Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet.!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me." Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.!” John 13:8-9, NKJV

We have a small utility vehicle that we use for many chores about the farm. It truly lives up to its designation for hauling water, feed, fencing and other supplies to our livestock. First, though, we have to start the engine. Once the small, one cylinder gas engine sets for a while and cools off, we have to ‘prime’ the engine to get it started. It is not a problem, really, we use the choke control, just a routine that we expect if we want to get some work out of that vehicle.
I find that my personal life it is a lot like that engine - in a comparative sense. Once a task has ”set” for a time, it takes a lot to get going again. Maybe it is a form of inertia - the property of a body in motion to stay in motion, and a body at rest to stay at rest.
After giving the matter considerable thought, I have come to the conclusion that Peter had a similar “carburetor” problem. I don’t know how else you would explain it. First, Jesus had to apply the “choke” to prime Peter, to get him started.
To further the engine analogy, Peter lacked throttle control. Once started, Peter would go from dead stop to full on, that’s Peter. But, then, there is a lot of Peter in all of us. We
deny the Lord’s requests - “Not me, Lord!” -until He really gets our attention.
Jesus was enacting a parable in servitude by administering a symbolic ritual for His disciples - that of a host washing the dusty feet of his guests. The service was usually provided by a servant, and to omit this courtesy was a breech of etiquette on the part of the host. However, to refuse to accept the service was a breech of etiquette on the part of the guest. If we wish to be associated with the host (Jesus) we must welcome and accept what He desires for us.
Jesus established the church to continue the tradition of servitude as the gracious host for all who would be associated with Him. First, we need to accept both the physical and spiritual ministries of the church by participating in regular attendance and the sacraments provided. We should strive to be the gracious guest of the Lord’s Servants.
Then, as a member and participant of the church, there is also a role for each of us as as Jesus taught in this example - “You should do as I have done for you.” (vs. 15) We are to be the physical hands and feet of a loving God reaching a world in need.
We shouldn’t have to be ‘choked’ to read the Bible more, join that Bible study group, participate in a mission activity, or volunteer to serve on a church committee.
Peter may have it right, though. It is not a “feet” thing, but an “all of me” thing, whatever and wherever there is a need for ‘disciplining’ as Jesus taught - the hands and feet of a Loving God.
May 20, 2007

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* The Lambs Finally Got It!
* Scripture: Jesus said to Peter, "Feed my lambs;" "Tend my sheep;" "Feed my sheep." (from John 21:15-17)

O Happy Day! The lambs finally got it! They all stayed with the rest of the flock when it came time to move.
We practice a system of grazing that requires frequent moves from one section of the pasture to another. Once we have the portable fences set up for the next paddock, we open the fence and let the sheep move onto fresh grass.
The older sheep know the routine, and stand waiting whenever they see us getting ready. The lambs, though, are so full of life and vigor that they seem to lose track of where mama is and what the rest of the flock is doing.
"Lambie-Lambie-Lambie-SHEEP!" Heads pop up, grazing stops, and the sheep move toward the shepherd. It takes a while for lambs to associate the shepherd's call with a move to a better pasture, though. Running and leaping is such fun that it takes some of them a while to notice that they have been left behind. Then they are apt to panic and try to go through the fence rather than the open gate. They may also turn and run the opposite way, away from safety, away from nourishment.
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs, tend my sheep." What if the Shepherd is willing, but the lambs won't cooperate?
Thinking about this gives me a new appreciation of the task Jesus gave Peter:
I can just imagine Peter praying about it. "Lord, about these sheep of yours: Some never seem to catch on. They don't associate the Good Shepherd's call with a better life ahead. They are having such a good time that they don't gather with the rest of the flock."
"They seem to prefer pleasure and comfort above the Word that proceeds from the mouth of God." (Mt. 4:4)
"I call them to come to Your gate in the sheepfold, Lord, but they either do not hear me, or ignore my call. They seem to have no problems hearing the call of the evil one, though. I am not an hireling who leaves the sheep. I would be willing to lay down my life for the sheep, just as you did for all of us. I fear that some of them will be left behind and lost forever."
We, as Christians, find ourselves in Peter's shoes. We are both sheep and shepherds, in the tradition of Matthew Chapter 10.
As sheep, we need to listen to the call of The Good Shepherd.
As shepherds, we need to share with the sheep 'out there' that Jesus is indeed the door, the way to salvation, and lead the lambs to find the pasture of eternal life.
June 18, 2006

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

* The Garden Fence
* Scripture: Paul wrote, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11, NKJV

