July 14, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Hippolyte Taine (French Philosopher)

“I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” – Hippolyte Taine

“For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
    and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of the proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews ask for signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The Wisdom of the Wise

The French philosopher Hippolyte Taine states, perhaps tongue in cheek, that his cats are the wisest of his contemporaries. My cats come from a less advanced breed of cat, yet their wisdom is often unmatched in understanding my own needs.

Who is the wisest person you can think of in your life? Who has given you the best advice or proven to be right more often than wrong? Some of the wisest people I know spend less time speaking and more time listening. Perhaps that is why Hippolyte considers his cats to be so wise – they have no opportunity to prove otherwise by opening their mouths.

Paul states that G-d’s foolishness is wiser than the wisest of the human mind – that G-d made “foolish” the wisdom of the world. When we read scripture and compare the teachings of the bible to the world in which we live, we soon see how wise are the words of G-d. Story after story and situation after situation remind us that while people may come and go in our lives, the problems and struggles we encounter remain the same. Joseph of Egypt may have died 3500+ years ago but we know what it is like to either be the “favored” or “least favored” child in the family. Paul may have lived 2000 years ago, but we understand how a dramatic experience can take us down a road we may have never considered.

While this world’s wisdom will always prove to be limited, the limitlessness of G-d’s words and wisdom will continue to astound us again and again.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you not only have the words of eternal life, but you also have the words that continue to lead and guide us. I ask you to continue to give me the words and the advice I need for whatever comes to me today. Amen.

Pastor Dave

July 13, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Bill Dana (American Humorist)

“I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It’s not. Mine had me trained in two days.” – Bill Dana

“Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priestand asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The reply came, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight and neither ate nor drank.” Acts 9:1-9

Changing Our Mind

How long does it take for our minds to be changed? Some people require weeks, some months, and others will never change their mind no matter what information they receive. My cats fall into the last category – it is impossible to change their minds.

Saul (Paul) had his mind made up that his calling in life was to persecute early Christians, people who were followers of “The Way” (The Way of Christ). But then one day Jesus told him he had time to think about his ways – three days in fact. For three days he sat in Damascus, not able to see and not so sure what he had seen and experienced when Jesus appeared to him. But those three days were long enough for Jesus to change Saul’s mind about his life and calling.

Jesus was in the tomb three days before he changed the world through his resurrection. But he did not just sit in the tomb for three days – he went into the prisons of former times to preach to those who had died long before. (1 Peter 3:18-19) You see Jesus was always seeking to be in relationship with the others – especially those whom others believed were not worthy to be in relationship. Having our minds made up about something can be a strength and a weakness. But just when we think we have everything figured out, G-d can come along to convince you to change your mind. And believe me, our G-d can be a persistent G-d.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you never gave up on someone, and the truth of scripture is you will never give up. Give me the strength to always remain open to change. Amen.

Pastor Dave