Learning from your kids

The old Indian chief thought he'd seen it all, done it all and with nothing else to die for, decided he should go ahead and die. So the tribe had a celebration banquet with food cooked over the campfire, and of course the obligatory dancing, when the chief observed a young boy rubbing his fingers in the mud before picking up his char grilled food. The old chief asking the young boy why he did so, he said the mud protected his fingers from the hot meat and he could eat without burning his fingers. The chief acknowledged, "I've learned something new from this small boy," called off the feast and went on to lead his tribe for 10 more years before joining the "great white spirit."

This weekend my son was home from college, and as we were driving together he came out with "The difference between temptation and testing," very clearly and distinctly... "The devil, or his minions, seek to tempt us to exploit our sin nature, call attention to our unworthiness for salvation, get us depressed, and take us out of our game. God does not temp anyone, nor is He tempted by sin, but rather tests his children (gives us the chance to respond correctly under trial) to confirm our godliness and holiness as He sanctifies us, to encourage us that He's working in our lives.

The old man learned something new from his kid, so I guess I'll keep on keeping on.

I've got a lot I can learn yet, how about you?

The Benefits of “M”

Men who are “M” earn more money that those without “M.” Men who are “M” have less illness, accidents, and are less prone to alcoholism and suicide that men who are not “M.” Women who are “M” are wealthier, physically healthier, and less likely to be victims of violence. Couples who are “M” report being more satisfied with their sex lives than any other group. The children of couples who are “M” have better academic performance, less criminal behavior, and are less likely to live in poverty.

By now you’ve probably guessed that “M” is for marriage. But both the Family Dynamics Institute and my wife and daughter say that I should say “HM” for the benefits of healthy marriages.

A healthy marriage would be one that followed the institution’s creative design… Oh yes, you did know that marriage was God’s idea. You remember, the leave and cleave, the love and respect, the mutual submission, the help-mate and completed man thing.

So as our culture tries to redefine marriage, and as cohabitation and children out of wedlock continues its popularity, I wanted to remind us of the original plan, and of the statistics validating doing it God’s way.
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* The Case for Marriage (2000), by Linda J. Waite and Maggie Gallagher, and the Family Dynamics Institute

Bread Alone

When Satan tempted Jesus in the desert wilderness after 40 days of fasting, Satan suggested to Jesus, appealing to his flesh, "Turn these stones into bread." But, Jesus answered him, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

As we thing about God's word, several things come to mind:

Whole wheat or rye, bread can keep the physical body alive, but not the Spirit and Soul. The bible says that we are dead, separated from God until we respond to Jesus' good words, the Gospel, and make him Savior and Lord of our life.

God's word, as opposed to ours is full of his infinite power. His Word keeps the very stars and earth in their appointed orbits. His Word created everything in the Universe. And His Word created and formed us, and sent a Savior to redeem us.

God's word, the bible, is His message to us on how He wants to relate to us and how we should live. It is our owners manual, for how to live successfully.

His Word, the bible is also our repair manual, for how to fix broken lives, mend them, and put them back on track.

The real you, and the real me, our soul, that part which can have eternity in view, lives by the Word of God.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

In King Solomon’s treatise on the meaning of life, the book of Ecclesiastes, the Message, a modern paraphrase of the Bible, translates vanity as smoke. All the pursuits of worldly men, whether seeking pleasure, fame, fortune, power; the wisest man to ever live says that it’s all meaningless, vanity, smoke. The dictionary further defines vanity this way: vanity or smoke is lacking real value, hollow, worthless, trivial, or pointless. That’s how Solomon describes his life experience, pursuing meaning apart from God. And Solomon had the position, the money, and the brains to try it all. And, he did, but “under the sun” it had no satisfaction.

Everybody has good days and bad, the wise man counsels, “On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days, so that we won’t take anything for granted.

He encourages us to make the most of this life, and seize the day, but in light of a surety of God. “You who are young, make the most of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it. He also suggests “Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.

Solomon concludes Ecclesiaste this way, “ The last and final word is this: Fear (reverence) God. Do what he tells you. And that’s it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it’s good or evil.”

Consider reading through the book of Ecclesiastes to get Solomon’s perspective and wisdom. Try a modern English version like the NIV or New English Translation, or for a kick a paraphrase like the Living Bible, or the Message by Eugene Peterson. It will bless you and put life in perspective.

Oh, and about the title? Solomon tell me pursuing meaning to life under the sun, without taking into account heaven, and a righteous God, then all of life is smoke, vanity, pointless. And without God at the end of life, where there was smoke, there will certainly be fire

A Perfect Man

Do you desire to be a perfect Christian man? James says that “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." (James 3:2)

I had a lot of agreeing comments on the “Tongue” post, and so with permission, I’m sharing some sermon notes from my pastor, who just happened to speak on controlling our speech after my recent blog article. Here are some important concepts about “The Words of a Christian.”

1. The Bible says that our words are an indicator, or test of our Christian maturity. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. James 3:2

2. The Bible says that our words are going to be judged. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Matthew 12:36

3. The Bible says that we Christians should use our words to benefit others. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

4. The Bible says that we Christians can find Joy in using our words properly. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word! Proverbs 15:23 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Proverbs 25:11

5. The Bible says that we Christians should avoid participating in gossip. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts. Proverbs 18:8

6. The Bible says that we would do well to pray about our words. The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Isaiah 50:4.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

I pray the Holy Spirit will help make you and I like the perfect man, Jesus, the Christ.

Thanks to Pastor Bruce

Jesus was a lake person

A light hearted Fishersmen post for a Summer Holiday weekend:

Jesus was a lake person, and quite a fisherman by the way.

His step-dad's workshop in Nazareth was walking distance to Lake Kinneret.

His buddies were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee.

He's reported to have taken many more than one boat ride over the three years of his ministry.

In another story we hear about him grilling up some fish over an open fire for his buddies.

He's also quite a fisherman in his own right. Luke 5:1-8

Finally, nobody can find special fish like him. Matthew 17:24-27

In another story, we hear about him being in charge of fireworks (natural) while on a boat ride. Luke 8:22-26

And nobody can move through the water/over the water like he can. John 6:19 (Slalom skiing? wake-boarding? No, he was bare footing!)

Another reason I'm looking forward to hanging out for eternity future with a good friend and fellow lake person.

The Tongue

I shared with the group last week my prayer request to control my tongue better. I’ve been letting the little frustrations of life creep into colorful language that is not honoring to our boss. A good verse for me to dwell on is Ephesians 4:29 that says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

But, we all know it’s a challenge to control the tongue. James probably framed the battle best in the 3^rd chapter of his letter to the church, when he wrote, “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:2-10

The old saying “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.” But, poorly chosen words do damage. Mostly, they hurt the speaker…

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 26:28

For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 1 Peter 3:10

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

And, God has always put a strong emphasis on speaking the truth…

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16

"You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

We are further exhorted that our talk is supposed to reflect our walk of faith, If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26

Speaking carefully is reflected in the first written rules for the faithful, and the seriousness of the offense. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. Exodus 20:7

Sometimes, even if something is true, we shouldn’t be passing it along, when it’s none of our business. He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip. Proverbs 20:19

Finally, more than once, we’re encouraged to just say less, or nothing at all.

A man who lacks judgment derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue. Proverbs 11:12

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:28

Join me in the battle to control the tongue! You help me, and I’ll try to encourage you.