Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: Paul wrote, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 1 Timothy 4:16, NIV

Henny Penny, my black hen;
She lays eggs for gentlemen.
Sometimes nine and sometimes ten
Henny Penny, my black hen.
Old nursery rhyme

Unlike the hen in the nursery rhyme, our black bantam hen prefers that the fruit of her labors do not go to feed gentlemen, or ladies, either, for that matter. So she hid her nest away where aforesaid nest robbers could not find her. However, the date of her last regular appearance was duly noted on the calendar, and twenty-one days later - the length of incubation for hen’s eggs - I was anticipating her reappearance with chicks.
Some of the other residents of the barn knocked over a few bales from the hay stack, and Lo! I spy a hen looking out at me from a crevice between the bales thus exposed to view. A quick check showed that chicks were indeed hatching. There were five at that time, with more eggs to go.
I left her for a time to finish her work. Cheeper(s) by the dozen - almost! She finally came out with eleven chicks. And I am positive she was smiling.
I am always amazed at the vitality of newly hatched chicks. Once the entire clutch of eggs has hatched, mama hen has them on the go. She will typically hunt for food almost immediately, as she has been fasting since the first egg started to hatch. At first, they stay pretty much under mama’s feathers, and she guards them well. Soon, however, it is scratch and cluck, a special mama hen cluck, that means, “Dinner is served.” The chicks dive after the choice bit of food she has uncovered.
This is the time I most enjoy, watching as they learn about the world around them. I put out a chick water bottle for them to drink, and sat back to watch. They cocked their heads, and examined this new intruder into their world, but did not recognize it for what it was - a source of water. Finally, mama hen went to the waterer, dipped in her beak, and tipped back her head. Quick as scat, eleven little chicks were around that waterer, dipping and tipping!
While chicks are drawn to mama hen’s cluck, it is her actions that model proper behavior and relationships to things in the world around them.
Lest we forget, our own little ones, children and grandchildren, learn quickly from what we do, both good and bad. Our words may inform, but our actions demonstrate what really matters. We need to “model the message” in our culture that runs so contrary to Christian beliefs. We are to be living examples, not only to youth, but to the world as a whole. Read Paul's letters to Timothy, and “be diligent in these matters.”
August 8, 2004

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Jesus said, “I you have faith as small as a mustard seed, . . . nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 , NIV

Baking a pie is easy! You just need to get the materials, a recipe, and follow instructions. Right? NO!?
And - Hey! Anybody can repair a gasoline engine. Just need some tools, and dig in. No, again?
But of course anybody can do those things - if you have one important item. Experience!! And knowledge, of course, but much knowledge comes through experience. Hands-on, do-it to-it, make mistakes and move on experience.
Some things are automatic, such as breathing and the heart beating. Walking? Gotta practice! Talking? Humans are ‘wired’ for talking early in development, but it takes time and exposure to talking people before a child puts something together other than babble.
One thing about children, though, they are eager to try most anything. Not so for adults, as adults usually are VERY reluctant to try something with which they are not familiar. Children, up to the age when they become self-conscious about looking silly, will sit down at the computer, or make a stab at getting some sound to come out of a musical instrument. I’ve known of adults who can easily bake a scrumptious pie, or strip down and reassemble engines, dissolve into a pile of jelly at the very thought of having to set the clock on a video tape recorder. I’ve heard of people who stick a piece of tape over that flashing “12:00” - Out of sight, out of mind.
There is one very, very important factor in all this talk about experience. First, we have to WANT to learn how to bake a pie or repair an engine, operate a computer or play a musical instrument. We have to acknowledge that we are starting with zero-zip-zilch experience, but are willing to learn. And we have to have a teacher! An experienced, knowledgeable teacher.
Think you can’t do any of those things on your “can’t do/won’t do” list? You are never too old to learn and never too young to teach. PRAY that you be found willing to do both, and that the Spirit helps you, as Jesus promised.
Talk to non-Christians about heaven. Ask them if they know Jesus. Invite them to church. Watch their faces; watch for the excuses, the denials to start.
This is where you find out how good a teacher you are. Can you assure them, interest them, lead them? Is your life such that they can see God’s message radiating from your life?
Endeavor now, before time slips away, to try something new. You may confound your doubting friends, amaze yourself, and make God say, “See, I have given you powers you didn’t even realize you had.”
November 17, 2002

