Habakkuk 3: 17-18 Though the cherry trees don’t bloom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to GOD. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my SAVIOR GOD. [The Message Translation]
Summary
The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language was created by Eugene H. Peterson and published in segments from 1993 to 2002. According to Peterson, The Message attempts to use current language so that readers would have a better understanding of what the Bible means.
The message in all the translations, however, is that when bad times come, and one bad event seems to follow another, and still another, and yet another, (such as the Israelite trek into Babylonian captivity), we must remember that there is still a DELIVERER, my SAVIOR GOD. And, in remembering we rejoice, even in the midst of calamity and chaos. Our faith in THE SAVIOR means that our spirits can turn “cartwheels” [Message Bible language] for the LORD, in spite of our circumstances. We praise GOD no matter what!
Green Apples
Although green apples tend to be the sweet and sour type and are often referred to as “cooking apples,” it turns out that green apples have a number of health benefits.
- One of the major benefits of green apples is their high fiber content. The flesh of green
apples tends to be denser than red apples, which is good for internal digestion. Because of
their high fiber content they are more filling, meaning that the eater will feel less hungry.
- Green apples also have less sugar than red apples, which is one of the reason people often
prefer red apples to green. However, the fact that they are higher in fiber and lower in sugar,
make green apples a great addition to a weight-loss diet. Moreover, in a food study published
in October, 2014 in Food Chemistry, it was noted that green Granny Smith apples tended to
have the highest numbers of certain types of polyphenols and fiber than Gala, Fuji, or the
Red and Golden Delicious varieties, which in animal studies was shown to increase the amount
of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It was noted that obese people tend to have lower levels of
this beneficial bacteria in their guts, which can increase their risk of inflammation and
metabolic disorders. See, “Green Apples and Weight Loss,” by Jessica Bruso, November 06,
2015, http://www.livestrong.com/article/472039-green-apples-weight-loss/.
- The polyphenols and flavonoids in green apples are forms of antioxidants, which mean they
help prevent cancer and cell damage.
- Apples contain carbohydrates, which make them an especially good food for an active lifestyle
(e.g. sports) or times when you need an energy boost. A median apple contains about 25 g of
total carbohydrates.
- Because of their mineral and vitamin content---iron, zinc, cooper, manganese, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Niacin, Thiamin,
Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid etc., green apples are good for skin, hair and general health. So
the next time you eat a green apple think “beauty treatment.”
LITTLE GREEN APPLES
In 1968 Bobby Russell wrote a song called “Little Green Apples.” It was recorded by Roger Miller, Pattie Page, soul singer O C Smith, Dionne Warwick and others. The lyrics basically describe a person waking up in the morning, stumbling to the breakfast table (a bit out of sorts), having someone take his [her] hand and squeezing it reassuring, looking across the table full of love. The person then goes on to say if that is not loving me, then-----“GOD, didn’t make little green apples, it don’t rain in Indianapolis in the summer time. And, there’s no such thing as Dr.Seuss, or Disney land or mother goose and nursery rhymes…”
The point the singer is making that we know that GOD did make little green apples. We know that it does rain in Indianapolis. We know that there are nursery rhymes. The realness of those things are as real as that love.
Tomorrow, some of us will wake up a little discombobulated. Somebody may stubble to breakfast. Something may not feel right. But, no matter what, GOD IS. GOD is still in control. HIS love for us is still real. We need to know it as certain as we know “GOD made little green apples;” “HE made the sun and the moon;” and “HE made us.” HIS love is as real today, as it will be tomorrow and the day after.” HIS love will never change.
Like “The Little Green Apple” song ending, knowing some things are sure, should “ease our mind.”
So, no matter what happens, remember GOD’s love.
Pray and BE BLESSED.
