Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets”. (Matthew 22:40, NKJV)

There is an old saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
I am not sure how the “godliness” part applies to gasoline engines, but I can tell you - from experience - that cleanliness does make a big difference - to go, or not go!
Assuming that the hardware is all in place, and the proper fuel is supplied, there are still two things that have to occur at the right time: The proper fuel to air mixture must be pulled into the cylinder (carburization) and the plug needs to spark at the right time (ignition).
The spark part is easy to check: Grab ahold of the spark plug wire and spin the engine!
Not really!!
Take the plug out and check it - part of the cleanliness routine. Then spin the flywheel and check for a spark at the plug. Got spark? Good; the ignition part is ready to go.
Now, to the fuel part - carburization - a part that can drive you nuts! Not just fuel, but the proper ratio of fuel to air. A speck of dirt, a cloggage in any part of the system, messes up the entire process.
If I have the parts that make up the ignition system, along with the fuel tank and the carburetor, I have an engine, ready to go.
No?
You’re correct! There are valves, cams, pistons, a crank shaft and many other critical parts. So what is the “greatest” part of a working engine?
The Pharisees asked Jesus to tell them what kind of law, of all the laws, is the most important. It is a trap, as verse 35 attests. It is like asking, “What is the most important part of an engine?”
At the very least they're asking him (they think) to choose between moral law and ceremonial law, to declare an ultimate allegiance either to the Pharisees (who would have generally focused on the moral law) or the Saducees (ultimate guardians of the ceremonial law as operators of the temple).
Both parties get caught up in observing a minutia of details and trivia. When to pray; how to pray, what to wear; what to eat; what is considered to be work - etc, etc . . .
Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all you are AND your neighbor as yourself. From this all the law and prophets hang."
This is what Jesus was saying in Matthew 22:37.
The first and greatest commandment concerns our relationship toward and with God, and is like the spark of an engine: Sure, we might “fire” only part of the time - not consistent in our relationship to God. Our “timing” might be erratic; we are not in synch with God’s plans for us.
Maybe our devotion becomes “short circuited” by things that draw our attention away from God - things that become our idols, focusing on our wants & desires, not our needs. On worldly things, trinkets & treasures, habits & pleasures. But the bottom line is: either you have a total commitment to God, or you don’t.
So - Love the Lord, your God with all of your being.”
People! Your “Neighbors.” And who is my neighbor? That’s like the carburetor of an engine: lots of small things can mess up the mixture. A common belief limited such neighborly relationships to their friends and companions, and one of their own religion. It was said, "Do not I hate them that hate me?"
Jesus acknowledged that was a common saying, beginning in Matthew 5:43 (part of the Beatitudes, chapts. 5-6-7 of Matthew’s gospel). He said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
Loving the Lord God with all our being, and extending that love to all of God’s creation, still lacks one import part: Most of us know by heart John 3:16 :
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:17 adds that the people of the world will be saved through Him.

