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| Norma A. Boeckler graphic |
Tis funny how the non-believers of Fuller Seminary fame always want people to work, to plan, to do something. I have endured various church exercises that amount to nothing more than corporate planning, manipulated by the leaders for the correct outcome.
In contrast, the Scriptures teach God doing everything through the Word, just as He created everything through the Logos (Genesis 1, John 1) and nothing apart from the Logos. The Son is the Logos, the Word. The Word in Hebrew is not a concept but the combination of God's thought and action combined. In contrast, a man who says "You have my word on this," may be telling the truth or stalling.
Last night I was discussing some of the intricate details of treating diabetes with insulin rather than magic pills. The more I experience this disorder, which is only one issue of many for our health, balancing blood sugar, the more I see its complexity within a host of complexities.
I do not have diabetes, but Christina does. Every day we discuss how to balance food and insulin and the variations. Her specialist argued persuasively that insulin is the key ingredient in treatment and measuring blood sugar is essential. Our church member reflected on how complicated this one issue is, among all the other systems in the body. And yet some cling to evolution.
We also laughed about Sassy's need to make a nest every night, like her distant cousins the wolves. She has a manic grin on her face. When we ask her to stop, she stops, and then paws the sheets some more to make her nest, still grinning.
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| Institutional power is the craving of mankind, but not the will of God. |
The kids across the street brought me a bird's nest, light as air but crafted with great internal strength. The birds have to make their nests - just because the Word created them to do that. They do not reflect on their daily lives but pursue each task, even learning how to fly once their little wings grow strong.
The Word of God has instilled all these skills and strengths in His Creation. The one thing needed is the Word, as Jesus taught Martha.
Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.Our tendency is to think more of our work will give us more results. But the Biblical reality is that trust in the Word will bring about God's results.
Relatively few have tried this because not many have relied on the Word. The old joke is the congregation wants to call a wealthy pastor who tithes. Bada-bing! (Pause for laughter) Why? Because they think their problems are solved by money, troubles caused by lack of money. In fact, many congregations and institutions die with big bank accounts, savings, certificates of deposit, endowments, and blocks of useless land where people no longer come.
Whatever woes we have brought upon ourselves, we have the free use of the Word of God, which can be spread simply and easily by the Internet.
