Spread the Fire - May 2008 - (Page 7)

FROM MYSTERY TO CLARITY: UNDERSTANDING THE LANGUAGE OF HEAVEN I THE DUCK MYSTERY have hundreds of ducks and geese that live in my back yard. Some of them are domestic ducks that I purchased to populate our small pond. Several years ago I wanted to move one of them to another pond about a mile away. I captured it and placed it in a closed box in my car and drove him to his new home. After release from the box, the white duck was surprised and puzzled at his new home, but seemed to adjust fine. I had some work to do and would periodically look across the field to check on my new tenant. After an hour of work, I glanced up to check on his progress. I couldn’t see him and became alarmed. Thinking a fox or large turtle might have consumed him, I investigated closer, but the duck had disappeared. I searched all over the property, lamenting over my lost duck and the $15 it cost me! I finished my work in the field and returned home. I shared the mystery with my wife, poured a large glass of ice tea and headed to my back deck to relax. The prodigal white duck was sitting by my lawn chair! It appeared to be angry at me. He had walked (he’s too fat to fly) across roads, over a stream and through fields for one mile and found his way back home! I’d heard stories like this before, but had never personally experienced it. It was and is a mystery. My children are all grown now, but I remember when as children they wanted to play “hide and seek.” They would put their little hands over their eyes and begin counting. Quickly, I made my way to a place that would be easy to discover. Typically, I hid behind the window curtains with my feet sticking out at the bottom. In mere moments the little kids would scream with glee and hug the daddy- shaped image in the curtain. Loving fathers hide but not very well. We want to be found! It’s a mystery, but not a difficult one. Anyone can play and everyone can win! God is a loving father and does the same thing. Consider this following scripture passage in Deuteronomy 30: 11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off…14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. “ God’s mysteries are meant to be solved, to reveal His strategies and tactics. He does not hide them far and invites us to participate using terms like “seek, ask, and knock.” TRUSTING THE FATHER My father used to play a similar game with me. He had a large, old -fashioned jug sitting inside our front door. When he came home from work each day, he would empty the change out of his pocket into the jug. When vacation time would come, we would empty it; count it and use it for something fun. S TF - 7

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Spread the Fire - May 2008

Spread the Fire - May 2008 Contents In the River From Mystery to Clarity: Understanding the Language of Heaven Don't Settle for a Substitute Marooned in Bolivia The Sign of Israel's Blooming International Itinerary Resource Center Catalogue Visitor Information Upcoming Events

Spread the Fire - May 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.