Living in a Coco Puff World

I was talking to a friend the other day and we got on the subject of a congregation we both use to attend. On the outside, it was a happening place. Worship was more than good, the messages hit home and fed the soul. But evidently, things were going on behind the scenes that weren't so G~dly.

This got me thinking. Is what looks good on the outside, sounds good to the ear and even seems spiritual because we've learned to accept what we hear, distorting the Truth?  Are we so used to comparing our experiences by the latest trend - what seems to be working and drawing the crowds, or by the tried and true? Is the latest book, or person going viral on youtube  giving us the heart of G~d? Do we merely except what we hear or read, just because someone begins with a passionate prayer for G~d to only let them say or do what He wants them to say or do? Where do their own desires and agenda cloud what they think G~d is telling them? 

 If we looked behind the scenes, what would we see? Do the impassioned prayers for G~d's will follow with His Word being observed and taught? Have we become enamored with the big, bright and bold and lost sight of the still, small and enduring?
Would we rather read a book, or see a video by the little old lady who seems to have no amazing stories to tell, but spends her time loving her children and grandchildren and teaches them the simple commands of G~d? Who prays behind closed doors where no one but G~d sees or hears? Or, would we rather invest our time in someone who has a mega platform and draws the crowds?
Am I saying all mega ministries, or congregations are bad? Absolutely not. But what I am saying is this-
Sometimes  bigger is not better. Just because it seems that "G~d is moving", doesn't mean He is. Sometimes, we people can mimic the spiritual and manipulate the crowd to do and see anything we want. And unless we are people of the Book, we'll be snookered.  We must be like a group of people spoken of in  Acts 17 - " As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.  Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."  They had the right idea. No matter what they heard about Saul and what he told them, they went to the Truth and checked it out for themselves.
It is so sad - there are a lot of teachings making the scene today that sound so good, look inviting and are being spread by impassioned people, but when they are examined under the microscope of the Scriptures, they prove not only wrong, but damaging.
It's like this. We see the big bowl of coco puffs with that chocolaty milk beckoning us. 

Or, would you rather have this:

God Told Me

I worry when someone begins a sentence with, "G~d told me..." Little red flags start flapping in the breeze.
Now, don't get me wrong. G~d does speak. Volumes. In fact, He took the time to spell out who He is and who He expects us to be in scripture. We have more than we can keep up with.
And yes, He does speak through dreams, visions, insights, inspirations, His creation. 
G~d can use any and every way He wants to communicate with us.
So - the problem is not with Him.
We're the ones who have trouble and get into trouble.
Many times, when someone announces that G~d told them something, they think it's an amazing revelation for ... someone else. They begin with, "G~d told me that you ___________. Then they proceed to tell you what G~d told them about you. It can get pretty uncomfortable and down right creepy at times. 
I'm brought back to the scripture in John 21 -
   
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Yeshua loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Yeshua at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22Yeshua  answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

So I guess my question is this - are we spending too much time trying to hear from G~d for everyone else and not enough time listening to what He wants to say about our own lives?
If we really heard from G~d, would He tell us, "they are none of your business, you just follow Me"?
Just wondering. Anyone else think about this?

A Sukkah in My Backyard

My backyard neighbor is no doubt rolling her eyes. From her perspective, all she sees are four colorful sheets flapping in the breeze. What's wrong with that, you say? Well, they aren't on my clothesline. They're draped around our back porch.

As I look out from my back door, however, I see something much different. I see a table and chairs, a porch swing and festive tinsel sparkling in the sunlight. My back porch has been transformed into a sukkah.
For eight nights here in the US I partake in the festival of Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles. It's like a campout.
Since it's just hubby and I, and he works late during this time of year, it's a quiet affair. We eat our dinner in our sukkah. Because we share our backyard with critters - skunks, racoons, possums and such, it's not a good idea to sleep outside. I don't mind a kitty at my feet, but a pole kitty? Nope.
Now if we were in Israel, it would be a whole different story.

I love being there during this time of the year. During the day in the Old City of Jerusalem, kids are making and selling cotton candy, small bands of musicians are singing, people are dancing. Celebration is everywhere.
In cities and towns all over the land, sukkot are shining with twinkle lights, children are singing, people are carrying large pots of food to their neighbor's booths. Its considered a great blessing to share your hospitality with others, especially strangers.
I miss being part of a close knit community. Where I live, everyone keeps to themselves. Everyone is busy. No one would dare to show up unannounced at someone's house, even with a big pot of food. We just don't do that.
All that said, I am enjoying my sukkah. It's cozy and inviting. I love sitting in the glow of a small lamp, listening to the evening quiet, sharing dinner with my husband. It's simple.
My gift to you this Sukkot is a blessing and a song ~

Ba-ruch a-ta Adonai, Eh-lo-hei-nu

Meh-lech ha-olam,

she-heh-kheh-ya-nu v’kee-yeh-mah-nu
v’hee-gee-ah-nu lah-z’mahn ha-zeh.

We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, for giving us life, for sustaining us and for enabling us to reach this season.