One, two, three, four, five . . . RABBITS! No, I wasn’t bleary-eyed from watching too many cartoons with ‘wascally wabbits,” nor reading books, either. And I doubt if these bunnies answered to any name, let alone Bugs or Peter. But they were definitely real, and definitely in my garden. Bounding about. Having a gay old time. So much for “rabbit fence.”
So, I stood watching them do rabbit stuff for a while. One came bounding toward me (through the fence, of course) and stopped about five feet from my feet, gave me a once-over, made a slight detour, and proceeded on his (her?) way. The others leaped and dashed about my sacred place, sampled some of the lettuce, stretched out in total relaxation, and looked to be thoroughly enjoying themselves - at my expense, of course. Finally, they joined in a game of follow-the-leader, through the fence, down the stream bank, and on to what ever rabbits do when they are not in a garden.
Brought back memories of last summer, when I worked and worked on that fence, battled the groundhogs, those scheming diggers, and thought that I had outsmarted the rabbits. Well, move over, Mr. McGreagor; I went to dig some potatoes one day, and discovered a nice, cozy, rabbit’s nest right in the straw mulch in the potato patch! Baby bunnies, right in the heart of my secure treasure island!
Well, I also need to mention that the reason I went to the garden in the first place was to check for weeds coming up after the few days of rain. They were there, all right, growing nicely, thank you. And the rabbits bounded over them gaily toward the good stuff. So now I have both weeds and rabbits in the garden. Vigilance exposed them; much diligence will be required to control them.
Vigilance, diligence, I see some similarities between my garden life and my spiritual life.
So you have a “fence” (armor) around your treasured walk in “The Way?” Checked it lately? Just when you think you have it all buttoned up - Hippedy-hop! Just when you least expect it, the devil breaks through your defenses (spiritual armor.)
Satan is more wascally than any rabbit, more wily than a coyote, a better under miner than the sharpest-clawed groundhog. And he probably packs a bag of ‘weed’ seeds as he hops through your best intentions, humming and strewing his assorted ills as he penetrates your most cherished inner space. (At least the rabbits take out more than they bring in.)
Now let’s see; if I can dig that fence so deep that they won’t go under it, and go so high they can’t hop over it, maybe I can get the sweet corn to knee heighth so it won’t interest rabbits. But then - raccoons can climb, and - how high can deer jump?
It’s going to be a l-o-n-g summer!
May 29, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Matthew wrote, “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save people from their sins.” Mt. 1:21, NIV

What’s in a name? Shakespeare said, “ A rose by another name would smell as sweet.” For most of us, a name is merely a means of identification. Many know that there are other people who share at least the same first and last name. People in some countries, such as Indonesia, use only one name. In other cultures, the name identifies not only the person, but the personality.
For example, the person we know as Peter, the headstrong disciple of Jesus, was Simon bar Jonah - Simon son of Jonah. Jesus gave him the name ‘Stone’ or ‘Rock,’ which in Latin (petros) became ‘Peter.’
But let’s go back a few centuries to some names from the Old Testament. You’ve heard of Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. And Daniel, of course. But what about Belteshazzar, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah? Same people! We don’t know Daniel by his Babylonian name, Belteshazzar. They were given new names by the chief official of king Nebuchadnezzar (now that’s a mouthful!) Daniel’s new name meant, “O Lady Protect the King” in Babylonian. The Lady mentioned was the wife of Marduk, the god of Babylon. Daniel means ‘God has judged.’
Shadrack means ‘I am very fearful (of a god)’ while ‘Hananiah’ means “Yaweh has been gracious.”
Mishael means “Who is what God is?” but Meshach means “I am of no account.”
Better at least to be called ‘Abednego’ the Servant of the Shining one.’ Better still to be called Azariah, “Yaweh has helped.”
The king in question was Nabu-kudurri-usur, or ‘Nebo, defend the boundary.’
Since Chaldean has gone out of style, King James dubbed him ‘Nebuchadrezzar.”
Consider ‘Nabul.’ He lived up to his name, ‘Foolish’ or ‘Churlish.’ He refused to help king David; his wife, Abigail, apologized for her husbands churlish conduct. When Nabul sobered up enough to understand what he had done, he was profoundly affected and died ten days later. Abigail later became one of David’s wives.
Saul means ‘asked of God.’ The first king of Israel got himself in big trouble by not obeying the Lord. The Saul of the New Testament changed to his Latin name of Paul.
Places, too, have names. How about Urusilimmu? Aren’t you glad ‘foundation of the god (Shalem)’ is called Jerusalem in English?
Now consider “Joshua“ which developed into Jeshua (sometimes Yeshua). Greek and Latin Iesous. The Greek “I” became “J” in English. Yaweh IS Salvation!
Yes!! “Jesus is Salvation.” By any other name - “Oh! How Sweet.
October 6, 2002

