Staring at me thru my study usta be window (now a trinket-dust gatherer) is my Granny's mantle clock. It just reminded me of the half-hour, but is gathering steam to reach 10 o'clock with accompanying tones. On occasion, it runs the limit of my windings and refuses further comment on time until I take action.
Unlike Joshua, whose request that the sun and moon stopped their appointed march through the heavens, I cannot, by grasping the pendulum to halt it's movement bring time to a halt. Stopping my time piece has no effect on time's hurried pace. Each of us is a prisoner of time and the intriguing thing is the ticking of our biological clock!
All beauty aids and wrinkle combatants aside, you can't fool 'mother nature' for long. Cut-and-tuck, hair coloring, physical exercise may offer a certain camoflage, and you may request 'no more birthday celebrations' but the clock is still ticking. Of this I am a first-hand witness!
Do the Scriptures assist us here? Psalm 90:12 admonishes us: "Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Now it is easy to number our past days, but impossible to count those ahead, so marking time that has past may serve to remind us how quickly it passes. What then, shall we do about our present tense experience? "Be very careful,then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" was the caution offered by Paul the Apostle (Ephesians 5:15,16).
Shall we go out and buy a gallon of time as we would gasoline? Not so. But to cram life into every minute, taking advantage of every opportunity and putting away the thought: "I'll do that when I have time." That's the kicker! We cannot store up this precious commodity, so instead of spending it, let's invest it!
Remember, you can't stop the pendulum.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tools of the Trade
As I dabble a little in simple woodwork wedded to decorative painting, I stand in amazement of those who are proficient in either. A fellow using water color turns his canvas on the vertical, allowing the fluidity of his colors to run, eventually creating a delightful seascape. He had also sprinkled sand, which, when removed provides an interesting effect.
Time, interest, and willingness to experiment are also tools effectively used. We may lament that we are not gifted in certain desirable talents in life, but let us not despair. Each is recipient of some talent and it is up to us to discover and develop it. And while some may restore old cars, another's ability works wonders on antique furniture, while some work magic with knitting and the like, your talent may still be embryonic, awaiting discovery. But three tools, cited above, are key to their development: time, interest, and willingness to experiment.
Time. Many projects are begun, continued and finished with bits and pieces of time, not long, extended hours. Time spent with TV, whiled away at the computer, or lazing about can provide productive minutes.
If we would devote only 15 minutes per day on any given subject, within a year we could be more knowledgable than most of our friends on that very thing. So, where does your interest lie? Convert that interest into something you can use to enhance life and inspire others.
Be willing to experiment. Some have taken pine cones and translated them into works of art. Others have slapped bits of wood together and made beautiful bird houses which, in turn, have housed all sorts of colorful birds. Write verses that come to you and compose poems that bring joy to eventual readers. Dare to dare! Experiment.
While we are at it, this can apply to our spiritual undertakings. Time can become a valuable tool in developing a growing relationship with God. Use time spent waiting--Drs. office, a late appointment, the clothes to spin dry--all are segments of time awaiting profitable use. Carry a prayer list, memorize Scripture, write an encouraging note; redeem the time.
Develop interest in others. Observe those about you while shopping. Is a fretful mother struggling with her brood? Is a handicapped person having difficulty reaching a certain item? Do you note that elderly person carefully counting her meager funds and putting a much needed item aside? With each of these, your keen attention may be the beam of light that brightens their day.
Your best talent may not be wood or stone, paints or knitting needles. You may be an artist removing wrinkled care from a careworn face or a wordsmith whose simple attention lifts a weary soul. Remember, it is time, interest and willingness to experiment that will turn the trick in developing your talents.
Time, interest, and willingness to experiment are also tools effectively used. We may lament that we are not gifted in certain desirable talents in life, but let us not despair. Each is recipient of some talent and it is up to us to discover and develop it. And while some may restore old cars, another's ability works wonders on antique furniture, while some work magic with knitting and the like, your talent may still be embryonic, awaiting discovery. But three tools, cited above, are key to their development: time, interest, and willingness to experiment.
