A Haunting Head

From Paul To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ - their Lord and ours.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2,3
I settled down late to "take 5" with my readings and a cup of coffee. It was a hectic day, spent mostly in the Resource Centre with data processing etc. I don't quite know the why's and the how's but I ended up with a book in my hands, "St Paul's Corinth," and it looks fascinating. It is definitely for further reading but meanwhile it has sparked an interest to be followed up on.
In the front is a picture that is already haunting me, and I suspect it will continue to do so. It is of a bronze sculpture, a head, dated around 80BC. It could be the head of a man you would pass in the street, and perhaps wonder about. What grips my mind is his expression. It is an expression one sees on many faces today, and shows a lack of peace and a desire for answers. His brow is furrowed - you can almost hear him ask, "Can you, will you, help me?"
His eyes are unhappy, focussed on some distant plane that he cannot understand, but his thoughts show in the quirk of his eyebrows in that position of query that doubts an answer will be forthcoming. His cheeks are slack, and his mouth closed in insecurity, without confidence and in an uncertain pout of no hope.
The head is so lifelike, and so familiar, with so much reflected in its metallic sheen, I want to say, "Come! Listen to me, and I will give you hope."
It was found on the Greek island of Delos, which I read was first populated about 3000 BC. Its population has varied between 30,000 and, according to a census in 2001, 14!
As one of the most important archeaological sites in Greece with its historical and mythological connotations, (said to be the birth place of the Greek gods Apollo and Artemis) it is worth further investigation. It certainly opens up some of the reasons that Paul had such a heart for the people of Corinth, confused as they were with so many pagan teachings from their Greek roots and the Roman empire.
Conflicting stories abound today in our modern, technological world, and people are just as confused. Where? And How will Truth be found and recognised?

Blessings,
Elaine

Listen!

Listen, as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads. At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries aloud, "I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. How naive you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn.
Yes, my Proverbs reading to day is Proverbs 8. I had a friend visiting for lunch when we spoke without realising it on this very subject, - how people need to seek knowledge for themselves, and then the need for wisdom was brought home to us in a graphic way.
We had opened the gate for L to leave when there was a sudden crackling and crash as the electric cable across the road from us suddenly shorted and hit the ground. Fortunately nothing was in its path, but due to lack of maintenance, which should include trimming the trees, which in a heavy wind were making contact, there was damage which could have been dangerous. It was in fact dangerous, although the electricity department took some convincing. Meantime, after initially reporting the incident, D stood watch to prevent anyone touching the live wires, now laying on the road. Children climbing off a taxi which didn't want to stop where D directed it, a little further on, were quite rebellious when he said they should walk carefully away from the curb. One boy out of sheer obstinacy was about to walk towards the cable without realising the danger. With my active imagination I could see all the connotations of someone without wisdom, and refusing to listen to wholesome advice meet an untimely end. I think the forcefulness of D's shout almost blew him back, and he scurried away oblivious of how close he had been to failing to reach his home.
I wish I could tell him about real wisdom.
Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the Lord. But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death.
I was reading from the New Living Bible, and it seemed so apt. Incidentally, D stood in the hot sun for one and a half hours waiting for the Electricity people to arrive, so he has a bit of a sunburn even though I took him a hat, and water, but as he said, if he hadn't been there, those children would have probably been curious, but not wise! There were quite a lot of them, as it was school leaving time.
Psalm 34:11 Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Enjoy the Blessings of the Lord.

Procrastination Pitfalls and God's Grace

Psalm 86:15 But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.
That was the key verse as our Pastor began his sermon this morning, speaking on the amazing grace of God as we examined His character. One of the things I really appreciate about His unconditional grace, His unlimited grace, (Ephesians 3:18-20) and His unending grace, (2 Thessalonians 2:16) is that He hasn't finished with me yet. For all the times I have let Him, friends, family and strangers down, I comfort myself that I will meet in Heaven with those who know Him , and we will have eternity to make up for lost time. What an encouragement for me, as I have to live with the consequences of my persistent procrastination.

