"Recognizing a Crooked Stick"
"To their shame they are a perverse and crooked generation..." (Deuteronomy 32:5)
"And the crooked shall be made straight and the rugged ways made smooth." (Luke3:5b)
Someone has said that "the best way to show up a crooked stick is to lay a straight one beside it." That reminds me of an early summer morning thirty-something years ago.
As was my custom, I woke early and made my way through the old country house in which we lived in Woodruff. Quietly, so as not to awaken little boys and their daddy, I walked through the den toward the kitchen. In the early light of morning, I glanced at what I thought to be a stick on the carpet. Coming back the same way, I looked closer at the 'stick' to see that it was crooked...symmetrically. Realization woke me quickly and my instincts took over.
Grabbing the first thing I could get my hands on, without taking my eyes off the now moving ''stick'. I proceeded to immobilize it by digging the broken end of a yard stick into its middle. Vaguely, I remembered fussing at the boys the night before for breaking my yard stick and for leaving stuff scattered everywhere.
Now, what do I do? The wiggly 'stick' wanted to crawl up the yard stick. The carpet wasn't firm enough for the jagged end to pierce the thing. I certainly wasn't about to turn it loose long enough for it to crawl under the sofa and get away from me. Finally, after exerting all my strength, I pressed the life out of it.
Our oldest grandson posed recently in his back yard, holding up what appeared at first glance to be a five foot stick. It wasn't a stick. On their arrival home from church, their dogs alerted them to the problem in their garage. Their crooked 'stick' met its demise at the hands of Luke, their nine-year-old.
How can you recognize a crooked stick? You lay a straight one beside it. We live in a crooked and perverse generation. If you don't believe it, watch the nightly news. Can you recognize the difference between false doctrine and the Truth? Jesus is the yardstick...or the hoe handle. He's our example and serpent slayer, no matter that the 'stick' still slithers its crooked body all around.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
HEART THOUGHTS from Helen
WEATHER FORECAST:
"Rain, heavy at times, with the threat of thundershowers."
From my office I see the magnolia tree in our front yard. The limbs hang heavy with rain drenched leaves dripping as the "heavy at times" inundates them. I watch them droop and begin to assume the position myself. Do you ever do that, gaze at outward circumstances and soak up the sorrow? Shortly afterward, on the radio, this wonderful old hymn sang its way into my ears, then my soul:
The trees, not long ago, thirsted for water. Perfectly submitted, absolutely un-anxious, the trees felt blessedly assured that water would come. Perfectly delighted they stand tall as showers of mercy wash them today. The leaves hang heavy because they can hardly contain the blessing. It drips on me.
"Rain, heavy at times, with the threat of thundershowers."
From my office I see the magnolia tree in our front yard. The limbs hang heavy with rain drenched leaves dripping as the "heavy at times" inundates them. I watch them droop and begin to assume the position myself. Do you ever do that, gaze at outward circumstances and soak up the sorrow? Shortly afterward, on the radio, this wonderful old hymn sang its way into my ears, then my soul:
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.
O what a foretaste of glory divine.
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His spirit, washed in His blood.
Perfect submission, perfect delight
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest:
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
This my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
..Fanny J. Crosby
The trees, not long ago, thirsted for water. Perfectly submitted, absolutely un-anxious, the trees felt blessedly assured that water would come. Perfectly delighted they stand tall as showers of mercy wash them today. The leaves hang heavy because they can hardly contain the blessing. It drips on me.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long
Friday, June 4, 2010
HEART THOUGHTS from Helen
"Celebrations"
"Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come (Leviticus 23:41) NIV
Celebrations, holidays, birthdays...What's your take on memorializing a significant event? How do you usually observe Memorial Day? Is it a day of remembrance or a day 'off', a day of play and/or partying? I am always moved by the images that I see in National observations to our fallen war heroes. In particular, the military men who fold the flag so precisely capture my attention. We own such a flag folded in honor of Dennis' Uncle Arthur who served in five major battles of World War II. I watched as the flag snapped this way and that until it was precisely wrapped and handed to the families of fallen men and women. Throughout the 'holiday weekend', I've seen many quips, cartoons, and eloquent speeches given concerning our men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. One cartoon in particular is of a man grilling the usual food stuffs outdoors. The thought bubble over his head listed the many things on the menu but...going up in the smoke above the barbeque were pictures of the military who are forgotten in the rush of 'celebration' to meet and eat and disregard the real meaning of the day. All over the world all year long we tend to forget the meaning of real celebration in lieu of the party that accompanies them. Christmas has become Santa Claus and gifts; Easter eggs and bunnies, holidays instead of holy days.
