random | Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

When Zoe was little, and we got stuck in interminable traffic jams on our way home from pre-school, she would quite predictably say, ” Don’t you wish our car could fly?” We all agreed

Well, apparently there are now flying cars for real.

I can remember longing to be able to carry the internet around in my pocket and be able to access it everywhere. I was a relatively early iPhone user, and still love that gadget. It’s amazing how rapidly technology can make fantasy reality.

I used to fantasize about a videophone when I first left home to live abroad and didn’t see my dad for years at a stretch. I wouldn’t get one now or a webcam–imagine having to spiffy up just to make a phone call!

Wisdom is more precious than rubies.

^{Proverbs 3}

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,

with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Many who have tried this, including I myself, can testify that it is true.

It has been narrowly interpreted to mean give to one’s church, but that, of course, is not what it says.

It says honour God by giving some of your wealth to his purposes, to things that he would like.

And the poor are on God’s heart. His word is on God’s heart. Your local church is also on God’s heart, but giving to it should be balanced with giving to those in desperate need.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline,

and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.

One way of showing our love and care for our children is by disciplining them.
Similarly, God does put us through seasons of discipline to develop strength of character in us. He also rebukes us through punishing circumstances so that we can stop, drop and repent.

He does this because he is relentless in seeking to develop strength of character in us.