Beyond friendship was my relationship with our grandmother, She showered me, my handicapped sister, and my younger brother, with true love, and many practical indications of it. With her hands never idle, we were never short of jerseys, socks, mittens and scarves, lovingly laboured on in the candlelit evenings in her little white washed cottage. She had no electricity in those days; there was a long drop in the garden, and a “cold safe” to keep milk, meat and butter at a cool temperature. Those  were her equivalent of modern technologies. Her pies filled with gooseberries, or raspberry and apple, or whatever was the most profuse in her little garden, were baked in her little paraffin stove and appreciated each week when she visited us on Tuesdays and Thursdays for her shopping outings. There were always sweets in her pockets, and she never forgot our favourites.  When I left, her caring continued, sadly taken for granted most of the time as although she was so greatly appreciated, I expected her to know it without being told. Her last letter is treasured but she never received an answer! Procrastination with irredeemable results!

My father was so proud of me, and carried photos of his family in Africa, always ready to bring out his “brag book” of grandchildren. On the last visit we enjoyed together we walked arm in arm around Hornsea, discussed books and music, and he ensured that we had enough spending money to take a few gifts back for the kids. Mum said he cried when we left, and said he wouldn’t see me again. He didn’t, and we only had a few phone calls because “next week” would be better for a call. My brother had to carry him to the phone for the last call, but I am so glad that one was made! He died a week later. Procrastination had robbed me of uncountable memories.

I have one remaining aunt who has kept in touch through almost 50 years. I wonder how many times I replied to her letters. It was always in my plan, but she is 95 now, and I have missed many opportunities of asking questions, finding out more about the family background, how she and my father and uncle grew up. I lost the same opportunities on my mother’s side, irreplaceable wrong choices. Cousins who should have been closer, friends who should have remained, jewel cases of treasured memories, only a fraction of what could have been. 

There is wisdom that could have been gleaned through the years instead of a legacy of mistakes made, wrong choices, a life of wandering along unmarked pathways leading nowhere, all bringing with them  regrets.

Take a word of advice! Don’t do what I have done, - do what I say. Stop procrastinating, and do it! 

God’s grace removes my guilt, and reshapes my life and as our Pastor reminded me this morning, I am still in the Potter’s hands! He may have to break off some of the clay, or remould a part of me. I may have to bake in the kiln, but one thing I remember – God loves me as I am, but He loves me too much to leave me as I am. He hasn’t finished with me yet.

I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Taste, and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:4&8)

The Perils of Procrastination

Sitting down to write about procrastination, that very problem reared its ugly head. Like a persistent buzzing fly, thoughts intruded and distractions abounded. No sooner did I swat one out of existence than another five came to attend the wake. Today, procrastination will not have the victory!

Putting things off until better days has lost me friendships, opportunities, and no end of friction in relationships. Running on overdrive, and forever hoping to catch up with ourselves, is not an excuse. Again I am reminded that we always have two choices, no matter what life throws at us. The decisions we make, right or wrong, impact on the lives of others, and chances lost are seldom if ever repeated.

On leaving Yorkshire, England, for the sunny skies of Africa, it was great to receive letters from faithful friends and family most Fridays. They would write at the weekends, and lo, I had the weekend ahead to reply. In my reasoning that they only had me to write to, whereas I had all of them, lay a disastrous misconception. Desultory notes to some and promises to myself about others, resulted in the loss of friends who could never be replaced. I forgot a cardinal rule my mother used to quote. Make new friends, but keep the old. These are silver; those are gold. Brows may wrinkle, hair grow grey: true friendship never knows decay.

How I wish now that I had heeded that wisdom.

There remains though, the problem of guilt. How do we handle the guilty feelings that assuage us when we consider what might have been? And how much can be fitted in to an ordinary day? Where do our actual priorities lay? As we try to field the curved balls that are sent our way in Life’s progress we have to consider career, family, and each day’s occurrences which often lead to further prognostics that spread like virus into every quarter of existence.

What can we do to discover our priorities? Where should we look for wisdom in the planning? Might I suggest the Book of Proverbs which is expressly intended for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair. (Proverbs 1:2-3. NIV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:7 NIV)

There seems to be a fair promise here that if we start our day with discipline, there is hope for the rest of it. With a healthy respect for the Lord, start with conversation with Him.

