Seeds For Thinking

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

Scripture: Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (Paraclete) to be with you forever - The Spirit of Truth.”
John 14:16, NIV

The Book of Job begins with a depiction of a heavenly gathering of angels before the Lord, and Satan “also came with them” (Job 1:6). I note that the literal translation of the Hebrew word used here for Satan means “accuser.”
I quickly slide off into a daydream; I envision a heavenly court, not unlike a Perry Mason script, where the Prosecuting Attorney is Satan, “The Accuser.” God is on the High Bench, of course, and the Defense is in good hands, being the Paraclete, the Counselor of John 14:16,
I am not an observer from a back corner of the courtroom, however. I find myself in the witness chair, front and center, the subject of this trial, the Defendant!
The Prosecution begins by opening a large ledger, and my heart shrinks within me. Satan maintains not only a very sharp pencil, but has kept a scrupulous and thorough accounting. I think of the words of the Prophet Isaiah, when he saw a vision of the Lord, high and exulted: “Woe to me,” Isaiah cried, “I am ruined, for I am a man of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5).
Satan begins. They are all listed there, sins of omission, as well as sins of commission. The gross as well as the petty, laid out for all to see. Am I to be like the wicked of the First Psalm, as “chaff that the wind blows away?” Satan is skilled, and cunning. He has well earned the title of “The Accuser.”
As a glowering “Accuser” completes the presentation of his case, he closes his ledger with a sharp “Thunk” of finality.
In despair, I realize that I can do nothing but throw myself upon the mercy of the court. I am reminded that the prosecution is only half of a trial, however. The Defense, the “One who Walks Alongside,” begins. He, too, opens a ledger. All in the court, including Satan, strains to see what is written there. It is a list of names; the Counselor runs his finger swiftly down the page, stopping at a name, and looking up at the bench, proclaims, “I present to the Court, that the defendant's name is written here, in the Book of Life.” Heads nod. Satan scowls, and rises to object.
“Your Honor, it is apparent the defense is ignoring the facts.”
The objection is denied. The Counselor asks that the defendant step down for the moment, and asks to present evidence that all of Satan’s accusations are null and void, because they have been purged from the Heavenly record. Again Satan rises. “I object, Your Honor. My records are complete, and factual. Surely the defendant must be found guilty. Justice must prevail.” Again, the objection is denied.
The Counselor calls another witness. “Please tell the court”, he asks, “ why the defendant should not be found guilty in this case.”
“Because I have already paid whatever penalty is due to this defendant,” states the witness. “How can that be?” sputters Satan. “Can sin be forgiven?”
“Yes,” Jesus replies. “Though sins be as scarlet, they shall become as white as wool, and the one who believes in Me shall not perish, but have everlasting life. While he was yet a sinner, I died for him.” Stretching forth His hands, He holds them up for all to see.
Thomas, one of the Apostles, sitting to one side, nods, and smiles.
I can but only acknowledge, “My Lord, and My God.”
Well, it is only a dream, isn’t it?

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

Scripture: “Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right.” (Proverbs 16:13)

