Seeds For Thinking

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

* Comfort Zone
* Scripture: Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." John 20:19, NKJV

The olive tree and the grape vine are symbolic of the bounty that Israel found in the Promised land. The fruit of both plants figured prominently in the ritual of worship in the temple, and their use continues to this day, both as food and elements of worship.
While both can be eaten as fruit, they are most commonly made into juice or wine, for the grape, or oil, for the olive. Olive oil is used for cooking, illumination, anointing, and in cosmetics, and as offerings to the Lord.
Think about how new, valuable, products are created from the fruit, useful as it may be in its original form. Juice or oil is obtained only by the process of squeezing or pressing the fruit.
Now let's think about us - you and me. We are like fruit, in some ways, useful as we are. We've no doubt grown accustomed to our little world, become creatures of habit, attached to things and people. Let's call it our "Comfort Zone." Even if we are not totally happy with where we are, it is not easy to move outside of that comfort zone, unless we are pressed a little bit.
We are often afraid of change in our lives. The loss of loved ones, a new job, a changing relationship, or medical concerns rank high on the list of things that create stress. It is difficult to take the full measure of a person while they are in their comfort zone. But when adversities arise and hurts happen, the true person emerges, for better or for worse.
For example, I recall making the change from civilian to military life. Thrown together as a group of raw military recruits, we began the process of getting to know each other quite well. We speculated about each other, sizing up the big, hulking bruisers, the shrimps, the supposed wimps, all shorn of our civilian comforts.
As we snaked through the lines conforming us to the realities of military life, we saw how one little needle dissolved some into quivering masses of blubber, while others proved to be the real tuff stuff, men of steel. Gory films of battlefield injuries laid others low. It made you wonder how much you could trust a soldier who "lost it" during an encounter with a snake during bivouac - a six-inch garter snake!
We learned that neither size, good looks or an outgoing personality were adequate indicators of performance in battle. Squeezed, pressed, put under stress, for better or worse, a different persona often comes out.
There is the element of the unknown even in pressing fruit. Each tree, each vine, yields a product that differs in quality. Wine is noted by good years, and bad. Olive oil by color and taste.
So, too, people react quite differently to the same "pressing."
Think about what you might do if you were hit on the head with an apple. Would you angrily mash it into pulp? Would you throw it into the next township, or look for somebody to mash? Maybe you would just be grateful for an apple, and eat it. Or, like Isaac Newton, formulate the theory of gravitational force.
The Disciples' world crashed when their leader, Jesus, was crucified. Fearing that they, too, would suffer their leader's fate, they retreated to their comfort zone in the upper room. It was safe, there. Then Jesus came into their midst, and safety was no longer an issue. The true person that Jesus saw in each of them emerged. Peter, who had denied he even knew Jesus, now spoke out boldly. (See Acts 2:14-41)
Many find their comfort zone within the sanctuary of the church. Unlike Peter, they leave Jesus safely there when they go out into the world of the unchurched. The unchurched, meanwhile, find their comfort zone threatened at the very mention of Jesus.
This week, let Jesus guide you from your comfort zone. Pray for some pressing or squeezing, even if it involves you.
October 1, 2006

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

* Peer Pressure
* Scripture: Jesus said, "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 6:39, NKJV

Peer pressure! We tend to think of adolescents when we hear the word, but peer pressure goes far beyond the realm of teenagers. It can be brought to bear on any of us, because a peer is anyone of the same societal group, based on age, grade or status. Unless, of course, you are in Great Briton, where the peerage consists of the ranks of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron.
One's peers have a powerful influence over one's behavior. We don't want to be the odd ball, the 'different' one. In group dynamics, there is a weight, or pressure, that functions in determining acts or choices made in common. As part of a crowd, we tend to go along with the crowd. "When in Rome . . . ."
"Birds of a feather" do indeed flock together, research has shown. It is just natural to want to be among others like ourselves. Our 'feathers' may be clothing, choices in music, favorite leisure activities, or beliefs and tenets. A peer group draws a circle, delineating what is 'In' and acceptable, and what is Not a characteristic 'feather' of inclusion. In some societies, the showing of an unacceptable 'feather' can lead to shunning of the offender - exclusion from fellowship.
I suppose a case could be made that the first example of peer pressure presented in the Bible was Adam's acceptance of Eve's fruity snack. The 'Authority' figure that seeks to sway a group's thinking was certainly there, and 'ole Satan is still in there, taking advantage of the 'follow the leader' syndrome.
One of the most disastrous events in the history of Israel hinged on the elements of the generation gap and peer pressure. King Solomon's successor, Rehoboam, first consulted the elders, who enjoined him to be a servant to the people, and speak good words to them. (1 Kings Ch. 12)
Rehoboam rejected their advice, and instead consulted the young men he had grown up with - his peers!
Their promised heavy yoke and harsh kingship led to a split in the nation, starting the northern ten tribes down the long path to idolatry and eventual dispersement among the nations.
We often stand where Adam and Rehoboam stood: We need to make choices - which can either lead us astray, or strengthen our walk on the right path.
Choose well - a peer group of those who can see clearly God's pathway.
By all means, avoid those who are blind to His Way, lest we follow them into the dark ditch of eternity.
January 15, 2006

