How teachable am I?

20/08/17                          How Teachable Am I?

Psalm 32v8  { NIV } I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go

 I will counsel you and watch over you ( with my eye upon you  AV )

      “ There must be a piece missing !” I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said these or similar words, not whilst doing jigsaw puzzles but when struggling to assemble a piece of furniture or other item that comes in a flat pack! My problem is , I think I can ignore the instructions. In other words I think I know best which normally ends up as a DIY disaster . Even when I do find the leaflet somewhere at the bottom of the box and read it somehow I still manage to get it wrong ! I obviously haven’t paid close enough attention, thinking I know best and putting it all together intuitively. My failure to insert the correct part in the proper place can even result in me having to dissemble it and start the last section all over before continuing.  Humiliating!!! I’ve found recently that I even forget to read the shopping list, that my wife has  written for me , carefully enough. I then return home with one or two items missed out or the wrong item simply because I failed to scrutinise the list.  My driving isn’t much better. I infuriate my passenger ( often my wife again ) by ignoring the voice on my SATnav . I end up missing turnings, getting in the wrong lane or travelling in the wrong direction ( I did once end up several miles from my intended destination because I typed in an incorrect number or digit. (Am I the only one who’s done this?) Basically,  I don’t listen or rather if I do listen then something happens to the message to my mind somewhere between my ears and my brain! In the verse above we are told  God  Himself has promised to teach me and instruct me in the Way I SHOULD go .  What security, what comfort, what a relief. There are many ways of teaching a lesson but to me, instructions speak of a more detailed, tailor-made plan, the route I ought to be taking in life. Jeremiah 29v11 For I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil , to give you a future and a hope.        He wants to reveal that plan , step by step.

   What else does the verse say? He will counsel me with His eye upon me. My personal counsellor, advisor, guide or life-coach. The Holy Spirit Himself is also known as the Counsellor. We are also told He will constantly ‘watch over us’ or ‘with his eye upon us’ What a reassuring act of providential care. When I was little my parents always endeavoured to keep a close eye upon me. Now that was easy when holding my hand but occasionally, say in a crowded playground or whilst out with friends or on my own , they simply had to trust that I’d be alright. We are never ever out of His sight. Nowhere can we stray from His presence, Praise the Lord ! 

 I got asking myself these things: Am I teachable? Am I humble enough to obey what I’m taught? Do I listen out for His voice or is it lost somewhere in the clamour of other voices and everyday life? Do I want my own way? Am I too busy? The Bible says ‘ Be still and know that I AM GOD’  Can we say with Samuel’ Speak Lord for your servant hears.’ ?

 If we profess to be disciples of Christ then it follows that we are all learners in His school. Christ , the Master, we the learners. What does the Lord want to achieve , instil into our lives through teaching? What does a good teacher or good parent desire from their children ? I would say the number one thing is obedience’ He who has my word and keeps it ,he it is who loves me and he who loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and show myself to him .’ The reward of obedience. God reveals more of himself.....and we love Him more... and the circle of faith continues.

Daily we must ask the Lord , what do you want to teach me? What do want me to learn  today?

 What are some of the ways God chooses to teach us? I think there are many but among them must be :-

·         Through His Word

·         Through His Spirit

·         Through circumstances

His Word.  2 Timothy 3v16 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof and training in righteousness

In scripture it says that God can and does speak also through dreams, pictures and visions.    Peter  in Acts 16 is one example but I feel the most common way he   conveys  His will for  our lives is through His Word. ‘Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4v4      “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ Isaiah 55v11

Do I have an appetite for his Word? Is it my daily sustenance?

The Holy Spirit: Luke 12:12 ‘ for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’  In John 14v26 Jesus says ‘But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’   Does this entail some dramatic intervention from God. Not usually. It can be while we wait upon God quietly, while we pray silently, we may be in tune with that ‘still small voice’

Circumstances:  Before I could teach any child in my class effectively it was paramount that I first had their undivided attention. God has to do the same with us.  If the the church is inattentive then God can and will use any means He feels appropriate to Himself to bring us back in line when we’ve strayed or when we become ‘dull of hearing’ .He can evn use adverse circumstances or hostile forces, as He did in the Old Testament. Selwyn Hughes says ‘ God saw it necessary to discipline His people in times past by allowing hostile forces to put them under pressure. Will he do so today? God can and does allow godless influences such as secular humanism or false religions to bring pressure to bear on Christians. Of course, it may be that God not only uses such forces to discipline us  but is teaching us to be loyal to Him and training us to fight in spiritual battles..... God sometimes uses unbelievers to discipline or refine believers eg. An unconverted work colleague to correct a believer, a non-Christian parent to instruct a Christian son or daughter.... few things are more humbling..’

