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]

Many of us are exactly like that poor man, oblivious of the diamond in his possession.  We go through life unaware of the spiritual wealth that we have in our possession, but do not recognize.

This leads us to the point of leaving our Christian path or our traditional churches, in many cases, due to the reasons outlined in A and B below.  We become unaware of the value of that which is in our possession when outside influences blinds us to that spiritual wealth.

(A) Some of us who have grown up in the Christian tradition, turn from that pathway of faith, due to our inability to distinguish the core teachings of Christ from the actions of other “professed” Christians who seemingly exemplify a way of life contrary to these same teachings and life style of Jesus.  We see the society in which we live stereotyping all Christians as mean spirited, hate mongering, hypocrites; and rightfully so when the vocal minority of Christians manifest in their actions and words these attributes which stand in stark contradiction to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  Influenced by these negative stereotypes, many of us stray from the church (protestant and catholic denominations alike) and seek elsewhere for spiritual paths and answers.

(B) Others who have left the traditional church have done so due to a feeling of emptiness, in the spiritual sense.  We are simply not finding in our traditional Christian churches that ingredient of worship which we need to satisfy that spiritual thirst or hunger that exists within us.

Those who fit into the two categories outlined here as well as society in general, fail to recognize the good works or deeds of the majority of Christians as well as the value of spiritual traditions that exist within the Christian movement.  Through this failure, we go about life, in spiritual rags, ignorant of a great spiritual treasure that is offered us through Christ’s teachings and ministry.  Some become fascinated with Eastern or other pathways of spiritual growth.  But if we add to the ignorance of our own treasures through totally abandoning our Christian traditions and adopting another, the possibility for genuine spiritual growth in either, is greatly diminished.

We postulate or consider it as self evident that there is a thirst or hunger that is leading to a great awakening of the oft ignored wealth of Christian spiritual traditions.  As more and more Christians remove the blinders of ignorance and seek out through study and subsequent rediscovery of ancient Christian Traditions, we become aware of that great wealth, that hidden diamond, that we have always had in our possession.

I once was lost, But now am found, Was blind but now I see………

These words from the old favorite hymn, Amazing Grace should become the mantra for those that have left the church due to reasons A and B above or other causes.  We should open our eyes and seek out those treasures of our faith and rediscover the diamond that Christianity was meant to be.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

[1] From “living in the spirit”, by Rachel Hosmer and Alan Jones © 1979 Seabury Press Inc

Pages 161 -163

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?

Measure once in a speculative sense might mean to think, to meditate on the task before committing to the “cut” — the implementation of what ever the task might be. All far too often we fail to think, to apply critical thought as to what the far reaching implications of our actions can have. We never plan to fail but we fail to plan. We fail to consider the possibilities that our actions might have undesirable effects later, both on us and those around us. Sometimes we fail to consider even the little things such as unintentional ambiguity in our spoken and written words that can be misinterpreted by those we care for causing them pain through their misunderstanding of our intent. Through rashness that results from lack of meditation we fail consider how our actions might influence others, we simply fail to consider their viewpoint, we fail to place ourselves in their shoes, so to speak. We must learn to apply critical thought, thoroughly analyzing situations and then listen to that small inner-voice for inspiration.

Measuring twice might be turning to prayer before attempting implementation of the plan. Any great undertaking worthy of our attentions is worthy of prayer. Through prayer we open our minds to that small inner voice in each of us that originates from God. Prayer can reveal to us aspects of our undertakings that we might not note otherwise, sometimes preventing us from regrettable mistakes. Through prayer we should learn to place everything in the hands of God, letting him lead us to a successful implementation of our tasks and undertakings.

The act of measuring once then measuring twice before making the cut, can give us the time to reach a point of calm and level headiness, which is preferable to achieve before reacting harshly and doing that which we will regret later. Many times we react to a given situation with great emotion, and many time it would be preferable to pray and meditate, (Measure Twice) before reacting in such a manner that we might regret our actions afterward, perhaps even regretting those actions for a lifetime. Just as in the act of cutting a board for a woodworking project, once cut, we can not undo what we have done, and just as a board cut too short might be disastrous, an act done in anger or without forethought also might come up short.

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.

• 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}