ANOTHER GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

Dear Friends,
I'm sorry to say I haven't written any essays the past couple of weeks and consequently have resorted to these quotations. Hopefully one or the other might speak to you.

Another GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

Pick a few

And make your own bouquet

BE THE GARDENER OF MY SOUL

Spirit of the living God, be the Gardener of my soul. For so long I have been waiting, silent and still-experiencing a winter of the soul. But now, in the strong name of Jesus Christ. I dare to ask: Clear away the dead growth of the past, Break up the hard clods of custom and routine, Stir in the rich compost of vision and challenge, Bury deep in my soul the implanted Word, Cultivate and water and tend my heart, until new life buds and opens and flowers. Amen.

Here are the two best prayers I know: 'Help me, help me, help me' and 'Thank you, thank you, thank you.'

"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what is read ours."

"Thinking is not taught in schools!" Denis Waitley

Wood that grows warped can never be straightened. Greek Proverb

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” Jesus.. John 14: 15

I believe we have become so use to the sin of war that we do not realize the true horror of it. Al Thiery

It is right to be content with what we have, never with what we are.

"No man is wise enough, nor good enough, to be trusted with unlimited power." Charles Caleb Cotton

Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.

Ronald E. Osborn

If we take seriously our belief in the teachings of Christ some people will reject us. Al Thiery

The words of God are not like the oak leaf which dies and falls to the earth, but like the pine tree which stays green forever. Native American Proverb

And what is the wholesome? Abstention from killing living beings is wholesome; abstention from taking what is not given is wholesome... And what is the root of the wholesome? Non-greed is a root of the wholesome; non-hate is a root of the wholesome... “Daily Wisdom: 365 Buddhist Inspirations,"

Again I remind you that I prepare these handouts in hope of providing you with some spiritual enrichment........ Blessed are your eyes for reading them.

Shalom

A GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

A GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

Pick a few

And make your own bouquet

My mind is a garden. My thoughts are the seeds. My harvest will be either flower or weeds. Mel Weldon

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give. George MacDonald

Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. John Milton

In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. John Bunyan

I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

Life's most urgent question is: what are you doing for others? Martin Luther King

Don't regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. Unknown

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Erin Majors

Don't cut your conscience to fit this year's fashions. Lillian Hellman

Beware the barrenness of a busy life. Socrates

There must be more to life than having everything. Maurice Sendak

They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing. Hindu Proverb

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mohandas Ghandi

Old age, to the unlearned, is winter; to the learned, it’s harvest time. Yiddish Saying

True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else. Clarence Darrow

The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation. Corrie Ten Boom

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life.

Sandra Carey

He left a world he was were of with the cool indifference you quit a dirty inn to continue your journey to a place you hope for better accommodation. Lady Mary Wortley Montague (letter) July 11 1759

PRAYER FOR LIFE’S JOURNEY

O God, Who has commanded that no man should be idle, give us grace to employ all our talents and faculties in the service appointed to us; that, whatsoever our hand finds to do, we may do it with our might. Cheerfully may we go on in the road which you have marked out, not desiring too earnestly that it should be either more smooth or more wide; but daily seeking our way by Your light, may we trust ourselves and the issue of our journey, to You the Fountain of Joy, and sing songs of praise as we go along. Then, O Lord, receive us at the gate of life, which You hast opened for us... We ask this in Your precious Name and Mercy

LET'S HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS

"Universal laws are always in force whether you believe in them or not." Brian Tracy
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson
Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it. Swedish proverb
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among
the things only hoped for. Epicurus
I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy. C. S. Lewis
Focus, not on the rudenesses of others, not on what they've done or left undone, but on what you have & haven't done yourself. Dhammapada
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Kindness makes a fellow feel good, whether it’s being done to him or by him. Frank A. Clark
The more a man knows, the more he forgives. Confucius
Forgiveness means giving up all hope of a better past. Landrum Bolling
There is always a certain peace in being what one is, in being that completely. Ugo Betti
None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone. Ralph Waldo Emerson
There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day. Alexander Woollcott
God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. James M. Barrie
The right time to show your good character is when you are pestered by somebody weaker than you. Buddha
Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, as long as ever you can. John Wesley
Knowledge can be fully given to man only in a Person, never in a doctrine. Faith is not the holding of correct doctrine, but personal fellowship with the living God. William Temple

A short personal comment:
In my Bible study I have observed that the prophets had no patience with an unredeemed nation. And I’ve also noted that a common historical pattern in the Bible was that Israel was punished whenever the leaders turned away from the devout worship of God. I’m wondering in this post; do you see a resemblance in our nation’s recent past and our present crisis with this Biblical observation?
I will add here, as I’m sure many of you will agree with, our only hope for our nation and the world is
2 Chronicles 7:14 “ If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

I pray Shalom to all
who read this

THE CADUCEUS AND THE CROSS

The Caduceus and the Cross

The symbol of two intertwined snakes, called the caduceus, is used by the

American Medical Association

Have you ever had to get mixed up with these people who work under the symbol of two snakes twined on a staff? Referring to the medical profession of course.

Often they hurt you in order to help you!

From a very young child I have always been fascinated by snakes. I even at one time belonged to the Cleveland Herpetologist Society. Imagine, that means we would actually go looking for them. I know many people who are so deathly afraid of snakes that just the very thought of them virtually makes them apoplectic. You may think the only good snake is a dead snake. And perhaps, because we’re talking about them, you have already quit reading this paper? I hope not. I have many snake stories, and I’d be pleased to hear your snake stories

We find a strange and hard to-understand snake story figuring prominently in Numbers 21:4-9.

The Lord has Moses construct a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Everyone who is bitten by a snake is to look at the serpent, for in doing so they will be miraculously healed. Scarred, but healed. In other words, Moses made a replica of the very evil the people feared.

And in this weeks study of John 3:14-21, even stranger, we find Jesus alluding to this story in his conversation with Nicodemus to the point that he virtually refers to himself as a snake.

He talks about it during his conversation with Nicodemus, the religious leader who comes to see him at night. Nicodemus would have known this story of Moses and the snakes, and probably is quite shocked that Jesus would use it as an analogy for himself.

The Gospel of John therefore refers to Jesus, not only as the good shepherd, but also as the good snake.

Jesus says it is the nature of salvation... that in the hands of God, “evil and good, threat and promise, life and death are all somehow mixed up.”

God is always eager to offer redemption, in the Old and New Testament but redemption is to be on God’s terms and not ours. The Lord did not grant their prayer (O.T. people) in the way they wanted, did he? Neither did God do things in his Son as we would have done them. If you had been in charge of making it so that your sinful creation could have the means of salvation, would you have chosen to send your child, allowing him to be hung up on a cross?

God doesn’t think the way you and I do. So to confess that we don’t understand is simply a way of admitting that we are not God, and that such things are best left up to One who knows a whole lot more about redemption than we do. The only thing with which we are left is to accept the grace God provides us, leaving the why of it all to the One who knows better than we how redemption takes place.

It is God’s will that none of us perish, but “have eternal life.” How God chooses to do that is God’s business. Let’s accept it with gratitude, even if we have to look the snake in the eye.

Lord, save us, sinful as we are. Forgive us and teach us to accept the mystery of redemption offered through your Son Jesus..... .And I pray Shalom for all who read this........Amen.

A Scatter of Inklings

A summary of our scripture study this week, John 2:13-22, might be that profanity is not just in words: but can also be in the kind of respect that we treat holy things and places.
Jesus came to the Temple and he discovered it was not the kind of setting which was conducive to true worship......... "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace."
The problem with the people in this scripture study was they were guilty of profaning the temple -- of making improper use of a holy place.

Unlike most of us, it took a lot to make Jesus angry; but in this scripture study we find Jesus in an action of angry protest over something precious that was endangered -- true worship.

When I read this scripture, (it’s in all four of the gospels) I asked myself, "What does this have to do with us? Are we guilty of profaning the holy in our midst?" The answer, of course, is "Yes!" We do profane the holy in our midst. I could mention any number of examples and depending on your awareness, perception or discernment I’m pretty sure you can too.

Worship was endangered in the Temple, and I would suggest that true worship may be endangered today as well. Too many people are selling out their worship experience to the dictates and trends of the culture. Religion has become big business in America. Worship has too often been transformed into entertainment events. In all ages, God has warned His people against using religious services to get rich.

