Musings From A Rolling Eyed Turtle

“…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18) For a number of years, we’ve been participating in a host program for international students at a local university.   The students didn’t actually live with us but we would have them over for occasional meals and would endeavor to share a little of what life is like in the United States .   I’m not sure what type of information was given to them in the way of orientation, but they seemed to assume that people in the U.S. are generally religious and that we pray before meals.   In fact, the first year we participated in the program, we had a student from Taiwan to our house for a meal.   I wasn’t sure if he would be offended if we prayed so I chose not to.   As we were about to start eating, the student asked if we were going to pray.   Ooops!   We went ahead and prayed! Since then, with our international guests present, we’ve always prayed...

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.   (Isaiah 26:3) I memorized that verse years ago.   But, my remembrance of it has been hampered by an incomplete focus.   My focus has been on the first phrase and I’ve neglected to give the remaining two phrases much attention. From what I’ve heard, the context of the verse is that of a walled city being surrounded by an enemy.   Yet the occupants could have perfect peace as they trusted in God and kept their minds stayed on Him. Who wouldn’t want such a peace?   I’ve certainly desired it over the years!   I’ve probably even expected God to give that peace, thinking it was somehow due me.   But, in what I focused on, I think I missed the other parts of the verse that make it whole. As I’ve been contemplating this lately, it does not mean, at least for me, that I should have: A give and take perspective:   that is, it’s not that I...

If you have ever been around families and kitchens, you’ve probably seen them plastered all over the refrigerator.  It’s the pictures kids draw and parents proudly display them on the refrigerator.  The ones drawn early in a child’s life are well, quite stick figureish.  As the budding artist improves their skills, the pictures change and more detail is filled in.  While beauty might be in the eye of the beholder, few would likely qualify as true masterpieces.  Yet, they are on display, not just to affirm the budding artists, but also because the kids often lovingly create them for their parents. If a sanctified imagination is possible, perhaps this would fall into that category:  I’m wondering if God doesn’t have some type of big refrigerator in heaven where he puts all the stick figure pictures that His children lovingly draw of Him.  Such pictures might be created as we describe who we think God is or what He does.  Maybe some are pain...

Cheryl and I were recently walking along the beach in Washington.   Just steps from the beach were some very nice town homes that provided the occupants with some wonderful views of the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountain range. Some of the townhomes had big windows facing the water.   Others had balconies.   The units on the ground floor had a patio area that faced the water.   As we walked by, I noticed a wrought iron plaque on one of the patio walls that read:   “This Is The Life”. As I contemplated it, I was tempted to agree.   With such views to look at on daily basis, it could be argued that “This Is The Life”.   Yet, as I walked on, I wondered how “The Life” is really defined or measured?   Is it what we have?   Is it how much we have? The Apostle Paul, from his own experiences, wrote about some things that are crucial to answering those questions: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to ...