THE ROLLING STONE
Suggested Reading: Proverbs 26
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Abu Badd is a rolling stone used as a fortified door of a Byzantine monastery from an old village in Jordan. It is now on display on Mount Nebo in Jordan, the mountain top from which Moses viewed the Promised land. My son David Reynold Mainse must have set his camera on the tripod, put it on a timer, and walked over into the shot. Thanks Reyn for great photos.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Proverbs 26:20
Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
In the margins of the New King James Version, The Open Bible Expanded Edition, there are comments on our key verse and the two verses following it. It indicates that “talebearer” could have been translated “gossip.” Proverbs 22:22 reads, “The words of a talebearer [gossip] are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body.” Again the NKJV notes that gossip goes, and here is the literal translation, into “rooms of the belly.”
Proverbs 26:27b presents a dramatic word picture, “He who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.” This is in the context of talebearing or gossip. It talks of “fervent lips with a wicked heart” (26:23a). Just imagine pushing the stone pictured above and having it roll back to crush the person trying to hold the weight of false words.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that You will enable me to watch my words carefully lest they, like a stone, roll back on me. You’ve given me words here in Proverbs which produce life and not death. May my entire vocabulary be influenced by the “Wisdom” I am reading daily. I pray this in the Name of “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’m still here in Nashville, the home of country music, but today’s blog has me thinking of the rock group, The Rolling Stones. Through the years those Stones have rolled over millions of people, the lyrics of their songs leaving a lasting impression on young people particularly. Consider these lyrics: “I can’t get no satisfaction…’cause I try and I try and I try and I try. I Can’t get no…I can’t get no…satisfaction.” My answer? TRY JESUS. He’s the only One who truly satisfies!
Speaking of “rolling stones,” Bruce Stacey has created a great animated children’s production “Rez, the Rock that Rolled” (click here for a preview). I plan to put this powerful animated message on my laptop and show it to children, God willing, whenever I get a chance. Here is a link to where you can find it on DVD at the Crossroads eStore.
Yours for the Rock that doesn’t roll, “The Rock of Ages,” a solid foundation for our lives,
David
P.S. Here’s a link to a portion of Handel’s musical masterpiece “Messiah” performed in Jerusalem and conducted by a good friend, Canadian Maestro Boris Brott. Our Crossroads team recorded this entire performance a number of years ago. The selection I’ve chosen is from Isaiah 9:6, just one of Isaiah’s many prophesies which can only be fulfilled in the birth and life of Jesus. Boris continues to conduct “Messiah” each December in Burlington, Ontario. This year performances are on December 9th and 10th. I urge every blog reader to attend if you’re in the area. Here are the details and ticket information.
Here is a photo from yesterday in Nashville, where we spent time with a very special couple that I've been referring to in my blog over the last week. Next to Norma-Jean and me are Peggy Moore, Dr. Jerry Johnston, Executive Director of Crossroads USA, Sam Moore, a man who is the #1 publisher of Bibles and Christian literature in the world, and Dr. John Hull (our Crossroads Global CEO).
Laziness, fools and gossips seem to be the main theme of Proverbs 26. This is a wise warning for Christians not to fall into a trap which may harm your good character and lessen your testimony for the Lord. I for one need to keep my sight ever focused upon Jesus to help keep me on the straight and narrow path, lest I too fall into one of these three character flaws. We would do well to be ever vigilant in our faith, guarding that which may invade what Christ has renewed and restored from our former carnal path.
God bless everyone! Have a great day. By the way David, that’s a great picture of all of you in Nashville!
Awesome picture of you Reynold with the large rolling stone! We appreciate all of your pictures.
Honestly, I am always falling in Nd out of laziness and gossip but by the grace of God I know that sooner or later He will rescue me from all earthly bondage . God bless us all. Nice picture Rev. David
The lovely photo of beautiful Godly senior statesmen and women brought a tear to my eye…just think how Jesus feels about that small group who are no doubt continuing to look for ways to move His kingdom forward. When He hands out their heavenly rewards, I will be proud to have “known” these people on earth, through Crossroads.
