Having boys growing up on you is not easy. Being a parent in general is no easy task. Whoever stated the fact that parenting doesn't come with an instructions manual had it right. The only one I've found that comes close is the Bible. But even then, God gave us a lot of leg room. Sometimes it is easier to read word by word what to do about a certain situation then it is to seek for wisdom and guidance and then have the faith to follow through with God's direction. Solomon must have felt this way too and so I've been thinking about his life and ours.
His life saddens me sometimes. To think that he may not have made it to heaven brings me to ponder on those things that weighed him down. He loved. He loved foreign women. He loved how they made him feel and how they looked. He loved gold and all his cups were made of gold not silver because silver was not worth anything in his sight. He loved wisdom and had so much of it that he finally reasoned within himself about the futility and vanity of life without seeking God foremost. But his loves took his heart. They dimmed the vision and allowed him to deceive his heart!
My older son and I had a conversation about being real a week or two ago. About serving God in earnest, without playing church. We spoke about the fruits of the spirit and works of the flesh. How hard it is to strive at being good in our own flesh! It is even harder to live in the Spirit ( I mean by this,doing the things which are pleasing to God) while feeding the flesh. We as humans learn very quickly how to feed the flesh, but sadly know little about dying to it. We feed it food, pleasure, satisfaction, material possessions. We love. We love the beautiful things. Desire wealth to make us blessed, and love those who love us best. But like Solomon our loves would separate us from His love. Rob us from our First Love and cause us to be just as idol worshipping as Solomon and Israel became. They mar our vision of Christ and fill our ears with so much sound that we can't or won't take the time to hear Him. All the while dulling us into the notion that all is well and Christ reigns, when the truth is that He can't abide because there is no room.
Our conversation led me to this final point. We can't live by works because they fail us but we can't live without them either because that would not be faith. So we must live by Faith. Faith that God will save us. Knowing God will strengthen us. Looking to God who will lead us. Faith cannot be separate from our actions. Our works show our faith.They make us get up and seek God. Did not works show the faith in Solomon or any other man we are told about in the Bible? The righteous gave forth actions of obedience while the unrighteous brought forth works of disobedience. Both in faith. Some in a faith unwavering in a God that does not fail and cannot lie;others placing their faith in temporal things, the pride of life, and their merits.
Solomon left us many words to ponder, and some of the instructions needed for parenting. Words of wisdom and truth that will last through the ages. What did hinder you Solomon? You did run well. And his words come back in wisdom and say, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14
Showing posts with label Heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heaven. Show all posts
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
More Conversations...
9yr. old walked into the kitchen as he was taking a 3-5 minute break into piano practice....
"I've been thinking about what John saw in Revelation."
Now, I can't quite sent him trotting off to continue practice when he says this, can I?
"Those streets of gold were made of such pure gold. Why we wouldn't really understand how pure they are. They don't have any minerals mixed in with it or anything! And another thing, if God makes His streets of gold then He must not think gold is very important. I mean we use tar to make our streets!"
This is the mind of a child. He has been thinking about Heaven and what John saw. Perhaps he'll catch a vision of that glorious place. Perhaps, he'll remember the words of Christ as he warned about not setting our affections on things below but on things above. Maybe, he'll get a deep desire to go there.
It seems that Christ knew that it would be easy to set our affections on things below. I was walking through the grocery store the other day and the thought crossed my mind about another depression. How would we handle such a thing? It wouldn't be easy for anyone, but it would be much harder for those whose affections were on things below. It would be much harder on those who lived at one time very well off. It would be an adjustment to all, but those that don't have much, don't have much to miss. Those that are rich and do not live in moderation would have a lot to get use to.
My little boy's vision of Heaven.... I hope it grows and that the Spirit of God nourishes it.
A vision of Heaven will cause us to want to be pilgrims, looking for a city whose builder and maker is God.
"I've been thinking about what John saw in Revelation."
Now, I can't quite sent him trotting off to continue practice when he says this, can I?
"Those streets of gold were made of such pure gold. Why we wouldn't really understand how pure they are. They don't have any minerals mixed in with it or anything! And another thing, if God makes His streets of gold then He must not think gold is very important. I mean we use tar to make our streets!"
This is the mind of a child. He has been thinking about Heaven and what John saw. Perhaps he'll catch a vision of that glorious place. Perhaps, he'll remember the words of Christ as he warned about not setting our affections on things below but on things above. Maybe, he'll get a deep desire to go there.
It seems that Christ knew that it would be easy to set our affections on things below. I was walking through the grocery store the other day and the thought crossed my mind about another depression. How would we handle such a thing? It wouldn't be easy for anyone, but it would be much harder for those whose affections were on things below. It would be much harder on those who lived at one time very well off. It would be an adjustment to all, but those that don't have much, don't have much to miss. Those that are rich and do not live in moderation would have a lot to get use to.