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

"'One thing you lack,' Jesus told the rich young man. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' At this the mans face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." (Read Mark 10 :17-31.)
One of the speakers at a conference on Intensive Grazing that my wife and I attended is an authority on animal behavior. Bud Williams uses a no stress method of animal handling, working with the natural instincts of the animals. Some of his methods seem strange, but they work - if you follow them! In an article in the May issue of "The Stockman Grassfarmer" Bud says, "Animals learn very fast. People don't. Most ranchers don't want you to teach them something new. They want you to show them how they can keep doing what they are doing and have a different result."
That same philosophy can be applied to people in a lot of situations. Both John the Baptizer and Jesus dealt with people who wanted assurance that they could continue doing what they were doing, and yet enter the kingdom of heaven. John preached repentance (Matthew 3:2). Jesus preached repentance (Matthew 4:17). Repentance is not just feeling bad or sorry about something you have done, but, "To make a change for the better as a result of remorse or contrition for one's sins." (American Heritage Dictionary)
Because it involves making a change in ones attitude or behavior, true repentance is not always easy. Jesus speaks to this point in Mark 10:27 - With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God. These same disciples, who were astonished at Jesus doctrine, were indeed changed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Peter summed up his first sermon by saying, Repent, and be baptized . . . in the Name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38
5/18/97

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: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16, KJV

Some people are endowed with what seems to me to be amazing athletic ability. At one time I could do a cart wheel - sort of - but the ability to do running forward and backward flips in the air were not designed into this body, young or old. Gymnasts and divers perform flips and twists that leave my poor brain reeling just from watching, but what a wonderful exhibition of bodily coordination.
It is tempting sometimes to picture ourselves living a dream based upon athleticism, musicianship, acting ability, or a position of authority. At the very least, we need something, or someone, to inspire us, to raise our ambitions higher, to serve as a role model.
Do I envy those who display those exceptional talents? Admire, yes, envy, no. No dream gone bad here. I seldom find a practical use for gymnastics in my daily activities, except maybe in recovering from tripping over something, so athletic ability is not something that I hanker for. Thankfully, I have found many tasks that match my God-given abilities.
Happy indeed that person who finds a match between the realm of desire and the reality of ability.
I count myself fortunate to have witnessed many young people achieve success in making that match, at times even contributing to the process. What a beautiful thing to watch someone grow and develop, literally ‘taking off’ like a jet plane when the afterburner kicks in.
On the down side, I think we have all known cases where latent ability is cast aside, ignored, or smothered, much as a budding plant is nipped or frozen, and never develops into the flowering stage. It is sad when the will to strive is repressed from within; sadder still is suppression often brought to bear for reasons of prejudice, intolerance, or prideful hurt. I include in this scenario parents who push children in an attempt to fulfill a dream that they were never able to achieve for themselves.
In a sense, the entire world lies before us as a young person, much as a lump of clay lies before the potter. Little by little, we are shaped, guided, and molded, both by external forces and by the internal self. What a fine line between the impossible dream and the achievable inspiration! Consider, also, that sometimes we are the potter, and sometimes the clay.
Like it or not, we all have tremendous responsibilities as role models, as teachers, as guides. Rather than stuff people into pigeon holes, much as we might file letters, we need to open doors, lay out vistas, point to the heights. There are times to teach, and times to learn. There are times to lead, and times to follow. There are times to pray, and times listen. There are times to embrace, and times to let go, for of such is love.
September 4, 2005