Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: “The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.” (Proverbs 20:7)

Probably no other endeavor has more lasting impact than the influence we parents have on our children. We may well quote Proverbs 22:6 , “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it,”or, Paul’s advice to fathers, “bring (your children) up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) We should not, however, interpret that to mean merely “Laying Down the Law.” Actions speak much louder than even well-intentioned words.
Consider Barnabas, The Encourager. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” (Acts 11:23, 24a, NIV.) If our lifestyle follows that of Barnabas, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, setting an example for others to observe, well and good.
If our words are not consistent with our actions, if they see us leading a worldly lifestyle, filled with self-interest, overly competitive by nature, not only in sports, but also in business, politics, and on the highway, we can rightly expect them to follow that example.
A child is stained by people they come in contact with, every bit as much as my hands were stained brown while gathering walnuts (a fall ritual and a badge of honor for me as a boy but the despair of my mother.) The stain would eventually wear off, but, for a time, bore evidence of my brief contact with the walnuts. The stain of our influence, for better or for worse, may forever mark a child
I recently witnessed a beautiful example of proper parenting at the supermarket. A mother and her preschool age daughter were shopping together. The girl wasn’t riding in the cart; she was picking out each item to place in it. As they moved along the isles, the mother would discuss each item on the list, sometimes making suggestions, at other times allowing the girl to make the choice. They worked together. No conflict between a harried mother and crying child here!
I believe that this mother will soon be able to trust her daughter to not only do the shopping, but to make wise selections. To train up a child means developing a trusting, loving relationship, tenderly encouraging and guiding the child a step at a time toward a lifestyle that will last forever.

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

* Birth
* Scripture: Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3, NKJV.

What a difference a little time can make! In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, things can change forever. One form of existence can pass away and a new one begin. It may be the heavenly transfer by which we pass from this earthly life to that of eternity. It may also be the beginning of an earthly life, that marvelous transition from egg or womb that occurs at birth.
Marvelous as it may be, we pretty much understand the birth process and the changes that take place as the baby grows to adulthood. Jesus' use of the term "born again" puzzled Nicodemus, who envisioned a "replay" of that earthly birth, entering a second time into his mother's womb, to be born.
Jesus is talking about a spiritual rebirth, of course, but think how people not associated with the teachings of the church or the sayings of Jesus might interpret our common usage of the phrase "born again." Would they not look upon it much as Nicodemus did? We have some explaining to do, of course.
I question that even within the church the term is fully understood for what it really means. We ask, "Do you accept Jesus as your savior?"
"Oh! Yes! Sure I do!"
We see people accepting things all the time as their one and only:
"I use only (this brand) of pain medication."
"My favorite music group is 'Moobledy Moop'."
"I only root for . . . " (insert name of team or athlete.)
Well, there is some behavior modification involved here, but is that all that it is - accepting one thing above others?
Consider this: I have been associated with farming for most of my life. I have witnessed numerous births in fur and feathers, hair and wool. My wife and I are currently shepherds, keeping sheep. Most of the time lambs are born without any help from us, but now and then the ewe needs human assistance. We had such a case recently; the baby was not positioned correctly, and the ewe wasn't able to deliver by herself. But she wouldn't let us humans help, either. If we approached, she got up and ran off. We couldn't even get close enough to read her ear-tag number.
Finally, she stopped just long enough that we were able to catch her, and relieve her from her distress. The birth was a success; a nice, healthy lamb!
But in that instant, she changed. She became a mother. Her hormones kicked in, her full attention was on the baby, on nurturing and protecting it. No more running; nothing else mattered.
Think about this: when we stop and let Jesus relieve us from our distress, we "give birth" to a new spirit that we can not do by ourselves. Now, let those 'heavenly hormones' kick in, give that baby spirit your full attention. Nurture and protect it.
May 14, 2006

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

Scripture: Malachi wrote, “Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another.”
Malachi 2:10, NIV

