I love to praise the gallantry of “putting things in the pot” whenever we see some unChristlike thought or attitude try to spring into action through us (see previous post). Denying self means practicing “containment” of the flesh when it tries to rise up and take over. We have to stand guard to wrestle our wrong reactions into submission, usually at a moment’s notice. But you can’t leave it there! Think of your interior like a pressure cooker: Even with…
“Let’s put it in the pot!” is a very funny line in the movie Cold Mountain, referring to a rooster which was acting like a barnyard terror and that badly need to be captured and cooked. But it applies to us—that is, anything about us that doesn’t match up with Jesus. The first stage of crucifying the flesh is containment. Realize what shouldn’t be released into the world around you and put it in the pot instead. Are you getting angry…
Has the quest for closure snared you? You want to know the truth! Why are things happening the way they are? Why are people being so stubborn and obstinate? I call this the “quest for closure” and if you don’t watch out you just might get caught in suspended animation—waiting anxiously for some kind of answer when none is coming.Consider women who are married to verbally abusive or addicted husbands. They often have such love…
My older brother and I used to dam up the creek in the woods near our house (what did you think I meant?). The woods were hilly so the creek was swift. The soil was heavy with clay and perfect for plugging spaces between the “boulders” we would tumble into the water to form our makeshift dams. It was so much fun! We loved making the dams; but even more, we loved destroying them (hey, we were boys!) and then…