How Deep Is The Well?

Up till recently, I had spent almost 25 years using a 35-foot deep x 3-foot diameter well. For many years, even with seven of us at home it was sufficient. But a few years ago, supporting two families and a very dry summer, the old well 'went dry' eight times. 

For those readers with a constant supply of 'city' water, let me explain. A 'dry' or 'near-dry' well translates into no showers, only wash cloth bathing. It means carrying the clothes to the coin-operated laundry. Don't wash the car or anything else.

What was the problem with my well? It was too shallow. It had no depth to serve as a reservoir.

There is a direct correlation between my old well and some people Jesus talked about in Mark 4:5-6, 16-17. The correlation is based on depth.

A near-literal translation of the passage finds Jesus telling us of a commonly known fact: Some people are like "ground full of rocks". This section of mankind "do not possess much ground" and their "soil is not deep," the text says. They are like my well, not much there to work with.

At this point I see two possibilities that Mark does not answer. Is Jesus speaking of their intellect? I really do not think so, but can not say for sure. Or is Jesus saying they have not placed the "seed" DEEP "in themselves". This would seem to fit the context. I think Jesus is NOT talking about their ability, but about how people prioritize His seed or word. 

Seed must be planted deep enough to allow the plant enough root to provide plenty of moisture for transpiration, life processes, and reserve. Plant seeds too shallow and the plant will be tortured by the intense heat of the summer sun. Death by drying is certain.

And remember, all plants will face the heat.

Jesus' explanation of the code talk (parables) said these with 'stony ground' interest will "feel the heat" of peer pressure, opposition, tribulation, being 'between a rock and a hard place', or some type of persecution (according to the Greek word). 

Jesus said when these difficult times come, the stony-ground-ers will SKANDALIZO (Transliterated Greek word). (Do we get the English word 'Scandal' from it? Maybe.) They cause a scandal by:

• showing how displeased they are.
• showing how indignantly treated they are.
• showing how they can not be trusted
• promote the distrust of someone who should be trusted and obeyed.

These are worse than the 'hard-hearted' people. They are scandalous because they work against the word.

So who am I? Or, who are you?

PLEASE make sure you plant God's word DEEP. How?

• Read it! Read it! Read it! If you do not read, YOU WILL BE TOO SHALLOW!
• Memorize, memorize, memorize. What did the Psalmist say?
• Think about it. Think about it. Think about it.

What happens when we do? Psa 1:3 says "He shall be like a TREE, PLANTED BY THE RIVERS OF WATER, that brings forth its fruit in its season, WHOSE LEAF WILL NOT WITHER, and whatever he does shall prosper." (NKJV; emphasis mine). 

That makes it worth the struggle!

Code Talk

This title sounds like espionage.

There are times I get tired of hearing politicians. When asked a direct question they talk in great patriotic themes all around the subject while wrapping themselves in the red, white and blue American flag. I think they do this so Americans will be impressed by the rhetoric and not by the answers. They are answering in a kind of code.

I recently watched an episode of Law and Order in which a rap artist was interrogated by the police. But if you did not know slang, you heard the answer but did not grasp the meaning. He hid information directly in front of their eyes using a code.

And Jesus was not a fool either. There were occasions when Jesus hide his message in a code. Why? Here are a few ideas I learned from commentators.

1. He fulfilled prophesies.
2. He confused the Pharisees' spies.
3. He challenged listeners to greater spiritual discernment.
4. He knew Hebrew people were familiar with this style of teaching.
5. His teachings would be easier to remember.
6. He disguised powerful teaching in a language Pharisees could not use in court.

One commentator said he "taught those who wished to know truth and confounded the opposition."

Jesus was open to the twelve (and us) as to why he used these codes called parables. He put the information in front of some listeners knowing they were spiritually so insensitive they would not perceive nor understand.Jesus hid spiritual truths in  stories like The Sower (Soils), The Lamp, Growing Seed and Mustard Seed.

Does this mean that a reader of Jesus' stories (parables) who does not understand is hopeless? NO!

Christians are told the scriptures are "able to make you wise". Those lacking wisdom should ask God. He liberally gives wisdom without fuss.

