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.
| Sparre Home Page | Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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12 June 11
Hello, dear people.
It’s way past my bedtime, and my head is not working right. I don’t know how many times I’ve fallen asleep while trying to finish this up. Of course, how could I be expected to know how many times—I was sleeping.
I’m going to go put myself horizontal now. Blessings. Love. Dad/Ray
12 June 2011
Psalm 41
Focus: “Even my best friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Psalm 41:9.
I have a pretty convincing theory—that modern foods contribute to the rise of modern diseases. The big bad booger that messes up the good natural food that God has provided is man’s attempt to get in and refine it with all kinds of stuff in an attempt to make it better. It’s called PROCESSING. It sounds good and innocent. But instead of nurturing health, it deteriorates it and long-term consumers pay the physical consequences.
I have a parallel theory that has to do with what people eat with their minds—that modern media (anti-Biblical worldview movies, television, and entertainment) contribute to modern statistics. And the statistic foremost in my mind is divorce. Do you think there could be a connection between the technology of cinematography and divorce. I can’t be dogmatic here, but both have clearly advanced and escalated in duet. I’m also convinced that the bulk of the movie diet available subtly and effectively communicate worldview concepts and ideas that are far more harmful for psycho-spiritual consumption that most realize. Neutralizing, and even opposing Biblical values, the glorification of self (my, me, and mine) seems to be the most common theme, and marriages and families have to pay the ugly consequences.
I cannot imagine a more painful form of pain than the one David describes here. “Even my best friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” Yet it is being repeated in mind-boggling volume within our present society in the form of divorce. After sharing together not only food, but dreams, vows, money, and bodies, then to become the object of a mates derision and rejection—that has to be about the worst kind of hell on this earth. I am constantly meeting people who have been through that kind of heart ache, or are going through it. And my own heart is constantly being hammered with empathy.
One thing for sure—just because a person has A HEART AFTER GOD is no guarantee against such rejection—quite the opposite. Another thing for sure—David is a commendable role model in how he handles his heartache. Literary and poetic expression is terrific therapy for a troubled soul. He is also exemplary in where he goes with his heartache. I believe he is demonstrating the best form of psycho-therapy available to man—simply crying out and laying one’s heart bare before the LORD.
“A reformer is someone who wants his conscience to be your guide.”