A Sponge Knoweth No Discrimination - A fable

A Sponge Knoweth No Discrimination

The frog - he had a problem.
His pond was far too green.
Another's pond was bluer
(He heard the birds had seen).
But Froggie had an answer:
he'd suck up all the green,
and so he bought a bath sponge -
the biggest ever seen!
Well, sponges have no manners.
They suck up good and bad.
And very soon an empty pond was all that poor frog had.
A sponge does no deciding - only you can choose.
Expose your mind to evil, and you will surely lose.
By choosing what you see and hear; what you eat and do,
then you control the input and you won't get sucked in too!

--Lionel Hartley, 31 March 98

What Type of Music is Appropriate For Worship?

What Type of Music is Appropriate For Worship?

Maybe this is best answered by analysing one of the items of music in the Bible, written especially for Sabbath worship, Psalm 92.

1 A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing

praises unto thy name, O most High:

2 To show forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

3 Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.

4 For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

5 O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

6 A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

7 When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they

shall be destroyed for ever:

8 But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.

9 For, lo, thine enemies, O LORD, for, lo, thine enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall

be scattered.

10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

11 Mine eye also shall see my desire on mine enemies, and mine ears shall hear my desire of the wicked

that rise up against me.

12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

13 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;

15 To show that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Verses 1 tell us the Object of our worship: The Lord, the most high God.

Verses 1 & 3 tell us how to worship: with thanksgiving and with music, what to sing (praises), to include musical instruments if available*, and for the music to be solemn (Hebrew Higgaion, meditation, solemn sound, not boisterous)

Verses 2 & 4 tell us why worship: To acknowledge God’s loving kindness, faithfulness and the works He has done. (Verse 5 describes these works)

Verse 6 warns against foolishness (Hebrew keciyl – foolish, stupid, silly, not taken seriously) & brutish (Hebrew Ba’ar – fiery, greedy, wasteful) behaviour.

Verses 7 & 8 contrast the transitory life of wicked man with the eternity of God

Verse 9 highlight the fate of the wicked to contrast verses 10-14, which highlight the blessings of acknowledging God.

The Psalm concludes with another reason for worship, i.e.: To show that the LORD is upright: he is (our) rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him

So how do we summarise:

Music in worship should be joyful yet solemn, remembering that we are in the presence of the Most High God.

Music in worship should spring from gratitude within our hearts (thankfulness) and an acknowledgement of who God is and what He has done.

Music in worship should be taken seriously

Music in worship should not be conducted foolishly, flippantly and without regard to the Object of our worship.

Music in worship is for the benefit of:

1. God – He is the Object of our worship and deserves our thankfulness and praise (Verse 1, 2, 5, & 8)

2. The worshipper: (Verses 10-14) and

3. Observers and other worshippers: the music should lead others to see the righteousness and surety of God (Verse 15)

* I have written to include musical instruments if available because this Psalm is a worship item not a command

From Lionel Hartley, Music in the Bible, Available free from www.lrhartley.com/music

No other gods before me...

Question: When God says not to have other gods BEFORE him (Exodus 20:3), is he saying we have to "clean up our act" before coming to Him, and is He suggesting that it is okay to have others AFTER accepting him?

In answer to the first part, the preceding verse (Vs 2 - I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.) says that He has already accepted us BEFORE he makes the demand regarding other gods.

In answer to the second part, "before" is not just before having God, but also includes having no gods "as-well-as" having God as our god.

'Before' is made up of two Hebrew words 'al (Strong's Concordance #5921) and paniym (Strong's Concordance #6440) and these encompass both before, during, and after!

Strong's Concordance # 5921. 'al, al; prop. the same as H5920 used as a prep. (in the sing. or plur., often with pref., or as conj. with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to (-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through (-out), to, touching, X with.

Strong's Concordance # 6440. paniym, paw-neem'; plur. (but always as sing.) of an unused noun [ paneh, paw-neh'; from H6437]; the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (lit. and fig.); also (with prep. pref.) as a prep. (before, etc.):-- + accept, a (be-) fore (-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront (-part), form (-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him (-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look [-eth] (-s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, prospect, was purposed, by reason, of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them (-selves), through (+ -out), till, time (-s) past, (un-) to (-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with (-in, + stand), X ye, X you.

Exodus 20:3
(NRSV) You shall have no other gods before me.
(NIV) "You shall have no other gods before me.
(KJV) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

So God accepts us "as we are" and doesn't leave us there, but helps us grow by wanting us to remain true ONLY to Him.
--Lionel Hartley

Conditions to Answered Prayer

Conditions to Answered Prayer:

Faith and sincerity - James 1:5-7 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Confess and forsake sin - Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Persevere with God - Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (2) Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: (3) And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. (4) And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; (5) Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (6) And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. (7) And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (8) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Willingness to forgive others - Matthew 6:14,15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15)  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Pray for others - Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you

Pray without selfishness or envy - James 4:3, 5 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (5)  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Pray according to God's will - Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (42)  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (44)  And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Pray in Jesus' name - John 14:13,14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14)  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

