Friday, July 23, 2021

Reflection - Number Our Days - The Grander Curves of Character

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 17, "The Grander Curves of Character", Page 86.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


Dear Pastor,
PHOTO: Dear Pastor,
I know God loves everybody, but I
don't think he ever met my sister.
Yours sincerely,
- Arnold, Age 8

Its's not easy to endure, let alone love, someone who makes your life miserable, which is why David's poem in praise of Saul is so laudable:

Saul and Jonathan -
in life they were loved and gracious,
and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,
they were stronger than lions.
O daughters of Israel,
weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
who adorned your garments with ornaments
of gold. (2 Samuel 1:23-24)

"Saul and Jonathan - in life they were loved and gracious." What a remarkable thing to say!

David had good reason, of course, to eulogize (praise) his dear friend Jonathan, every memory of whom was a benediction (blessing), but Saul was another matter entirely. Saul's resentment and insane rage had driven him to harass David unmercifully. He had hounded David for years, pursuing him like "a partridge (a short-tailed game bird with mainly brown feathers) in the mountains." (1 Samuel 26:20) Yet David crowds what praise he can utter of Saul into these lines.

In doing this, however, David did not lie. There were things he could not say of Saul. But he did commend what he knew was good and true about the man: his courage, his military skill, his willingness to aid those in need, his pleasantness and courtesy when he was in his right mind. David resisted the temptation to dwell on Saul's vices and chose instead to reflect on his virtues.

And so I've been asking myself lately; Am I preoccupied with other people's imperfections? Do I brood over their failures and faults, their moral flaws? Do I consider only the wrong that they do, especially the wrong they have done to me, or do I reflect on those aspects of character that are morally excellent and worthy of praise?

How many friendships have ended because someone's mistakes loomed large in our minds? How many marriages have died because we brooded and obsessed over our spouse's flaws? How many of us have alienated our children because we have endlessly chided them and harped (Dwell on; talk or write about to a tedious and excessive extent) on their failings?

Paul writes, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent, or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8) I've often pondered this verse and wondered how anyone can think abstractly about nobility, righteousness, and loveliness. Can it be that Paul is suggesting that we concentrate on those traits in others that are noble, admirable, lovely, and worthy of praise?

Love is not gullible (easily persuaded to believe something) or naive, but when we "love each other deeply . . . love cover a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) Love looks for goodness and nobility in others. When we do this, we gain perspective and admiration for the merits of friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues despite their flaws.

So in the survey of his worth the small
Asperities (harshness) of his spirit disappear,
Lost in the grander curves of character.

"Love one another and you will be happy," Michael Leunig writes. "It's as simple and as difficult as that."

Philosopher Peter Kreeft says that "our loving can be like a tube open at both ends, with God's love coming in one end and out the other . . . The alternative is to be a tube open at only one end. Then we try to squeeze our own toothpaste out of the tube. But we have only a finite amount of spiritual toothpaste to give. So we worry about squandering it, just as the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son did. But God's supply is infinite."

God's love flowing in from one end of the tube to the other floods all our being so that we can pour out our love to others. But we can only love because we know that God "first loved us."

"We must lie where John did, on the bosom of incarnate (represent a spirit in human form) Love, until we begin to love as He."
 
O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
PHOTO: "I know God loves everybody, but I don't think he ever met my sister."
Picture posted by wattpad
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVOi4_VCvaLhyC4Vv5898_cz93PgKmCj98ykSyn5d_xQ6DR7-vcfre2ClGwoWpuawHSzgNMY2NhcG9v6eSYwucx_2fN2Vv3oVbkyy0d2sjORwMdqbATx_u5VPS0jZ7oVbDasUNNrmbaQ/s1065/2e6a7067.jpg
https://img.wattpad.com/257110117384682d4ed92c6f5aa666b3243bdc2b/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f344c566e34695a46757668724a673d3d2d3730373632313139332e313561313832633762383338656238623239303631363332363638392e6a7067
https://www.wattpad.com/707621193-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%84%D9%81%D9%86-13


Its's not easy to endure, let alone love, someone who makes your life miserable, which is why David's poem in praise of Saul is so laudable:

Saul and Jonathan -
in life they were loved and gracious,
and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,
they were stronger than lions.
O daughters of Israel,
weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
who adorned your garments with ornaments
of gold. (2 Samuel 1:23-24) [81]

"Saul and Jonathan - in life they were loved and gracious." What a remarkable thing to say!