Time. Many projects are begun, continued and finished with bits and pieces of time, not long, extended hours. Time spent with TV, whiled away at the computer, or lazing about can provide productive minutes.
If we would devote only 15 minutes per day on any given subject, within a year we could be more knowledgable than most of our friends on that very thing. So, where does your interest lie? Convert that interest into something you can use to enhance life and inspire others.
Be willing to experiment. Some have taken pine cones and translated them into works of art. Others have slapped bits of wood together and made beautiful bird houses which, in turn, have housed all sorts of colorful birds. Write verses that come to you and compose poems that bring joy to eventual readers. Dare to dare! Experiment.
While we are at it, this can apply to our spiritual undertakings. Time can become a valuable tool in developing a growing relationship with God. Use time spent waiting--Drs. office, a late appointment, the clothes to spin dry--all are segments of time awaiting profitable use. Carry a prayer list, memorize Scripture, write an encouraging note; redeem the time.
Develop interest in others. Observe those about you while shopping. Is a fretful mother struggling with her brood? Is a handicapped person having difficulty reaching a certain item? Do you note that elderly person carefully counting her meager funds and putting a much needed item aside? With each of these, your keen attention may be the beam of light that brightens their day.
Your best talent may not be wood or stone, paints or knitting needles. You may be an artist removing wrinkled care from a careworn face or a wordsmith whose simple attention lifts a weary soul. Remember, it is time, interest and willingness to experiment that will turn the trick in developing your talents.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
A Place For You
In this, the land of the free and home of the brave, there are between 500,000 and 600,000 'homeless' people at any given time. Considering the foreclosure boondoggle that is the scourge of our nation, the first numbers may swell even further. Makes one envy the lowly terrapin, who is never without a home.
Hebrews 11 closes the roster of those revered heroes of faith, with a notation about 'others' of whom the world was not worthy. If you check it out, you will also classify many of these as 'homeless'.
Many thousands of our citizens occupying 'houses' could be considered 'home-less', because they are not synonymous. Can we also label them 'homeless'?
These troubling thoughts make the words of Jesus all the more encouraging:
"I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). A place for me?
Because of my calling as a minister, my family has lived in a LOT of different houses, which we called 'home' even though we did not own them. And, I venture to say, there are multiplied millions of my fellow citizens who are apartment and rent house dwellers who are without the root system a purchased home affords. To many, the thought of 'going home' has little meaning because they don't know where 'home' is.
But Jesus has promised 'a place for me--and you'. This will be our forever home with no need for packing up a u-haul or leaving a forwarding address!
Everything we need will be there, so no more 'early parsonage' furniture. And family--ah, yes, family. What a reunion in that 'place' Jesus is preparing.
When the family gathers on special occasions with a sit down dinner, every care is made to make sure there is 'a place' for everyone. At fancy, formal dinners, a name card is placed where you are to sit. They made 'a place' for you. Now think of heaven's arrangement: each and every one of us who have received Jesus as our Savior had our names inscribed in the Book of Life, and a special place for us awaits at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
"A place for you!" What assurance, what comfort, what an urging to include all our earthy family! To whoever might discover these lines, have you made reservations by asking Jesus to be your Savior? Blog me if I can help.
More later.
Hebrews 11 closes the roster of those revered heroes of faith, with a notation about 'others' of whom the world was not worthy. If you check it out, you will also classify many of these as 'homeless'.
Many thousands of our citizens occupying 'houses' could be considered 'home-less', because they are not synonymous. Can we also label them 'homeless'?
These troubling thoughts make the words of Jesus all the more encouraging:
"I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). A place for me?
Because of my calling as a minister, my family has lived in a LOT of different houses, which we called 'home' even though we did not own them. And, I venture to say, there are multiplied millions of my fellow citizens who are apartment and rent house dwellers who are without the root system a purchased home affords. To many, the thought of 'going home' has little meaning because they don't know where 'home' is.
But Jesus has promised 'a place for me--and you'. This will be our forever home with no need for packing up a u-haul or leaving a forwarding address!
Everything we need will be there, so no more 'early parsonage' furniture. And family--ah, yes, family. What a reunion in that 'place' Jesus is preparing.
