Last day in May and the day is starting beautifully, a slight breeze makes the walking a pleasure, and a dog set to walking along, checking interesting bushes and stuff along the way, adds to the enjoyment. He is not demanding, doesn’ t respond when I say sternly “go home’ and settles happily at my heels when he is not busy checking things elsewhere. When I reach my driveway, he leaves and goes home, happy to have been helpful, he thinks.
No, Ruth and I don’t have any pets around. But it did remind me of a wish I had when I was growing up. I always wanted a pony. My older brother and I had rabbits, guinea pigs, and other stuff, but never a pony.
Just recently my favorite columnist spoke about being a wanter when he was growing up. Using the Sears and Roebuck catalog as his wish book, checking out what it offered in rifles, bb guns, hardware. And heavy boots and other stuff.
Now, suddenly, and he doesn’t know just when it happened, he stopped wanting things. And that sort of surprised him because he said he was born being a wanter of things he couldn’t have.
And that strikes a bell. I have stopped being a wanter. And that’s quite an admission for one who used to just revel in the aroma and ambience of a hardware store. The sight of new wrenches, the smell of leather gloves, the gleaming tools displayed. The dreams of having.
But the years have brought something else. The Truth of God’s Word. “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.” wrote Paul to Timothy. 1Tim. 6,8. “Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Prov. 15,16. And the letter to the Hebrews says, “be content with such things as you have, for He hath said, I will never leave you nor forsake you” Heb. 13,5.
That wisdom grows through the years. Paul knew what he was saying when he declared, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content”. Phil.4,ll.
All we need do to see if that is true is to look into our closets. Tucked away in the back corners is stuff we just had to have, and now we have even forgotten we have it. The truth of Scripture tells us that when we have the faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, our wants are complete. I pray, I really pray, that is true for each of you today. God provides all we need.
GPD 5/31/08
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/28/08
Pleasant morning for walking, and my stress test results turned out just fine, so the doctor said “Keep walking and doing what you have been doing, and we’ll see you a year from now.” I thank God for that report, and did my walking this morning. Though late yesterday it sounded as if a major storm was moving our way, but all we had was some wind and a bit of rain.
But my scheduled appointment did remind me of time. A precious commodity, isn’t it? And, I was going to say, “as usual’ the doctor was late for the appointment. Like many, I come prepared and take reading matter along to help pass the time.
By the way, did you know if you check ‘time’ on the internet and check Official US Time, the time for your Zone appears accurate to within 2 seconds? Interesting.
But back to time. Ecclesiastes says, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” 3,1. There is even a suggestion about clutter when it remind us there is “a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away” v.6.
But time. How it passes for different ages. You’ve all heard the plaintive “are we there yet” from the back seat when on a driving trip? And for a child waiting for Christmas, time passes slowly, while for the mother with her preparations under way, the shopping, the wrapping, the baking, the cleaning, the writing cards and mailing them, the decorating and getting ready, there simply isn’t enough time and it just rushes by.
A quote attributed to Albert Einstein reads: “Time is what separate cause and effect”.
My life often dwelt on time. Classes at college and seminary started on time, and most late comers were noted. Church started on time, for several reasons. One was to honor those who were there, and the other was to make the point that God is important in worship life.
So time, “There is time there for every purpose and for every work”. Eccl 3,17. I have found it so, and lately when someone disappoints me, I simply use that time for study or reading instead of fuming. And the Lord is there all the time, for He has promised, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the earth”. Bess the day.
GPD 5/28/08
But my scheduled appointment did remind me of time. A precious commodity, isn’t it? And, I was going to say, “as usual’ the doctor was late for the appointment. Like many, I come prepared and take reading matter along to help pass the time.
By the way, did you know if you check ‘time’ on the internet and check Official US Time, the time for your Zone appears accurate to within 2 seconds? Interesting.
But back to time. Ecclesiastes says, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” 3,1. There is even a suggestion about clutter when it remind us there is “a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away” v.6.
But time. How it passes for different ages. You’ve all heard the plaintive “are we there yet” from the back seat when on a driving trip? And for a child waiting for Christmas, time passes slowly, while for the mother with her preparations under way, the shopping, the wrapping, the baking, the cleaning, the writing cards and mailing them, the decorating and getting ready, there simply isn’t enough time and it just rushes by.
A quote attributed to Albert Einstein reads: “Time is what separate cause and effect”.
My life often dwelt on time. Classes at college and seminary started on time, and most late comers were noted. Church started on time, for several reasons. One was to honor those who were there, and the other was to make the point that God is important in worship life.
So time, “There is time there for every purpose and for every work”. Eccl 3,17. I have found it so, and lately when someone disappoints me, I simply use that time for study or reading instead of fuming. And the Lord is there all the time, for He has promised, “I will be with you always, even to the end of the earth”. Bess the day.
