Weekend Words

 From Beside the Still Waters...

Trachselwald Castle

The Trachselwald Castle - Read: Luke 12:33-59

"For unto whom much is given, of him shall much be required." - Luke 12:48

The Trachselwald Castle is prominently situated on a hill in the fertile Emmental Valley of Switzerland.  This castle is over a thousand years old and stands today much as it did when Anabaptist believers farmed the Emmental Valley.  Within the castle tower are cells constructed out of heavy lumber.  A cell often has iron chains fastened to the stone walls, with shackles on the other ends.  There is a crude bed with stocks for holding prisoner's feet, and a slot in the door where food was passed through.

In the 1500s and 1600s, scored of Anabaptists were taken to the Trachselwald Castle.  They were imprisoned and tortured, and many were martyred.  One of those imprisoned was my seventh-generation grandfather, a Mennonite minister, who is also the ancestor of most plain people in America with the Martin name.

Most readers of this devotional can freely practice their religion but many of the believers in the world still gather in secret because of persecution.  We should be thankful for the freedom to assemble publicly with other believers, sing hymns of worship to the Lord, preach the Gospel, and study the Scriptures.  We park our cars in a church parking lot and assemble in a building to worship without fear.  What we do with this privilege carries a great responsibility and will have effects in eternity.

These blessings were bought with a high price, first by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  Then they were passed down through the generations with much sacrifice and suffering.  In various ways we are like the servant who was given five talents.  Let us all be diligent and use these blessings to advance God's kingdom, so that we can hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

Lester K. Burkholder - Womelsdorf, PA

The Three Dimensions of Thanksgiving - Read: Luke 17:11-19, 2 Timothy 3:1-5

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: ... abounding therein with thanksgiving." - Colossians 2:6-7

Having a thankful spirit with genuine appreciation for our many blessings is the first dimension of thanksgiving.  With the exception of the chronic complainers, the bitter, the never-satisfied grumblers, most people fit into this category to varying degrees.  The second dimension is not only to feel thankful but also to express gratitude sincerely to the One from whom all blessings flow.  Jesus healed ten lepers, but though nine of them assuredly were very thankful, they never passed beyond the first dimension.  Yet the second dimension was never intended to be a dead end either.

Thanksgiving is an action word that involves not only our emotions and words but also our doings.  We do not have the option of keeping to ourselves the things God gives us.  Spiritual, material, or even emotional blessings are entrusted to us to be shared, not hoarded.  Paul wrote, "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Corinthians 4:2).  Being faithful stewards is the third dimension of thanksgiving.  It builds on the foundation of a thankful spirit, and it expresses heartfelt appreciation to our Lord for His bountiful blessings - but it does not end there.  If we are faithful stewards, we will use our blessings to glorify God and extend His kingdom, and we will generously share our time, talents, and finances with the poor and suffering.

Upon the conclusion of a soul-searching message, one man informed the minister that he had been deeply challenged.  "Good," replied the minister.  "Now what are you going to do about it?"  The same question applies to us who know that we are stewards of God's bountiful gifts.  What are we going to do about it?

Pete Lewis - Halsey, OR 

"As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." - Galatians 6:10

Flowers Leave Their Fragrance on the Hand that Bestows Them

There's an old Chinese proverb that if practiced each day

Would change the whole world in a wonderful way.

Its truth is so simple, it's easy to do,

And it works every time and successfully, too.

For you can't do a kindness without a reward

Not in silver or gold but in joy from the Lord.

You can't light a candle to show others the way

Without feeling the warmth of that bright little ray,

And you can't pluck a rose all fragrant with dew

Without part of its fragrance remaining on you.

- Helen Steiner Rice