Shade Tree Wisdom 12/1/09

Brisk this morning, and just a bit on the windy side, nice walking weather. And when I returned, there, waiting for their inevitable yellow Box ride, were two students, one with bare arms. I shivered, but then remembered my father used to say, “If you keep your chest warm, the rest will be warm too”. At this late date I really don’t plan to test his word anymore. I’ll keep a warm jacket on, thank you.

One thing that is no bother here while walking is loose dogs running about. I recall in Detroit a couple a few block over acquired a Doberman trained as a watch dog. They kept him in a fenced back yard along which the sidewalk ran. The fence was a six foot high chain link fence, sturdy and safe. But if he was out and you walked along the fence, he accompanied you on the inside, teeth bared and snarling a warning. But the fence made it safe for the walker.

That’s what fences do, they make things safe.

That’s why memorizing the Word of God and understanding its meaning is vital to Christian safety in this world. In his second letter to the Christians, St. John, who is now an old man, writes this: ”My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin”. 2 John 2,2. Then this aged Christian who has lived and seen much writes, “Do not love the world, nor the things in the world.. . for everything in the world, it’s cravings, it’s lusts, it’s boasting, comes not from the Father, but from the work, and the world and its desires will pass away, but He who does the will of God lives forever”. 2 John 2, 15-17.

The fact is that we live in a culture that really has different values than the Christian does, and this culture presses hard to make us conform. St. Peter mentions this fact. He says, “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and so they heap abuse on you”. L Peter 4,4.

And that is the reason for the fence we call God’s Law, or the Ten Commandments. They are there to guide us, direct us, and give us an understanding of the right way to go. So, you’re celebrating your team’s victory. There stands the word that says, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, instead be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5, 18.

I said you are armed. You have the “Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God”. Learn it, be familiar with it, use it. There it stands, ready to be the light and guide, to direct to admonish, to hold back. It is God’s grace that arms you so, dear Christian. And for that we give him thanks, praise, and glory.

GPD 12/1/09