How did God get Jonah’s attention? He certainly learned his lesson the hard way.

Will God deal with me the hard way or will he find me attentive to his voice? If I’m willing He has promised  to lead me gently on ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for my yoke is easy and my burden is light’

The  hymn writer  Benjamin Mansell Ramsay expressed his desire to  follow Christ obediently despite doubts, fears and the storms of life :-

‘When doubts and fears arise

Teach thy way.

When storms and o’erspread the skies

Teach me thy way

Shine through the cloud and rain

Through sorrow, toil and pain

Make thou my pathway plain

Teach me Thy way.

.........

Until the race is run

Until the journeys done

Until the crown is won

Teach me Thy way.’

God has promised to teach us His way to the end.

Am I willing to listen? Am I willing to follow instructions?

Am I teachable? 

Lessons from a seagull

Lessons from a seagull !

During my recent holiday in Looe  whilst visiting Cornwall,  I  came across this lady feeding some seagull chicks in one of the older parts of the town.  . I stopped,  fascinated , as I hadn’t seen baby seagulls close up before,  except for the  few I’d seen earlier that day , nesting  on the rooftops of the houses nearby. We had a chat about why she was doing this and she was delighted to  spend  a few minutes with me. She told  me  that these   chicks, together with many others , frequently slid off the  steep rooftops. Some landed safely and appeared  unhurt , whilst others   die or, like  one of these,  suffer a broken leg or other injuries.  She also happily explained that these three  were still regularly visited  and cared for by the mother , whereas two others close by were orphans and had been abandoned by both parents         ( apparently the male seagull has no further interest in the chicks once they fall from the nest --- how sad!) It was lovely to see the orphans actually trying to feed each other ! She also said that they were in constant danger from cats in the district , though home owners were aware of this and did all they could to prevent  them from attacking.  I was then reliably informed that   when  they were able to fly,  these young birds would be led  by the mother  to the crèche !! Yes the crèche! The crèche was part of the river bank a short distance upstream where all the youngsters were cared for  as a group .

  

          This reminded  me of the love, patience and care God has for us.                                                                       It reminded  me that :-

•                       God created every living creature!

  Genesis 2:19 NIV

19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

What fun Adam must have had naming these creatures he had never seen before !. There must have been thousands, yet each was given a unique name !  Maybe he saw white and black birds squawking nearby and noticed that they returned to the sea and named them seagulls, who knows ? Did he have to avoid their droppings one wonders ? Did he think them a nuisance? Seagulls get bad press, don’t they, yet that’s largely due to the amount of seagull-enticing food we eat so near their territories !

•                     We are more precious than the birds!

Matthew 6:26 NIV

26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

 Since  I’ve recently moved from town to countryside it’s been a thrill to see such  a variety of birds attracted to the bird feeders in the trees; robins, blue tits, great tits, sparrows, blackbirds, thrushes and more, birds that I’d never seen  at all during the 40 or so years Iived in more  urban areas ! They are so wonderful, daily parading their gorgeously feathered attire, a joy to watch, pecking at the nuts, ravenously gobbling up seeds and fat balls. Jesus says they’re valuable ! But we are more valuable than these and if we trust Him He will provide all that we need .

Luke 12:7 NIV

 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows

•       God cares as much as a nursing mother.

Isaiah 49:15      God: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these she may forget, yet I will not forget you.

 The image of the mother seagull visiting her fallen young chicks,  then,  when they are recovered and strong enough  to lead them off to safety,  will stay with me for a very long time. It is the same parenting love that God has for his children, especially those who are newborn! He will not leave them as orphans but rather hide them under the shadow of His wings ! Psalm 91v4 ‘ NIV
‘He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.’

1 Thessalonians 2:7             

 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children:

The apostle Paul was most concerned that as leaders ( or any who are helping young believers) we must be gentle in the way we handle the spiritual growth of others. They need special attebtion, led, if you like, to the ‘crèche’ of the Lord until they are strong enough to stand , flee the nest and go out into the world as witnesses and ambassadors for Christ, strong in the Lord and the strength of His might !

