The Sound Of Silence

“Since the days of Aristotle, scientists and philosophers have debated whether silence is ever 'heard'. A new series of experiments by researchers from Johns Hopkins University in the US may just have settled the issue. The research made clever use of a well-known trick called the one-is-more illusion, which fools the brains of listeners into thinking two discrete sounds are shorter than one single sound, even though in reality the total time is the same. Replacing sounds with silence, the team found that the illusion still worked. You can try it out for yourself. A single continuous silence is perceived as being longer than two separate silences, despite them actually being the same duration overall. "Silence, whatever it is, is not a sound – it's the absence of sound," says Rui Zhe Goh, a graduate student in philosophy and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. "Surprisingly, what our work suggests is that nothing is also something you can hear." The researchers posit that because we're reacting to silence in the same way as sound in these tricks, we're truly hearing that silence – not just inferring that it's there. It seems as though Simon & Garfunkel were on to something.”*

I may not be smart enough to weigh in on the discussion of the sound of silence but I can use the Scriptures to affirm the value of silence in some situations. The author of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is “...a time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7).  Later, we are warned to “...not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). We learn from Proverbs that “when there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19; cf. James 1.19).

Silence may not be silent but it can be golden.

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.sciencealert.com/experiment-shows-humans-really-can-hear-silence-after-all?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email 

A Declaration Of Independence

Russell Moore writes: “A few years ago, I stood at the grave of Thomas Jefferson, and I was prompted to give thanks for his life and legacy. After all, if it weren’t for Jefferson and his majestic Declaration of Independence, there might not even be a United States of America, and certainly not a country quite like it is now.

“But standing at Jefferson’s grave prompted me to realize that Jefferson is, well, in a grave. Jefferson’s anti-supernaturalism is seen in visual form in his famous Bible, with the miraculous parts cut out, most significantly the bodily resurrection of Jesus. I love Jefferson for standing up against King George, but not for standing up against King Jesus…

“Thomas Jefferson is still dead. I thank God for him, but standing at his grave reminds me how limited even his legacy can be in the grand scheme of trillions of years of cosmic time. It also reminds me of the contrast with (the One) whose monument isn’t a house or…even a simple grave-marker. It’s instead a borrowed tomb that isn’t filled anymore.

“That empty tomb is, itself, a declaration of independence. By raising Jesus from the dead, God declared him (and all who are in him) to be free from death, free from the curse, free from Satan’s accusation. I suppose you could say that Jesus was endowed by his Father with certain unalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness … except that these blessings don’t end in a graveyard.”*

Every Sunday we remember the most important Independence Day of all.  The day of resurrection for Christ was the culmination of the crucifixion events that secured our freedom from the bondage of sin and death (Romans 8:2).  “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.  So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34-36)

God loves you!

Mike

*https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2021/march/independence-day-and-empty-tomb.html 

A Cup Of Water

“During World War II, John Fawkes piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi anti-aircraft guns. Even though his fuel tanks were hit the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane safely. On the morning following the raid Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell, to keep it as a souvenir of his good fortune. The chief explained that not just one, but eleven shells had been found in the fuel tank, none of which exploded. Technicians opened the shells and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless, and with one exception empty. The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it a message had been scrawled in the Czech language: ‘This is all we can do for now’.  A courageous assembly line worker was disarming bombs and had scribbled that note. He couldn’t end the war, but he could save one plane. He couldn’t do everything but he could do something and he did it.”*

Remember -- it’s not all up to us.  The weight of the world may seem to be on our shoulders but we need to remember that Jesus shoulders that load in your place.  The Savior promised rest to weary and heavy-laden travelers, not a heavier load.  In His own words, He said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

The job of saving the world was given to the Son of God, not you and me.  Yes, God uses us in His efforts to reach out to a lost and suffering world, but we are not responsible for the outcome.  Our calling is to be faithful in whatever task He sets before us.  Like the assembly worker in a German munitions plant, we can’t do it all --  no matter how hard we try.  But we can do that one seemingly insignificant thing that God can multiply in incredible ways.  A cup of water for a thirsty soul can make a big difference (Mark 9:41).

God loves you!

Mike

*Cure For The Common Life, Max Lucado 

"I Know The Way..."

“A man and woman were married for many years. Whenever there was a confrontation, yelling could be heard deep into the night. The old man would shout, "When I die, I will dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!" Neighbors feared him. The old man liked the fact that he was feared. Then one evening, he died when he was 98. After the burial, her neighbors, concerned for her safety, asked, "Aren't you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life?" The wife said, " Let him dig. I had him buried upside down...and I know he won't ask for directions" (Borrowed).

For whatever reason, asking for directions can be difficult for some.  Maybe it’s pride.  Perhaps it is an overactive sense of self-reliance.  In some cases, the consequences of such an attitude are relatively harmless.  It may just take a little longer to get home or our pride takes a hit.  Overall, it’s no big deal really.  But in some cases, a reluctance to seek and listen to directions has very serious consequences.

Our spiritual life is one of those situations.  The Bible is clear.  “LORD, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).  Left to our own devices and decisions, we are hopelessly lost.  Left to our own devices and decisions, we will inevitably take the broad road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13).  After all, that’s the way that most people are headed so it has to be correct way, right?  Wrong!  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).  When it comes to your soul, don’t think you can make your own way.  Trust the One Who is the way.  He has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).

God loves you!

Mike

The World Doesn't Revolve Around Me

The article is titled: “The Ford Bronco is being recalled because people may get ‘discouraged’ trying to use the seatbelts.”  Here is part of what it said: “Ever have a car with a difficult-to-reach seatbelt? This recall is for you. Ford is having to recall 176,000 of its Ford Bronco SUVs, model years 2021 to 2023, because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that drivers and front seat passengers can have difficulty reaching the metal portion of the belt when it is in the retracted position. “The customer may experience some dissatisfaction or be discouraged if they are unable to easily access the seatbelt… in its stowed position. Driving without the use of a seatbelt increases the risk of injury in a crash,” said the notice from the federal safety regulator. The recall involves only the five-door version of the Bronco.”*

I saw this article in passing and it struck a chord with me.  May I have a moment to go on a rant? What a nation of crybabies we have become!  Oh the horror of it all!  My seatbelt is hard to reach in a particular seat position.  I am so discouraged! I am so dissatisfied! No one should have to put up with that, right?  Really?  Are we so easily discouraged that this kind of thing ruins our day and demands regulatory action?  Ok, rant over.  Phew!  I feel better now.

Sadly, the trend of being too easily discouraged shows up in religious circles as well.  Someone says something I don’t like, so I just stay home.  The service doesn’t go just like I prefer, so I don’t attend.  My needs aren’t being met so what’s the use?  What I need to be reminded of is that it is not all about me.  I’m reminded in the Scriptures not to think too highly of myself (Romans 12:3), not to just please myself (Romans 15:1), and not to merely look out for my own personal interests (Philippians 2:4).  How about that?  Apparently the world doesn’t revolve around me.

God loves you!

Mike

*cnn.com; 5-31-23