1. Commit your day to His leading. Chapter 2 of Proverbs gives many “ifs”but in v9 there is a “then”- and Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you.
2.  Prioritise plans for the day. For lack of guidance a nation falls but many advisers make victory sure (11:14) It is good to have the least attractive and the most challenging at the top of the list, so that at the end of the day we don’t sit with the most important jobs undone due to distractions.
3. Avoid distractions, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them (Prov1:10) It is so tempting to use distractions as excuses, but they are just another form of procrastination.
4. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) If we walk blindly into decisions without careful thought, we will find ourselves sowing seeds of disorganisation and distractions. The true purpose of the day must be to keep the purpose in focus! Whether it is shopping, baking, welding, office documents, appointments, interviews, maintenance, painting, or whatever is applicable to your lifestyle, do it. Do not be wise in your own eyes....(Prov3v7a) for then we tend to excuse ourselves!
5. Preserve sound judgment and discernment... and Have no fear of sudden disaster...for the Lord will be your confidence. (v25 &26) If we are secure in our relationship, we can be ready for God to step into our space, knowing He works for our good. We need to be firmly committed to doing what we do, well. We should have learned our trade, or trained our talent to give of our best, and to keep unswervingly to the task in hand.  Here is one instance of pride being permissible! Take pride in your work for it is for God’s glory.
6. Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Look to the wisdom of Ecclesiastes and time for everything, also consider the sleep of the righteous against the lack of sleep for the wealthy.

So let us persevere and avoid the perils of procrastination. I made a start! And with persistence there will be more tomorrow!

Blessings.

Blind – But Wanting to See?

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, … Ephesians 1:18

As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road side begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by”.

He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Those who led the way rebuked him, and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to Him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see”, he replied.

Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you”.

Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God.

When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke 18:35-43)

Blind Bartimaus called when Jesus was nearby. If he had waited until He came again, he would never have had a chance! Jesus did not pass that way again!

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not sight”.

From Mark 10:46. we learn the identity of the blind man. He was Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus, and at this stage he was quite complacent about his lot in life. He was blind, and had come to terms with it. He was used to being blind, and others who could see were responsible for his care. There was no need for him to do anything but shake his tin at them, and out of their plenty, they would give, grateful that they had their sight. Pity abounded, but not enough to move them out of their comfort zone. “Give him a penny or two, poor soul; he’s not used to much, and will be content with whatever he gets.

We read of a similar situation in John 9:1-7 when a man born blind was the subject of conversation between Jesus and His disciples.

Many years ago, I remember a minister speaking of the first split in the body of believers. Two men were standing by the side of a road. There was great excitement because the miracle worker, Jesus of Nazareth, was to pass that way.

One man said to the other, “I can’t wait to see Jesus. I was blind, but now I see. He gave me my sight.”

The other man replied, “What a coincidence. I too was blind, but now I see. He gave me sight, and I follow Him whenever I have the chance to see Him again.”

The first man asked, “Did you have to travel to the Pool of Siloam also?”

Puzzled, the second man said, “Why would I have to do that? I told Him I wanted to see, and I did. Immediately.”

“But He spat on the ground and made mud to put on my eyes, and then I had to go to the Pool of Siloam to wash it off. Only then could I see.”

“Perhaps he wanted to teach you something else, then,” was the second man’s reply. “I saw immediately. He didn’t even touch me. I was shouting out to Him, and He asked me what I wanted Him to do. I said I wanted my sight. And He gave it.”

“Strange. I wonder why? I didn’t even expect to ever see, but He called me, and then sent me. I was so privileged because He actually knew me, and my family.”

So were birthed the first two denominations - The "Mudites" and the Anti-mudites."

Bartimaus had a change of heart when he heard about the miracle working Jesus,  just as many who do not know Him, respond when they see in others something that sets them apart. They want to know the secret. In John 9:39, Jesus said, For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind."

He went on to answer the self-righteous and learned Pharisees with the words of verse 41. If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

We all need to examine the Truth for ourselves. Jesus says today, as ever, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No-one comes to the Father but by me.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.

Be blessed today.

Birth of a Baby Blogger

I sit with bated breath, so to speak, though the breath must be in my fingers as I start to write my first blog. Very much experimental, I doubt more than 2 people will read it, but it is introducing a new concept in my life, to put down some of the thoughts and insights that jostle for position in my mind, as I strive to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, and share what He has done for me, and how my life, being dedicated to Him, must be meaningful.
With Psalm 34 as my inspiration, my first comment must be:
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
This means that whatever I write must honour Him, and as I am trying to develop my writing into a useable format, the learning curve starts now!
I shared Psalm 20 with a friend this morning, and that can be an encouragement to anyone who reads this.
Trusting in His Name
Elaine