We have more artists, per capita, in Yancey and Mitchell Counties than anywhere else in America. We are the home to the world-renowned Penland School of Crafts. Many of our artists are nationally and internationally acclaimed and many have had their work in the Smithsonian. Art media - including glass blowing, pottery, basket weaving, textiles, handmade jewelry (Matt Willig above) trashformation art (Rolf Holmquist) and more can be enjoyed at our bi-annual TRAC Open Studio Tours.
Gleanings from Today's Readings
1) World Perspective vs. Christian perspective (Gen 5:1 - 6:30) Greed and power (money) are the gods of the ages. Unless I constantly put first things first, I will be engulfed in this. There is no such thing as "enough" from the world's standard - always "more" is needed. Many other sins follow this idolatry - including oppression and abuse of others to maintain one's control. I must constantly put God and my relationship with Him first in my life. I must move away from the world system's domination of my life. I have done this the past 4 1/2 years by having no TV connection, carefully choosing books, movies, and other information sources that have an insidious way of desensitizing us to immorality and promoting consumerism. My daily prayer is that God will change my thinking and desires to His. Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. We are called to be holy, separate. Am I obeying this in all ways?
2) True Joy and Wisdom Come From the LORD (Psalm 16:7-11) He gives me counsel, instructs me...I always set Him before me...because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved, be glad, rejoice, rest in hope, be shown the path of life, have fullness of joy and pleasure forevermore. The Bible makes a distinction between "happy" as the world views it, and Biblical "joy." The latter to me is more of a resting in Him - knowing that the trials and sufferings of this present age for the believer have a very different eternal perspective and purpose. THIS is the most difficult "renewing of the mind." Just as the trials and oppression of the Israelites increased with God's intervention, they would lead - ultimately - to His greatest blessings. Their part was obedience and trusting Him.
3) Called Apart - (Proverbs 5:7-14) and the Genesis reading - Things would not change for the Israelites until they separated themselves from the Egyptians, and this would not be an easy thing because they were the means of the great wealth of the Egyptians - their labor force. This is also the warning of Proverbs. A father warns his children to hear, not depart from, remove your way far from, do not go near (immorality)...OR you will give your honor to others, your years to the cruel one, aliens will be filled with your wealth, your labors will go the house of a foreigner, you will mourn, and your flesh and your body will be consumed...WHY? You hated,...despised, did not not obey, did not incline your year to instruction and were on the verge of total ruin. Am I heeding these warnings in my own life, willing to forego monetary advantage, relationships (familial or other) that pull me away from God's instructions?
4) Forgiveness and Separation (Matthew 18:21-35) Here Jesus says to forgive the brother who has sinned against us 70 times 7 - with the implication to not limit our forgiveness. So how does this go with Jesus's command in yesterday's reading on the steps to restore relationships (Matt. 18: 15-17) - go the offending brother alone, then take witnesses, then go the church, then count him as a heathen, if he refuses to hear? The difference I see is in the repentant, hearing heart of the offender. The servant in the parable fell before the master asking for patience, promising to repay all (v 26). This contrite spirit moved the master to compassion, to release and forgiveness of the debt. (v. 27). Then we are given the contrasting scene of the repentant sinner and the oppressive, unforgiving fellow servant. Our warning is to forgive others - from the heart - if we expect God to forgive us. To forgive with compassion and yet to be holy/separate from the world...it is a difficult - impossible - journey without the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
5) The Holy Spirit - When you surrender to the control of God's Spirit, you'll find Him producing amazing things in you--things that are entirely of His doing. Paul calls those marvelous blessings the fruit of the Spirit, and they are: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23). The person who is Spirit-filled and who bears the Spirit's fruit is the person who belongs to Christ and who has "crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit," Paul continued, "let us also walk by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:24-25). To be filled by and walk in the Spirit is to fulfill your ultimate potential of your life on earth as one of God's children. John MacArthur - Grace to You.org
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