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.
| Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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6 Feb 11
Good morning, dear ones.
It looks a bit cloudy and misty out there. But it’s relatively warm—about 50 degrees. After launching this email I plan to go out there for a while and see if I can get my cardio pump revved up for about 20 minutes or so, by means of a gentle jog. Max is already telling me it’s time to go.
I’m really not into the mass-hysteria of the Super Bowl craze…however, we plan to go up to Wilsons and see the last part of the game on their cool big-screen. I don’t even know who’s playing. But I do like football. Prior to that we will do our priority Sunday afternoon GOSPEL SING at Pheasant Pointe from 3pm to 4pm. Care to join us?
Be blessed. If you are (aligning yourself with that vital flow), chances are you will be a blessing.
Love, Dad/Ray
6 February 2011
Proverbs 6
Focus: “When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.” Proverbs 6:22.
This father who is addressing his son is certainly a good role-model father. All of us who are fathers (or parents, or people having influence over impressionable children) should sit up and pay attention. He is attempting to do something commanded in Deuteronomy 6. Let’s listen to verses 4 through 9 and you will note the similarity to this section of Proverbs 6. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
Here’s a bottom line personal question: HOW OFTEN AM I SUPPOSED TO BE GODLY AND ENGAGED IN COMMUNICATING GODLINESS TO MY CHILDREN? I can’t seem to come up with any other viable answer that is compatible with this Biblical standard than—ALL THE TIME, WHENEVER REASONABLY POSSIBLE.
Don’t miss the long-range benefit of embracing this standard. If you can and will invest this way in your children, they will not only be equipped for successfully steering their own lives (at least be without any valid excuse for not doing so), but also be equipped to influence their own children with the same standard—making for perpetual GODLINESS. How good is that?!
“A good schoolteacher is one who must take a lot of live wires and see that they are grounded.”