Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: " . . . His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness" . . .
(From 2 Peter 1:3, NKJV)

I've been thinking about the many times and ways that we form groups, cliques, or clans. We include some people, and exclude others.

They drew a circle that shut me out;
A rebel, a heretic, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win;
We drew a circle that took them in.

I got to wondering about the meaning of the word "clusion, as in, "We've got clusion." Hmmm . . .I couldn't find it in the dictionary, by itself, anyway. I guess that it belongs to that great family of things that are not complete standing alone, like a train of railroad cars without the engine.
Think of a family name, like Smith, or Jones. We need to know if it is Sam or Harry, Jim or Mary. I find that there is a 'family' name of sorts, the 'clude' family, coming from the Latin word, claudere, meaning 'to close.' We might say that some words are like a tractor-trailer rig, in the sense that the trailer carries the load (of meaning) but won't get anywhere without a power source of some kind - the tractor part. Putting it all together, we get in-clude, meaning to enclose, or to embrace. The opposite is to close out, or ex-clude. The act of 'closing' could be either close in (inclusion) or close out (exclusion.)
There is a lot of that going on - inclusion or exclusion, that is. Think about it . . .
Snippets of words, like 'clusion,' are not very useful standing alone; neither are we. God noted that, "It is not good that man should be alone," and created a helper comparable to him. (Genesis 2:18) Personal relationships receive the most emphasis of anything in the Bible. From Cain's cynical denial, "Am I my brother's keeper?" to Paul's summary of responsibilities to God, society and higher powers of Roman's chapter 12, it all comes down to how we draw the circles of 'clusion.
We need to periodically pause to critically examine our circles, pondering the community that we embrace, and especially the community that we bar from participation, consideration, or inclusion.
Who is our neighbor, our brother or sister? Jesus answered the question with the parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:29-37) We are to step outside of our enclosing circles, and to go and have compassion and show mercy to those we have otherwise excluded.
Circles of 'clusion are very powerful forces. Consider the many problems in the world that stem from those groups, cliques, or clans. We call it prejudice, and it may be based on ethnic, gender, age, national origin, or even religious grounds. Sports allegiances give power to the word Fan, from the word fanatic, "marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion."
Woe betide those who step outside the favored circle. That person risks becoming one of 'them' instead of one of 'us,' risking condemnation and exclusion.
Again, just as 'clusion is ambiguous without the empowerment phrase of 'in' or 'ex' to show whether we are including or excluding, keep in mind that the word Christian is like that also. A Christ -person, in the fullest sense, is empowered by Christ. Take Christ out of Christian, and it is like taking the battery out of a flashlight. The "Light of the World" can not shine on us, nor from us, without that empowerment.
Like it or not, we've got 'clusion. We are sort of like a semi trailer, sitting by the side of the road . . . waiting, waiting, going nowhere. We need a power source to get anywhere. Whether we are in Christ's circle or not is up to us. Are you IN-cluded?
January 28, 2007

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

Scripture: A father said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He is an epileptic, and is suffering greatly.” Mt. 17:14b NIV
Check out the scripture passage (above.) God honors steadfastness in family relationships. Truly blessed is the family where everyone gets along with each other! That this is important to God is evident throughout the Bible. The book of Ruth is about ‘family’ from start to finish.
One of the greatest verses in the Bible is this:
But Ruth replied, ~~Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." -Ruth 1:16, NIV
Another book that is too-little read comes from a time when many of the Jews were in ancient Persia - the book of Esther. A Jewish girl, Esther, won the favor of King Xerxes, and became the queen. This was the time, and this was a king who held absolute control over his kingdom. Even the queen could not approach the king without being invited. Esther is remembered to this day by the Jews because she risked her life to protect her people. Haman, given great power by the king, expected all people to bow down to him. Mordecai who had adopted Esther, his uncle’s daughter, refused to bow down to anyone other than God, which angered Haman. Haman plotted to destroy not only Mordecai, but all the Jews in the kingdom. Learning of the plot, Esther petitioned the king to spare her people. He did so, including sentencing Haman to hang on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
We find a close relationship between Mary, Martha, and Lazarus in the New Testament. Many other examples share the love for a son, a daughter, even a Mother-in-Law (Peter’s) that resulted in a petition to The King, Jesus, for healing. Consider these: the widow’s son, an epileptic boy, the man let down through the roof. While we focus on Jesus’ healing power, we also need to ponder all the people who cried out to Jesus, “Lord, have mercy!” And The King heard their cry, and granted their request.
God/Jesus was especially critical of those who violated positive family relationships. His messages to the Pharisees concerning divorce for convenience, and withholding support from parents, clearly show the dark side of many person’s souls.
The Ten Commandments are not just ‘shalts’ and ‘shalt nots’ - they are the ideal life! Jesus summed them up in two - Love God; love you neighbor as yourself.
Take time to read the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:6-21) and the “Love Chapter”, 1 Corinthians 13, often.
Oh! How the world would be changed if everyone took these to heart.
January 27, 2002