David had good reason, of course, to eulogize (praise) his dear friend Jonathan, every memory of whom was a benediction (blessing), but Saul was another matter entirely. Saul's resentment and insane rage had driven him to harass David unmercifully. He had hounded David for years, pursuing him like "a partridge (a short-tailed game bird with mainly brown feathers) in the mountains." (1 Samuel 26:20) [82] Yet David crowds what praise he can utter of Saul into these lines.


David had good reason
PHOTO: David had good reason, of course, to eulogize (praise) his dear friend Jonathan, every memory of whom was a benediction (blessing), but Saul was another matter entirely. Saul's resentment and insane rage had driven him to harass David unmercifully. 
Artwork by Ernst Josephson - David Playing the Harp to Saul (1878)
Picture posted by artprinta.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5oJf2SnvM1EE73P6AZb77WzcK31wfDZKfebrYPKXtgneRZGw5PIzWwKt11yFRDef6pJ_HfoBlbEIu8F6jeQJNBXJn8IlUYmlWQXbi2VBrIr1aYbMe0BAkQDybU6GZY9marxd_eS5THDM/s2048/AXYW2NR1P_1.jpg
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0264/0976/2868/products/AXYW2NR1P.jpg?v=1579022093
https://es.artprinta.com/products/ernst-josephson-1878-david-and-saul-art-print-fine-art-reproduction-wall-art-id-axyw2nr1p


In doing this, however, David did not lie. There were things he could not say of Saul. But he did commend what he knew was good and true about the man: his courage, his military skill, his willingness to aid those in need, his pleasantness and courtesy when he was in his right mind. David resisted the temptation to dwell on Saul's vices and chose instead to reflect on his virtues.


David did not lie.
PHOTO: David did not lie. There were things he could not say of Saul. But he did commend what he knew was good and true about the man: his courage, his military skill, his willingness to aid those in need, his pleasantness and courtesy when he was in his right mind. David resisted the temptation to dwell on Saul's vices and chose instead to reflect on his virtues.
Picture posted by Meisterdrucke
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWAlu4sPajixkpwWx3Ps74SAnuLBueLBQA01W5W-CbGN5IjzcqvGwwtIP07gPJZVmCYKb2u71a1lMb0Eob4XQm9d46QXwwlqudh3Bqq3Nkz18VxeDVDI9yylazJRLzFS6tMY5BSdA3t4/s1024/William_Hatherell_-_Saul_and_David_-_%2528MeisterDrucke-40666%2529.jpg
https://www.meisterdrucke.com/kunstwerke/500px/William_Hatherell_-_Saul_and_David_-_(MeisterDrucke-40666).jpg
https://www.meisterdrucke.in/utkrsht-kala-print/William-Hatherell/40666/शाऊल-और-दाऊद.html


And so I've been asking myself lately; Am I preoccupied with other people's imperfections? Do I brood over their failures and faults, their moral flaws? Do I consider only the wrong that they do, especially the wrong they have done to me, or do I reflect on those aspects of character that are morally excellent and worthy of praise?


Are we preoccupied with other people's imperfections?
PHOTO: Are we preoccupied with other people's imperfections? Do we brood over their failures and faults, their moral flaws? Do we consider only the wrong that they do, especially the wrong they have done to us, or do I reflect on those aspects of character that are morally excellent and worthy of praise?
Picture saved by vicki lynn to Powers in OC
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPA1il5aJdmBVDe11Rre3Ep68FGbEtj5Fi3O0llrJewOEQ7DGp8I5E2YVCKfS_8rPvZcYGVBbh4bqus_4aN3sHmERhZCDyBJpFOOUx12Vbrd7H6s3xnVNRdlDkKEMJ-oBQjNF0YMsllM/s1600/563156987f9aea9468938d7de7d537a7_11.png
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/31/56/563156987f9aea9468938d7de7d537a7.jpg
https://www.pinterest.ru/pin/524036106637493912/


How many friendships have ended because someone's mistakes loomed large in our minds? How many marriages have died because we brooded and obsessed over our spouse's flaws? How many of us have alienated our children because we have endlessly chided them and harped (Dwell on; talk or write about to a tedious and excessive extent) on their failings?


