Prepare Your Heart – Advent Week 1
Prepare your heart for wisdom over at Proverbial Thought!
It is the first week of Advent!
Advent is a time to remember our Lord’s first coming as we look forward to His imminent return. Continue reading
a simple man of God
Hopefully making theology simpler to understand! (2 Corinthians 1:12)
Archive for the ‘ Holidays ’ Category
Back from the Dead: Remembrance of Veterans
Find reminders of the source of wisdom at Proverbial Thought!
Two years ago I typed up this little post. I re-post today with only a few edits (to account for the change in date and add a couple sentences).
Remembrance of Veterans
This past day saw celebrations in many nations for those who have served in the military. Whether it is called Veterans’ Day, Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, this is a time to recall those heroes who have served, fought, and even died in the service of country and/or freedom.
This is good. We should remember those who have gone before and fought for freedom. We should thank those who have served in the military, for it is a great sacrifice for most who do serve. It can mean the loss of time (doing preferred tasks, with family and friends, pursuing a career), limbs, and/or family. Soldiers have often given much and deserve to be remembered.
But, dear Christian, there are more who are at least as deserving if not more deserving of remembrance.
Hebrews 11 reminds us of some heroes:
- Abel
- Enoch
- Noah
- Abraham
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Joseph
- Moses
- Gideon
- Barak
- Samson
- Jephthah
- David
- Samuel
- the Prophets
These were people who stood firm for God and laid the framework for the coming Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.
Yet, there are more!
The New Testament has a list of heroes:
- John, the Baptizer
- Simon Peter
- Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother
- James, son of Zebedee
- John, James’ brother
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Thomas
- Matthew
- James
- Thaddeus
- Simon the zealot
- Matthias
- Mary
- Paul
- Stephen
- Barnabas
- Mark
- Luke
- Philip
- Procorus
- Nicanor
- Timon
- Parmenas
- Nicolas
- Lydia
- Priscilla
- Aquilas
- Phoebe
- And many, many more!
Notice there are even women listed! If we dug through the Old Testament we would find more women, such as Ruth, Esther, and Deborah, to name but a few.
We need to also remember history since the end of the First Century, those who have carried the Church forward:
- Augustine
- Eusebius
- Tertullian
- Jerome
- Origen
- Pelagius
- Francis of Assisi
- Martin Luther
- John Calvin
- Loyola
- Joan of Arc
- John Wesley
- C.S. Lewis
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Mother Teresa
Just to name a very few.
We need to remember these names and so many others for the work they have done to push the Gospel further into the world, deeper into our hearts, and on into the future until the return of our Lord.
Church history is important. We need to know about the ancient past, the past 2000 years, and recent leaders. We need to know why so many things are important.
Too much of recent Church history was resolved in the first few hundred years of Church history, but we have turned our backs on these giants of the faith.
Many recent Church problems have arisen largely due to an ignorance of what has come before.
Some of the time our ignorance of what has been discussed leads to problems.
Some of the time our ignorance of what has been done and why leads to problems.
Most of the time our ignorance of each other leads to problems.
Every time our ignorance of God leads to problems.
We get so focused on our differences that we lose focus of what has come before and who God is.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.”
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Hebrews 12:1-8
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)!
Where Jesus Spends His Time Today
Seek the wisdom of God, and find a taste at Proverbial Thought!
This past Sunday much of the Christian world celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Interesting note: this past Wednesday was probably the actual anniversary of the event.)
Last week I mentioned where Jesus spent the Passover when most Jews (except His followers and some others, I am sure!) were celebrating their freedom to worship God. Come Sunday morning, He proved He was God when He was raised from the dead!
Happily ever after, right?
Close.
There is still more to the story:
1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:1-11, ESV
The message this week is simple: our Lord is in heaven. Our Risen Savior has given us a hope for eternal life, and He sits at the right hand of the Father. He is in control!
AND HE IS COMING BACK AGAIN!
Where Jesus Spent the Passover
Here is another friendly reminder that Proverbial Thought is back! Also do not forget the first book published by Parson’s Porch!
Today is the Jewish Passover. It is a time of celebration of the freedom from slavery and living in the Promised Land.
There have been several times in history when it was merely a celebration of freedom from slavery in Egypt, and that was all because the Hebrew people could not live in their land.
Sadly, it took the mass murder of about six million (6,000,000) of them in World War II for them to get their land back. They also have not had all of the land restored to them.
