Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

* Rewrite
* Scripture: This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
John 21:24, NKJV

A young lad was telling his mother about his Sunday School lesson for the day, the story of Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea.
"Pharaoh came with his army while Moses was trying to get all of the people into the boats," he said. "The Israelites started shooting with machine guns, so Pharaoh called for the tanks. Moses had his soldiers set out land mines. The tanks tried to go around them and catch the boats, but ran into the sea and drowned. Moses and all the Israelites got away over the Red Sea."
"Is that what your teacher really told you,?" his mother asked.
"Well, no," the boy replied. "But if I told it like the teacher did, you wouldn't believe it either."
Many people have a problem accepting what is written in the Bible. Well, so be it. That is their prerogative. Others, however, are like the boy and the Sunday School lesson about the crossing of the Red Sea. Not satisfied with the way it is written, they rewrite the Bible in their own style, and with the facts changed to seem more plausible by their way of thinking.
Pick a topic, any topic, and you will find skeptics who claim knowledge of "the real truth" that others are conspiring to hide.
Members of "The Flat Earth Society" sincerely believe that the earth is not round at all, but flat, just as you can see. There is a group of people who are convinced that the moon landings were faked, all part of a big conspiracy on the part of NASA to get money.
The so-called "docudrama" is a popular form of entertainment that is based on some event that has a basis in fact, but is embellished far beyond the basic truth. All it takes is some element of mystery, some conspiracy theory, and many people become convinced that the "retelling" is more factual than actual truth.
A popular radio call-in program is based on numerous conspiracy theories, drawing those who are certain they have an elite gift of knowledge that enables them, and them only, to see the "hidden truth."
The disciple John ended his gospel with these words: "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." (John 21:25, NKJV)
Yes, John, many things have indeed been written about Jesus. Unfortunately, many are not truly inspired by God, and can not stand the scrutiny of knowledgeable witnesses.
John recorded Jesus' words (8:31-32) "If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Responsible witnesses affirm that John's words are true.
May 21, 2006

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances . . . “ Philippians 4:11b, NIV
I must admit that I have difficulty associating Paul with a lackadaisical attitude toward anything. His writings, and those of Luke in the Book of Acts, seem to describe a man of action in both word and deed. As Saul the student, he reacted strongly and decisively toward what he perceived to be a corruption of God’s laws and customs. He was not only “breathing out murderous threats” against those who were following The Way, but took action by going to the high priest to obtain authority to take both men and women prisoner, and bring them to trial for their perceived apostasy. (Acts 9:1-2)
Paul and Barnabas had such a “sharp disagreement” concerning John Mark that they parted company, Paul taking Silas, and Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus. (Acts 15:36-41.
No, Paul did not laze back in matters of faith, practice, or belief and let what ever condition he saw slide by without concern. He spoke out, and put his concerns into actions.
What, then, is Paul talking about when he says, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” in Philippians 4:11?
This is another instance where we can not take the word out of context. Paul is explaining that he is willing to accept the situation in which he finds himself as an opportunity to serve God, without consideration of payment or physical amenities. He was not giving priority to things that would merely contribute to his comfort, convenience, or enjoyment. In fact, the Living Bible translates Paul’s words here as, “I have learned to get along happily whether I have much or little.” Take time to read the full passage of Philippians 4:10-20. He is thanking the church at Philippi for their previous aid and gifts, and is explaining that he had not written them seeking monetary support, but to share the Word with them, and bolster their faith in what ever way he could.
We need to examine our own lives and thoughts and see if we can relate to Paul’s words. It is sometimes difficult to accept the cross we have been given to carry, to endure the thorns to reach the fruit. We seek things that would merely contribute to comfort, convenience, or enjoyment. The irritations of life take our focus from the vision of serving the One who gave His all for us.
Consider that we may have been placed where we are because God has a task for us there. Look at what we have an opportunity to accomplish, not at what we have not. It may be possible - just possible - that we have been placed with that irritating associate, the demanding boss, the fractionous situation not to bristle, but to bloom, not to be comfortable, but to be Christlike.
December 7, 2003

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do no worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” Mt. 6:25, NRS.

