Seeds For Thinking

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

* Transfer Knowledge
* Scripture: Jesus said, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.’” Mark 4:11-12, NKJV

I have acquired a variety of different stringed musical instruments since I first learned to play a ukulele, years and years ago. My collection includes instruments like the mountain (lap) dulcimer, which is easy to play, even for a beginner, to the guitar and violin, which require a lot of work and practice to achieve proficiency. .
. Each instrument is slightly different when it comes down to playing well, yet all have many principles in common. They all have strings, of course, tuned so as to produce a certain pitch note on the musical scale. The number of strings and tunings vary, as well as the size and layout of the fingerboard. Many instruments have metal frets to mark the note locations; the violin family does not. But a tuned string is a tuned string, and simple tunes can be played on any instrument, once you are familiar with the musical scale.
It seems to amaze people that I can pick up any of my instruments and play an easy tune like “Mary Had A Little Lamb.”
The reason that I can do that is not because I am super talented, but because I use what I know about one instrument and apply that knowledge to another.
That is the principle of the parable, the teaching story that Jesus used well to illustrate the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus often began with an earthly topic or subject with which the listeners were familiar, such as a lamp, a shepherd, or a fruit tree, and applied that knowledge to heavenly things. Those who were willing to make the comparison between earthly things and heavenly truths gained a greater understanding of God’s kingdom. Some, however, were either not willing nor able to make that ‘leap’ of understanding, that transfer of knowledge, that would bring them inside to God’s truths.
I sometimes show a person how easy it is to play “Mary Had A Little Lamb” on one of my instruments, and offer them the instrument, only to have them react as if I had handed them a live snake! They have no desire to even try. Strange - the shunning of knowledge!
Perhaps Jesus was experiencing this same phenomena. Some people just don’t want to think about making any changes in their lifestyle, whether it is a health issue in this world, or spiritual truths about God’s kingdom in the eternity to come.
Sad. So many left ‘outside’ because they see, but do not perceive, and hear but do not understand - and have no desire to change.
March 27, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Paul wrote, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7,8 NIV

The deer were obviously not fully grown, although they no longer had the spots of fauns. My wife and I came upon them as we started back our lane to bring the lambs to the barn for their morning feed. One was in the paddock with the ram; the other was in the lane. When they saw us, about the time we saw them, both made a dash for the fence. Not over, as experienced adult deer would do, but straight at it, as if it didn’t exist! The results were predictable. They hit it hard enough that they rebounded back, falling in a tangle of legs on the ground.
The one in with the ram made a couple of tries at the 48 inch high fence, turned, went over the 32 inch fence, and disappeared into the woods.
The deer in the lane, a path between two 48 inch high fences, tried even harder. I was concerned that the poor thing would break its neck! It really smacked that fence! Over and over, working its way down the fence toward us; we were standing stock still, not wanting to spook it further. It came within about ten feet of me.
Finally, I suggested that if we moved slowly toward it, the deer might move on back through the lane. And it did, struggling, sticking its head through the fence, and smacking it as it went along. Reaching the area at the top of the hill, at a spot where the fence sagged a bit, it finally leaped over it, and went off through the trees.
You know, there was not a thing I could do to “talk” those deer over the fences. It would probably have been best if we turned and walked slowly away. I thought, “How like those deer many people are.”
We see people all the time caught up between the ‘fences’ of life, struggling, smacking the boundaries, and suffering because they don’t know how to escape the lifestyle they are in. It is often just as frustrating trying to help someone caught in life's “fast lane.” They want to be happier, to be less stressed out, to get new results from old customs; they don’t want advice or preaching from “holier-than-thou’s.”
If there had been an adult deer present, it would have been no problem. They have smacked the fences before. Now, they know how to get over that barrier. The young ones would only have had to follow, and freedom would quickly have been theirs as well.
It is important to be an example in life so that others can see that there is a way to escape the ‘fences’ of the world. Actions often speak much louder than words.
October 3, 2002

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

* Images
* Scripture: Jesus said, “They (scribes and Pharisees) do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best places in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the market places. . . Mt. 23:5-7a NIV (Read Matthew. Ch. 23)

Imagine two painting hanging on the wall. Both are still lifes, showing flowers in numerous, vivid colors. Standing at normal viewing distance, little can be discerned to distinguish one from the other. At close range, however, someone who is familiar with the finer techniques of painting would see that the brush strokes, the blending and choice of the colors suggest that one painting was done by a skilled artist.
Now let’s focus our examination on the other painting. At close range, even the most casual observer can see that it has been done by the “paint by numbers” technique. The basic outlines of a design are printed on a board or canvas, with numbers that identify a color from a chart. Sort of like an advanced coloring book where a child fills in between the lines. It may be a fun way for an amateur artist to create a painting, and the design may be quite elaborate, but not something that a skilled artist is apt to do.
Given a preference, I’m sure most of us would prefer to be the skilled master artist, creating an image without restraining lines on a blank canvas, rather than filling in a fixed design all laid out for us. We would like to be able to do that with our lives, as well - freely choosing a personality and lifestyle and living it the way we want to. But paintings are not the only things created by the “paint by numbers” method.
We all model our lifestyles according to the social standards and mores about us. We “fill in the spaces” to create an image of who we are, consistent with behavioral patterns of the society in which we live. This may be a good thing if we are trying to model our life on God’s design, and not by the world’s design.
Think for a moment of the many ways people try to impress others by creating a worldly social image, especially as a status symbol. We are cudgeled constantly by advertising to develop a certain persona by adopting (and purchasing, of course) clothing, houses, automobiles, and appliances. The food we eat, the businesses we frequent, and our choice of leisure activities are taken as indicators of our worth and social standing. We are wont to emulate the rich and famous, and enjoy the elements of “The Good Life.”
My thought is this - adopting something because it is the “IN” thing is much like selecting colors from a chart and painting them into pre-established lines. Further, it is like being given a design and then forced to paint it according to someone else’s whim. Wearing an ‘Out‘ style, purchasing the ‘wrong’ product, or following the ‘dated’ trend is like getting caught painting outside the lines, or using the wrong color. Comfort, safety, health and moral issues are not necessarily considerations of the “whim” crowd, however.
Now, is religion exempt? By no means! Consider Jesus’ comments concerning the Pharisees. “Blind guides - Hypocrites”, Jesus called them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
Keep in mind Jesus’ words in verse 12: “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Model your life on God’s design, and not by the world’s design.
March 6, 2005