All Things Work Together for Good: Grief, Pain, and Romans 8:28

All things work together for good. -Romans 8:28 

I was listening to a podcast with an Italian olive grower and the host asked this question that you could tell the grower thought was incredibly stupid. They had been talking about famously cold winters in years past that had damaged and killed many of his trees, the host asked if it was sustainable to keep growing olives on the outer limits of their temperature capacity. Wouldn't it be better for the olives to be in a warmer climate so they would never be damaged by the cold? Wouldn't it be better if nothing bad ever happened to the trees?

His answer was something like, "Of course it's hard on the trees. They are pushed to their absolute limits because as a gardener, I know they do better if they suffer. Suffering yields good fruit."

That really took me by surprise for a second, but of course it's true. In gardening it's important for plants to suffer or be uncomfortable or to be pruned so that they can be at their absolute best. Being stretched and pushed beyond their limits of comfort is what yields good fruit. Having a winter that is so cold that some branches and trees are lost, means more and better olives down the road. Maybe you won't see that return the very next year, or even for several years, but eventually there is no denying that the fruit is tastier and more abundant.

Are you thinking of John 15? That's where the Messiah told us that we are vines, and his Father is the gardener who prunes good branches so that they bear even more fruit, and he takes away the unfruitful parts. YHWH uses the natural to show us how things work spiritually. And in the natural, those uncomfortable, even painful, challenges are what bring forth the best fruit.

Have there been any suffering or trying circumstances in your life lately? Have you lost a loved one? Were you laid off from your job? Are you facing health challenges or strained relationships? Do you deal with anxiety or have you been stressed out by current events? While I am sincerely sorry for any pain you are in, the good news is that this will yield more fruit if we let it.

Now please hear me: I don't believe that YHWH is sitting up in Heaven passing out disease or starvation or death or abuse because that's what he wants. We live in a broken world and many things happen that are not his desire or best. He doesn't say that bad things won't happen to us but he does promise to use them for our good. And this suffering brings fruit.

As a gardener myself I cannot wish hardship on my plants. It is painful to me to see them suffering from the weather, animal encroachment, a fungus or whatnot. Ironically I spend a fair amount of time in the summer worrying if my tomato plants have enough water - when I know a bit of a drought will force them to take root. They will produce sweeter and tastier tomatoes if they lack water for a time. The plant will be stronger and more resistant to storms and disease. Because that physical challenge and discomfort yields fruit.

How many times have I as a plant or vine wished for a whole lot less suffering? Can you see me? I need water. Get these bugs off. It's too cold here! Doesn't the gardener care? I long for those temperate climates where I am comfortable all the time. I don't want to have to wonder when my provision will show up. 

YHWH is a gardener who wants good fruit. And he is skilled, and knows how to bring that out in us. What if we stopped looking at that verse in Romans like "All things work together for good in spite of the hard times," and more like, "All things work together for good, even because of the hard things"? I can't say that I am excited for pain and trials and the frustrations of life, but I am thankful that when those times come they will be an opportunity for growth and producing the very best kinds of fruit. What if we looked at those places of pain in our lives as the starting point for his amazing healing work in us? What if we were able to use the injustices we have experienced to help someone going through something similar? When we are pushed beyond our limits by life, let that bring out the very best fruits in us. 

So if you are like those olive trees who are hurting from the cold, know that you can survive this and even come out better for it. If you are in a painful season of pruning, know that your branches will become stronger for it. If you are recovering from a cold-snap or lack of water know that eventually you will produce fruit again. All these things will work together for your good.

"For this slight momentary pressure is working for us a far more exceeding and everlasting weight of esteem." -2 Corinthians 4:17

More:

When YHWH Keeps You

How Scripture Says to Handle Anxiety

Biblically Clean Meal Ideas

Are you new to Biblically clean eating and not really sure what meals should look like? Or maybe you've been doing this for a while and feel like you're stuck in a recipe rut? Find inspiration here! I'm sharing recipes for Biblically clean meals today. Most of these include meat or fish - because many of you have shared that you have a meat-and-potatoes family and I wanted to show that it's possible to Biblically clean and still consume plenty of meat if you wish. If you're looking for more vegetarian recipes see this post.

