Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Late-in-the-day greetings, dear people.

Becki and I did pull off a WOG (walk/jog) this morning. Soon after, I was able to make contact with my mechanic friend who agreed to have a look at my truck about 11am. His diagnosis was what I guessed—a bad master cylinder. He also agreed to replace it while I was at a doctor appointment—and pick it up on the way back. He wasn’t quite done with some things when we stopped. So now I’ll go in a few minutes. Becki will drop me off, then go on to her water aerobics class, this time at the Arrowhead Golf Course pool, since the Molalla pool is now closed.

I need to get my saw mill roll-ready as I must begin a mill job in the morning in Eagle Creek. I think I will haul my skid steer to that location this evening. Too much fun.

Time to go. Blessings.

Love, Dad/Ray.

Besides the point that “a faith not worth sharing is not worth having,” I think there is a valid principle contained in this short prayer by Paul for Philemon that deserves our attention. Notice the REQUEST: “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith.” Now consider the REASON: “So that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” Are you following this line of reasoning? In other words motivation in the activity of imparting your faith actually primes the pump of understanding. I think it stands to reason that the person who is not inclined toward PRESENTATION is not likely to be engaged in PREPARATION. Indeed this lazy and inactive approach can cause one’s faith to procrastinate, disintegrate, degenerate, deteriorate, suffocate, vegetate, and fornicate. Sharing your faith, however, will cause it to invigorate, stimulate, appreciate, activate, motivate, rejuvenate, and communicate. Since you can’t give away something you don’t have, the effective impartation of your faith requires an understanding of your faith. And understanding requires study, research, and thought, all of which are positive components of growth and strength. Please don’t allow yourself to believe that this is only a matter of cold shear boring discipline. Please consider (and ask God for) the delight factor that David presents in describing the man who is blessed of God. “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). (Question: How often is day and night?)

Do you agree that this prayer Paul prays for Philemon is a good prayer for us to pray for ourselves?