Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: John wrote, “At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him . . .John 12:16 NIV
I’ve been conducting lots of burials lately. I do so not with sadness or despair, but with a sense of anticipation and satisfaction. Lest you think that I am heartless and deranged I should tell you that Jesus would approve! He said so; I can prove it.
Jesus told several parables about sowers, casting seed to the ground, with anticipation of the harvest. In John 12:24, He states, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
If I commit my seeds to the ground, I will in time gain an increase, whether in seed or plants. If I keep my seed safe in the house, I will gain no increase; if fact, over time, the seed looses its “life” and will be worth nothing.
So I rejoice as I “bury” my seeds. I look to the future, anticipating the harvest, which I have faith will come.
Jesus’ disciples were not able to understand what He was talking about at the time. Save to lose; lose to save. It didn’t make sense. They saw only a hopeless sense of loss in Jesus’ death and burial. They had not yet learned, as Whittier wrote many years later, that “Life is ever Lord of Death.” It was not until that morning, that miraculous morning, that they finally knew, and understood what Jesus meant. They passed that knowledge, the wonderful, joyful news on to us. We call it . . . EASTER!

Alas for him who never sees
The stars shine through the cypress trees
Who, hopeless, lays his dead away,
Nor looks to see the breaking day
Across the mournful marbles play!
Who hath not learned, in hours of faith,
The truth to flesh and sense unknown,
That Life is ever Lord of Death
and Love can never lose its own!
John Greenleaf Whittier

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

Scripture: “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14, NKJV)

So how was your last flight? No, I don’t mean by commercial carrier. You do use a flying auto, or at least a helicopter, don’t you? After all, we were all supposed to by using them by the 1980’s, or so the prognosticators envisioned in the 1950’s. Thankfully, that didn’t come to pass. We, the people, seem to have enough problems keeping the more conventional vehicles between the lines and out of harm’s way. Imagine what it would be like to have people slip-sliding all over the place.
It works the other way, also. Sure, Dick Tracy had his two-way wrist radio at a time when conventional communication devices were large and bulky. But who could have foreseen the day when so much is done with such small gadgets. We talk, we text, we compute, we multi-task. Our simplest devices contain more computational power in one, small integrated circuit chip than UNIVAC in the mid century past. And takes pictures, too!
We marveled at a phonograph disc that was called an LP (Long Playing) and contained more than a couple of songs. The player was mostly mechanical, bigger than a bread box. Then along came the wire recorder (remember those?) and tape decks - reel to reel. First, audio, then video. I have in my pack-rat stash examples of most of the formats, including 8-tracks, cassettes, CD’s and DVD’s.
My computer has a little age on it, but no way to play the floppy disks in my collection, not even the little 3 1/2 inch jobbies. I once wrote much of my own software, in BASIC, and a few more advanced formats. Haven’t needed that knowledge, lately.
The ubiquitous Sony Walkman has joined the list of the lost. I have an old Apple II computer on the shelf, and a couple of Commodore 64’s, also. Film. Remember film? An old box camera got me a ribbon in the antique department at a fair. There was 16 mm, 8 mm and super 8. I’ve even got film cartridges. Just pop ‘em in and hit ‘play’.
Speaking of “The Way It Was,”I once could (and did) strip down an auto engine, grind the valves, and rebuild it. New spark plugs every - what? - a few thousand miles. Now I am lucky if I can figure out how to raise the hood!
Predicting the future is an ‘iffy’ business! Chances are, we’ll get it wrong. "The best laid plans of mice and men,” etc. 1
We seem to still be in the age of “wars, and rumors of wars.” Jesus said that these things will come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately. ( Matthew 24; Luke 21 His predictions concerning the temple and the city of Jerusalem were fulfilled with the destruction in 70 A.D., by the Romans.
The final end times have not happened. Jesus warned that many would come, with deceit in mind, false prophets, leading souls astray. The war against the Lamb (Revelation 17:14) can not be predicted, nor should it be. John cautions, in his closing comments to Revelation, against adding to or taking away from the words in the book of prophecy, for God shall take away his part from the Book of Life. Further, God will add to (anyone who would attempt to change God’s Word) the plagues that are described by John.
These things are beyond our control; we should leave them in God’s hand. That does not mean that we give up, and do nothing, however.
I have heard it said that to plant a fruit tree is to plan for the future. There is another form of “planting” and pruning for a fruitful life.
James relates that wars and fights come from among us, from our desires, our lusts, our spending of our resources on pleasures. We want to be a friend of the world. Prune these things from your life! Rather, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee. Be humble in the sight of the Lord; He will lift you up. Be patient! Pray for the afflicted, the sick, for one another. (James chapter 4)
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17,18)