Fashion is fickle! The hot mode of dress and hair style today is disgraceful and grossly offensive tomorrow. At least to some people. One only needs to look at pictures representative of even the last fifty years to see proof that fashion is indeed marked by a lack of constancy, or stability, and given to erratic changeableness - fickle!
Religion is fickle! At least as some people practice it, those who seem to put it on as a fashion. Their profession of beliefs is marked by a lack of constancy, or stability, and given to erratic changeableness - fickle!
Such trends in fashion or religion are not unique to our own times, since a search through the Bible will provide many examples of fickleness in following the True God.
King Solomon was no doubt a fashionable man, probably a trend setter in the courts. Unfortunately, he became inconstant, fickle, and turned his heart away from The Lord, following the religious fashion of his wives. Deities such as Moloch are designated “abominable” and “detestable” in various translations of 1 Kings 11:7. Solomon was held accountable for his folly.
Psalms 1:4 compares the godly to fruitful trees planted by streams of nourishing water. The ungodly are like chaff, blown by the wind, doomed to destruction because they have no roots, no source of nourishment. The truly righteous delight in the law of the Lord, and are rewarded for their steadfastness.
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,” we are advised by Proverbs 22:1, “and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Jesus rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees for their fashionable interpretation of righteousness, ( Mt. 5:20) and warned against “acts of righteousness” just to be seen by men. (Mt. 6:1-4) “Hypocrites,” Jesus called them; persons who put on a false appearance of virtue or religion. Deceivers, pretenders, play-actors. While popular, fashionable shows of religiosity will not meet the requirement to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Luke also records Jesus’ criticism of those who “like to walk around in long robes” and seek honor, favor, and respect for their status. Their long prayers are offset by their true beliefs; they devour widow’s houses. (Luke 20:45-47)
Paul warned the Colossians against false teachers and their human commands and teachings promoting self-imposed piety and humility. (Col. 2:23)
Fashion, you say? Read James’ observations on the subject, and the perils of showing special attention to the fashionable. (James 2:1-4)
The Living Bible translation of James 4:5 reads, “If your aim is to enjoy the evil pleasure of the unsaved world, you cannot be a friend of God.”
June 8, 2003

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”, Mt. 17:20b, NKJV - See also Lk. 17:6)

Hot pursuit! I’ve seen it often, yet each time I’m intrigued by the fervor with which they carry out their mission. It would seem to be an unequal contest, reminding me of David and Goliath, yet an obvious size differential doesn’t seem to be a factor. My bird reference guide gives a typical length of eight and one-half inches for the blackbirds to the crow’s seventeen inches.
To put that into perspective, assuming that he didn’t go swat and you go splat, how far down the street would you chase a guy who measured in at eleven or twelve feet tall?
Yet these little feather-weights buzz the much larger bird like fighter planes after a big bomber until the intruder is well beyond their territory. Protective, yes indeed!
As I ponder the scenario taking place over my head, I wonder if I am more blackbird or more crow. Certainly I can admire the zeal with which the smaller birds defend their territory, even though the odds are heavily stacked against them. Would that I could defend my beliefs and my faith with such fervor. I am reminded of the many times that a problem seems just too large and daunting to even start resolving it.
Then again, can the smaller birds really do much harm to the crow? I don’t know for sure, but I seldom see falling feathers, or the crow battling back. So let’s just say that the crow perceives it as more of an annoyance than a life shattering event.
So maybe there are times that we should just put more things into perspective, and not make what are truly annoyances into life shattering events, and play the part of the crow to their “blackbirds.”
I got to thinking about how many times we turn it around the other way - small problems send us packing. Little things get to us, irritate and annoy us. We make molehills into mountains. Little problems seem to be big problems, and we get squeezed in the middle. Ever feel like that?
Now that’s what Jesus was talking about. Why would anyone want to drown mountains? (Mt. 21:21) He is really making a size comparison. Big, big problem, big as a mountain? Suppose you say, “Just look at that mountain size thing that I am facing, and I feel as small as a mustard seed in comparison.” Then think, “Big doesn’t matter, to a mustard seed, a blackbird - or me!”
Little things flitting around till you feel like the crow? Just say, “Hey! They can annoy me, but they can’t put me down.”
“Mountain, go jump in the lake.”
June 12, 2005