Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8, NKJV)
You have probably never heard of, nor even imagined, an engine where everything rotates around a stationary crankshaft. That is just not the way engines are built. Check out the engines used in automobiles, lawnmowers, and numerous engines, large and small - even electric motors - and you will see that the crankshaft revolves within a stationary engine block. Yet such a ‘rotary’ engine was used extensively in WWI fighter aircraft. The crankshaft was bolted to the aircraft frame, and the rest of the engine revolved around it. The propeller was attached to the engine body.
The rotary engine had several advantages over conventional engines, which were mounted firmly in supports, with the shaft and propeller spinning. Rotary engines reversed that, with the shaft being held tightly - and the engine spinning! The propeller was mounted to the rotating engine, which stayed cool by having its cylinders whirl within the open air. The design was inherently light weight, as it did not require a flywheel, for the bulk of the engine filled that need. Most systems used no carburetor. Instead, the fuel/air mixture and lubricating oil were injected through the hollow crankshaft.
This was at a time when the availability of petroleum based fuels and lubricants was limited. Actually, they found that the best option for lubrication was castor oil, for it was not diluted by gasoline, as with petroleum based lubricants. Excess oil was ejected with the exhaust gasses, as it was not burned during the ignition process. This was rather messy, as you might imagine, and I have found numerous references to the laxative effects upon the pilots, who were breathing the castor oil fumes. Goggles didn’t just protect the eyes from bugs, but were also necessary because of the oil mist. They wore a neck scarf to wipe the goggles clean.
The large bulk of the spinning engine made controlling the aircraft difficult, leading to the loss of many planes and inexperienced pilots. Further, the speed of the engine was not easily adjusted, as with a carburetor type of engine, making landing difficult. A ”Blip” switch was used to actually turn the engine off and on to lower the speed.
Eventually, aircraft engine technology evolved to the point where the conventional engine became the preference for all applications. The shortcomings of the rotary engine consigned it to history by the 1920’s.
It is unlikely that anyone today would think up a design based upon the rotary engine principle. We tend to think in terms of common and familiar practice. Great inventions and advances in technology come from people who think “outside the box,” whose thoughts are not conventional thoughts, rooted in accepted practice.
That applies to our worldly outlook on life, as well. If we base our thoughts upon the accepted and popular notions of society, we may be missing the Way of the LORD. Isaiah called upon the wicked to forsake the world’s way, and for the unrighteous man his thoughts, and to turn to the LORD. Is not such advice appropriate for us today as well?
There are times when we must break with conventional thoughts and wisdom, and think of a way of life designed to meet the unique needs of God’s heaven-oriented service. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9, NKJV)

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

* Comic Relationships
* Scripture: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18,19, NKJV

Ah, Memories! there is nothing quite like dipping down deep into the memory bin, stirring them up a bit, watching them swirl around, and grabbing onto one or two for a trip down memory lane. I did a little stirring recently when I ran across an internet web site about comic strips - Don Markstein's Toonopedia™ Home Page. Talk about traveling back in time!
Many of the strips from the days of my youth were represented. I especially enjoyed “Out Our Way,” by J. R. Williams. It opened a new world for me, because he drew upon his experiences working in a factory, with cowboys on the range, and typical family situations. There was “Our Boarding House, “ with the ever pompous Major Hoople and his long-suffering but efficient wife, Martha. Some, like “Smokey Stover,” were pure foolishness, but the made-up words fascinated me, like “Foo’ and Notary Sojack.”
I have had a deep interest in the comic strip technique that goes beyond the quick bit of life or humor. All the essential elements of art, writing, film and video presentation all represented, and distilled to a potent essence. I used comic panels to illustrate the techniques of picture composition, movement of the story line, and compression of time in teaching television production.
I still use selected strips in teaching Bible studies. My maternal grandfather had no use for the comics, considering them to be a bunch of rubbish. Never-the-less, I find that they can be used effectively in making a point, or fleshing out an illustration.
Keep in mind that they do not have to be Biblical (although sometimes they may be, the occasional “B.C.,” or “Peanuts,” for example.) An illustration presenting what ‘IS NOT’ can be just as effective as what ‘IS’ if used properly.
Take relationships; that is what the Bible is all about, after all. Our relationships to God, and to each other - God’s creation.
I got to thinking about the characters in the “Bringing Up Father” strip, created by George McManus, about a poor Irish laborer named Jiggs, who doesn't understand why his ascension to wealth means he can't hang out with his friends, and his nagging, social-climbing wife, Maggie. Nouvea riche! Off with the old life, forward to the new, upward mobility into society. At least as far as Maggie is concerned. Art, voice lessons, fashion. Putting on airs.
Jiggs? He prefers his old friends, and corned beef and cabbage at Dinty Moore’s. The artist drew Maggie with a most critical expression on her face where Jigg’s indiscretions were concerned.
Relationships! Between husband and wife, within the family, to friends, both former and future. A place in the social order. Values, laying up treasures. Pride and humility. The higher and lower seats.
Got any ideas yet?
August 7, 2005

