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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Turn Back the Clock
When Solomon warned us about putting too much emphasis upon the “former days,” Ecclesiastes 7:10, he did not imply that a consideration of the past is always unwise. The word “remember” is seen over 150 times in the Bible, accompanied by some critical lessons that can be learned there. The familiar “things written aforetime” are said to be written for our “learning”, Romans 15:4.
Some, however, refuse to learn from the past. George Santyanna said, “Those who refuse to learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them.” Others desire to live in the past, resting on the laurels of a former day. Neither of these attitudes is wise, for there is a “today” that needs to be lived and a tomorrow for which to prepare.
I do not know who wrote the following words, but they have the capability of making us think. Why not consider their thoughts:
Back Home
If I had the power to turn back the clock:
To the house that was home when I was a kid; I know that I’d love it much more than I did; If I could be back there at my mother’s knee; And hear once again all the things she told me; I‘d listen as I never listened before;
For she knew very well what life had in store;
And all the advice that my Dad used to give; His voice I’ll remember as long as I live;
But it just didn’t seem so important back then; O what I’d give to live it all over again.
But the years go on, and we cannot go back; Whether we are born in a mansion or a shack;
But we can start now, in the hour that’s here; To do something more for ones we hold dear. Since time in its flight is traveling fast; Let’s not spend it regretting
that which is past;
But let’s make tomorrow a happier day,
By doing our “good unto others” today.
You Can’t Go Back
If the previous words take you back to the time of your youth, you will quickly remember that those days are gone, never to be relived again. Regret for failure to respect parents cannot be soothed after they are gone. The advice that was rejected then can be considered now, but only by dim remembrance. The house(s) in which your childhood years were spent may still be there, but they are not home any more. You can live only in the present, while preparing for the future.
Learn While You Can
The previously quoted poet wishes he could go back and obtain the wisdom and advice of Mom and Dad. Just as the Rich Man was told, however, if you would not listen then, you would not likely be any more willing today, “though one rose from the dead,” Luke 16:31.
This wish for one more opportunity to sit at “mother’s knee” is not an unusual one. There are many things I can think of asking my own mother and father if that were possible, but it is not. It is imperative that children learn while they are young. But, being children, it seems they will only learn most of the lessons of life the “hard way.”
Solomon often gave advice to his “son,” (Proverbs 1:10f, 2:1f, 3:1f, 4:1f, 5:1f. Much of Ecclesiastes serves as advice from an older father to a son. (Note that Rehoboam, his son, must not have heeded much of his father’s wisdom.) Far too often, children are more prone to listen to the “wisdom” of their peers that to the words of their parents.
While parents are seldom found to be omniscient, they have much to give to a child who perceives their love and their wisdom.
Young people, do not be so foolish as to ignore that for which you will some day have great need and even greater desire. Learn while you can!
Teach While You Can!
Unfortunately many parents feel that trying to teach their children is a useless endeavor. It is easy to forget that you – the parents – are responsible for bringing them into this world. Being a parent is not an easy task, but you took that job by volunteering for it. You cannot simply quit because they do not readily take advantage of what you are trying to give them. We have to “keep on keeping on”! They will hear and see much more than we think.
Teach Them By Showing Them
Surely we need not “prove” that our children learn more by seeing than by hearing. If we are to teach them the “way to go,” they will have to see it in us first.
- Show them that you love them, even when they are wrong. Life can be a frightening experience, for adults and children alike. Our children need to know someone is on their side, that someone cares what happens to them. They may act like they don’t care, but they do, and don’t forget it!
- Teach them respect for authority. Both man’s and God’s. Then show them how to do what that respect demands. Remember – their eyes see better than their “ears.”
- Instill in them strong convictions. Then show them how to stand up for moral and biblical principles. If they are to learn, you must teach them.
- Show them an example of well-ordered priorities. They can tell by watching what is most important in your life. Is it your golf game? Or a job? Is it Christ’s church? Is it the almighty dollar? Why not show them by your life that you have your priorities in their proper order.
Turn back the clock? Can’t do it, so let’s take advantage of today.
Carl Garner |
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“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day,” 2 Corinthians 4:16.
Sometimes as Christians we just need to be encouraged to “hang in there.” Mentally and physically, we get tired, grow weary and feel faint or overwhelmed—we begin to lose heart. We get too drained and too discouraged, and we start to feel disinclined to keep on keeping on. We should be delighted to know that the Lord realizes that occasions like these might come in our lives, and that in God and His Word we can find grace, encouragement and strength to see us through.
Don’t Lose Heart in Praying. “Men ought always to pray and not to lose heart,” Luke 18:1. One of the first casualties during times of spiritual drought often is prayer! The joy of talking to God gets crowded out by our feelings and by all the competing voices in our heads. God’s Word says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7.
Don’t Lose Heart in Proclamation. “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart,” 2 Corinthians 4:1. The joy of talking to others about the Lord loses its emphasis when we lose heart. Opportunities that we know we should seize are passed by or maybe never even noticed due to our spiritual and mental fatigue. That’s why we need to remember our “M&Ms” – we also have a “ministry” to others, and we too have “received mercy” from God. Having a purpose and experiencing God’s mercy keep us from giving up.
Don’t Lose Heart in Performing Good Deeds. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith,” Galatians 6:9-10. The joy of doing good to others gets diminished when we lose heart. We may even wonder if the time and effort are really even worth it! We have God’s promise that “in due time we will reap,” and that’s a beautiful incentive to not lose heart.
Don’t Lose Heart in Problems. “Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory,” Ephesians 3:13. Paul was in prison when he wrote these words. How often do we allow the problems of others, or the heartaches and difficulties we ourselves face, to become our own “prison”? Paul would also write, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us,” Romans 8:18. The problems we face are but “momentary” and “light” (2 Corinthians 4:17), especially when compared with the “eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” that they help produce.
Long ago, David said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living,” Psalm 27:13. Christian friends—“Don’t Lose Heart”
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