[I don't know the name of the gentleman who writes "Today's Thoughts," but I've been told that he was once an organist, repaired organs, etc. In one post he included a picture of the electric scooter-type chair he had fixed so that he could go around the nursing home and sing to the people. He has had a stroke, has only one operating hand (so he writes all his messages with one hand). He built a rack to carry his keyboard on his electric chair so that he could fold it down when not in use. He made accompaniment on disks for back up, then he would play the melody with one hand and sing. He has a great sense of humor. Thanks to Millie for sharing this with me.]
Today's Thoughts 4-17-09
Unfortunately, a clear conscience is sometimes a sign of a poor memory.
Yes, I still have a camera that uses roll film. I took a roll in to Wal-Mart to get it developed. They advised me that they got rid of all the roll film developing equipment when they remodeled and replaced it with high tech printing equipment only. They now send roll film to a lab for processing.
Roll film will eventually be phased out except for the so-called "throw away" cameras. For the Christian, that is a shame for this reason. Film is a mirror of our lives. Film is originally dark and negative, but when bright light is applied through it, it produces a beautiful positive image on paper.
We were originally negative (sinful), but when the light of Christ was applied, we were changed into a positive life -- just like dark film is miraculously transformed into positive and beautiful pictures, we have been transformed from darkness into light.
"For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Cor. 4:6) This is the light that changed you from negative to positive. That's the privilege. Now, here is the obligation. Eph. 5:8* "For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it!" That's it -- our behavior should show it -- we should be a beautiful picture of Christ. May your life be a Kodak moment.
8-10You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.
Ephesians 5:8 (New Living Translation)
8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!]
When studying, I like to read several translations of the Bible. The New Living Translation is my favorite because it's written in language that we understand. I love the King James Version because it's poetic and beautiful, especially the Psalms. I grew up reading the KJV and learned to translate it into everyday English, but I sometimes translated it wrong... I have learned. What I thought a verse or word meant is not what it meant in the original Hebrew or Greek languages it was written in. The key is, before reading, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what He wants you to learn from His Word. He will and you will be so blessed as you read and obey.
We are so blessed.
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