Hawaiian Chicken Tacos from Pinch of Yum

Instant Pot Pot Roast from Pinch of Yum

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas from How Sweet Eats

Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas from Cookie and Kate

Spicy Baked Fish Tacos from Minimalist Baker

One Skillet Greek Sundried Tomato Chicken and Farro from Half Baked Harvest

Jalapeno Lime Chicken Soup from Pinch of Yum

Sicilian Style Salmon with Brococli and Tomatoes from Half Baked Harvest

Loaded Veggie Nachos from Cookie and Kate

Mexican Shredded Chicken from Minimalist Baker

Parchment Baked Lemon Salmon and Potatoes with Yogurt Dill Sauce from Half Baked Harvest

Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Florentine Pasta from Pinch of Yum

Weeknight Sticky Ginger Sesame Chicken Meatballs from Half Baked Harvest

Garlic Basil Whitefish Skillet with Tomato Butter Sauce from Pinch of Yum

Slow Cooker Turkey and White Bean Chili from Half Baked Harvest

Please know that all of the recipes I share here, whether for the Sabbath or Passover or whatever else are of course Biblically clean and can be enjoyed whenever you like!

Related posts:

How To Eat Biblically Clean - this post is a practical guide to changing your diet.

Biblically Clean Slow Cooker Recipes

Tacos That are Biblically Clean
Biblically Clean Summer Salads

Sharing Your Faith When Someone Wishes You Merry Christmas

When you don't celebrate Christmas it can be more than a little awkward to get "Merry Christmas" wishes multiple times a day. How can we best handle these sentiments? What are ways we can speak truth in a brief exchange at the checkout counter? How can we share our faith with coworkers and neighbors without jumping on the soapbox and having their defenses go up?

Many of you asked how I respond when someone says this to me. This is certainly not an exhaustive list of ideas, just a few things I find myself repeating at this time of year. Remind yourself that if someone wishes you a merry Christmas, or asks about your plans for the holiday, they probably sincerely mean well. You can respond with kindness without reverting to their words or even a "you too!" as you slip out the door. 

Simple phrases to respond with:

"Have a good day/weekend/vacation!" 

"Thank you for your kind wishes."

"I hope you have a nice time with your family."

"That's so kind of you to say! I actually don't celebrate Christmas but I appreciate the thought."

"I haven't celebrated Christmas for a few years now, so I don't really have any plans for the day. It's nice to not have the stress of shopping for gifts!"

"We decided to start celebrating the Biblical holidays in place of the cultural, so we haven't participated in Christmas activities for several years."

"I have felt God calling me to step back from the manmade holiday of Christmas. It's been an interesting journey and I'd love to tell you more about it sometime if you're interested."

"I don't celebrate Christmas anymore. I used to and totally get why you do. It's been quite a change but I feel like my faith has really grown because of it."

Of course, these are just ideas and phrases I use and you can customize them to fit your circumstances. It's not uncommon for me to use a couple at a time either. Usually I try to keep the tone of the conversation pretty upbeat. That's one reason I like to mention something that I enjoy about not celebrating Christmas - that my faith has grown or that I'm free from the stress of the holiday season. 

I'd also encourage you to be honest and real with whoever you're talking to. Admitting that stepping away from Christmas was difficult can go a long way with the people who put their tree up in October and don't take it down until February. Hearing that you had conviction - and acted on that past the point of convenience and comfort - definitely gives the people in your life something to think about. It's nice to have a little more time to talk when you delve into this perspective, but that said you can certainly quickly convey the idea of "It has been hard, but it's really been worth it!"

Sharing sentiments like these is an invitation for the hearer to evaluate their own actions, and the concept of Christmas in general. Many people truly do not realize that Christmas is not a Biblical holiday, and won't unless someone can give them a gentle nudge. Remember that it's not your job to explain all the details or to convince someone that Christmas isn't YHWH's best for them. It's our job to plant seeds, and sharing our faith like this is one way we can do that.

More on Christmas:
Five Things Every Believer Should Know About Christmas
Quitting Christmas
The Christmas Question
The Hebrew's Guide to Getting Through December

How to Eat Biblically Clean

You've decided you want to start eating the way that Scripture instructs, now where do you begin? Today I want to talk you through the practical side of how you can eat a diet that is Biblically clean.

What is Biblically clean eating?
If you're not familiar with what Biblically clean eating is then see this post. It's not complicated, it's just making sure we don't consume animals that the Bible calls unclean, such as pigs, shellfish, and fish that don't have fins or scales. On a Biblically clean diet you are free to consume clean meats such as beef, lamb, chicken, and fish with fins and scales, as well as all vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, herbs, nuts, eggs, and dairy products.

