Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Wasabi vs Guacamole

From the time I was born until I was five years old, my family lived in California. We had an avocado tree in our back yard and my family enjoyed eating that fruit/veggie. My favorite way to eat an avocado is simply peeled, sliced, and salted. I make homemade guacamole simply by smashing it with a fork and adding salt. In 2008, we took a family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama, and on one of our outings we dined at a Japanese buffet. As I made my food choices, I spotted a big batch of guacamole and scooped a big pile onto my plate and joined my hubby and kids at the table. WOW! Did I get a surprise! This was not guacamole; it was wasabi, which is a Japanese word that means green, creamy FIRE! It instantly brought on a sharp mouth-burning and sinus-clearing heat that was unbelievable! My family found my stupidity to be quite humorous. I can’t remember if my tears were from laughing or pain – probably both.

Looks sure can be deceiving! If I’d used my brain, I would have known that this green creamy stuff would not be guacamole since I wasn’t in a Mexican restaurant. Not everything that glitters is gold.

In writing to the church of Galatia, apostle Paul packs a great punch of strong flavor to the Christ followers there.“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside). [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap” (Galatians 6:7 AMP). Believers are not to be fooled, mistaken, led astray, or tricked. No one mocks the justice/ways of God and gets by with it. Whatever you sow, that’s what you’ll get. You’ll reap exactly what you plant.

God’s Word declares what sin is, but our culture persists in being mislead by redefining the truth. And Christ followers must not be guilty of ignoring the holy scriptures either. I could have sat in that Japanese restaurant and beat my fist on the table and screamed that I was eating guacamole, but it wouldn’t have changed the truthful facts that I had been deceived. My mouth was painfully reaping what I had planted in it. We must be on high alert and remember that God’s love, mercy, grace, and divine forgiveness cannot alter His law of sowing and reaping.

God would not be God if we could sow evil and reap good. Believers can’t afford to be misled by thinking we can change God’s theology in the way He operates. There’s a rich payoff in prayerfully studying His Word. Everything that God declares can be taken to the bank. Since God cannot be outwitted, no one should be deceived in thinking that he/she can dodge the consequences of a dimwitted choice.

It’s been said: “A man is free to choose, but is not free to choose the consequences of his choice.” I was free to choose whatever I wanted from the buffet. I made one foolish mistake and suffered the consequences immediately. Could I have avoided making this wrong choice? Yes, by considering what ethnic restaurant I was in and then using common sense.

The Key: Carefully evaluate everything that seems to be too good to be true.

By Patty LaRoche

By the time God got around to creating Adam and Eve, He must have been in a jolly good mood. Time to have some fun, He told Himself. Why else would He create a kajillion differences between the two genders? He factored in not just the DNA (reminder: women are XX, the more balanced of the two, while men are XY), but basically every conceivable variance.

Take, for instance, golfing. Dave and I now have a home with a backyard view of the golf course, and we have been fascinated by the difference in how the two sexes team up to play the game. If there are six men golfing, six carts will be used, but if six women are playing, they will sit on each other’s laps to share a cart. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but at the most, for six women there will be two or three carts, not six.

Cart use is not the only difference. Women, unlike men, will visit about dozens of things other than their score while playing the game. That’s because women are all about relationships, not goals. Men? Nope. They will know who hit a birdie or an eagle, what the handicaps are, or who got a promotion, but nothing about who is getting married or who is in the hospital or how many grandchildren the other men have (unless, of course, those grandkids are scratch golfers).

Wives of golfers often discuss how little their husbands learn about their golfing buddies after spending hours with them on the course. “What did you learn today?” is a silly question to ask their husbands because the only thing on which Hubby focused was who golfed well and who did not. Women, on the other hand, will come home with news about everyone’s personal life, news their husbands do not care to hear.

To prove my point, a majority of Fortune 1000 CEOs said they did business with a golf partner. Correspondingly, 400 out of 500 Fortune 500 executives said that golf gave their careers a boost. For males, golf appears to be goal-oriented.

Perhaps that’s why golfer James Murray said, “Show me a man who is a good loser and I’ll show you a man who is playing golf with his boss.”

That’s not to say that golf cannot aid females in the work world. My daughter-in-law Kira recently applied to be a pilot for a private flying company. When the C.E.O. asked her what hobbies she has, Kira said that she has taken up golf.

“I hate golf,” the owner said. “Too much time spent trying to do something that can’t be done.” Kira was sharp. “Then we both have that in common because I hate it too.” Kira got the job.

When I asked my golfing sons about the six-cart issue, they said that it speeds up the game because each man drives his own cart to wherever his ball is. If two men share one cart, they have to drive to two different locations—which takes time (time women will use to discuss their families and build friendships).

I wonder if God just shakes His head when He watches His creation display their differences in something as simple as driving a golf cart. Or maybe He just smiles. Yes, I think I’ll go with that one.

