Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good afternoon, dear people.

My ears are tuned to the sky dive plane. I hear it overhead right now—that familiar turbo-prop plane in climbing mode makes a lot of noise. I keep wishing I could do it again.

Yesterday I mentioned my tire blowout on Union Mills Road. Would you believe, we had another tire problem this morning on that same road. We were heading to church. Just after turning onto Highway 213, I hear a thmp-thmp-thmp. I stopped. Right there was a 3/8” lag bolt sticking straight into the front right tire. I think someone set it there in that puncture position. It’s nigh unto impossible to pick it up that way by accident. I tried to cripple home with the bolt still in the tire—but then in flew out—and so did the air. So I changed the tire in the lot at the Union Mills Feed Store. It was nice to find a very good spare tire in the trunk. We still made it to church.

We sure did up a nice lunch after church. I roasted some steak on a fire, corn on the cob, beet greens, green beans, water mellon—ate on the creekside deck—then finished up with blackberry cobbler and farm-fresh whipped cream.

We’ll be heading out in about an hour for the Gospel Sing session at Pheasant Pointe.

Blessings on the rest of your Sunday.

Love, Dad/Ray.

I’ve learned by personal experience that you don’t want to visit New Zealand between May and August wearing just shorts and T-shirt. I nearly froze my __________ off! Sure, I knew the seasons were reversed “down under,” but I was so consumed with busyness at the time, so warm and accustomed to the tropical Solomon Islands, and so programmed by my own background where those months are summer, I guess my head was in a state of slumber (3:11)—and I went unprepared.

The fact is, whenever you go on a trip anywhere, you are wise to anticipate what that environment might yield, and go prepared with the proper clothing. And as you anticipate the journey through the rest of your life, slumber is not a good thing—clear thinking is. The very best clothing you can have is “the Lord Jesus Christ”—protecting you from the heat of circumstance, the cold of depression, and even provide you with safe protection from the dirty dark battle—putting “aside the deeds of darkness” and putting “on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

Let’s give some further thought to the unavoidable realm of battle and raise this question: Who or what is your greatest enemy? That’s important to know. May I suggest that it’s not Satan. It’s not nasty people. And it’s not ugly circumstances. I believe the correct answer is stated at the end of our “Focus Verse” above. Your greatest enemy is, in fact, THE DESIRES OF THE (your) SINFUL NATURE. Get it straight! “Wake up from your slumber” (13:11). Be prepared! And have a good trip!