“Bell the Cat”

Just pretend Charlie is a cat. He’s so cute with his bell bowtie.

I am not very fond of cats. They are finicky and sometimes smell weird. Nevertheless, they are part of God’s creation. I do appreciate the allusion “Bell the Cat” because the proverbial cat has negativity associated with it, and the illusion of power. The cat may represent a life-controlling issue in one’s life. For the Christian, his enemy is like a lion, seeking who he may steal from, kill, or destroy.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

From the standpoint of a teensy mouse, stringing a bell around a cat’s neck is risky and daunting, but once done, not only will that mouse be warned when danger is near but her friends’ will also know. Too often, I have sat quietly, safe and complacent in the realm of my existence, when I’d do good to speak up for someone and against a wrongdoing, or even to simply label a negative feeling I was experiencing. Some silence seems innocent, like saving face when someone has hurt one’s feelings or tread on the waters of comfort, saying, “retreat further and maybe the issue will dissipate”. However, many a mother knows when her children are eerily quiet, they are ‘up to no good’. In a similar way, the pet peeves fostered in silence only grow more mischevous, robbing someone of joy and growth. The silence shackles and hinders resolution.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

When the bell is ringing, one knows it is time to fight or to run the other direction. But without any sound, you and those you love may be caught unawares and in danger. One might ask the question, “Do I lay down my pride in this life for a healing moment, for a bold, righteous statement that brings to light what others may assume or allude to in gossip, but never acknowledge directly.” For if a cancer is present, but the doctor never says a word, unbothered, it spreads and kills. Why not bother the cancer?

The most cherishable relationship the Christian has is with her family of believers. Yet, it seems conflict is more feared than losing the ties that bond our lifeline together. I am reading a book called “When Church Conflict Happens” by Michael Hare in which the author lays out common ways unaddressed conflict destroys churches. Avoiding conflict does not solve anything but compounds the very issues presenting, until silence cannot be kept any longer. So, who will ‘bell the cat’ before a massacre happens? Love is hindered when one is silent about life-controlling issues. God certainly is not silent about when He is not pleased with us, yet He still loves us.

My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof,for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. - Proverbs 3:11-12

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogantor rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Silence is usually a defense mechanism or a habit passed down or encouraged by those around us. The Word of God goes contrary to our habits and comfort zones. How does sitting in silence become unloving? Does resentment look like passive-aggressive behavior? Does silence foster a pattern wrongdoing in one’s life? One who passes time in resentment or fear, in their silence, refuses to bear the worthwhile burdens attached to loving people and instead engages in burdens entangled in sin & death.

Brothers,  if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. - Colossians 3:12-14

I love how Colossians 3:12 parallels 1 Corinthians 13 so well. The themes are to reject resentment, selfishness, and pride, instead take on forgiveness, compassion, kindness, humility, and patience. Love is fruitful and not silent, it rejoices in truth. Imagine if people spoke up for the truth in love and gave witness to not only the joys of love but the burdens we also gladly bear for each other (Ephesians 4:15).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3

Remember how Christ has found joy in loving us in the most difficult way! He died loving me and you. Christ exemplified how to ‘bell the cat’ when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Have you been drowning in a situation by keeping silence, when perhaps you need to tackle it by speaking the truth of God in love?

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7

Enjoy a song I wrote called “Facing Lions”:

Facing Lions

Think fast fix your eyes on the goal til the end
The devil prowls around, seeking whom he may devour
Stand firm, soon you will learn the world's not your friend
Hold ground don't give up the fight
You're called to be a light

Here I stand in this jungle facing lions 
Who threaten all I believe 
Because I decided ... I won't hide it
Your kingdom is important to me

Fall flat face on the ground this life's not your own
Keep safe His Word in your heart, be careful never depart
Seek first the kingdom of God, He sits on the throne
Speak up and don't wait around, one day you'll give an account

Here I stand in this jungle facing lions 
Who threaten all I believe 
Because I decided ... I won't hide it
Your kingdom is important to me

