Filtered

I love the changing of the filter/guard ceremony. I'm telling you, Richie can deliver one compelling "State of the Filter" address. Of course, maybe that's because he gets to write a new one every 30 days or so.

The other day one of the kids came in with skinned knees. I teased Richie: "Your son is bleeding. Haven't you changed the furnace filter?"

When I was a kid, the cure-all was vapo-rub. If you couldn't slime away your ailment, it probably wasn't curable. I was greased down so many times growing up I thought my parents had me confused with their Î68 Chevy. I'm almost sure they thought that with a vapo-lube I'd be good as new. At least they never tried to change my oil. Still, I can't imagine why, but there's something awfully comforting about sliding into bed (and I do mean sliding) with slime oozing out of your jammies. I don't know how I could've felt more protected from the symptoms of the ailment-du-jour.

God's Word protects our families that way, spiritually. My husband is even more conscientious about protecting our family with the filter of God's Word than he is about changing the furnace filter. Psalm 119:9-11 says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." (NIV)

God's Word acts as our sin filter. It helps keep our way pure. What's more, we can hide it away in our hearts and let it work to make purity a more natural way of life. Soothing vapors working their way into our hearts? Not exactly. But memorizing God's Word and meditating on it can make living for Christ happen about as naturally as breathing. We can't see his Word working on our hearts any more than we can see menthol/eucalyptus vapors. But that doesn't mean it's not working. Scripture is good for whatever ails us.

The Psalmist continues later in chapter 119: "Your commandments are what I depend on. Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever·I cherish your commandments-- oh, how I love them!-- relishing every fragment of your counsel." (The Message)

If you find yourself leaning toward sin, head for God's Word. You can depend on it. If it's athlete's foot or ring-around-the-collar, better check your furnace filter.

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Contributed by Rhonda Rhearrhea@juno.com
Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of other great Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. Her new book,Amusing Grace,is due out in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is pastor of First Baptist Church of Troy, Missouri. You can contact them through her Web site:www.rhondarhea.net