"Apples of gold in pictures of silver"

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.

I'm not sure exactly what a picture of Proverbs 25:11 looks like. Maybe that's the point. I checked some resources, one said, "gold apples set against a silver sculpture or carving, or like a gold earring or other ornament.* Another, "either real apples of golden color, in a silver network basket, or imitations on silver embroidery."** I don't know Hebrew and so I can't decipher the precise meaning. A look at various translations shows a variety of ideas. Could it be that all of that precision is beside the point? That what we are being confronted with is something of exquisite beauty, something in which the color, the preciousness of the materials, the balance, symmetry and aesthetic appeal are breath-taking? Something that to look at is to feel a pleasure so intense that it approaches pain? Have you heard such a word, a word fitly spoken, advice that is timely, a thought distilled into communication that absolutely hit the spot, and caused you to give an, "Ahh" of satisfaction? Such words are rare. They are to be treasured. That well thought out, carefully considered, properly framed, "I love you," especially if the precious metal of the words has been refined by patience. An, "I'm here," without needless explanation, in particular when the actions in which the words are contained leave no doubt that this is from someone who is there for the long-haul. The words can be wrapped in temporary pain. Their short translation is, "I love you too much to let you do this. You may hate me for saying this, but I love you so much that I'm willing to take that risk."*** In my imagination, I see Solomon in his royal palace, some extravagantly beautiful work of art before him, contemplating a well-chosen word. He thought, meditated, gazed at the thing of beauty, and said, "Yes, that is what it is like." Three thousand years later having heard such a word, I say, "Amen." The well-chosen word that fed, and continues to feed my soul, is a carefully chosen, brief exposition of scripture. It fit the occasion. It was delivered to meet the need of the hearer, not display the ability of the speaker, and it penetrated into my heart to meet the need of the hour in my life.   Lord, as one who dares to speak words on Your behalf, may they be the right words. Guide me Holy Spirit, so that what I say will be valuable not only now, but for eternity. Amen STTA ________________________ *Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 960). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. **Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 400). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc. ***Proverbs 27:6

Something To Think About, My Record:

One of the current scandals--real or manufactured, depending on one's perspective--has to do with a private email server.  I confess, I'm old enough that the word "server" conjures up this: Not this: A server is just a computer.  I know people who work on them.  I don't understand the process, but I know servers are integral links between my computer and yours, enabling you to read this email.  I figure the average life-span of an STTA, on your device, is about half the time it takes to read it.  You can't afford to waste memory space storing my daily musings.  But those servers have--warning, I'm going to use a technical term, here--a whole bunch of storage space.  As I understand it, servers that serve government and business systems are set up to store and catalog all emails.  So I figure somewhere in the bowels  of some server farm every something I ever thought about is resting comfortably on a hard drive.   That brings me back to the current scandal or "scandal."  The theory is:  "If I own and maintain my own server I can make it harder for authorities to lay cyber-hands on my emails, tweets, and vacation pictures."  "Foul!" cries the other side.  Apparently the new standard is that public officials are to live in completely glass houses.  In fact it looks to me like the standard includes a requirement to leave the lights on and provide benches for the comfort of the digital voyeurs. It's really nothing new.  Two millennia ago Jesus said,  “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36–37, NASB95)   It is a server that cannot be hacked or erased.  The power supply will not be compromised. A few years ago I carried on regular communication with someone living in a land where the government carried on regular surveillance of emails and phone-calls, especially communications to and from "subversives," as they regarded my friend.   I gave a lot more thought to the emails I sent.  I avoided certain words.  Questions that would attract the interest of the authorities went unasked, or were embedded in "code" language.  I need to bring that level of awareness to all my communications; I need to be daily aware that all my words remain behind.   Are they kind? Do they build others up? Are they true? Are they wholesome? It looks like to me that the current brouhaha--Servergate?--will result in every bit and byte, on every hard drive concerned, being not only read but analyzed, dissected, time-stamped, and discussed.  Any attempt to hide will only cause the wattage of the searchlights to go up. Be that as it may, it is absolutely clear that nothing I say will be hidden from the Lord.  I'm a fool if I try.  What is wise is to heed the song many of us learned as toddlers:   "O Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say." It's STTA While we will give an account for our words and actions--Bad News.  The Lord forgives--Good News.  Here is a site where you can find out about Jesus Christ and His plan for you.  You'll find several opportunities to explore.  If we can help you, let us know.  covingtonbiblechurch.com