Category Archives: parable

What’s it Take?

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I watched out the upstairs window, at a Blue Jay and a Robin.  “How cute.” I mused.  “They are waiting their turn with a piece of bread.”

But a piece of bread does not flutter when a bird lifts its head from pecking.  It was the Robin’s baby!

For a moment, she took her eyes off her love.  The Blue Jay took opportunity.  Now the baby languishes toward death, while the mother watches from a small distance.  Helpless to hope.  Lacking in size and talent to fight back.  Unable to morn.  Yet unable to look away.

I looked immediately for relevance to humanity, Christianity, and the nature of Spiritual reality.  “How does this apply to us?”

I remembered my thoughts in the shower.  “diligence gives life.  Slothfulness invites death.

Men love to play, rest, relax and be slothful.  Every man either fights against it, or he gives in rather often.  “What’s the matter with just hangin out?”  Everything is wrong with just hangin out!

A buzzard is a fright filled animal.  He loves peace and tranquility.  Yet when hunger comes, he must embrace a certain elevated level of stress.  He hates it.  But it’s a necessity.

Demons are much the same.  They hate righteousness.  They love peace and tranquility.  They are sloth amplified.  So when they come across someone just hangin out, they look with intense interest.  “Is he dead to God?  Or is there still some faith left.  Will he agree with my wicked and unholy desires?  Or will he balk at suggestions?”  If you agree with their enticements, they will consume you.

In my 60 years, I’ve learned that diligence produces peace and tranquility.  When things are in order and finished, there is a time to hang out.  But you won’t find diligent people hanging out to play games till sun up.  They will be tired and ready for rest.

Yet they will take the time to pray; that precious sacrifice of “last hour of strength”.  They will have busied themselves all day with things that matter, taking care of the charge before them.  They will not have even caught the eye of demons.  And, when their day is done, they will ask the Lord of Life to watch over their unconscious mind.  They are diligent to the core.  And they will LIVE.

Rest, peace, play and slothfulness will murder you.  Those who love you will watch with mute horror, as you are devoured by wicked behavior.  Your house will become a trash heap of useless dribble.  And life will elude you all your days.

Eating Worms

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“The early bird gets the worm.”

Perhaps you have heard this saying.  If you have, it is likely your mother who has told you this.  She was trying to get you to take responsibility.

But as I watched the Robins this morning, I took note that they began to sing long before there was full light.  Just how early do they need to be to get the worm?

Is it that the Robins are the ones to search for worms while the other birds search for bugs or seeds?  In this case the saying is another name for Robins and their kind.  So much for a process of productivity.

My mother could just as easily have told me to become a Robin.  Though I do not give praise to myself in that I might have understood.

What strikes me more about the saying is that we use the vagaries to inspire one another.  By the nature of man’s limit we reach for things that are untrue to teach what is true.  It is not this way in heaven.

Here we must teach a child or an immature adult by using stories and half truths.  They are not capable of consuming the fullness of truth.  And even those who teach in the ways of the world are not fit to teach the fullness of truth.

I am simply struck by the vast chasm of difference between the ways of Man and the ways of God.

The loan

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A man came up with a magnificent idea to make himself a fortune.  The potential of his idea was $500 million in 3 years.  What he planned to do was a sure thing.  There was no such item on the market.  All he needed was 1 million dollars to get started.

His credit was good.  And he had plenty of collateral.  So he gathered his papers and headed to the bank.

The banker ushered him into his office.  It was a plush office but was in need of some janitorial services.

The man presented his request to the banker and showed him the papers.  To his pleasure, the banker smiled and seemed very interested.  After about 20 minutes of study the banker looked up and gave him a broad smile.

“I need to go and take care of something but I’ll be right back.”  Said the banker.  “In the meantime, could you do me a favor and dust my office.I feel bad asking such a man as yourself to do such meanial work.  But as you can tell there is no one here to do these things for me.  I would greatly appreciate your help.  And what I must go do will take about 15 minutes.”  With that, the banker simply left his office.

