Insightful Musings on theScriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Good afternoon, dear people.
And Happy Father’s Day!
At present, Becki and Thano are on the run to return the little boys to their mom. We just finished our after-church lunch. Between now and our 3pm Gospel Sing, I intend to get in a little round of old man napping. The later afternoon will find us visiting Andy and gang in Dallas.
Once again, I reminisce as I see and hear the skydive plane flying overhead, as it is now—remembering my one and only solo jump experience. If I had more money to burn, I’d probably be doing it regularly.
Have a great rest of your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Here’s a question for me. In the event that you think it’s a good question for me to ask myself, I don’t claim any copyrights—so you are free to take it and ask yourself as well: TO WHAT DEGREE DO I LIVE WITH THE AWARENESS THAT I AM ABSOLUTELY DEPENDENT UPON THE SOVEREIGN CREATOR/LORD FOR EVERYTHING I HAVE, EVERYTHING I EAT, AND EVERYTHING I HAVE THE POWER TO DO—RIGHT DOWN TO MY VERY BREATH—RIGHT DOWN TO MY NEXT BREATH? My first response to that question is not so much an answer as it is a statement of desire and commitment. It’s very difficult to measure my “degree” of that awareness. But I do know that my heart-level desire is to live with that awareness as constantly as I reasonably can—knowing that any notion to the contrary can so easily impact attitudes, views, and choices—which, of course, impact ultimate destinies.
Today being FATHERS DAY is a good day to reestablish that awareness. Yes, I am a father as a result of some physical and emotional gifts that the Creator has given—but that’s the point! The entire scope of procreation is not something I created and implemented. It’s clearly a GOD THING from beginning to end.
In this last short burst of praise from the Book of Psalms, we glean some terrific guidance in praise and worship. WHAT—“Praise the LORD.” WHERE—“Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens” (…when in church and out of church, when on solid ground or on an airplane). WHY—“Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.” HOW—“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet (I used to play a trumpet—but sure can’t make that thing work anymore), praise him with the harp and lyre (guitar and piano?), praise him with tambourine and dancing (…although that dancing stuff may be best to do alone), praise him with the strings and flute (violins and whistling?), praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with the resounding cymbals (to be sure the drummers in many church worship teams really really get that one!).” Now the most important point of it all—WHO—“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” So, here’s the deal—if I am capable of sucking in air, then blowing it out again, I AM OBLIGATED TO PRAISE THE LORD!
Now, “a word to the wise”…