Todays Thought – October 2

MISSING

“Do you know where John is?” I noticed it was very quiet.

“I thought he was with you!” came the panic tinged reply.

“Johhhn!” I dashed out of the den into the kitchen, then into the dining room.

By this time the whole house was mobilized, all of us rushing around looking for the diminutive toddler.

“He’s not here!”

The shock contracting my chest was so crushing I could hardly breath.

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What would you do if your child or one of your family members disappeared? In the above scenario it could only be imagined what would unfold for this family the longer tiny John was missed. Immediately the family would rush outside, 911 would be dialed, and family, friends and the community would be mobilized.But, ever notice th difference in the reaction in your own church, among your spiritual family? A young Christian disappears from the flock–what happens? Does anyone notice? Does anyone care?

Matthew 18:1213 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep , than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.

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Here is a related post from a friend!

Today’s Thought – October 1

 

DIRTY JOB

There is a great show on the discovery channel called “Dirty Jobs – With Mike Rowe“  The episodes have such names as:  “Worm Dung Farmer”, “Avian Vomitologist” and “Garbage Pit Technician.”  I keep waiting for the episode ”Diaper Changer” because I can attest that it is one of the least appealing jobs I have ever encountered.  

My daughter was about 2 months old when she went over two days without a messy diaper.  Up until that time, I had changed many.  After about a day and a half we grew very concerned and made an appointment at the pediatrician.  The pediatrician administered treatment and it wasn’t long before I was presented once again with that wondrous “gift” of a dirty diaper.  I have never been so happy to see one/change one in my life!

When a child is birthed into the family of God, they are a spiritual baby.  They will do things that spiritual babies do–things that are natural for them to do.   The mature Christian’s honest expectation is that the baby Christian SHOULD have inconveniently messy diapers (sin) because it is their nature.  Growing out of diapers is a gradual change that comes about with maturity, and just like I was with my daughter, it should even be cause for consternation to see an abrupt and unnatural change in baby behavior.  How contrary this thought is from prevailing philosophies within the church of God today who birth babies then expect immediate change!

1Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Note

Several weeks ago this post, Stop Child Abuse, generated more direct mail than I have ever received on any single post.  I stopped counting at 40 emails–strings which are continuing.  Everyone, I am enjoying the discussions, but it illustrates that there are many who instinctively know that something may not be right in the Christian world–a world that will allow us to abuse spiritual babies.

Since this generated such a buzz, we are going to examine in some detail many issues concerning Christian maturity and its relation to things we have been taught in the church.