Simple Things

 February 15, 2021

It’s late, so the theological ramblings that have been wandering through my mind aren’t going to find their way to the screen tonight. Instead, tonight I am thankful for simple accomplishments. It’s the middle of February and the queen bees should soon start laying eggs for the spring buildup of the colony. The increased activity means they’ll be eating through their honey and pollen stores more quickly than when they were simply clustered, so I figured it is past time to insulate the hives. Last fall when we were cleaning out the church garage, I was given two sheets of closed cell insulation. I cut blocks to fit under my hive covers and installed them before the snow came, and today I made jackets to help keep the heat in for the queen and her brood. When she starts laying, the bees will keep the brood at about 95 degrees, so the insulation will help them get off to a good start.

Other projects finally being done, I started assembling honey frames and hive bodies, getting ready for the spring locust honey flow. The used pneumatic stapler I bought a couple months ago works like a charm, moving the project along much quicker than the old hammer and nails used to do. 

Topping it all off, I picked up from the church project a load of discarded lumber that I’m going to use to build a long hive. It will be interesting to see how a different setup will compare with the Langstroth stacking hives commonly used today. 

As I said earlier, a lot of theological stuff has been rattling around in my head, but it’s always good to also give thanks for the simple gifts scattered through our daily lives. It’s been a good day, and I am thankful to have been privileged to live it.

Valentine Wisdom

February 14, 2021

“You can’t be serious!” The look on my daughter’s face said it all. My valentine’s gift to Linda was, to be sure, a bit unusual, but I know my wife, and told Jess she would be delighted with it. 

I was not mistaken. Last night as she was getting her shower, I snuck out to the garage, retrieved her gift, and set it in the spare bedroom. Early this morning, having to leave early for worship team rehearsal, I set it in the kitchen, and before heading out the door, called her out to see it.

“I LOVE it!” she squealed when she saw it. Do I know my wife, or what? There is however, a backstory to this tale of love. It involves mice. Three of them, to be exact. They all still have their tails, so you know I’m not a farmer. A few days ago, unbeknownst to Linda, they had taken up residence in the plastic bin holding the sunflower seeds for our neighborly and piggy feathered friends. In the dark, she didn’t see them till they tumbled out of the scoop into the bird feeder. They made their presence known, and she made their presence known to me. Having chewed the lid of the bin, access to the seed was quite convenient and much appreciated, but unlike the chickadees, cardinals, and finches, their freeloading days are over.

Flowers and candy are for amateurs. Tonight, I am by all measures, the world’s best septuagenarian valentine, and am proud to display for all to see, the evidence of my love for my best and only love 

In Christ

 February 13, 2021

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 1:27-28 NKJV

Paul gives us a curious play on words as he speaks of Christ in us, and us in Christ—similar wording, but with very different emphases. Both point to an intimacy deeper than mere academic interest or even personal acquaintance. Christians often speak of “receiving Jesus into our hearts,” language not actually used in the New Testament, although the concept is present. Christ in us, as wonderful as it is, is only a small part of the story. The real significance is not Jesus in us, but us in Jesus.

Christ in you gives us a glorious hope, but our being in Christ is the source of the power and greatness of our salvation. One of Paul’s favorite phrases in all his letters is “in Christ;” appearing scores of times, it is central to his theology of salvation. Imagine being shipwrecked in the Pacific. Your ship is gone, you are clinging to a life raft, but lose your grip and start to drown. You are getting some of the Pacific into you, but the amount of ocean in you is minuscule compared to the magnitude that is the ocean itself. There is so much more to the ocean than the little bit inside you. So it is with Christ. Our being in him is so much more than his being in us. Being in Christ at the very least, is a reminder that we are not the center of salvation; Christ is. It is humbling, which is exactly what it ought to be, for God saves the humble, not the proud.

Words and Deeds

 February 12, 2021

We “were alienated in [our] minds by wicked works” (Colossians 1:21). We are conditioned to think that we need to watch our thoughts because they lead to actions. It’s true enough... sometimes. Around our house, we have what we call “stinkin’ thinkin’.” We are ruthless in calling out negative and destructive thought patterns because it is so easy to think our way into a funk. It’s particularly insidious in today’s toxic political climate. Even as Christians, we are susceptible to the negativity that is part of the air we breathe. I see what’s happening in our country and have to deliberately and decisively corral my thinking so it doesn’t poison my attitude and ruin my day. It’s particularly difficult when in conversation. People seem to need to vent their feelings frequently, and it’s hard to not get sucked into the negativity.

