may I, poorer, richer be...

I Cor 10: 14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

18Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Today is our 22nd Anniversary.  I love this guy more now than I knew I could when we were all young and dewy eyed.

So why am I putting in a celebration in the middle of talking about idolatry?

Well, I was just thinking about being "one" with someone.

Some people say I'm totally missing out if I don't open myself to try any temptation comes my way.   I'm missing out on the glitz, the wealth, the applause.

Well, yeah.... I'm missing out.  I'm missing out on infidelity.  I'm missing out on lies.  I'm missing out on porn images sharing my bed.  I'm missing out on doubt.  I'm missing out on having to be perfect.  I'm missing out on wondering if he'll come home tonight.  I'm missing out on the debt from the purchase of toys to feed my insecurities.

So much for missing out.  :)

And this is my prayer, lately.

May I, poorer, richer be.

As far as idols go, there's this really important link to thanksgiving in today's verses.

Thanksgiving is the antidote for idolatry.

When I begin to give thanks for all the treasures on my plate, I see them for what they are - FAR MORE precious than what I would find anywhere else.  Sure, things can look sparkly from a distance, but they're just pop can tabs that cut bare feet when I get up close.

Jesus gave thanks when He offered up that last supper.

That's nuts, right?  I'd be hiding and begging and running.  But here He was, giving thanks when He was about to be martyred for people who were too stupid to get it.  But Jesus kept the real prize in his sight.  Something beyond the temporary fix.

Through thankful eyes, He could see refined gold.

Thanksgiving is the antidote for shortcuts that only lead to long term pain.

Thanksgiving is the antidote for grumbling.

Thanksgiving is the antidote for idolatry.

Thanksgiving is the antidote for immorality.

Thanksgiving is the doorway out of temptation.

Thanksgiving is how we respond to the meal He serves... Himself.

I am thankful for my husband.  He is a total gift I do not deserve.

©2015 Lydia D. Crouch