The Word of the Week
This is a Weekly podcast, inspired by THE WORD of GOD. This 5-minute podcast, will acquaint you with the WORD of GOD by focusing your bible study on how everyday words are used in scripture.
The personal thoughts I share are based on my spiritual journey and life lessons. Subscribe to become a member of the "Word of the Week-Newton" Group which will make you eligible to receive the Word of the Week by email each week, and give you access to our study journal and other subscriber benefits.
Please feel free to email me personally at candonewton@gmail.com
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ORINE OUT!
The Word of the Week
WORD OF THE WEEK - EMBRACE 12/8/2024
Definition:to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug. to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to submit to or undergo
Scriptures:Proverbs 4:7-8 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish Wisdom, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.Ecclesiastes 3: 1-5There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.Ephesians 1:11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will!
Website: www.wow-newton.com
Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email: osnewton@wow-newton.com
Definition:to take or clasp in the arms; press to the bosom; hug. to take or receive gladly or eagerly; accept willingly: to submit to or undergo
Scriptures:Proverbs 4:7-8 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish Wisdom, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.Ecclesiastes 3: 1-5There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.Ephesians 1:11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will!
THOUGHT
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I recently started raising chickens. Before this, I never considered doing anything more with chickens than eating them or their eggs. My perspective changed when my neighbor’s chicken invaded my garden to lay her eggs. Watching this bird have her young left me with a surprising feeling of loss when they left. That loss was filled when my neighbor gifted me with baby chicks to replace the missing ones.
I now have a rooster and three hens. They all have names, so the idea of someday eating them is unfathomable. The hens have started laying eggs, and the rooster has fully embraced his adulthood to the point of being more aggressive towards anyone who enters their coop.
Yes, the little chick I lovingly raised has started attacking me. At first, I was offended, but then I realized he is instinctively doing his job as the protector of his flock. He takes his job seriously and will attack any perceived threat.
Last week, my neighbor’s daughter noticed the rooster was not in the coop. While I was away, she decided to help by putting him back in. Surprisingly, "Mr. Grey" did not intimidate her. Instead of attacking, he allowed her to embrace him, and she successfully returned him to the henhouse without harm.
This experience taught me the following lessons in parenting:-The nature of the young is to accept love, attention, and care from anyone. Because they are particularly susceptible and dependent on their caregivers, they are easily controlled and naturally respond to the love and care they receive.
-During puberty, the distinctive nature that separates males from females becomes more pronounced and begins to align with their purpose. The male begins to crow and strut, while the hens' bodies prepare for egg production. Being petted and embraced by their caregiver becomes secondary to the maturation process.
-As adults, fulfilling their purpose becomes most relevant to their existence. The male becomes the protector and procreator of his brood, while the female begins to lay eggs and mother future generations. The caretaker’s role becomes much less intimate as the flock become more independent.to their purpose
Do you recognize these general stages of development in your human children? Unlike humans, animals naturally embrace their development without question. They live life to the fullest while experiencing joy, anger, fear, and anxiety. They fight, sing, dance, and show affection. Although their limited intelligence will never allow them to read a book or reach for the stars, they live and die as intended to ensure the perpetuation of their species.
Their lack of human intelligence means they will never have to distinguish between serving God, mankind, or themselves. They will never have to choose whether to succumb to the temptation of a natural enemy, change their behavior to appeal to another, hide their intentions or lie. As long as they embrace the life God has given them, they have the assurance of their species' continuance.
Solomon taught his son, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other."
Yet, despite the gift of intellect, humans work hard to live with less integrity than chickens. We continually test, dishonor, and try to disprove, rather than embrace, the sovereignty of God, the creator of all.
SOLUTION: Embrace the person that God has created you to be. Honor and serve God. Love one another. Preserve the planet.
This concept is so simple, even the chickens know how to do it!