GPD 5/28/08
Monday, May 26, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/26/08
Memorial Day, and the morning walk was especially quiet. No cars starting, no yellow busses rumbling, hardly any traffic at all. Quiet.
And I thought of what we are observing today, the deaths of so many through the years to fight for the freedoms we have and the sort of life we live in this country.
Jesus said there would ever be “wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 25,6. This is followed by other disasters, and things will become so bad that “the love of many shall wax cold”, but “This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end shall come’. Vv. 12.14.
This truth was not referred to or expressed in the Memorial Day Celebration at the nation’s capitol last night. There were bands and singers and speakers to remind us of the events, with references to the memorials erected to remember the various wars. Veterans had been invited and seated in the front rows. It was all very impressive. There were Generals and Admirals and many officials. But. .
They had invited singers, several “award winning” and “winners of many grammys” to sing special songs. Maybe it is my years, but I could not understand a word of what they sang. What ever happened to the Kate Smiths of other years? Singers who sang with fervor and feeling and one could clearly understand what they were singing, because they enunciated clearly.
I was paying careful attention to the faces of the veterans as they were shown during these events, and one saw sadness, indifference, boredom, but never any smile or glimmer of “hey, this is wonderful".
Ah, different times, different ways maybe. Better? I think not.
But let’s remember what these lives we celebrate cost, what they died for, and cherish the country where the lord has allowed us to live, and work, and pray, and under His blessing, proper and worship Him. May God ever bless that worship and that sort of life.
GPD 5/26/08
And I thought of what we are observing today, the deaths of so many through the years to fight for the freedoms we have and the sort of life we live in this country.
Jesus said there would ever be “wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 25,6. This is followed by other disasters, and things will become so bad that “the love of many shall wax cold”, but “This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then the end shall come’. Vv. 12.14.
This truth was not referred to or expressed in the Memorial Day Celebration at the nation’s capitol last night. There were bands and singers and speakers to remind us of the events, with references to the memorials erected to remember the various wars. Veterans had been invited and seated in the front rows. It was all very impressive. There were Generals and Admirals and many officials. But. .
They had invited singers, several “award winning” and “winners of many grammys” to sing special songs. Maybe it is my years, but I could not understand a word of what they sang. What ever happened to the Kate Smiths of other years? Singers who sang with fervor and feeling and one could clearly understand what they were singing, because they enunciated clearly.
I was paying careful attention to the faces of the veterans as they were shown during these events, and one saw sadness, indifference, boredom, but never any smile or glimmer of “hey, this is wonderful".
Ah, different times, different ways maybe. Better? I think not.
But let’s remember what these lives we celebrate cost, what they died for, and cherish the country where the lord has allowed us to live, and work, and pray, and under His blessing, proper and worship Him. May God ever bless that worship and that sort of life.
GPD 5/26/08
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/25/08
92 today, and sort of humid. This morning at Church we recognized those who served in the military, and prayed for the people even now engaged in wars. A reminder that simply living in this “Land of the Free’ is a costly and never-ending business of hard work, careful planning, constant care, and deep thought.
For many Christians, their thoughts turn to their God. The psalmist said, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee." Psalm 56,3.
I find the story of King Asa instructive. You’ll find it in 2 Chronicles chapter 14 – 16. Here is a king who trusted God, followed His direction, and brought the land of Judah back to the real worship. He had a standing army of 300,000 marked as “fighting men”. And when Zerah the Cushite marched out against him, Asa prayed, “O Lord, You are our God, let not man prevail against you”. And the Lord brought victory to king Asa. Then “there was no more war till the 35th year of king Asa.” 15,19.
But when the king of Israel threatened his land, Asa took the temple treasuries and sent them to the king of Syria to buy his allegiance. The prophet Hanani told him, ‘You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war”. 16,9. And the last days of Asa were not blessed by God and he died from an illness.
St. Paul reminded us, “Whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures ,might have hope” Rom 15,4.
We are looking to elect a President. You must know, and pray for, a person who will lead, a person of character and understanding. Maybe Ghandi had it right when he is quoted as saying, “The obligation of accepting a position of power is to be, above all, a good human being”.
Make Psalm 46 a reading. “God is our Refuge, and strength,
An ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear,
Though the earth be removed,
And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.. . .
The Lord Almighty is with us,
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46, 1ff.
GPD 5/25/08
For many Christians, their thoughts turn to their God. The psalmist said, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in Thee." Psalm 56,3.
I find the story of King Asa instructive. You’ll find it in 2 Chronicles chapter 14 – 16. Here is a king who trusted God, followed His direction, and brought the land of Judah back to the real worship. He had a standing army of 300,000 marked as “fighting men”. And when Zerah the Cushite marched out against him, Asa prayed, “O Lord, You are our God, let not man prevail against you”. And the Lord brought victory to king Asa. Then “there was no more war till the 35th year of king Asa.” 15,19.