I will rise on wings like eagles
soar above the lion's roar
with your Spirit, conquer evil
for Your hand has won the war

Here I stand in this jungle facing lions 
Who threaten all I believe 
Because I decided ... I won't hide it
Your kingdom is important

Here I stand in this jungle facing lions 
Who threaten all I believe 
Because I decided ... I won't hide it
Your kingdom is important to me
©2021 Copyright Gianna Elyse Carrasco

Love,
Gianna Elyse

Starry Skys: A Memorial

Sometimes, I wake up in the early morning, and walk outside to a silent, starry sky. A peace washes over me as I breathe in deep the cool of the shaded morning. I say “thank you God,” because He has given a special memory for the stars to hold. A promise was given to Abram (later called Abraham by God in Genesis 17), that he would have many descendents, and the whole world would be blessed through him (Genesis 18:18).

He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars —if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” 

- Genesis 15:5-8

I relate to Abram because there are times I have to be reminded, away from the noise of the worldly opinions… reminded that God can make innumerable amounts of stars, and people, thus so infinite is His power and sovereignty in my life. He will accomplish all He set out to accomplish in me, as He washes me and sanctifies me with His Word, and then sends me out with His Word (Psalm 138:8; Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 2:10, 5:25-27; Philippians 1:6).

I appreciate Abram asking, but Lord….How?

When I wonder, “But God, how will you use me?” He says… “look at the stars”…

He who created the heavens, considers me so precious and His thoughts are so numerous and intentional concerning me (Psalm 139:16-18). So I say, “Thank you God…and I trust you… lead me and guide me.”

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. - Psalm 8:3-5

When I look at the stars, I feel hope and confidence.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. - Hebrews 11:1

Blessings,

Gianna Elyse

#bloganuary2022

Psalm 1: The Fruitful Tree

Bloganuary Prompt

Describe yourself as a tree.

Blessed am I, as I do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but my delight is in the law of the Lord, and I meditate on his law day and night.

I am like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever I do prospers

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

(Paraphrased from Psalm 1:1-6)

A tree… which yields its fruit in season. The trees look dead at the moment, because of the harsh winter, but they stand the test of time, and will bud once again. So it is with me. During the harsh winter, I will stand the test of time, as I plant myself in the Word of God, Jesus Christ; God is watching over me, and the Holy Spirit guides and comforts me.

This song was on my mind as I wrote this post, the lyrics written from Psalm 1.

Blessings,

Gianna Elyse

#bloganuary2022

Pulling Weeds

Pulling Weeds by Gianna Elyse


Sitting on the sidewalk 
Watching birds find their purpose
I just wanna reach the surface
To breath
So I'm waiting on the sidewalk
Pulling Weeds

I was made to fly 
Much like a sparrow
Mocked in the spotlight
With no strength to fight
I know where to borrow
Pulling weeds at midnight

Shuffles on the sidewalk
Strangers' feet are hurried
I can taste the dust as they talk
They can't  see I'm  drowning
I look up

I was made to fly 
Much like a sparrow
Mocked in the spotlight
With no strength to fight
I know where to borrow
Pulling weeds at midnight

Ooh...


Copyright © 2021 by Gianna Elyse Carrasco

Bloganuary

Where do you go when you need solitude?

Solitude can feel painful, because so many fail to master it. My solitude is found in Jesus Christ. I love to walk in nature, because I feel close to Him, as it all points to a magnificent Creator (Romans 1:20). And when I do not read and apply His Word to my life, then I am failing to find solitude (James 1:22). Prayer is also an important aspect of solitude, as it expresses reliance and trust in God through every circumstance, because “Nothing of eternal significance happens apart from prayer” Jerry Falwell Sr.

In Hebrews 4, the rest that believers have in God is considered in greater detail.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/hebrews/4.html

Verse 16 says: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

When I fail to find solitude, things like envy and depression seep in. The scripture rings true: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

Jesus said: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” John 15:4

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:9-11

And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:4

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

I am late again. 🤷🏾‍♀️ #bloganuary2022