The C Word

So, I am a Cuban.  Did you know?  I mentioned it here in case you hadn’t noticed.  My parents came to the USA when Communism took over in the 60’s during their teenage years, but the shadow of that little island just 90 miles south of my home state looms large over my life.  There are rules about being a Cuban kid.  Yep.  The rules of “Cuban-ness” are firmly ingrained into my psyche.  My dad, the Cuban Fred Flinstone in a guayabera, schooled me in the rules.  The rules must be firmly adhered to and should never be questioned.  In short, the rules are as follows:

Rule Number 1:  You must hate Fidel Castro.

Rule Number 2:  You must hate everyone who likes Fidel Castro.  (This is a big group of people…)

Rule Number 3:  You must be able to communicate rule 1 and 2 in both English and Spanish.

Rule Number 4:  Everyone who hates Fidel Castro must be respected.  This usually means kissing people on the cheek in greeting as you enter and exit a room.

If you are not a Cuban, these rules may seem a bit intolerant, out dated, or even nonsensical, but if you are Cuban kid, you understand that these rules are deeply rooted in pain, passion, and patriotism.  You don’t mess with the rules.  You will politely kiss an old Cuban man who hates the bearded dictator because you are honoring your family in the deepest way.  (Please note the picture above of evidence of my respect for all things Cuban — on my 15th birthday, I donned a big, scary white dress for my “Quinces,” my Cuban “coming out.”)

Now, besides being a Cuban, I am also a Christian.   My Savior donned flesh and came to the earth over 2,000 years ago to die on a cross, and the shadow of that cross defines everything that I am.  There are rules about being a Jesus Chick, a Christ follower.  Yep.  These rules of Christian living have been written on my new heart by God Himself.  My Heavenly Father, the Creator of this universe, penned a book that points me in the right direction.  That book must be firmly adhered to and never questioned.  God’s rules for this Jesus Chick are as follows:

Rule Number One:  Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul.

Rule Number Two:  Love your neighbor (and your enemy) as yourself.

Note:  You must communicate rules 1 and 2 in action, not just in word and thought.  This requires dying to self.

If you are not a Christian, these rules may seem rigid, naïve, or even impossible, but if you are a Christ follower, you know that the rules are deeply rooted in grace, compassion, and devotion.  You don’t dismiss the rules.  You will sacrificially extend yourself to pesky people who disagree with you because you are obeying your Savior’s example.

These days, the word “Christian” has almost become an expletive to some.  It causes me to wonder — how well are we loving others?  Are we obeying the rules?  They will know we are Christians by our love.

Q4U:  Do you think “Christian” has become the “C word”?  How do you live out the call to love others as Christ loved?

My one-word focus for the year is “fruitilicious.”  Find out what that means here.

Joining like-minded sisters today at Faith-Filled Friday, Thought-Provoking Thursday, Tell His Story, Playdates with God, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday, and Soli Deo Gloria.

Upheld

“Behold, God is my Helper;

the Lord is the Upholder of my life.”

Psalms 95:4, ESV

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21 Words on Blossoming into Beauty

Fertilize your spirit with spiritual sustenance.

Water your soul from the fellowship well.

Weed out selfish thorns.

Stand in the Light.

Joining like-minded sisters at Thought-Provoking Thursday.

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A Healthy Diet

My hubby and I have decided to be more intentional about eating healthy.  No more take out.  Say goodbye to pulled pork with baked beans.  We will turn away from the gallons of cookies and cream and reject the Hershey bars.   French fries will be a thing of the past.  At the grocery store, my feet followed a firm path toward the produce section where I purchased a cart full of fresh fruit and veggies.  Hurray to spinach and blueberries!

My energy level revs up when I make healthy food choices.   My step is lighter, and my achy old body seems to gain a new lease on life.  The old saying “Garbage in; Garbage out” comes to mind — junky food produces a “junky me.”

Spiritually, the same principle holds true.  What am I feeding my soul and spirit?  Am I making choices that fill me up with healthy food?  The Apostle Peter addressed the need to make healthy choices in his epistle to the churches:

 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,

through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence,

by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises,

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,

and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control,

and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,

and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing,

they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Peter 1:3-8, ESV

A healthy spiritual diet increases my effectiveness and helps me to be more fruitilicious.  So, this week, I will cut back on the TV watching and spend less time surfing on the internet.  I will say goodbye to fleshy “junk food” and fill up on God’s Word, uplifting worship music, and spiritual sustenance.

Q4U:  How do you foster a healthy spiritual diet?

Joining like-minded sisters today at Faith-Filled Friday, Tell His Story, Playdates with God, Hear it on Sunday: Use it on Monday, and Soli Deo Gloria.

Covered

“You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word.”

Psalms 119.114, NKJV

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