Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Good morning, friends.

…at least there’s a little bit of morning left before striking noon.

Tazzy and I made it out earlier for a little run. I continue to be delighted with his delight and passion to pursue a goal and achieve it—or to seek that lost or hidden ball and find it. As I was describing to Thano this morning the fun of watching Tazzy’s incredible senses hone in on that elusive ball in the brush or tall grass—then watch him burst with emotion when he finds it—“Aha! There it is! Mission accomplished! It feels so good!”—it occurred to me—“You know what, Thano? I guess I’m the same way! In that regard, I’m just like my dog!”

It seems like I face about a hundred different objectives to pursue today. I just need to narrow it all down to the most urgent—while maintaining the absolute highest priority along the way—that of worshiping and living to please my Sovereign Lord. That has to be foundational—no matter what.

May this same Lord guide and bless your way today. Ray.

Fundamental to living successfully in the context of a fallen world (that is congested with fallen human beings) is the decisive personal answer to a couple fundamental questions:

1. WHO AM I GOING TO BELIEVE? That is, who is the most reliable source of what I judge to be TRUTH? Me? Friends? Classmates? Celebrities? Or the God of the Bible?


2. WHO AM I GOING TO LIVE TO PLEASE? Me? Friends? Classmates? Celebrities? Or the God of the Bible? It only stands to reason that if these fundamental questions can be correctly answered, one’s life, like a building project, can be correctly constructed and lived.

To be sure, Jesus is repulsed by phony superficial Christianity—by those who claim to follow Him, but really don’t—by those who like to claim the FORM of that orientation but don’t produce the supportive FRUIT thereof.

Let’s continue with Jesus’ message in this reading. I’ll just quote it here without further commentary: “Let me describe the one who truly follows me and does what I say. He is like a man who chooses the right place to build a house and then lays a deep and secure foundation. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it continues to stand strong and unshaken through the tempest, for it has been wisely built on the right foundation. But the one who has heard my teaching and does not obey it is like a man who builds a house without laying any foundation whatsoever. When the storms and floods rage against that house, it will immediately collapse and become a total loss. Which of these two builders will you be?” (The Passion Translation)