The Builder

You will remember your last blog visit to the parson’s study. You don’t? Well, go to your file cabinet and look up the file that says “Blogs.” That’s what the parson “felt impressed” to do. Not forgetfulness or anything. Don’t laugh; you are probably on your way to blog #1 right now. Now it’s coming back to you, but you had to refresh “ye old shoulder-top computer.” You know, the one that has the capacity to store more than any computer in the world but is generally only about 3% full. Oh, well.

I Am Reminded

Your last visit to the parson’s study you were left hanging on the wall in the corner–you know, right next to the art project created by a 12th grade student for presentation in the National Reflections Project (1980-81). It was a gift from the artistic imagination of a real talented young lady. I’ll give you a hint. In the year she entered this particular competition her initials were OMT, and her brother’s were PDT,jr. Now that last one played football, went to state competition, and made several touchdowns. Oh, yes, they won the state championship. Now, how did we get off on that subject? Pride is “uncomely” for a parson, so maybe it was just absentmindedness. Oh, well.

Back to the corner. The church building, a music staff, a cross, a Bible, and a stained glass window. On the back of this masterpiece is the subject of the entries that year–“What A Family Means To Me.” Do you see the cloud-shaped, “parchment-like” overlay with the burned edges? The calligraphy is two passages from the precious old Book, the real Bible. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” and “The house of the righteous shall stand” (Joshua 24:15b, Proverbs 12:7b). Keep that in mind and notice the church building that overlays the parchment. We are soon made aware that there are people in this building because there is music streaming through the door and rising toward Heaven. A message begins to formulate. As seen by the artist, that building is filled with people who have made a commitment to serve and honor the Lord with their house, parents who fear the Lord God and teach their children to do the same.

Now the streaming music staff merges into the red cross above the building. Can there be a doubt as to the meaning here? The Saviour who died on that blood-stained cross has given God’s people a new song in their hearts.

Above the cross is an open Bible (1611 KJV). It is open to Psalm 127:1, “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” Now this one seems obvious and simple, don’t you think? The right builder is not found in the yellow pages but in THE BOOK’S pages.

Now there seems to be one more paragraph in this prize-winning piece. The stained glass window. This type window is actually constructed of many pieces of glass, both large and small, all uniquely bonded together with lead. It glistens with many different colors and hues. It is like several personalities bonded together to form one beautiful unit. It takes every piece of glass to complete the family. All are important and tediously welded together by the Master Builder who shapes and forms the “house of the righteous.” Now that’s the house that stands the test of time. The right Builder, the right designs, with the right material intricately bonded together to form a house to honor Himself.

Please don’t accuse the parson of preaching. If there were a blame, it would fall on the artist, and that would be highly offensive. To the parson, that is. Beside that, we didn’t even read between the lines.

TODAY? PERHAPS!!!

If so, no more blogs from

The Parson