Seeds for Thinking (©) 1996 - 2011 by Leland Hubbell

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

Scripture: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8, NKJV)
You have probably never heard of, nor even imagined, an engine where everything rotates around a stationary crankshaft. That is just not the way engines are built. Check out the engines used in automobiles, lawnmowers, and numerous engines, large and small - even electric motors - and you will see that the crankshaft revolves within a stationary engine block. Yet such a ‘rotary’ engine was used extensively in WWI fighter aircraft. The crankshaft was bolted to the aircraft frame, and the rest of the engine revolved around it. The propeller was attached to the engine body.
The rotary engine had several advantages over conventional engines, which were mounted firmly in supports, with the shaft and propeller spinning. Rotary engines reversed that, with the shaft being held tightly - and the engine spinning! The propeller was mounted to the rotating engine, which stayed cool by having its cylinders whirl within the open air. The design was inherently light weight, as it did not require a flywheel, for the bulk of the engine filled that need. Most systems used no carburetor. Instead, the fuel/air mixture and lubricating oil were injected through the hollow crankshaft.
This was at a time when the availability of petroleum based fuels and lubricants was limited. Actually, they found that the best option for lubrication was castor oil, for it was not diluted by gasoline, as with petroleum based lubricants. Excess oil was ejected with the exhaust gasses, as it was not burned during the ignition process. This was rather messy, as you might imagine, and I have found numerous references to the laxative effects upon the pilots, who were breathing the castor oil fumes. Goggles didn’t just protect the eyes from bugs, but were also necessary because of the oil mist. They wore a neck scarf to wipe the goggles clean.
The large bulk of the spinning engine made controlling the aircraft difficult, leading to the loss of many planes and inexperienced pilots. Further, the speed of the engine was not easily adjusted, as with a carburetor type of engine, making landing difficult. A ”Blip” switch was used to actually turn the engine off and on to lower the speed.
Eventually, aircraft engine technology evolved to the point where the conventional engine became the preference for all applications. The shortcomings of the rotary engine consigned it to history by the 1920’s.
It is unlikely that anyone today would think up a design based upon the rotary engine principle. We tend to think in terms of common and familiar practice. Great inventions and advances in technology come from people who think “outside the box,” whose thoughts are not conventional thoughts, rooted in accepted practice.
That applies to our worldly outlook on life, as well. If we base our thoughts upon the accepted and popular notions of society, we may be missing the Way of the LORD. Isaiah called upon the wicked to forsake the world’s way, and for the unrighteous man his thoughts, and to turn to the LORD. Is not such advice appropriate for us today as well?
There are times when we must break with conventional thoughts and wisdom, and think of a way of life designed to meet the unique needs of God’s heaven-oriented service. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NKJV)

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Scripture: Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet.!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me." Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.!” John 13:8-9, NKJV

We have a small utility vehicle that we use for many chores about the farm. It truly lives up to its designation for hauling water, feed, fencing and other supplies to our livestock. First, though, we have to start the engine. Once the small, one cylinder gas engine sets for a while and cools off, we have to ‘prime’ the engine to get it started. It is not a problem, really, we use the choke control, just a routine that we expect if we want to get some work out of that vehicle.
I find that my personal life it is a lot like that engine - in a comparative sense. Once a task has ”set” for a time, it takes a lot to get going again. Maybe it is a form of inertia - the property of a body in motion to stay in motion, and a body at rest to stay at rest.
After giving the matter considerable thought, I have come to the conclusion that Peter had a similar “carburetor” problem. I don’t know how else you would explain it. First, Jesus had to apply the “choke” to prime Peter, to get him started.
To further the engine analogy, Peter lacked throttle control. Once started, Peter would go from dead stop to full on, that’s Peter. But, then, there is a lot of Peter in all of us. We
deny the Lord’s requests - “Not me, Lord!” -until He really gets our attention.
Jesus was enacting a parable in servitude by administering a symbolic ritual for His disciples - that of a host washing the dusty feet of his guests. The service was usually provided by a servant, and to omit this courtesy was a breech of etiquette on the part of the host. However, to refuse to accept the service was a breech of etiquette on the part of the guest. If we wish to be associated with the host (Jesus) we must welcome and accept what He desires for us.
Jesus established the church to continue the tradition of servitude as the gracious host for all who would be associated with Him. First, we need to accept both the physical and spiritual ministries of the church by participating in regular attendance and the sacraments provided. We should strive to be the gracious guest of the Lord’s Servants.
Then, as a member and participant of the church, there is also a role for each of us as as Jesus taught in this example - “You should do as I have done for you.” (vs. 15) We are to be the physical hands and feet of a loving God reaching a world in need.
We shouldn’t have to be ‘choked’ to read the Bible more, join that Bible study group, participate in a mission activity, or volunteer to serve on a church committee.
Peter may have it right, though. It is not a “feet” thing, but an “all of me” thing, whatever and wherever there is a need for ‘disciplining’ as Jesus taught - the hands and feet of a Loving God.
May 20, 2007

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “Even so you outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Woe to you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites.” Matthew 23:28-29a, NKJV

