This is a carpenter's rule, used in construction. There is also a metal tape measure that rolls into a compact container used for measuring in construction. Which is best? One user wrote:
"I use both folding ruler and retractable tape in my daily work. They are both useful. For accuracy the folding rule is superior."
I suspect there are differing opinions as to accuracy. I was reminded today about what standards we live by when a friend's blog from September 2012 was mentioned: "Whose Yardstick Are You Using?" Oddly enough, that same month I had written about "Setting Biblical Standards."
There used to be social norms that were widely acceptable, but today those norms no longer exist. There used to be laws that people (for the most part) followed, but today many laws are simply ignored. Does that affect our lives? A verse from my friend's blog tells me that it really doesn't:
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:14-15 KJV)
That peace is for all. Take a moment - is there someone with whom you are not at peace? I certainly have one. Or two. Or maybe more. If I do not feel peace about them, how can I have peace in my life?
And follow holiness? That's another subject my friend's post discussed. Do I know anyone as holy as the one whose name I used to describe my life - Christian. The one who said:
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:46-48 KJV)
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:14-15 KJV)
That peace is for all. Take a moment - is there someone with whom you are not at peace? I certainly have one. Or two. Or maybe more. If I do not feel peace about them, how can I have peace in my life?
And follow holiness? That's another subject my friend's post discussed. Do I know anyone as holy as the one whose name I used to describe my life - Christian. The one who said:
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:46-48 KJV)
That love for everyone is a standard, a rule, by which we are supposed to love all. Not simply family, friends, brothers and sisters in Christ. All. That's a stumbling point for everyone, isn't it? But it wasn't for Jesus, and that's our standard, too. Just before He said we were to be perfect, He said:
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:43-44 KJV)
When I read that, I think of a photo called "Second Mile" on the website Journeys With The Messiah. Please take a moment to visit the "Second Mile" link and I'd love to hear if you would be able to make the first mile, much less the second. Or if you could turn the other cheek? I've had to give some very serious thoughts about that.
There was a time as a child when I was abused. Later in life I had the thought - would that person be in heaven? And, the answer was "Yes, it is possible." I knew the passages of scripture that convinced me that not only was it possible, it was most likely truth. So what did that mean to me? That God forgives and to be like Him, I was to forgive. What a burden lifted.
Recently a dear family member was physically abused, and I was angered at the liar that chose abuse over the love they had promised. Once again, though, the Lord convinced me that prayer for that individual was necessary. So my prayer list carries the name of a person I do not wish to see, but that I know needs God in their life. That did erase my anger, replacing it with prayer.
I do not believe a person can hold hatred for a person for whom they pray. Can you?
Of course, I'm speaking as a Christian to other Christians. Non-believers would not consider praying. It would seem to be incompatible with their belief system - unless they are willing to try it as Jesus suggested in the Lord's Prayer, or His in the depth of pain as He prayed:
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:39-42 KJV)
Thy will be done.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:43-44 KJV)
When I read that, I think of a photo called "Second Mile" on the website Journeys With The Messiah. Please take a moment to visit the "Second Mile" link and I'd love to hear if you would be able to make the first mile, much less the second. Or if you could turn the other cheek? I've had to give some very serious thoughts about that.
There was a time as a child when I was abused. Later in life I had the thought - would that person be in heaven? And, the answer was "Yes, it is possible." I knew the passages of scripture that convinced me that not only was it possible, it was most likely truth. So what did that mean to me? That God forgives and to be like Him, I was to forgive. What a burden lifted.
Recently a dear family member was physically abused, and I was angered at the liar that chose abuse over the love they had promised. Once again, though, the Lord convinced me that prayer for that individual was necessary. So my prayer list carries the name of a person I do not wish to see, but that I know needs God in their life. That did erase my anger, replacing it with prayer.
I do not believe a person can hold hatred for a person for whom they pray. Can you?
Of course, I'm speaking as a Christian to other Christians. Non-believers would not consider praying. It would seem to be incompatible with their belief system - unless they are willing to try it as Jesus suggested in the Lord's Prayer, or His in the depth of pain as He prayed:
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (Matthew 26:39-42 KJV)
Thy will be done.
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