Monday, April 18, 2011

Mountain Lion Sticker, an Easter Story


Hill City - Black Hills - South Dakota

‎Saturday's LOST episode occurred after our hike along an obscure old forest road near Pactola Lake. When we returned to the vehicle Sam said,
"I had my lion sticker with me in my pocket..." and my mind immediately went to the stickers on the several cases of Palisade peaches we bought last summer at Krull's Market, the Mountain Lion brand, and I was surprised at Sam's sentimentality that he would carry a sticker with him in his pocket while we hiked. Then he said something really strange, "I just put it under my seat where I like to keep it." ...and that really LOST me, for an embarrassingly long time before I understood that he was referring to his hunting knife which he keeps under the seat!

At Bible Study on Sunday night, I had opportunity to share the above story with the group when the subject of the credibility of the Bible came up, and the leader put forward that the connection and accuracy from beginning to end of the pages of God's Book are nothing short of supernatural, the writers being guided by God through the Holy Spirit.

With that said, Sam's and my LOST episode came to mind...and I couldn't help but laugh. I declared (although these are already not my exact words...) that the writing of the Bible had to be supernaturally guided, otherwise it wouldn't connect or have accuracy from one sentence and page to the next, much less from Old Testament to New Testament! Barely had the laughter (provoked by my sharing our Mountain Lion Sticker story) subsided, when nearly everyone there had their own unique, and humorous, story to tell...the only common thread being human nature's propensity for misunderstanding or exaggerating what is heard.
Did you think of a story?
All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
-2 Timothy 3:16

Knowing this first,
that no prophecy of the scripture is of any
private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:
but holy men of God spake as they were moved
by the Holy Ghost
-2 Peter 1:20-21

(Tuesday) During this morning's quiet time, wearing my reading glasses,
I noticed across the room a tiny object that prompted me to ask Sam if he, too, thought it looked like a miniature shoe. He was sitting about 1-1/2 feet to my right, and didn't see the shape as clearly as my blurred vision saw it (smile); however, he did know what it was, actually. He suggested I get up and go look at it...(scroll down, and then scroll further...)

Do you suppose God, from His perspective, may possibly have a clearer and more accurate view of us, and our circumstances, than we ourselves have?

For now we see through a glass, darkly;
but then face to face: now I know in part;
but then shall I know even as also I am known.
-1 Corinthians 13:12

We may look at ourselves, or someone else or someone else's circumstances, from a distance with our limited vision (through a glass, darkly) and see something as cute as that little shoe. But God sees the truth. Do we want to...see the truth? God's Words are truth, as is Jesus.

Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
-John 14:6

And the Word was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld his glory, the glory
as of the only begotten of the Father,)
full of grace and truth.
-John 1:14

Jesus, praying to His Father, requested...
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
-John 17:17

Who but the Creator, seeing from His position, can see clearly?—In our heart of hearts, we know...only He. We can trust Him as He shows us our brokenness...(scroll to below picture...)

The object is a piece of broken metal
that Sam had placed on the shelf
as a reminder to make a repair.

Surely your turning of things upside down
shall be esteemed as the potter's clay:
for shall the work say of him that made it,
He made me not?
or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it,
He had no understanding?
-Isaiah 29:16

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
-Romans 3:23

Please read these passages...
Romans 5:12-21 NIV (click)
...difficult reading, but
we can trust Him as He shows us our brokenness,
thanks be to God...

For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
-John 3:16

And thanks be to God,
we have a Guide into all the truth...
John 16:13 NIV (click)

Put your HOPE in GOD
(click)

There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
-Romans 8:1

Read and receive...
all you who are weary and burdened,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV (click)


Visit the BIBLE VERSE of the Day; In Touch Daily by Charles Stanley;
Today's Reading in My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers