Daily pages of reflection...for knowledge, understanding, to wisdom
Section of The Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci Section of The Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci

Heaven

February 14, 2019
Year 4, Day 45 | No Comments
Section of The Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci

As Genesis, likely offered from the pen of Moses, is entirely appropriate as the opening book of Scripture, commonly identified as the Bible, so is The Revelation, given to us from the pen of the Apostle John, the fitting narrative closing the canon of Scripture.  John makes clear that his message is not something from his own search in learning, but something given to him from God.  It is up to the reader to interpret and generalize from the document to round out the understanding of the denouement of the story of the plan of God for the redemption of those electing his plan.  It has a happy ending for those embracing the promises of God.  His script was generated… Read more

Integrity

February 13, 2019
Year 4, Day 44 | No Comments
Section of The Descent from the Cross, Rogier van der Weyden, c. 1435

On this date a year ago I summarized my own five years of professional relationship with Billy Graham, the eminent evangelist, for the purpose of illustrating my opinion on the most striking factor about him as I knew him.  That related to his spiritual integrity, illustrated in Scripture with the magnificent concept that Christians should follow the model of Christ for their lives.  He did that well, and emerged as the most admired (appreciated) of all persons in his field during his lifetime that held up long after his age and health closed down his activation.  For many years he emerged among the ten most admired persons in the World, often among the first three or four named.  I have… Read more

Ol’ Folks Song

February 12, 2019
Year 4, Day 43 | No Comments
Section of Adoration of the Magi, artist unknown

I have consciously followed the issues of human life in that I believe life is the evidence of God (in his person); of love in that I believe that love is evidence of the nature of God (in his nature); and, service (in his ministry) in that God is a worker (in his creativity and sustaining power) – in his universe for good.  The fulfillment of that pattern of which mankind is a part relates to family, which in its ideal is a special context of love and fellowship.  In our life context with God, he is building his Kingdom with citizens who are members of the Family of God.  In that context, those who ask to be his children… Read more

Heart Form

February 11, 2019
Year 4, Day 42 | No Comments
Section of Christ and the Adulteress, Lucas Cranach the Younger and Workshop, ca. 1545–50

We often refer to some human remark or conduct as being in bad taste – or we are impressed that it is in good taste.  Either may be bad or good.  The matter is usually recognized in acts of bad taste.  Like anything else in human thought and conduct there are variances in the intensity of expressions related to taste so that some instances the conduct has mild effect and sometimes deep and lasting influence both on the author(s) and receiver(s).  Formal education in our era does not deal seriously with this issue, and parents seem not to take it seriously enough to alert their children to the importance of it so to suggest that kindness and respect may be… Read more

Life Artistry

February 10, 2019
Year 4, Day 41 | No Comments
Section of The Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci

For several decades the Sallman painting of Christ was popular with American Christians.  It was painted by a Christian of undoubted faith.  Who was depicted?  Here is a handsome Caucasian man, with a well-manicured beard, and flowing hair, also well combed.  There is no jewelry, the robe is dimpled, but plain, clean and appropriate for grooming, and the lighting seems to be from electricity.  I enjoyed the rendition in its western handsomeness, but wonder if it is really art at its most realistic to life?  Was this a facsimile?  Does this characterize Jesus?  Was Jesus groomed for the painting?  Is the depiction more distant than the ones that offer a darker skin?  Was this the matured cherubic baby we see… Read more

Serving

February 9, 2019
Year 4, Day 40 | No Comments
Section of Adoration of the Magi, artist unknown

How do we prove any theory, any belief or fact?  Proofs often change in meaning with the changing orientations of the analysts.  Is free trade among nations a good policy?  It is, and it is not.  Whether it is or is not may depend upon the emphasis the debater wishes to take.  Because free trade implies freedom of movement for suppliers it carries with it the concept that the company in trading must meet competition.  To do so the company will tend to move production in the direction of nations with low-cost labor.  Jobs are lost in the advanced countries with higher wages and fall to developing countries.  But that means the loss of jobs in the advanced country so… Read more

Holy Spirit

February 8, 2019
Year 4, Day 39 | No Comments
Section of Christ and the Woman of Samaria, Benedetto Luti, 1715-20

From the outset of Christianity the person and work of the Holy Spirit have been both overstated and understated, coupled with a fear of excess religiosity and extremism in application.  Many references to the God-head of the Trinity are weakest in the accent of the Holy Spirit in writings or discussions.  In discussion and writing about God and redemption there are many references to God the Father, and God the Son, but fewer to God the Holy Spirit – if any at all.  There was some passage of time from the time of my Christian conversion until I began to grasp the meaning of the Holy Spirit to the application of the works of God in Christ, and from him… Read more

Joy as Attitude

February 7, 2019
Year 4, Day 38 | No Comments
Section of The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio, 1602

Christians ought to be affirmative about life in any context. Optimism is a factor in affirmation, but not the controlling one.  The word, optimism, has taken on some negative baggage in implying that the optimist may not be adequately informed about circumstances related to reality: naivete in the optimist or ignorance.  The matter depends upon one’s orientation, attitude toward problem solving, and sense of faith in circumstances, progress and providence.  God will win, and that ought to make God’s children persons of affirmation.  We affirm the gifts of God, his creation, his will and plans.  The Apostle Paul had many experiences that would have done in most persons.  The Apostle James simply states: Count it all joy. Scripture includes a… Read more

Memory

February 6, 2019
Year 4, Day 37 | No Comments
Section of The Crucifixion, Pedro Orrente, ca. 1625–30

These Pages are related to life as it is lived in wealth and poverty, in faith and unbelief, in circumstances of blessing and cursing, in love and hate, in effectiveness and ineffectiveness, in relationships of unity and variance, and so comparisons/contrasts may be listed.  They are cast in two large contexts, human and Christian, with Scripture as the main textbook, and have been experienced by me now quite aged, partly self-sufficient and feeling compelled to communicate my take on life, education, work, family, society and Christian faith that makes context for balance and solutions.  It is directed especially to the young with the challenge to form life early, especially in the collegiate environment noted for both blessing and loss.  The… Read more

Principles

February 5, 2019
Year 4, Day 36 | No Comments
Section of Sistine Chapel ceiling, Michaelangelo, 1508-1512

I have often heard zealous persons say that Scripture does not indicate retirement.  It surely does.  The priest could begin his service to the Tabernacle at 25 years of age.  He retired at 50 years of age.  He continued personal ministry to the congregation as he felt he might contribute, in the locale in which he lived, and later in the synagogues when that ministry was introduced to the tribes of Israel.  It was actually semi-retirement, but not under the stringency of schedule and dislocation that the Tabernacle assignment required.  All men of Israel, likely with the exemption of Levites, were conscripts for the military at 20 years of age – to serve when needed.  They were mustered out at… Read more

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