Thursday, January 14, 2010

Eye Drops

Now it's eye drops - three of them applied four times a day! I think this may be the worst part of having cataract surgery. I sure do not look forward to that but I know I am going to have to have something done to correct the vision problems I'm now having. Yesterday I went with my friend Eddie Williams to the rifle range where we "zeroed in" his new .270 Mossberg. I had to really squint to see that target at 100 yards, even through the scope. We did get the rifle correct enough that we were shooting patterns in the three inch range at 100 yards so I think we were guessing right.

I have a pet peeve about vision and visionaries who mis-apply a very good verse of Scripture. Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision the people perish; but he that hath the law, happy is he." My complaint is that most preachers never lift up the second part of the verse. The first part is used in such a way that the word "plan" could easily be inserted instead of the word "vision". It's o.k., I guess. But it makes a whole lot more sense to me if one uses the intended meaning of the author of the verse. How does one get vision according to the verse? Not by going to some conference and hearing some man's idea about planning...but by clinging to what one "hath". One who hath the law - happy is he. Why? Because the law gives vision. That is, by reading and understanding the law one can see the pot-holes, rocks, curves, etc. in the road ahead and can take necessary measures not to be destroyed; not to perish. David said, "The entrance of thy word giveth light." When one has light, one can see in the dark. David also said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet." May the Lord always shine his word on my pathway so that my feet do not step on a rock or in a hole and make me stumble.

John says "Men love the darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil." I don't want to walk in the dark. I want to walk in the light. I will not perish if I have the Word of God and cling to it and obey it.

O.K. here is the RX: 1 chapter of Proverbs each morning. Five Psalms each night. Read the Proverb according to the day of the month and you will read them all through 12 times a year. Except for chapter 31. Proverbs for guidance. Psalms for rest.

2 comments:

jack69 said...

Great post Fred. Yeah I thought the drops were the worst part of the surgery. I haven't fired a rifle in YEARS. I can remember when I looked forward to firing. In the military I loved the range!

I like the thought you expressed, I know I haven't 'heard' much in the last twenty years, so someone else may have said it. But I don't remember ever hearing 'plan' used in place of vision with that scripture. It opens up a new light there for me. I like that. It definitely does no injustice to the Word, but makes the meaning more clear. Thanks!
TAke care, we are warming up down here, soon it will be Florida agian thank goodness.
Give FRances our love.
Jack & Sherry
PS: ref comment on shipslog. We have both moved all our lives, but I think you have us beat!!!!

Favorite One said...

WoW - I have just caught up with reading this blog this year & it's not even half way thru the 1st month. :0)

Anyway - I didn't know you needed cataract surgery. Maybe now that we're doing Bible Study at your house - I'll be better at knowing what y'all are up to.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Bible Study AND the supper and look forward to the next one. I have started my homework, but have not completed it yet. Hmmm, I have 4 more days - I think I can do it!

About Me

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Cleveland, TN, United States
I am Fred Alton Brannen, the son of Louis A. Brannen (deceased) and Bonnie Jones Brannen, Louis was an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God. Bonnie is an Ordained Licensed Minister and at 89 years of age is still actively engaged in speaking and singing engagements. I am married to the former Frances Hildreth. We celebrated 53 years of marriage this past June and we are the parents of 3, grand-parents of 10, and great-grandparents of 10. I pastored in Tennessee for 24 years and served the Church in some capacity in missions for over 23 years. I retired from full-time ministry in August of 2008 but remain active, speaking and singing and teaching whenever opportunity affords itself. In January of 2010 I received a letter of commendation for having been credentialed as a minister in the Church of God for 50 years! My family is very important to me. Our get togethers are always noisy affairs and most times will include family sing-alongs. The children love their Mom's cooking so we have the privilege of seeing them regularly! WE LOVE having them over.

TheCabin on Day One

TheCabin on Day One
Fred Alton