Today marks another demonstration of the changing theological mindset of Mainers. There is a public hearing in Augusta on a bill which would legalize homosexual marriage. Once proposing such a bill would have been unthinkable. Across all of New England there has been a memory lose of our Christian roots. Many rejoice over this. Psalm 2 accurately portrays our present day's culture as “raging” against God, this is accompanied with an endeavor to throw off the fetters (God's law) that binds us. God is said to laugh at our attempts to be rid of him. He may laugh because He has installed His own Son as King, giving to him all the nations of the earth.
One day the Son will smash, as an iron rod would smash a clay vessel, all who rebel against God. In the meanwhile, an invitation is issued to the kings of the earth, to kiss the Son, to humble themselves under his rule, before the time of mercy is over and it is too late.
Unless God is pleased to change the thinking of a lot of people I believe that one day our state will adopt such sinfulness. The Scriptures tell us plainly in Romans 1 that homosexuality is one of the signs that shows that God has given a people over to their own desires, that God has abandoned us. While this might sound like we are getting exactly what we want, there is a price to pay: eternal condemnation away from any and all of the blessings of God. There will be no joy.
Romans 1 ends with this statement: (Rom 1:32 ESV) "Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” So today as well, we have a number people who, while they do not practice homosexual behavior, seem to be very eager to give approval to what God has declared to be an abomination.
If our region is running rapidly away from any memory of its Christian roots what will take the place of Christianity in defining who we are individually and collectively. Will the Maine legislature state definitively that we no longer stand upon a Christian foundation? Will they state what we do now stand upon? Will one theology/worldview fill the vacuum or will we all do what is right in our own eyes?
The question is not limited to: “What will we wisely adopt as our defining statement?” It is also: “To what will God give us over?” Further, will we be able to live with consistency within this new and better world?
(Heb 10:31 ESV) "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
Does the size of a bowl determine its worth?
Along with being a pastor I also do some wood turning. A wonderful variety of items may be formed on a lathe; however, let's consider bowls for a few minutes. Hypothetically, let's place two bowls before us, which I, of course, turned. One is about 6 ½ inches across while the other is 16 inches. Now for the really hard part. Today I am not going to give you one of these bowls, rather you are interested in purchasing one from me, thus I have to decide what I will charge you. Many factors play a role in arriving at a price, including, what type of wood they are made of, is there anything special about the figure of the wood, does the shape add to the value or not, is it finished well, how does it feels when you pick it up, etc., and of course, its size. Do you expect to pay the same price for the smaller bowl as you would for the larger one? Many bowls are priced by the inch, with credit being given, plus or minus, for other features. Others however, argue the value of the bowl as an item turned by a particular turner ought to be the same regardless of the size. Thus when you inquire as to why both bowls cost $300, I respond with the following: “Each of my bowls are a labor of love and skill. That skill has been developed over years. The knowledge of what is a good and pleasing bowl shape has been refined over years. Now each bowl that I turn reflects not just the time that it took to turn and finish it, but years of learning about bowls, and above all they reflect something about me. With each piece of wood I form the best bowl that I can. Though some bowls have darker color than others, some bowls are taller while others are flatter, and yes, others are larger, but each one is a bowl made my ME.”
Does God place value according to size? Weight? Color? Or shape? Is a tree of more value than a spider or a fish or a man?
Mediate on the following: ESV Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
ESV Matthew 12:12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
And again Christ's words in the following passage: (Mar 8:35-38 ESV) "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.""
Yes, it is clear, Man is special. His soul is of great value. Yet is the soul of each human of equal value? When does it start to have this value? Is its value in anyway connected with the size, color and configuration of the physical vessel in which it dwells?
We humans tend to look at the outward shape/appearance of the vessel. Assessments of value are made according to our perceptions. God, on the other hand, sees the full value of the soul, something that no man can fully grasp, at least during this life.
I believe God looks at each of us, valuing the soul – saying to each, “I have made you, formed you, in my likeness. I don't value you by the inch or pound, but by what I put into you.”
Therefore, how should we think of ourselves? Of others? And will I sell my bowls by the inch or by their value as a reflection of the work of one made in the likeness of his Creator?
My bowls? I hope to continue to sell my bowls to the average person, not just to collectors!
Along with being a pastor I also do some wood turning. A wonderful variety of items may be formed on a lathe; however, let's consider bowls for a few minutes. Hypothetically, let's place two bowls before us, which I, of course, turned. One is about 6 ½ inches across while the other is 16 inches. Now for the really hard part. Today I am not going to give you one of these bowls, rather you are interested in purchasing one from me, thus I have to decide what I will charge you. Many factors play a role in arriving at a price, including, what type of wood they are made of, is there anything special about the figure of the wood, does the shape add to the value or not, is it finished well, how does it feels when you pick it up, etc., and of course, its size. Do you expect to pay the same price for the smaller bowl as you would for the larger one? Many bowls are priced by the inch, with credit being given, plus or minus, for other features. Others however, argue the value of the bowl as an item turned by a particular turner ought to be the same regardless of the size. Thus when you inquire as to why both bowls cost $300, I respond with the following: “Each of my bowls are a labor of love and skill. That skill has been developed over years. The knowledge of what is a good and pleasing bowl shape has been refined over years. Now each bowl that I turn reflects not just the time that it took to turn and finish it, but years of learning about bowls, and above all they reflect something about me. With each piece of wood I form the best bowl that I can. Though some bowls have darker color than others, some bowls are taller while others are flatter, and yes, others are larger, but each one is a bowl made my ME.”
Does God place value according to size? Weight? Color? Or shape? Is a tree of more value than a spider or a fish or a man?
Mediate on the following: ESV Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
ESV Matthew 12:12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."
And again Christ's words in the following passage: (Mar 8:35-38 ESV) "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.""
Yes, it is clear, Man is special. His soul is of great value. Yet is the soul of each human of equal value? When does it start to have this value? Is its value in anyway connected with the size, color and configuration of the physical vessel in which it dwells?
We humans tend to look at the outward shape/appearance of the vessel. Assessments of value are made according to our perceptions. God, on the other hand, sees the full value of the soul, something that no man can fully grasp, at least during this life.
I believe God looks at each of us, valuing the soul – saying to each, “I have made you, formed you, in my likeness. I don't value you by the inch or pound, but by what I put into you.”
Therefore, how should we think of ourselves? Of others? And will I sell my bowls by the inch or by their value as a reflection of the work of one made in the likeness of his Creator?
My bowls? I hope to continue to sell my bowls to the average person, not just to collectors!
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