Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good day, dear ones.

Sitting next me are Elvin Huston and Charlie Peterson…and nearby are the four ladies—Eunice, Willamae, Carla, and Becki in animated discussion. Bill is napping in a lawn chair. We are having a great time here on Orcas Island (Lieber Haven Resort) following our terrific NC Reunion. Thano has on my wetsuit, having just gone for a dip off the dock. He says it’s way too cold.

There you have a little description of our status here. Not sure what all we will be doing for the rest of the day…more fellowship, eating, checking the crab trap, water skiing, etc.…all are probabilities.

You may not be having as much fun as us right now…but please have a good day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

What do you think of this kind of appeal?—“Come to Jesus! He will solve all your problems, give you comfort and success, cause everyone to like you, and make your life easy.” It may sound good up front. And some folk may respond on that basis. But in the long run it back-fires because it is not true—it is not compatible with real life or with God’s training plans and purposes. Furthermore, it fails to nurture true discipleship.

The Apostle Paul was definitely a real disciple of Christ. Let’s allow his role modeling as set forth in today’s reading to be a profound reality check—a standard for self-examination: “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything” (2 Cor. 6:3-10).

It’s pretty clear that Paul was able to control his focus—seeing blessings through the bummers, glory through the glitches, and heaven through the heart-ache.