“To start with, I’m gonna’ choke you good. Then, I’ll throttle you into submission.”
Violence? Not at all! Just talking to an internal combustion gasoline engine, the kind that powers thousands of our vehicles and utility tools.
Words that have double - or multiple - meanings. We seem to have a knack for that in the English language. We say ‘choke’ to describe cutting off someone’s air supply by constricting the throat, or to initiate the starting process by restricting the air passage in an engine. One word - and the result could end life, or bring an engine to life.
Likewise, ‘throttle’ could mean a severe beating, or the threat thereof, until someone submits to your control. Or it could mean the technique of controlling that speed or rate at which action takes place.
At their most basic and beneficial level, we call them controls. Devices to initiate and regulate what takes place in an engine, or a life.
We use a term called “red-line” for engines and mechanical devices. That is the speed at which mechanical stress may cause catastrophic failure. Run too slow, and the engine ‘dies’ (stops running.) Useful work is done somewhere in between those limits. That is where the throttle comes in: “get -’er done without doing in the do-er.”
We can apply the same concepts - in thought, anyway, to our physical and religious lives. Throttle back too much, and we die. Exceed the stress limits, and things go to pieces. We realize the tragedy of a physical life run amok, even if we don’t always follow the rules on food, morals, and proper exercise.
But religion? We can be too religious? I think so, if we are not burning the right ‘fuel.’ If we are not truly using The Holy Spirit, according to God’s Operating Manual, The Holy Bible. People can ‘red-line’ by becoming so heavenly minded that they have no earthly value. Jesus encountered many people who so fixated upon displays of their ‘holiness’ that God-like duties to their parents and neighbors were ignored. They didn’t ‘have’ religion, but rather a love of looking to be religious, pious, and holy. They were ‘play acting,’ putting on a show, a participant of the art of drama- in short a ‘hypocrite.” From engines to Thespians in one leap? Sure; here is why:
The ‘throttle’ is a means of control. A throttle keeps things running at the proper power level, without dying out or red-lining. Self control - one of the praised virtues from Proverbs to Peter to Paul. Father, Son, Holy Spirit - that’s the linkage we need to make it all run smoothly. Sure, it may be exciting (to some, anyway) to put it to the red line, burn rubber, peal out. On the race track! But our ‘religious’ life is supposed to be more like the old family sedan - not showy, not loud and boisterous, not ostentatious, but to be kept under control. Day in and day out dependability, with a proper and delicate touch on the ‘throttle’ of our lives by God.
May 6, 2007

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

Scripture: Under [Christ’s] direction the whole body [of the Church] is fitted together perfectly, and each part in its own special way helps the other parts, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Ephesians 4: 15b-16, Living Bible)

Once upon a time, not so very long ago, the backyard mechanic could service his own automobile. Fast forward to the 21st Century. The electronic diagnostic equipment required in a modern auto repair facility to interact with the computer systems monitoring and operating your vehicle exceeds that of a radio and TV repair shop in the 1960’s. When that little warning light on the dash comes on, you know you are headed for a computer read-out.
Still, at heart, the modern internal combustion engine beats much like the lowly lawnmower engine: intake, compression, ignition, power, exhaust. Sure, there are some differences, as purists will no doubt argue, but the entire process involves the explosion of a fuel mixture pushing on a piston or rotor coupled to a crankshaft, coupled to whatever work you want the engine to do.
I can still tinker with a lawnmower or small utility engine to satisfy my wistful mechanic longings, and sometimes get them back in running condition. And if I don’t? I have had the fun of tinkering, gained knowledge by taking something apart, and and the pleasure of recycling scrap metal.
So let’s consider the more simple engine as an example of how something needs to function as a whole, requiring all the parts of it to work as intended.
The piston started it by boasting, “Hey! I’m the heart of this engine; without me nothing works.” “Which is true enough,” said the connecting rod. “But take me out and see how much ‘heart’ you have. It is one ‘boom’ and you are done, without me keeping you on the move.”
“Well, I’m the spark that lights your fire,” sputtered the ignition system. “Turn me off, and see how well this engine runs.”
“We are the gatekeepers,” interjected the valves. “Nothing comes in or goes out except by us. And we do it on time, every time.”
“Without my energy, the rest of you are just cold metal,” harrumped the carburetor, nearly choking on his words. ”The fuel system gives and gives, and when I run dry, you don’t run at all.”
The crankshaft listened patiently while all of the systems and their related parts presented their case, each disputing loud and long how important they were. Turning slowly, the crankshaft noted that each followed the movement, in their own way. The piston moved up and down, kept on schedule by the connecting rod. The valves opened and closed, admitting the fuel mixture, which the carburetor gracefully shared from its fuel supply. The ignition watched intently, becoming so excited that it discharged like a miniature lightning bolt, but right on time. “This way out,” urged the exhaust valve, opening wide the passageway.
“You see, each of us is important in our own way. When we work together, we can accomplish things that none of could do by ourselves.” The crankshaft was on a roll now, fairly humming. “Our designer and master mechanic fitted us together perfectly. Even the tiniest bolt and screw is necessary to bring us all together as a whole. If anyone fails, our entire organization suffers because of it. Let each part in its own special way help the other parts, without strife and bickering.”
So, too, “God’s people will be equipped to do better work for Him, building up the Church, the Body of Christ to a position of strength and maturity; until finally we all believe alike about our salvation and about our savior, God’s Son, and all become full-grown in the Lord - yes, to the point of being filled full with Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:12, 13)
February 28, 2010