How many friendships have ended because someone's mistakes loomed large in our minds?
PHOTO: How many friendships have ended because someone's mistakes loomed large in our minds? How many marriages have died because we brooded and obsessed over our spouse's flaws? How many of us have alienated our children because we have endlessly chided them and harped (Dwell on; talk or write about to a tedious and excessive extent) on their failings?
Picture posted by Fairytas, Jolien on 11 June 2019 - Faith the Fox Goddess
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidyTAOA8a36-5pkE8MyCR_t_sNAqwNtIImOxcjgzDc3aVX0IpDx5B9fIRnNfXCRCFKBMVyEpweG7MYqmldUzahs7B5WUB2kXp0vvCJXT9ifzo54FtaLQKxJP_S5P-_8pcLKmuHFvZU3A/s900/dd9294o-d64e7907-50eb-45ff-b058-7d6b00ff0fc3_1.png
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/a9cf3958-f9d1-4029-8cb6-7d3189a321e5/dd9294o-d64e7907-50eb-45ff-b058-7d6b00ff0fc3.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2E5Y2YzOTU4LWY5ZDEtNDAyOS04Y2I2LTdkMzE4OWEzMjFlNVwvZGQ5Mjk0by1kNjRlNzkwNy01MGViLTQ1ZmYtYjA1OC03ZDZiMDBmZjBmYzMuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.FwQvU-qkp7rDmauDlDaSSy2xRJUUlb0RL1qiXi8JY88
https://www.deviantart.com/fairytas/art/Faith-the-Fox-Goddess-801281976


Paul writes, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent, or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8) [83] I've often pondered this verse and wondered how anyone can think abstractly about nobility, righteousness, and loveliness. Can it be that Paul is suggesting that we concentrate on those traits in others that are noble, admirable, lovely, and worthy of praise?


Paul writes
PHOTO: Paul writes, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent, or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)
Picture posted by Wallpapers, pictures and cool photos! on 26 March 2021
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSd5mv5DoYcnCAZwl4rViOmE-zVQ8Fw859VawTprK28i0lYASFe3J8l9cni2ZZlfapEvul0fwItO0fKPmZH1lh_l5t_G8MC85qlB5HyJNd0yC9S5-T0FsSc7C4qSMxY_4vSScPSDvmxA/s1384/1616750148_5-p-boginya-krasivo-6.png
https://oir.mobi/uploads/posts/2021-03/1616750148_5-p-boginya-krasivo-6.png
https://oir.mobi/657248-boginja.html


Love is not gullible (easily persuaded to believe something) or naive, but when we "love each other deeply . . . love cover a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8) [84] Love looks for goodness and nobility in others. When we do this, we gain perspective and admiration for the merits of friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues despite their flaws.

So in the survey of his worth the small
Asperities (harshness) of his spirit disappear,
Lost in the grander curves of character. [85]


Love is not gullible
PHOTO: Love is not gullible (easily persuaded to believe something) or naive, but when we "love each other deeply . . . love cover a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)  Love looks for goodness and nobility in others. When we do this, we gain perspective and admiration for the merits of friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues despite their flaws.
Picture posted by Irulana, Agnieszka Miroslaw on 23 August 2007 - Falling in Love
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgiDd5zdOLqKabnP8fMntq9Ee9orIJED4QB50gOIld2wSpjv3qKEQ2M5L7Thn-pQQRKt78UGl8SfSbb7QZLN9omsp2dGzVnXojGMS4TwN0jsp6eu5H5mPYbxgM5zqnUuibhgrZoHBkAI/s1202/d11i9hp-d05893f2-50de-4448-a437-3e8f50c91636.jpg
https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/aae05033-b407-47a0-937c-26b8f3f1c2ea/d11i9hp-d05893f2-50de-4448-a437-3e8f50c91636.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2FhZTA1MDMzLWI0MDctNDdhMC05MzdjLTI2YjhmM2YxYzJlYVwvZDExaTlocC1kMDU4OTNmMi01MGRlLTQ0NDgtYTQzNy0zZThmNTBjOTE2MzYuanBnIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.STluAu39I_tDojyApNYTGqhNrwS-AJFVXPnEJjbyhYc
https://www.deviantart.com/irulana/art/Falling-in-Love-62997901


"Love one another and you will be happy," Michael Leunig writes. "It's as simple and as difficult as that." [86]