Jesus drove out of the Temple those where were taking advantage of such situations.
The Bible tells us that as the chaos erupted, that his disciples remembered the words of the Psalmist, "Zeal for Thy house will consume me." (John 2:15-17........Ps69:9)

True worship allows a time for you to meditate to sit quietly and pray with perhaps soft music playing; this is true worship, especially if Communion is served. Such quiet meditation is a stark contrast to those services where everything is a show and for show.

The temple in Jesus' day had lost its sacred character. It was well attended, and it was a beehive of activity, but there wasn't a lot of reverence and spirituality. And it wasn't necessarily because the priests and the merchants were bad people; but because, perhaps unintentionally, they'd lost sight of the fact that it was, after all, holy ground on which they were standing.

And this is what I hope you'll think about as you review this scripture this week. Lent (any time really) is a time of introspection, of looking within and taking note of the various ways we've strayed from the righteousness of God. It's a time for cleansing our lives, mind, body and soul. In other words, making our own personal temple of self a worthy place for the Spirit of God to dwell.

And that leads to my closing comment. It comes in the form of a question........ What do you think?

Shalom

Store Up Treasures In Heaven

STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal...

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also............Mt.6: 19-21

In the tradition of "giving up" something for Lent, how about some of these (you have heard these before, but they bear repeating):

GIVE UP grumbling! Instead, "In everything give thanks." Constructive criticism is OK, but "moaning, groaning, and complaining" are not Christian disciplines.

GIVE UP 10 to 15 minutes in bed! Instead, use that time in prayer.

GIVE UP looking at ether people's worst points. Instead, concentrate on their best points. We all have faults. It will be easier for people overlook our shortcomings when we overlook theirs first.

GIVE UP speaking unkindly. Instead, let your speech be generous and understanding. It costs so little to say something kind and uplifting.

GIVE UP your worries and anxieties! Instead, trust God with them. Anxiety is spending emotional energy on something we can do nothing about... like tomorrow! Live for today and let God's grace be sufficient.

GIVE UP TV one evening a week! Instead, visit someone who is lonely or sick. There are those who are isolated by illness or age. Give someone a precious gift, your time!

GIVE UP buying anything but essentials for yourself! Instead, give the money to God. The money you would spend on the luxuries could help someone meet their basic needs. We are called to be stewards of God's bounty, not consumers.

Not a long list. I am sure you can think of things to add....And let’s dedicate Lent to a few reforms; use it as an excuse to be better.

Shalom

A Treasure of Serendipity Thoughts

Every week I leave with you some sort of handout hoping that it might stimulate your thinking and perhaps even encourage some discussion.

I share a lot of quotations with you because I think the amount of wisdom packed in some short quotations surprising and even at times astonishing. I find it interesting, and I perhaps you’ll also agree; often we are likely to find insightful and even reverent “treasure” in some surprising places.

Perhaps John 3:16, that states, “God so loved the world” which would include all of humanity, gives us a clue as to how so many have a degree of “light” we can benefit from. No one is wise enough by themselves. Sometimes one single ray of light will energize the whole mental life of the one who receives it

I hope you enjoy, share, discuss and find some inspiration with stimulated thought in the following “found gems of thought”. Al T.

• The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives. Albert Einstein

• Dignity does not consist in possessing honors, but in deserving them. Aristotle

• He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot

• Memory is a child walking along the seashore. You never can tell what small pebble it will pick up and store away among its treasured things. Pierce Harris

• If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Dalai Lama

• Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. Robert Louis Stevenson

• I know God promises not to give me more than I can handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much.
Mother Teresa

• We are building may splendid churches in this country, but we are not providing leaders to run them. I would rather have a wooden church with a splendid parson, than a splendid church with a wooden parson. ... Samuel Smith Drury

Shalom

Let's Think About Thinking

Many are unaware that they possess a capacity for deep thought reflection. By using and developing this capacity facts and insights that one has not been able to realize will begin to evolve and develop. The more one practices meditation the more the capacity to think improves and this is possible for everyone. One just has to realize that it’s good for the brain and soul to reflect and meditate and then set aside a period of time each day for it.

God has created everything with a purpose; and someone who does not think will be distant from important truths about life and themselves and live a life in self-deception and error.

