We Know A Bad Apple When We See One

We Know A Bad Apple When We See One

How many times have we complained about our lives? “I don’t have enough money.” “I hate my job.” “My children are a mess. There’s no hope for us.” “I can’t eat this kind of bread. Besides, there’s no tomato for my sandwich.” “I have to wait for you to go anywhere. This is ridiculous!” “My friends have the newest game why can’t I?” “I don’t have enough time to spend with my family.” “We are like night and day. I married the wrong person.” “I am so angry because he does not help himself. How is he supposed to get well?!” “Whah, whah, whah, whah, whah! “Woof, yap, yowl, growl, howl!”

Gee whiz! Aren’t we grateful for anything? Every time we complain it’s like a slap in the face to God’s grace. We are griping and barking every chance we get over the very things He provides for us. Even in the midst of our obvious graces we cry, “I have this now, but it is still not enough!” H-e-l-l-o, “Heaven to people . . . !” Why would we dare to go against and test the wrath of God rather than blissfully acknowledge, joyfully accept and delightfully invite His blessings on our lives?

God created an amazing paradise for us here on earth and we’ve been destroying it and complaining about each other from the beginning of time. Since the first sin we’ve been biting at “tempting apples,” “barking up the wrong trees,” “blaming one another for our failures” and “lashing each other with cunning words that cover all spectrums of the rainbow.” Where is the love that was meant to evolve from that solid fertile ground on which this world was created? To whom are we giving honor and praise not only for its existence, but our own? We have the gift of life today, and when our short journey here is over we’ve a place set for us in eternity. Today, we must change and raise our hands high enough so that the shrewd snake cannot touch them. We were born to acquire paradise. How are we showing our gratitude to God and His gifts?

We know which pretty shiny healthy looking apple is wrong to desire and eat. We are well aware of the deceitful things we do and say. It is pointless to deny that we can’t control what comes out of our mouths because we do it so well when it suits ourselves. We have honed the craft of manipulation, influence, and persuasion. We are intelligent people and call our “bad apple” something else to make it palatable, calculating our moves to erase sin from its skin. We have marvelous talents and are a creative bunch. We try to rename, sell, discard and pass off our slightly spoiled, rotten or rancid fruit by polish it, reshaping it, drying it out, and pureeing it. We’ll do anything to suit our selfish taste buds and needs. We’ll even bring others along for the ride. We’ll conjure up a fancy picnic name or an enticing harvesting gala, and ask others to support, fertilize and feed the “bad roots.” “Come indulge with us. All is okay when we do it together.” The reality is that we are, on our own or with the company of others, veiling our transgressions under the shade of our inadequate nonorganic orchard of trees.

We go to great lengths to rationalize and validate our complaints and obvious deficient choices in thoughts and deeds. However, these polished skills do not erase the truth. We have managed to hide, avoid or convince ourselves that we have good reason to do what we do, and say what we say. We are the fools in the end. Let’s not be duped by our own selfish game plan, but rather be wise to the way that will push us over the top and make us fruitful givers, humble winners and “sincere God pleasers.”

The ultimate plan is simple and can be followed by “AnYoNe.” AvOiD tEmPtAtiOn. ThRoW ThE bAd ApPLe OuT! CuT dOwN tHe DoGGoNe TrEE! DiG uP tHoSe RooTs AnD PLaNt SoMe RoSeS. GeT iT oUt oF yOuR HoUse, yArD, hEaRt, MoUtH, aNd HeAd!

Humanity has been demeaning and scoffing at God’s church, ignoring and raising objections over His word, and misusing, misinterpreting, and taking credit for His gifts for thousands of years to satisfy material and egotistical needs. Today the bulk of humanity is no different, BuT YoU ArE!!!!

It’s time for “praising” folks. Really, it’s not hard. It just takes a conscious effort to modify our thought process and, hence, behavior. Really, you want to think about it? Really? Okaaaay. Ready go. “La, la, la, la la . . . Dum, dum, dum, dum, dum . . .” Okay, time’s up. Now we can push up our pious sleeves and make some righteous progress. Wow, you people are quick converts! I love it!

Okay, say this with me, “I refuse to be like the first man and woman that God created! I will not do things my way! I will do the will of God!” Ah, I couldn’t hear you very well. Let’s try this again. “I refuse to be like the first man and woman that God created! I will not do things my way! I will do the will of God!” Great job! Let’s practice some more!

“Lord, I am thankful to have a job that provides a roof over our heads and food on our table.” “I have been blessed by You God with beautiful children and will work to help them through this crisis.” “Lord, I am grateful for the food you provide my household. Rations or abundance I am thankful for it all.” “I am grateful that You have blessed me with someone to spend time with, while so many others are lonely.” “I am appreciative of having games to play. It does not matter whether it is an old system or used game I have something to enjoy.” “I thank you Lord for the gift of time. I will rearrange my schedule to spend time with my family that is precious to me.” “I have been blessed with marriage and will honestly work to recognize and appreciate his/her great attributes.” “Lord you made us all unique. I am confident we will through our differences bring balance to each other’s lives.” “Jesus, through You I know I have been blessed with God’s compassion and patience for me. I will not be angered by my spouse’s illness. I will love him as You taught me. He is precious to God and to me.”

God created a beautiful world for us to inhabit and to grow together in love. He continues to provide us food to nourish, water to sustain, and a faith that teaches us to serve one another.
Praise will make a difference. Make “praise” the first reaction from our mouths when we are angered. Let “praise” be at the heart of our conversations and keep us from condemnation. Permit “praise” to be at the center of our prayers, thoughts and wishes for others. Allow “praise” to be the root of our spirit so that we will walk and talk in love and keep the door open to God’s blessings.

“Putting a smile on God’s face will denounce any chance of a slap at His grace.” Take a vow to a simple, humble and fruitful holy vocation: Praise, commend and acclaim God. With the leftover fruits of our labor, we will feast together in harmony, love one another as He planned, and will live one day in unity and eternally in our paradise just as God intended.

“Come eat fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. You certainly will not die.” “Not us! We know a bad apple when we see one!”

Inspired by: John 13:21-30

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples – the one whom Jesus loved – was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.”