the little foxes

 ¹⁵ Catch for us the foxes,
       the little foxes
       that ruin the vineyards,
       our vineyards that are in bloom.  


                           -Song of Solomon


There are vineyards in bloom at Freedom Valley these days. A bumper crop is looming.


But this week I again became aware of pesky little foxes that destroy the vine with their continual "playing" all around it.


Little foxes like irritants that are carelessly spoken and then take on a life of their own. Complaints, challenges, and poorly seen realities which perhaps an off-duty soldier begins to address and finds herself (or himself) deeper in complaint-ville and grumbling than they thought they should be.


The week started out with me being that guy. I spoke a complaint about last weekend's huge harvest sessions, where what came tumbling out of my mouth was just pure pettiness. I HATE when I'm like that! Hate it, hate it, hate it!!! And I repented before God -and the other guy- for it.


Interesting that it came as an attack right after Johannes' really excellent message on The Happy God and The Laughing Jesus (the Joy of the Lord). Watch in on our website if you have not yet had opportunity. It's the 9:15 message.


I think what happened is, Satan cowered in fear at that message, and decided then and there to undermine it, steal from it, or outright murder it.


But we are choosing Joy, and by choosing it, winning.