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

Scripture: Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” Luke 22:61b, NIV.
(See also Mt. 26:69-75; Mk. 66, 72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27)

Shhhh! I’m hunting for chickens - you know, that staple of Sunday dinner, and sustainer of preachers. You come, too! Grab your Bible, and here we go.
As with any hunt, we need to equip ourselves with a description of what we are looking for. Chickens are of the family of birds, so we will look for that word in the Biblical references. Another possibility is ‘fowl.’ The male is called a rooster, or cock, the female is called a hen, and the young are chicks. We might also look for eggs.
According to Genesis 1:20-23, God created the winged birds on the fifth day of creation, each according to their kind, which would include chickens.
Humankind has been given dominion over the birds of the air, one of the conditions of creation (Gen. 1:26; Psalm 8) and birds were carried on the Ark (Genesis 9:1-5) Birds were included in the list of “every moving thing that lives” given to Noah as acceptable food, with the prohibition concerning blood. (See also Daniel 2:37, 38; Deuteronomy 2:11-20)
Chickens surely would be on the list of domesticated animals, as noted by James (3:7-10) capable of being tamed, unlike the untamable tongue!
Ahah! The “strutting rooster” is noted in Proverbs with the lion, the he-goat, and the king as examples that are “stately in their stride,” and “does not turn back before any.” (3:29-31) While the reference to rising up “to the sound of a bird” in Ecclesiastes 12:4 does not specifically mention a rooster, what other bird would have the audacity to waken people in such a scene as described there?
The rooster’s counterpart, the hen, is used as an example of protection and comfort by Jesus. Both Matthew (23:37) and Luke (13:34) record His lament over Jerusalem, desiring to gather them “ as a hen gathers her brood (chicks) under her wing.”
The rooster is noted for his role as the announcer of the dawn, the ‘Awakener.” It is in this role that we find the rooster as a participant in one of the most chilling passages in the Bible. While Jesus was on “trial” in the house of the High Priest, Peter shivered in the cold courtyard. Once, twice, three times Peter is asked if he was with Jesus.
Once, twice, three times Peter denies that he knows Him. And the cock (rooster) crowed, just as Jesus had predicted. (Mt. 26:34; Mk. 14:30)
While all four gospels tell of Peter’s denials, Luke also records that when the cock crowed, Jesus turned and looked at Peter.
And Peter “went out and wept bitterly.”

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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: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev. 1:8 NIV
Ahh! The Thirst for Knowledge! Especially when the quest is for more about God, and His creation. Yes, I’ve been immersed in reading again. It started with a Christmas present, a book on Roman history. Not just dates and who did what, but coverage of how people lived, how they farmed, built, fought, and worshiped. The early church was born in the early days of the Roman Empire; they sort of grew up together. Just like Jacob and Esau, the elder (Roman) was in time made subject to the younger (The Church.)
You can not read the New Testament without encountering the Roman Empire. It was a Roman census that sent Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. It was a Roman governor that approved Jesus’ crucifixion. Roman emperors persecuted the church, and made martyrs of many Christians, including Peter and Paul.
However, just as a building is created from the foundation up, so the history of the church, and world, was built from the Creation onward. Christ and Adam are often compared. Sin came through Adam; salvation comes from Jesus Christ. The Promise came through Abraham. The Genealogy of Jesus (Luke 3:23-37) took me back to the “begats” in Genesis.
A chance encounter of a time-line that mentioned that Noah’s son, Shem, was still living during Abraham’s lifetime piqued my curiosity about the overlap in the lifespans given in Genesis.
Taking the dates and times given in the Bible, I have prepared the attached chart for you.
Talk about long marriages. . . What did Adam and Eve talk about for 900 years? We say, “Oh! Methuselah lived 969 years. Neat!” If so, why didn’t Noah take his grandfather on the ark? But. . . .did he die in The Flood ?
And look at this: Adam was still alive into the lifetime of Noah’s father and grandfather. They would have had the Creation story from The First Man himself! Methuselah and Lamech could have directly passed this family history on to Shem, and Shem on to Abraham.
I even found a reference that “tradition/legend” mentions that the mysterious Melchizidek, to whom Abraham paid his tithe to God, was none other than Shem, the aged son of Noah!
Pity they didn’t include the women!
February 4, 2001