This is a large Millstone.

Back in the day, there were much smaller ones, but this is the "grande mocha latte millstone"...


Quoting Jesus from the New Living Translation,


"...if anyone causes one of these little ones who trusts in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck" Mark 9:42

So a few weeks ago I am brewing up some coffee, (our grocery store sells Millstone brand beans to grind up), and so I got to thinking about Millstones, and it hasn't gone away. Then brother Jim sends me an email with the same verse, so here we are.

OK, so we are not out there intentionally pushing children and others away from God, but is it a stretch to say that the things we can easily do cause us to earn a "millstone"? So, as I am mixing the honey and creamer into my hot cup of Hazelnut Millstone, I am wondering if there are any "millstones" in my life...

Have my actions caused someone to stumble, perhaps a judging glance, a quick temper,
or did my fish sticker cut someone off today? Should I have made that really bad choice, instead of the obvious right one, had I just taken a realistic second or two to check in with the Lord?

We can so easily write these things off, but if we are brutally honest followers of Christ, which to me means no less than "Christ-like", shouldn't we pay close attention to live by example all the time? I believe that only a prayerful life focused on "the ultimate leader by example", our mighty Lord Jesus, can straighten the crooked roads in our lives, and keep 'em straight for the long haul.

...and brother, this coffee is good. Praise the Lord!

Jesus

Mark 9:42-48
Causing to Sin

"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,

it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea

with a large millstone tied around his neck.

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.

It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.

It is better for you to enter life crippled

than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.

It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye

than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,

where 'their worm does not die,

and the fire is not quenched.'

may God bless you on your amazing life's journey in Christ