Sunday, October 31, 2010

A few of my journals


"If you enjoy something in this world without saying a blessing,
it is as if you stole it."
Talmud Berachot 35A

"Remember now thy Creator
in the days of thy youth."
Ecclesiastes 12:1


Thursday evening, Sam, my 16-year-old son shared his heart with his youth group. He spoke about the parable of the talents, the story of a master who, before going on a journey,  entrusted his possessions to his servants.  The crux of his meditation was Matt. 25:25, when upon the master's return, one servant replied, "I was afraid, and I went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours."


'I was afraid...'


My son, Sam, said to a roomful of teenagers, "Alot of people say, 'I can't _____, or, I'm not ______ (fill in the blanks) because of fear. Fear keeps us from doing and being."
My son ministered to me as he spoke. Sam reminded me that fear is the great forgetter, and that a lie repeated and believed begins to sound like truth. He reminded me why I journal, and, why I return to former journals. I need to remember from whence I've come.


The fearful servant in the parable hid his master's possession. Centuries before, another servant spoke of hiding something. He said, "I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11. Eugene Peterson words it this way- "I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt." 


I praise God for my Sam. He has the energy and passion of youth on his side. He is a blessing to me. And, he reminds me that through Christ I can do all things.

1 comment:

  1. Dear friend, Your son honors fatherhood, not just in the verbal expression of truth you love, also in evidence that the truth you love is growing in his heart. Stand back my friend and watch, rejoice, praise and pray.

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