When the family gathers on special occasions with a sit down dinner, every care is made to make sure there is 'a place' for everyone. At fancy, formal dinners, a name card is placed where you are to sit. They made 'a place' for you. Now think of heaven's arrangement: each and every one of us who have received Jesus as our Savior had our names inscribed in the Book of Life, and a special place for us awaits at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
"A place for you!" What assurance, what comfort, what an urging to include all our earthy family! To whoever might discover these lines, have you made reservations by asking Jesus to be your Savior? Blog me if I can help.
More later.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Where Is This Walk Taking Me?
"Enoch walked with God" is the testimony of Genesis 5:22, 24. He was 65 years of age when something traumatic happened that changed the course of his life. That "something" was the birth of a baby--a boy baby. It appears the name of that child was chosen because prophetic insight was given Enoch. We will come back to this.
Walking is almost a lost form of exercise today. In its place is a host of exercise paraphernalia of the treadmill variety. Consequently, we have pulmonary, cardiac and muscular problems that might not be IF we just walked more. But enough.
Walking by oneself is not difficult because you have only yourself to be concerned about. But, when you walk with another, other things enter into the picture. Amos, the prophet, asks us, "How can two walk together unless they be agreed" (KJV 3:3). The NASV says, "Do men walk together unless they have made an appointment?" Matthew 5:25 sheds further light, "Become friends with you adversary while you are still on the way" [to a court of law]. Here is presented the prospect of changing an opponent into a friend while you are walking along with him.
Three thoughts are presented here: walking in agreement, walking by appointment, and a friendship cultivated while walking together.
A further consideration is the pace of walking. By yourself, your walk may be only a leisurly stroll. You may stop and examine a flower or skip rocks on the surface of a pond. But when you walk with another, the pace is determined by 'togetherness'. It was Enoch who walked with God, not vica versa.
In his walk with God, it is evident that God was sharing Himself with Enoch. One certain thing He shared with Him was a future event geared to the lifespan of the new son. So, Enoch named the baby, 'Methuselah' whose name literally means, "when he dies the flood comes". And if you check out the lineage in chapter 5, you will find that is exactly how it happened!
How about us--you and I-? Are we walking with God in agreement? Do we have a regular appiointed time spent conversing with Him concerning His purposes in and for our lives? And are we cultivating a relationship that leads to friendship?
On His walk with Enoch, God revealed secrets about the end times (Jude 14,15). While Enoch did not have a long life on earth, it did lead him straight to heaven and God's eternal presence. Although we may not circumvent death, our walk can also lead us to heaven!
Will others someday say about us: He/she walked with God? Let us make this day a day for walking with God, OK?
More later
Walking is almost a lost form of exercise today. In its place is a host of exercise paraphernalia of the treadmill variety. Consequently, we have pulmonary, cardiac and muscular problems that might not be IF we just walked more. But enough.
Walking by oneself is not difficult because you have only yourself to be concerned about. But, when you walk with another, other things enter into the picture. Amos, the prophet, asks us, "How can two walk together unless they be agreed" (KJV 3:3). The NASV says, "Do men walk together unless they have made an appointment?" Matthew 5:25 sheds further light, "Become friends with you adversary while you are still on the way" [to a court of law]. Here is presented the prospect of changing an opponent into a friend while you are walking along with him.
Three thoughts are presented here: walking in agreement, walking by appointment, and a friendship cultivated while walking together.
A further consideration is the pace of walking. By yourself, your walk may be only a leisurly stroll. You may stop and examine a flower or skip rocks on the surface of a pond. But when you walk with another, the pace is determined by 'togetherness'. It was Enoch who walked with God, not vica versa.
In his walk with God, it is evident that God was sharing Himself with Enoch. One certain thing He shared with Him was a future event geared to the lifespan of the new son. So, Enoch named the baby, 'Methuselah' whose name literally means, "when he dies the flood comes". And if you check out the lineage in chapter 5, you will find that is exactly how it happened!
How about us--you and I-? Are we walking with God in agreement? Do we have a regular appiointed time spent conversing with Him concerning His purposes in and for our lives? And are we cultivating a relationship that leads to friendship?
