The Plumbline

I wonder if you have ever considered how it is people come to understand the "value" in following Jesus.  In fact, when you really stop to consider how it is we determine "value" for anything in our lives it becomes apparent "value" is often determined by how it makes us feel, what it promises to provide for us, etc.  It isn't so much because someone else says this object is worth great value - we somehow "determine" the value of the item as it relates to US. The value another sees in an object may not be the same as we place in it. Antiques are a good example of this.  As I shopped throughout the antique stores in Virginia on a recent trip, I saw everything from a manageable $3 price tag on a milk bottle to an astronomical price of $295 on another.  They did not look all that dissimilar - but the "value" of one was obviously huge compared to the other.  Perhaps someone who understands antiques will tell me the value of the more exp...

Have you ever stopped to consider just how emotionally "starved" we are as a society?  In most relationships, there is such a tremendous amount of emotional "hunger" which goes totally unmet because we don't take the time to meet the need, we fail to recognize the need exists, or we just simply spend more time looking at our own need.  Starvation is simply the feeling of a strong need or desire.  When our emotional needs go unmet long enough, we begin to feel a little "starved".  Sometimes we use other means to satisfy a genuine emotional hunger than what will really satisfy the hunger.  It may be we turn to the pursuit of some pleasure - but the pleasure only lasts for a while and then we are back to the hunger again.  It may be we pursue something we can possess - such as a new car, new home, or the like - but in time, the "newness" and pleasure produced in the acquisition just leaves us all hungry again.  No pursuit of pleasure, possession...

Mark a life of discipline - easier said than done.  What we often "mark" is the fact we are rather undisciplined characters, living as we like and then wondering why our choices have yielded less than desirable results.  Wisdom calls out - listen carefully.  One of the tell-tale signs of an undisciplined life is the inability or unwillingness to listen.  Blessing comes to those who live "awake" lives - those who are alert and responsive to the Lord.  Now, this all said, just how much of our lives do we actually live "alert" and "responsive"? If we cannot say we do this more often than not, we are likely living rather undisciplined and opportunities pass us by without our notice. So, my dear friends, listen carefully;   those who embrace these my ways are most blessed.   Mark a life of discipline and live wisely;  don’t squander your precious life.   Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me,   awake and ready for me each mo...