time we listen and obey. Lord, help me.

Image/s: Public domain photo adapted by this user

 

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• My heart hurts because you matter
• Slinging Snow Cones and Sloppy Lies
• Will God let everybody into Heaven?

 

 

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Do today's essential oils mix with Christian faith?

Essential oils are big business these days. Purveyors are striking it rich with these aromatic concoctions, marketed as age-old natural remedies for everything from acne to Alzheimer’s, from back pains to brain injuries, from hair loss to hyperthyroidism, from seizures to sleep disorders, and from warts to whooping cough. 

I admit it: I’m a little late to the party with essential oils (and aromatherapy). I’m just beginning to learn the specifics pertaining to the various sorts of popular natural oils (and oil combinations) and how they are intended to help with different sorts of ailments and conditions.

Clearly, I believe many herbal and natural remedies can do some good.

For example, we know eucalyptus can relieve sinus congestion. Lavender can ease stress. Chamomile can comfort an upset stomach (Remember Beatrix Potter’s Tale of Peter Rabbit?) and hasten sleep. Peppermint can soothe sore muscles. Aloe can cool a burn. Nature can be healing in such practical ways.

And I agree with those who urge us to seek non-drug solutions for as many personal problems as we possibly can. Definitely, a natural and organic and non-prescription solution sounds pretty positive and safe and good, especially if it works. Right?

Essential oils/ natural remedies - Pixabay public domain photo

Enter essential oils.

I have several close friends (including people of firm biblical faith) who have plunged into the waters of essential oils practices. Some are even carving out careers as vendors of various oils.  I respect and admire these friends, and the last thing I would want to do is disrespect or disparage their efforts.

At the same time, I am feeling a certain check in my spirit about much of the essential oils world. As a Bible-believing Christian, I am convinced that the prudent course is to research and check and test any trend before going whole-hog with it.

Is the Christian + essential oils a good mix, or is it more like oil + water?

I think believers need to ask ourselves some honest and probing questions, before we jump with both feet into the essential oils world and all it involves.

1. What does the Bible say about oils? Perhaps the most frequent mention of oil in the Scriptures is its use in anointing those chosen by the Lord for leadership (see Exodus 40:12-15). It also fueled lamps providing light (Remember the Hanukkah miracle, in which one day’s supply of oil lasted the duration?). The Holy Spirit is also likened to oil (see 1 John 2:20), especially in passages discussing His anointing and empowering individuals to serve God more fully and effectively (see Isaiah 61:1). Oil is also used to anoint those receiving prayer for particularly serious purposes (see James 5:14). In all such instances, olive oil was usually the pick.

Throughout the Bible, many mentions may be found of the relationship between oils (and herbs and other natural ingredients) and healing. Surely, the curative use of oils is not a new concept. It’s been around for millennia. But the methodologies and marketplace are vastly different than they ever have been.

2. What can we learn about the companies providing essential oils? Before using a product, a wise consumer will examine the accompanying literature (and perhaps the company’s own website) to consider the organization’s mission, ownership, and affiliations. It’s a good idea to look for guarantees and return policies.

More than a few essential oils companies are offered by web-only sellers (who may or may not include company and contact information on their websites). Others are sold by neighbors and friends at home parties. A few essential oils brands are sold by major grocery and discount department store chains.

3. Who is profiting from essential oils? In the Bible, those possessing large quantities of oil were seen as those who were most affluent and prepared for the future. (Again, this usually referred to olive oil). In today’s marketplace, where the popularity of essential oils has reached fever pitch, it’s worth considering who stands to gain from the sales of these items. Many of the top-selling products come from companies practicing multi-level marketing (MLM), by which sellers gain most by enlisting under-sellers in pyramid sales structures. That strategy may be legitimate, but it is a good idea to check.

4. Do the essential oils purveyors display any religious, pagan or new age practices or ties? Companies offering these products are proliferating. The top ones openly claim to represent all sorts of interests, from Native American spiritual traditions to modern naturalists, and from New Age to Eastern mysticism causes. One company, which boasts many openly Christian marketers, posts product descriptions that claim their concoctions bring “harmonic balance,” “put the power of complete wellness in your hands,” and “take you on a sensory journey that can instantly soothe, enliven, or balance both body and mind.”

Umm, what?

Some essential oils (and related products) are sold in Spiritist or occultist shops or via such websites. The believer who knowingly patronizes such enterprises dabbles in unequal yoking. At the same time, there’s a strong likelihood that the products procured thusly may come with unpleasant spiritual baggage.