But when the king of Israel threatened his land, Asa took the temple treasuries and sent them to the king of Syria to buy his allegiance. The prophet Hanani told him, ‘You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war”. 16,9. And the last days of Asa were not blessed by God and he died from an illness.
St. Paul reminded us, “Whatsoever was written aforetime was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures ,might have hope” Rom 15,4.
We are looking to elect a President. You must know, and pray for, a person who will lead, a person of character and understanding. Maybe Ghandi had it right when he is quoted as saying, “The obligation of accepting a position of power is to be, above all, a good human being”.
Make Psalm 46 a reading. “God is our Refuge, and strength,
An ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear,
Though the earth be removed,
And the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.. . .
The Lord Almighty is with us,
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46, 1ff.
GPD 5/25/08
Friday, May 23, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/23/08
Woke up this morning and checked the time. The clock was dark. ”Mmm” said I to self, “Did it finally die?” Then I tried the light next to the bed and found that the power was off. So the first thing was to call the company, and they were working to restore the power. OK. So I got dressed and went for the morning walk since it was already quite light. Quiet, and the only lights were those gas lights people use in their front yards.
And, thanks be to God, just as I stepped into the house again the power came on. So life settled to normal, only I now have the chore of resetting all the electronics. But the computer showed the correct time, as did the clock we have on the wall. I have to wind it every 30 days or so. But it works.
The news is, of course, mostly sad. They predict a ‘busy’ hurricane, and talk about a major earthquake soon in southern California. Politicians are still busy posturing, and leadership seems to be in short supply.
A leader teaches, informs, shows the way, and does what is best for the whole. A politician of this day follows the polls and says, “What do the people want”. The people will always want what suits them. The people are hardly ever concerned for the long view or the best of the whole.
Take, for an example, the Junto of Burma. Rather than allowing their people to get a taste of what life can be, they say, “Just send us the money. We’ll take care of it”. So they’d rather see millions suffer and die rather than lose their grip on power.
I think of these stirring words by almost forgotten poet Josiah Holland.
God, give us men!
GOD, give us men! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office can not buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty, and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.
Josiah Gilbert Holland
GPD 5/23/08
And, thanks be to God, just as I stepped into the house again the power came on. So life settled to normal, only I now have the chore of resetting all the electronics. But the computer showed the correct time, as did the clock we have on the wall. I have to wind it every 30 days or so. But it works.
The news is, of course, mostly sad. They predict a ‘busy’ hurricane, and talk about a major earthquake soon in southern California. Politicians are still busy posturing, and leadership seems to be in short supply.
A leader teaches, informs, shows the way, and does what is best for the whole. A politician of this day follows the polls and says, “What do the people want”. The people will always want what suits them. The people are hardly ever concerned for the long view or the best of the whole.
Take, for an example, the Junto of Burma. Rather than allowing their people to get a taste of what life can be, they say, “Just send us the money. We’ll take care of it”. So they’d rather see millions suffer and die rather than lose their grip on power.
I think of these stirring words by almost forgotten poet Josiah Holland.
God, give us men!
GOD, give us men! A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lust of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoils of office can not buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie;
Men who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty, and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.
Josiah Gilbert Holland
GPD 5/23/08
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/21/08
How is our prayer life? Intermittent? Sort of now and then, or daily, or, as St. Paul urges, “Pray without ceasing?”
Here is a quote, probably better know in my generation than in yours.
"Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day. "
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
And here is what the encyclopedia says of the Serenity prayer.
Full version of the original (c.1942)LReinhold Niebuhr, theologian.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Let us never forget to pray, when we start the morning commute, when we rise from sleep, when we move about doing daily chores, indeed, "pray without ceasing”.
GPD 5/21/08
Here is a quote, probably better know in my generation than in yours.
"Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day. "
Alfred, Lord Tennyson
And here is what the encyclopedia says of the Serenity prayer.
Full version of the original (c.1942)LReinhold Niebuhr, theologian.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Let us never forget to pray, when we start the morning commute, when we rise from sleep, when we move about doing daily chores, indeed, "pray without ceasing”.
GPD 5/21/08
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/20/08
Jeremiah,the weeping prophet, said this: 1”6 God's Message yet again: "Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried and true road. Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. But they said, 'Nothing doing. We aren't going that way.'” Jer. 6,16.
This all comes to mind because in my walk this morning the world seemed so at peace. Birds twittering, children waiting their daily ride, people taking dogs for their morning walk, leaving for work, doing some last minute fussing before leaving the house. I thought of Historian Martin Marty’s phrase about the 50’s in America. “The decade when everything worked”.
BUT, just yesterday a retired, nearly blind, teacher is burned to death in a fire set by an angry neighbor. Massive quakes shatter lives and destructive storms rage and destroy and leave suffering in their wake. The world seems to be a place where nothing is right any more. What are we to do? Where look for help? And Jeremiah comes to mind.
