Category — Thought for the day

There’s a story of a poor man who had a very rich friend. The rich man-wanted, to help his friend, so one day he placed a fabulously expensive diamond in the poor man’s pocket as he lay sleeping. The rich-man-slipped away unnoticed. When the poor man woke up he went on living as he had always done, from hand to mouth with barely enough provisions for himself and his family. Eventually the rich man came to visit his poor friend after many years of traveling and was shocked to see him still as poor as, ever. “What did you do with-the diamond I left with you?” “What diamond?” replied the poor man. “Why the one I left in your pocket!” At that the poor man reached into his pocket and found the diamond. Spiritually we are like that poor man. [1] [Read more →]

Thought for the Day……

One who has read books, magazine articles or watched wood working videos has learned that “Measure Twice, Cut Once” is the mantra of the consummate wood worker or craftsman. Simply put, this adage inculcates the necessity of careful planning and attention to detail that separates the true craftsman from the inexperienced. Exotic woods and expensive mill work can be rendered useless if the wood worker fails to plan and measure carefully, a cut made too short can be disastrous, and result in waste of material and time. Therefore craftsmen, authors and others involved in the operative aspect of wood working or carpentry constantly repeat this “mantra” in the hopes of ingraining it into the psyche of the novice, helping them to be the better enabled to perform the tasks required of the craftsman. But can we use this adage in a speculative sense? [Read more →]

With children, you must mix gentleness with firmness. They must not always have their own way. Give to a pig when it grunts and to a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig and a spoiled child. Unless we look well to it, our children will be a nuisance to others…… Charles Spurgeon

COMMENTARY:

The concept of a “spoiled brat” is not limited to adolescent children but can be as well applied to grown adults. Just as a spoiled child cries to manipulate its parents or guardians to get it’s way, adults often cry out baseless innuendos, in effect claiming betrayal, thereby preying on the sensitivity of those they seek to control.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Bishop Desmond Tutu

• Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD. Psalm 26 NIV

Daily we hear of horror stories told by those that escaped from legalistic controlling congregations or from the clutches of false prophets masquerading as ministers, either situation being one in which the absence of the truth of Christ’s teachings is in itself an indictment of those that would lead astray or those that blindly follow mindlessly and without questioning. Ironically those with the fortitude to question, are the first to suffer reproach and estrangement from those they thought were their friends.

• The bishop therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, orderly, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Moreover he must have good testimony from them that are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 1 Timothy 3: 1&7

{We use 1 Timothy 3: 1&7 in the context that when married, a Bishop is expected by society, to remain monogamous regardless of the gender of the persons in the relationship}