Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings, dear ones.

Happy Father’s Day! The significance of this day prompts some reflection. For one thing I wish I could call my father and say that to him. But I’m sure he’s having one right now anyway. On another level, I am reminded that I became a father on Father’s Day in 1972…which was June 18. So tomorrow is Jill’s 40th birthday. Wow! Did I say 40?! Happy birthday, Jill!

We’re in for another adventure today. Although it’s Father’s Day, and the little boys have been scheduled to be here for this special weekend, Thano has to work today. That means that when Becki and I go for our Gospel Sing session at Country Meadows in Woodburn this morning, we will have two little guys with us. That should be interesting.

The Bible reading for today is certainly supercharged with provocative information…from the One Who knows. While we are not able to know everything, let’s make sure we know what we can and should. Do you see a connection between knowing and choosing? I could get carried away.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray

The Sunday School teacher said, “Lot’s wife looked back, and turned into a pillar of salt.” Little Johnny spoke up and said, “Last week, when my mom was driving me to school, she looked back and turned into a telephone pole.”

Let’s see if we can gather some of the reasons for Jesus instructing us to “remember Lot’s wife.!” Notice that this is a complete sentence in command form—followed, in my Bible, by an exclamation mark. There’s more to consider here than that she “turned into a pillar of salt.” Whereas Jesus is placing importance on remembering this account, may I suggest you read the story again in Genesis 19? (Parenthesis: There is some bizarre stuff going on in that account—even the end of the chapter surrounding Lot and his two daughters. It seems rather ironic that Lot would flee from one environment of perversion only to engage in another. But before we write off the account as fiction let me raise this question: Is that which has become commonplace in our own society any less bizarre?) Additionally, let me offer these observations concerning Lot’s wife—doing so in SAVED-LOST terms.

ALTHOUGH SHE WAS CHOSEN TO BE SAVED, SHE WAS LOST.

ALTHOUGH SHE KNEW HOW TO BE SAVED, SHE WAS LOST.

ALTHOUGH HER LIFE WAS IMPACTED BY SUPERNATURAL DIVINE ENCOUNTERS, SHE WAS LOST.

ALTHOUGH SHE WAS ALMOST SAVED, SHE WAS LOST.

ALTHOUGH SHE HAD ADEQUATE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SAVED, SHE WAS LOST.

Obviously, Lot’s wife failed to internalize the message of salvation. She failed to apply it at the heart level. Don’t you think that’s what Jesus was emphasizing in verses 20 and 21? “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” From this clear statement of truth, I have no alternative but to draw this fundamental deduction: IF THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT WITHIN ME, I AM NOT WITHIN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Duh! What a revolutionary idea!