Reflections from February 12, 2010

From our New Testament reading today, we have Acts 17:24-25, "God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gave life, breath, and all things."


Paul is reasoning with "intellectuals" of Athens in the Areopagus, and telling the men of Athens that God is bigger than anything. One can imagine that the Greeks, with their history of intellect and philosophy, would be less likely to beleive that there is a need for God, because of what they've accomplished by their works, by their buildings, and by their writings. But Paul clearly tells them that God doesn't need these things; God is responsible for all things. They didn't want to hear this because it probably made them feel less important, as in, the man Paul is telling us that there is someone more important than we are? How dare you! When we get to feeling "high and mighty" it would be good to remember that God gave life and breath to all things, and He doesn't need our buildings nor the things built with our hands.

Proverbs 12:4 reads, An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."

I read a story a couple of weeks ago about a couple that has been married for 50 years now, after having a very short courtship. When you read the story,
Fast Start to Marriage Endures Half a Centry, you'll notice the admiration that the husband John has for his wife Patsy. When the love of your life brings you honor, brings you joy and brings you respect, there is nothing better on the earth. There's nothing you can buy, nothing you can do to bring this into your life. I too, am blessed just as John has been and for that, I thank Jesus for all He has provided.

Being Friday, we have a second verse, Proverbs 13:24, "He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly."

This verse has received a lot of discussion over the years, and has certainly been taken out of context a time or two. However, I believe it simply tells us that as following God as our model, God who sets limits in our life starting with the Ten Commandments, we are to set limits for our children. Even though it may bother us to know our children are not happy about being disciplined, we will do to remember that disciplining them is a demonstration of love. We need to love our children enough to discipline, just as God loves us enough to discipline us.

Blessings to all.