Here is a prophet who lived and worked during one of the most disruptive periods of Israel’s history. The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. He experienced it all, and he lived and spoke during those times, and this was his message. “Ask for the old ways.” Turn back to God. His is the tried and true way.
And that is the Word today for us. It must be. It is the only true and right way. In short, turn back to the Bible for leadership and wisdom, and the truth. We have the way, we know the Bible, and yet there is always the danger of slipping away, of being misled. St. Paul warned us that “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Cir. 11,14. This the warning, “3 However, I'm afraid that as the snake deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 When someone comes to you telling about another Jesus whom we didn't tell you about, you're willing to put up with it. When you receive a spirit that is different from the Spirit you received earlier, you're also willing to put up with that. When someone tells you good news that is different from the Good News you already accepted, you're willing to put up with that too” 2 Cor 11,3.4.(GW).
God’s Word is reliable, true, and dependable in this century too. Return to it often, Make it your guide and sure defense, and let it always remind you that Jesus Christ died for you. It will keep you strong, calm your fears, and give you peace at the last. I pray this for you.
GPD 5/20/08
This all comes to mind because in my walk this morning the world seemed so at peace. Birds twittering, children waiting their daily ride, people taking dogs for their morning walk, leaving for work, doing some last minute fussing before leaving the house. I thought of Historian Martin Marty’s phrase about the 50’s in America. “The decade when everything worked”.
BUT, just yesterday a retired, nearly blind, teacher is burned to death in a fire set by an angry neighbor. Massive quakes shatter lives and destructive storms rage and destroy and leave suffering in their wake. The world seems to be a place where nothing is right any more. What are we to do? Where look for help? And Jeremiah comes to mind.
Here is a prophet who lived and worked during one of the most disruptive periods of Israel’s history. The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. He experienced it all, and he lived and spoke during those times, and this was his message. “Ask for the old ways.” Turn back to God. His is the tried and true way.
And that is the Word today for us. It must be. It is the only true and right way. In short, turn back to the Bible for leadership and wisdom, and the truth. We have the way, we know the Bible, and yet there is always the danger of slipping away, of being misled. St. Paul warned us that “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Cir. 11,14. This the warning, “3 However, I'm afraid that as the snake deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 When someone comes to you telling about another Jesus whom we didn't tell you about, you're willing to put up with it. When you receive a spirit that is different from the Spirit you received earlier, you're also willing to put up with that. When someone tells you good news that is different from the Good News you already accepted, you're willing to put up with that too” 2 Cor 11,3.4.(GW).
God’s Word is reliable, true, and dependable in this century too. Return to it often, Make it your guide and sure defense, and let it always remind you that Jesus Christ died for you. It will keep you strong, calm your fears, and give you peace at the last. I pray this for you.
GPD 5/20/08
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/18/08
This is one of those days. And this result is this ditty picked up from the Chronicle and attributed to Gene Sandefur of Sugar Land. It is not something that counselors advise and put out with the usual grain of salt and tongue in cheek.
He didn’t like the casserole,
And he didn’t like my cake. . .My biscuits were too hard,
Not like his mother used to make.
I didn’t perk the coffee right, he didn’t like the stew, I didn’t mend his socks the way his mother used to do.
I pondered for an answer, I was looking for a clue,
Then I turned around and smacked him. . .like his mother used to do.
He didn’t like the casserole,
And he didn’t like my cake. . .My biscuits were too hard,
Not like his mother used to make.
I didn’t perk the coffee right, he didn’t like the stew, I didn’t mend his socks the way his mother used to do.
I pondered for an answer, I was looking for a clue,
Then I turned around and smacked him. . .like his mother used to do.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/16/08
Just a light jacket was almost too much this morning. I met the girl with her new puppy again, but this time she had it firmly on a leash. Said to me, “It needs to be exercised, but I want to control that.” Good thinking.
The world is really a beautiful place. Friends send me pictures of nature, water falls, hidden lakes, towering trees, shady grassy areas, landscapes with grazing cattle. The list can go on, I sit here and look at trees outside my window, lofty loblolly pines, ash and oak and all kinds of growing things. My neighbor planted some bamboo. The clump kind, not the other. That runs and would soon be all over the neighborhood unless severely watched and kept in check.
But the world also has in it things that annoy. One new problem for this area are raspberry ants, so called after an exterminator who first discovered them. They have a tendency to nest in and damage electrical equipment, pool pumps, well pumps, gate motors, pipeline valves. They don’t bite, but are very hard to control because they have many queens. One positive, they tend to replace fire ants. Of course, man has learned a little bit how to control that pest.
So much for that.
Now there is the other problem. Sin, that seems to cause all kinds of havoc. The more man invents the more ways man finds to misuse that invention. Early on we thought the telephone was such a great thing, saved driving over to tell aunt Elsie the news of whatever. But then there was the town gossip who spent time to gather ammunition by listening in on the party line.
Today we have a Missouri women sued because she used the internet to bully a neighbor girl. Despondent, she hanged herself. That thing will now be the source of legal wrangles to find a solution.
