Seeds For Thinking

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

* Calibration
* Scripture: Paul told Timothy, "The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone. " 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Living Bible

Discord! I carefully tuned my mandolin with my digital tuner, and started to play with the band. Whoa! Something was very off key, and it was my instrument that was out of tune. I had to get right with the others.
I later found that my tuner was not aligned to the proper tuning pitch, and it threw me way out of tune with the everyone else! And I thought I was 'right on.' Fortunately, I was able to calibrate my tuner with a standard frequency source, and all is well again.
We have to depend on proper calibration and accuracy of many things we encounter in life. Perhaps you have noticed a little seal or sticker on the scales at the checkout counter at the market, or on the pump where you fill your fuel tank. Somebody has checked them all, and assures that the device is accurate.
We have to trust that the "Sealer" is reliable, trustworthy, and has accurate standards by which to judge the equipment that he certifies. What a world this would be if we couldn't depend on the accuracy of anything.
An extra few cents at the pump or scales might not bruise your pocket book very much, but the knowledge that it did so would not likely bring you back to that business again soon. It might compromise your peace of mind, but not endanger your health.
However, when you go to your doctor, and the nurse pops that thermometer into your mouth, you want it to show the exact temperature. Suppose it was only five degrees wrong. Do you think that you would agree that it really didn't matter that much? Not likely! Even a few degrees can make a vital difference. Few people are willing to compromise with such a critical measurement.
On the other hand, you might like it if the bathroom scale reads your weight a little on the low side, but would probably say a few unkind words about a scale that added a little weight. A few pounds incorrect? Well, maybe not enough to matter. Many people have a casual attitude about the effect a few pounds might have on their health. Some ignore blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other vital signs. It is common practice for people to engage in 'pleasurable' activities until it is too late to correct the damage that may result to one's health.
Many people go through life with a casual attitude about other things as well. Consider traffic violations, cheating on any number of endeavors such as scholastic tests, reports, and expense accounts, embezzling from the workplace, or indifferent personal relationships.
Many colleges are now teaching ethical behavior, even to graduate students in Business Administration, because of necessity. We seem to have spawned a society of three-year-olds, whose ethical code is "What's mine is mine, and what's yours is mine, if I can take it from you."
Yes, there are ethical standards, and moral standards, as well as spiritual standards, which we ignore to our peril. They are a measure of our Godly 'temperature,' and every bit as critical as our body's temperature.
Yes, this is about standards, about references with which to compare and, if necessary, calibration to get "in tune" with the rest of the world. We have a National Bureau of Standards in the USA that maintains the references by which all other measurements are compared, down to the smallest fraction of a second.
We also have the Bible, the Scriptures, the Ten Commandments, with which to measure our lives. We need to assure ourselves that we are equipped for every good work that God has for us by frequent calibration with the Heavenly Standard. Check it often!
July 30, 2006

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

* The Autoharp
* Scripture: Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV

In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody
With heaven’s harmony; (Elton M. Roth, 1924)

The children sat in rapt anticipation as the young teacher carefully opened the case and took out the autoharp, laying it tenderly across her lap. Taking up the felt pick, she swiftly strummed across the strings; the chords rang out strong and vibrant. Quickly, all were engaged in the joy of singing their favorite songs, led by the rhythm of the singing strings.
The teacher married, and soon took time out from the classroom to raise a family. The autoharp was set aside, as other duties crowded in. It was finally put away in the attic, away from the classroom, away from the children.
Times change; the teacher returned to the school, but in a different capacity. She no longer led the children in singing. The autoharp sat silent, neglected.
One day, as she sat listening to a man playing his autoharp in church, she remembered the instrument that had shared her early teaching moments. Retrieving it from its repose in the attic, she presented it to the musician, in hopes that it would once again stir voices in song.
But, Alas! Time and humidity had taken their toll, and the soundboard had warped so badly that many strings could no longer vibrate.
It sat mute for for several more years, but at least in the company of another autoharp. Not out of mind, but not capable of singing out, either. Finally, the day came when the musician had need of another instrument. Quietly studying the warped and twisted condition, he decided the only remedy was to strip the auto harp down to the basic frame, and rebuild it.
The frame was strengthened with dowel pins, and reglued. A new soundboard was installed. The time finally came when the strings were reinstalled over the newly stained and varnished instrument. Slowly, one by one, the strings were brought up to proper pitch. Slowly, lest the stress be too much too soon.
The musician recalled some words to fit the occasion;

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,
Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings,
Stirred the slumbering chords again.
(He Keeps Me Singing, Luther Burgess Bridgers, 1910)

One might say that the autoharp has been reborn. It will in fact return to the classroom, ringing out its chords and leading children in the joy of song.
I think there might be a message here for all who seek it out.
April 3, 2005