So where is the struggle? It is more than just hearing the code, but in comprehending. It is one thing to hear or read Jesus' parables, and it is another to understand. It is most important to translate the understanding into action.

Listen to the code, understand, and do.

A Family Redefined

I watched on Cold Case a story of a tragic family. The mother turned work-a-holic to avoid being around her husband and kids. The father created a child porn website featuring a boy he had bought from a kidnapping-gone-bad. The actual son had been the 'star' of the website, thinking what his father was doing was real love, up till he became a teen when he was relegated to a support-the-father role. To say the family had problems is being too kind.

In the Bible I read of a man who left his mom, leaving the her care to the younger brothers and sisters. His work made him very popular. 

One day his family came to check up on him. They were having trouble getting to see him because of the crowd. They sent word to him that they were there. He asked the messenger something like "Who are they?" Then he redefined his family with a famous quotation.

How does God feel about families? Let's just see.

• The size of your family, or its value in the community is not important to God. He can use any family accepting His use.
• All families can have salvation from God. Abraham's family, the Jews, had salvation presented to them.
• Every family gets its identity from God.
• God expects children and grandchildren to help their parents in difficult times.
• God wants every member of a family to worship him.

Jesus redefined his family as the doers of God's word. These family members do not deceive themselves, nor do they forget what they are told. It is these family members, the ones obeying God's instructions, that will have their work blessed.

Do we need to redefine our families? What will it take to redefine a family?

What kind of family-life did Jesus have?
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I Am Blessed!

Above and beyond having a loving, gracious God and His sacrificial Son, I have a host of things to be thankful for. So, I make my list public in hopes that you, the reader, will be able to identify some of your blessings God has given you, too.

I have a loving, talented woman, who just short of 20 years ago, accepted the engagement ring held in the hands of a teddy bear inside a Christmas-wrapped box. She contines to stick with me through difficult days.

I gladly claim all 5 kids (2 mine; 3 hers). They make life full. 

I get to be 'Papa' to five sweet ones. From the youngest pair (twins) to the 6-year-old I get to love them all.

Our basic little house is warm in winter and cool in summer. It meets all our needs.

I am thankful for the computers that open the internet, with its wealth of information and services.

I thank God every time I ride that Honda VTX1300 and the freedom it brings.

I am grateful for a TV large enough to see every detail without squinting, and Dish HD

I am thankful for being allowed to capture families and friends with my Nikon D40. It is not the 'top of the line', but it does all I need. And to capture images of insects in such detail as to remind me of their maker is satisfying.

To have a small piece of countryside where kids can play baseball, hunt Easter eggs, or shoot fireworks is a great blessing.

To watch my 89-year-old mother functioning independently at her own home is amazing. I know how blessed she and my deceased dad have made my life. God has blessed me.

I have former students come up to me to thank me for giving them hard work, and how share how successful they are becoming because of my classroom demands. They continue to bring satisfaction.

To have a 'Droid' that has a keyboard where I type this blog in the middle of the night, is a rich blessing. And to be able to contact most of my friends and contacts by phone, text, and email from a single device is wonderful.

I have a job that helps me pay my bills.

I have plenty of food.

I drive a old truck that is comfortable and yields 27 mpg. It has its dents and imperfections, but I can get from point A to point B just like people driving their fancy $35K vehicle. I am blessed.

And there has been almost 1350 readers from more than 12 countries who have read these simple blogs. Many have complimented me personally in a variety of methods. I am most appreciative for EVERY reader.

Should I mention my clothes? Reasonable health? 

I won't forger my friends and brothers in the Ukraine, Belarus, China, Zambia, South Africa, and many other countries? 

What about sight? Smell? Taste? Touch? Hearing? 

How can I forget all my teachers in grade school, high school, Harding, Henderson, Southern Arkansas, Cossatot? 

What about the members of the Prescott Church of Christ?

Shall I forget the multitude of people in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri who have listened to sermons and talks over the last 39 years? 

And all my Alpha Omega brothers, who still love to be together, shall not be forgotten.

I am thankful for tears. Many have been like screams to God because I need his help. He heard them and answered.