1 No matter how carefully a project is planned, something may still go wrong with it. The saying is adapted from a line in “To a Mouse,” by Robert Burns: “The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley.”

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

Scripture: “I am come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10b, NKJV)

One of the most magnificent spectacles of life is found on the plains of southeastern Africa. An area known as the Serengeti, a vast plain in Tanzania, is noted for the annual migration of the area's large numbers of wildebeest, zebra, buffalos and gazelle. Driven by cycles of rain and drought, the animals, and their predators, follow the circuitous movement of the supply of grasses and vegetation that nourish them. A unique combination of diverse habitats ranging from riverside forests, swamps, grasslands and woodland, enables it to support more than 30 species of large herbivores and nearly 500 species of birds.
Towards the end of May, when the grass becomes dry and exhausted, the animals begin their trek in a column several miles long to the permanent waters in the north of the Park. Yet, after the rains, the golden expanse of dry grass is transformed into an endless green carpet flecked with wildflowers. In November, when the grazing is finished in the North, this army of animals surges back to the now green pastures of the south, where they calve and mate before starting the entire cycle again.
The Okavango Delta, in Botswana, is produced by seasonal flooding. The Okavango river drains the summer (January–February) rainfall from the Angola highlands, two countries away from Botswana, taking approximately one month to reach the delta. The waters then spread over the delta during the next four months (March–June). The flood peaks between June and August, during Botswana’s dry winter months, when the delta swells to three times its permanent size, attracting animals from miles around and creating one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of wildlife. More than 400 species of birds flourish in the lush forests of the delta and its islands, and along the floodplains created by the waters of the Okavango river.
On the mainland and among the islands in the delta, lions, elephants, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles congregate with a teeming variety of antelope and other smaller animals - warthog, mongoose, spotted genets, monkeys, bush babies and tree squirrels. The majority of the estimated 200,000 large mammals in and around the delta are not year round residents. They leave with the summer rains to find renewed fields of grass to graze on and trees to browse, then make their way back as winter approaches.
The animals have life, and have it abundantly, because of the rains that revive the forests, swamps, grasslands and woodlands. Life resumes anew in the waters of the river and channels of the delta, and slakes the thirst of the wildlife on the plains, as well. Everything is transformed by that renewing flow.
Oh! How precious is that flow!
I can’t help but think about another cleansing, nourishing flow:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing But The Blood (Robert Lowry)
Just as the animals in Africa must come to the water to benefit from it, so, too, we must come to Jesus to obtain that life-giving precious “flow.” As John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us all from unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) Jesus, speaking to the woman at the well, told her that He is “the living water;” whoever drinks of it will never thirst. It shall become “a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”(John 4:14)
Come, drink, accept God’s gift of abundant life.

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: For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him. (Matthew 25:29 - from the Parable of the Talents; Living Bible) See also Luke 19:11-26.

