Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67
Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.
Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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1 Feb 11
Good afternoon.
It’s a gorgeous day here…cold frosty morning…but clear.
As of today, we’re taking on a big challenge in our business operation which we plan to expand…taking on a full-blown employee. Kash Sawyer is his name. Over time, I’m sure Mr. Sawyer will be trained to be a sawyer…among other skills.
I have a big bunch of unfinished and pressing business. So, bye for now. Be blessed.
Love, Dad/Ray
1 February 2011
Proverbs 1
Focus: “For attaining wisdom and discipline…” Proverbs 1:2.
I am in the process of setting up a rather technical machine that represents a major investment. It’s a Woodmaster 725 planer-molder machine with an attachment for double router operation, allowing me to perform 3-sided machining of wood stock in a single pass. My main intent at present is to transform a couple thousand feet of 1x6 cedar into tongue and groove paneling. The manufacturer has supplied me with a detailed instruction manual that I’ve been following to achieve that goal. But even this morning I called their TECH SUPPORT to get some further advice for solving some problems I’m meeting—some facets of proper operation that are not clear to me or not specifically addressed in the instructions. So far, however, I’m happy with the test results. I wish I could let you see for yourself the pretty material that comes out the back side of this machine while I feed it with unattractive rough boards.
Make no mistake about it! You too are like a rather technical machine. Coming to think of it, you also represent a major investment—not just in your original manufacturing, but in your redemption (repurchase after being lost, strayed, or stolen). “Do you not know that your body (your life—like a technical machine) is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (though you have management and submission responsibilities); you were bought at a price (by the blood and sacrifice of Christ). Therefore honor God (your ultimate Owner/Manufacturer) with your body (your life—like a technical machine)” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
So what do you want “your machine” to accomplish? What kind of product do you want to glean? This book of “Wisdom Literature” (The Proverbs) has been put together by the author for very clear purposes—a multi-faceted purpose that could be generalized as SUCCESS IN LIFE. (I would hope that is your general goal and purpose.) The objective facets are listed out in verses 2 through 6. Perhaps I’ll list them out along with their counter-productive “IF NOT” opposites. (1) FOR ATTAINING WISDOM AND DISCIPLINE—without which one produces foolishness without self-control. (2) FOR UNDERSTANDING WORDS OF INSIGHT—without which a person is confused with the machine’s operation, not having consulted the Owner’s Manual. (3) FOR ACQUIRING A DISCIPLINED AND PRUDENT LIFE—without which one gets a life controlled by selfish or animal-like impulses. (4) DOING WHAT IS RIGHT AND JUST AND FAIR—without which one will likely make choices that are wrong, dishonest, and unreasonable. (5) FOR GIVING PRUDENCE TO THE SIMPLE—without this resource of vital information an ignorant person remains ignorant. (6) KNOWLEDGE AND DISCRETION TO THE YOUNG—the best time to learn these important lessons is when young. Indiscretion in youth can/will pay terrible consequences in the rest of one’s life. (7) FOR UNDERSTANDING PROVERBS AND PARABLES, THE SAYINGS AND RIDDLES OF THE WISE—without which a person is unlikely to connect the important dots of cause and effect and simply be a copy-cat product of their social environment rather than by the standards of positive moral principles.
Be reminded that if you happen to meet certain problem situations in the operation of “your machine” that are not specifically addressed in the “Owner’s Manual” (The Bible) you can always consult “TECH SUPPORT.” “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
“The secret of my success is that at an early age I discovered that I was not God.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.