Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 150 years ago when Henry Steinway started his business. Two hundred craftsmen and 12,000 parts are required to produce one of these magnificent instruments. Most crucial is the rim-bending process, where 18 layers of maple are bent around an iron press to create the shape of a Steinway grand. Five coats of lacquer are applied and hand-rubbed to give the piano its outer glow. The instrument then goes to the Pounder Room, where each key is tested 10,000 times to ensure quality and durability.
Have you ever thought about what it takes the Master Craftsmen to transform an ordinary sinner into a faithful servant of Jesus Christ? It takes pressure and patience, and the work of many influences before He comes up with a finished product. And He is at work like this with each of us. This is our destiny (Romans 8:29).
Tags: craftsman, maturity, trials, trouble
Sorry I have not posted anything on this blog for a couple of days. I’ve been on vacation and spent Monday-Wednesday working hard outside to roll my lawn, prune trees, clean the garage, paint a wall and put my winter stuff away. Anita’s happy, but I’m worn out. Yesterday (Thursday), we drove to Nashville, Tennessee, where we will spend a couple of days with our daughter and her family. Its 80º outside and leaves on the trees already! The lilacs are in full bloom and its good to smell fresh cut grass again.
Have you ever wondered why Spring is so far ahead in one part of the world and so slow to begin in another? Its like that in spiritual life, as well. One person comes to Christ and becomes a spiritual giant almost immediately. Another person has been a Christian for years and still can’t get his/her life together. There are season’s in growth and there are differences in development. Those that are mature must step up and help those that aren’t. That’s the Christian life.
Tags: growth, maturity
Remember Peter Pan? Remember his song?
I won’t grow up,
Not a penny will I pinch,
I will never grow a mustache,
or a fraction of an inch,
for growing up is awfuller
than all the awful things that ever were,
I will never grow up, never grow up,
never grow up, not me!
Peter led his young disciples in that song. With great gusto they proclaimed that they wanted to stay children forever. They could not imagine anything as bad as becoming adult.
The Peter Pan Syndrome has crept into the church. There are believers that want to treat Jesus like Santa Claus and only want to tell Him what they want, never the other way around. These Christians never want to grow up. An essential ingredient of Christianity is an insatiable desire to grow in maturity.
How’re ya doin’?
Tags: growth, maturity, Peter Pan