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

Scripture: Acts 17:1-34 ; Paul In Athens; Luke 18:9-14, Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
Balancing acts have been a favorite form of entertainment for hundreds of years. We marvel at tight rope walkers and jugglers who perform feats that we wouldn’t dare attempt. Yet each of us perform remarkable balancing acts every day of our lives.
We all want to be different from everyone else - but not too different! We want to be an individual in thought, word, and deed, not to mention dress and ornamentation. However, we also want to belong, to be part of some group. “Birds of a feather” and all that. So we try to balance between being an individual (different from other persons) and yet seek out others who strongly resemble ourselves.
Not surprisingly, all people are remarkably alike. The Bible affirms that all people came from one couple - Adam and Eve - created by God. We should, therefore, feel a special bond and relationship both to God and all other people.
Paul proclaimed that “We are his (God’s) offspring.” (Acts 17:28b) The men of Athens spent a lot of time talking about and listening to the latest ideas. They were religious, as Paul noted from looking at their objects of worship - statues, idols, and altars. However, God is not like their ‘gods’ of gold or silver or stone. He is a living God, not an idea crafted by men, nor does He ‘live’ in temples. “God did this,” Paul said, “So that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him.” (vs 27)
So we are all part of a group, a family, of God’s Children, However, no two people who have ever been, or ever will be, are exactly alike! Even identical twins have individual fingerprints. Another way of identifying each of us is to scan the retina of the eye. According to news reports about better ways to screen passengers at airports, some countries, such as Israel, currently use eye scans, which can not be faked. Why is this needed? Because some people chose to do harm to others because, strangely, one way to show that we are part of The Group is by making others to not be a part of The Group.
Jesus told the parable of two men who went to the Temple to pray (Lk. 18:9-14) The Pharisee looked down on everyone else, stressed his individuality, and “thanked” God that ‘he’ was not like other people. The tax collector, however, humbled himself before God, and petitioned to be accepted into God’s family.
We are an individual; God made us so. We are also part of God’s family (group). What more could we want? Anything else is just an added burden.
October 28, 2001

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Mt. 18:4, NIV
Most churches periodically engage in a process as old as the church itself - selecting leaders for the congregation. Jesus selected the first “Inner Circle” of Twelve out of many who were following him. What characteristics did these men have that Jesus singled them out? Enthusiasm. Dedication. Willingness to learn. Certainly not perfection. All fell short in some way.
Peter was selected as the main leader among them . . . or was he? There is a lot of debate about this, since later the Lord’s brother James seems to be the head of the Church. Many claim that while Peter was the “Main Man” of the Disciples/Apostles, his later role was not as head of the entire church. The Roman Catholic church lists Peter as the 1st Pope. One things is sure, and that is that Peter got a special lesson in servanthood from the Lord himself. (John 13:1-18) There is no question that Peter became a changed person, starting that morning in Jerusalem when the Lord turned and looked at him when the rooster crowed. (Lk. 22:54-62)
Perfection? No, these were ordinary people, not unlike ourselves. Judas was also chosen for a trusted position, remember? Even he had a role to play that moved along the process that God had set in place, even the betrayal of the Christ. No, not perfection, but willingness to serve!
We have on record in the scriptures that Jesus wanted workers, servants, people who would first of all be an example to others. (Lk. 22:24-27)
“The fields are white with harvest,” He said.
(John 4:34, 35) Work to be done!
Do not be like the ones who “Lord it over” the other workers. Never put “stumbling blocks” before the least of the ‘children’ of God. Do not despise (or look down) on others; have concern for those who “wanders away.” Be ready to forgive ...
often! (Mt. 18:21-35.) God rewards equally all who labor for Him, from the least to the greatest, whether short or long term. (Mt. 20:1-16)
In fact, by doing the will of the “Father in heaven” His ‘disciples’ become part of the heavenly family . . his brother and sister and mother. (Mt. 12:50)
To paraphrase President Kennedy, “Ask not what your Father can do for you, but what you can do for your Father (God.)”
August 12, 2001

