Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Moving This Blog...
It Starts at the Beginning
It Starts at the Beginning
You bring home the most cherished gift you've ever received in your whole life. The majority of the population has one, but no one has one even remotely comparable to yours! The softest, sweetest smelling, most beautiful baby that you hold safely locked in your cradled arms, may not be your first, or last, but there is no other in the whole world like it. You seem to bring home only masterfully hand-crafted originals. This one, as did the others, came with a package full of "ready to mix; just add teaching" love.
You are fully prepared to place this love among the assortment you already have, and not so suddenly, you realize that the much required staple, teaching, must be added as well, so as to avoid the spoiling of the highly valued love. The land is fully equipped with this "teaching" ingredient, however, it's delicate nature leaves you uncertain of exactly what brand to get, how much to apply, and when to apply it.
These questions are easily answered by God, Himself. You couldn't possibly take counsel, in the handling of your most prized possession, from any other.
Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psalms 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Psalms 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Of course you find yourself talking to the all knowing God, when you are caught in a struggle between your own will, and the desire to do the 
right things in life. So, it should be, when you realize that your wonderful gift of a child has found a will of his own. Immediately you decide that you need some words of encouragement through the confusing task of bending your child's will to fit the needs of others outside of himself. What better time is there to seek the wise and worthy counsel and assistance of the Creator of that very gift you are supervising?
Exodus 4:11-12 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
The LORD told this to Moses, but did He not preserve it for you to read? And can you not have confidence in the very same powerful God that leads His people still? So ask Him. He will give you the purest teaching with which to grow love!
You may still ponder the question of how often you should apply words of wisdom and instruction to this treasure of yours.
Deuteronomy 6:1-2 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
It won't get much plainer than "all the days of thy life". The truth is that if your words are seasoned with the mercy and understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit within, as opposed to speaking from your own exerted will, you will find your words well received. You will find your child asking for your guidance, instead of avoiding it.
Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Finally you are at possibly the most important step in the application of teaching; when to begin. As in the creation of any other fine masterpiece, you must begin at the beginning. Oh, you look at this paragon entrusted to you, and think what perfection this is, that God has created! And you are accurate in your thinking! However, the key word, to consider, is entrusted. God made man in His own image. Yet, sin entered the earth, and distorted the reflection of God, on man. Through His almighty design, God has entrusted each of His little ones into the care of a man. So however prodigious a treasure you find yourself holding, at the beginning; it is then that you must start pointing the windows of that beautiful soul toward his own esteemed Maker and Father; in order that The Light may shine into that very soul. If this duty of yours is overlooked, then the eyes of that child will be captured by his own worth above God and others. Any act of selfishness, no matter how minute, should not be left unattended. Oh, how God blessed you when He outfitted that little one with an insatiable desire to learn and to appease you. You may do well in turning that child's desire away from yourself, and toward his Father in Heaven!
Psalms 34:11-14 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Just in teaching a child to control his voice, before he can talk, you are enabling him to seek peace. In the mere task of teaching him to refrain from touching certain objects or from going past the boundaries set for him in the yard, you are teaching him, through your affirmation of his good behavior, to depart from evil and do good. It is most useful to remove many obstacles from the awareness of a child, within his daily surroundings. But you will encounter much trouble, upon interaction with others, should you choose an alternative to adding the ingredient of teaching, at the beginning.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Wisdom and Faith
Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
Comparison between David’s and Solomon’s hearts, through dramatization.
Late in the evening of his life, Solomon, alone with his thoughts, toiled through the questions, that are found at the end of every man’s life, whether he be sharp or dim, rich or poor, good or bad.
One will often return to the lessons learned as a child, sometimes even recalling the sound of a father’s voice for repose. Would this had been so for Solomon; would he had gone to the lessons learned by his father, it may have gone something like this.
“I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in
Immediately, the words of David flood through his son’s mind, nearly drowning his own structure, for which he had desire to build for one sweet small moment.“ LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty:” Psalms 13:1
“ yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. Ecclesiastes 1:16 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 6:12
Unchangeable was the stream of his father’s words, and so tenderly noble did they play in Solomon’s ears. “Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let
Quickly interjecting were the thoughts of Solomon, for how well he related to these questions. “ I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”
Just as quickly, came a vision seen so many times in his youth, of Father, kneeling with outstretched arms, eyes toward the temple, and a face that bore the mingled expression of confusion and revelation. “And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”
Though Solomon knew well that Father regarded such questions as the infirmity of one who could only see through lenses darkened by sin, he would continue his thoughts. For was this not the right of a king of much experience and wisdom? “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”
Oh, that picture of Father on his knees. “Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Psalms 77:6-14
Oh yes – the troubles of men – “He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: : even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.” Ecclesiastes 11:4-5
How easily, it seemed, did the other king find rest from his struggling thoughts. “O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. Psalms 25:16-18 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” Psalms 8:3-6 Oh, were it as simple as this.