And cell phone companies are trying to find ways to curb spam calls that you don’t want but have to pay for.
Enough.
That is just why we have this word from or Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
For here there is always rest for the weary, the disturbed, the worried, and the ones who carry burdens beyond heir strength. Jesus, the Christ, is their Savior and heir lord. He cares. He brought the Word of salvation. So the worries of the world need not burden, for we can indeed “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you”. That word of St. Peter rings true for you too.
He does, you know, carry out this promise. Do find your rest there.
GPD 5/16/08
The world is really a beautiful place. Friends send me pictures of nature, water falls, hidden lakes, towering trees, shady grassy areas, landscapes with grazing cattle. The list can go on, I sit here and look at trees outside my window, lofty loblolly pines, ash and oak and all kinds of growing things. My neighbor planted some bamboo. The clump kind, not the other. That runs and would soon be all over the neighborhood unless severely watched and kept in check.
But the world also has in it things that annoy. One new problem for this area are raspberry ants, so called after an exterminator who first discovered them. They have a tendency to nest in and damage electrical equipment, pool pumps, well pumps, gate motors, pipeline valves. They don’t bite, but are very hard to control because they have many queens. One positive, they tend to replace fire ants. Of course, man has learned a little bit how to control that pest.
So much for that.
Now there is the other problem. Sin, that seems to cause all kinds of havoc. The more man invents the more ways man finds to misuse that invention. Early on we thought the telephone was such a great thing, saved driving over to tell aunt Elsie the news of whatever. But then there was the town gossip who spent time to gather ammunition by listening in on the party line.
Today we have a Missouri women sued because she used the internet to bully a neighbor girl. Despondent, she hanged herself. That thing will now be the source of legal wrangles to find a solution.
And cell phone companies are trying to find ways to curb spam calls that you don’t want but have to pay for.
Enough.
That is just why we have this word from or Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
For here there is always rest for the weary, the disturbed, the worried, and the ones who carry burdens beyond heir strength. Jesus, the Christ, is their Savior and heir lord. He cares. He brought the Word of salvation. So the worries of the world need not burden, for we can indeed “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you”. That word of St. Peter rings true for you too.
He does, you know, carry out this promise. Do find your rest there.
GPD 5/16/08
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/14/08
Humid this morning with a slight breeze. I am walking along, minding my own business, when here comes this little black puppy, gamboling about and running around in circles, followed by a girl of 8 or 10 calling “Lucy, come here” and chasing that dog. The more she chased, the more the dog ran. So I told her “Just go back home and call, it will come. Right now it thinks you’re playing.” So she did, and it did, case closed, and words of wisdom fall on receptive ears.
A word one seldom hears anymore is “putter”. The dictionary defines it as ‘to move or act aimlessly or idly, to dawdle’ and also ‘to work at random, tinker’.
It used to be an honored occupation, to putter, to tinker. Things got done. Such a person oiled the squeaking door hinge, or fixed a window that was stuck or hard to open, or tightened a loose screw. One of the janitors serving one of my congregations always carried some tools when he worked. And when he saw loose banister or spotted a loose board in a fence, he fixed it. He said he liked to see things ‘ship shape’, and the result of such puttering is less major repairs, because things never got to that stage.
Now here is an item in the Reader’s Digest on the benefits of boredom. But the item says empty moments are increasingly rare, because we have iPods and radio and text- messaging to fill our empty times. And the loss is ours.
Because there is a strong assumption that boredom, a state of nothingness, is essential. It is the human emotion that lies beneath great discoveries. It is at times of restlessness that we discover new things, maybe a different approach to a problem, or just a new way of considering things.
Our lives are like that girl, so busy chasing and pursuing that we don’t take time to stand still and wait for the dog to come.
The Psalmist said, “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm, 46,10
So it is, so let it be.
GPD 5/14/08
A word one seldom hears anymore is “putter”. The dictionary defines it as ‘to move or act aimlessly or idly, to dawdle’ and also ‘to work at random, tinker’.
It used to be an honored occupation, to putter, to tinker. Things got done. Such a person oiled the squeaking door hinge, or fixed a window that was stuck or hard to open, or tightened a loose screw. One of the janitors serving one of my congregations always carried some tools when he worked. And when he saw loose banister or spotted a loose board in a fence, he fixed it. He said he liked to see things ‘ship shape’, and the result of such puttering is less major repairs, because things never got to that stage.
Now here is an item in the Reader’s Digest on the benefits of boredom. But the item says empty moments are increasingly rare, because we have iPods and radio and text- messaging to fill our empty times. And the loss is ours.
Because there is a strong assumption that boredom, a state of nothingness, is essential. It is the human emotion that lies beneath great discoveries. It is at times of restlessness that we discover new things, maybe a different approach to a problem, or just a new way of considering things.
Our lives are like that girl, so busy chasing and pursuing that we don’t take time to stand still and wait for the dog to come.