“Father” is one of those generic words that we all understand to mean our male parent. Sometimes know as “Daddy,” sometimes as “Pop.” These days, we may have to qualify that by inserting “biological” or “adoptive,” but familial relationship is probably first in our thoughts, that is, a man who has begotten a child.
Actually, there are numerous ways the word “Father” can be used, including as a noun, or as a verb. One who is the founder, producer, or author is said to “father” that product or cause, especially if that person cares for or looks after something as a father might.
Father is an often used term in the Bible, as one might expect in a paternalistic society representative of Biblical times. Adam, of course, is noted as the first father. But, quickly, now, who is the most famous father in the Bible?
My pick is found in Matthew 6:9, and affirmed in Malachi 2:10. Surely you have heard the first reference, if not the second.
There is no doubt that He qualifies as the “founder, producer, or author” in the fullest sense. Isaiah 64:8 proclaims, “Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Jesus taught extensively of the Fatherhood of God. The Lord’s model Prayer begins, “Our Father . . .” (Mt. 6:9-13) The Latin reference to The Lord’s Prayer is “Pater Noster,” Our Father . . . (See language note.) Even at twelve years of age, Jesus referred to the Temple in Jerusalem as “My Father’s house. (Luke 2:49)
Jesus, The Son, reveals the Father to those whom He chooses. He tells the woman at the well, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks." (John 4:23)
How do we get we get words like “paternal” when our word is Father? Some of our ancestors took the “p” sound of Greek and Roman “pater,” and shifted it to the “f” sound. In German it became “fater.” Middle English “fader” eventually changed to “father.” We go back to our linguistic roots and say, “paternalistic” rather than “fathernalistic.” (My spell checker does not like that word!) By the way, “mother” derived from “mater” so we also get “maternalistic” on the feminine side.

When a male child is born, they ask, “How is the mother?”
When a man is married, they ask, “What did the bride wear?”
When a man dies, they ask, “How much did he leave the widow?”
And they say it is a man’s world?
Author Unknown
June 15, 2003

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9, NIV

My wife and I have been immersed in the depths of shepherding the past few weeks. Our flock more than doubled in number, thanks to motherhood. Singles, twins, even triplets have been arriving at various hours of the day and night. We, the shepherds, have to go to them to see that all is going well. Being animals, the ewes do not come knocking at our door, seeking assistance. For the most part, the new mother knows what to do, and settles into the task of protecting and nourishing the lambs she is suddenly responsible for. The lambs, for their part, quickly turn to their mother, creating a bond that is quite strong and enduring.
I took time to watch one sunny afternoon recently as a ewe delivered her first lamb, cleaned it up, coaxed it to its feet, delivered a sibling, and soon moved off as a trio. No help needed!
Not so a first-timer a few nights later. It became obvious that delivery wasn’t going well, after I had spent an hour observing her progress. Finally, at 1:00 AM, I decided she needed some assistance, and had to pull a 17 pound ram lamb. The mamma promptly got up, and ran off! It took a while to finally coax her back to her baby, but she eventually settled into the motherly routine. Thankfully, they are getting along well now.
Still, we routinely check mammas and babes, rejoice at full tummies, and assist those that show signs of distress. We try to be good shepherds to our flock. We know they are very limited in their ability to let us know how they feel, or what they need.
Such a responsibility - the experience of watching over our sheep - brings a renewed awareness of the devotion of The Good Shepherd to our human needs. In Luke 11:11-13, Jesus talks about giving gifts to our children, and compares our limited ability to that of God, who much more gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.
How blessed indeed are those mothers who both give good gifts to their children, and know how to ask God for those things that are on the heavenly level.
Paul writes of the faith which first lived in Lois, then in her daughter, Eunice, and finally in Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5). We are not told more, but certainly these were praying mothers, knocking on God’s door for insight in the tumultuous times in which they lived.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, concedes to be the Lord’s servant (Luke 1:38.) Yes, blessed be the mother who can sing, as Mary sang, “My soul praises the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 146-47)
May 11, 2003

