Truth in my Travels

Category: New Christians

  • A Precious Cup

    Inspired by Matthew 23:25-26

    As I stand at the kitchen sink and wipe away the stain inside my special teacup, I admire the kingfisher-like bird and botanicals that brighten the white porcelain and the little flower adorning the inner edge. I smile as I recall the purchase in Door County, Wisconsin, at a quaint restaurant and inn.

    The White Gull Inn is a treasure of the town of Fish Creek. My husband and I had just enjoyed splitting a delicious breakfast of cherry-stuffed French toast and an omelette with Wisconsin cheese. I bought it in the gift shop where we paid for our meal.

    I drink tea from the special cup on the few mornings when, instead of a fitness routine, I start my day with study in the Bible. The cup represents my time with God and reminds me that His blessings overflow in my life, as David wrote in Psalms 23:5 that his “cup overflows.”  In addition to abundance, a cup illustrates:

    1. Judgment and wrath. Sin and rebellion against God lead to consequences. The prophecies of the Old Testament warn of divine judgment.Jeremiah 25:15 declares, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: ‘Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.’”
    2. A clean heart. What matters most is our faith, character, and the condition of our hearts. These come from a heart cleansed of sin. In Matthew 23:25-26, Jesus says to religious leaders, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish and then the outside also will be clean.” (NIV)
    3. Communion. “Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.”
    4. The prophecy of salvation. Psalms 116:13 “I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.”
    5. Suffering and sacrifice. Jesus feared what He knew was ahead but was willing to give up his life by His Father’s will.  Mark 14:36: “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

     As I dry the now-clean teacup, my heart fills with gratitude that, once like the cup before I cleaned the inside, I was stained with sin, but it was washed away when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, whose own cup of suffering made it possible.

    Note: I wrote this weeks ago and was inspired to publish it now after our annual trip to northern Door County and a return to The White Gull Inn—now a featured location in the GFAM movie, “A Wisconsin Christmas Pie”, airing October 11.

     

  • Starting with God

    What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?

    I begin my day with exercise, but more significantly and eternally, I begin with God. 

    As I warm up on my stationary bike, I read several Christian devotionals that convey what I need to hear, comfort me, help me make a decision, or just remind me of God’s love.

    I wrap up my fitness routine with prayer on a short walk outside. I express my appreciation to God for the nature around me and for many other blessings, like the ability to move my body and eat healthy foods.

    God is in control. At all times, when I release my anxieties and concerns to him and remind myself of all the ways that he has guided me and blessed me, and when I read his Word, I am filled with peace. And peace is necessary for well-being.