Seeds For Thinking

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

* Good and Faithful Servants
* Scripture: "Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters." Proverbs 25:13, NKJV

Farming is an occupation that is critically dependent upon the weather for successful planting, growing and harvest of crops. A few days delay of planting or harvest can make a big difference in yield, or even cause a total loss or failure of the crop.
Field crops, such as grain, need rain after the planting is finished, during the growing season, but wet fields delay planting.
Too much rain during the growing season is bad, and hail, wind, or even drought can destroy the crop at any stage of growth. Timely, moderate rain is essential, and totally beyond control of the farmer.
Probably no stage of growth of any crop - field, orchard, or vineyard - is more critical than at harvest time. The ripe grain can be flattened by wind or hail. Untimely rain, or, heaven forbid! A snow storm at harvest time is a grower's nightmare.
The little verse from Proverbs 25:13 puzzled me for two reasons. First, I can't imagine any farmer happy about snow on a ripe crop, especially standing grain in the field.
Second, the verse is about harvest time in Israel. I know that they do have snow, but I doubted that it happened often in summer, during the harvest season. I had to check this one out.
And I am glad that I did! It opened up a new insight on living in God's kingdom.
I found that it does indeed snow in Israel, usually only in the depths of winter, and even then the snow quickly melts. Harvest time is usually hot, and intensive manual labor in the fields is hard on the workers. Oh! For a cold drink to slake the thirst of one and all. Enter Mount Hermon, which usually has snow even in the summer time. Snow! The ideal cooler for drinks in a hot, arid climate. No ice houses, no refrigeration equipment. Snow from the mountain in the time of harvest to refresh the soul.
Now notice the rest of that verse. It is not about farming or the harvest at all. It is about messengers, good and faithful servants! (See Matthew 25:21.) About faithful friends, leaders, wives and husbands. Pastors and laity. About you and me, servants one and all.
What an insight we gain when we learn the real purpose of that one little verse. God made all things for good, at the right time, in the right place, in the season of need.
Pray that we all come to embody the qualities of that "good and faithful servant" who refreshes the soul of his masters like a drink cooled by snow in the heat of the summer.
July 23, 2006

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

Scripture: James said, “Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” James 4:8, NIV

A picture isn’t always enough! True, a picture preserves a moment in time, but there are so many pieces of information missing. Unless it is a three-dimensional hologram, we see only a flat, one-sided view. Even special photographic techniques, such as used in the 3-D movies, can not even approximate the real object.
Our family once visited the Grand Canyon, in Arizona, arriving just at dawn. I have pictures of the sun coming up as a thin, red line over the northeastern rim of the canyon, while the depths below are still shrouded in darkness. Soon, the walls directly under us were touched by the first rays as the sun began its climb into the heavens, and I took pictures of that. When I pull out my photo album, that instant of time is a reminder of what we saw years ago. However, the photo in no way approximates the full scope and dimension of the scene laid out before us. Even if I close my my eyes, and try to reconstruct the vast panorama from memory, the detail is lost. I recall that the colors, shadows, and texture changed minute by minute as the sun made its ascent, but try as I might, though, the “feel” of the experience will never equal that of being in the presence of the spectacle.
Two of our four granddaughters spent a week with my wife and I. What a pleasure! We have pictures of them on our shelves, but they serve only to remind us of the real thing. How can you package a three-year-old on a flat piece of paper? Even a video falls far short of capturing the full essence of an ever changing personality. True, I’d like to capture the sound of her silly little giggle while she is listening to a funny story, and I will make some video recordings, but it could never replace the rest of the “body language” that goes with it. She giggles, she wiggles, everything is in motion. The eyes speak a thousand words, changing instant by instant to mirror the perception of one seeing and hearing so many things for the very first time. Memories are made not just of sound, or even of an image, but the nuances of everything taken together. What will her memories of those moments be, years from now? Perhaps some day we will again share the experience, and giggle a little as we recall a visit with grandparents one grand summer.
We would have missed so much if we had not made the trip to the Grand Canyon, nor invited the granddaughters to spend the week. Yet I am reminded that so many miss so much by not seeking out, and spending time with, God. Even the Bible, in all its vastness, pales into mere words on a flat page if the full Glory and Presence of the Lord is not experienced. We need to be constant in prayer, active in listening to God’s counsel. We need to be faithful in worship, gathering with those who also seek to worship and listen. We need to practice daily those relationships that build up the Body of Christ. Knowing only that something exists, even God, is not the same as experiencing the fullness thereof.
July 6, 2003

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

Scripture: Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, Surely not I, Rabbi? Matthew 26:25 NIV.

Judas was one of the inner circle, one of Jesus chosen disciples. He acted like a Disciple, he talked like a disciple. Surely he was dedicated to Jesus . . . or was he? Although Jesus knew all along what Judas really was, the disciples thought he was truly one of them. His actions proved that he was not really a true follower of Jesus. What a disappointment when someone who walks and talks like they are a Christian turns out to be a follower of Jesus in appearance only. What a disappointment when someone comes to doubt their salvation, and falls away from God. How blessed are those who see their salvation, and remain faithful.