Archive for May, 2014

Fighting Over Dad

There is nothing to fight over: find wisdom over at Proverbial Thought.

You may remember last year I wrote a series of posts about my puppy dog (the last one found here).

Soon after the New Year, we got another little guy, a little brother for our pup, if you will.

These two have an interesting way of greeting me when I come home:

When I enter the house, they start biting each other.

I could not help but think about how often we see this in churches: we begin arguing with each other, biting each other with our words.

We can get so caught up in our squabbles that we can miss out on our Father greeting us in His house, through His Holy Spirit who regenerates our hearts and pushes us to love and good works.

May we get over ourselves and put on the righteousness of Christ!

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.
Titus 3:1-8, ESV

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 05/25/2014

Get reconnected with wisdom at Proverbial Thought.

You may have noticed that I missed a few posts in the last two weeks (since Mother’s Day). I had scheduled posts to finish out the semester a while ago, only updating the Mother’s Day video after it had been released. When the end of the semester came, I had so much going on with finals, preparing for some friends’ wedding, having another Graduate-level course from another school, and figuring out whether/how to accept an amazing job offer, that I chose to focus on all of those rather than updating. I can happily say that it is the first time in almost three and a half years that I have not posted anything! I think I can be forgiven for that!

Something else that is amazing is the poem that is for today. My education and the job offer (that truly go hand in hand) fits with this poem, for they are part of the same path that is making me a better teacher and better man of God.

I trust you will be blessed by this poem.

path of construction

 

many people take the wide road
a path that seems easy and fun
but what most fail to realize
is that it is the path to destruction

there is a better way to go
though it seems not for everyone
it is the straight and narrow path
which is a path of construction

this path may be harder
but it leads right to the Son
this path will tear down then build up
through many tribulations

our old lives are removed
to be replaced with new ones
that we might join the angels
in praise and jubilation

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 05/11/2014

IT IS MOTHERS’ DAY! HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Remember, Proverbs 31 was written as advice from a mother, so go find some godly, maternal wisdom at Proverbial Thought!

The poem today is also fitting, as it talks about walking the right way. Parents are supposed to help guide their children, and that is exactly what God wishes to do with all of those adopted through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

                    just off the path

they call it the straight and narrow

but just how well can we follow

what if in all of our attempts

just to the right or the left

is where it turns out we have

been in relation to the path

what if while we have been talking

with those with whom we are walking

only to come to realize

that our half truths are still lies

not really following Christ

but being just to the left or right

instead of walking just off the path

we should have our thoughts recast

we should line up our lives

with His loving heart and mind

to remain on the path of God

we must watch where our minds trod

we must study the scriptures

and look to our Savior

break bread with one another

and help our needy brothers

we need to pray continually

and praise our God Almighty

to stay on the Path of our King

we need to give Him everything

Seeing Through Mom’s Eyes

Wisdom calls to you, and some of our thoughts on her words can be found at Proverbial Thought!

Let this be a reminder to all of you (who may have forgotten. I will keep your secret. You are so welcome!) that Mother’s Day is this Sunday.

Let us remember the 5th  Commandment: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12, ESV)

We like to celebrate a lot of things in our world, and in May and June we celebrate parents (or surrogate parents through adoption or other loving adults. My wife and I see her grandmother and a friends mom on top of sending cards to and calling our moms).

And, you know what, those Skit Guys are at it again! You may remember that last year I posted one of their videos. (If not, here it is!)

I am not ashamed to admit that I teared up with this one (again), first from laughter (such as at 2:42 when one of the dad’s is trying to get his little girl off of the impossibly tall building!) and then from the sheer beauty of the sentiment.

Enjoy these “Mom Goggles”.

Happy Mothers’ Day, moms (and surrogate moms, including you dads who have to pull double-duty)!

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 05/04/2014

Remember to find wisdom at Proverbial Thought!

Why does John 3:16 say “God so loved the world” and 1 John 4:8 “God is love”?

Probably because God loves each and every person. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God has told each and every one of us, “I love you!”

 

 

my God said to me

my God said to me

I love you

I want you

I will be there for you

I will sit with you

I will cry with you

I will laugh with you

I will talk with you

I will listen to you

I will love you

If you love me

If you do not

  But I love you

my God said to me

that He wants to be

your God

too