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

Scripture: Paul wrote, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord” ... “Fathers, do not exasperate your children.“(read Ephesians 6:1-4)
He honked, so I stopped! I could tell he was really irritated with me. I knew I didn’t have a “Honk If You Love . . .” sign, so what else could it be? Stopping wasn’t enough; he kept right on honking. Looked me right in the eye, too! Didn’t move, either, until his ‘wife’ got across the road. Or do you just call it a “mate” in the goose world. Whatever - that gander stood his ground until she - his mate- got back across the road, her webbed feet flap-flap-flapping as she crossed the asphalt. Only after she was safely back on her nest, feathers ruffled out to cover everything, did he leave his post in the front of my car, and let me proceed.
I have witnessed such protective behavior often in the animal world. Usually the mother, but sometimes, as in this case, the father. There is something, be it hormone or innate behavior, that kicks in to bring out the full parenting instinct to nourish and protect little ones. I see it most often in the livestock I work with on a daily basis. The sheep (or goat) that formerly would head for the gate if you looked at it crossways will usually stand and let you check that the udder has milk - after giving birth. They clean and nuzzle the newborn, and develop an amazing bond; they know out of dozens of young bounding around just which little one belongs to them. They will stomp their feet, and charge toward intruders, especially the herd and guard dogs. And woe betide the lamb that tries to cozy up to the wrong mamma! She will send her/him packing: “Go find your own mamma!”
I learned early-on not to mess with a sow with little pigs. Talk about protective! Never crossed a bear (also called sows) but I hear they are more outspoken than pigs. I have been flopped, but good, by geese, hens (both chicken and peafowl), and even Blue Jays. I can only assume that such traits run true throughout much of the animal kingdom.
Oh, yes, you do run into cases where the new mamma drops the kids to run off after temptations of the non maternal world. Had a sheep do that last Thursday. But not often.
People - that’s unfortunately another story. Babies in dumpsters. children left in locked cars and mothers in bars. Abuse; molestation's; neglect. Saddening, but true.
We know from the Bible that Jesus placed a high value on children. Familial relationships are important to God. Children, honor you parents; parents, honor your children!
April 22, 2001

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

Scripture: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18,19, NKJV

Ah, Memories! there is nothing quite like dipping down deep into the memory bin, stirring them up a bit, watching them swirl around, and grabbing onto one or two for a trip down memory lane. I did a little stirring recently when I ran across an internet web site about comic strips - Don Markstein's Toonopedia™ Home Page. Talk about traveling back in time!
Many of the strips from the days of my youth were represented. I especially enjoyed “Out Our Way,” by J. R. Williams. It opened a new world for me, because he drew upon his experiences working in a factory, with cowboys on the range, and typical family situations. There was “Our Boarding House,“ with the ever pompous Major Hoople and his long-suffering but efficient wife, Martha. Some, like “Smokey Stover,” were pure foolishness, but the made-up words fascinated me, like 'Foo’ and 'Notary Sojack.'
I have had a deep interest in the comic strip technique that goes beyond the quick bit of life or humor. All the essential elements of art, writing, film and video presentation are represented, and distilled to a potent essence. I used comic panels to illustrate the techniques of picture composition, movement of the story line, and compression of time in teaching television production.
I still use selected strips in teaching Bible studies. My maternal grandfather had no use for the comics, considering them to be a bunch of rubbish. Never-the-less, I find that they can be used effectively in making a point, or fleshing out an illustration.
Keep in mind that they do not have to be Biblical (although sometimes they may be so - the occasional “B.C.,” or “Peanuts,” for example.) An illustration presenting what ‘IS NOT’ can be just as effective as what ‘IS’ if used properly.
Take relationships; that is what the Bible is all about, after all. Our relationships to God, and to each other - God’s creation.
I got to thinking about the characters in the “Bringing Up Father” strip, created by George McManus, about a poor Irish laborer named Jiggs, and his nagging, social-climbing wife, Maggie. Nouveau riche! Off with the old life, forward to the new, upward mobility into society. At least as far as Maggie is concerned. Art, voice lessons, fashion. Putting on airs. Jiggs? He doesn't understand why his ascension to wealth means he can't hang out with his old friends, and and enjoy corned beef and cabbage at Dinty Moore’s. The artist drew Maggie with a most critical expression on her face where Jigg’s indiscretions were concerned.
Relationships! Between husband and wife, within the family, to friends, both former and future. A place in the social order. Values, laying up treasures. Pride and humility. The higher and lower seats.
Got any ideas yet?
August 7, 2005