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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2 Nov 11
Good beautiful morning to you, dear people.
At least it sure is beautiful out my window at present. It’s frosty out there. Even though it’s so late, I think I’ll venture out and do a jog before I grab breakfast and carry on with the work of the day. It feels kind of strange to be alone in the house right now. Only minutes ago it was commotion—ranging from giggling delight to cries of distress. But Becki, along with Thano and the little boys, just left for a little shopping excursion. Not even Kash is here as he has to take his dad to surgery. But Max is patiently here under my feet…very aware that I’m wearing my jogging shoes.
Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
2 November 2011
Job 12
Focus: “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10.
We have this sad setting of unexplained suffering. Job has gone through some serious emotional dips where he despises his own existence. But when this Zophar dude speaks with such pompous arrogance, a reaction button is pressed in Job—and it makes him mad. What was supposed to be a coming together for the purpose of compassion and encouragement has now become a scene of intense verbal warfare. Serious blows are being launched by everyone in this circle. Job lets fly with a slam against his comforters-gone-antagonistic and sarcastically bellows, “Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you! But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you” (vv. 2-3).
Personally, I think Job is quite justified in getting ticked. Zophar and Eliphaz are presuming to re-write Job’s statement of self-worth for him. I think the best advice for you too is to compose your own statement of self-worth and carry it in your own pocket. You shouldn’t be handing it out all over the place for others to endorse or edit. This is not to ignore or discard good trusted advice. But too many invite unnecessary social and emotional stress by allowing and trusting others to compose and carry that important document for them.
I have to confess that some of my inspiration in this regard flows out of a book I read several years ago—DON’T LET JERKS GET THE BEST OF YOU, by Paul Meier, M.D. I don’t spend a lot of time recommending books, but I think I want to recommend that one. Please find it and give it a read. Without setting up a formal appointment with a Christian Clinical Psychologist, it’s like being subjected to that kind of resource without the cost and inconvenience. Let’s face it—we’re all struggling to one degree or another with the natural sin nature. And make no mistake about it—SIN IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER!
Words from Jesus in my New Testament reading today seem to relate. Jesus too is engaged in ideological and verbal conflict. And his opponents are also religious self-righteous jerky types. “How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44) How is that for a profound question?!
Job is wearing the T-shirt that reads, SUFFERING FOR NO DISCERNIBLE REASON. Zophar is appropriately condemned by Job when he says, “Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping” (v. 5). It would be good to combine this common flaw among humans with the blunt practical advice of James 2:1-13.
I certainly resonate with Job’s thesis that I quoted above—“In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” As I attempt to take in the delicacy and complexity of life on this planet, it automatically turns into a worship experience for me. The Creator’s design is absolutely obvious to me—and to spend more than a few nanoseconds with the temptation to consider accidental alternatives is, by comparison, absolute absurdity! We are absolutely dependent upon the Creator, not just for our origins, but also for our perpetuation and survival. In this regard, Job gets it right—“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his” (v. 13).
Let’s sing the DOXOLOGY. “Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Praise Him all creatures here below! Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen.” Amen indeed!
“We have no more right to put our discordant states of mind into the lives of those around us and rob them of their sunshine and brightness than we have to enter their houses and steal their silverware.” - Julia Moss Seton