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh,”
“Nay, son,” whispers nearly shouting, are these instructions, “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”
One shall be permitted to finish a thought in his own head! “…when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” Ecclesiastes 12:1
“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalms 16:8-11 Oh his eyes are ever fixed above!
Then, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 But what of Love?
“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalms 73:24-26 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. Psalms 144:3-4 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. Psalms 144:15 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8
Oh, Solomon… your kingly wisdom could not create solace as did the simple faith of a shepherd boy.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Of Trees and Men
“I would never have eaten of the forbidden fruit. With the whole garden at my disposal, and the explicit treat being called The Tree of Life, why would one even think to sample such a frivolity?”
Why? It is a sad thing. Though one can hardly explain, “Why?”, we ALL eat of The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, every day. Aside from our daily failure to withstand temptation, we eat of it when we want redemption. Do I find myself, in each and every exposed moment, saying, “Oh, Tree of Life, let me find, in your fruit, solace from this bitter mouthful of temptation’s juices.” I do not. Steadfastly I will go directly to the forbidden tree, where there I will try to find some knowledge of my own goodness, for the bartering needed to erase the knowledge of the evil I’ve done.
It matters not what the forbidden fruit is. The matter lies in the plucking of yet another, in attempt to find the antidote for it’s deadly poison.
“With such another explicit treat, why would One even think to sample my own frivolity?
Oh, Tree of Life, please find, in Your fruit, solace from this bitter mouthful of mine own fruit offerings. “
Saturday, November 22, 2008
It Starts at the Beginning
You bring home the most cherished gift you've ever received in your whole life. The majority of the population has one, but no one has one even remotely comparable to yours! The softest, sweetest smelling, most beautiful baby that you hold safely locked in your cradled arms, may not be your first, or last, but there is no other in the whole world like it. You seem to bring home only masterfully hand-crafted originals. This one, as did the others, came with a package full of "ready to mix; just add teaching" love.
You are fully prepared to place this love among the assortment you already have, and not so suddenly, you realize that the much required staple, teaching, must be added as well, so as to avoid the spoiling of the highly valued love. The land is fully equipped with this "teaching" ingredient, however, it's delicate nature leaves you uncertain of exactly what brand to get, how much to apply, and when to apply it.
These questions are easily answered by God, Himself. You couldn't possibly take counsel, in the handling of your most prized possession, from any other.
Psalms 118:8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
Psalms 143:10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
Psalms 25:4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Psalms 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Of course you find yourself talking to the all knowing God, when you are caught in a struggle between your own will, and the desire to do the right things in life. So, it should be, when you realize that your wonderful gift of a child has found a will of his own. Immediately you decide that you need some words of encouragement through the confusing task of bending your child's will to fit the needs of others outside of himself. What better time is there to seek the wise and worthy counsel and assistance of the Creator of that very gift you are supervising?
Exodus 4:11-12 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
The LORD told this to Moses, but did He not preserve it for you to read? And can you not have confidence in the very same powerful God that leads His people still? So ask Him. He will give you the purest teaching with which to grow love!
You may still ponder the question of how often you should apply words of wisdom and instruction to this treasure of yours.
Deuteronomy 6:1-2 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
It won't get much plainer than "all the days of thy life". The truth is that if your words are seasoned with the mercy and understanding that comes from the Holy Spirit within, as opposed to speaking from your own exerted will, you will find your words well received. You will find your child asking for your guidance, instead of avoiding it.
Proverbs 3:13-18 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Finally you are at possibly the most important step in the application of teaching; when to begin. As in the creation of any other fine masterpiece, you must begin at the beginning. Oh, you look at this paragon entrusted to you, and think what perfection this is, that God has created! And you are accurate in your thinking! However, the key word, to consider, is entrusted. God made man in His own image. Yet, sin entered the earth, and distorted the reflection of God, on man. Through His almighty design, God has entrusted each of His little ones into the care of a man. So however prodigious a treasure you find yourself holding, at the beginning; it is then that you must start pointing the windows of that beautiful soul toward his own esteemed Maker and Father; in order that The Light may shine into that very soul. If this duty of yours is overlooked, then the eyes of that child will be captured by his own worth above God and others. Any act of selfishness, no matter how minute, should not be left unattended. Oh, how God blessed you when He outfitted that little one with an insatiable desire to learn and to appease you. You may do well in turning that child's desire away from yourself, and toward his Father in Heaven!
Psalms 34:11-14 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Just in teaching a child to control his voice, before he can talk, you are enabling him to seek peace. In the mere task of teaching him to refrain from touching certain objects or from going past the boundaries set for him in the yard, you are teaching him, through your affirmation of his good behavior, to depart from evil and do good. It is most useful to remove many obstacles from the awareness of a child, within his daily surroundings. But you will encounter much trouble, upon interaction with others, should you choose an alternative to adding the ingredient of teaching, at the beginning.
