Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, dear ones.

The little boys, Kaden and Nicholas, are here. We’ve taken the garbage out to the road, had breakfast, and now need to set a course for the day. Lots to pursue.

I had a little trouble last evening that generated lots of trouble. I have a little 8’ pram sailboat. Greyson Kingen agreed to join me in giving it some exercise at the Columbia River. We did a little training cruise…then he took it out on his own. He did fine. While he was out I assembled an old windsurf outfit that I had brought along and have never used with the idea of trying it out…and put on a shorty wet suit…which I could not get all the way zipped in the back. I took off OK, but I learned real fast that this board doesn’t behave like the ones I’ve had in the past. Wind changes and a very strong current combined to give me a lot of trouble…and it was getting dark…about 9pm. Rather than the wind velocity decreasing, it increased, and I just couldn’t seem to get my act together. All the while I was fast being carried down stream. I had a problem…and rather than fighting it, I yielded to the current and landed on an island about 300 yards off shore. I removed the mast and sail and left it on the island. Then I hand-paddled the board across the channel, landing on a beach within the boundaries of a big sand and gravel company…all fenced in…and I didn’t know how to get out of that area without swimming. I left the board on top of some rocks. A big machine was running that was unloading gravel from a big barge. The sole worker finally saw me and came to see what I was up to. I explained the situation and he graciously shut down his operation and drove me back up to the little park from which we launched. I knew I was afflicting Greyson with all kinds of fears as I was nowhere to be seen…and it was dark. At the entrance of the park sat a police car. Sure enough, he was on a mission to look for me as Greyson had already had someone call 911. The policeman was in such a hurry to do what he was doing that he didn’t realize (until later) that I was the guy who was featured in the 911 call. So police, fire chief, fire truck, and two boats were already being dispatched. By then it was after 10pm. Oh my! That’s why I say my little trouble caused big trouble. I was kind of surprised that no one questioned me or sought any kind of report. I’ll probably go back today to retrieve at least the board. Am I boring you?

It’s OK for you to go ahead and wonder when I’m going to grow up. I don’t know when either. But I still can’t seem to get very excited about making a lifestyle of sitting on a sofa, watching movies, and getting fat.

Anyway…have a great day doing what you do. Be blessed. Love, Dad/Ray

It deserves repeating that we are all building projects under construction. Some build well by heeding the blueprint of God’s Word. Some build poorly—even though they may look nice. And even those projects that are built well may require some demolition and/or remodeling. Paul makes it clear that no one can alter the vital foundation that is provided us in our reception of the Gospel of Christ. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (3:11). But there is a broad spectrum of building materials and styles available that one may incorporate into his building project to suit tastes, preferences, choices, personality, etc. However, care and wisdom are called for because every structure will be tested over time—and how it holds up under such testing determines its value and quality. Does it survive, or does it fail?

Paul indicates that the “Day” reveals quality, and “fire” does the testing. While there is a strong inference that the “Day” speaks of the “Day of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 5:2) “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10), I think it is also valid to give it a practical spin in this sense: The DAY can represent the practical application of every person’s materials of choice over time while living in this earthly dimension. Within those time boundaries there are sure to be “fiery trials which are to try you” (KJV, 1 Peter 4:12-13; James 1:2-4). All I know is that the lasting quality of every person’s building (faith) is not to be judged by mere appearances, claims, talk, or good intentions. It is proven by the real-life experiences of faith that survives trouble, opposition, and difficulty over time.

Please give your building frequent inspections.