Human Wisdom

Tax season has descended upon us and I am completely unable to comment with any amount of knowledge, on the massive math problems and supposedly logical “fill in the blanks” on the forms, in preparation of the filing procedure.  I am totally intimidated by the whole process, yet can’t escape it!  Thank goodness there are those who honestly can master the “beast” and those who even enjoy being, “death slayer!”

Another area where I feel totally inadequate is on the subject of UFO’s.   I was reading recently about a person who questions, yet leans towards, the belief of UFO’s.  I admit, I’ve never seen one, and won’t claim to be wise enough to even have an intelligent comment on the subject!

It seems, however, there are areas in the US who have reported UFO sightings. One such incident in Tennessee describes a person being chased by two UFO’s while on a rural paper delivery route.  It seems he saw the unidentified objects, lost power to his cell phone and car radio.  The objects seemed to follow him.  When he slowed down, the UFO’s slowed down.  After a while, when the UFO’s finally left, he pushed the button on his cell phone, had power and service.  While this incident completely rattled him (it would have me, as well!), there are those who contend these sightings are usually explained through some natural or man-made occurrence.

 Logically, I agree with those who believe UFO sightings ultimately can be explained, but I really don’t know for sure!  I do know, however, regardless of how wise any of us are, whether it be taxes, UFO’s or any other subject, human wisdom is frail and not totally in “the know!”  There is much discussion on how the world was created (and vastly different depending on religious views), how our bodies are so intricately made, how seeds can grow into just the right plant, how the planets, stars and sun know just where they belong in outer space so our Earth doesn’t freeze or fry, or how as humans, we are filled with emotions, have a need to nurture, and desire our children to reach their God given potential. 

            Our daily lives require we use our minds to fulfill the needs necessitated by simply being alive and taking care of ourselves and our loved ones.  Yet often, even in this environment many people have difficulty. There are some who have amassed great wealth and seemingly have the means and capabilities for all things, and still fail at relationships causing their entire world to fall apart. 

            So, where does this leave our “human wisdom?”  This knowledge, or lack thereof, leaves us with a great need for wisdom greater than our own, and its something we must diligently seek.  We are weak, and even in areas where we seem to have strength, are fragile and frail compared to what we are able to achieve.

            So, I challenge you to reflect on whatever “problem” you are facing.  This could be the ideal time to seek wisdom ---through faith and from those who are more knowledgeable than us.

Life Giving Water

   

         My husband was checking out posts on the internet today and came across an article which kind of surprised him.  It seems Henry Winkler was a good deal older than his character “Fonzie” when he was cast on “Happy Days” back in the ‘70’s.  We knew Richard Thomas was older than his character “John Boy” on “The Walton’s,” and there were others, like in the movie “Grease” whose characters were a good deal younger than the ages of those portraying them.

            As we get older, many of us cringe when we look in the mirror.  We want all the “age lines,” gray hairs and those little things that age us, to disappear so we look ten or twenty years younger.

            There are all kinds of creams and formulas that claim to reduce age wrinkles and spots.  They claim a person can look ten to fifteen years younger than they really are.  We are a society bent on stopping the aging process.  I admit there are practices I use to help me look better.  I suspect we all do, as we fight the inevitable, aging process! We all want to keep younger looking, as well as, feeling as if we aren’t encumbered with illness that steals our vitality.

Spas have become the rage of our country.  It seems the health benefits include reducing stress and hormone issues, being a pain reliever, mood enhancer and more, should you allow yourself to treat yourself to this type of relaxation!1 The more wealthy in society even have surgeries in an effort to recapture some of the youthful look.

            The truth is, however, it doesn’t matter what we do to keep the aging process at bay, it will catch up with us and the inevitable will happen.  We will all age and eventually pass from this life.  It’s what happens after this life that really matters.  Depending on our decisions today, we can look forward to “really living” in Paradise or we can know we will be in a place of eternal torment.  What we choose in this life really does determine our eternal destiny.

            It has nothing to do with drinking the best mineral water, eating the most nutritious foods, having the perfect exercise routine or even the least stressed life.  Life is what it is and we each have to deal with our individual circumstances.  So our choice of living our life for Christ is the best “life giving water” available to us.  The “life giving” remedies available in this life only applies to our mortal life.  It has no bearing on our eternal future.  Only Jesus has “water” that sustains throughout all eternity.

            So I challenge you to consider how you view aging and all you are doing to keep the process at bay.  Our lives will never be free of challenges because we are human and we all have daily circumstances that test the strongest and hardiest of us!  The best “Life Giving Water” is the water given through and by Jesus Christ.  It is through Him we can find the kind of refreshment we need, that can be found no where else!

A Skunk in the Camp

It was the perfect ending to the day: sitting at the picnic table enjoying a cup of coffee.  The night was warm with just the slightest breeze.  Crickets sang and other night noises mingled with the sweet, shrill sound.  “Don’t move quickly,” my husband suddenly said, clearly alarmed.

            “What’s wrong,” I asked, troubled by my husband’s agitation. 

            “If you look around really slowly,” he said softly, “you will see a skunk is joining us in the camp.”

            “What?  Where?”

            “He’s still behind you, so you need to rise easy and quietly, and leave the table.  Back away and hopefully he won’t spray us.”

            Following my husband’s direction, I stood and quietly exited without incident.  Watching from the safety of the tent, my husband also rose as quietly as possible and quickly retreated.  The skunk didn’t seem bothered by our presence and continued walking until he was completely though the camp. 

            There are times when something large, foreboding, or intimidating enters our lives and we are forced to deal with it, much like the skunk that made his unannounced and unwelcome appearance in our campsite.  Sometimes the “skunk” comes in the form of something like a snake (snakes scare me silly), spiders or other natural enemy.  It could be something advertised as harmless entertainment, like a casino with gambling, or social drinking which turns into alcoholism or a friend sharing a drug which turns into a horrible addiction, or even divorce or death.

            I remember reading an article years ago that was sharing the “visit” from a guest in the house.  The guest ended up moving in and over the course of time changed the lives of every member of the household.  The “guest” began using inappropriate language, displaying offensive behavior and generally monopolizing every person’s time.  The “guest” began intruding on and changing expected behaviors and attitudes in nearly every aspect of life.  The guest?  The television!

            Television seems harmless enough, in the sense we have the choice of turning it off or change the channel if we don’t like what we see. It seems, however, once it’s on, unless the language or behavior is REALLY offensive we acclimate to what we’re hearing and seeing. We’ve become immune to bad manners, inexcusable conduct and moral decay because it’s on nearly every channel.  Our children have grown up with it. 

            The conduct observed on the television screen is blatantly displayed not only on TV, but in our schools, shopping malls and homes, and even our churches!  Please understand, I’m not suggesting that all television is bad, but is this the “skunk” in many households that weaves the threads of “acceptable sin?”

            We make choices in our daily lives regarding what we will and will not do or allow.  It’s imperative, if we want to live a godly life, to lean on The Father so we can be saved from the temptation of giving in to the “skunk” in whatever form it comes.   We need to be aware, our "skunk" is likely to leave us less than acceptable, for the Kingdom.