The Psalmist said, “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm, 46,10
So it is, so let it be.
GPD 5/14/08
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/11/08
Pentecost Sunday, and Mother’s Day
Pentecost Sunday is the anniversary of Ruth and my confirmation. Pentecost is a festival. The description in Acts chapter 2, 1 – 21, is a story of a miracle. The tongues, the mighty wind, the hearing “in our own tongues”. The wonderful saving message of Christ died and risen again to pay for the sins of the world. Read it again to see How the Holy Spirit touches and teaches His Church. As He does still today through His Word.
And Mother’s day. Can one even begin to describe the rich blessings a Christian, caring, loving mother means to her family. Ling Lemuel in Proverbs 31 says it so well. “Her children arise, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her". Prov. 31,28.
Here is St. Paul writing to his young friend, pastor Timothy. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also”. 2 Tim. 1,5.
Isn’t that where most of us first learned it? Our faith? At our mother’s knee. She is the one who saw that homework was done, got us off to school on time, patiently tended to our needs, lovingly cared for us when we hurt, soothed us when we failed, patiently sat back while we went through the “I can do it myself’” phase and tried to tie our first shoe lace (and messed it up).
So much of what mothers do is never noticed. It goes on sort of ‘behind the scenes’ as it were. But it is vital to our growing up successfully, and we often don’t appreciate it except now and then with a belated thanks.
In the Plan God set, He meant for the parents to teach, instruct, give flesh to, history for the children. Psalm 78 reviews the history of Israel, “Things our fathers have told us” v.3. It goes on “He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would teach their children, then they would put their trust in God". Vv. 6.7. All this “so they would keep His commandments” v.7b.
And there is the real reason. So that children would learn the Word of God and “their feet would not slip because the law of God is in their heart”. Ps. 37,31.
On this Pentecost Day when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, let us also thank God for the mothers He has given us. Mothers who, by being there as His children, bless our lives.
GPD 5/11/08
Pentecost Sunday is the anniversary of Ruth and my confirmation. Pentecost is a festival. The description in Acts chapter 2, 1 – 21, is a story of a miracle. The tongues, the mighty wind, the hearing “in our own tongues”. The wonderful saving message of Christ died and risen again to pay for the sins of the world. Read it again to see How the Holy Spirit touches and teaches His Church. As He does still today through His Word.
And Mother’s day. Can one even begin to describe the rich blessings a Christian, caring, loving mother means to her family. Ling Lemuel in Proverbs 31 says it so well. “Her children arise, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her". Prov. 31,28.
Here is St. Paul writing to his young friend, pastor Timothy. “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois, and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also”. 2 Tim. 1,5.
Isn’t that where most of us first learned it? Our faith? At our mother’s knee. She is the one who saw that homework was done, got us off to school on time, patiently tended to our needs, lovingly cared for us when we hurt, soothed us when we failed, patiently sat back while we went through the “I can do it myself’” phase and tried to tie our first shoe lace (and messed it up).
So much of what mothers do is never noticed. It goes on sort of ‘behind the scenes’ as it were. But it is vital to our growing up successfully, and we often don’t appreciate it except now and then with a belated thanks.
In the Plan God set, He meant for the parents to teach, instruct, give flesh to, history for the children. Psalm 78 reviews the history of Israel, “Things our fathers have told us” v.3. It goes on “He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would teach their children, then they would put their trust in God". Vv. 6.7. All this “so they would keep His commandments” v.7b.
And there is the real reason. So that children would learn the Word of God and “their feet would not slip because the law of God is in their heart”. Ps. 37,31.
On this Pentecost Day when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, let us also thank God for the mothers He has given us. Mothers who, by being there as His children, bless our lives.
GPD 5/11/08
Friday, May 9, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/9/08
I started out this morning wearing a light jacket, came back and left the jacket at home. It was warm and sort of muggy. I noticed when the temperature touches 90 the weather people call it HOT. Less than that, it’s just warm.
So warm and muggy, and I met one of the scholars with his right arm in a cast. Put two and two together and think, “Aha, he got that in time to miss his tests.” So I asked. And he told me he had finished the tests before he broke his wrist. And he added, “fortunately.”
How quick we are to jump to conclusions, to judge, to make assessments when we don’t know the facts, or even when it simply is none of our business.
God’s commandment tells us “do not bear false witness against your neighbor:” There it stands. Be kind, be gentle, be honest, and, most of all, “put the best construction on everything.” Paul’s advice here is this about love. It “bears everything, believes everything, hopes for everything, endures everything” 1 Cor 13,7.
One time The Lord Himself offered to give Solomon whatever he wanted. And Solomon asked for this: “Give your servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil”. 1 Kings 3,9.