Keys to the Kingdom

By Carolyn Tucker

Grilled House Shoes

I had given my seven-year-old granddaughter, Vivienne, a new pair of house shoes when she spent three days and nights with me. She liked the soft and colorful gift a lot more than I thought she would. She soon discovered she had a great talent for kicking one leg up high which made the house shoe come off and fly through the air. Vivienne loved doing this trick, and I didn’t mind because it was harmless. We never knew where the thing would land – it was anyone’s guess. As I was preparing a grilled-cheese sandwich for her lunch, she ran into the kitchen, stood on one side of the stove and quickly threw her leg up into the air. I could tell she was going to do this, but I couldn’t get the words out fast enough — “NOOO, don’t do it!” The house shoe went flying high into the air and  landed perfectly on top of the sandwich in the skillet. The only thing we could do was laugh like crazy as I wiped the butter off the house shoe and then placed the grilled-cheese sandwich on her plate. And she ate it!

For the most part, I would say we all need to lighten up! Keep a watch out for the funny stuff that happens all around us. King Solomon stated that, “A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul” (Proverbs 17:22 TPT). Other translations refer to a “cheerful heart, joyful heart, glad heart, happy heart” as good medicine. And there’s no cost or side effects – what a delightful bargain!

“A glad heart makes a happy face…” (Proverbs 15:13 NLT). We can’t really hide what’s inside of us because our face takes its cue from our inside signal. Have you ever been asked, “What’s so funny?” Or “What’s wrong?” Our family and friends are looking at our face when asking either of these questions. Charles Swindoll writes, “A well-developed sense of humor reveals a well-balanced personality…The ability to get a laugh out of everyday situations is a safety valve. It rids us of tensions and worries that could otherwise damage our health.”

I remember a certain driving experience when I wasn’t late, but I had no time to spare. I was on my way to play piano at church, so I was on an important mission. The driver in front of me was probably going the speed limit of 40, but I felt like a ticking time bomb. I checked the straight road ahead and there was no oncoming traffic for a long way. So I put the pedal to the metal and passed the guy in his manly truck. He honked at me, and as I looked in my rear-view mirror I saw the finger! I got flipped off on my way to church! I didn’t endanger his life, so I guess I hurt his feelings because I was just a little gal driving a little SE car as I blew past him in his honkin’ truck. This incident didn’t make me angry; it struck me as funny! I started laughing and laughed all the way to church. Fortunately, we were not headed to the same church.

If we look for humor we’ll be more apt to notice the funny stuff in life. I realize it’s easier for some people to laugh than it is others. I come from a cheerful bunch on both my mom and dad’s side so I have a double portion. My mom used to say, “You might as well laugh as cry,” when something didn’t go as planned. I can still see my late brother laughing so hard that his face turned red and tears trickled down his cheeks. What a great way to take good medicine!

The Key: A smile is a facelift that everyone can afford and it prepares us for that belly laugh we so desperately need!

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7

I wouldn’t change my grandchildren for the world but sure wish I could change the world for my grandchildren, but since I can’t, I will do what I can do. “Salty Believer” recently posted this: “It isn’t your job to save your child. It isn’t your job to change their heart or make them believe. Your job is to faithfully point them to Jesus. God is the One who changes hearts. God is the One who gives faith. God is the One who saves. So keep praying. Keep loving. Keep opening God’s Word together. Keep planting seeds of truth, one conversation at a time, and trust God to do what only He can do.” Grandparents, substitute “grandchild” for “child,” and you find your mission.

As much as we wish our grandchildren could spend their youth tip-toeing through the tulips, this probably will not be their experience. They more than likely will be overwhelmed, frustrated with those impossible multiplication tables, perhaps not allowed on the swing set by the class bully, probably not even voted prom king or queen. On my six-year-old granddaughter’s first day of school, she sat next to a poker…you know, the kind who pokes your ribs nonstop. He refused to quit, even when she repeatedly asked him to.

Sometimes we just need to remind our grandkids that life seems unfair. We all must face difficulty and overcome it. Moses was overwhelmed, and he prayed, “Please kill me here and now.” Jeremiah was broken and he cried, “Cursed be the day I was born.” When Elijah was overcome with fear and exhaustion, he said, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life.” And when Job was in deep anguish, he asked, “Why did I not die at birth?” And no, I probably would not share those stories with little ones, but they do need to know that God wants to hear from them when they are discouraged or frustrated. He will equip them to overcome.

The Bible is full of people who did not handle life well, but their story was not over. The same God who sustained them is still sustaining today. Our grandkids are in great hands.

Our goal, Grandparents, is to teach our children’s children that feeling inadequate is not the response God wants any of us to have. There always is hope. When they still can pray while bleeding, still worship while waiting or still believe while broken, they are not weak; they are a weapon. That kind of faith moves mountains and makes hell tremble. According to livingyourseniorlife.com, regular contact with grandparents reduces depression and anxiety in young people, fostering resilience during challenging situations. There probably has not been a time in history when grandparents did not grieve over the state of the culture into which these little ones were born. What loved one is not saddened that the young ones cannot ride their bikes or play a pickup game of baseball or attend a sleepover without fear of danger? So, what do we do? We pray. Every day. Multiple times a day. And we never give up. Even if our first reaction to “Poker Boy” is to meet him after school and stick our finger into his eyeballs as payback, we must refrain. And that may be the hardest test of all.

