Let’s Play
What’s wrong with this set-up? I’ve played checkers for many years just not recently. Well, not for a few years. I have the board and all the pieces. I’ve set them up and ready to play with my granddaughter! Well, not really! What have I forgotten?
Christians often use the term, “you must be born again.” (John 3:1-21) This scripture communication between Jesus and a man name Nicodemus seem to say the first birth is not enough. We not only have to be born, but also remade. The remaking of the soul, refreshing of the eye, ear tuning and mind renewing is the return to simplicity. Maybe the learning once again of a childhood game?
He (Jesus) called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-5
Isn’t relearning and refreshing sweetness to the soul? What’s wrong with my photo? Help?
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“What’s wrong with my photo? Help?”
Sara, it looks like your checkerboard is not set up correctly. If I recall how to play checkers, you have to put all the checkers (both red and black) on the same color squares…either the white squares or the black.
I really like how you said we need to be remade and how you tell us this will happen: “The remaking of the soul, refreshing of the eye, ear tuning and mind renewing is the return to simplicity. “…that looks like our entire being is involved.
Thinking on this and the verse you quoted, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” made me think that one aspect of change may be a need for flexibility vs. being so set or so rigid in our ways.
I used to ride horses and try to practice some basic training with them. In order to get them to move through their gaits, etc properly and calmly, a simple goal was to teach them to flex (be flexible in their spines). Once they became flexible in this way, they could develop graceful, fluid and responsive movements and their performance improved.
Debi, so interesting to hear about the training technique for your horses. “Flexible” seems in some circles of friendship, relationship fellowship, to be a lost art!
Your training technique reminds me of some of the apostle Paul’s teachings. Well, many of his teachings. This scripture being one. We might need a little training and practice to accomplish this and a lot of flex!
“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
—Philippians 2:1-2 (NRSV)
But, look what a horse can do with a bit of training and flex.
“Once they became flexible in this way, they could develop graceful, fluid and responsive movements and their performance improved.” And, you called it basic training! That’s encouraging!
Thanks for helping me remember how to correctly set up my checker board to play and maybe win a few games!
The footnotes for Matthew 18: 3,4 days: (NLT) “The disciples have become so preoccupied with the organization of Jesus’ earthly kingdom that they had lost sight of its divine purpose. Instead of seeking a place of service, they sell positions of advantage. It is easy to lose our eternal perspective and compete for promotions or status in the church, it is difficult, but healthy, to identify with ‘children’ —- weak independent people with no status or influence.” I’m definitely not a checker pro, but I see piece of show in the “king” crown. Is it ok to start the game like that? I’m excited to hear how the game turns out when you play it with your little grand🥰💜
“The disciples have become so preoccupied with the organization of Jesus’ earthly kingdom that they had lost side of its divine purpose. Instead of seeking a place of service, they sell positions of advantage.“
Tammy’s footnotes reminded me to review a previous blog of Sara’s, “A Thoughtful Thought” where James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, seem to illustrate this footnote. “James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Mark 10:35-38 (NRSV).
This made me think of Jesus’ answer and instructions on “seeking a place of service.” In Matthew 20: 24-28 He says, “ When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Debi and Tammy have corrected my mistake and played a pretty good game of checkers.
As we played through to the Crown I paused to think on Jesus, the teacher and instructor of all of life’s games. He is the King of all Kings and we often pause, sing and honor Him with the Crown of Praise.
The Scriptures and footnotes we are sharing here reminds us just how modern/contemporary the teachings of Jesus are. And, how dark we find the souls of men from generation to generation can be without the grace and mercy of God.
We seem to allow our dark to be our mind salve for the fight. We want what we think we deserve at all cost and the way we think we should have it. Did I get these scriptures and footnotes right?
A few days ago I ran into a grandmother on the street that wanted to chat. I listen as her stories of her grandson are often quite entertaining. Not sure about this story. He a young teen got a little job so excited to earn a little cash. All good until he determines his coworker is not doing his fair share. On his cell phone to much and leaving him with too much work. Then our comes the word crown from Granny! I told him you go and tell him to stop that and get to work! I’m going to report you and a few more words of instructions with a furry of angry if anyone treating HER grand like that!
I’m still a little shakey thinking about this story. How would Jesus have spoken to us a parents and grand parents to impart wisdom to our beloved young ones?
I’m with Tammy, “I’m excited to see how these games turn out”
How to property play the game of checkers and the games in life? Wisdom please flow out to us and give us strength and courage to teach and train, love and live and serve as you have taught us.