My wife recently sent me the following humorous piece. As we have been studying Genesis on Wednesday nights, and as we have just dealt with Adam and Eve specifically, I couldn’t help but see the relevance. So, with apologies to Jimmy Buffett, enjoy…
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Kreme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?” And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.
And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.
So God said, "Try my fresh green salad.” And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.
God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them.” And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good.” Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."
God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.
Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.
God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said,
"You want fries with that?” And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!” And Satan said, "It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest.
God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
While this little piece is intentionally facetious by design, there is still much truth behind it. Genesis chapter two concludes with the observation that Adam and Eve were naked and had no shame. Why? Because they were innocent. They had done no wrong. Immediately thereafter, though, as chapter three unfolds, that all changes. And why? Because they disobeyed God, specifically by eating that which they were forbidden to eat: the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.
And, in so many ways, this single act took its toll on humankind. All of nature along with humanity has lived under the curse of sin. Thank God, though, that He did not leave us in our predicament. He chose rather to fix what was wrong. And that is our heart. Not our physical heart; but our spiritual heart. And how did He do that? Not by quadruple bypass. But by giving His son Jesus that we might have a whole new heart, that we might have eternal restored to us.
As the Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Amen. Praise the Lord.
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Kreme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?” And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles.” And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.
And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.
So God said, "Try my fresh green salad.” And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.
God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them.” And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof. God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good.” Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."
God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.
Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.
God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said,
"You want fries with that?” And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!” And Satan said, "It is good.” And Man went into cardiac arrest.
God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.
While this little piece is intentionally facetious by design, there is still much truth behind it. Genesis chapter two concludes with the observation that Adam and Eve were naked and had no shame. Why? Because they were innocent. They had done no wrong. Immediately thereafter, though, as chapter three unfolds, that all changes. And why? Because they disobeyed God, specifically by eating that which they were forbidden to eat: the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil.
And, in so many ways, this single act took its toll on humankind. All of nature along with humanity has lived under the curse of sin. Thank God, though, that He did not leave us in our predicament. He chose rather to fix what was wrong. And that is our heart. Not our physical heart; but our spiritual heart. And how did He do that? Not by quadruple bypass. But by giving His son Jesus that we might have a whole new heart, that we might have eternal restored to us.
As the Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Amen. Praise the Lord.