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 ...

“He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.”   (Proverbs 19:8) We receive newsletters from a ministry that a friend once served with.   One of their initiatives is to provide opportunities for rest, restoration and renewal for those involved in full time ministry.   They frame it as caring for your soul or soul care. Loving one’s own soul is probably the foundation of soul care.   But it’s not a foundation based on selfish or self-absorbed love but based on pursuing and acquiring wisdom and understanding.   As we grow in wisdom and understanding, we then see the need to be engaged in the careful and purposeful loving and nurturing of our souls in order to grow in our relationship with God. In further driving this home, I noticed a sort of polar opposite as I was reading through the book of Ezekiel: “And there you will remember your ways and all your deeds, with which you have defiled yourselves; and you wi...

Intellectual property is an idea, invention, or process that is derived from the work of the mind or intellect. What if you could come up with something and it is acknowledged to be your intellectual property, and it: Is living and cannot die; Is active and cannot be stilled; Is sharp and cannot be dulled; Figures out thoughts and cannot be fooled; Figures out intentions and cannot be misled. Sounds like something some big corporation would love to get its hands on since it would likely generate huge profits for years to come. This something is actually the intellectual property of God Himself!   Not convinced?   See for yourself: “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart”.   (Heb 4:12) This incredibly powerful intellectual property is freely shared with us by...

It’s seems it’s no longer a matter of substance or what is right or what is true but it’s all about how things look or appear.   What used to be called “perception is everything”, is now optics!     Optics usually takes complex issues and reduces them to what can fit on a poster or in a five second sound bite.   Good optics, especially in the world of politics, enhances electability and makes appointments go smoother.   Bad optics, on the other hand, can be the kiss of death.   The recent Supreme Court nomination process is a prime example of how optics, good and bad, impacted the appointment process. Unfortunately, truth is often lost in optics.   If what is true doesn’t fit, truth is discarded or hidden.   Often with optics, a corresponding script is carefully created but the problem is that no one can really go off script or, if they do, the optics might shatter.   None of this is really new, it’s just that the terminology ...