It is so easy to slip and listen to the gossip all around us alot of the time
I ask God to keep me away to help me stay away from those who do
,and to not listen to it but to focas on him. Its not easy I admit I try thoungh
Sometimes i have to physically back away.
The storm is over in Charlottetown I am glad that where I live I don’t have
to shovel it walking can be difficult.
God bless you
Lianne Hogg
David you look like your old self I say that with a glad heart , you and Norma- Jean look wonderful. Thank you Jesus for healing David.
What an interesting analigy ….using the Rolling Stones band and their song
I can’t get no satisfaction. Jerry looked at me and said “there’s nothing that man doesn’t know. Meaning you David are such a learned and wise man.
I know God says we are not to reveran people, but You have earned our respect.
This is off topic but yesterday I picked up two copies of Life magazine. The head line on the cover says JESUS in capital letters atop a stunningly beautiful poitrate
of Christ our lord and saviour at the bottom it says…..
“Who Do You Say That I Am”
The entire magazine is dedicated to Jesus’s birth, life and resorection. If you haven’t seen it yet it is worth finding. It was at the check out at Lawblows here in Kingston. My heart sored my spirit was imiediatly lifted when my eyes caught
sight of JESUS on that magazine stand. I certainly did not expect to see JESUS’s poitrate there amongst the a ray of scular stuff. It was refreshing, some one should publish a good Christian magazine with some of the latest items and stories from a Christian perspective. Now that would be a magazine I would
buy.
Blessings to you all “Merry CHRISTmas! 🙂
M.
What a fabulous picture praise God for making you well ,
A soft answer turns away wrath
So we are to put a guard on our mouth , watching what we say words hurt the heart
And scar the mind being put down as a child and abused you hear those words even now at 61 I can still hear them but God has told,me who I am in Him
Its like bullying today WORDS HURT
WORDS BREAK A SPIRIT
WORDS CAN ALSO ENCOURAGE
HEAL GIVE CONFIDENCE
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS WORD THAT GIVE US LIVE
AMEN
LOVE TO EVERYONE WHO READS THIS BLOG .
Great photo!! What a collection of minds and God given Spirit! Thanks for sharing! It is very sad to witness so many in our world who, “can’t get no satisfaction” when the spiritual remedy is found in inviting Christ into their hearts and lives. We continue to pray! Have a great day, to all!
As we have been reading and meditating on ‘words’ and our heart attitude, this came to my mind: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight. O Lord my strength and my Redeemer”. Psalm 19:14.
Thank you Reynold for the beautiful photography!
May the Lord bless and keep you all.
Great photo’s David and Reynold! 🙂
I think of a poem I was taught as a child; “If your lips would keep from slips, five things observe with care: to whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.” by W.E Norris
What a great picture of you, David, with Norma Jean, with Sam Moore, and his wife, with Dr. Jerry Johnston, and Dr. John Hull. I praise God for His continuing faithfulness in healing you David, and for His hearing of our earnest prayers on your behalf!
Great pictures!! I thnk God in advance of healing you David!! You are a precious being!!
Loved the music of the Messiah too!!
Nancy xoxoxo
Dear Rev. David M.
What a joy it brings to me seeing you and Norma-Jean looking so good and in such a wonderful company of great servants of The Lord. Thank you Reynolds for another fantastic picture .
As true followers of Christ we have a responsibility that every word that we utter cause no harm but actually shows Gods Perfect Love.
Have a blessed day everyone.
xxxxx Carole.
What a wonderful picture of you David and Norma Jean and the others.
You look so great, God is good. I am asking for prayer as I fell in my bedroom and am in great pain. I thank God I have nothing fractured so I am just really shaken up and not able to sleep.
The Lord has sent people to help me so wonderful. This is what our Christian life is all about, being there for one another.
We pray for the Lord’s healing and restoration as you rest in Him!
Praying Elizabeth that you are feeling better!