CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
THE ORIGIN OF APRIL FOOL’S DAY
Cochran Cornell, the Cantankerous Cockroach,
contributed to this post
As I recall, way back in time, the unicorn (I’ll call him Sanno) refused to board Noah’s Ark. Sanno was having too much fun bouncing about in the waves of the coming flood. His black, gold, and red horn bobbed up and down through the waves as he splashed, and was splashed, becoming more energetic as the waves increased in size.
His joy was so great that he didn’t hear Noah’s last call. Noah reached a point of desperation, having to decide whether to sail on, leaving Sanno behind, or to try to rescue him. However, Sanno, swimming about, had swum so far from the ark that Noah realized, finally, that no matter what, he couldn’t save Sanno, so he sadly sailed on, saving the other animals for future generations.
Sanno didn’t realize he was missing the boat as he continued to dive in and out of the waves, nary a care in the world. What fun! That is, until he saw a giant wave moving towards him. Suddenly, he realized he might be endangered. He looked about for Noah’s Ark, but all he could see was a speck in the distance. Was that the Ark? It was impossible to tell.
It didn’t matter. Sanno couldn’t get to the Ark, nor could he avoid the huge wave, one unlike he had ever imagined. It rolled upon him, over him, lifting him higher than he’d ever experienced before. He looked up—he was riding the top of it, and could see for miles! And all he saw was (more…)
Lenten Study: 7 Deadly Sins—Greed #4: Secretly Generous
Tags: All, All posts, Bible, Christianity, Church, COMMENTARY, Contemplation, DEVOTIONS, God, Greed, Inspiration, Inspirational, Jesus, Latest post, Life, Lifestyle, Luke 21:1-4, Matthew 6:1-6, Meditation, Misc., Miscellaneous, Musings, postaday2011, Reflections, Secretly Generous, Spirituality, The poor widow, Theology, Thoughts
CAROLYN’S COMPOSITIONS
LENTEN STUDY: 7 DEADLY SINS
GREED #4: SECRETLY GENEROUS
MONTE W. HOLLAND
INTRODUCTION
The following study is a journey through Lent, the forty-day pre-Easter season (which excludes Sundays). Easter’s date, determined by the time of the first full moon after the Spring equinox, is very late this year.
Traditionally, many Christians use Lent for self-examination and a renewal of their commitment to their faith.
This year I chose to do a devotional study on aspects of the Seven Deadly Sins, sins identified by very early Christians as key behaviors separating man from God and God’s will. The seven sins are not listed together in the Bible—each is, however, spoken about in various Scripture sites.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS:
GREED, ENVY, ANGER, LUST, GLUTTONY, SLOTH and PRIDE.
THE ASPECTS OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ARE:
#1 Breaking the Mosaic Law
#2 Defying God or rebelling against God
#3 Acts of violence to others
#4 Failing to make proper sacrifices or worship
#5 Not living up to or reflecting God’s glory (not living as one created in God’s image)
GREED #4
SECRETLY GENEROUS
SCRIPTURE: 1 When you do good deeds, don’t try to show off. If you do, you won’t get a reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to the poor, don’t blow a loud horn. That’s what show-offs do in the synagogues and on the street corners, because they are always looking for praise. I can assure you that they already have their reward. 3 When you give to the poor, don’t let anyone know about it. 4 Then your gift will be given in secret. Your Father knows what is done in secret and will reward you. ( Luke 11.2-4) 5 When you pray, don’t be like those show-offs who love to stand up and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They do this just to look good. I can assure you that they already have their reward. 6 When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private and will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-6 (CEV))
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. 3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: 4 for all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. (Luke 21:1-4 (KJV))
DEVOTION: I don’t know how to handle the “bandwagon effect” that occurs whenever I donate to a charity—their wanting to list my name as a donor. I understand that they want to stimulate others to donate by showing how many others are involved and even how much they are giving.
The poor widow wasn’t on anybody’s donor list. Nobody would (more…)