The man had smiled and said yes, just before the banker left.  He thought to himself that such and gracious work would surely secure the loan.  So he grabbed the duster and went about a quick business.

The banker came back in and took a very short look around before he sat down.  “How is your wife and children?”  The banker asked.  “I would like to come in see them if I can.”

The man was taken back by the request.  But he replied it would be good to have dinner together.  So without making a judgement on the loan the banker shook his hand and they set a time.

At the appropriate time the banker showed up for the dinner.  He took note of how the yard was kept.  He noticed the disrepair of the house.  And when invited in he took very careful note of the state of the interior.

After a pleasant dinner and a chat with some rather rebellious children, the banker thanked the family for the meal, set a date and time to meet again regarding the loan, and when his way.

The man was perfectly pleased thinking he had done the very best possible that he could.  He told his wife and children they would soon be rich.  And they all went joyously to sleep.

At the time of meeting,  the banker handed the man a folder.  The first page shook the man’s nerves to the bone.  The loan was stamped “DENIED”.

Visibly shaken, the man asked the banker why.  “I have done everything you’ve asked!  I cleaned your office for you!  I even invited you to my home and gave you a wonderful meal!  But you have denied me and I need to know why.”

The banker held up his hand and calmed the man down.

“Let me reason with you for a moment.  Look around you.  Do you see the streaks of dust you missed?  When I came to your house your yard was quite unkept.  Your house is in dire need of repair.

The meal itself was good and I thank you for it.  Your wife is a generous and good cook.  But your children are unruly.  And you make no attempt to control them.

I am about to loan you a million dollars plus interest.  Don’t you think I have a right to know the caliber of a man before I give him such a large amount?”

The man had nothing to say.  After exchanging pleasantries and a handshake he simply left with half a tear in his eye.  On the way home he had plenty of time to ponder how he would break this news to his family.

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If a man is not in control of his own wealth, who will give him more?  If he is not diligent with the wealth of others, who will grant him a wealth of his own?

The body is our gift from God.  This is a wealth granted to us to display our intent for eternity.  If we do not use it for holy purposes, how can we expect God to grant us wonderous things?

As a man dies so is he sealed.  The greedy and the unholy cannot expect a warm welcome. 

Let us encourage one another to do far more and better.  We do not approach a banker for a mere million dollars.  We ask for royalty for eternity.  And God does not come over for dinner.  He clearly sees the disrepair of our life without invitation.

The spark of life

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Blood for the heart and thoughts for the mind, the soul is the essence of man. The soul is captive in the body with millions of silver light chords. What God has done in the making of man is unspeakably wonderous and great.

Yet break a few of the cords and the soul becomes untethered. Life within perception ceases. And the realm of man is shattered. The soul is tethered to flowing blood and the gell which is the brain. Who can fathom the mystery of life?

Let the blood stop flowing, or render a sufficient bump on the head and the essence evaporates from our perception. We would say, “The man is dead.” but we speak from fleshly eyes. For what cannot be seen is that which does not die.

The body remains among us. And even the most foolish will treat it with some measure of respect. But where is the soul? Where is the spark that once animated what now rots? Death leaves an empty tent. And the dweller has gone to his rightful place.

The simple man knows without having to be told, the soul has gone where it belongs. But the “wise” among us even doubt the soul exists. For the “wise” deny God.

With exceedingly weak words, the man of his own wisdom says, “The dead man has become memory and lives with us forever.” What a foolish thing to say for men who cannot remember what they did yesterday. And we will not add the things you did not know about the man who is now dead. How can the fragile memory of man cause the man to live forever? Hopeless, thoughtless and unholy are the thoughts of man without God.

I have entertained the words of those who are “wise”; those who perceive with fleshly eyes. I found them to be false and void of understanding. But to challenge their words in their face I also found to be useless. Their strength is their pride, and it is foolish to challenge. They will testify, “I am right, you are wrong.”

But I will challenge you here, you man of blood and skin. What the Lord has to say lay between us and through me. May he have mercy on you, that you will consider with sobriety. For you are drunk with the things of this world. Your eyes are fuzzy with dilution. You may define the word holiness, as men have defined it. But you know nothing more than that.