Here are a few thoughts from deep thinkers:

The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Truth never damages a cause that is just. Mohandas K. Gandhi

The best leaders are those most interested in surrounding themselves with assistants and associates smarter than they are. Amos Parrish... Educator

"What you do not like done to you, do not to others - this is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and learn." Hillel the Elder

"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what is read ours." John Locke

May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God

You Don't Break God's Law It Breaks You

“The time is coming when people won't listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. They will turn from the truth and eagerly listen to senseless stories.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (CEV)

With years of decline and decay in the mainline churches across the country; and with having .so many of the past three or four generations of pastors refusing or avoiding using the power of the pulpit to preach or discuss what the Bible says about politics; we presently have Christians who no longer examine things in the light of Scripture.

I can somewhat empathize with those Christians who prefer to keep things apolitical or who are uncomfortable discussing the subject; however, it is foolishness to say that we should not discuss politics in church. I hope many are now able to see the results of this dereliction of church duty.

My point in this is; our economic crisis is a spiritual or ethical crisis. In this age of the apostate church;                 “God's people suffer for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

The Eighth Commandment (Exodus 20:15), God tells us not to steal. We are now suffering from an administration that presided over a regime that stole from we the people, not just in the tax structure but in many other deceptive ways without conscience or any fear of consequences.

This same administration resumed a war via lies, lies, (check Exodus 20:15 again) and more lies, that another relative administration started against a nation that had done nothing to us. I am talking about Iraq. “Do not contend with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.” (Proverbs 3:30) Did that or this war have God's blessing? Do I need quote Exodus 20:13? “Thou shall not murder”

For quite some time we have put entirely too much emphasis on earthly power and politics. Christ tells us to “seek first the Kingdom of God.” (Matthew 6:33) He was put to death by people who had “no king but Caesar.” (John 19:15) I ask you; are any of the mighty “super power” nations that relied on the above mentioned emphasis still in existence? It looks to me that history backs up the teachings of the Bible.

If anyone finds this short discourse painful or difficult, let me finish by reiterating the opening statement of this paper =2 Tim: 3-4; we are in those times. I recognize that Bible preaching is uncomfortable; but today we can find a church that preaches to our itching ears rather than against our sins.

   Shalom                 

Billy Graham's Prayer for the Nation

Our Father and Our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen

SPIRITUAL HUGS

“SPIRITUAL HUGS”

This blog is dedicated to Myrtle Eppler. Myrtle was one of the founders of Vermilion Foursquare Church and eventually also became pastor of the church. Presently, at a vivacious 93 years of age, she is still helping others discover the fullness and glory of God by teaching a Sunday school class at Amherst Family Fellowship Foursquare Church.
I am a great admirer of Lorain’s own, Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1981), often referred to as the "poet laureate of inspirational verse.” I believe you will agree that the following poem by Helen Steiner Rice helps express the sentiments of the many fortunate of us who know Myrtle Eppler.
As the years go hurrying by, I pause and think anew
How fortunate I was to meet a kind, wise friend like you.
And I am but one of many who owe a lot to you,
For all the help you've given, and time and effort too.
And this is just a welcome chance to tell you that you've won
The real success in life for the fine things you have done.

Myrtle made reference to all the “spiritual hugs” she has received over the years. I thought this was such a pleasantly quaint way of speaking of blessings that go unnoticed everyday by many of us.
An example in my own case happened just yesterday. I was working on getting my old tractor started just in case I needed it for some unexpected reason (and let me add here that I’m not mechanically inclined) and lo and behold I was, with my very limited skill, successful. As I see it, definitely a spiritual hug.

As you and I look back on our lives I bet we can find many small events that while it may look like happenstance, or something born of lucky chance was indeed a “spiritual hug.”
Here then is another poem and some scripture I think appropriate to this paper’s theme:
Thank You God for little things that often come our way. The things we take for granted but don't mention when we pray. The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed. A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need.Oh, make us more aware, dear God; of little daily graces, that come to us with a “spiritual hug,” from never-dreamed-of places.

• Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits... Psalms 68:19

• Hunble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he mar exalt you in due time; Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you.... 1Pet. 5: 6-7

I pray the hope and joy of ..Shalom.. for you and yours