Posted on 04/12/2006 6:51:41 PM PDT by MoJo2001
April 13, 2006
When The Pressure Is On
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What makes a shiny apple look so delicious? The skin, of course. But what is it about an apple that actually makes it delicious? The juice and substance inside. That's the apple's real "character."
I learned this as a boy watching my mom make applesauce. With a wooden pestle, she would mash the soft, boiled pieces of apple through a metal colander and into a bowl, until all that remained in the colander were drab, flattened skins. But oh, the sauce tasted so good!
God uses life's pressures to bring out the sweetness of Christlike character in us. Tribulation (which means "pressure" in the Greek) also helps us realize the awful potential of our sin nature and see it for what it isugly and tasteless. Under pressure, all kinds of sins begin to surfacegreed, selfishness, lust, pride.
Pressure, whether from without or from an unrealistic perfectionism within, is a fact of our fallen world. God controls its intensity and duration so that we can recognize, confess, and renounce those fleshly "skins" that obscure Christ's character in us.
Tribulation is not something anyone seeks. But when it comes, the Holy Spirit will use it to create in us perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4). Dennis De Haan
The gem of Christlike character is formed by pressure and refined by friction.
The threads up!!
Have at it folks:
What was the last DVD movie or movie you watched!
Supporting our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen at more than 1,000 places across the U. S. and around the world.
Good evening Mayor!!
Thank you for your daily devotion to our Troops, Veterans, and their families! It is greatly appreciated!!
*HUGS* to you and Mrs.Mayor!!
Good evening darkwing! Living dangerously tonight? Any VK activity going on?
Evening Mayor. Goodness you are fast!:)
Good evening Connie!!
*HUGS*
Thank you for your daily tribute to our Troops!!
"Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
Welcome to the Canteen, ClearCase_guy!!
Excellent choice!! Bought it last week when it came out! I loved reading it as a youngster!
I love that graphic Darkwing....good evening to ya!
Hope it's the best ever!
*HUGS!*
Good evening FReepaholic! Welcome to the Canteen!!
Was it good? How would you rate it?
More fun than any human should be allowed to have. (RL)
Hey, MoJo.
Lord of the Rings-The Two Towers.
"Hostage", with Bruce Willis, last night.
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Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God
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Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, they're fighting for our Freedom.
I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Prayers going up.
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