Deeper Furrow

  Foul       The batter in stance works the plate.   Pitcher winds up with his favorite.   Unleashing potential met at the end of his arm inflicts the ball travelling at breakneck.   Trajectory to inside the zone, batter’s eye peels to discern an advantage.   Bearing weight to pivotal foot, hips thrust and shoulders follow.   Jumping the gun, the bat strikes in collision pulling left.   Set sailing, spectators stand to behold the anticipated hit wanting more.   “Foul!”   The line judge shouts and the wonderous crowd groans again.       Timing is everything.   In fact, God holds the marriage act in high regard.   One action is defended and justified in His courts.   He looks down in approval when it is enacted with respect.   Barring all His commands condemning its inordinance, we celebrate the correct application and its subsequent blessings: 1.    ...

  Atonement Versus Forgiveness Atonement – To cover Forgiveness – To erase      No sin or violation was eradicated prior to Christ’s sacrifice.   In other words, all men from Adam to John the Baptist died with their sins remembered.   Putting their faith in Christ’s future action, as modeled in the sacrificial system, meant God covered their sin.   In this state, God’s wrath was turned from them.   By contrast, all believers after Jesus’ death enjoy complete erasure of any wrong.   God, in addition, chooses to forget.   Something He could not do before His Son’s sacrifice.       Iowa weather takes its toll on roadways.   Summer’s heat and winter’s cold expand then contract material such as concrete.   Small fissures grow as water seeps in then freezes.   Pushing apart, cracks multiply.   The continual pounding of tires finds the concrete’s fatigue.   Eventually, potholes resu...

  What Has To Be First Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the  Lord   is  the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One  is  understanding. ”      If heliocentric is sun-centered thought, then there must be a term about God-centered belief.   Here the proverb tells what must be central.   As if the orbits build off one another, we see a model.     In the center, we meet the unchanging One keeping His position and illuminating all. 1.       The first orbit would be knowledge.   A simple understanding of facts.   What is truth?   This seems basic, yet it still needs His light. 2.       The second orbit would be understanding.   Once knowledge is amassed, how do they influence each other?   Cause and effect. 3.       The last orbit would be wisdom.   How are we to apply everyday?   ...

  Under Further Review Light – predisposed to agree with God. Darkness – predisposed to disagree with God.   Adam was made in the image of God.   His spirit was light. Adam’s fallen image changed.   His spirit became darkness. Seth was made in the image of Adam.   His spirit was darkness. We are born in the image of Adam.   Our spirit is darkness.   Mankind must become light to understand God.   Jesus offers us hope.   We can change.   John 3:3 “ Jesus answered and said to him,  “Most assuredly, I say to you,   unless one is born   [ a ] again , he cannot see the kingdom of God.”   Upon rebirth, we bury our Adamic nature.   We are born in the image of God.   Our spirits become light.   John 1:4 “ In Him was life, and  the life was the light of men.”  We now enjoy His life.   Upon further review, the ruling on the field stands.   Mankind still nee...

Twins Vaunt – to boast about or praise, especially excessively. Meek – quiet, gentle, not willing to express one’s opinion in a forceful way.      Not identical at birth but rather conceived to show contrast.  Fraternal in nature, these spirits bounce off each other like little tykes in daycare.  Diaper change time and we get to inspect them more closely. 1 Corinthians 13:4 “ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself , is not puffed up, ”      Charity is love put on wheels.  Like an action verb, it is a driving force behind its conditions.   Charity works backstage not blowing its own horn.  Although displaying great accomplishments, charity in modesty hesitates to sign its name to any masterpiece.  Rather, it directs attention to the Giver of the talent.  Satan is our example in the negative.  He vaunted himself over God when he sought to rise ...

  What Provoked Moses? Meek – quiet, gentle, not willing to argue or express your opinions in a forceful way Numbers 12:3 “ (Now the man Moses was very meek , above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)” Exodus 32      We all know the story.   God, Moses, mountain, people, golden calf, and a bunch of dancing.   Seems like Moses was up and out of sight for a little longer than expected.   God was laying on him the peculiarities of the tabernacle.   Moses without a pen kept it in his noggin.   Perhaps an angel would remind him later.       Previously, God lit down upon the chosen piece of rock.   His holiness set the mountain on fire as He spoke to the people directly.    Moses, keeping individuals away from Mount Sinai, ran danger tape and threatened to shoot anyone with arrows if they crossed.      B efore that, manna met them in the morning when hungr...