New Pet Peeves

Here are a few of my new pet peeves:
1. When you buy a new clothes' dryer, you have to PURCHASE the "right" cord as well
2. When someone besides you picks the length for the cord, it will inevitably be too short
3. Laying on the ground, screwing (or unscrewing) in the new cord, is not one of the "acceptable positions" when you have bi-focal lenses--> you might as well be doing it by feel
4. Wondering how you could misplace a screw right in front of your eyes (see # 3 above, apparently) AND how that screw could be different from the other 20 screws on the dryer
5. When you can immediately find several of the "right" screwdrivers, you should consequently realize that you really won't need them--> you will, however, need another tool that has conveniently disappeared
6. People who swerve into your lane because they are "texting" while driving
7. People who turn left (suddenly) from the center lane
8. People who, though they are in the left turn lane by the library, really want to take the next right, AND expect you to get out of their way when they make a mad dash for it

Hope you had a good morning too!

Be Content With What You Have

I was talking with a friend last night about a past situation at church that is bothering him quite severely. It crowds out the things that he should be thinking or praying about at times (Phil. 4:8). My counsel to him was to look at the good things that are going on in the life of the Body.

• We have reunited in the bond of Christ with a number of believers. Some, of whom, I never thought we would have fellowship in Christ with again
• There is a pervasive atmosphere of love, care, grace, mercy, and freedom flowing throughout the whole Body
• The AWANA ministry is flourishing, with many new children hearing and responding to the good news about Jesus Christ
• Evangelism is happening, with many non-believers hearing the Word of God concerning salvation
• A brother is able to use and sharpen his gifts, including teaching the Word and the gift of administration
  
• "Stuff" is getting done without scolding, nagging, micromanaging, or ADMONITION from the pulpit
• We are able to focus on ministering to our brothers around the world through mission organizations, instead of worrying about building an edifice to our personal glory

We have many responsibilities to accomplish as a Body. One of them is NOT to worry about what God has promised to take care of. We need to strive to bring Him glory in all that we do and let him take care of that which is now outside of our scope.

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever (Rom 11:36).

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31).

Just wanted to post a few pictures of the work that I did this morning in the garden: Planted a few white onion bulbs, planted some potatoes, planted some lettuce (not pictured), and turned under two of the raised beds.

In the picture to the left, along with a partial of my left shoe, lies a garden de-chlorinator. Chlorine in city-water can kill beneficials in the soil, so I thought I'd try one of these this year. I don't know how I'll measure its benefits because there are so many other variables that affect plant growth.

All you gardeners remeber, Keep your spade fork in the ground! And remember my mantra...I will not plant tomatoes, squash, etc., until after the last frost date...ditto, ditto, ditto... :)

Hindsight

You know, we really don't have hindsight. Yes, we can say, "I would have done thus and such had I the knowledge that I have today!" That, however, does little to fix the current situation.

We were in a situation in which many have now had hindsight. Let me tell you, if I knew then what I know today, I never would have gotten into that mess at all--would have steered clear of it like the plague. You know, though, something else would have cropped up--that seems to be the human condition. What do we do when that "something" else crops up? Do we wait for that new batch of hindsight to brew up? No!

He has show thee, o man, what is good and what the Lord requires of thee: But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

If you find someone who is not doing the above, you don't need hindsight, you need foresight...deal with it, and if you can't, then get out of it.

My measure of hindsight is full of foresight when I see someone still wanting to lord it over others, someone who continues to scheme and whisper behind people's backs (They need prayer so let's talk about them!), someone who can't walk around town without seeing people they have offended...

Hindsight NOT needed...Just proceed with caution.

(Read 3 John for an example of someone to avoid like the plague)

It's Time to Plant Onions

How do I know that it's time to plant onions? Onions from last year are growing. I accidentally turned over some onions while preparing the soil for this year's batch and found extensive roots on last year's onions. Also discovered were a few grub worms (June bug larvae) and some adventurous earthworms.

