Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, special ones.

Does it make you feel special to be called special? You are that whether or not you feel it. Just don’t get high-minded over it. OK?

I feel kind of like I’ve engaged in some hand-to-hand combat…and only escaped with my life. Some parts on me look like that too. I had a little mishap yesterday…foolishly climbing a ladder up to one of the lofts in my pole barn. I had too much angle on the ladder…and the base didn’t stay put on that glassy-smooth floor. When the ladder no longer has anything to lean on…well, you can visualize what happened. Could have been worse. This will remove any thoughts you may have had that I’m Superman.

This is supposed to be the warmest day of the year so far. Sure is pretty out there. I better keep on course to make use of it.

Blessings on your day.

Love, Dad/Ray.

When we returned to the USA from Vanuatu surrounding our son’s motorcycle accident (traumatic brain injury) in 2001, I remember visiting a huge Christian bookstore in the Denver area. I was taken back by the prominent theme of “THE PRAYER OF JABEZ.” There were books, badges, flags, banners, plaques, teaching tapes, coffee cups, t-shirts, jewelry—all featuring that focus. I soon learned that it was a rage in the churches as well—sermon themes and study groups. It was clear that Bruce Wilkinson struck a gold mine and impacted the American church culture with his book by that title in the year 2000, with the add-on, “Breaking Through to the Blessed Life.”

What if someone came out with a book titled something like, “HOW TO PRAY EFFECTIVELY TO WIN THE LOTTERY?” I bet it would sell like hot cakes. It wouldn’t be because it offers any substantiated “key” to winning, but because it appeals to the basic fantasy we humans have with health and prosperity. Most of us can identify with the popular quote that says, “I know wealth does not make a person happy, but I’d sure like to try it some time!”

I do not wish to discredit or demean Bruce Wilkinson. He is likely a very good man who has an honest desire to help others seek God and gain His blessing. But I think I would be gullible and stupid to think that if I simply did my utmost to repeat this prayer of Jabez, as though it were a special magic-like mantra, then I would begin to get the stuff I want—things I judge to be blessings. Taking into account my own NATURAL SIN NATURE, (still under demolition and re-construction) I would run the risk of blessing myself right out of relationship with God. History proves that too much success is a recipe for failure.

Who would be motivated to write a book for an obscure Biblical tidbit like 2 Kings 13:14? “Now Elisha was suffering from the illness from which he died.” What? Elisha? That great miracle-working prophet who was so obviously close to God? Yup! He got sick and just plain died—just like everyone else. That undeniable fact should offer some assistance toward shaping our definition of BLESSING. It certainly suggests that the blessing of the Lord is bigger than bank accounts, borders, and comfort. It really is quite simple. Please allow me to be very repetitious. I see the real “key” as being rooted and grounded in the first command which I like to describe as a HEART AFTER GOD. By that standard the scope and volume of my blessing rests with His omniscience, not with my puny perspective.