Orange Moon Cafe "User Error"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe… 

          "User Error"

     Computers love my wife Frances.  She treats them with affection and respect, mainly because they know she knows them very well ("Frances is the boss!" they say).  Frances is innately gifted with the devices, and is also professionally trained to get them working and keep them working.  Conversely, computers don't like me at all, mainly because I know little about them other than turning them on and doing the very few things with them I know how to do (I also grumble about them, which doubtless they don't appreciate!).

    When I have problems with my computer, I consult my Information Technology department, a.k.a. Frances (after grumbling a bit).  It's an amazing blessing to live with someone so gifted with computers (and thousands of other things!).  "Frances, there's something wrong with this computer!"  Being the patient person she is - especially with me! - she takes care of the issue, usually in a matter of seconds.  And, being the kind person she is - especially with me! - she gently lets me know that my problem was not with the computer.  Nine times out of ten, the problem is with me.  "User error."  

    When I first became a born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I was blessed to be guided by authors, pastors, and mentors who led me to a strong view of the Bible.  One writer in particular suggested an axiom I have sought to maintain as a rock of authority and assurance within my heart.  Namely, if I have problems with a matter in Scripture, the issue never involves the Bible.  The problem rather involves user error.  The difficulty rests on my doorstep if I don't understand a passage, or if I cannot see how one precept of God's Word aligns with another.  "Thy Word is truth" declared the living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, to His Father (John 17:17).  This includes every word of Scripture.  "Thy Word is very pure.  Therefore, Thy servant loveth it" (Psalm 119:140).  

   Forty four years of determining to believe the Word of God cover to cover, passage to passage, verse to verse, and word to word has served me well as a guiding principle of truth.  I still too often stumble in challenges regarding personal application of our Lord's Word.  However, the years have convinced me of the wisdom long ago imparted by people who realized and affirmed the pristine perfection of Scripture.  User error.  Any question or difficulty with the Bible is actually a difficulty and question with me.  This conviction goes far in solidifying a strong foundation for our hearts and minds, and for the confidence and humility that paves the path of peace for walking with the Prince of peace…

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock, and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine.   For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

(Matthew 7:24-29)

"Every word of God is pure.  He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him."

(Proverbs 30:5)

Weekly Memory Verse

    How excellent is Thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.

 (Psalm 36:7)

  

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