Today I just want to give tribute to the military and their families who don't 'celebrate' but commemorate Memorial Day. I appreciate the sacrifices made for our political freedom. I remember also, the PRIME EXAMPLE OF SACRIFICE made on a Roman cross for our spiritual freedom. Men and women who follow in Christ's footsteps as the ultimate model of and for freedom "memorialize" the experience and demonstrate what in actuality it is meant to be. Thank you! Thank you, Thank you!
It's also been a week of celebration in our family. Catie, (Catherine Joy) our oldest granddaughter, and Jacob Hayes, our second grandson, graduated from Mountain View Elementary this morning. These fifth graders will go to Blue Ridge Middle School next year where our oldest grandson, Caleb, attends. This Nana and Poppy will thrill to experience three in Middle School and five still in Elementary School. WHOA! There will be many more graduation celebrations to attend.
But before I continue there is something I'd like to say about Mtn. View Elementary School. We are thrilled to have our children and grandchildren associated with this school. Tommy Hughes, our long time friend and principle of Mt. View, epitomizes what elementary school should be all about. He's by far the best principle I've ever known. He loves the kids and they love him. His heart beats for their well being and education. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Hughes. You are loved.
Not only did we celebrate graduations but also two birthdays. Catie, born on Memorial Day eleven years ago and Boaz, her brother is ten today. Remembrances abound in the Lynn household this week. I remember not being able to get to Canada in time for her birth. I called Todd to inform him of when I would be arriving and he was in the delivery room with Joice where the birth was taking place. He shared his first words about his baby girl while on the phone to me. "Oh, she looks like a little smurf".Catie doesn't resemble a smurf anymore and in fact gave a lovely parting speech this morning to her school.
Boaz, coming one year later, was also born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, while his parents were in Seminary. It's a tad difficult to monitor travel so far when babies decide to be born, so, we missed his birth by one week. Most folks raise their eyebrows when first hearing the name Boaz these days. It's not your common popular baby boy name. I researched the Biblical Boaz considerably after Todd decided to change his name from Elijah Christopher to Boaz Nathaniel on the second day of his life. When he told me on the phone that he had some news about the baby, my heart did a double flip, fearing a medical problem. It was only a name change due to the fact that his dad felt he didn't look like an Elijah to his daddy and Boaz seemed to fit the baby boy. I love the name Boaz and what it stands for...kinsman redeemer. It's indicative of our LORD and what He's done for us. We do celebrate both our grandchildren's births proudly.
Obviously the LORD God, Himself felt that celebrations served a good purpose. Just read about the Jewish feasts in the book of Leviticus and all throughout the Scripture.
Birthdays, Memorial Day, Graduation Day, all hold significance in our lives. How will these things be remembered in the years to come?
How do you celebrate important days in with your kin? It will become a family heritage and a gift to your progeny.