Once you are familiar with what foods are considered Biblically clean (really Scripture only calls clean things food - it never refers to pigs, etc. as "food"), it's time to clear the unclean things out of your kitchen, and make a game plan for avoiding them in the future.

Clean out your kitchen.
Go through your refrigerator, pantry, and freezer and look for any products containing unclean animals. This means everything from pork chops and catfish to pepperoni on a frozen pizza or a jar of oyster sauce to a can of pork and beans. Then get rid of these items! Set yourself up for success by getting these things out of your kitchen, and only stocking foods that are Biblically clean.

If you share a kitchen:
If your spouse or roommates or parents are not onboard with Biblically clean eating, then you might not have full control of the kitchen and pantry. In that case, do what you can. Clean out what is yours. Maybe you could designate cupboards or shelves in the fridge that are just for your foods or theirs. You are not obligated to cook or eat meals with unclean things. I know a couple that makes two different sauces each time they have spaghetti. One with pork sausage and one without. If your spouse, parent, or roommate wants to eat something unclean that is their choice, and they can make and purchase those things, but you don't have to be involved in that. You can prepare clean meals, or stick to the clean parts of the meal if someone else cooks.

That said, if it's your kitchen and others in the household aren't on board I don't think you should have to compromise. If you are the homeowner or parent or otherwise in charge, then it's up to you to set the rules for your house. You don't have to let ham or other things forbidden by Scripture live in your fridge or home. Clearly and kindly explain the ground rules for the household. 

Make a plan for moving forward.
How are these changes going to affect you? Depending on what your diet was like before, you may have a lot of adjusting to do. You'll want to find alternatives for products you'll no longer be using and things you especially enjoyed. Did you cook with lard before? You'll want to stock up on olive oil or butter so you can use that instead. Can you start using chicken sausage instead of pork sausage? Do you need to break an addiction to bacon? Consider if going cold-turkey would be best for you, or if trying Biblically clean alternatives would be a better fit. 

While trying substitutes and new things can be fun, I would also make it a point to turn to recipes and snacks that you already enjoy that are Biblically clean. If it helps, make a list of favorites to turn to when cravings kick in or you're not sure what to do for dinner.

Consider how you will handle meals with others.
It's one thing when you're the one making dinner or ordering takeout. It can be quite another when you're invited to someone else's for a meal. How can you follow Scripture's instructions for eating when you're not in charge of the menu? 

You'll want to politely let your host know of your dietary changes. A sentence like, "I'd love to come, but I have to let you know that my diet has changed and there are certain things I don't eat anymore." Or, "I've always loved your barbecue, but my diet has changed. Is there anyway we could do chicken or beef instead? I'd be happy to buy the meat." Offering to chip in and bring part of the meal is always thoughtful, or in some cases you might be better off suggesting going out for dinner or inviting them to your house instead.

Or what if your grandma serves ham at every family get together? Make a game plan that works for you. You could go and plan to just skip the ham and make a meal of the side dishes. Or you could offer to make and bring chicken or roast beef. If you're attending a potluck, take Biblically clean things that you will enjoy eating. If nothing else, you can enjoy the dishes you brought and share a meal with friends and family.

Does your office buy pepperoni pizza every Friday? You can see if they'd order another kind for you, or you could start packing your lunch.

Whatever the situations you may find yourself in: your meals are your responsibility. While some family and friends might be accommodating, it is not the job of everyone else to adjust to your new diet. Come up with your own plan; that could be taking several dishes to a dinner party or paying for your own pizza. That could be sticking to eating side dishes at a barbecue or suggesting a restaurant that you enjoy for lunch with a friend.

Change what you buy.
Don't bring home unclean products anymore! Learn to read labels. Get in the habit of looking at the ingredients list for everything you buy at the grocery store. If you don't know what an ingredient is then don't buy it. If you're buying hot dogs or a similar product make sure they're all beef. Watch out for things like lard in refried beans, and gelatin (which is mostly pork-based) which often shows up in yogurt and marshmallows. 

I know that there can be a lot of weird ingredients in processed foods at the store. If it's overwhelming to figure out what everything is, stick to buying basic whole ingredients (fruit and veggies, rice, lentils, butter, flour, oats, greens, canned beans, etc.), and processed foods made with just a few recognizable ingredients. 

