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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4 Dec 11
Good morning, dear people.
Reading the Proverbs one chapter per day really is a good and simple routine. And it’s simple to keep track of your assignment since the chapter corresponds with the day of the month.
Becki just reminded me that we have to leave for Country Meadows in Woodburn in 15 minutes. I guess I had better scramble.
May your day be blessed.
Love, Dad/Ray
4 December 2011
Proverbs 4
Focus: “She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor.” Proverbs 4:9.
“Garland of grace…crown of splendor.” What does that word picture register in your mind? We who are confined to the Western World may have limited reference. Becki and I have been privileged to have our frame of reference expanded, stepping out of that confinement to some degree, having lived several years in the Islands of the Pacific. In some island traditions, the token of welcome is, in fact, a beautiful garland of flowers and leaves woven together to form a crown that would be placed on our heads. It occurs to me now as I reflect on those experiences that the word in the Marshallese language to define this kind of friendly exchange is “joij”—meaning “grace” with many applications. In that context, it is most literally “a garland of grace.”
We Americans don’t make a big deal over crowns. But those within the British system sure do. My ailing memory can still recall some of my viewing of the crowning of Queen Elizabeth on our neighbor’s little black and white TV back in the 50’s. That was a very big splash. That highly symbolic crown which was placed on her head was indeed about as splendid as crowns can get.
My personal faith firmly believes that if you can sincerely sing that old hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross”—if you have allowed God’s AMAZING GRACE that was so profoundly demonstrated on that historical “cross of Christ” to be applied to your own need—you will be blessed to join in what the songwriter describes and “exchange it someday for a crown.” What kind of crown? A literal one? A symbolic one? I don’t think it matters. I do think, however, that Paul’s testimony of faith matters. Listen again to some of his last words: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness (More splendor than we can comprehend!), which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
I have to also say that my present faith and perspective is kind of causing the thermostat of my “longing” to be turned up. In that regard, may I suggest that you be very careful about what you warm up to.
“Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must be first overcome.” - Samuel Johnson