I don’t know about you, but I drink everything through a straw. I prefer the strong unbendable plastic ones, I use them to drink my iced tea, water and sodas. My husband always has a chocolate shake at In n Out, and no paper straw is going to endure the thickness of that drink.

I understand the importance of being green, and will do my due diligence to comply with Mother Earth. So now why do we need to use metal or glass straws? When and how did that happen? I find this to be intrusive, and unsanitary, and cleaning a straw uses up water, right? And aside from that, we’re going to need a special tool for cleaning!

The thing that bothers me most is how corporate America has gotten all up in the business of doing the right thing for all the wrong reasons. Starbucks announced that they were doing away with plastic straws, but don’t worry, they will sell you an environmentally safe straw. Aren’t the lids from their coffee made of plastic? I never purchase coffee from this establishment for two reasons: they are hypocrites, and their products are way too expensive. College students should consider using the money wasted on a Frappuccino to pay for a large portion of their tuition. I am grateful for one thing, though, that at any time anyone can use their facility without making a purchase. I do praise God for that.

I know, I know…the terrible plight of the sea turtle that suffered the unfortunate fate of a straw stuck up its nostril. I watched the video and prayed for a successful outcome. I honestly breathed a sigh of relief when the the last particle of the straw was extracted. I’m an animal lover and do my part in contributing to the betterment of their health.

Psalm 95:5 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land.

I once saved a bee from drowning in my pool. No video, but It really did happen. I noticed a lifeless bee while I was swimming laps, so cupped my hands to remove its body from the water, and much to my amazement, the bee showed a sign of life. I gently placed it at the edge of the pool and continued with my laps. I kept a close eye on the waterlogged insect, and with each lap the little guy was drying out. At one point, I thought I was going to have to put him out of his misery because one of wings was missing. Turns out that the wing was still drying and stuck to its body. The strong-willed little creature mustered enough strength to live. Finally, after about a half an hour, the bee flew away. Since that day I feel that no bee will ever sting me because I am a bee whisperer.

In California we have to adjust to many new laws each year, and last year we were forced to purchase our plastic bags whenever we go grocery shopping. This was a huge problem for me because I really recycle bags, I use them for cleaning the litter box and most importantly, for packing lunches for the homeless. It totally messed up my system. I rarely bring a bag with me when going to the grocery store because I need the bags, so every time I go to Ralphs or Sprouts, I pay the extra ten cents for more bags. Sure, I have plenty of those fancier bags from companies promoting their goods, but if I bring my groceries in from the car, I do not want to walk back to the car to put the bags back into the trunk. That drives me crazy!

I will use plastic straws responsibly until they are no longer in existence. I never litter! As a matter of fact that is my biggest pet peeve!

Are we such a terrible human race that is out to destroy the world? No! So stop teaching our kids that nonsense. Teach them first to love God, and then teach them to become responsible, in the caring of Mother Earth. Don’t turn them into militant mini green people; they already are so confused about all the other useless stuff we throw their way.

The City of Orange provides a huge recycling bin for our personal use. Not everything goes into the landfills; we sit on recycled park benches, and use recycled toilet paper. Little by little we are making an effort to improve our environment. We are working toward mulching every possible piece of trash for the purpose of cleaning up our planet.

The poor plastic straw will be extinct, because according to scientists, it takes over 400 years to decompose. To the average person, this has “Fake news” written all over it. We can’t say, “Another one bites the dust,” because these straws will outlive us by many generations.

Soon I will no longer be able to say, “May I please have a straw with my drink? Otherwise all the ice will hit my face.”

Numbers 35:33-34 New King James Version (NKJV)

³³ So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. ³⁴ Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the Lord dwell among the children of Israel.’ ”

This week we are entering the holy season of Lent. For 40 days we are to prepare our minds, bodies and spirit to draw closer to God. The number 40 appears in the Bible over 140 times. The rain that God brought down to destroy all living creatures in the Book of Genesis lasted 40 days and nights, The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, and Moses stayed on Mount Sinai in the presence of God, are a few examples of 40 days. Moses is a great lesson of what 40 days represents.

When Moses went up to Mount Sinai, he was there for 40 days and forty nights. The mountain top was billowing with smoke, the earth was shaking, the skies were thundering, all because of the presence of God. The Israelites witnessed this cataclysmic event, and were terrified. Imagine beholding this supernatural event, to see and smell the mountain filled with smoke, to feel the earthquake, to hear the rumbling of the loud thunder and still not understand the presence of God?