I’ve been looking for little green men. Actually, at images representing extra-terrestrial aliens, as imagined by artists and Hollywood. It’s hardly a major revelation to point out that many movie aliens bear a strong likeness to humans, unless they are drawn in animation.
If aliens really do exist, then, what do they look like? Are they little green men in space suits? Do they look like the drawings of the aliens that supposedly crashed near Roswell, NM? If so, they are about four feet tall, skinny, with long arms, big round head about the size of a basketball, tiny nose, and big eyes about three inches wide which are shaped like a football. Do aliens have lips? These examples seemed to have a small mouth and, possibly, thin lips, or no lips at all, as far as I can tell.
Well defined lips seem to be a common characteristic of humans. According to Genesis 1:27, “God created man in His own image.” But what about all the other intelligent, cosmic inhabitants? Hollywood has created aliens in man’s image, convenient for storytelling, because you already know how to read their intentions. Their behavioral cues are familiar, and you can tell if their game plan is to be amorous or aggressive.
The Bible has a lot to say regarding lips. They can be unclean, stammering, flattering, perverse, righteous false, or burning. “An evildoer gives heed to false lips; a liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue.” (Proverbs 17:4) We are counseled to “Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.” (Proverbs 4:24)
Righteous lips may be used for prayer, praise, vows, singing God’s judgments and spiritual fruitfulness. “Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right.” (Proverbs 16:13)
When Isaiah saw the Lord, “sitting on a throne, high and lifted up,” and heard seraphim crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts,” he confessed that he was a man of unclean lips, dwelling in the midst of a people of unclean lips. In this instance, his iniquity was taken away, and his sin was purged by the touch of a hot coal to his lips. (Isaiah 6:1-7)
Perhaps extraterrestrials can speak whatever they choose to without violating Biblical principles, if they truly have no lips. However, I think the same rules apply to them as to us humans, because “lips” is a metaphor for speaking, as is reference to the tongue and the mouth.
James notes that “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10) Peter, likewise, counsels that “He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.” (1 Peter 3:10)
People judge us by what we say, and how we say it. Our lips bear witness to our innermost thoughts. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Be sure you are filled with His Spirit, and have no attitude contrary to love. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)

Note: Biblical references are from the New King James Version

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

Scripture: “ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:28, NKJV)

After learning the numbers, and how to count with them, we learn about “equals.” 1+2=3; 3+4=7, and so on. It is plain to see that the digits on either side of that equal sign may signify equity, but they are obviously not identical. Each number is distinct in its own right, however balanced they may be in the equation.
I have been thinking about how that plays out in the social, as well as the mathematical world. We are reminded in many ways how you and I share equality - created equal, have equal rights, equal opportunities, and all that. My point is, equal does not mean identical. We are not indistinguishable, one from the other, or exactly the same, uniform, and interchangeable.
Where this matters most, it seems to me, is how God looks upon His children.
“ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galations 3:28, NKJV) There is no favoritism on account of birth, beauty, or blood. There is no truth, as some claim, that certain people are the favorites of heaven, in virtue of their birth or their rank in life, or that they have special facilities for salvation.
Paul affirms, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” Individuals on one side of that “equals” sign, and one Spirit, one body on the other. (1 Corinthians 12:13) It is the same God that works all in all. God so loved the world - every individual - that everyone who believes will be part of that one Body, one Spirit; “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit with.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Consider: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” (John 1:6-8) John had a unique role; he stood out as an individual, as described by Mark (1:1-8) but made no claims as to his relationship to the Light. When asked about his identity, John replied, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as the prophet Isaiah said.” (1:23)
Later, after Jesus began His ministry, John again responded to questions about his role in the kingdom of God; saying, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:27-30)
John inquired from prison as to whether Jesus was the Coming One. Jesus praised John highly, but added, “ . . . But he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than (John.)” (See Matthew 11:2-15) He who is least, even I? How can that be? Individuals on one side of that “equals” sign, and one Spirit, one body on the other.
As summed up by “The Preacher” of Ecclesiastes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecc. 12:13-14)
Psalm 9:8 states, “He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness.”
God will balance the equation, bringing into the “one body, one Spirit” even the least of those who believe in Him. (John 3:16)

Seeds for Thinking (©) 1996 - 2010 by Leland Hubbell

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

Scripture: Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?"
(2 Cor. 13:5, NKJV)