Use it or lose it! That credo certainly applies to the servant who hid his money rather than use it profitably in this parable. We would do well to understand the meaning of this parable lest we fall into the errant way of those who shirk responsibility and suffer the same fate as the unfaithful servant.
The master, or ruler, in the parable wasn’t just giving the servants money to have and to hold until his return. Each of the three men was given a responsibility in accordance with his ability. Two of the men understood that they were to invest the money, and had double the initial amount when the master returned. They were praised for their good work, and rewarded with both greater responsibility and an invitation to ‘enter into the joy of your lord.’ (vs. 21)
Do not be distracted by the use of money as an example in the parable. They were given an opportunity to work for the master. They were simply to carry on some work that the master would have done, had he been there. The faithful servants have taken what they were given and gained double for the kingdom!
Note also that it is not the size of the task that matters, nor rank or standing. Rather, each was given opportunity in accordance with their perceived likelihood of successfully completing the assignment. Two of them fulfilled their master’s trust. The third had the same opportunity, but failed.
Keep in mind that Jesus is showing us something very important about the kingdom of heaven. In fact, Psalm 16:11 states:
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (NKJV)
I think that Jesus is trying to show us the “path of life” in this parable. We all have been given opportunities to become one of the “laborers sent into His harvest.” (Mt. 9:37-38) The ‘harvest’ is the vast number of the unsaved in the world, people who have either not heard the Good News of Jesus, or have been distracted by the pleasures of the World and its prince, Satan.
Unfortunately, many who are given the opportunity to labor for Christ emmulate the unfaithful servant; they ‘hide’ the opportunity that they have been given, and gain nothing for the kingdom. That unfaithful servant will be denied the invitation to enter the joy of the Lord. The future does not hold joy for those who do not make the most of their given opportunity.
Read it again: “For the man who uses well what he is given shall be given more and he shall have abundance. But from the man who is unfaithful, even what little responsibility he has shall be taken from him.” Substitute the word “opportunity” for responsibility in this passage, and you will gain a better sense of the importance of using what you have been given.
Don’t ignore the little things. A prayer, a kind word, a smile for those who most need it might fill a need in their life. Something as simple as passing on a Bible tract may be your opportunity, your ‘assignment’ from the Master for the day.
Each step we take in the direction of the kingdom of heaven takes us closer to sharing forever in the joy of the Lord.
Any other step, including no steps at all - well, you think about it.
April 1, 2007

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/

Scripture: To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven;
(Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV)

Lists! Making lists seems to be a popular thing, and, to an extent, necessary. We make lists of things to do, like schedules, shopping lists, birthdays and anniversaries.
If you are like me, once more than one thing is on the agenda - even a little bit in advance - it better be written on the master calendar. Even so, a phone call from the doctor’s office, or the vet, sometimes sends us scrambling to the master schedule list to confirm the call. And - they do sometimes get their list messed up, and some juggling goes on. But, yes, something written down trumps brain cells for permanence.
There are two ways to go shopping for the daily bread, experts say. One method is to go to the store, walk the aisles, scanning the goodies, say, “I need that,” and toss it in the cart. Still, the pantry shelves sometimes end up with a stash of an item that we are sure is in demand, until we add the new supply to it.
The better way is to take - you guessed it! - a shopping list. Now this takes will power, or perhaps ‘Won’t power.’ If you fully develop that list, and stick to it as you traverse the racks and shelves, if you summon up the courage of your convictions and walk on by those tempting displays that practically reach out and grab your hand, you will end up with fewer items in the cart, and a lower number at the checkout.
A list containing names of items is not enough when shopping for clothing, hardware, or maintenance supplies. Especially if the designated shopper is not the person needing the item. The designee typically stands staring at an unbelievable array of choices in color, size, quality and other miscellany that boggle the mind. That’s why you so often see a shopper standing in front of a furlong sized display with a cell phone pressed to their ear.
Sewing supplies, nuts and bolts, potions, lotions and notions! Our society is certainly productive. Sizes most definitely matter, as well as content, additives, containers and material. Physical properties, all. A list is mandatory.
Another currently popular list is the “Bucket List,” things to do before you “kick the bucket”- that is, die. Perhaps it could be called a life list. One internet site that I found advises to “stop putting off your dreams for ‘someday,’ and ask yourself, “If I had one year left to live, what would I be sure to do.?”
Typical list suggestions include trips, adventures, and special activities. Visit that exotic spot; ride a camel; parachute from an airplane; drive a racing car; climb a mountain. That sort of thing.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 presents a well-known list of life events, including:

“A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to love, and a time to hate.”

Verse 11 states that God has made everything beautiful in its time, and put eternity in our hearts. Nothing is better than to rejoice, and do good during life.
“I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing can be taken from it.” (verse 14)
The ‘Preacher’ concludes, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecc. 12:14)
Eternity is forever! Be sure your list includes preparations.