If there is no God. If flesh is the truth of all. If the sum of life is to gain what can be held by the perishing fingers of Man. Then explain to me the nature of death, if indeed you can.

Where is the spark of life when a body lay limp and lifeless? If all the things you hold so dear are true and irrevocable, why do they not dissipate with the life of the body? As if all the things a man has owned disappear to be with him forever. Even now the articles of those who believed such things are dug up and sold for money.

The folly of the question is evident. But those who deny God have not even asked.

You said you know. You proclaim that those who believe in God are foolish. Then “Wiseman”, answer me.

Where is the spark of life when a man lay dead? Has it gone someplace? Has it traveled some distance away? Travel takes time. So how long did it take for the soul to travel to its rightful place?

I say you are wrong. And I say those words with definitive strength. For I have the testimony of God Himself within me. Newness of life has come upon me that I did not know nor ask for. Understanding appears where once there was nothing but void.

You say there is no God. But you cannot answer the slightest of question. Where is your foundation for your feet as you stand to make that unholy accusation?

I will tell you what I know. And I will tell you I am ashamed of my lack. For I too am of flesh. And what I know cannot be perceived by skin. Though He has given sufficient to answer you.

You stand on ground you did not create. With air that is given, you fill your lungs. Your created mind conjures words. And with the glory of God’s creation you make them take life; only to live as death themselves.

You miss the most important things. For in him you live and move and have your being. Yet you proudly deny he is. You testify before him that you are foolish. I only point it out because you cannot see it. But folly is of itself. You are proud as if you know something. Perhaps it is time someone got in your way.

The essence of life, the eternal soul, goes to be with he who made it. It does not take time for the soul to travel any distance. For in him we live and move and have our being. Even your unholy words have reached him, for the were spoken with in him.

To you, the rules of this place are all that is. But this unholy place has blinded your eyes. And you do not perceive the light. As long as pride is your strength you will see nothing, and that in darkness. Humility sees far farther. For humility receives the mercy of God.

The flesh is for dirt. The soul is for Spirit. Neither to return to this place again. Men even testify to their destructive nature, for they bury what rots I lest it taint what regenerates.

If I spoke to you about these things without riddle, you would not understand. And you would not strive to ask. So I make no apologies for the cloak on these words. These words are not faultless, but they speak of he who is.

You have testified as if you know. I testify from what He has given. There is a chasm fixed between us. I will no longer cross over to you. But I urge you, with all sincerity, cross over to Him.

The lies of man

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There is a yearning in heaven for the souls of men.  If this were not so do you think God would have allowed us to crucify his son? Do you say, “I was not there to crucified him! I would have done no such thing!” Really?

Who are you, that God should think so highly of you as to send his Son into your hands?  You are wicked beyond repair.  By yourself you are nothing but death; both death to yourself and to all else. In your nature selfishness consumes you.

I do not say this to shock you.  I do not say this to make you feel bad or to elevate myself.  I say this to starkly point out the truth.

I have examined myself, and that by His grace.  I find no beautiful thing that lives within me.  Without the Lord Jesus I am hideous and violent.  And you, my dear friend, are no different.

If a man is civil it is either because he has loved lies, or that God has had mercy on how he was raised.  There is not one shred of decency among men, except that God has placed it there.  Left to our own we would devour one another into oblivion. Let me expose the truth with an example that most will find offensive.

In my younger years I lived on the Prairie in Montana.  For a price a farmer would allow you into his field.  But it was not a price you paid.  Rather it was a price paid to you.

I forget the exact amount.  But a farmer would pay you a small price for every tail of a gopher (prairie dog to those who know) you could bring back to him.

The animals would destroy precious farm ground.  They are exceedingly plentiful.  And a horrible nuisance to he who would profit from the land.

So we would take our little 22’s and go out.  The sport was to see how far away you could be and still make the kill.  A scope was an essential to the game.