On His walk with Enoch, God revealed secrets about the end times (Jude 14,15). While Enoch did not have a long life on earth, it did lead him straight to heaven and God's eternal presence. Although we may not circumvent death, our walk can also lead us to heaven!
Will others someday say about us: He/she walked with God? Let us make this day a day for walking with God, OK?
More later
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Who Is Occupying Your Family Tree?
Both Matthew and Luke make 'due diligence' in chronicling for us the lineage of Jesus Christ. Matthew traces the genealogy of Mary, while Luke that of Joseph. While much alike, there is significant difference and with that, divinely provided insight.
First, we note the root source of each: Mary is connected to David, and then directly to Abraham. Two men with unique relationship with God. David is characterized as 'a man after God's heart' and flowing out of that is expressed the theme of worship, expressed in Psalms.
Abraham is noted as a man of faith, willing to give up everything to follow God. He gave up the land of his birth, his family, his wife and, ultimately, the child of promise, Isaac. He is singled out by God Himself as, 'Abraham, my friend.'
In each lineage are found glaring imperfections of which all of us would be ashamed. Judah, whose very name means 'Praise', had an immoral fling with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar; Rahab, was a prostitute rescued from Jericho; Ruth the Moabites, a people known as hostile toward God; and by reference, without being named, Bathsheba, who was the partner with King David in adultery.
But the root system of Mary's lineage is founded in men of persevering faith and redemptive grace. What a heritage she brings to the family.
Ultimately, we arrive at the point of inquiry: Me. Have I traced my lineage in search of 'bragging rights', of some historic figure that adds imagined stature to prop up my being? While I am not responsible for what has been passed on to me, I am responsible for that imprint my life makes.
So, the question comes: would I want me in my family tree? Take a moment and re-read Psalm 1. Which of these two options would I want hanging from my family tree? Think about it.
More later
First, we note the root source of each: Mary is connected to David, and then directly to Abraham. Two men with unique relationship with God. David is characterized as 'a man after God's heart' and flowing out of that is expressed the theme of worship, expressed in Psalms.
Abraham is noted as a man of faith, willing to give up everything to follow God. He gave up the land of his birth, his family, his wife and, ultimately, the child of promise, Isaac. He is singled out by God Himself as, 'Abraham, my friend.'
In each lineage are found glaring imperfections of which all of us would be ashamed. Judah, whose very name means 'Praise', had an immoral fling with his widowed daughter-in-law, Tamar; Rahab, was a prostitute rescued from Jericho; Ruth the Moabites, a people known as hostile toward God; and by reference, without being named, Bathsheba, who was the partner with King David in adultery.
But the root system of Mary's lineage is founded in men of persevering faith and redemptive grace. What a heritage she brings to the family.
Ultimately, we arrive at the point of inquiry: Me. Have I traced my lineage in search of 'bragging rights', of some historic figure that adds imagined stature to prop up my being? While I am not responsible for what has been passed on to me, I am responsible for that imprint my life makes.
So, the question comes: would I want me in my family tree? Take a moment and re-read Psalm 1. Which of these two options would I want hanging from my family tree? Think about it.
More later
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
While It Was Still Dark
As seekers of truth, we should not think it odd for the Holy Spirit to interrupt our spiritual pursuit while reading the Word. So, in my morning devotions today, the second line of John 20 arrested me: 'While it was still dark' (NASV). Hmmm.
Mary Magdalene is the character in view and she is on her way to finish the painful task of embalming of her Lord. Two days ago the hurried act of burial was accomplished by two unlikely persons of note: Nidodemeus, the night visitor of chapter 3, and the venerable Joseph of Arimathea.
Today is the third day (as Jews count part of a day as a whole) since Christ's death by crucifixion, and now this formerly demon infested woman pressed toward the tomb.
A formidable problem awaited her: what about the huge stone that blocked her mission? But as she came to the tomb her heart must have seeming stood still.
The tomb was empty!