Help Me in Mine Unbelief
Galatians 5:4-5 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Think not that this passage is only for the Jews. Any of us, at any time, are guilty of living unto the law, and not unto Christ as LORD. Handle a matter on your own, without consulting the LORD for HIS direction, and notice it is then that you live unto the law, looking for no grace.
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. We wait for the hope of righteousness. We do not try to achieve it along the way, by making self righteous decisions on every account. One can only include himself in this "we", while communing with the Spirit, and believing that only where there is God's will, there is a way. It was counted as righteousness when Abraham simply had faith. It is no different now.
Galatians 5:7-9 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. The worldly rudiments hinder us. The world's treasures Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Why would it have been necessary to state that there is no law against these things? Could it be because there is a time when some say that good comes from the opposition of these things? How often have you been told that meekness is a weakness that will get you nowhere? And is it true that getting angry is a right that you should uphold in order to soothe yourself upon being wronged by someone. Would it be an injustice to never allow yourself to become volatile with anger? Should you overindulge now and then, so you can feel that you have truly lived life? And should you ever meet with inconvenience without trying to change your circumstances? After all, one may be accused of slothfulness were he to live in the confines of contentment and peace. Were he to leave his fate in the hands of another, he would suffer the ridicule of those who actually seek their fortune. Action is the word and work of the day. Never be seen at rest. But, could it be that one cannot truly find faith when not at rest? Psalms 37:7-9 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.
Colossians 3:23-24 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Lord, in Your name, help me in mine unbelief.
Matthew 13:57-58 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Mark 9:23-24 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Hebrews 3:18-19 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Here am I, Lord. Help me in mine unbelief.
Deal Bountifully with Thy Servant
Psalms 119:17-19
Questions to consider….
Do I think of my relationship with the LORD a laborious task to be completed each day? Do I cause my children to take on a relationship with the LORD as a duty expected of them?
Think on this…
What is it like to fall in love? You can remember. Falling in love does not merely involve finding your life's mate; it also includes that friend you meet, with whom you just connect, or that new baby in the family that snuggles really closely to you, as if you were just the right comfort to him. You may find love in that little purr of your kitten, or in the way your puppy cocks his head when you ask him a question. You may even find it in a museum, where colors come alive on the canvas, causing your heart to skip a beat, or in a song that touches your innermost being, bringing tears to your eyes. Though, you can consider the love found between yourself and your soul mate; when you first realized that you were in it for good, and you couldn't find the end of yourself and the beginning of him/her.
Aren't these things given to us as the LORD's token of His affection for us? It is in these things that we find the love of our LORD God. When you think of this life on earth, it is easy to remember that we are just passing through, until that day when we will be with our LORD, yet it's also easy to forget that He put us here for specific reasons. I'm sure we all agree that one of the primary reasons is to spread the Gospel to those who have not heard. Well, couldn't that responsibility be as simple as sharing the connection of all good things with the good and gracious Master? He is the King!
When the king of the land holds a banquet, and you realize that sometime during that banquet, you saw him looking at you, you can't wait to tell someone! Oh, and when he sends you flowers… you're nearly breathless, trying to get to your loved ones to share the exciting news! And once you know him, they all expect that you will introduce them to him. They wouldn't want it so much if you'd told them that you thought he mechanically sent everyone flowers, and that there was so much expected of anyone who knows the king personally. And, though you wish to convey to them that they are only allowed in his presence if they come in washed clothes, you mustn't forget to tell them that (for he is such a loving king) he has new clothing, ready to fit those that he has summoned to his court, so long as they first stop outside the gate to lay down the old ones for these.
We often unload our own expectations on ourselves, our children, and others, despite the simplicity of the expectations that our Father really has for us. He will wash our clothes, if we arrive, humbly, to see Him. And, though we have such experiences in our lives that cause us to come to Him, joyfully, we cannot expect that our experiences will sustain another person past the mere point of wanting to meet Him. We need leave our loved ones with Him for a while, and even beg His attendance to where they are, and trust that He can find them…and know that He has an abundance to offer them that comes from the same wellspring of which He has sustained us. Once He talks to them, on any given subject, our work is simply to point them back to His Word on the matter and to simply go to Him with our fears for their lives in the matter, so that He can ease our suffering of worry, because He has their lives in His hands. His hands are perfect.
Jeremiah 23:23-24 Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
God has His purposes in order, and He will convict His loved ones in His own timing. While we teach right from wrong, please share the beauty of all there is to consider, concerning the King. This can really only be done through actions and by sharing the tales of all the good that He has bestowed on you.