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” Mark 7:29, NIV
He said, “Will you give me a drink?”
She said, “How can you ask me for a drink?” And Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” (John 4:7b-10 excerpted)
Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well in Sychar is unique in several regards. First, Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other. Jews would not even travel through Samaria, if they could avoid it. Further, Jesus declared to her that He was the promised Messiah, a fact that many people wished to hear from him, but did not, or would not accept the evidence. (See John 7:25-52 )
The woman becomes an evangelist, telling the people in Sychar about Jesus. At their request, Jesus stayed with them two days. And because of His words, they profess, “Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the savior of the world.” (John 4:42b)
Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ is often noted in sermon and lesson, (Mark 8:27-30) but consider the testimony of Martha, sister of Lazarus, who tells Jesus that she believes that he is the Christ, “The Son of God who was to come into the world.” (John 11:27)
Women were treated with compasion by Jesus, without regard to their nationality or social status. A non-Jewish woman, a Greek born in Syrian Phoenicia, phrases her request for healing for her daughter such that Jesus does not withhold His healing power. (Mark 7:24-30.)
Jesus commends the widow’s offering in the temple. (Luke 21:1-4) and uses a persistent widow to illustrate the need to pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1-8.)
Jesus healed the crippled woman on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-13) and a woman in a crowd (Luke 8:40-48.) He raised not only Lazarus for the grief-stricken Mary and Martha, but also the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-15.)
Jesus forgave the sins of the woman taken in adultry John 8:1-11, and the woman who annointed him (Luke 7:36-50.)
Even in the final moments of His life, Jesus showed concern for the women standing near the cross. He made provision for the future care of his mother, Mary. (John 19:25-27.)
All four gospels record that it was the women who first discover the empty tomb, The Resurrection, that first Easter Morning.
Yes, I am planting seeds which I hope will grow into greater knowledge of the role of women in the Bible. All you have to do is dig a little more into the scriptures. This is just a ‘starter’ collection, taken from the New Testament. Don’t neglect the many references in the Old Testament as well.
March 30, 2003

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

Scripture: Esther said, “I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16b., NIV
While one might well argue that without women and mothers, there would be no history, many, many women have had an impact on history far beyond that role. The Bible chronicles the impact of numerous women who played an active role in shaping history, from Eve to Mary the mother of Jesus.
One of the most venerated women in Jewish history is a virtual stranger to many Christians, yet without her, the Bible would tell a vastly different story. We seldom study the Book of Esther; God is not mentioned in this book. Surely, however, God was moving behind the scenes and had His hand on her life.
Esther was a Jewish woman, who lived in Persia about five hundred years before the birth of Christ. Her husband, Xerxes, was the most powerful ruler at that time over the area we call the Mid-east. Mighty Babylon had taken all of Israel into captivity and foreign powers had controlled both the Hebrew people and their homeland for over a hundred years. Now, Babylon had been conquered by Persia, and the fate of the people and their country depended on the whim of the King of Persia (modern day Iran).
Then, as now, anti-Jewish sentiment manifested itself in plots to annihilate Jews. One of the royal officials, a man named Haman, plotted to hang Esther’s cousin, Mordecai, and follow up by killing all the Jews in the kingdom because “their customs are different than all other people.” (See Esther 3:8) Esther bravely and cleverly revealed this plot to the king, even thought it was against the law for her to intervene.
Haman was hung on the very gallows he had constructed to hang Mordecai. The King could not (by Persian law) change the decree to kill the Jews, so he made a new decree that Jews could defend themselves. And they did! This day is celebrated to our time by the feast or Purim, a day of joy and feasting, and by giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.
Many Jews had returned to Jerusalem and Israel. Ezra and Nehemiah were sent to govern the country, and rebuild the temple and the city walls. Esther’s step-son was now king, and supported the rebuilding and resettlement efforts, no doubt strongly influenced by Esther.
Think how different world history would be without the contributions of this one woman. Suppose that the Hebrew nation had been entirely wiped out 500 years before the birth of Christ. No Hebrew nation, no Messiah. No Messiah, no saving Grace for all people.
Take time to read the Book of Esther.
May 12, 2002