Have you been reminded of your blessings?

I know this has been good for me. To shed a few tears and wipe my nose while making this list reminds me of the countless ways I have been blessed.

Is it any wonder that when I blow my head on Thursday near that big turkey and mass of 'fixins', that my eyes will be drowning in liquid joy? And all I will be able to say is...

THANK YOU, GOD!

Unforgivable Sin

It is hard to look at old, familiar passages with 'fresh eyes'. Such a passage is Mark 3:28-30.

When I read these verses I usually focus on verse 29, the famous 'unforgivable sin' passage. I note the finality and clarity of "never has forgiveness". It immediately creates a strong sense determination. I want to make sure I stay away from that sin (which should be my reaction to all sins).

I have heard many speeches and panel discussions, and read commentaries on the passage. So much rhetoric on the one thing guaranteed of sending someone to hell. Why all the fuss? Jesus did not stumble or st-st-studder. He clearly said what he meant, and meant what he said. Anyone who says the work of the Holy Spirit is evil, or is associated with the devil's work is going to hell. Period.

But I do not think Jesus spoke this passage to condemn. His point is not only what to avoid, but also the wonderful forgiving power of God. What did he say in verse 28?

Jesus said ALL SINS CAN BE FORGIVEN except....  Our sins CAN be forgiven.

• *Our sins are forgiven as long as we forgive others.
• * The thoughts of your heart can be forgiven.
• *We were 'dead' in our sins, but he had us 'alive' by FORGIVING ALL OUR SINS.
• *John's readers were forgiven. There is no mention of any sin not being forgiven.
• *Through "this man" forgiveness was preached, and obedient believers are "JUSTIFIED FROM ALL THINGS", something the old law could not do.
• *Paul's work was to turn us (Gentiles) from Satan to God, so we (Gentiles) could "receive forgiveness of sins,...".

*David wrote of a God who is ABLE to "FORGIVE ALL YOUR INIQUITIES,".

If I spend all my effort and attention dodging thorns on rose bushes I will miss their wonderful smell and the delicate, intricate beauty the Creator placed in them. If I place all my attention on the one thing that will send me to hell I will miss the comfort and confidence I can have through Jesus.

Which way should I live?

He's Crazy!

I have read stories of people being brainwashed into religious fanaticism. It isn't that far from where I sit tonight to Foulke where Tony Alamo's religious compound is. What goes on inside would only be conjecture on my part. But the people venturing out are not viewed as 'normal'. Do you know stories of religious brainwashing? (Please add them in the comments section, below.)

Brainwashing involves getting the subject to stay awake for long periods of time, or being active for extended periods. Failing to get rest makes it possible to 're-set' someone's mind. 

Jesus, after selecting The Twelve, went to a house. There, with his extended periods of service, he hoped to eat a simple meal with his newly-appointed disciples. What happened next was not restful. A crowd invaded the house till he could not eat bread. 

His family heard about all the constant work, crowds, healings, teaching, controversies, etc.. They were thinking he had lost control of his mind, that he had gone crazy. 

What should a family do? Jesus' family planned to get him and take him by force if necessary. Is this not what families do today to rescue their loved ones from being brainwashed? 

Later Jesus is told his family has arrived 'calling Him'. Instead of visiting with them about his stress-filled lifestyle, he redefines his family.

So, how about struggling with me on some questions.

1. Is it ok to be brainwashed?
2. Is it ok to brainwash religious students? 
3. Should we, as imitators of Jesus, allow ourselves to be viewed as 'out of our mind'? 
4. Should we be politically correct in hopes of reaching those people who pride themselves in being politically correct, or should we not worry about how we are viewed and serve Jesus (our Lord and Master) up to the point we are considered counter-cultural religious fanatics? 

Please make your comments using the link below, or email me so I can be 'Mr. Copy and Paste', as my brother J.C. jokingly calls me.

Underlying Causes

As a teenager I remember going to the doctor with a sharp pain in the back of my right hand. If I did anything with my fingers, the pain would stab. After a few days my handwriting at school went from awful to illegible, and teachers began to complain. I spoke to my folks, and off to the doctor we went.

