Blogging... A Beginning

This blog's intent is to be an encouragement and strength to those whose desires are inclined toward good. It is being launched into the vast unknown - casting your "bread on the waters" so to speak. The wise man, Solomon, spoke these words thousands of years ago, yet they are still worthy of study today.

The entire passage is interesting... "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)

So much of life is fraught with unknowns. We do not understand how life begins, no matter how much we learn about the mechanics of it. Physicians, pharmacists and researchers often say, "we don't know how this medicine works or what long term effects it will have." All they know is that it seems to bring about a desired result, i.e. the relief of symptoms, or suppressing some response. But because mankind wants relief, they forge on; tests, trials, experiments and research - ever learning, striving, struggling.

If you were to fret over how you will be received or what the reactions will be - you might never start. The timid soul rarely ventures forth into risky waters, Some would say that is wisdom. Others accept the challenge and boldly head off into the unknown. If you've done your homework, you know that the world is not flat and you won't fall off the edge. The important thing is having a sure foundation from which to proceed and then proceed - cautiously, not in haste or in gullibility. Keep checking, maintain course, correct what has to be corrected so you can stay on course.

Contrary to popular opinion, there are absolutes. Here's one... You will reap what you sow. The law of sowing and reaping has never been rescinded. What you plant is what will grow. Planting onions will bear onions, not pole beans. And if you want a good harvest, you must sow abundantly. Note that when one plants a kernal of corn in the ground, he does not receive one kernal at harvest time - Oh no! That kernal springs forth into a stalk of corn on which two or three ears of corn will emerge. Each ear can contain as much as a thousand kernals. Simple math says your return may be 3,000 kernals from the one kernal you planted!

This added law of reaping more than you sow has great bearing on life. When you sow evil things, when you sow things which are self-centered and self-gratifying, what you will reap is far greater than the original planting. Hosea said, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind..." (Hosea 8:7) A disobedient child may live long enough to see even more disobedience in his own children.

You can no more avoid the absolutes than you can stop the sun from rising in the morning. God's Word is the absolute absolute. We will all be judged by it. Its teachings and tenets are measuring tools and we either measure up or we fall short. God's Word is clear on the consequences of falling short. Obedience and faithfulness are key factors in measuring up. Sowing seeds of obedience and faithfulness ensures an eternal harvest beyond your fondest dreams.

Some argue, contradict and deny but they cannot escape the inevitable. They may wax vigorous in their learned discourses, but in the end, their arguments won't matter. Their logic is as a soap bubble in the hands of a toddler.

So, with this first blog comes the first casting out of "bread." May it find good soil in which to grow.