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

* Pressure Relief Valve
* Scripture: Jesus said, "But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement” Matthew 5:22a, NRS

Power! Energy! For centuries, people have depended upon wind and water as the force to grind their grain and turn their machinery. There is a problem with natural sources of power, however. Wind and water don’t always occur where you need them, and in the necessary quantities. Too little of either will not power the equipment; too much can be destructive.
Enter the steam engine. Now, power could be produced anywhere, and in the amount needed to get the work done. Essentially a genie in a bottle, except that the genie sometimes burst the bonds of its confinement with an explosion of the boiler. Pressure relief valves were often difficult to adjust, and sometimes failed. One little flaw in the boiler structure can also lead to massive destruction of the engine.
Our human engine is like that sometimes, also. Fueled by pent-up anger, people sometimes seem to explode in a burst of very destructive behavior. Road rage is a constant headline in the news. Fights and confrontations break out at athletic events. Multiple killings at schools, businesses, and even in courts of law leave us in stunned disbelief.
It’s not a new phenomena, however. Genesis 4:8 describes how Cain slew Able in a fit of anger. The problem remains. The solution is elusive. Often, everything seems to be going well, until . . . BOOM!
Anger is a reality. Paul associates anger with bitterness, wrath, clamor, evil speaking and malice in his letter to the Ephesians (4: 31). Jesus counsels that anyone who is angry with his brother (or sister) will be subject to judgment.
Obviously, we need to find a ‘pressure relief valve,’ lest anger lead us to sin. The best remedy seems to be steeping oneself in ‘attitude adjustment’ practices. Paul advises prayer on the matter, (1 Timothy 2:8) and Jesus recommends reconciliation with the ones with whom you have a dispute (Matthew 5:24). It probably wouldn’t hurt if we read the Sermon on the Mount frequently, especially in trying times, to remind us to change our outlook toward others. (Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7; Luke 6:20-49. ) Note that Matthew chapter 6 includes the model prayer, including petitions for forgiveness for both ourselves and others.
Remember that we are to love God and our neighbors, including our enemies and those who curse and spitefully use us. (Mt. 5:44)
We need to be both listeners and sharers; communications is the essence of community. In so doing, we build that pressure relief valve that will help keep us from disaster.
March 20, 2005

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

Scripture: Jesus said, "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 6:39, NKJV

Peer pressure! We tend to think of adolescents when we hear the word, but peer pressure goes far beyond the realm of teenagers. It can be brought to bear on any of us, because a peer is anyone of the same societal group, based on age, grade or status. Unless, of course, you are in Great Briton, where the peerage consists of the ranks of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron.
One's peers have a powerful influence over one's behavior. We don't want to be the odd ball, the 'different' one. In group dynamics, there is a weight, or pressure, that functions in determining acts or choices made in common. As part of a crowd, we tend to go along with the crowd. "When in Rome . . . ."
"Birds of a feather" do indeed flock together, research has shown. It is just natural to want to be among others like ourselves. Our 'feathers' may be clothing, choices in music, favorite leisure activities, or beliefs and tenets. A peer group draws a circle, delineating what is 'In' and acceptable, and what is Not a characteristic 'feather' of inclusion. In some societies, the showing of an unacceptable 'feather' can lead to shunning of the offender - exclusion from fellowship.
I suppose a case could be made that the first example of peer pressure presented in the Bible was Adam's acceptance of Eve's fruity snack. The 'Authority' figure that seeks to sway a group's thinking was certainly there, and 'ole Satan is still in there, taking advantage of the 'follow the leader' syndrome.
One of the most disastrous events in the history of Israel hinged on the elements of the generation gap and peer pressure. King Solomon's successor, Rehoboam, first consulted the elders, who enjoined him to be a servant to the people, and speak good words to them. (1 Kings Ch. 12)
Rehoboam rejected their advice, and instead consulted the young men he had grown up with - his peers!
Their promised heavy yoke and harsh kingship led to a split in the nation, starting the northern ten tribes down the long path to idolatry and eventual dispersement among the nations.
We often stand where Adam and Rehoboam stood: We need to make choices - which can either lead us astray, or strengthen our walk on the right path.
Choose well - a peer group of those who can see clearly God's pathway.
By all means, avoid those who are blind to His Way, lest we follow them into the dark ditch of eternity.
January 15, 2006