A living language is by its very nature a constantly changing language. That is certainly true of the English language. We speakers not only use it, we also abuse it. New words are created, transformed, and borrowed from many sources. A few even become mainstream enough to make their way into the dictionary.
The word 'vetting' piqued my curiosity. The typical context suggested that it had something to do with revealing information, but since I am seldom satisfied with unknowns, or even partially knowns, the search was on.
My usual word sources were no help at all, and the internet seemed to have a fixation on slang for the Corvette automobile, words of that sort. I finally found my answer on an internet site called 'Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.'
"Broadly, vetting is a process of examination and evaluation. Specifically, vetting often refers to performing a background check on someone before giving them an award or honor, offering them a position in an organization, etc. In addition, in intelligence gathering, assets are vetted to determine their usefulness."
"'To vet' was originally a horse-racing term, referring to the requirement that a horse be checked for health and soundness by a veterinarian before being allowed to race. Thus, it has taken the general meaning 'to check'". (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Hmmm . . . Examination and eval-uation. I think that I have been 'vetting' things without knowing it. Especially things Biblical.
Paul told Timothy: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons . . ."
(1 Timothy 4:1, NKJV)
There are so many "deceiving spirits' at work in our society that we have to be on constant alert against the 'wiles of the Devil.' (See also Rev. 16:14; 2 Tim. 4:3) We need to examine everything thoroughly, lest we be led astray from the true faith.
Again, Paul wrote to the Corinthians concerning the ritual of Communion, "28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." (Review 1 Cor. 11:23-29)
Examination, evaluation, vetting - it seems that we need to practice the process, whatever the linguistic label.
No, Paul didn't use the word 'vetting.' But then he didn't use 'examine,' either. The letter was written in Greek, not English.
(I just thought you would want to know!)
February 18, 2007

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

Scripture: Paul wrote, "remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you" (Romans 11: 18b, NIV).

Which came first - the chicken or the egg? You can go ‘round and ‘round with this one! You might call it a dilemma, a quandary, a vicious circle; in fact, some call it a “circular cause and consequence.” We assume, of course, that this is a chicken egg. Now, which came first:
The chicken or an egg laid by a chicken?;
The chicken or an egg containing a chicken?;
The chicken, or an egg laid by and containing a chicken?
There are many examples of this ‘vicious circle’ in the real world:
* A graduate can't get a job because they have no experience, and can't get experience because no one will give them a job.
* Companies find it difficult to introduce new consumer media formats - audio and video recording formats, video game console systems, and computer systems. Most consumers won't buy devices for the format until there are many programs to play on those devices but companies won't offer most of their programs in the new format until many customers have the devices.
* An actor cannot join the actor's union unless he has played a role in a union film, but a non-union actor cannot get a role in a union film because he isn't in the union.
A Catch-22, coined by Joseph Heller in his novel Catch-22, is a difficult circumstance from which there is no escape. There are rules, regulations, procedures, or situations in which one has knowledge of being or becoming a victim but has no control over it occurring. Typically, it is a paradox wherein an individual finds him or herself in need of something that can be had only by not being in need of it.
Obviously, there are times when we need to break out of this endless loop.
Many people propose evolution as the way to break the cycle. Mutation and selection, perhaps, so the egg actually becomes something else, a bird, maybe, instead of the parent dinosaur. But -Uh - where did the egg come from?
The Judeo-Christian story of creation describes God creating birds, according to Genesis 1:21; “every living creature that moveth, wherewith the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind: (Genesis 1:21 (ASV))

A more realistic question for the Christian is the matter of becoming fruitful, especially that of ‘Agape’ (God’s) Love:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”— (Galatians 5:22-23)
In 1 Corinthians 13 there is a section on love: Love suffers long; is kind; does not envy; does not parade itself; does not get 'puffed up'; does not behave rudely; is not provoked; does not think evilly, nor rejoice in sin; rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
It might be asked, like the chicken and egg question, “Which comes first; the seed or the fruit?” You can start a new fruit tree by planting seed. But, then, again, where does the seed come from? Will the seed reproduce true to a desired type? In this case, the Agape Love of God?
There are other methods of starting a new fruit tree: By taking and rooting cuttings of the original, or by grafting onto a certified rootstock. Paul writes about grafting wild olive branches onto a cultivated olive tree in Romans Chapter 11. As branches, we do not support the root, but the root supports us. (verse 18b) If the root (God) is holy, so are the grafted-in branches.
If we try to become as a fruitful tree by loving as the world loves, our ‘seed’ may only reproduce the worlds variety of love. -
If all you ever do, is what you’ve always done,
All you will ever get is what you’ve always got.
Break out of the cycle; un-do the Catch 22:
Become grafted onto the root of God’s Love by accepting the power of Jesus Christ to break the cycle of sin.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

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

Scripture: Luke recorded, "One of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray.'" Luke 11:1, NKJV

