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Gleanings From The Word

Author: Kevin Corbin

  • God’s Protection – a woodstove story

    God’s Protection – a woodstove story

    image of a wood stiove

    I was editing my children’s book series and researching woodstoves when I recalled something from years ago.

    My parents moved to a farm not long after I left high school. Technically, it was more of a homestead: 160 acres, mostly cleared, a 1950’s mobile home with no indoor plumbing and heated entirely by an old wood stove in the living room. It was a dream come true for Dad; I’m sure Mom went because it was Dad’s dream.

    I’d often travel up for a few days to give them a break and let them get away. One very cold winter evening, I arrived after they had already left. Not being experienced with wood stove hearths, I quickly got a fire going.

    When it didn’t warm things up fast enough for me, the less-than-genius part of me stoked it even fuller. As soon as it burned down a little, I rammed it full again. Before long, it wasn’t warm; it was so hot that I was genuinely afraid the place was going to catch on fire. 

    I panicked. I filled a bucket with ice-cold water, opened the door, and threw it into the firebox. That dampened the fire but filled the house with smoke and steam. The stove made some awful groaning noises.

    It was then that I realized the folly of throwing cold water on a near-glowing cast-iron woodstove. Fortunately, nothing broke, and while the fire risk was contained, I had to clean up, air out, and restart the process. All the while, I had the image of the stove cracking when I threw in the water, and the fire spreading everywhere.

    I wasn’t yet a follower of Christ, yet God had his hand of protection over me.  Perhaps I wasn’t in danger at all, that time, yet I know of many times His hand protected me.

    I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
        where does my help come from?
    My help comes from the Lord,
        the Maker of heaven and earth.

    He will not let your foot slip—
        he who watches over you will not slumber;
    indeed, he who watches over Israel
        will neither slumber nor sleep.

    The Lord watches over you—
        the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
    the sun will not harm you by day,
        nor the moon by night.

    The Lord will keep you from all harm—
        he will watch over your life;
    The Lord will watch over your coming and going
        both now and forevermore. Psalm 121 ESv

    His hand is on us. I know it was on me that day.

    I often wonder if we will see all the places His hand was on us, after we get to glory. I suspect the number of times will boggle our minds. Whether we ever know that or not, He is worthy of praise.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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  • Eye Catching – Whatever is…

    Eye Catching – Whatever is…

    Red Maple tree - whatever is beautiful

    I snapped this pic of a Japanese maple tree one day late this past fall. Everything around it was green, and the brilliant reds jwere eye catching. They seemed to pop out against the background foliage.

    The image isn’t quite centred properly, but the tree was far from symmetrical and defied my efforts to frame it better in the few moments I had to snap the shot.

    There are many things in the world that stand out for whatever reason and grab our attention. It could be something that grabs our eyes, a sound that catches us, or a concept that intrigues us. 

    It’s one thing to appreciate a moment of beauty; it’s quite another to be constantly distracted. Our thoughts are often easily diverted from thinking about or seeing the things of God.

    It’s why Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at women. The eyes can trap our minds into thoughts they should not have. It isn’t just lust that is a problem.  Many forms of distraction can draw us from God, sometimes even to good things, yet still leave us not focused on the Lord.

    That tendency battles our desire to become more Christlike. It’s part of why Paul wrote to the church in Philippi.

    Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

    The maple prompted Kathy and me to remark on God’s incredible artistic skill. But distractions often pull us away from Him.

    I love Paul’s words, “What you have learned[and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

    I don’t know about you, but the thought of God and His peace being with me is very appealing and comforting. It’s something I want more of in my life all the time. I want to rejoice, and with Him, I have plenty to be joyful about.

    Just a quick prayer on the subject to close. I pray it mirrors your heart’s desires as well as my own.

    Lord, help keep me from being distracted. Teach me to keep my eyes, ears, mind, and heart aimed towards you. Be glorified in me. May I be pleasing to you. Amen.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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