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

* Housecleaning
* Scripture: Jesus said, “Have you never read in the scriptures,: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’ ” Matthew 21:42, NKJV

There is an old adage that cautions against “throwing out the baby with the bath water.” Many times in haste, or distaste, something of value is thrown out, turned aside, or relegated to nothingness.
There is the story of a man who confided to an associate that he had thrown out an old Bible, because, he said, “ Some guy named Martin Luther had written in the margins all through it.”
One of the fascinations for many viewers of the “Antiques Roadshow” on television is finding that many items that are deemed to be of no value by some people are considered to be worth a lot of money by others. We may even dream of finding that rare painting, an article of furniture by a renowned craftsman, or a letter by an early patriot.
More often, though, the people who clean out the attics and closets of a lifetime collection see it only as the flotsam and jetsam of a person who no longer has need for the stuff, while they have no clue as to the memories, heritage, or intrinsic values it holds. An old book is just an old book, especially if someone has written in the margins.
Housecleaning needs to be done, there is no question about that. However, we need to be wary of indiscriminate zeal that condemns everything to the dumpster. It might not be the baby that is thrown out, but beauty - and value - might be hidden by the “mote’ in your own eye, and not seen and appreciated for what it truly is.
Sometimes society does a “house-cleaning,” too, casting aside people, races, nationalities, or ideals, relegating them to nothingness. Jesus faced this prejudice, as evidenced by John 1:46, where Nathanael said of Him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (NKJV)
Shepherds were way down on the social ladder in Jesus’ day, yet it was to the shepherds that the first announcement of the Messiah’s birth was made.
Common folk - Galileeans, fishermen, tax collectors, unlearned men by the standards of the religious leaders in Jerusalem - made up Jesus’ inner circle, yet He chose them from God’s viewpoint, and not that of society.
A Samaritan, rather than the priest and Levite, is the better neighbor to a man in need in the parable of the Good Samaritan; a poor beggar is gathered to Abraham’s bosom in heaven, while the rich man is condemned to the flames below. Think about these things - and more - from God’s viewpoint. Jesus did the will of His Father, so follow Him!
Remember, those who thought they were building the “proper” society did not see the value in God’s Son.
May 15, 2005

