But the examples above are flawed humans not Christ, and I would encourage anyone who wants the truth to read the gospel, to go back to basics and read what Christ said. No-where does he advocate book burning, in Matthew's gospel he speaks of how terrible it will be for those who lead children into sin, at all times he speaks of shining the light on dark places, not covering up the dark deeds of man.
Jesus' whole teaching is of love and care for others and it is as revolutionary today as it was 2000 years ago, filled with hope and the promise of a better world. That is what Christianity should strive for, that is Christ.
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15 vs 12
I didn't care how they looked because, as any gardener knows , what counted was what was in the pot, that the roots were healthy, not how pretty they looked on the outside. This of course sounds very familiar, that although our world will often push aside the "not so pretty" people and worship the beautiful, to God it only matters what is inside. Those of us like myself who are perhaps not quite in" full blossom" anymore can take comfort.
"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16 vs 7
Recently with the start of school, the girls have been asking for some things that they need and I jump to attend to it, a new calculator? Absolutely! , new shoes, no problem and of course making sure there is something nice for tea when they get back, now I am sure this will wear off in a couple of weeks but its all about wanting to help them with starting school, its all about loving them. If I jump to meet these requests, and I am only me with limited funds, and baking abilities because I love them, how much more will God meet our requests , he who loves us and can do more than we can imagine?
"Would any of you who are fathers give your son a stone when he asks for bread? Or would you give him a snake when he asks for a fish? Bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more then will your father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 6 vs 9-11
The sapling is attached, it has roots while the net is rootless. Jesus speaks of us being rooted in him like a branch on the vine, that it will bear much fruit if it remains rooted. Likewise if we base our lives on God's teaching however hard the winds blow however much we may be bent we too will remain firm.
"I am the vine and you are the branches.Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me." John 15 vs 5
I am no scientist and I can't begin to prove or probably even argue in technical terms for the existence of God, any more that can be definitively argued that he does not exist. So I can only work with what I consider the evidence of my own eyes. This morning in the early dew I walked the fields with the sun shining, throughout the grass hung the most delicate spiders webs lit by the sun and outlined by the dewdrops. I look at there fragility, I am overwhelmed by their beauty and I think, how can we possibly think there is no God?
Last week I visited the my neighbours to see their new daughter. Less than a week old, with tiny feet and hands, small and utterly dependent , yet an individual who will think and hope and love in her years ahead. How can we say there is no God?
"Our Father , who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name." Matthew 6 vs 9
I was trying to imagine the feelings of those watching, dismay, amazement perhaps some fear, but what made me really stop was the reaction of the Jewish authorities, who told the man it was against the law for him to carry his mat on the Sabbath. It is almost funny , a miracle has happened, the man is rejoicing over walking for the first time in 38 years, and the authorities forbid him to carry his mat, as if that mattered. Their reaction of course is to focus on the legalities given their much deeper fear of the threat Jesus brings.
Can we not be a bit like that sometimes ourselves, whenever someone does something we don't like or if we feel slightly threatened we pick on the small issues to bring them down. It is something to be wary of in ourselves ,for it simply leaves us out there while change happens anyway.
The answer I think is the simplicity, the day is spent on simple things, like preparing the meal (and how much better does it always taste outside), and talking to each other rather than our technology, playing games again and joy of joys the evening campfire.
Don't get me wrong after a few days I am always glad to come back but there is something to be said for such simplicity and quiet in this noisy, busy world.
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you" 1 Thessalonians 4 vs 11
Not surprisingly the psalmists used the same imagery when talking about God's protection over us, walking in that landscape it became much clearer what they meant and how strong that protection is. I will enjoy that imagine over the coming year whenever I feel overwhelmed, that there is a fortress wall I can enter and be kept safe.
As I had learned the hard and, I expect, expensive way, the number keyed in was a code to identify the fruit not the number in the bag, from then on after they had finished laughing, the scales were referred to as the "all knowing scales."
Thankfully God is all knowing, he can identify each of us without coding, he values our differences and loves us equally
"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12 vs 7
Thought for the day will return at the beginning of September