5. Do certain essential oils come with curious or odd-sounding procedural instructions or product descriptions? Clearly, if supernatural-sounding activities, word-chanting, or other strange methods are advised, this should be a red flag for the believer. And any description which claims a product can boost spiritual or universal energy, align chakras, improve magnetic flow, help with chi visualization, or aid one’s life force smacks of New Age, Eastern mysticism, or even occultist ties.

6. Is a specific list of ingredients available for each product? Allergies and personal sensitivities can pose medical problems, especially when we are unaware of the possible exposure. A person with hay fever, for example, would certainly need to know if grasses were included in a particular concoction. Another with tree or pollen sensitivities might opt not to use a product containing such elements. I just discovered this allergy risk firsthand, after dabbing on a few drops of an essential oil tincture I received as a gift from a friend, only to develop a rash on the application sites. (I should have asked if the mixture contained fish oil.)

7. Can we be sure of consistent recipes and quality control, when purchasing essential oils? So far, the essential oils industry (and alternative treatment business as a whole) is basically unregulated in the U.S. (and elsewhere). That means product compositions, quality, purity, and potency can vary dramatically. If Aunt Susie is mixing up tinctures in her kitchen, how can we tell if this month’s batch will work the same as last month’s?

8. What dangers might exist, if we substitute essential oils completely for expert medical care? This probably sounds rather obvious. But it’s astonishing how many folks rely on these gentle remedies, rather than seeking the counsel of professional physicians, even if they have (or may have) serious and potentially life-threatening medical conditions. Muscle soreness or a short stretch of insomnia are one thing. Advanced-stage cancer is something else.

Once again, believers need wisdom to navigate today’s marketplace, and essential oils offer one more example of this necessity. Plenty of these products may be helpful, effective, and useful. We need heaping helpings of divine discretion to decide where to procure them and how to use them. Maybe, in a way, we might liken essential oils to yoga – at least, in terms of exercising prudent and faithful discernment. If we are able to borrow the practical benefits without buying into the spiritual baggage, then we will walk wisely.

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Created by this user with online generator

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Fighting for heir time

A dear friend is embroiled in a nearly bloody battle with her siblings over potential inheritances from their father, who is still very much alive. Supposedly, one brother is going through particularly tough financial troubles and draining his father’s coffers. The siblings are truly ticked off over what they perceive as an inequity.

If their Uncle Jake (not his real name) knew what was going on behind the scenes, so to speak, he’d have a fit. They are fighting over his funds, which have nothing to do with them at this point – and might never, if he catches wind of their antics. Seriously, Uncle Jake is likely to live another 10 to 15 years.

Are his kids gonna fight that whole time?

It would be easy for us to stand and shake our fists at such folks.

Maybe we’d try to be a bit more subtle and just shake our heads, roll our eyes, or sigh in supposed superiority. Or we might try to take sides in this conflict, which isn’t ours at all.

We might even quote this well-known Bible verse:

 “Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.” (Proverbs 11:29, NIV)

OK, not so fast. First, who appointed us as family court for someone else’s family? And are we all that better?

Isn’t it exactly what we do with God's eternal promise?

Do we consider Heaven and wonder how big our mansions will be and how many jewels we’ll have in our crowns (compared to others)? Have we ever wondered where our seats at Heaven’s table might be located? Like the mother of Zebedee’s James and John, who questioned Jesus about eternity’s seating chart (see Matthew 20:20-28), are we jumping the proverbial gun a bit here?

Are we putting on airs, simply because we are heirs?

Maybe.

First, what’s an heir? The dictionary defines “heir” as someone who has legal rights of inheritance of position, property, and title of another. This may occur by descent, relationship, or legal documentation.

Jesus, the only Son of God, is Heir of Heaven. All that the Father is and has belongs to Him as well:

“But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:2, NIV)

The Lord made us legal co-heirs by His sacrificial death in our place. In other words, the Heir of Heaven left the air of Heaven to bear our errors and share His eternal inheritance with us. The price He paid makes us children of God. Legally, completely, and forever.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:17, NIV)

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29, NIV)

“Since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” (Galatians 4:7b, NIV)

“So that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7, NIV)

And all this has nothing to do with anything wonderful we think we have done to earn or merit such reward. It is all about grace and what Jesus did for us.

What wonderful assurances of our forever home.

Based on everything the Bible says about Heaven and how it is beyond all comprehension, I am pretty sure there will be more than enough (of whatever wonders Heaven has) to go around. No one can stop it or use it up or grab it away. Not now or ever.

And, once we catch a glimpse of God in all His glory, I think it’s a fair bet, nothing else will matter.

Just being with Jesus will likely undo us.

May it ever be so.

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Artwork adapted by this user from public domain image

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