That’s all part of it. To be able to judge correctly we need to have the facts. But more than that, we need to “put the best construction on everything”. We’d say today, be sure to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Well, it turned out all right, but did you notice my first thought was negative when I saw that cast on the right arm. That is a tendency we all have because of the sin that ensnares us. I had better learn again that phrase in the Catechism, learned so long ago, “And put the best construction on everything.” Practicing that makes for better relationships and a happier living. And, maybe best of all, one doesn’t end up with egg on the face so often.
GPD 5/9/08
So warm and muggy, and I met one of the scholars with his right arm in a cast. Put two and two together and think, “Aha, he got that in time to miss his tests.” So I asked. And he told me he had finished the tests before he broke his wrist. And he added, “fortunately.”
How quick we are to jump to conclusions, to judge, to make assessments when we don’t know the facts, or even when it simply is none of our business.
God’s commandment tells us “do not bear false witness against your neighbor:” There it stands. Be kind, be gentle, be honest, and, most of all, “put the best construction on everything.” Paul’s advice here is this about love. It “bears everything, believes everything, hopes for everything, endures everything” 1 Cor 13,7.
One time The Lord Himself offered to give Solomon whatever he wanted. And Solomon asked for this: “Give your servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people to discern between good and evil”. 1 Kings 3,9.
That’s all part of it. To be able to judge correctly we need to have the facts. But more than that, we need to “put the best construction on everything”. We’d say today, be sure to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Well, it turned out all right, but did you notice my first thought was negative when I saw that cast on the right arm. That is a tendency we all have because of the sin that ensnares us. I had better learn again that phrase in the Catechism, learned so long ago, “And put the best construction on everything.” Practicing that makes for better relationships and a happier living. And, maybe best of all, one doesn’t end up with egg on the face so often.
GPD 5/9/08
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/6/08
é, Isn’t that nice. Use the number pad, hold down the alt key and type 0233 and that figure appears, see, é.
Well, we had such a nice rain, a blessed rain. It rained steadily for more than 12 hours and brought three and a half inches of rain. What a rich thing this is. And the earth did need it. And so the walking this morning was refreshing, rain-washed air, brisk and energizing, and conducive to thought.
What sparked this particular line of thinking was the devotion on Mark 13, 21-23 where Jesus warns against false teachers. MSG gives us this: 21 "If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it. 22 Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. 23 So watch out. I've given you fair warning.”
It’s happening all the time, and in our day of much and rapid change it becomes essential to be watchful. Fortune magazine recently asked 19 business leaders for the best advice they ever got and one, Tony Robbins, said when he was 19 a friend told him, “You have to stand guard at the door of your mind”.
That is just what the Bible advises. “My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end”. Ps. 119,112, He asked, ‘How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word”. V.9, and this word is, “Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against you”. V.11. And you all memorized v. 109 of Psalm 119 about His Word as light and guide. There’s our help. There is our standard. There is the light we walk by and live by.
While the Children of Israel were in the wilderness, led by Moses under God, their daily food was manna, the same day after day. Now listen to this, “And the rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘if only we had other food to eat’.” Numbers 11,4. That RABBLE refers to hangers-on, people who were not of them, but had opted to come along. And they were the ones who started the grumbling.
The news reported that hackers got into the system at one school and changed the grades of some 60 pupils. I suppose that goes on everywhere. But that is what rabbles does, and that is often where the great danger lies. From areas we do not suspect, or we might think that’s cute, or people we thought were friends, and that is when the advice is, “Stand guard at the door of your mind”. Use the Word you know, refresh your mind daily with it. And “having done all, so stand’.
As I said, we are living in a day of rapid change. But this remains the same, “Thy Word endures to the end”. Learn to trust that Word, and use it as your standard, your guide, it will never mislead you, and in following it, you gain God’s rich blessing.
GPD 5/6/08
Well, we had such a nice rain, a blessed rain. It rained steadily for more than 12 hours and brought three and a half inches of rain. What a rich thing this is. And the earth did need it. And so the walking this morning was refreshing, rain-washed air, brisk and energizing, and conducive to thought.
What sparked this particular line of thinking was the devotion on Mark 13, 21-23 where Jesus warns against false teachers. MSG gives us this: 21 "If anyone tries to flag you down, calling out, 'Here's the Messiah!' or points, 'There he is!' don't fall for it. 22 Fake Messiahs and lying preachers are going to pop up everywhere. Their impressive credentials and dazzling performances will pull the wool over the eyes of even those who ought to know better. 23 So watch out. I've given you fair warning.”
It’s happening all the time, and in our day of much and rapid change it becomes essential to be watchful. Fortune magazine recently asked 19 business leaders for the best advice they ever got and one, Tony Robbins, said when he was 19 a friend told him, “You have to stand guard at the door of your mind”.
That is just what the Bible advises. “My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end”. Ps. 119,112, He asked, ‘How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your Word”. V.9, and this word is, “Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against you”. V.11. And you all memorized v. 109 of Psalm 119 about His Word as light and guide. There’s our help. There is our standard. There is the light we walk by and live by.
