Tag Archives: creator

Of Creatures and Trees

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tree-779827_960_720Here’s another excerpt from my yet to be released book:

“In my early teenage years I loved to walk alone in the wooded areas near my home. In my meanderings, I was struck by the timeless nature of the forest. Time didn’t seem to matter to the trees. They could be found, day or night, year after year, right where I first spotted them. These tall and stately giants adorned themselves with colorful leaves in autumn, as if readying themselves for a grand ball. I sat for hours watching as the arbors gracefully danced in October breezes. When I returned to the woods in November with my rifle in hand, I looked on as cold windy gusts stripped the trees naked.

It impressed me that the grand order of things did not lessen the generosity of the trees. They labored through the seasons to produce a bounty of fruits, nuts and seeds, not for their own consumption, but as gifts for the passerby.

From my perch in a rotting tree fort, I watched creatures, large and small, carrying out their agendas. In stark contrast to the trees, time for them was of the essence. They spent the precious little time they did have attending to personal needs. These included hoarding and gorging themselves on whatever was available. Animals, it seemed, lived a life of extremes, one of excess and depravity.”

 

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Your coffee mug verse: Philippians 1:6

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Philippians is one of those inspiring reads prompting some to plaster its verses on tee shirts, wall plaques and coffee mugs.  It’s been called by some the epistle of joy.   With that thought in mind, I’ll be including “scraps” from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi in my blog over the next several weeks.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” Philippians 1:6

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The good work being referred to is the work of grace in the heart of a believer in Jesus Christ.  Consider Charles Spurgeon’s comment on God’s desire to complete the good work He began in the lives of his children:

“Where is there an instance of God’s beginning any work and leaving it incomplete? Show me for once a world abandoned and thrown aside half formed; show me a universe cast off from the Great Potter’s wheel, with the design in outline, the clay half hardened, and the form unshapely from incompleteness.”

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,” Philippians 1:9

Believe with all your heart that God has a purpose and a plan for your life!

Trustworthy: 3

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Trustworthiness; an important quality sorely lacking in leadership.

If you met someone who’s aware of everything you’ve ever done, who knows you better than you know yourself, willing to meet your every need, and guide your footsteps, wouldn’t you want to follow him?

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Jesus, creator and sustainer of the universe is worthy of our trust.

Remembering our Creator

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bubbles-1038648_960_720“Just as the setting sun signals the end of a day, so aging signals the approach of the close of one’s life” Wm. Barrick.

Ecclesiastes chapter 12

Verses 1, 2, 6 include the word “before,” referencing a series of events leading up to ones impending death. We should view verses 1-7 as one complete sentence (one complete thought) a description of aging as death approaches.

In conversations regarding death it is natural to consider one’s Creator. This has been the case throughout Ecclesiastes. God has made everything appropriate in its time (3:11); Consider the work of God (7:13-14); God made man upright (7:29); The activity of God who makes all things (11:5).

v1        Remember – reflect, embrace, acknowledge – shape your perspective.  Creator – a remainder that we are created beings (John 1:1-3; Genesis 1:1-2:3)

Before dark days come – times of misery, trouble. These stand in contrast to the days of our youth.

V2       Gathering storm – approaching of death

V3       Watchmen – male servants whose job it was to protect the household.  Strongmen – free men or neighboring household.  Grinders – female servants whose job it was to grind grain. Those peering out window – free women trying to avoid public eye in times of grieving

V4       Description of a strickened household or village.  Doors (plural) – would be a reference to a city gate. (Houses of that day only had one door)

V5       Afraid of heights, danger in the streets – fears of the aging or elderly.  Almond blossom – reminds one of human hair that has turned white

el-salvador-1507414_960_720Death (12:6, 7)

V6,7    Golden bowl – thought to be a lamp of oil

Silver cord – a means of hanging the lamp

Cutting the cord would shatter lamp (signifies death)

Pitcher – holds life-giving water (the water of life can no longer be drawn)

Wheel – could this be a pulley system used to lower the pitcher into a well

Spirit returns to God – hints of a continued existence after death.

Chuck Swindoll offers the following insight on verses 1-7.

  1. I must face the fact that I’m not getting any younger
  2. God has designed me to be empty without Him
  3. Now is the time to prepare for eternity

Epilogue (12:8-14)

Most commentators are of the opinion that the epilogue was written by someone other than Solomon.   Jewish tradition holds the epilogue was written by one of King Hezekiah’s men.  Wm Barrick stresses that Solomon could have indeed written the epilogue also.

v8        A refrain – a reoccurring theme of Ecclesiastes, Vanity, All is vanity (a vapor)

V9       pondered – weighed points for careful evaluation

Searched out – thoroughness, diligence

Set in order – ordered his thoughts in a skillful manner

V11     One Shepherd – God

V13,14 The emphasis is on God and commandments; the secondary emphasis is on fear and obey. “A knowledge of God leads to obedience not vice versa” (Eaton)

The whole duty – our essence – the essence of mankind to fear God and obey him.

Ecclesiastes asks the question, “What advantage [or profit] does man have in all his work he does under the sun?” David Estes suggests this answer; “the advantage resides not in human achievement apart from God, but rather in human connection with God.”

  • Remember God, the Creator (Eccl 12:1)
  • Fear God, the Creator (Eccl 3:14; 5:7; 8:12; 12:14)
  • Enjoy the life God gives (Eccl 9:7-10)
  • Prepare for leaving life “under the sun” (Eccl 12:1)
  • Prepare to stand before God in a future judgment (Eccl 11:9)

 

god-2012104_960_720How does one remember our Creator?

  • Notice God’s handiwork all around us at every opportunity
  • Thank God continually for all the blessings he gives
  • Obey His commands