Seeds For Thinking

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

* Bigger and Better
* Scripture: Jesus said, "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Matt. 19:30)

Bigger is better! At least in the realm of fruits and vegetables. Everybody wants the prize-winner, the largest variety possible. The seed catalogues cash in on this tendency by showing pictures of a child with a giant pumpkin, so big that she can sit upon it. Maybe it is the dinner-plate sized dahlia that catches the eye of the flower aficionado. The most widely sought treasure of bigness, though, is probably the tomato.
I have read that the tomato is possibly the most widely grown of a things garden. It may be the only edible produce in the garden, tucked into a small bed, staked and trained to take up the least space possible. But BIG! Tomatoes have to be big. Large enough that one slice fills a sandwich. In fact, some of the most popular varieties have big in the name - Big Boy, or even Better Boy.
Big isn't everything, though. The smallest among the tomato family is a tough little rascal, a real survivor. Year after year, I find volunteer cherry tomatoes coming up where they grew the previous year. The seeds endure freezing winter temperatures and otherwise harsh treatment to grow and prosper.
The rich young man probably enjoyed all that society had to offer, and sought to cap it by obtaining eternal life. How had he prepared? He tells Jesus that he had kept all the commandments. Commendable, Jesus said, but sell all that you have, and give to the poor. "Come, follow me." (Mt. 19:21b)
If the rich, who have seemingly been rewarded monetarily as a result of their righteousness, can't make it into heaven, who can be saved?
There are several instances in the New Testament records where disciples have their eyes and hopes set on the higher, more prominent places on the ladder of success.
Peter, who reminds Jesus of the sacrifices the disciples have made, giving up all to follow Him, questions the reward they shall have for this work. Kings and rulers typically reward their closest associates and supporters with well-placed positions and honor.
Honor and prestige is not to be the goal of working for God. That may come, Jesus said, but the least of these shall many times be first, and the sure-fire prize winner shall be the last. The humble, the ones willing to be a servant to all, and not the seekers for the grand and glorious, shall be most precious in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus follows by teaching the Parable of the Laborers in the vineyard (Mt. 20) and concludes by again sharing that the last shall be first; "Many are called, but few chosen."
Sometimes it is better to be a cherry tomato rather than a Big Boy.
July 9, 2006

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

* Of Such Is Love
* Scripture: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16, KJV

Some people are endowed with what seems to me to be amazing athletic ability. At one time I could do a cart wheel - sort of - but the ability to do running forward and backward flips in the air were not designed into this body, young or old. Gymnasts and divers perform flips and twists that leave my poor brain reeling just from watching, but what a wonderful exhibition of bodily coordination.
It is tempting sometimes to picture ourselves living a dream based upon athleticism, musicianship, acting ability, or a position of authority. At the very least, we need something, or someone, to inspire us, to raise our ambitions higher, to serve as a role model.
Do I envy those who display those exceptional talents? Admire, yes, envy, no. No dream gone bad here. I seldom find a practical use for gymnastics in my daily activities, except maybe in recovering from tripping over something, so athletic ability is not something that I hanker for. Thankfully, I have found many tasks that match my God-given abilities.
Happy indeed that person who finds a match between the realm of desire and the reality of ability.
I count myself fortunate to have witnessed many young people achieve success in making that match, at times even contributing to the process. What a beautiful thing to watch someone grow and develop, literally ‘taking off’ like a jet plane when the afterburner kicks in.
On the down side, I think we have all known cases where latent ability is cast aside, ignored, or smothered, much as a budding plant is nipped or frozen, and never develops into the flowering stage. It is sad when the will to strive is repressed from within; sadder still is suppression often brought to bear for reasons of prejudice, intolerance, or prideful hurt. I include in this scenario parents who push children in an attempt to fulfill a dream that they were never able to achieve for themselves.
In a sense, the entire world lies before us as a young person, much as a lump of clay lies before the potter. Little by little, we are shaped, guided, and molded, both by external forces and by the internal self. What a fine line between the impossible dream and the achievable inspiration! Consider, also, that sometimes we are the potter, and sometimes the clay.
Like it or not, we all have tremendous responsibilities as role models, as teachers, as guides. Rather than stuff people into pigeon holes, much as we might file letters, we need to open doors, lay out vistas, point to the heights.. There are times to teach, and times to learn. There are times to lead, and times to follow. There are times to pray, and times to listen. There are times to embrace, and times to let go, for of such is love.
September 4, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Mt. 6:20, NIV

