Seeds For Thinking

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

* Mama's Wings
* Scripture: Jesus said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." Mt. 23:37, NKJV

I honestly don't know what possessed her to do what she did. I know for a fact she wasn't taking scripture into account. Actually, I was surprised that anything good came out of her efforts. But there they were - seven baby chicks hatched out on the 3rd of March - well out of the usual season!
There is indeed a time and a season for everything, and that white hen was certainly rushing things a wee bit. Perhaps the un-seasonably warm temperatures during the month of January threw her biological clock off schedule. Never-the-less, she stuck with her task; she stayed the course.
It takes three weeks for eggs to hatch once the hen starts setting (incubating.) She had fifteen eggs under her - I think some of the other hens contributed - but that still means she started laying eggs for her clutch back in January. Eggs can, and do, freeze, and the temperatures during that time period were in the teens and twenties many times. That accounts for the many that didn't hatch.
Spring is a much more appropriate time to start a chicken family. Baby chicks have to be kept warm. Mother hens certainly make every effort to do that, but in the dead of winter? The chicks can't stay under mamma all of the time. They need to come out for both nourishment and water, and water is hard to come by when the prevailing temperatures turn such resources icy solid.
I will say this much for her; that hen was persistent both in season and out; she stayed on those eggs. Now, she covers her brood with her wings, both Biblical expressions. (See 2 Timothy 4:2; Luke 13:34)
I suppose that there might be hens that are poor mothers, but most of our bantams are fiercely protective of their little ones. Move close, and she goes on full alert. Move closer and you will learn that the beak is quite useful for things other than eating!
Would that all 'people' parents were so dedicated. Most are, I know, but doesn't it break your heart when you read the headlines or watch the news about neglect, abuse and violence concerning children?
Then, consider what would happen if the chicks didn't WANT to gather under mama's wings during this cold, frigid weather. What a disappointment for the hen.
Even today, Jesus' lament holds true; "How often I wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing."
What a disappointment!
March 12. 2006

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Luke 6:31, NIV
The Newark Advocate has been printing a series of articles for Newark’s Bicentennial, digging back into the history of the city. This week’s installment covered many of the factories and industries, and the men that founded them. Many early businesses supplied needs of the settlers, such as shoes and boots, lumber (sawmills) and carpentry, blacksmithing, rope making, etc. Later entrepreneurs started companies that made stoves, steam engines, clover hullers, railroad equipment, interurban cars, glassware, and one enterprising company went from buggy whips to golf clubs! At one time Newark had the largest manufacturer of power lawn mowers in the country.
The stories of the people who started these businesses, and sometimes lost them, is quite fascinating. But for every successful person who took an idea and made a fortune with it, there are those who whine, “Why them? Why not me?”
Scrape the bottom of the barrel and you will likely turn up those who complain that they got a raw deal; people are “against” them, etc. etc. You know the routine. “I could have been this.” “I could have done that”. . . If Only! Parents, teachers, bosses . . . If Only they hadn't been so against ME!
When things go wrong, who do you blame? To what do you credit your ill fortunate? Is it fate, God, Satan, the stars? When things go right, is it luck, pure luck, or your superior intellect and natural ability? The tendency for people to always blame something or someone for any and all failings - often accompanied by the belief that your personal perfection is stymied by forces working against you - is common enough that they have descriptive names. A paranoid person is characterized by “suspiciousness, persecutory trends, or megalomania” a “delusional mental disorder that is marked by infantile feelings of personal omnipotence and grandeur.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) The Pharisee in the parable in Luke 18:9-14 is an example of megalomania: “I am not like all other men.”
Jesus says to us, “Love your enemies.” “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (See Luke 6:27-36) Oh! Why stop there- read on to at least vs. 45 . . .
A good example of “blame someone else? Genesis 3; - especially vss. 12 and 13. (she gave . . . he deceived)
Who is the greatest? Luke 9:46-48. See also Lk. 18:15-17.
An oldie but still a goodie: Exodus 20:1-17, The Ten Commandments.
What’s the two most important letters affecting Your Attitude? U R
May 26, 2002

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Growing Up
The Bible tells us very little of Jesus childhood and young adulthood. Luke 2:20 records that Jesus grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. The only other insight into his childhood is of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:41-52). Again, Luke states that he was obedient to his parents and grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Really, what better approval rating could there be? What more do we need to know? Sure, in our enlightened age of popular idols, many desire to know every intimate detail of peoples lives. We are told a little more about some Biblical persons than others, but usually only where it shows some insights, good or bad, into that persons relationship to God.
One little boy asked his friend why the boys grandmother read her Bible so much. After some thought, the friend replied, “Maybe she’s cramming for her finals.” When that day comes around, when we are asked what we have done with the life that God gave us, may we be able to say, I grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (12/22/1996)