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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23 Dec 11
Greetings near the end of today’s daylight.
The day got away from me. I had this done up this morning…but then time pressure whisked me out the door before I could send it. We need to be whisked out the door again to meet with another appointment.
Have fun. Merry Christmas. God bless. Love, Dad/Ray.
23 December 2011
Proverbs 23
Focus: “Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?” Proverbs 23:29.
We have six questions here—presented like six clues to a riddle. What is the answer? Give up? The next verse gives the answer—“Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine” (v. 30). The next five verses describe the sad condition of one’s life and psycho-spiritual chaos that results from that kind of unbalanced preoccupation. It’s not pretty.
I’ve been around the block enough to have observed a huge amount of evidence of this sad syndrome. It is very common among humans—not just along “skid row” or bar rooms—it’s commonplace even among those who appear for a time to be famous, wealthy, and successful. I want to add another question to this perplexing reality: WHY?—why do so many people with reasonably healthy functioning brains make choices to damage their brains, lives, and families by allowing themselves to be so obsessed by mind-altering anesthesia—booze, drugs, and chemicals? It seems so insane! Hey—it is insane! And I’m not pointing fingers and condemning as much as I am identifying our common human ailment. Let’s say it again—THE BUILT-IN MINDSET OF SIN IS A PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDER.
Many years ago, while serving as an associate pastor with Jim Davis in Sandy, Oregon, he encountered some kind of physical problem that put him in the hospital for a time. I don’t remember what that ailment was, but I clearly remember something he said about the effects of the pain medicine they were giving him. His description was—“It doesn’t really take away the pain, it just makes you happy about it.”
Isn’t that a commentary on man’s crazy questing for mind alteration? They learn over time that those substances do absolutely NOTHING toward taking the pain of emptiness and purposelessness away, but it tricks them into being temporarily happy about it. Can we call it STUPID HAPPY?
How many who are afflicted with a real psychological disorder know they have a psychological disorder and will responsibly treat it? I would guess, NONE. That can only mean that it is possible to be mentally ill and not know it. If that is true, and if we are all vulnerable, doesn’t it make sense that it would be a point of wisdom toward minimizing the risks and/or consequences by seeking an examination with THE ONE WHO KNOWS? Seeking God?! What an idea! God’s Word has been designed with the power and ability to “discern the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Without a doubt, I’m convinced that seeking God, and ingesting His Word offer the best psycho-therapy available to us.
Please take to heart this Biblical advice Paul gives in Ephesians 5:15-20: “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it.” - Henry Ford