-- Lionel Hartley © July 1967

What Money Can't Buy

What Money Can't Buy

With money you can buy a bed but you cannot buy sleep
With money you can buy a book, but you cannot buy wisdom
With money you can buy a calendar but you cannot buy eternity
With money you can buy a clock but you cannot buy time
With money you can buy a computer, but you cannot buy intelligent reasoning
With money you can buy a dowry to secure a bride but you cannot buy marital happiness
With money you can buy soap but you cannot buy a clean heart and mind
With money you can buy inspiration but you cannot buy a change in attitude
With money you can buy motivation but you cannot buy instant success
With money you can buy a house but you cannot buy a home
With money you can buy a position but you cannot buy respect
With money you can buy a romantic gift but you cannot buy romantic reciprocation
With money you can buy blood but you cannot buy life
With money you can buy medicine but you cannot buy a cure for all ills
With money you can buy crutches and splints but you cannot buy a new body
With money you can buy peaceful music, but you cannot buy peace
With money you can buy security services of a companion, but you cannot buy true security
With money you can buy sex but you cannot buy love
With money you can buy the services of a companion, but you cannot buy true friendship
With money you can buy the services of a creative person, but you cannot buy creativity
With money you can buy the services of a doctor, but you cannot buy good health
With money you can buy the services of a magician, but you cannot buy magic
With money you can buy the services of a nanny or surrogate mother, but you cannot buy a mother's love
With money you can buy the services of a priest, but you cannot buy salvation
With money you can pay for a wedding, but you cannot buy a marriage
-- Expanded from a Chinese Proverb by Lionel Hartley

The Cave and the Sun - A Fable

The Cave and the Sun - A Fable

Once there  was a dingy Cave,
Hidden beneath the soil.
Her life was one of misery, hardship and of toil.
But one day through a little crack
A voice was heard to say,
"Come into the Sunshine, out into the light,
Out of utter darkness, out of bitter night,
Come into the open air and into glorious day!"

But Cave was quite a skeptic. She'd never seen the light.
"What is the Sunshine of which you speak? It sounds too good for me.
But nevertheless I'll venture out, for this I've got to see!"
And see, she did, with awe-filled eyes that blinked in wonderment
At all the brilliant colours bright, a new world to behold,
She had to tell the Sunlight about her past life - dark and cold.

Yet Mr Sun had never known what darkness was,
Or damp or dull, or cold
And so he too was a skeptic  and would not find his peace
Until he ventured underground to find the dark beneath.

But unlike cave, who found the light when she ventured into day,
The sun shone bright through caverns deep, and to his sheer dismay
The damp walls sparkled in His light, the shadows ran away
And in the once-dark chasms there shone the light of day.

"Where is the gloomy darkness? All I can see is light!
For where the Sun shines brightly there is no cold or night.
The lesson's plain, we need to be a light for all around
For where there is the Light of the World
No darkness can be found.
     -Lionel Hartley 27/11/99

Weeds and Wheat

Weeds and Wheat (Matthew 13:25-29; 36-40)

Matthew 13:25-29 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26) But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27) So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28) He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29) But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30) Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Matthew 13:36-40 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37) He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38) The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39) The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40) As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. (KJV) 

Whenever I have, in the past, read this passage, my mind automatically went into “them and us” mode, with “them” as the tares, naturally.

The word used in the Greek for “tares” is “zizanio”, and more than likely refers to darnel (Lolium temulentum), a weed that resembles wheat, that may be found growing in wheat fields and is regarded as poisonous. Darnel is sometimes called false grain.

When we look at this passage in context, between Matthew 13:29 and Matthew 13:36, Jesus tells two other parables, one about tiny mustard seeds that grow to enormity, and a second about yeast that permeates the entire loaf. Noticably, verse 41 says, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity”

There are two subjects mentioned in this verse: ‘Things that offend (Gk. “skandalon” – “stumbling-block”)’ and ‘Them which do iniquity (Gk. “anomia” – law-breakers)’.

Based on the content of the accompanying parables and the two subjects of verse 41, I would like to suggest that the wheat and tares are not just referring to people that the Enemy has planted in our midst (them which do iniquity), but to behaviours that we display when we fail to reflect a Christ-like character (all things that offend) especially when this behaviour becomes a stumbling block to ourselves or others.

This means that at some time or other we are all tares for the Devil (See Romans 3:23, 24). I observe that James 3:2 says, “For in many things we offend all.” (offend = Gk “patio” – “stumble” – the NIV says, “We all stumble in many ways.”)

Darnel or false grain produces no usable fruit. So if I desire to reveal the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) I ought not to wait until the sickle is used before using the hoe (see Heb 3:12-15).

In times past when we lost a loved-one through death, we men would wear a black arm-band as a sign of mourning and the women would wear black dresses. The arm-bands or black dresses are historically referred to as "weeds" (from the Germanic word for "garment"). Now-a-days we don't always publicly display our grieving, but endeavour to contain it within ourselves. Likewise we are inclined to be very quick to see weeds around us but fail to see the festering within. I need to remind myself that criticising the weeds in my neighbour's garden does not remove the weeds from my own.

So, what can I do about this?

Firstly, I believe I need to abandon my ‘them and us’ mentality (See Matthew 7:1-5).

Second, I believe I need to invite God’s Spirit to enable me to examine myself in order to weed-out undesirable traits in me (See Psalm 139:23, 24).

Thirdly, I believe I need to reflect on and confess my past judgement of particular individuals as being weeds while I considered myself as wheat (See 1 John 1:9).

And fourthly, I believe I need to follow the admonition of Romans 12:3-21, specifically verse18, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”.

May God help me in this endeavour.

-- Lionel Hartley