Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: Jesus looked at them and said, “With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26, NIV)

There are many things in this world that most people find to be beautiful or exciting; things that bring a swell of appreciation or satisfaction. Majestic trees, rolling plains, and towering snow-topped mountains bring travelers from afar just to view them. Amber waves of grain stir the artist in one way, and the farmer in another. Each has their own, personal emotion and association with the scene spread out before them. The artist thinks in terms of form, color, and texture - the farmer recalls the planting, the weather during the growth stages, and anticipates the harvest.
Truly, we don’t all like the same things, or see the same meaning in them. As a beekeeper, the sight of a swarm of bees marching into the hive, flowing like a living river, means that they have accepted their new home, and the queen bee is probably safely inside the hive. Opening a hive while a “honey flow” is in progress (the bees have nectar and pollen sources to feed upon) is a beautiful sight in my opinion. There is an order, a purpose about their actions, as they go about their work. The thrill of seeing white-capped honeycombs means sweetness ahead for the beekeeper, and food for the bees through the harsh winter.
Most people, though, see only a stinging insect, best left alone, and honey is to be bought at the store.
Sometimes the beekeeper spots trouble in the hive. The words “queenless” stirs the beekeeper into special action. The queen is the mother of the hive; she is the glue that holds it all together. Without a queen, there will be no young bees, and the colony will soon die out. There is a sense of disunity, a lack of purpose that can be felt by the experienced beekeeper. They are saying by their actions, “We are in trouble here!”
When they are without a laying queen, and no fresh bee eggs, they are powerless to do anything about it. But I am not a bee; I have resources that they know nothing of. I can do things that are impossible for them. I can restore a new queen for them. By a simple action (for me) I can make the difference between life and death for that colony of bees. All they have to do is accept my gift.
So, also, can God do things that are impossible for us. He has given us Life Eternal, in His Son Jesus Christ. All we have to do is humbly and earnestly accept that gift.

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

Scripture: Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Genesis 41:15 NIV
September 14, 2003

“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes - and ships - and sealing wax -
Of cabbages - and kings -”
The Walrus and the Carpenter, Lewis Carroll
I’m almost certain that I have royal blood in my veins. I mean, why else would I have such marvelous dreams? All the kings in the Bible seemed to dream a lot, and mine are in full color with surround sound. I’ve heard many people claim that they seldom remember their dreams, and then in black and white. Commoners, no doubt!
When kings were not dreaming, they rode around in their chariot, sat on a golden throne, and shouted, “Off with their heads!” a lot. (No, wait, that is the queen’s line. Check out the aforesaid Mr. Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland, and John the Baptist after Queen Herodias got through with him.)
Kings knew how to use whatever was at hand to make an event out of it - fiery furnace, den of lions -and the participants got a sporting chance. With a queen, it is just “Whop!,” and it is over, and the queen goes off to another tea party, or whatever. No, I’d rather be a king. I would not sit on a pure golden throne, though. Mine would be upholstered.
I have no idea what my dreams mean. There seems to be a dearth of prophets these days. Biblical kings always had one around to interpret for them, good news or bad. Like Joseph, Daniel, and Ezekiel.
True, these prophets and dream interpreters had their own dreams, but they always were given the meaning of them. Check it out! Compared to Ezekiel’s dreams and visions, I just don’t have prophet potential. (Start with Ezekiel chapter 1)
The story line goes like this: The king would threaten all the wise men, Daniel or Joseph would step forward and save everybody's’ hide, and then what happens? The king gives the prophet WORK to do! What kind of reward is that? A good prophet should at least get a Red Sea vacation. (Genesis 41:41)
Now, there were good kings (and queens) and bad ones. I wouldn’t want to be a bad one. After all, the bad ones never seemed to have a good time; they were always mad at someone, and people said nasty things about them after they died. They couldn’t say it while the king was alive, of course, because things like that made the king unhappy, and nothing is worse than an unhappy king, unless it is an unhappy queen. (I Kings 19:1-2)
How would you like to be King Ahab, and have people calling your wife a “Jezebel!” (I Kings 16:29-33)
September 14, 2003