My little boy's vision of Heaven.... I hope it grows and that the Spirit of God nourishes it.
A vision of Heaven will cause us to want to be pilgrims, looking for a city whose builder and maker is God.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Reminicing the Old Paths and a little on Work
It's been ten days since my last blog. I really don't mean to be so spaced out, but I guess making a home has kept me busy.
This morning as I got ready for church I began thinking about camp meetings. I thought about good old fashion preaching, about the Lord descending upon services and feeling His very presence amidst. About altar calls that drew me to my knees and helped me make things right. About the peace of God that causes the praise to stay within one's heart. About the state of the church and how that you can't throw the old paths away because of it. No- you can't throw away the old paths, not when they're in your heart. Not when they have become part of your heart. The love of God constrains one to walk in the old paths of His Word. Perhaps when I finally get to Heaven one day, there will be a reunion for the saints like never seen before and it will be better than camp meeting days ever were or could possibly ever be!
______________________________
A Word on Work
I've been thinking about the work ethic as of late. I would like the children to grow up to have qualities of good workmanship. This is a hard task for man, I think. Everything takes work- gardens, dinners, playing the piano or the violin, raising children, the maintenance of a home and of personal property, organization....you name it. I'm preaching to the choir here. But I think about what you don't or won't have without it. I think about the ruin that comes to things and even people in neglect or procrastination.
My children are very blessed to have opportunities that were not available to me. They have a 2 parent home (that desires God). They have several siblings that provide company and friendship. They have been afforded the opportunity to play piano and violin. I've been able to home school them.
All these wonderful things require work. As they grow I want them to see that work is beneficial and not a burden. That one day they will have a chance to work at whatever God so brings their way, and that they can and should do it to the best of their ability.
All this said, we as parents have a large task ahead of us.
This morning as I got ready for church I began thinking about camp meetings. I thought about good old fashion preaching, about the Lord descending upon services and feeling His very presence amidst. About altar calls that drew me to my knees and helped me make things right. About the peace of God that causes the praise to stay within one's heart. About the state of the church and how that you can't throw the old paths away because of it. No- you can't throw away the old paths, not when they're in your heart. Not when they have become part of your heart. The love of God constrains one to walk in the old paths of His Word. Perhaps when I finally get to Heaven one day, there will be a reunion for the saints like never seen before and it will be better than camp meeting days ever were or could possibly ever be!
______________________________
A Word on Work
I've been thinking about the work ethic as of late. I would like the children to grow up to have qualities of good workmanship. This is a hard task for man, I think. Everything takes work- gardens, dinners, playing the piano or the violin, raising children, the maintenance of a home and of personal property, organization....you name it. I'm preaching to the choir here. But I think about what you don't or won't have without it. I think about the ruin that comes to things and even people in neglect or procrastination.
My children are very blessed to have opportunities that were not available to me. They have a 2 parent home (that desires God). They have several siblings that provide company and friendship. They have been afforded the opportunity to play piano and violin. I've been able to home school them.
All these wonderful things require work. As they grow I want them to see that work is beneficial and not a burden. That one day they will have a chance to work at whatever God so brings their way, and that they can and should do it to the best of their ability.
All this said, we as parents have a large task ahead of us.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Our Cemetery Walks
There is a cemetery near by that we like to go to and take a walk. It's actually one of our favorite places to go walking. My hubby and I like looking at the headstones, the dates of when people were born and when they died. We've looked at married couples and noticed some were not buried with the spouse. We've looked at the baby gravesites and noticed the dates. Those seem to tug at my heart. They pull my emotions because it makes me realize that the children I have are not really mine, but on loan from God. It causes me to face the fact that there will come a date after the dash for those I love.. and for me.
I would like the children, as sobering as it may seem, to also notice how precious life is by walking through the cemetery.
There is a song that goes like this..
"Only one life, so soon will pass. And only what's done for Christ will last."
"Mommy... the graves, are there really dead people under ground?"
"Yes, there are."
"What does it mean to die?" And I answer-
"It means you no longer will breathe the breath of life, or walk on the dusty road.
God has good plans for you. He has a wonderful home for those who love him but there is also a place for those who don't. Jesus said He's prepared for us a place. Heaven will be a beautiful place. Do you want to go there?"
We took one of our walks yesterday.
I would like the children, as sobering as it may seem, to also notice how precious life is by walking through the cemetery.
There is a song that goes like this..
"Only one life, so soon will pass. And only what's done for Christ will last."
"Mommy... the graves, are there really dead people under ground?"
"Yes, there are."
"What does it mean to die?" And I answer-
"It means you no longer will breathe the breath of life, or walk on the dusty road.
God has good plans for you. He has a wonderful home for those who love him but there is also a place for those who don't. Jesus said He's prepared for us a place. Heaven will be a beautiful place. Do you want to go there?"
We took one of our walks yesterday.
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