Procrastination

Procrastination , the thief.

To do list for the day:

Take the car in.

I procrastinate.

Put the bins out.

I procrastinate.

Book a doctor’s appointment for my annual   check up.

Tomorrow.

I’ll fill in my tax return.

Not due yet.

I need to apply for a job.

No point.  After 30 rejections.

I  promised to  phone a friend.

Too tired right now.

I need to complete my writing assignment.

Later. ..........Ahhh ...........  I know...

 I’ll to log in to Facebook and update my status.

  Great  idea.

See what all my friends are doing.

I’m desperate for a chocolate bar.

I need   a cuppa.

...................

The thief  made off long ago,

Where on earth did he go?

He cannot be caught ,

Bags full of

Unfulfilled ambitions and unrealised dreams.

Last seen  carrying all my clocks and watches

Plenty of time on his hands !

 .......................................

Readiness  or reluctance ?

Writing or resting?

Telephone  or  television?

 ‘A little sleep a little slumber  ,a little folding of the hands to rest  and poverty will come upon you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man ...’. Proverbs 6:10,11

‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil’. Ephesians 5:16

.............................

just a minute .................... the kettle’s boiled.

Back later.

One Day

One Day by  Brian E. Dodd 30/3/17

 One day there will be no more suffering.

There will be no more wars, no hatred

No misconceptions or  mistakes.

No hurts or hurting.

One day there will be no guilt, no blame

No regret or revenge.

One day all dreams  and aspirations

All hopes, all fears

Will be dissolved and be no more.

One day I will fly and soar

With spirits gone before.

One day my tears will all have vanished,

Evaporated by the power and warmth of love,

the gladness of acceptance.

One day I shall know even as I have been known

Where the  shadows of this life are gone

Overwhelmed by Light.

One day , soon, I will know His presence ,

Welcomed by two arms outstretched,

Two hands pierced by human pride,

And face smiling, radiant with love,  yet scarred.

                    One day,

  Faith will become fact,

  Hope  will become  reality

  Death  becomes  life

  And Earth becomes heaven.

The heavy clouds of darkness

Will give way to the brilliance of heaven.

And there will I dwell for ever.

These hands

These Hands          ( a mother's love)

These hands that held you close

Upon  my   breast.

The  first  moments  when you breathed.

Those  tiny hands

Wriggled and giggled with life.

Those hands enclosed by mine.

Our hands entwined,

Yours placed tenderly in mine.

That first day at school.

I let go of you at the gates

And with a wave ‘goodbye’

You disappeared inside,

Our hearts still joined in apprehension.

These hands that showed you

How tie your laces,

How  to brush your teeth,

How to wash your hair.

These hands that signed   the letters,

 brought home continuously from school.

So I could give permission

For the trips that had been planned.

And wrote countless notes

To explain your absence once again

When you were too ill

to rise.

These hands caressed your head

And tucked you in,

As you lay with fever, hot and restless.

These hands nursed you through

The long watches of the night,

And cooled your brow and stroked your hair

To bring ..Oh , such   small comfort.

These hands folded tightly in prayer,

I gazed into your fearful eyes,

No longer able to touch you for the pain.

Instead I fluffed your pillows

To make them softer

Or turned them to make them cool.

These hands sewed patches

On the jeans,

You insisted on wearing again and again.

These hands cooked your favourite cakes,

The ones topped with chocolate sprinkles   and cherry.

These hands would throw and catch and play,

And lift you from the ground

When you fell and grazed your knee,

And wiped away the blood

Amidst the tears and pleas,

And put that big teddy bear plaster

Across the wound

That made you smile again.

These hands that scrubbed,

And washed and dried

Those muddy clothes

Thrown carelessly on kitchen  floor

After every match you played.

These hands that drove you

To your very first interview

At university,

Then many   miles more,

Along endless motorways and country roads

To hospital appointments,

Airports and holidays.

These hands are old now,

Bony, twisted, gnarled.

Barely able to hold yours.

Those hands clasp mine,

Hug me ,  hold me ,

Give me hope. Make me smile.

Those hands make my pillow,

Stroke my hair, tuck me in.

Now these hands lay still beside me,

Never again to hold or touch or feel

In this present world,

But then to clasp my Maker’s,

Restored, renewed,  revived.

