Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: "Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9:9, NKJV

I place the two slightly curved pieces of wood between my fingers, positioning them carefully with my thumb and little finger lightly cradling them, and give my wrist a sharp snap. If I have done it correctly, they will respond with a bright 'click.'
They are called 'bones' -a type of percussion musical instrument, used to accompany a peppy tune with a clack-clickety-clack . . . If you know how to do it!
I am not a very good "bone player," but I have tried to learn the technique to carry on the tradition of the grandfather and uncle who bequeathed the 'bones' to me.
Simple, huh? Take two pieces of wood, place them between your fingers, and give them a shake. Hah! I enjoy handing them to people, especially students at the schools where our band sometimes provides demonstrations of old time instruments, and watching them try to imitate even my simple example.
I find that there are three typical responses to my offer to help them become a bone player: Some refuse to even touch them. Others make a half-hearted attempt, and hand them back.. And a few, a very few, make a serious attempt at mastering the technique.
Isn't that just like life?
You've done it; I do it all of the time in my "Seeds" writings. The Bible is full of proverbs and pithy sayings, of sympathetic Psalms, of parables and prayers. We offer advice on things to do, ways to solve a problem, how to overcome life's dilemmas, and fully expect them to get it 'right off the bat'. "Here, just do this, and you will be "playing along" in no time! R-I-G-H-T ! ! !
Desire plays a large role in learning something new, of course. Many people have a burning desire, but never move beyond the "wannabe" stage. Their dreams are never fulfilled. It is like sitting in a car, but never starting the engine. Keep in mind the axiom that, "If all you ever do is what you have always done, all you will ever get is what you have always got."
First, people must be willing to accept instruction without feeling that it is a rebuke or an unkindly act, an intrusion into their private lives. They must be an open vessel, ready (and wanting) to be filled.
Second, they must feel a need to learn, to make a change in their lives, before anything will make a difference, whether coming from you, or I, or the Bible. We might call this "conviction," the state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth. A truly life-changing conviction often comes only when harsh reality strips away all other choices.
Finally, empowerment makes learning possible. It's like turning on the switch, or shifting into drive. The goal or destination beckons, the pathway to achievement is illuminated, and the process of learning begins.
January 14, 2007

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

* Rain
* Scripture: Jesus said, "But I say to you, 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." Mt. 5:44
Ezekiel 34:26b - I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. NKJV

There shall be showers of blessing:
O that today day they might fall
Nathan
The occasion of rain is a curious phenomena - Some people want it, some don't.
Granted, timing plays a large role in how rain is accepted. For some people, rain is an inconvenience, an interruption of life, a spoiler of fun:

"Rain, rain, go away;
Come again some other day."
Why?
"Little Johnnie wants to play."

On goes the scowls, out come the umbrellas, washed away goes the day.
Rain is a blessing for other people, however: The farmer needing moisture to sprout or sustain crops, people with cisterns, and - assuming that the shower is gentle and warm - children with obliging parents.
Ever notice? Children who have to be dragged into the tub/shower go joyfully and gleefully into the rain. Laughter, giggles, looking for puddles, maybe eyes closed, looking to the heavens. (Perhaps it's the absence of soap.)
So, some want (and need) rain, and rain will answer their prayers. Others, like Little Johnnie, are praying for sunshine.
Keep in mind the precepts of Matthew 5:45, that God makes the sun shine on the evil and the good He sends the rain on the just and the unjust. Everybody! No matter what, somebody is going to be unhappy.
Does it grieve you that blessings fall on the evil ones, perhaps those who hate you, or curse you? Are you discouraged to see bad things happen to good people?
There are - and must be - times that we do not readily see blessings in the answer that God gives us. Look closer; there may be blessings falling, blessings sent by God that you are turning away with your scowl and 'spiritual umbrella.' Look instead for ways you can collect, as in a spiritual cistern, these showers for times when you can draw upon them as needed. Times when love, blessing, and prayer bring seasons refreshing to your soul, or to another's.
Jesus, also, prayed for the "cup to pass," but accepted God's will.
He exemplified His teachings (Mt. 5:44) and, in so doing, brought salvation to the world.
November 19, 2006

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

* Thorn In the Flesh
* Scripture: Jesus said, “He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.” Matthew 5:45b, NKJV

Now I ask you , is that really fair? It only seems right that the evil and unjust should be punished in some way, and the righteous alone should be the beneficiary of God’s gifts.
Then there is the matter of the man who hired laborers at different times during the day, and paid them all the same wage, whether they worked all day in the sun, or just an hour or so. There should have been a government agency in charge of that one. (Mt. 20:1-16)
I’ve heard it said, “Don’t get mad; get even!” An eye for an eye. Tit for tat. You push me; I push back. Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. That’s the way the world goes.
Apparently Jesus doesn’t play by the world’s rules, though, from what He states in the preceding and following verses.
Love your -”enemies?” Bless those who curse you? No, those are not the way things usually go. Oh, we pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us, all right - for something nasty to happen to them.
Don’t think so? How about the tele marketer who calls at meal time; the #*%@ who cuts you off in traffic, or ducks into the parking place just ahead of you. You say nice things?
Let’s face it: it is a real struggle to rise above the trials and tribulations that come our way. The real test of a loving and forgiving heart comes when bad things happen to us. The slap on the cheek, the law suit, the unwanted request, as noted by Jesus in Mt. 5:38-42, give us an opportunity to witness to the power of a loving God.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:17) that he had a ‘thorn in the flesh,’ and pleaded to the Lord that it might be removed. The Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul does not reveal the nature of the thorn in his flesh, only that the Lord’s answer was, “No!” Instead, Paul received God’s grace to bear the thorn.
We are not unlike Paul, then, when we are beset with infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. Yes, we can - and should - pray about these things. The Lord can and will remove such as He desires.
Sometimes, though, the answer is not removal of the ‘thorn,’ but grace sufficient to endure, even as Jesus endured.
Take to heart the ‘Sermon On The Mount;’ pray that you develop qualities exemplifying the Father in heaven.
October 16, 2005