Parable of the Sower – Mark 4:13
I read one of the most interesting takes on this parable in my devotions today. This is in regard to the seed that falls on the hard ground. Here goes…
“There are some people into whose hearts Christian truth can find no entry. This is due to the hearer’s lack of interest; and that lack of interest comes from a failure to realize how important the Christian decision is. Christianity fails to make an impact on so many people, not because they are hostile to it, but because they are indifferent. They think that it is irrelevant to life and that they can get on well enough without it. That might be true if life was always an easy way where there were neither tensions nor tears; but in fact there comes to every man a time when he needs a power not his own. It is the tragedy of life that so many discover that too late”
It is interesting to me that the decision for salvation, an issue of eternity, is so wrapped up in our life here on earth. As this quote reveals, far too many people ignore the voice of God because of the ease of life. And yet, when trials and tears invade our lives we are suddenly open to the issues of eternity.
It is amazing that Jesus’ parable 2000 years ago still pegs mankind today.
“Home” Sweet “Home”
We have made it home to Germany safely! Thanks for your prayers.
Since I am experiencing jetlag, I probably shouldn’t being thinking too deeply or posting anything for the whole world to see but I am feeling contemplative in my sleep deprived stupor; so here goes! 
I am finding it interesting how much easier it is for us (nowadays) to switch back and forth between the US and Germany/Europe. We truly live in two different worlds. Our time in the US is easier in some ways because (for Catherine and me anyway) it is our true “home” culture that we identify with down to our subconscious core. And yet, in other ways Germany is now “home;” with all of our friends here and the “stuff” in our own house that makes us feel at home.
There was a day when an extended home assignment like this summer (nearly 2 1/2 months in the States) would cause me to be homesick and not want to return to the field. But nowadays (as I said to our children as we were preparing to leave Grandma and Grandpa’s house to head to the airport) leaving the States causes us to be excited and disappointed; happy and sad; hopeful and wary; homesick and sick for home… All very conflicting emotions.
And yet, when all is said and done (I’m almost done), we wouldn’t trade this life that God has called us to for anything else. He doesn’t take away all of the stress, disappointment and sadness, but He is with us! Praise the Lord!
Learning from my children…
I love learning things from my kids. One time, when one of my daughters was very small, she heard about someone who stole something and very profoundly stated… “That’s because they don’t have Jesus in their hands.” Hmmm. That’s right, we should have Jesus in our hands, our feet, our eyes… every part of us should be transformed by Him.
Now that they are teenagers I’m still learning. Yesterday, Kailyn said, “Have you ever noticed that people always say “Well, God’s will be done” with a tone of resignation in their voice? Its as if God’s will is always some bad thing. Why don’t we ever say “Wahoo! God’s will is going to be done!”?
Yep. I’m hoping for “Yahoo! God’s will be done!”