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Shooting Your Foot

After graduating business college I began working as a secretarial receptionist in Springfield, MO. I enjoyed it, but after a couple of years, I applied for a position at a different company that paid more. I remember praying, “Lord, if You’ll allow me to get this job, I’ll pay tithes.” I landed the job and kept my word. I was young, single, and figuring out my walk with God. My promise started me out on the right foot regarding money management. At first I tithed 10% of my net income, but later realized my giving to the church should be based on my gross income. The question I asked myself was: “If I had a dollar, would I be willing to give Someone a dime?” My answer was, “Yes!”

All my life I’ve heard, “It pays to serve Jesus,” “You can’t out-give God,” “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,” etc. I’ll add one more: “Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by thinking you can’t afford to pay tithes.” Honestly, you can’t afford not to! But don’t take my word for it. Let’s see what God’s Word says:

“Bring the full 10 percent into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way, says the Lord of Hosts. See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure” (Malachi 3:10 CSB). Who wants to pass up  a blessing? This is the only reference where God says, “Give this a shot – try it and see if it doesn’t work!” Obedience is not a trial test for a month; it’s a lifetime practice. God’s arithmetic is a mystery – His budget-and-blessing system doesn’t work by using a calculator. Just put God first, pay your tithes and bills promptly, and trust that He’ll make good on those blessings without measure.

“But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV). God provides the strength and skill-set to enable us to work. So the least we can do is cheerfully give back what’s rightfully His.   

 “Even strong young lions go without and get hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:10). When we love, revere, and obey God, we have the right (as His children) to ask Him for what we need. And He promises we will not lack.

A believer who’s having trouble making ends meet should give God a chance to prove Himself. Start giving a 10% tithe to your church (storehouse). Even if it looks impossible according to your calculator and checkbook, you can’t afford not to give what’s due to the Lord. You’re just shooting yourself in the foot and getting deeper in the hole. Don’t sabotage yourself!

Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of Corinth, “Let giving flow from your heart, not from a sense of religious duty. Let it spring up freely from the joy of giving – all because God loves hilarious generosity!” (2 Corinthians 9:7 TPT).

Christ followers are not cheaters nor thieves. But sometimes we don’t think things through nor consider what God has to say about Christian living and generosity. King David prayed to God: “The way You tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to the fullest” (Psalm 119:144 MSG).

The Key: Put away your shotgun, be a happy giver, and watch for God’s blessings!

I fired my husband. This happened after a long-time friend recommended that Dave and I worship God for five minutes every morning. After that, we would pray, thanking Him and making our requests. A beautiful plan.

The first morning, Hubby’s responsibility was an easy one—set the timer for five minutes. Dave and I worshiped but ran out of things to say. Pathetic, I know, since Biblical people wrote lengthy praises that probably lasted for days. Several minutes after we started, Dave began to repeat himself. That’s when I opened my eyes and glanced at his phone, the phone that was supposed to have been set for the timer to go off in five minutes.

“5:00” was pulsing in large numbers. Hubby had not pressed the “Go” button.

The next morning, same thing. I praised God for what seemed to be three minutes, and then Dave took over, once again running out of things to say and so, repeating his sweet thoughts. Somehow, Hubby again had failed to press the “Go” button.

So, I fired him. “How can you fire someone for worshiping over five minutes?” he asked. I admit, I had no answer, but I said that I needed to be in charge. I’m sure he thought, No surprises there.

The next morning, I placed my phone between us and set the 5:00 timer. “This is how you start the countdown,” I announced in my teacher voice and pressed with great force on the timer button. Dave began the prayer, and when he finished, I took over…until what seemed like an eternity had passed. Peeking at the timer, I could not believe what I saw: “5:00!” Impossible! Was God behind this to teach me a lesson?

I hated to admit to Dave what had happened because I knew that he would find great delight in firing me like I had him, but if both of us were fired, who would press the button so we would know when five minutes had passed? This was a dilemma.

Maybe that was the point. Maybe we were to worship with no time constraint. Maybe God just wanted our hearts to be in line with His and not to the timer on our phone. The idea had been a great one because it was intended to help us develop a practice of worship, of letting our Heavenly Father know that we adore Him, and clearly we needed to develop that tradition. By just worshiping and not jumping into our prayer requests, God would be pleased.

Worship is critical if we call ourselves Christians. The Greek word for “worship,” proskuneō, means “to encounter God and praise Him.” The Bible lists dozens of scriptures that tell us so. Here, for instance, are two:

My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. — Psalm 71:8 ESV

And Jesus answered him (Satan), “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'” — Luke 4:8 ESV

Worshiping God means crediting to Him the absolute worth that He alone deserves, and although five minutes is a start (provided, of course, the timer actually starts), our entire lives should be about honoring Him. John Piper once said, “True worship is a joyful response to the greatness of God.” I’m guessing that does not include firing a spouse. I’m also guessing that an apology is in order.

— Patty A. LaRoche