We discover, by further reading, that while her world was dark, the world of Light was mightily at work! The dead Jesus whom she sought, was now the resurrected Christ, clothed with such splendor that she could not recognize him.
When we walk in the darkness of this faith life, we need ever to keep before us that God is not limited by our disappointment, frustration and limited vision. He is at work in our darkest times, and will ultimately bring to light that nothing, absolutely nothing can keep our Savior from rising above every obstacle to show us that HE is, indeed, Lord of all! And showing us indisputable proof that it is He!
Mary Magdalene is the character in view and she is on her way to finish the painful task of embalming of her Lord. Two days ago the hurried act of burial was accomplished by two unlikely persons of note: Nidodemeus, the night visitor of chapter 3, and the venerable Joseph of Arimathea.
Today is the third day (as Jews count part of a day as a whole) since Christ's death by crucifixion, and now this formerly demon infested woman pressed toward the tomb.
A formidable problem awaited her: what about the huge stone that blocked her mission? But as she came to the tomb her heart must have seeming stood still.
The tomb was empty!
We discover, by further reading, that while her world was dark, the world of Light was mightily at work! The dead Jesus whom she sought, was now the resurrected Christ, clothed with such splendor that she could not recognize him.
When we walk in the darkness of this faith life, we need ever to keep before us that God is not limited by our disappointment, frustration and limited vision. He is at work in our darkest times, and will ultimately bring to light that nothing, absolutely nothing can keep our Savior from rising above every obstacle to show us that HE is, indeed, Lord of all! And showing us indisputable proof that it is He!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Conflict In The Family
When Jesus spoke of 'father against son and son against father, etc.', the game of football had not even been invented! But, in this family, is it ever true.
Christopher, Larry and Christie's youngest son, texted me Saturday with a terse, challenging message: "Are you ready! Go Texas!" To the uninitiated, this is the 'Red River Shootout' held each fall at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Of course, the opposing team is MY Oklalhoma! Chris backs Texas because, after all, he discovered the U.S. at Houston about 12 years ago and somhow he thinks that gives him braggin' rights.
But that's not all. Larry, the dad, is a fervent backer of the Georgia Bulldogs (we are not doing too hot this year), and Carson, the older son, is sold on the Auburn Tigers. So some Saturdays, the remote gets a real workout going from channel to channel.
It is all great fun enjoyed by all participants. (I 'specially enjoyed it because OU won!).
But there is one thing this family agrees on without wavering, each and every one is convinced that Jesus Is Lord! The Bible, God's own Word, is the centerpiece, and while our energies flow in several directions--steel mill challenges, home school teacher, students with regular chores around the house, reading exciting Christian adventure stuff, working in Children's Church, preaching the gospel or taking up our 18" on the pew, we are each and all devoted to Christ Jesus.
In all, life is is moving along like a Disneyland roller coaster; lots of ups and downs at breakneck speed, thrills at every twist, but headed for a sure destination.
More later.
Christopher, Larry and Christie's youngest son, texted me Saturday with a terse, challenging message: "Are you ready! Go Texas!" To the uninitiated, this is the 'Red River Shootout' held each fall at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Of course, the opposing team is MY Oklalhoma! Chris backs Texas because, after all, he discovered the U.S. at Houston about 12 years ago and somhow he thinks that gives him braggin' rights.
But that's not all. Larry, the dad, is a fervent backer of the Georgia Bulldogs (we are not doing too hot this year), and Carson, the older son, is sold on the Auburn Tigers. So some Saturdays, the remote gets a real workout going from channel to channel.
It is all great fun enjoyed by all participants. (I 'specially enjoyed it because OU won!).
But there is one thing this family agrees on without wavering, each and every one is convinced that Jesus Is Lord! The Bible, God's own Word, is the centerpiece, and while our energies flow in several directions--steel mill challenges, home school teacher, students with regular chores around the house, reading exciting Christian adventure stuff, working in Children's Church, preaching the gospel or taking up our 18" on the pew, we are each and all devoted to Christ Jesus.
In all, life is is moving along like a Disneyland roller coaster; lots of ups and downs at breakneck speed, thrills at every twist, but headed for a sure destination.
More later.
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