"Celebrate this as a festival to the LORD for seven days each year. This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come (Leviticus 23:41) NIV
Celebrations, holidays, birthdays...What's your take on memorializing a significant event? How do you usually observe Memorial Day? Is it a day of remembrance or a day 'off', a day of play and/or partying? I am always moved by the images that I see in National observations to our fallen war heroes. In particular, the military men who fold the flag so precisely capture my attention. We own such a flag folded in honor of Dennis' Uncle Arthur who served in five major battles of World War II. I watched as the flag snapped this way and that until it was precisely wrapped and handed to the families of fallen men and women. Throughout the 'holiday weekend', I've seen many quips, cartoons, and eloquent speeches given concerning our men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. One cartoon in particular is of a man grilling the usual food stuffs outdoors. The thought bubble over his head listed the many things on the menu but...going up in the smoke above the barbeque were pictures of the military who are forgotten in the rush of 'celebration' to meet and eat and disregard the real meaning of the day. All over the world all year long we tend to forget the meaning of real celebration in lieu of the party that accompanies them. Christmas has become Santa Claus and gifts; Easter eggs and bunnies, holidays instead of holy days.
Today I just want to give tribute to the military and their families who don't 'celebrate' but commemorate Memorial Day. I appreciate the sacrifices made for our political freedom. I remember also, the PRIME EXAMPLE OF SACRIFICE made on a Roman cross for our spiritual freedom. Men and women who follow in Christ's footsteps as the ultimate model of and for freedom "memorialize" the experience and demonstrate what in actuality it is meant to be. Thank you! Thank you, Thank you!
It's also been a week of celebration in our family. Catie, (Catherine Joy) our oldest granddaughter, and Jacob Hayes, our second grandson, graduated from Mountain View Elementary this morning. These fifth graders will go to Blue Ridge Middle School next year where our oldest grandson, Caleb, attends. This Nana and Poppy will thrill to experience three in Middle School and five still in Elementary School. WHOA! There will be many more graduation celebrations to attend.
But before I continue there is something I'd like to say about Mtn. View Elementary School. We are thrilled to have our children and grandchildren associated with this school. Tommy Hughes, our long time friend and principle of Mt. View, epitomizes what elementary school should be all about. He's by far the best principle I've ever known. He loves the kids and they love him. His heart beats for their well being and education. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Hughes. You are loved.
Not only did we celebrate graduations but also two birthdays. Catie, born on Memorial Day eleven years ago and Boaz, her brother is ten today. Remembrances abound in the Lynn household this week. I remember not being able to get to Canada in time for her birth. I called Todd to inform him of when I would be arriving and he was in the delivery room with Joice where the birth was taking place. He shared his first words about his baby girl while on the phone to me. "Oh, she looks like a little smurf".Catie doesn't resemble a smurf anymore and in fact gave a lovely parting speech this morning to her school.
Boaz, coming one year later, was also born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, while his parents were in Seminary. It's a tad difficult to monitor travel so far when babies decide to be born, so, we missed his birth by one week. Most folks raise their eyebrows when first hearing the name Boaz these days. It's not your common popular baby boy name. I researched the Biblical Boaz considerably after Todd decided to change his name from Elijah Christopher to Boaz Nathaniel on the second day of his life. When he told me on the phone that he had some news about the baby, my heart did a double flip, fearing a medical problem. It was only a name change due to the fact that his dad felt he didn't look like an Elijah to his daddy and Boaz seemed to fit the baby boy. I love the name Boaz and what it stands for...kinsman redeemer. It's indicative of our LORD and what He's done for us. We do celebrate both our grandchildren's births proudly.
Obviously the LORD God, Himself felt that celebrations served a good purpose. Just read about the Jewish feasts in the book of Leviticus and all throughout the Scripture.
Birthdays, Memorial Day, Graduation Day, all hold significance in our lives. How will these things be remembered in the years to come?
How do you celebrate important days in with your kin? It will become a family heritage and a gift to your progeny.
- Remember the real meaning of the day
- Renew old memories that glorify the occasion
- Refresh each other with true stories of bygone days
- Rekindle relationships
- Rededicate yourselves to the Lord God Who grants you all celebrations
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