Night Candle Meditations

A popular song from years ago voiced the wish to save time in a bottle, but Jim Croce also recognized that "there never seems to be enough time to do the things you want to do, once you find them." When it comes to time, each one of us is on equal footing with Elon Musk, "the world's richest man" . The difference being how a person makes use of their time. Scripture's admonishment to redeem the time does not suggest one can save it in a bottle or elsewhere. It is impossible to recover one moment of time wasted or lost on frivolous pursuits. Making the most of remaining time is closest thing to redeeming or saving time. This realization brings transformation of character to those who value the moments of each day. Many may recall passing time singing the repetitious ditty "Ninety-nine Bottles." What do you imagine happened to each bottle after it was passed around? It is not difficult to envision broken bottles along the base of a wall. Such b...

Is it possible to see a correlation between our current government leadership and the Pharaoh of the Exodus? During the sequence of plagues falling on Egypt, the Pharaoh stubbornly refused to acknowledge the truth presented before him. Though reluctant, his own advisors were truthful in saying that the plagues came from the finger of God (Exodus 8:19). Government officials today see true problems plaguing our country yet remain obstinate in their refusal to acknowledge responsibility or to resolve problems. It is possible to see the discomfort of many as truth is revealed. A loose paraphrase of Isaiah 30:10,11 may be relevant for current times: "The powers that be say to the media, 'Do not see,' and to the pundits, 'Do not tell the people the right things, tell them what they want to hear even if it is a lie. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path because there is no need to bother God.'" It is unfortunate that in their stubbornness people accept the...

It is a commonly accepted axiom that people change with the passage of years. A person today is not the same person he or she was decades ago, but passage of time in itself does not guarantee positive change. Each of us can speak of changes in others, yet such noted changes are too often peripheral to the deep inner character of a person. It is unfortunate that today's media, music, and entertainment generally perpetuate a negative influence on people. This influence then flows forth in one's association with others. Christians often use the term "born again" without considering full ramifications on their lives. Such an experience demands complete transformation of thoughts, actions, and associations with others. Commitment to change is elusive to those unwilling to give up inappropriate habits and thinking while also avoiding the triggering stimuli for such things. Positive transformation and rehabilitation result from the changes in one's thinking and actions...