Exodus 34:27-28 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” ²⁸ So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Why did the Israelites not discern this? The main reason is that they were spiritually inept and unequally yoked with the Spirit of God. They grew impatient with Moses, and took matters into their own hands. Together, with Aaron (Moses’ brother) they did the unthinkable, and molded a golden calf. Aaron, the same man that God used to come alongside his brother, caved into the demands of the masses.

There is a strong correlation between the Israelites and people of today. We’ve become the ones waiting impatiently at the bottom of the mountain. We no longer want to hear from God, so we take matters into our own hands. The golden calves are springing up everywhere in the hearts of the disillusioned. We fail to see the hand of God because we’ve become complacent. Remember, Moses was on Mount Sinai because God had entrusted him with the Ten Commandments. The 40 days that Moses was in the presence of God was mighty, so much so that when he came down from the mountain, his countenance was radiant because of the glory of God.

Exodus 34:35 New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵ And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

Each year the Lord graciously allows us a period of 40 days to reexamine our lives. These 40 days are set aside to reflect on our inward self. This is a time to purge ourselves of the things of the world. This is a time for conversion, a time to pray, fast, and to give of yourself to others.

Praying is time set aside to be with God. If you do not pray on a regular basis, you can start with just 15 minutes of quiet time with the Lord. Talk to Him as if you were speaking to your best friend. Read the Bible, you can start with Proverbs. One Proverb a day is just enough to keep going back for more. Proverbs are rich in instruction for everyday living.

Fasting: years ago I could fast for as long as 10 days. Those days are long gone, but this year I am going to fast by offering up one meal a day. Fasting is a not only ridding your body of toxins, it is also clearing your mind of all that clutters and keeps you from focusing on God. Fasting, along with prayer, will help you attain a newness within your spirit because this is a true sacrifice.

Almsgiving, or giving of yourself, is allowing the Holy Spirit to not only move on you but to bless others by giving your time unselfishly. With our busy schedules, you can plan to do something to help those in need. Sometimes the Lord calls us to give money to a cause close to your heart. 

Philippians 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

This is one of my favorite passages from the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in prison in Rome. These are simple instructions on how to grow spiritually with a foundation of love. Paul uses Jesus as the model for humility and selfless love. Paul also uses himself as an example of how to endure through trials and challenges.

Paul’s words are a perfect recipe for living a loving Christian life. He starts with whatever is true. In this world of deception, we must always look for truth. Truth is the first ingredient because we must all operate in truth.

The word truth appears in the Bible approximately 237 times, depending on what Bible you use.

Whatever things are noble. There is no substitute to Christ, this is a lifestyle that Paul is trying to get across. To be noble is to recognize the dignity of being part of God’s creation. To be a child of God is of great nobility. if we do not recognize the nobility of ourselves and others, we are falling short on how to treat others.

“But we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

 Whatever things are just is relying on your conscience to filter out thoughts that are not Christlike. Self-discipline includes choosing words that are seasoned with love.

Whoever things are pure is to see people through the eyes of Christ. We must put into practice moral virtue, to understand how Jesus lived his life, as a perfect example of virtue. Jesus was the first liberator of women, always respecting their positions in life and giving them honor, and restoring their faith without question.

Whatever things are lovely is to find the beauty that God sees in every area of creation, especially human beings, because we are made in his image.

Whatever things are of good report is to share the Good News of the Word of God. To encourage those who are hurting with loving words. Do not attend pity parties, because the celebration is meant to bring you down too. You should instead become the friend that brings good news.

It does not matter how bad things may appear; if we learn to meditate on this passage, the circumstances will change for the better.

Purge yourself of all that is not of God; all negative things must go. Press through, and slowly the Holy Spirit will manifest. We must clear our minds to make room for God. It is there where He will meet you. Go into the Holy of Holies in your prayer closet. What do I mean by this? In the Old Testament only the Jewish high priests were allowed to enter the most holy place. When Jesus died on the Cross the curtains from the Holy of Holies were torn in two, and now we have access to these holy things.

Ask God to lead you there, and don’t stay in the outer courts, where you can only receive a partial blessing. Seek Him until you feel His holy presence.

This is a powerful experience, but it takes discipline and perseverance. This type of growth is developed when the Lord recognizes that you are ready to eat this holy meat.

Whenever the Lord opens a new door, the enemy is right there, to distract us from going further. It could be an argument with a loved one, an illness, or anything to take your eyes off God. Remember what Peter experienced when he took his eyes off God. Peter fell into the water, in a instant, a thought of distrust took him down, and yet he was an apostle. If Peter can be distracted where does that leave us?

²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:29-30 NKJ

This Valentine’s Day I pray for Jesus to fill your heart with the true love that is noble, just, pure and lovely…give your heart to Jesus, He will never break it!