Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Shade Tree Wisdom 11/28/07

Brisk walking this morning. Monday morning I passed a lad walking to catch his bus, and I said, “Ready for the joys of learning?” He said, “I’m, looking forward to it.” “ With such an attitude you’ll go far,” I told him. Now you know, and I know, he would not admit that to his peers. It isn’t cool! But I was glad to hear it.

Well, the papers seems to be filled with news, much of it horrible. The story of Baby Grace. It saddens and sickens one to read what those parents did to that 2 year old child. After killing her, keeping the body in a plastic bag in a container in their garage before throwing it into the Gulf where some fisherman found it washed up on a mud flat. At least the authorities were able to find who this child belonged to and what happened.

Then there is the news that the Supreme Court declined to hear the County’s appeal in the Bible monument case. And the County has also to pay the legal fees of the poor woman who brought the charge, babbling about mixing church and state.

And my mind went to the Gospel of St. Luke chapter 10, the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha. You may remember it. One sister is concerned about hospitality, seeing to the needs of her guest, overseeing the cooking, busy with last minute preparations. The other sister, Mary, sits quietly at Jesus' feet while He is speaking The Word.

Of course Martha is upset. In her mind the first thing is the comfort of the guest, so she cries out, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me”.

But pay attention to the answer. Jesus says that “One thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good thing”.

And what is that One needful thing? It is hearing the WORD, paying attention to God’s will expressed and set forth in the Word.

One of the problems is that “ the unspiritual man cannot accept matters which the Spirit deals with, they just don’t make sense to him, for after all you must be spiritual to see spiritual things”. 1 Cor. 2,14. That’s how Phillips translates the verse. The Bible is just a book to so many. But by ignoring its truth we open the way to the terrors that natural man does without any restraint or any wisdom or guide.

I remember reading about an interview with Ruth Graham Lots during the Katrina Hurricane disaster. The question, “How can God allow that?” Her answer was something like this. “We have taken God out of our schools. We have made prayer in schools illegal. We have thrown him out of our courthouse. We have abandoned His teachings. Why do you ask such a question?”

Friend, remember what Jesus said, “One thing is needful”. Bible reading ought to be on the daily agenda for every Christian. There he finds wisdom, and a sure guide for living. It truly brings joy to life. Psalm 119,v.19 admits, “I’m a stranger in these parts, give me clear direction”. So He does.

GPD 11/28/07

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