Philosopher Peter Kreeft says that "our loving can be like a tube open at both ends, with God's love coming in one end and out the other . . . The alternative is to be a tube open at only one end. Then we try to squeeze our own toothpaste out of the tube. But we have only a finite amount of spiritual toothpaste to give. So we worry about squandering it, just as the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son did. But God's supply is infinite." [87]


Philosopher Peter Kreeft
PHOTO: Philosopher Peter Kreeft says that "our loving can be like a tube open at both ends, with God's love coming in one end and out the other . . . The alternative is to be a tube open at only one end. Then we try to squeeze our own toothpaste out of the tube. But we have only a finite amount of spiritual toothpaste to give. So we worry about squandering it, just as the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son did. But God's supply is infinite."
Picture posted by Letterpile
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzkwJgpweK3YwJwyGA0gt-9cDhjpM_THadz2X06wn_oQ2hTIdCtIGJIR9FLEE6_ElAFgwykuWQA96tBnAtzg9w4PixFKOhgNS-Z0nTgtuRqD8rto7BM2Q9iKLrgl0Pz-lpkqMzT8mrsw/s700/MTc1Mjc2ODEwNTgwMjcyNTEw.png
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https://letterpile.com/religion/Children-of-God-Let-Your-Light-Shine


God's love flowing in from one end of the tube to the other floods all our being so that we can pour out our love to others. But we can only love because we know that God "first loved us."

"We must lie where John did, on the bosom of incarnate (represent a spirit in human form) Love, until we begin to love as He." [88]


We can only love because we know that God 'first loved us.'
PHOTO: We can only love because we know that God "first loved us. We must lie where John did, on the bosom of incarnate Love, until we begin to love as He."
Picture posted by God”s Loving Son - JESUS CHRIST =LOVE@GodChist on 25 May 2020
PHOTO: O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
Picture posted by Wallhere
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, we pray that we can learn from David who was able to eulogize both his dear friend Jonathan and Saul, as ‘in life they were loved and gracious’. To eulogize his dear friend Jonathan, every memory of whom was a benediction, but Saul was another matter entirely. Saul's resentment and insane rage had driven him to harass David unmercifully. He had hounded David for years, pursuing him like ‘a partridge in the mountains.’ David resisted the temptation to dwell on Saul's vices and chose instead to reflect on his virtues.

Help us not to be preoccupied with other people's imperfections, their failures and faults, and their moral flaws. Help us not to consider only the wrong that they do, especially the wrong they have done to us, but to reflect on those aspects of character that are morally excellent and worthy of praise.

May then many friendships need not ended because someone's mistakes loomed large in our minds. Many marriages need not died due to our brooding and obsessing over our spouse's flaws. Many of us need not alienated our children because we have endlessly chided them and harped on their failings.

Lord, help us to take Paul’s advice: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent, or praiseworthy - think about such things.’ May we concentrate on those traits in others that are noble, admirable, lovely, and worthy of praise.

We pray that we love each other deeply because love cover a multitude of sins. Love looks for goodness and nobility in others. Help us to do this in order to gain perspective and admiration for the merits of friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues despite their flaws.

May we love one another and be happy. But Lord, we have only a finite amount of love to give. We pray for your love to flood all our being so that we can pour out our love to others. We can only love because You ‘first loved us.’

We pray for Your incarnate love so that we begin to love as You. And that is the grander curves of our characters.

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by Dreamstime
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https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/young-naked-girl-white-shirt-beautiful-summer-garden-57386892.jpg
https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-young-naked-girl-white-shirt-beautiful-summer-garden-image57386892

Reflection - Number Our Days - The Grander Curves of Character
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 17, "The Grander Curves of Character", Page 86.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.



"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Copyright © 2008 by David Roper, ISBN 978-981-11-7184-0, Chapter 17, "The Grander Curves of Character", Page 86-90.

[81] 2 Samuel 1:23-24

[82] 1 Samuel 26:20

[83] Philippians 4:8

[84] 1 Peter 4:8

[85] Ambrose Bierce, "T.A.H"

[86] Michael Leunig is a cartoonist, philosopher, poet, and artist.

[87] Peter Kreeft, The God Who Loves You (Ignatius Press, 2004), 26-27.

[88] F. B. Meyer

[89] George Matheson


Links

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