"An Unclean Spirit Returns"

This morning I studied a portion of scripture that, to be completely honest, I had only ever skimmed over in the past: Matthew 12:43-45 which says

(43) When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places seeking rest, and finds none. (44) Then he says 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. (45) Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.

As I read these verses, I couldn't help but have a heavy heart for my friends who once seemed to be such zealous Christians, but are now living downright sinful and fruitless lives that are worse than the way they were before they were "saved". I wonder, did these friends ever truly accept Christ? Or did they just empty, sweep, and put their lives in order as it says in verse 44? In his commentary, Matthew Poole describes it perfectly:

"(The soul) may be swept from the filth of flagitious sins, and garnished with the paint of religion or some habits of moral virtue; but none of these will keep out the devil."

I have to admit that I carried a burden of resentment toward these friends thinking, "They call themselves Christians and now look what they're doing. Bringing so much shame to real Christians like me." Wait a minute, Felicia... real Christians like me?? That's a whole new issue in itself. I could go down a rabbit trail right now, but instead I'll just ask that you pray for God to give me some humility in this area of my life. I'm actually kind of embarrassed now that people might know that I tend to think this way...

But after reading this portion of scripture, my heart grieves for these friends, knowing that they are probably not living each day thinking, "How can I be more spiritually apathetic today?", but in reality they are being blindly ensnared and misled by the enemy. I do feel blessed however, in the sense that the Holy Spirit has moved me to pray more for these friends, rather than sit by and shake my head in disappointment.

What if they never really accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour? What if they claimed salvation, but really only cleaned up some of the conspicuous sins in their life and "painted on some moral virtues"? What if they're being plagued and deceived by seven wicked spirits? What if their souls are still damned to eternal separation from Almighty God?

This breaks my heart. So shall we pray for this wicked generation.

You are so precious to me, sweet as can be, baby of mine.

Let's go the other way with this...

Things I am NOT for:

sin
Oprah Winfrey
olives
the flu
freeloaders
abortion
believers dating/marrying non-believers (especially when it's to try to convert them)
disrespectful kids
mushrooms
feminism
homosexuality
the silent treatment
centipedes
excessive public displays of affection
weeds in my flowerbeds
this terrible economy
sexualization of little girls
bee stings
convicted sex offenders ever getting out of prison
deadbeat dads
bullying
this list getting to long

Centipedes, centipedes... ughh

I had never even seen a centipede until we moved into our first house (the house we live in currently) and since we moved in, I have had a total of three traumatizing experiences with these nasty little monsters, all of which have made me look like a complete fool. I suppose this is more of a confessions blog...

Experience #1

It was about a month after we moved into our house and I was in the washroom with intentions of taking a shower. I looked into the tub and laid eyes on the most creepy, crawly, utterly disgusting thing on 100 legs: a centipede. I fled from the washroom hollering, "John there's the biggest bug in entire world in the bathtub!!! KILL IT! KILL IT OR IT'S GONNA EAT ME!!!!" John came to investigate and ever so nonchalantly said, "Felish, it's just a centipede" and he turned on the water and washed it down the bathtub drain. "There, it's gone. Take your shower." However, I was convinced that this thing was invincible, so for the next week (or two) I showered with the plug in the drain just in case the centipede decided to make a comeback. Yes, ridiculous, I know.

Experience #2

It was early summer of last year. I was hanging up the garden hose after watering my flowerbeds when I thought I felt something tickle my foot inside my croc. I just ignored it until I knew for sure I felt something. I screamed and kicked my crocs off as quickly as I possible could and saw (you'll never guess) a centipede come slithering out. I screamed again (this time it was more of an attack cry) as I attempted to spray it with the hose... that I had already shut off. I hope none of the neighbours saw me.

Experience #3

This took place just yesterday. I was starting a load of laundry and when I picked up my bottle of 2x concentrated Purex "After the Rain" detergent, guess what reared its ugly head at me. I don't even have to say it. Once again, I fled the scene shuddering "John! KILL IT! KILL IT! IT'S GONNA GET ME!" And of course, my calm, cool, and collected hubby lumbered over with a paper towel and indifferently muttered, "That was a big one."

It never ceases to amaze me: How does something so miniscule and harmless manage to give me the heebie-jeebies so effortlessly? It makes me wonder if God was chuckling while He created centipedes because He knew the reactions people (especially myself) at the mere sight of them? Hmmm...

Smuggling a bowling ball??? What are you talking about?

Since everyone's doing it (and I need a first blog)...

Things I'm for...

Jesus Christ and the Gospel totally uncomprimised
Johnny Enns
my baby
family
church
Oma & Opa
good ol' hymns
laughing
schmauntfat
Oma's noodle zup
sewing
being a good wife according to the Bible's standards
good, solid sermons
Mennomex
throw blankets
a tidy kitchen counter
coffee
peonies
beading
the look on Johnny's face when he tastes my Zommabarsh
Fabricland
air conditioning
jeans
flat shoes
monogamy
being kind to people
McDonald's french fries
mascara
potlucks
curry
painting (as in painting walls in my house)
accountability
Aunt Nettie's hangers
making funny faces
Pringles
modest clothes
Michael Gungor

That's all that comes to mind for now...