Thought fro Friday, April 13th

April 13, 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

Doubt is not much more than sin called by a polite word.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James  1:5-8

  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

James 4:7-8

Quote of the Day

“When all is said and done, the one sole condition that makes all spiritual happiness and preserves it is the absence of doubt.” – Mark Twain

Today’s Thoughts and Insights

Tom – Why Huck you should a been at church this mornin’ – that there preacher was a talk’n  ‘bout you.

Huck – What are you carryin’ on about Tom?

Tom – Well he was a saying something bout a double minded man.  Course reckon you ain’t a man just yet but guess you’ll be one someday.

Huck – So, I don’t see what one has to do with the t’other.

Tom – Well the best I can gather, least from the part I listened too: is that if’n we wants to be pleasin’ to God we gots to have some faith, witch means we can’t be havin’ no doubts: least ways not when it comes to God.  Cause if’n we does, then we ain’t makin’ God none to happy.  And since not makin’ God happy got me to thinkin’ bout you and all, I reckon I thought this sermon might a been a good one for you to be a hearin’.

Huck – What makes you think I ain’t got no faith Tom?

Tom – Well I weren’t a sayin’ you didn’t have no faith, just not much.

Huck – Well now ain’t that just a down right kindly Christian thing to be a sayin’?

Tom – Well Huck you do seem to always be not knowin’ which end is up and what ya aughta’ be a doin bout things with your pap and the widder and the like.

Huck – Well guess I might reckon you might have somewhat of a point there.

Tom – But don’t be a goin’ and gettin’ yourself all worked up over it Huck – I  reckon we all need to be a doubt’n less and a trust’n more if we aim to be a making God happy.

Huck – Well then, since ya included yourself in that there proclamation Tom Sawyer, I reckon it’s all right.

Today’s Prayer

Father, when my faith doesn’t measure up to your possibilities and I tend to have more doubts that certainties:  please help my unbelief and forgive me for the sin of doubting you.

“Our best built certainties are but sand- houses and subject to damage from any wind that blows [if your faith is not in God].”

– 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