To wait ... but for a little while

Until our hands once more entwine

small actions make a BIG difference

Small actions make a big difference !


Don’t despise the day of small things,
 in life, small actions, small words, without cost yet priceless  .
A smile . A nod. A wave. A kiss. 
A chat with the neighbour when you're oh so busy!
Giving ' the widow's mite' even when you're hard up.
A word of thanks for a job well done,
A word of  gracious appreciation for efforts made even when  the outcome isn't  perfect !
Each act a blessing , And in blessing others you yourself are blessed.

Jesus himself said, "Anyone who gives a cup of water in my name... will certainly not lose his reward."

Happiness . Is attainable?

Happiness by B.Dodd

                                               

As Ken Dodd comedian and singer sang in  1964

‘Happiness, happiness, the greatest gift that I possess.

I thank the Lord that I’ve been blessed than more than my share of happiness

I’ve got no silver and got no gold

Just a whole lot of happiness in my soul

...... I can see it in the sunshine,  I breathe it in the rain...’

Wonderful lyrics, wonderful sentiments but can this really be true of anyone? Of us?

Why do we pursue happiness ? In the 2006 film ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ Will Smith seeks the entrepreneurial  route ie. More money.  I’m sure if you stopped the ‘man in the street’ and asked him, ‘ What do you most want from life?’ he would no doubt answer ‘ Happiness’

I suppose we would all define it as that  lifestyle which we would   like to enjoy continually. But is it attainable? Can it ever be a goal ?  What makes us happy ? That which makes one person happy may be very different from that which makes another happy.   One person may be happy to receive tickets to a cup final . Another may be happy to win a prize. And yet another may be happy just to be alive and well enough to  see ,  hear and touch and to simply have the ability to think and reason.

Many pursue happiness,  yet it’s seldom found or attained and when it is,  is  often short-lived. It is illusive, transient, dependent on circumstances, finance or health.......  Frequently it is linked with another person’s  success or wellbeing .. a daughter who has just passed an exam, a brother who has just landed that ‘dream’ job...

Jane Fonda has said, “ It’s never too late – never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.”

However George Clooney  has been quoted as saying, “ I don’t believe in happy endings but I do believe in happy travels, because ultimately you die a t a very young age or you live long enough to watch your friends die. It’s a mean thing life !”

One  optimistic point of view and one very pessimistic. Into which category do you fall ?

What was the secret of  life as lived by Mahatma Gandhi ?  “ Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live for  ever “....   a noble attitude and one worthy of consideration as long as it’s not interpreted as ‘ Live, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die !’  and I’m sure this is NOT what Gandhi had in mind , a man who exuded peace and contentment.

Often we miss opportunities that if we had  taken could well have made us feel  happy.  Alexander Graham Bell said, “ When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regrettably upon the closed door that we  do not see the one that has opened for us. “

I love this quote by Mark Twain:-

“ Sing like no one’s listening.   Love like you’ve never been hurt. Dance like nobody’s watching and Live like heaven on earth.  !”

So many  books have been written about it. Films made about it. Poetry and stories written about it and of course, Songs sung about it.

Yet happiness is a feeling and  like any feeling  or  emotion it  can ebb and flow, be weak or intense,  be sought yes but not automatically attained.  As mentioned before it can be very dependent on our circumstances, our wealth , good  friendship, family, success, physical abilities. For a great many, merely having a roof over their heads would constitute happiness.

Whereas happiness is a feeling that fluctuates as the wind, joy is a deep seated state of mind  and heart , something more permanent throughout all of life’s ‘ups and downs’ , and life can most certainly often throw up seemingly cruel or desperate   situations.

 As I turn to the Bible I see that it has much to say about happiness. It frequently uses the word ‘blessed’ which is almost interchangeable.

Psalm 144 : 15 ‘Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.’

Proverbs 16:20  ‘Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.’

In Psalm 14:15 there is a warning....’  There is a way that seems right to a man but even in laughter the heart is sad and the end of joy is grief’     I’ve known this feeling and I’m sure you have too !

In John 15:11 Jesus says ,

‘I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.’

For those who follow Christ we are promised joy as a ‘fruit of the Spirit that lives in the believer’

Galatians 5:22 ‘ ..the fruit of the spirit is love, joy , peace , patience, kindness….’

In John 14:6  he says ‘ I have come that you might have LIFE and life in all its fullness’ That doesn’t sound like a miserable , dour , cheerless life to me!