While the Children of Israel were in the wilderness, led by Moses under God, their daily food was manna, the same day after day. Now listen to this, “And the rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘if only we had other food to eat’.” Numbers 11,4. That RABBLE refers to hangers-on, people who were not of them, but had opted to come along. And they were the ones who started the grumbling.
The news reported that hackers got into the system at one school and changed the grades of some 60 pupils. I suppose that goes on everywhere. But that is what rabbles does, and that is often where the great danger lies. From areas we do not suspect, or we might think that’s cute, or people we thought were friends, and that is when the advice is, “Stand guard at the door of your mind”. Use the Word you know, refresh your mind daily with it. And “having done all, so stand’.
As I said, we are living in a day of rapid change. But this remains the same, “Thy Word endures to the end”. Learn to trust that Word, and use it as your standard, your guide, it will never mislead you, and in following it, you gain God’s rich blessing.
GPD 5/6/08
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/3/08
So you somehow gather that my life in retirement is one of ease, no problems, ever, never any discouragements, no down things to bother the serene passing of my days? Well, think again. Why, just this morning on my way to Bible Study I had to, twice, struggle to cross a street because if there had been no police helping at the crossing, I might have been run over by bicycle racers, no less.
But I did manage the trip both there and back home again, so thank you for your concern.
I just wanted you to know the terrible struggles I daily survive in my life of retirement east here in the Texas Gulf Coast.
Fortunately, even here we do live “under the everlasting arms.”
GPD 5/3/08
But I did manage the trip both there and back home again, so thank you for your concern.
I just wanted you to know the terrible struggles I daily survive in my life of retirement east here in the Texas Gulf Coast.
Fortunately, even here we do live “under the everlasting arms.”
GPD 5/3/08
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Shade Tree Wisdom 5/1/08
Ascension Day
A light jacket was enough. On my way I meet this teenager on the way to her bus stop. I wave, she waves, she smiles, I smile, and we pass on. Just one of those every day things, not important, but they happen in life. That’s life.
We had been to church, and it was not a Sunday. I had just started school, my brother was a few years ahead of me. So we asked Father why. And he explained what Himmelfahrt meant. [it means Ascension].
Father told us the story of Jesus travelling in a ship. He had been teaching and healing, busily at work, and in the evening He asked the disciples to cross to the other side. They, being experienced sailors and fisherman, got things underway, and Jesus found a pillow in the back part of the ship and went to sleep. The wind rose, waves got bigger, and suddenly they were in a storm that threatened to swamp them. Frightened, they woke Jesus and said, “Don’t you care that we are perishing?” Mark 4,38.
Jesus stilled the storm and then asked, “Why are you afraid, don’t you have faith?” v.40.
We knew the story. Father paused, looked at us, and said, “It’s a question people often ask. Don’t you know that the crop is poor? Don’t you care my child is sick? God, don’t you listen?
“And that’s what Ascension means to me”, Father said. ”when the night comes, and darkness falls, and worries and cares burden me, I know that Jesus is in heaven, He sees all my problems, knows my worries, and my faith says that He has a solution for me that will strengthen my faith, and make It grow, and be a blessing for me.”
Yes, God knows, and God cares, and God does. That is what gives comfort when we recite at worship “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father. From thence He will come to judge the quick and the dead.”
May this Ascension Day be an enriching time for your faith.
GPD 5/1/08
A light jacket was enough. On my way I meet this teenager on the way to her bus stop. I wave, she waves, she smiles, I smile, and we pass on. Just one of those every day things, not important, but they happen in life. That’s life.
We had been to church, and it was not a Sunday. I had just started school, my brother was a few years ahead of me. So we asked Father why. And he explained what Himmelfahrt meant. [it means Ascension].
Father told us the story of Jesus travelling in a ship. He had been teaching and healing, busily at work, and in the evening He asked the disciples to cross to the other side. They, being experienced sailors and fisherman, got things underway, and Jesus found a pillow in the back part of the ship and went to sleep. The wind rose, waves got bigger, and suddenly they were in a storm that threatened to swamp them. Frightened, they woke Jesus and said, “Don’t you care that we are perishing?” Mark 4,38.
Jesus stilled the storm and then asked, “Why are you afraid, don’t you have faith?” v.40.
We knew the story. Father paused, looked at us, and said, “It’s a question people often ask. Don’t you know that the crop is poor? Don’t you care my child is sick? God, don’t you listen?
“And that’s what Ascension means to me”, Father said. ”when the night comes, and darkness falls, and worries and cares burden me, I know that Jesus is in heaven, He sees all my problems, knows my worries, and my faith says that He has a solution for me that will strengthen my faith, and make It grow, and be a blessing for me.”
Yes, God knows, and God cares, and God does. That is what gives comfort when we recite at worship “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father. From thence He will come to judge the quick and the dead.”
May this Ascension Day be an enriching time for your faith.
GPD 5/1/08
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