The doctor did the usual palpation finding nothing, but noticed my grimaces. He X-rayed the hand and found something distinctly triangle shaped on the film. With dad's permission, he gave me a shot of Novocain to deaden the area, and made an incision at the base of my hand's palm. “Hmmm... Nurse, bring me the forceps,” he said. He lifted an entire sharped tip of a pencil out of my hand. Then I remembered that six to eight week previous I had stuck the pencil in my hand, but saw nothing in the wound and my puncture wound healed. Little did I know that the tip of the now-lost pencil was in my hand.

Pain in the back of my hand was not the problem. There was an 'underlying cause' for the problem not related to the pain. The cause had occurred earlier.

Jesus encountered a group of people oblivious to the problem and even less knowledgeable about their underlying cause. Read Mark 7:1-13

The Pharisees and some scribes were oblivious to their problem. Approaching Jesus, they were saying Jesus had a problem with his disciples not following the ceremonial washing of the hands before eating.  Mark records in verse 3 how they did this washing in a special way. Their problem was not related to the ceremonially 'dirty' hands, but was in their “holding” the traditions of the elders. They were treating the ceremony of washing hands as equal to any other of God's commands.

Follow along as 'Doctor' Jesus dissects their problem of treating something men say or do as equal to what God has said. Check out verse 4 where the Spirit, through Mark, says they had many things they have “received and hold.” The Pharisees and scribes, in speaking to Jesus, openly spoke of the traditions, not recognize it as the underlying cause. Verse 5 has them saying Jesus' disciples do not walk “...according to the traditions of the elders.” Jesus quotes Isaiah's vain worship passage in verse 7 concluding the unforgettable phrase, “teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.” Then 'the doctor' applies Isaiah's thoughts to them, exposing the underlying cause plainly. “...you hold the tradition of men...” after they have laid aside God's commands.

Jesus continues to excise the problem and reveal the underlying cause. He illustrates his point by showing how they would set aside God's command to “Honor your father and your mother,” so they could “keep” their tradition.

Unfortunately, their tradition-keeping had invalidated the word of almighty God. God's word was of “no effect” because of the traditions they had “handed down”.

Have you ever “been to church” and walked away with that empty feeling? Have you left wondering what was accomplished? Could it be that you need Jesus to show you the underlying cause?

Our “preacher Paul” recently spoke of a time when Paul the apostle came to town and wanted to meet with the saints. This is Lynn Anderson's account of what might have happened.

“Oh look! Here come the apostle Paul riding up Central Boulevard on a donkey and looking for the church.  

'Well,' we explain, 'there is the church at the corner of Fifth and Jackson, and the Pleasant Hills church, and the congregation near the new subdivision, and ...'

Paul's eyes widen and he asks: 'What are the brethren doing in all these places?'

'Oh,' we explain again, 'that is where the building are?' 

'Buildings?' [Paul questions with a confused look on his face.] 

'Yes, church buildings, of course.' 

Paul leans forward with curiosity: 'What is a church building?' 

'Well, its where the pews and the pulpit are.' 

'And what are those?' Paul asks. 

'Well, the pews are where the members sit when the communion trays are passed,' we answer. 

'And what are communion trays?' asks our beloved and bewildered apostle. 

This line of discussion isn't getting us anywhere very quickly, so we shift direction: 'The pulpit is the place where the song leader stands and ...' 

'Excuse me,' Paul interrupts, 'I'm not familiar with a song leader.

What or who is that?' 

'Oh, he tells us where to open our hymnbooks and leads us in praise before we go to our Bible classes in the educational wing.' 

Poor Paul is having a hard time understanding our ideas of church.

'Forgive me again, but I don't understand these hymnbooks, Bible classes, and educational wings that you have mentioned.' 

This guided tour rambles on as we lead Paul through explanations of the baptistery, the foyer, the nursery, the fellowship hall, youth ministry, bulletins, our worship times, and so forth, as we describe 'church,' or at least what we think when we think of church”.

In addition to this humor, I have many friends, maybe some of you, who practice religious ideas passed down to you by good-meaning people, but have nullified God's word. Would you let Jesus show you the underlying cause of your dissatisfaction with religion?