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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20 Dec 11
Greetings, dear people.
I’m trying to concentrate on this while Kaden is watching some Disney cartoon stuff just a few feet away. It’s a real challenge to my poor multi-tasking abilities.
I need to get out and carry on with some other work. It’s another long list.
May your day be a blessed one.
Love, Dad/Ray
20 December 2011
Proverbs 20
Focus: “The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.” Proverbs 20:7.
It is definitely sobering to be confronted with the fact that WE ARE ALL LEADERS—even those of us who don’t feel like we are. No one is “an island unto himself.” And everyone who has any kind of social contact with other humans has been influenced by others, and thereby influences others in one way or another. And there’s the big variable—the matter of KIND and QUALITY of influence—ranging anywhere from VERY GOOD to VERY BAD.
I can only think of one person I’ve ever met that seemed to have a desire to lend BAD influence with his life. I even remember the place and date. I should. It was the last day of 1967—Becki and I were on our honeymoon, on a boat, heading for Catalina Island. I met a fellow aboard that boat about my age. As I chatted with him, asking a few general questions, it didn’t take long to learn what made him tick—what he intended to do with his life and influence. “My school teachers absolutely messed up my mind…so I am now getting a degree in education and a teaching certificate so I can take revenge by seeking the opportunity to mess up the minds of other kids.” He couldn’t have scared me more if he had ended that line with a hiss and a hideous laugh, climbed on a broom and flown away. I wonder if he’s still out there somewhere. For all I know, he could be a top dog in something like the NEA. At the time, I was struggling over the whole idea of even having children—not real sure that participating in that common trend was consistent with moral responsibility. This encounter certainly did not enhance my eagerness to subject my children to public education.
I will not be so naïve as to claim that I am in fact a flawless squeaky-clean RIGHTEOUS MAN. Solomon inserts a thought on this just two verses away—“Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?’” The answer, of course, is NO ONE. But I am not hesitant to claim that I strive in that direction. My grasp of basic Bible revelation does not allow me to pursue any other or higher goal in life—“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”—“Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Is that not my priority job description before my Sovereign?
If being accountable to this all-knowing all-seeing Sovereign were not motivation enough, look carefully at the socio-spiritual impact of one’s influence over time. “Blessed are his children after him.” Wow! Now that I have participated in the marvel of procreation and have four children, I have a deep desire that my children also know the blessing of the LORD. Whereas they grow to become independent free thinkers, I cannot absolutely control their lives and eternal destinies. The best I can do is to do my best to live a life that strives for righteousness and blamelessness before God.
“Let him that would move the world, first move himself.” - Socrates