The garlic that we put in and mulched in the Fall are looking good. Nothing like fresh-squeezed garlic on your food.

Okay, here's a promise...I will not plant tomatoes or squash until after the last frost date on the calendar. I will not plant tomatoes or squash until after the last frost date on the calendar. I will not...

The Truth

A few thoughts about the truth.

We are doing a study, at home, over 2 John and 3 John. In the 27 verses that make up these letters, John uses the word truth 10 times. I thought, "This word truth is important in the writings of John!" Sherlock Holmes would have been impressed, I'm sure (cynicism intended!).

I thought to myself, "But truth is an abstract concept! How do I explain an abstract idea in concrete terms?"

I then turned my a attention to the gospel of John, wondering how Jesus used the word truth. I discovered several things:
1. In John 3:20-21, Jesus contrasts evil with truth. I generally think of good as being in opposition to evil. In the sames verses, He implicitly contrasts darkness with light. Jesus, of course, is the light that comes into the world. The world preferred darkness over light because they desire to do evil rather than obey the truth. The light, therefore, may be seen as the source from which truth emanates as evil originates from darkness.
2. Jesus unabashedly claims to be the truth (See: John 14:5-7). Ah-ha, this is the point whereby the abstract becomes concrete! Jesus is the truth, who has come from the Father. If you know the Son (the Truth) then you will consequently know the Father. He is the fleshing out of the ideal (truth).
3. Jesus, however, is currently not physically present in the world (He does live in our hearts through the Holy Spirit). How can I know that I am following the truth with Him gone to be with the Father. The answer is found in John 17:17-19..."sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17; KJV).

We have to start our understanding of "What is truth?" through an understanding that Jesus is the truth. We then have to understand that He speaks to us today through His Word (and the Holy Spirit, etc.).

If He intends for us to know the truth, be the pillar and ground of the truth, and spread the truth (light) to the world (darkness), would He have left us without a 'manual' of truth? I don't think so.

I was talking with Colin this morning about a statement his teacher made in his Old Testament class--that we could not "prove" the Creation story (don't judge his teacher, he is trying to get his students to think). I agree with this. I could only "prove" the Creation account by being physically present when it occurred. The only other way would be to have a reliable source who was there give an account of the events. Moses, who wrote Genesis, was not there...so, he cannot personally attest to the Creation events. Who was there? The Creator of Creation Himself is the only One who was there.

Whether you believe in Creation or in an impersonal beginning, you have to start with a basic presupposition: There is a God, there is not a God. If you begin with the concept of a God, then you should have no problem with the Creation account. If you begin with, "There is no God", then you certainly can't come to the point of a personal beginning for the universe.

For the Apostle John, this would have been easy to understand. Those who walk in the light believe the Word of God and, therefore, are able to walk in the truth. Those who walk in the darkness prefer their works of darkness and refuse to acknowledge the truth.

Let's hold to the idea of antithesis here: There is a light (truth) and a dark (evil). Those who follow Jesus are able to follow the truth and those who follw the dark cannot know the truth.

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18).

Looking Forward to the Kingdom

I am looking forward to the Kingdom. No more of the junk that we have to put up with right now. I missed one of my good friends (Stan) coming through town today because I was sick. I mean, really sick. I got some bug and was up until 5:30 this morning doing one of those things I won't miss in the Kingdom. I made three trips up to school to introduce classes to students and slept in between each course and solidly after I was finished for the day. Now I have a splitting headache. Not as bad as some people get, but another thing I won't miss in the future.

Heard from friends that we knew in Denver, John and Cheri, the other day. Hadn't really communicated with them in about twelve years. That's another thing that I'm looking forward to--reunion with old friends.

Our small local Body is having a reunion of old members in a couple of Sundays. You know, in the world we will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for Christ has over come the world. We hope to have more people attending than we have current members. It will be a time of dedicating ourselves to healing and service to the Lord. I don't think things will be this "messy" in the Kingdom.

Pray that you too are looking forward to the Kingdom.