Thought for Wednesday, April 18th

April 18, 2012

A Series of Spiritual Ponderings

With Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn

This here series may seem a bit peculiar to some of ya’ll folks: but then life itself can be a tad bit peculiar some of the time.  Over the next few days the writer of these here thoughts has decided to take a gander at some spiritual insights from the perspective of Tom and Huck, a couple of characters from Mr. Mark Twains novels.

Next

Cleanliness and Godliness – Some Folks Thinks

These Is One and the Same

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

     These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:14-16

  But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

1 Timothy 4:7-9

Quote of the Day

Of man it can most often be said that he: ‘being made merely in the image of God, but not otherwise resembling him enough to be mistaken by anybody but a very near-sighted person,’ as being in any other way godly. – Mark Twain

Today’s Thoughts and Insights:

Boys, especially young boys seem to have an innate natural aversion to taking baths.  Tom and Huck being no exception to this rule of thumb often find themselves in the unsavory circumstance of having to get themselves cleaned up.

Huck – I tell you, for an honest truth Tom, if I have to take one more bath, I’m gonna stop feelin’ like a natural boy.

Tom – (trying not to laugh)  Why Huck I guess your just gettin’ a taste of the sufferings us civilized fella’s have to face on a near weekly basis.

Huck – Weekly nothin’ them ladies done got me to strippin’ down and washing from head to toe every single night of the week.  It’s just plain unnatural.

Tom – I reckon they must think you need extra cleanin’ to make up for all those times you missed baths when the rest of us was gettin’ scrubbed to within an inch of our lives.

Huck – I reckon you may just be right bout that for sure.

Tom – I wonder what God thinks ‘bout all this bath takin’ business.  Ya know some folks thinks cleanliness is right up there next to godliness.

Huck – Well to my way of thinkin’ cleanin’ a fellers soul ain’t near as bad a business as makin’ a boy clean his whole body everyday.

Tom – Well for a truth I guess you might be right, but reckon there might be some similarities in there someplace.   I guess the best I can understand it – being Godly is sorta like takin a bath.  We is suppose to get rid of all the mean and ornery ways we act and that’s sorta like washin’ the sinful stuff away to make us more clean and godly – which is kinda like washin’ away the dirt so we will look better and I guess smell better too.

Huck -  Your probably right Tom – since you most usually is – but I do declare I’d rather be cleaned up by God to behave better than have to take another bath in that old wash tub.

Tom – Me too Huck, me too.  

Today’s Prayer

Father, I know the degree of godliness that is present in my life is a direct reflection of how much I have given myself over to you and allowed you to have dominion and authority over the different areas of my life; so help me to yield to your cleansing and cleaning up my life so that I can be a better reflection of you in this world.

“God puts something good and loveable in every man His hands create.”

– Mark Twain

“I’m forgiven, because you were forsaken;

I’m accepted, you were condemned:

I’m alive and well, your spirit is within me,

Because you died and rose again.

Amazing love, How can it be

That you my King would die for me?

Amazing love, I know it’s true:

And it’s my joy to honor you,

In all I do, let me honor you. “

-  Lyrics from ‘Amazing Love’ by Billy James Foote