Oh! Come on now! The disciples didn't know how to pray?
They were, after all Jewish men, so prayers were a part of their daily lives.
Examples of prayers of confession, petition, thanksgiving, praise, recollection and intercession are found throughout the Testaments. The practice of prayer was also observed in pagan societies.
Morning prayers were a normal ritual, as expressed by the Psalmist, "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Ps. 5:1-3)
The psalmist's prayer demonstrates several elements of prayer. My dictionary suggests that to pray is to ask for interposition and judgment, to cry or call out, to seek (the face of) to request, to inquire, (of an oracle) to intercede, to pour out one's heart. To pray is also to ask humbly and earnestly, an act of adoration. John the Baptist taught his disciples a way of praying. The Pharisees made a show of public prayer. The disciples were emersed in a society steeped in prayer and prayers, and of practices both pious and pompus.
For one thing, the Pharisees publicly prayed loudly and long, wearing the prescribed phylacteries (small leather cases that contain four passages of old testament scriptures) one on the forehead, and the other on the left hand. (See Mt. 23:5)
The intended purpose for the phylacteries was to serve as a reminder of what the Lord had done for them by bringing them out of Egypt, and that "the Lord's law may be in your mouth." (Ex. 13:8-10; 16) In essence, these prayers were more "How great I am," rather than, "O LORD, how great Thou art!) Jesus denounced the practice.
Jesus obviously engaged in a type of prayer that differed quite noticeably from the practices in vogue. Rather than rote recitation (routine or repetition carried out mechanically or unthinkingly) Jesus' prayers were a two-way conversation with His Father. Each prayer was fitted to the need and the occasion. Jesus also prayed in the common Aramaic language, rather than the more formal Hebrew.
So, Lord, how do you do this? Teach us to pray like you do, rather than like what we have been seeing and doing.
Think about the "Model Prayer" as a framework, the skeleton for your petitions. Flesh it out; use it as an anchor, a blueprint, a starting point. Pray in a spirit of adoration and reverence. Express your longings for God's kingdom to come, share your joys and sorrows, plead for your needs (not wants.)
Pray in a spirit of forgiveness; to forgive and be forgiven.
Pray in a Spirit of praise. Pray!
January 21, 2007

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

* Gardens
* Scripture: Paul wrote: So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up." (Gal. 5:9, NRSV)

My garden was really looking good. The temperatures and rainfall were ideal, and the seeds responded by sprouting and growing well. I put a fence around it, just over knee high, using a type of wire that promised to keep rabbits from doing the Peter Cottontail thing.
It turns out that the fence was false security. The deer jumped over it, rabbits went through it, and groundhogs dug under it. Goodbye lettuce, adieu peas, farewell cabbage. Apparently they aren't keen on chowing down on onions and horseradish, leaving those untouched, but that beautiful sweet corn, hip high by the 4th of July, became a disaster zone of bare cobs and broken stalks.
Fences won't stop weeds, of course, so the usual variety of unwanted vegetation made its appearance. That, too, is part of gardening. Thistles made their annual visitation, thanks in part to immigration from the unmowed neighboring field. They are easy to pull, but I actually left some because of the service that they provided. Guardians of the goodies! Yes! Spinach. I did get several meals of spinach, because that was where I let the thistles grow. I'm still pondering that lesson.
In a sense, our entire lives are as a garden. We 'plant' many different things over the course of time. Just as the produce from my vegetable garden is true to the seed that I plant, so are the fruits from my spiritual 'garden' true to my lifestyle.
More of Paul's insight: "Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up." (Gal. 5:7-9, NRSV)
Should I expect weeds and animals to respect my long experience as a gardner, and not visit me? Of course not! They simply see my garden, or any garden, as a place to grow, or as a food source. Likewise, my Spiritual garden will be attacked by earthly impulses if given the slightest chance. Works of the flesh!
According to Paul, "the works of the flesh are obvious: Fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these." (Gal. 5:21a)
Will I plant another garden? Certainly! I know now that my simple fence was not adequate to the task. Nor can I be casual about my Spiritual fences, either. Like Paul, I desire to reap at the harvest. I will do what is right.
"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." (Galations 5:22-23, NRSV)
Grow for it!
August 6, 2006