Seeds For Thinking

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

* Ready To Dine
* Scripture: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20, NKJV

I had noticed the additional bit of greenery in the flower bed by the driveway, and made a mental note that some weeding was in order. No rush, since it had been unduly dry for more than a week, and even the weeds were in standby mode. Then, it happened. Rain! We really needed that moisture for the crops and pastures.
The result was amazing! My bit of greenery put on a burst of growth that more than doubled its size overnight. It was ready, it was willing, and made the most of the opportunity to put on a spurt of growth.
I have a continuous battle with this grassy plant that invades my yard and garden. Even the tiniest bit of root will develop a new plant. Never-the-less, I have to admire its tenacity. When a favorable condition comes its way, it is ready to grow. And multiply. By root and also by seed.
Would that those of the Christian persuasion were so ready and willing!
Think for a moment about the similarities and differences between those plants waiting for the rain (moisture) and the persons (anyone) on the other side of the door when Jesus comes knocking.
Are we ready? Are we anticipating the knock, in faith believing that it will come? Or are we so busily involved in a myriad of activities that we really don't want to be bothered by someone knocking at the door? Almost persuaded that it is worth the effort to check, perhaps, but not quite?
Suppose, now, that the plants took the same attitude. The rains come, delivering the moisture that is vital to life and growth, but they pull in their roots and refuse to take in the moisture. " Knock, knock. Hel-o-oo? It's me, the rain. Anybody home? If you open the door, I will come in and nourish you."
No, I think we need to be more like the plants, in this case, ready to participate in the interaction between the visitor and the host.
Read the passage from Revelation again, taking in the part that follows the knock. What will Jesus do when the door is opened? Well, yes, come in. But note that He doesn't say, "Pizza delivery." He is not bringing the goodies, the way that I read it. He will come in and dine! That is, if we have the table set in anticipation of His visit. The meal is ready. A special fellowship awaits, bringing joy to the guest and joy to the host.
If we are fully prepared to dine when the knock comes.
August 20, 2006

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

Scripture: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. NKJV)

Oh!
“Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey”(1)

But I’d rather they didn’t - eat ivy, that is. I think that they would do much better on their provided rations of hay and grain. One of the responsibilities of a herder is to provide nourishing food and water for the livestock.
Given the need, any vegetation is fair game, even ivy. Sheep are grazers, mostly looking down for their diet of grasses. They are noted for eating plants right down to the roots, a source of friction between cattlemen and shepherds on the range.
Sheep literally eat on the run, quickly grabbing, chewing and swallowing their food, then regurgitating the semi-digested mass, now known as cud, and chewing it again. As with other ruminants, the front teeth in the lower jaw bite against a hard, toothless pad in the upper jaw. These are used to pick off vegetation, then the rear teeth grind it before it is swallowed. There are eight lower front teeth in ruminants. The cloven-hoofed, cud chewing animals meet the Mosaic dietary laws of Deuteronomy 14:4-6.
It is important to see that the mothers are getting a nutritious diet during the time when they are nursing lambs. The good shepherd knows the sheep, (John 10:14) cares for the sheep, (as in the 23rd Psalm) leading them to green pastures and clean water, and is considerate of their needs. (See Genesis 33:13)
As livestock, sheep are most-often associated with pastoral imagery. Sheep figure in many religions, especially the Abrahamic traditions. Being a key animal in the history of farming, sheep have a deeply entrenched place in human culture, and find representation in the language and symbology of both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
The patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - were herders. Job possessed thousands of sheep and camels, and hundreds of oxen and donkeys.
Yet, sheep and shepherds were not always welcome. Pharaoh’s clean-shaven court looked down on the rugged shepherd sons of Jacob. Joseph matter-of-factly informed his brothers, “Every shepherd is detestable to the Egyptians” (Genesis 46:34).
Jacob’s descendants became accustomed to a settled lifestyle and forgot their nomadic roots after spending 400 years in Egypt. When Israel later settled in Canaan, the few tribes still retaining a fondness for pastoral life chose to live in the Trans-Jordan (Numbers 32:1 ff).
After the settling in Palestine, shepherding ceased to hold its prominent position. As the Israelites acquired more farmland, pasturing decreased. Shepherding became a menial vocation for the laboring class. Shepherds were despised in everyday life. In general, they were considered second-class and untrustworthy.
However, Isaiah prophesied,“The Lord God shall come like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11) The good tidings of great joy at Jesus’ birth were announced to shepherds, “living in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.” (Luke 2:8-20) Jesus Himself stated that He is the good shepherd; “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
John the Baptist called Jesus “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) Sinners are redeemed “with precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:19)
Jesus said, “I am the door to the sheepfold; if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

(1) Sing "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy."
1943 by Milton Drake, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston.

A kiddley divey too . . .
Although sheep and goats are related, their dietary preferences are somewhat different, if they can choose.
Goats are primarily browsers, like deer, and strip the leaves and bark off trees and woody plants, sometimes standing on their hind legs to reach as high as they can.

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Lk. 11:10“, NIV

The Pastor read us a passage from The Gospel of John at Bible study and asked if anything “leaped out” at us. I couldn’t claim any leaping thoughts on this occasion. I have read it many times, so no surprises or new thoughts here. Not that the passage wasn’t important, or had no revelations for the Christian reading it. Could have been! But not this time.
It does point out, however, that not every exploration is new and startling. We do not always go from an ‘up’ to an ‘upper-up’! Anyone who seeks will eventually find, but not every time. At least not gems undiscovered before.
Remember the fairy tale of the princess and the frog? When the princess finally overcame her repugnance at (Yech!) kissing a green amphibian, the frog turned into a handsome prince. But not every frog. Just this frog, who was originally a prince until crossing the path of the wrong witch. And just for this fairy tale. Consider the tee shirt emblazoned with the the motto, “You’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.”
Point is, we never know what to expect, or what we will find, unless we seek.
So . . . do we stop reading scripture because we read a few verses, and nothing leaps out or envelops us in rapture? Not at all!
Consider the many times Jesus advised seeking and asking until we come upon that “pearl of great price.” Or knocking until the door of knowledge and understanding opens for us.
Archeologists are special seekers. They are looking for “old stuff.” Things people have left behind. And not just large items, either. Little things, like pieces of broken pottery, coins, nails and belt buckles. And the very appearance of the dirt itself. No back-hoes here! They go at it with spoons and even brushes, purposefully, cautiously, lest the slightest clue be destroyed. A change in the color of dirt can indicate where a wall, post or previous construction once existed. Pottery and coins can be used to date the site very precisely. Each bit of dirt is sifted to find even the smallest item. To you and me, that’s a lot of dirt and - trash. To the experienced archeologist, every tiny bit is worthy of rejoicing. The pearl of great price. The frog-to-prince. The “leaping out” of new knowledge.
But not every spoonful. Not every time. Sometimes one person sees things where another does not. A different angle, though, may bring a totally new viewpoint.
Become a Biblical Archeologist! Seek, ask, knock. Who knows when you will uncover a “Prince” of knowledge and understanding of God’s word for us.