Kosher certification labels can be helpful. Common symbols for kosher certification are a K inside a circle or Torah scroll, or a U inside a circle. If a product is kosher certified it means that there are no unclean animals or byproducts of unclean animals in that product. Keep in mind that there are some differences between eating Biblically clean and eating kosher. 

Biblically clean versus certified kosher.

These are the same, right? Well, not exactly.

Biblically clean means you follow Scripture's instructions about eating. Kosher means you adhere to Jewish dietary laws. These are similar, but you should be aware of a few differences. Jewish law has some added rules, as well as different interpretations to keep in mind. I don't say that to be disrespectful, but we need to be aware of the choices we make about what we eat.

For example, the Bible does not say that a rabbi must be involved in the making of grape juice or wine for it to be acceptable, but kosher law does. By this standard, the wine that the Messiah made from water would not have been "kosher"!

Another added kosher rule would be that milk and meat products need to be separated from each other, even in the refrigerator. Kosher law also stipulates that you must wait several hours after eating meat before eating something with dairy. That is not something the Bible says. Exodus 23:19 says not to boil a goat in its mothers milk. And that's it. Obviously this can be interpreted many different ways, and I'm not here to tell you which interpretation is "right." Search the Scripture for yourself and don't lay unnecessary stumbling blocks in front of someone who is working to follow Scripture's instructions.

Consider why a product is or is not certified kosher before accepting it or ruling it out. Is there shellfish in it? Was the blood not drained from the beef? Was it made by a local company that might not have the customer base to justify the expense of kosher certification? If a food product's only ingredients are Biblically clean, and it's made by a small company I don't see why that isn't fit for consumption. If it's marked as vegetarian or vegan that's added reassurance. You can also feel free to contact the company and ask questions if you're unsure. In an age of food allergies and special diets, most companies are used to inquiries like this and have information to share. However, if it's a large company that sells a lot of certified kosher products, and they have one that is not marked as kosher there is probably a reason, and it would be best to avoid that product.

Again, I'm not saying kosher certification is bad, we just need to keep in mind that it's a little bit different. A kosher stamp on a product is a good start, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's a healthy choice, humanely raised, GE/GMO free, fair trade, or organic. Something to be aware of if those qualities are important to you!

Sharing with others.
Pray about how you can best communicate your new dietary choices with others. Work to do so in a way that is gentle and kind, and not demanding or boastful. I find that if I just share that I feel like YHWH has called me to this lifestyle, people are more accepting and less defensive.

If anyone asks or tries to debate, I recommend sticking with a simple "I'm doing this because it's what Scripture says," rather than diving into a debate about how bad pork is for you or whatever. While I have no doubt that there are real benefits to following Scripture's instructions (about food, the Sabbath, and everything else), I don't do these things for the benefits. I live this way because I want to do my best to honor the Creator by following his word.

A few reminders:

-Biblically clean eating is not necessarily associated with other 'clean' diets out there. Many of those permit shellfish or things otherwise forbidden by Scripture. So keep in mind that when you see some sort of clean eating meal plan it isn't necessarily the same as Biblically clean.

-Avoiding blood (even from clean animals) is an important part of Scripture's instructions about how we eat. While it's easy to see blood in chicken, turkey, and fish (because it's red), it can be harder with meats like beef and lamb. People deal with this differently - some salt their meat to draw out the blood, others cook it to well-done, others purchase only Kosher-certified meat, or ask questions about how animals are processed at local butcher shops. I'm not going to tell you how to do this, but I encourage you to consider this and pray about it.

-During the Feast of Unleavened Bread we are not to eat leavened bread, which is bread made with yeast or otherwise fermented with a sourdough starter, etc. It's just for one week and it's a special part of one of the set-apart times. You can learn more about that here.

-A Biblically clean diet is not necessarily synonymous with a healthy diet. You can eat sweets, deep fried foods, and processed foods that are Biblically clean. And that's your choice! You can absolutely have a very healthy diet that is Biblically clean, but you also aren't in trouble for eating dessert or other treats.

-You can do this! The beginning is the hardest part, it gets much easier as you go. Once you're used to these changes you'll barely think of them. Pray for guidance about the changes you need to make and how to best share that with others. Remember that the Creator is honored by you taking these steps of obedience!

Related posts: 

What is Biblically Clean Eating?

Biblically Clean Meal Ideas

What Does Scripture Say About What We Eat?

10 Times Scripture Talks About Clean Eating
Biblically Clean Slow Cooker Meal Ideas