The secret of hitting a moving target is to aim at where it will be, not at where it is at the moment. The knack of calculating the speed of the target, the distance, and even the force of the wind served the early settlers of our country well as they sought to feed their families on the abundant wild game in pioneer territory. Hunters like Daniel Boone, moving into the area of Kentucky, gave the technique the name of “Kentucky Windage.”
Annie Oakley, ‘Little Miss Sureshot,’ also started hunting to help support her family in southern Ohio. She used her prowess at hitting the target to thrill audiences at Buffalo Bill’s “Wild West Shows” by breaking glass balls tossed into the air.
Hitting the target today for most people means getting in the right lane in time so as not to miss the exit you want. Except in athletics.
The game of football pushes the technique to a whole new dimension. It seems rather strange to throw a ball at an area of the field where there are no players at the moment. The quarterback has to throw at where the receiver will be, hoping that a member of the opposing team will not be there as well. (Daniel and Annie seldom had to worry about someone trying to tackle them while they were aiming and firing.) Too high or low, too soon or too late - too bad! Incomplete pass or interception. Success comes with planning what everyone is supposed to do long before the game starts. And practice, practice, practice!
In short, whatever the endeavor, the important thing is to plan ahead. Keep your eye on the target, and don’t let anything distract you.
The Bible has much advice for those who would aim for heaven. Both John The Baptist and Jesus preached repentance. That means getting everything in order to ‘hit the target.’ No mere game with bragging rights! This is forever, for eternity. Heaven or Hell.
“Repent” means to turn toward God, and away from things that would make you ‘miss the mark.’ “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
It is a harsh saying, but Jesus’ advice to pluck out and throw away that which causes you to sin (Mt. 18:9 ) is not unlike a coach telling the quarterback to eliminate bad habits, focus, and keep with the game plan.
Paul used examples from athletics, especially in his letter to the Corinthians (1Co. 9:24-27) “Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
The successful Christian goes into “strict training.” Avoid sin in all things. Aim at where you want to be (heaven) and practice, practice, practice!
November 10, 2002

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

Scripture: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16, KJV

Some people are endowed with what seems to me to be amazing athletic ability. At one time I could do a cart wheel - sort of - but the ability to do running forward and backward flips in the air were not designed into this body, young or old. Gymnasts and divers perform flips and twists that leave my poor brain reeling just from watching, but what a wonderful exhibition of bodily coordination.
It is tempting sometimes to picture ourselves living a dream based upon athleticism, musicianship, acting ability, or a position of authority. At the very least, we need something, or someone, to inspire us, to raise our ambitions higher, to serve as a role model.
Do I envy those who display those exceptional talents? Admire, yes, envy, no. No dream gone bad here. I seldom find a practical use for gymnastics in my daily activities, except maybe in recovering from tripping over something, so athletic ability is not something that I hanker for. Thankfully, I have found many tasks that match my God-given abilities.
Happy indeed that person who finds a match between the realm of desire and the reality of ability.
I count myself fortunate to have witnessed many young people achieve success in making that match, at times even contributing to the process. What a beautiful thing to watch someone grow and develop, literally ‘taking off’ like a jet plane when the afterburner kicks in.
On the down side, I think we have all known cases where latent ability is cast aside, ignored, or smothered, much as a budding plant is nipped or frozen, and never develops into the flowering stage. It is sad when the will to strive is repressed from within; sadder still is suppression often brought to bear for reasons of prejudice, intolerance, or prideful hurt. I include in this scenario parents who push children in an attempt to fulfill a dream that they were never able to achieve for themselves.
In a sense, the entire world lies before us as a young person, much as a lump of clay lies before the potter. Little by little, we are shaped, guided, and molded, both by external forces and by the internal self. What a fine line between the impossible dream and the achievable inspiration! Consider, also, that sometimes we are the potter, and sometimes the clay.
Like it or not, we all have tremendous responsibilities as role models, as teachers, as guides. Rather than stuff people into pigeon holes, much as we might file letters, we need to open doors, lay out vistas, point to the heights. There are times to teach, and times to learn. There are times to lead, and times to follow. There are times to pray, and times listen. There are times to embrace, and times to let go, for of such is love.
September 4, 2005