MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 I love cafeterias--so many choices, so small a tray! They don't expect you to pick one of everything obviously, but they try to make every item displayed to tempt you with something new, to try something exciting. But our goal should be to choose something wholesome and affordable, rather than being influenced by their goal of profits from fattening, empty calories. And everything on the menu probably won't be something you would enjoy, so you're free to ignore those items.

Some folks like to worship the same way: If the preacher says something they find threatening to their lifestyle choices, they are apt to say (on their way out the church door) "I couldn't worship a God who....."  or "He meant that rule for those heathens who lived back then, not for civilized people today."  These people read some rules for living  and may decide the writer is being too harsh and put away their Bible because it causes them to be uncomfortable, to enjoy a little less their night out on the town. That's probably a good thing, but they don't agree!

Some turn away from its words because they refuse to believe something they don't understand.

Some of these folks who seldom dip into their Bible find ne subject matter elsewhere more sophisticated, modern. These new ideas promise exclusive access to secret knowledge unavailable to less intelligent folks, less discerning than themselves. Lured away from Truth by cotton candy. Truth is not palatable to some people.

Warning: The Bible doesn't need--or permit--us to treat it like a cafeteria, throwing out an uncomfortable truth and, like the cafeteria, it doesn't permit us to bring a sack lunch to add to our meal, changing its meaning to suit our personal taste.

Really now, would you go to a bookstore and bring home a novel by a famous author and start making notes to mail to him to improve his book? His agent liked it, as is. His publisher liked it--he paid good money for the privilege of publishing it, as is. By whose authority do you believe you have the right to change his creation? Your right consists of accepting the book, as is, or rejecting it, as it was written,

Those men chosen by God to write down His words exactly did just that. Many prophecies within these pages have since been fulfilled, proving its truth. Generations have based their lives, trusting and proving the validity of this Book. It will stand above any other book, philosophy or religion--as long as Eternity stands.

Security from Your Shepherd

Sometimes I feel like a sheep--when I'm alone in the darkness of my thoughts, when no friends or family are nearby, when I'm wondering  what to do next, helpless against the wolf at my door, growling. I wonder how other folks handle their fears in the gloom of night?   

Do sheep know their shepherd? Do they know just how dumb they really are? Their shepherd knows them very well. He knows the name of each one of his flock and understands they need the right food, good water and safety to survive and thrive.

How do the white, woolly four-legged sheep handle their fears? They know their Master's voice! When he calls out, they rush to His side for safety. When He warns them to stay away from the rushing river lest they get swept away, they turn away from danger or He plucks them out of the deep water, their wool heavily sodden. When they wander, he calls out to remind them to go no further. He even anoints their noses to keep fiery little insects from biting, stinging, making them so miserable they might not hear His call. At night, He lies down at the gate of their pen so any wolf or lion lurking nearby cannot get inside and kill. If one is lost, He will search for His lost lamb, and He sings praise songs under the night sky to calm them and settle them for a peaceful night of rest.

Isn't that what our Good Shepherd does for us? We love to wander off on our own; we love to stroll beside the thrilling but slippery edge of danger like a rushing river, even though  the treacherous banks  try to hold our feet, drawing us into deeper water. The crook of His staff pulls us away from temptation, the fiery thoughts from Hell that threaten to distract us from our Master's call. When we wander away and get lost, doesn't He leave the rest of the flock in a safe place and search for us  and lead us back to safety? He stands between us and danger, even though we each want to decide our own exciting (and risky) path--after all, the grass across the river definitely looks so-o-o green and lush--and all night He rests in the gateway of our safe place, preventing attack from enemies, His dumb sheep who insist on getting to the edge of trouble all day, trusting Him to reach out just in time to save us. He sings praise songs to His Father, the King, calming us, His fearful flock, reminding us to be thankful for His watchful eye, His ever-present care, day and night.

I marvel at the great love my Good Shepherd has always shown and still continues daily without flinching, despite my petty whining over things I can't and should not have---but wait! All I could ever need or want is waiting for me in the home He is preparing for me, along with the privilege of Eternity in which to praise Him. (Is even Eternity long enough to praise Him?)

Lord, teach me always to recognize and listen or your voice and follow Your guidance and instruction.

             I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them                                        out of my hand.                          John 10:28

Powers of Perspective

 

My life is a masterpiece, drawn by the hand of my Creator, the Master of the art Principle of Perspective, which is by definition is the difference in appearance of an object, depending on its distance and direction from the viewer. Small things appear larger as you approach closer until they are all you can see. When you are very close, the object will fill your vision, excluding anything else. 

When you are looking at God up close, that’s a good thing; providing clarity of right from wrong. When you’re looking at a problem, not so good. I’ve learned after observing the work of this Master that I can’t look at both at the same time! If I’m fixed on the problem close at hand, I can’t see over it or around it to find God for help—He seems so distant I feel alone, a victim of this mountain between me and anything else. And the scriptures telling me He will never leave me to manage on my own become a faint echo in my ears. "

 Yet from habit and a remnant of faith, I cry out "This isn’t the way I’m supposed to live! I’m a Child of the King!  Forgive that my eyes wandered away from Your face for a moment, Lord. As my Great Physician, please examine my eyes for their poor vision and restore my clear sight which agrees with what you see, even when I can’t see it. And now I clearly see You standing between me and the problem, which already begins to look smaller, receding and already seems so insignificant. Thank you, Lord for giving m a brief glimpse of my life from your point of view.

God, the Great Gardener

 

Ever want to grow a garden?  Have you ever tended one--digging, mulching, planting and follow-up care? It’s not too complicated but plants do need certain care to survive and thrive. 

You must first find a suitable place for the garden—rich dark soil, good drainage so plants won’t suffer from mildew, a reliable source of water, and sunshine—away from the shade and roots of a tree. Get seeds from a trusted source—a farm and garden store, or a supply saved from a previous healthy, strong garden. And you’re ready to go! Bear in mind it takes commitment and regular care for success. Bring out the shovel and spade. 

Dig up the plot, removing any weeds or rocks that the sun could heat up and kill your plants’ tender shoots. Break up any big clots, raking the plot smooth and plant those precious seeds and water them well. Done!  

The next morning do you rush out to see all the green shoots coming up? No, because you realize the plants need to rest in their cool bed until they mature into fledgling plants and still longer before they provide produce for your table. You know you must keep them safe from harm: tiny bugs could eat their tender leaves, leaving no buds for fruit to grow. You protect them from excessive heat cooking them, small animals digging them up, sudden hard rains washing them away, until finally your work is rewarded when you gather your crop months later. 

Reading this so far, you probably think, of course! I already know this, why waste your breath here? 

My answer is this question: Knowing an instant garden is impossible, why do you pray at bedtime and rush out the next morning to see if the answer is here? You’re not dealing with Santa Claus, you understand, who seems to grant our wishes overnight throughout the world.

Growing a person is like growing a garden seed. God prepares parents to nourish, teach, nurture us and then He plants us beneath our mother’s heart for safekeeping until we have grown enough to come into the sunshine.  He has taught our earthly parents how to help us mature until we grow in judgment to plot our own course, with God’s guidance. Or do you choose to make your own decisions based on your latest whim or desires?  

If God cares for blossoms that are here only for a day to share their beauty, how much more will He nurture you, teaching you, changing you little by little, never failing. You have seen He is trustworthy in arranging for the sun to come up every day; what do you need that He is unable or unwilling to do for you? Feelings are a trap, sent by the devil to get you off track, Trust does not depend on feelings.