But there is another side to this that we often overlook. Not only do our thoughts affect our actions, but perhaps even more, what we do affects how we think. Because God has put a conscience within us (Romans 1:18), when we sin, we need to find a way to justify our actions, so our reasoning gets twisted. The logic of anyone who persists in sin will always be defective. Debating anyone whose behavior is contrary to the Gospel is fruitless. Trying to reason with those whose sexual lives are contrary to the Word of God will never succeed because their sin corrupts their minds. We would do well to pay attention to someone’s behavior before engaging in debate. If the behavior is sinful, no amount of reasoning will help. Instead of arguing, the only thing to do is to give Scripture and pray for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and repentance. God promises to honor his Word (Isaiah 55:11). The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. It needs no defense; in fact, it is the only offensive weapon we have. 

I’ve found that as much as I need to guard my thoughts, I need also to guard my actions. I don’t want bad habits to subtly infect my thinking and carry me away from Christ. Taking inventory of the things I’ve done through the day is a good way of keeping my feet on the narrow path of which Jesus speaks in Matthew 7. I am thankful tonight for the specificity of Paul’s writing; the detail that makes me pay attention and listen to the Holy Spirit. 

Silence

 February 11, 2021

Alison Krauss got it right when she sang, “You say it best when you say nothing at all.” Sometimes, the best argument is silence. Sometimes the most cogent words are those not spoken. I’ve too often been guilty of speaking when I really had very little to say, or when my contribution was more about me than about speaking truth with grace. And sometimes it’s best to be silent because it’s been such a busy day that we haven’t had time to think through what might come out of our mouths. Speaking for the sake of hearing ourselves talk is rarely wise. Anyone who has listened to the political rhetoric coming out of Washington knows this to be true.

Yesterday began with an early morning breakfast and prayer time with two pastor friends, following which Linda and I drove to Churchville to help my sister in law, brother, and sister finish packing up the remnants of our mother’s belongings along with some of my sister’s stuff. Mom is with Jesus, and my sister is moving to Tennessee to be nearer her daughters. There was plenty to do, and it took all day. In the evening, our granddaughter and her fiancee stopped over to see us, which meant bedtime was a little later than we’re accustomed to.

It was a good and productive day, but not particularly conducive to theological or any other kind of reflection, so silence was the best I could offer. Habakkuk did one better than Alison Krauss: “The LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (2:20). Yesterday, I observed that ancient command. Maybe if I did it more often, I’d be better able to listen, and to have something more worthwhile to say when I speak. And if not, I would hope to be wise enough to heed the advice of Abraham Lincoln who noted that it is better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.

Knowledge and Discernment

 February 9, 2021

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” —Philippians 1:9-11 NKJV

Love must abound more and more in knowledge and discernment. Love without knowledge can be soft and weak.  Love without discernment can be dangerous. Knowledge tells us what love should do; discernment tells us how,when, and how much we should do it. No matter how loving I feel, it isn’t love to give someone a handout when they need a hand up. It’s not love to feed the body while letting the soul and spirit starve. Paul says love’s knowledge and discernment need to keep growing in us. If it doesn’t I won’t be able to approve things excellent. Instead, I may be giving my stamp of approval on things unworthy of it. And approving things unworthy of love will never lead to the glory and praise of God. 

So where does this love come from initially? Romans 5:5 tells us: “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” When a person comes to Christ in repentance and faith, God immediately gives that person the gift of the Holy Spirit who then pours the love of the Father into him or her. It’s not necessarily something one feels. Feelings are very poor indicators of love. The Bible simply affirms that this love is poured into us through the Holy Spirit that was given to us when we believed. Once we have that love, it is our responsibility to grow in knowledge and discernment so this love can be displayed in helpful and appropriate ways. 

Lord, keep me learning and teach me to be discerning so you will be honored and glorified in all I say and do.

Peace

 February 8, 2021

St. Paul has an interesting turn of phrases in the fourth chapter of his letter to the Philippian church. In verses 7-9 he says,

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

When instead of worrying we pray with thanksgiving, the peace of God guards our hearts and minds. When we focus our minds on the good and honorable things of life, the God of peace comes to us. In other words, prayer brings God’s peace, but centering our lives upon that which is good brings God’s presence. Were I forced to choose between the two, I would choose the God of peace over the peace of God. It may seem a small difference, but the presence of God ensures not only peace, but protection, provision, and purpose. 

Bringing all things to God in prayer is good; bringing God into all things through what I choose to think about is better. Best is when I pray about everything and then direct my thoughts to the good things God is doing in answer to those prayers. Often, we miss seeing the answers because we aren’t looking for them. We pray, then forget to think, to meditate, and in so doing, isolate ourselves from the presence of the God who alone gives peace.