I played this game long before I knew about Jesus.  I do not say this to justify myself.  But I say this for what comes next, that you may understand what I wrote first.

What I have witnessed in human nature I witnessed at the killing of Gophers.  Do you think you are sweet and lovely?  There is not one shred of love in you but that God has placed it there. Please allow this example to show you you are not lovely in yourself.

From a hundred yards or more we would take aim.  Through our scope we could see the dust fly up. By that we refine our aim.  The Gophers just sat there and watched with mute curiosity.

Finally a tiny piece of lead found its mark.  One down, more to go.

( If you are not a student of human nature, the following is not for your eyes to consume.  But if your soul is strong, and you are hungry for the truth, I will teach you something valuable.)

At 100 yards a man’s aim must be good.  Accuracy 150 yards is rare.  So we would challenge one another with distance.  The Gopher was our enemy.  The Gopher meant bounty.

Shot by shot we focused in.  Finally, a strike!  A kill!  A bounty!  But where there is one there is fifty.  Patience.

We learned to wait.  They will come at the smell of blood. 

They will sniff around; look, listen.  They are not concerned with their dead relative.  But in amazement I watched, learning what I would later call the “Gopher syndrome” in humanity.

They appeared from the hole to see what had happened.  The smell and sight made no impact.  But let one be wounded and thrash about, and frenzy consumed the mass.

The Gophers have no compassion.  They are full of hatred for the weak.  With a chirp he calls his buddies.  And with frenzy, they devour the one wounded.

They have absolutely no compassion.  They do not care about the dead.  They care only to kill the weak.  And God has left them as a sign.

Look at man. (If I could yell in text, it would happen here!)  Look at men!  Look!  See how selfish and hungry for hatred he is.  Do you think he is beautiful?  Then add to his plight folly.

Man is wicked to the core, and hopeless in his plight.  But for the grace of God we would be as those Gophers.  Did not for Nazis show us this is true.

Don’t we witness violence in rush hour?  Isn’t the workplace made to do harm to your way?  Promotion is made on the backs of many.  And we consider it a privilege and honor. Indeed, add folly to our plight! Aren’t families played with hatred for one another? And because of a lack of God in the house doesn’t America lean towards destruction?

But that God should leave a remnant among us we would be as evil as those animals are to their weak.  we would have destroyed one another a long time ago. The heart of man is desperately wicked and helpless, hopeless, beyond repair.

I have written this to show the need for redemption. I have written this to expose the shame of man. There is an answer to our helpless state. And God has allowed me to write extensively in this regard.

But let man first come to understanding of how wicked and helpless he is. Only then is the beauty of Christ reveal.

Will you agree?   Likely not.  The lie of man’s beauty was proclaimed long before you were born.  And it is only by the Spirit of God that we understand.

I know that what I have written here its distasteful to the majority.  They will write me off and give me no room to answer.  They will treat me as if I am one of the wounded on the top of the hole.  They will devour me with obscurity.  perhaps they will devour me with far more violence.

I call attention to the filth of men.  I call attention to the glory of God.  I call attention to the beauty of his Christ!  And for this these words will be hated.

The stingy apple tree

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If you walk up to an apple tree, do you have to tell the tree you’re hungry?  And if you tell the tree you’re hungry, do you have to tell him a long story about why you’re hungry?

Isn’t it true that your simple approach is sufficient?  And as your hand grasps the Apple and pulls it loose, do you have to say “thank you” to the tree?  No one has ever heard an apple tree complain when an apple is picked.

Does the tree look to see you coming?  Does it judge you by what it sees?  As you reach for the Apple does it withdraw the limb?

Does the tree tell you “No!”, then give you some lame excuse as to why?  Perhaps it might tell you it gives its’ fruit somewhere else.  So you say to the tree, “Can I just have a partly rotten apple?”  The tree just shakes its leaves and turns away.

If we, who are in Christ, are not prepared in season and out of season to give the fruit of God’s generosity, we will likely stammer about like the stingy apple tree.  And we should consider that we may be in danger as was the fig tree.  ” May you never bear fruit again.”