Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Our Bodies a Temple?


Sorry, I am a little late posting today.
Today was the day for women's group and then it was time to hurry scurry to get some errands run. And now, I am home--that is until it is time to go back to church tonight.
Breathe in--breathe out.
Now that I have had my mini vacation-- I am ready to talk.

Don't you just love the picture with this post. Julia, has already claimed the girl in the purple so I guess I'll be the one in the red.
I love the women--they seems relaxed and confident. I don't think any of them are wondering if their rolls are showing or if someone is thinking their butt is too big.
I noticed their arms are linked--they are going somewhere together.
We need that--a group who are going where we are and they actually want to go with us. Do you have that? We need friends who know us and at the same time they want to be know by us.
I hope that is what took place yesterday.
Women all needing the same thing -to loose a little weight--and they want someone to walk that path with them.
More friends --how cool.
And you never know there might just be an opportunity for you to link arms with someone and arrive at your goals together. God is neat that way. We don't walk alone as His child, and sometimes He sends along a little someone extra to walk arm in arm with.
Today in group we were talking about the responsibility we have for this body God calls His temple. It is not ours according to 1 Corinthians. We gave it to God when we accepted salvation.
So-- how is the upkeep going on your temple?
Mine has been very sloppy lately.

In the old testament there were strict regulations concerning the upkeep of the temple and even the ones who were responsible for the upkeep of the temple.
Several months ago I came across a little history about the temple and how well it was taken care of and even how well it was protected. Protecting the temple? What an interesting thought.
There were actually priest assigned to the wall of the temple -set to watch for anyone or anything that would try to come in through the gate and dishonor or pollute the temple.
Can you imagine that?
Now fast forward 2000+ years to Sharon Brumfield--the new temple of the Holy Living God of this universe. It is my job as a priest of God to watch and be on guard for anything that would seek to destroy this temple. My job is the watch for things of this world that would try to sneak in through the eye gate. And for dishonorable stuff that would try and linger in the ear gate.
And you could through in the arms for what we touch, and the legs for where we go.

But, the most unguarded gate in my life right now is--- my mouth.
An unguarded heart started the problem.
You know, all those emotions that want to be eased by bowing down to a little food? And so I let that idol right on in to the temple of God--and then I bowed down! I played with it, and cried with it, and laughed with it. I even -for years carried it around with me on my body as a dearest friend. It told me what I could or could not wear. It told me I would not be accepted by others so I should just stick with it because it would never leave me or forsake me. Hmmmmm....sound familiar?
It has taken years that should have been filled with time at the pool or hiking with my husband or just knowing I am appealing to my hubby--and it told me that those times were nothing to be missed. But, I know different.
Like Rumpelstiltskin--I AM WAKING UP!
I don't want to bow to that little idol anymore. I want to shut the door in it's face and say, You are no longer welcome as my friend. I want to tell it---------Your place has been cleaned and the temple has a >NOT WELCOME< sign on the door.

So all you women who are the PRIESTS OF THE LIVING GOD-----it is time to clean house!

Remember that Jesus said, the love of money is the root of all evil?
Money is not evil---just the love of it.
Just so, you could say,the love of food is the root of all evil.
Food is not evil ---just the love of it.
So let's join arms and encourage each other to LOVE God and love others and let's stop loving something that when left out of the refrigerator is most likely to make you sick.

Does anybody out there need to clean their temple?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome post Sharon! There aren't very many comments today, but this is a tough subject. Don't take silence for people not agreeing. It is something that needs to be dealt with through conviction from the Lord and also obedience. When I first told someone that I believe that I was a glutton, they responded like I was crazy! It took me a long time to admit it to anyone, but I knew that it was my secret sin, although the tell-tale signs were there for everyone to see.

Good for you for obeying the Lord in this! ((( hugs ))) BTW, I like what you said yesterday about liking yourself -- I've been pondering that one all day. More later K?
D

Anonymous said...

P.S. I think I want to be the purple lady too! Most of all though, I want others to see Him in me! D

SunnySusan said...

I am the one in red !!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an excellent subject of which I have been studing alot lately...

I have been reading an excellect book
"The Great Physicaian's Rx for Health and Wellness" by Jordan Rubin.he is the same one who wrote The Makers Diet...never read that one

Anyway he goes thru all the OT passages about what not to eat and why.
I am now off pork, shrimp, scallops..any fish that does not have scales...
They were called unclean and still are...God has not changed.

I have also finally gotten it about not eating to an excess..because my body is the temple of God. I do and will fall, but get right back up and give myself to God again as a sacrifice...

I am not trying to sound self-rightgeous..I just some how now understand that food is NOT my comfort..Jesus is. Amen

As for the other parts of my templeI am always a work in progress....sanctification ya know

Halfmoon Girl said...

Awesome post- thanks for writing it. Reminds me of the premise of the Weighdown Diet- I ahave never done it myself, but I think you examine what you are turning too when what you need is emotional/spiritual- for a lot of Christian women, it seems to be food. I guess we view that as more acceptable than other choices. Something to think about next time we go to satisfy our hunger- Am I heart hungry instead?

Sharon Brumfield said...

Thanks for all your comments. This is such a huge area in my life where God has been asking me to bend my knee and so many times I have blatantly said---NO.
I would like to be able to say that it crushes my heart each time I do it but that would be a lie.
But when I refuse to acknowledge His right to have authority in my life--you can gaurantee their will be a price to pay for my rebellion. Not because He wants to have to punish me but because He loves me and wants the best for me.
How many times have we told our kids that before or after we have punished them? I am doing this because I love you.
I know He wants me to like me. Is He going to do what He needs to get me to that point? I believe the answer is-- yes.

Holly said...

Very very good...a good word, like apples of gold in settings of silver!

I always thought that I was wrongly protecting my heart from the hurts that have come my way...it's true...maybe if I have a little more weight, people won't notice me. I have been putting off what hinders, though and have so far lost 30 pounds. This Colorado air is doing some good, too! I have about 60 left (from children 1, 2 and 3.

Keep on spurring me, Sister Sharon!
Love,
Holly

Anonymous said...

i do. i'm with you.

A Captured Reflection said...

See my latest blog entry - tagged for 7 things. I have tagged you to, no pressure of course :-)

Masked Rabbit said...

Hey Sharon, great post and timely.
I do have some problems with food but have cut back. Losing weight is also about exercise and that is my biggest fall-down. I can't seem to get my butt up. Doesn't help that I work in an office but am now walking to work but there is so much more I need to be doing. It's the discipline thing.