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.

My Memory Book

 

            Most of us survivors of a pre-electronic era have an old photo album that we enjoy occasionally leafing through, remembering many past experiences—some of which seem much sweeter now than while we were in the midst of that uncomfortable or even painful time.

            What do we see about our lives in those pages?

            Some may remember resentment, reliving the pain felt long ago when someone we loved betrayed us. Others may feel sorrow at their own long-ago failure or lost opportunity. A few might reject the album totally, choosing to forget any past day of pain.

            I choose to see a series of “detention days” in my schooling, or bumps in the road of my voyage toward Heaven, days of heightened stress, brought through each one a little stronger than I had been before, by the precious Holy Spirit, who has gone with me step by step. Each time I look back at what I thought was a dark day, it now shines with a glow of eternal love from my Heavenly Father who brought me through many such days, each time with a little less self-pity or resentment or feelings of helplessness, with a stronger faith than the time before.

            There are two choices in life: either go it alone however you want, holding onto old wrongs and repaying all the enemies around you—and there will be many, because you collect and carry them with you as though they were pennies you stuffed in a piggy bank. You can never actually get even with someone who hurt you; you can’t ever get back all the time and energy you wasted hating them. Or maybe you can find something to be learned from that long ago unhappy situation; put ego aside and admit you may have somehow partially created it. Refuse to accept that you are helpless to change. Like Jacob, keep climbing that ladder into Heaven.

             Be joyful when you look back and see His footsteps alongside your own, gently nudging you toward His perfection. You are not yet what you will become, but you have learned and grown stronger and wiser from what you once were. Keep your eyes on Him, Yes! but also remember all the dark days which helped shape who you are today. Remember not the pain, but the sweetness of God’s arm lifting you over the deepest potholes of life, replacing any bitterness from these precious (yes!) memories.

                                           

God's Day Off

 

            When you pray, do you ever feel like God took a holiday? Do you wonder as you pray whether He’s listening? Why do you suppose it sometimes feels like there’s nobody home upstairs? Why do you doubt Him? Who moved; you or God? Maybe you should check your connection.

            When I go into a room and reach for the light switch, I don’t hold my breath in suspense before entering—I walk right in, trusting the light will turn on. That’s what faith is. It’s not as though I were consulting a Ouija Board or rubbing a magic lamp. Or crossing my fingers,  hoping to get lucky. I don’t even pause at the door, working up my nerve to wonder if the light will turn on.

            No, I don’t even slow down! I breeze right through the doorway! That’s faith, Based on prior experience, I’ve learned I can expect consistent response as promised by the electrical engineer ( its creator). Rarely it happens that the light fails to illuminate the room, and I must run through a short list of possible reasons for its failure. Is the lamp plugged in? Is the light bulb burned out? But it could be something not readily defined—a mouse or squirrel chewing wires in the attic or even my forgetting to pay the electric bill—a few times. Ooops! All fixable.

            When you get into your car, do you wonder if it will start? If you have maintained its care following the guidebook written by its manufacturer, you expect it to start. Occasionally, it doesn’t. (Life comes with a guidebook too: the Bible.) Do you assume its life is done or go down a lit of possible problems that could temporarily interfere: Out of gas? Exposure to dirt and dust as it travels the messy road of life can cause battery problems due to corrosion. Is Satan chewing on your connection to your Father in Heaven? All fixable.

            Whenever I feel like my prayer doesn’t get past the ceiling of my room, I have learned that sin has corroded our connection, but with the Holy Spirit who indwells me, that is quickly repaired. All fixable.

            Bear in mind, sometimes we’re not ready for what we’re asking for, so there’s a delay while He prepares us and arranges our circumstances. Sometimes His answer comes through, reminding us of our childhood, when we begged for more candy than is healthy and our earthly parent hugged us and said “I love you, but no.”

            God’s loving reply always comes; it may be: yes, no, not now, or you’ve got to be kidding.

 

             So I say to you,: Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock                                                                        And the door will be opened to you.                    Luke 11:9 

               Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.        Colossians 4:2 

You still don’t find that connection to your Creator? Be sure you own that connection.

 

               For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

              

               For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever

               Believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life/ John 3:16

 

 

Do You Have a Story?

 Of course you do. Your life has not been ordinary—it’s unique. You’re not skilled with a computer and handwriting it is too slow? Get a cheap recorder and tell your story to someone you love and maybe someone you haven’t yet met; someone not yet born into your family.

Your memories were preserved to guide anyone watching you survive what life has thrown at you, to hopefully avoid the same pitfalls you made it through, however painful those days were for you. After all, why not let someone you care about benefit from the trail you blazed? 

I learned so-o-o much about myself and my Lord, my Teacher who taught me great lessons long before I was mature enough to understand the wealth waiting in my memory’s Savings Bank for me to become wise enough to withdraw wisdom for today and tomorrow. Seems like I just gradually became aware I wasn’t just wandering thru my days, I began to realize I was being pointed down a particular path. 

I began collecting family stories because I was amazed at the horrific impact of a broken home and faithless father, poured out to shape, each in somewhat different ways, the five surviving children: my mother and four siblings (twins had previously died at ages 2 and 4). The stories grew to become a book, written with love for family long gone, to share with beloved family here now and those yet to come. 

As I wrote my own portion of this saga, I could clearly see things I had been learning, though unaware at the time. Looking ahead to be sure your path leads where you want to go is important, but looking back to take stock of what experience has taught you how you became who you are as you move toward your ultimate goal. So much insight, so much wealth I had been withdrawing bit by bit from that savings bank! 

I’m not yet who I want to be, but I have traveled for over 8 decades now, so there has certainly been much progress, despite the occasional stumble. The only reason I am still here for others to take care of must be for me to share whatever wisdom has accrued during those years. The answer I was given? My blog. Yes! Despite numb fingers and failing eyesight I cannot ignore the call. Parables, Proverbs and Pearls shares many stories, the value of which I only learned when I looked back and studied them.  I pray they will bless any reader who reads and/or shares them.