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Scripture: Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19, NKJV)

Let’s begin by forming an image of a stool in your mind’s eye. What do you see? How many legs does your stool have? If you envision the dictionary definition of a stool, it will be a seat without a back or arms, typically resting on three or four legs or on a single pedestal.
Most single pedestal stools are fastened to the floor, such as you see at a lunch counter. It is otherwise hard to sit upon and balance a stool with only one support, not counting the other two legs supplied by the person sitting upon it. But it can be done.
Likewise, a two-legged stool also is rather unwieldy; who would want one? Easy to take a pratfall.
Three legs solve the problem of balance, and make for a freely movable seat. More legs, however, do not necessarily equal perfection. Consider what happens if one of four legs is a teeny tiny bit of a different length from the others, or the supporting surface is uneven. Wibble-wobble! A three legged stool is a member of the tripod family, much used by photographers and surveyors, among others, for stability.
So let’s take the idea of a three legged stool as a basis for a good, workable and adaptable support for, well, life. What else comes with three good supports?
Well, our ability to cope with the world around us depends upon knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Knowledge is like that stool. You see it, you know what it looks like, its shape, color, size. But what good is it if it just sits there, unused.
We can put that stool to use if we understand that we can sit on it, to rest our weary legs. That is what it is for.
Wisdom is sitting on it with the legs pointing down.
Jesus went into a desert place at the beginning of His ministry, where He was tempted by the devil. Satan offered the fasting and hungry Jesus a sandwich, which he refused, because it didn’t have pickles. You know this because I said so. You would be wise, however, to get the true story by checking it out at Matthew, chapter 4. Be sure that you understand the importance of verse 10. See how and why you need all three - knowledge, understanding, and wisdom?
Our temporal earthly body is somewhat like an engine. Engines require fuel to function. Mechanical engines may be gasoline, diesel, electric, or even steam powered. Knowledge that you must replenish the energy supply isn’t enough; a gasoline engine doesn’t do well on diesel, and that diesel engine will get a real bang out of gasoline. Do you understand this?
Wisdom says that you will use the right fuel, in the right amounts, for whatever engine.
Our bodies require fuel to function. Not only is it important what we eat, but also when we eat, and how much we run the ‘engine.’
Eating too little or too much is like sitting on a one legged stool. It is hard to keep a balance. Fad diets ignore this bit of wisdom. There are basically three things that happens to every bit of food we consume. It can be converted to energy to keep us going; it can be eliminated from the body; or it can be stored. Looking around, I can see that there is a whole lot of storage going on.
Some people just don’t want to think about making any changes in their lifestyle, whether it is a health issue in this world, or spiritual truths about God’s kingdom in the eternity to come. Another important tripod is a sound mind in a sound body, with the third leg being a well-nourished soul or spirit.
Paul suggests that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. However, that is only one Leg of what we call the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hopefully, our temple is supported by all three.
Sad. So many left ‘outside’ because they see, but do not perceive, and hear but do not understand - and lack the wisdom to change.
January 10, 2010