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

Scripture: Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." -Ruth 1:16, NIV
If you could live anywhere in the world you wished, where would you be? Would you opt for a warmer clime, perhaps the southwest, or a romantic tropical isle? A ‘foreign’ country appeals to some, somewhere in Europe, say. Maybe an island that has low taxes. Many, like a snail, hit the road, dragging their house with them. Get bored, just “Head ‘em up, move ‘em out!”
Since most of us at my home church have pretty deep roots where we are, and are still here, we will not likely pack up and trudge off, even if we dream of the “ideal spot” at times. Think, though, of some of the reasons people do relocate.
One of the great “movers and shakers” of society involves that four-letter word - WORK! People go where the jobs are. Another four letter word is LOVE. Marriage is the pollen that produces a new home location. Maybe his family, maybe hers, will determine where a couple will settle. How do people from areas so far apart get together? College, Military service, the above mentioned ‘go where the jobs are’ mixes people around pretty much. Then, there is the old ‘wanderlust,’ the desire to see what’s over the hill, around the bend, down the road, and maybe back again. But maybe not.
My parents grew up, married, and raised a family in central Ohio, but spent more years in California then they did here. In the early 1800’s, some ancestors moved from Connecticut to Bloomfield, Ohio. LAND was the key word.
Lots of it in Ohio Territory at that time. Richard Hubbell left Ribbesford, England, to settle in Connecticut. From there, the family has spread all over the USA and Canada. Still others ended up in places like Australia. Jobs, land, love, curiosity - they all enter into the equation.
Most of us would give careful thought as to language spoken in our ideal spot. It would be pretty isolating where they do not “habla Inglis.” How about religion? Say a totally Roman Catholic country, Greek or Russian Orthodox, or even an Islamic country. Not to mention political systems.
Important considerations. But all those places are “home” to millions of people around the world. Just like us, they have their reasons to put down roots, to live there, and have no thoughts of moving to someplace else.
Now, as to churches, denominations, religions. Bible translations, even. Where is ‘home?’ Probably where our friends are, or family. The local congregation. Mode of worship, conformity to things we believe.
Again, ‘home’ to millions.
Hmmm! Seeds for Thinking
February 10, 2002

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

Scripture: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18,19, NKJV

Ah, Memories! there is nothing quite like dipping down deep into the memory bin, stirring them up a bit, watching them swirl around, and grabbing onto one or two for a trip down memory lane. I did a little stirring recently when I ran across an internet web site about comic strips - Don Markstein's Toonopedia™ Home Page. Talk about traveling back in time!
Many of the strips from the days of my youth were represented. I especially enjoyed “Out Our Way,” by J. R. Williams. It opened a new world for me, because he drew upon his experiences working in a factory, with cowboys on the range, and typical family situations. There was “Our Boarding House,“ with the ever pompous Major Hoople and his long-suffering but efficient wife, Martha. Some, like “Smokey Stover,” were pure foolishness, but the made-up words fascinated me, like 'Foo’ and 'Notary Sojack.'
I have had a deep interest in the comic strip technique that goes beyond the quick bit of life or humor. All the essential elements of art, writing, film and video presentation are represented, and distilled to a potent essence. I used comic panels to illustrate the techniques of picture composition, movement of the story line, and compression of time in teaching television production.
I still use selected strips in teaching Bible studies. My maternal grandfather had no use for the comics, considering them to be a bunch of rubbish. Never-the-less, I find that they can be used effectively in making a point, or fleshing out an illustration.
Keep in mind that they do not have to be Biblical (although sometimes they may be so - the occasional “B.C.,” or “Peanuts,” for example.) An illustration presenting what ‘IS NOT’ can be just as effective as what ‘IS’ if used properly.
Take relationships; that is what the Bible is all about, after all. Our relationships to God, and to each other - God’s creation.
I got to thinking about the characters in the “Bringing Up Father” strip, created by George McManus, about a poor Irish laborer named Jiggs, and his nagging, social-climbing wife, Maggie. Nouveau riche! Off with the old life, forward to the new, upward mobility into society. At least as far as Maggie is concerned. Art, voice lessons, fashion. Putting on airs. Jiggs? He doesn't understand why his ascension to wealth means he can't hang out with his old friends, and and enjoy corned beef and cabbage at Dinty Moore’s. The artist drew Maggie with a most critical expression on her face where Jigg’s indiscretions were concerned.
Relationships! Between husband and wife, within the family, to friends, both former and future. A place in the social order. Values, laying up treasures. Pride and humility. The higher and lower seats.
Got any ideas yet?
August 7, 2005