However, about 2000 years ago there was a similar story. The Jews lived in the land, but they were under the rule of Rome. They were allowed to worship as they wanted, but it was always under the supervision of Roman leaders.
This is the same time that Jesus was born, raised, and performed His ministry. When He was about 33 years old, He went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover with His closest disciples.
The night before Passover officially began, He was betrayed by one of His friends, arrested by the Jewish leadership, interrogated and beaten, denied by another of His friends, and then at the time the sacrificial lambs were being sacrificed He was beaten some more and nailed to a cross to die.
Thus, He became the sacrificial Lamb who washed away our sin that separated us from God.
Just before nightfall, which is when the Passover would officially begin, this is what we read in Mark 15 (ESV):
42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Therefore, the Savior of the world, Jesus of Nazareth, the Jewish Messiah (Christ), spent Passover lying dead in a tomb.
We may not always feel like celebrating. The disciples certainly did not that weekend about 2000 years ago.
Yet, when our faith and hope is found in Christ that the Father is in control, we can have peace through the Holy Spirit knowing something the disciples did not that bleak Sabbath day, found in the next chapter of Mark:
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.
Our God and Savior is ALIVE! HE IS RISEN!
We celebrate this week the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have hope because He has overcome death and the grave!
Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 02/09/2014
As we lead up to St. Valentine’s Day, understand living a godly life through some wisdom on the godly woman at Proverbial Thought!
It is fitting that this poem should come this week, the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, because it refers to our Lord as “our Lover”.
To make sure it is understood properly, “our Lover” is not a term that means “the one with whom I have sex,” nor is it a term that means “my boyfriend/girlfriend.” He is the One who loves our souls and lives so much that He literally gave His life to ensure we could be with Him, and then He rose from the grave to prove He was God AND SO THAT He could prove it was possible to be with Him.
And that should give us peace and hope.
how can we understand
a peace beyond understanding
not at all
but our Lover promises His Peace
and His Peace and Love
are all encompassing
our Lover offers it
to all who seek
Re-Hello World!
It was three years ago today that this little blog was started!
Can you believe it! I mean, Really?!
A big thank you to all who have come along side me by following, commenting on, and sharing my blog. An extra thank you for those of you who have helped me write my blog and encouraged me in my writing, especially the great men (and a young woman!) at Proverbial Thought!
To see how it all started, you can go here, and for Proverbial Thought here and here (the second link being my first posting).
Praise God for my being so consistent, the relationships formed and strengthened, and for all that has come that glorifies His Name through this blog!
Really?!
Get a taste of wisdom over at Proverbial Thought!
Big and Newborn Bros
At my wedding 2.6 years ago
Yesterday was my little brother’s 28th birthday. I still think of him as a junior higher, perhaps 13 or 14 years old. That is now half his age! I can barely believe it!
This past Thursday, January 9, was my 14th Re-birthday. It was 14 years ago I first knelt down and declared I believed Jesus is my Savior and the Son of God. I was only a couple years older than how I still view my brother when that happened.
This all got me to thinking about something.
Some friends and I had a conversation about conversations a while back. It was all about the exclamation “Really?!”
The full context of this conversation was focused around what one of us had heard about friendly conversation and this one word. Asking this word after a friend or loved one makes a statement is the same as casting doubt on the validity of the statement.
It is one thing if the conversation goes like this:
“I just won a million dollars!”
“Wow! Really?!”
Winning a million dollars is not a typical occurrence in daily life. Shock and amazement with a little bit of doubt makes sense.
But when the conversation is more like this:
“I lost my phone today.”
“Really?”
In this context, it can said as any of the following:
- Anger: “How could you do that again?”
- Sarcasm: “This is such a surprise coming from you!”
- Astonishment: “This just happened?”
And many others.
The underlying theme is that saying “Really?!” denotes disbelief or mistrust, or at worst it denotes aggression or animosity. And to be fair, most of us use the term in such a way as to say “Tell me more!”
In Jesus’ Name. Really?!
You are probably thinking about how often you say “Really?!” to people, and, if you are like we were, you are attempting to justify your use of the term and explain that you usually mean “Tell me more!”
Let me then ask you this, Christian believer: How do you live your life?
Do go around claiming your connection to your church and as a good Christian, yet those outside the Church look at your example of love and light and think “Is this person really ‘blameless and innocent, [a child] of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16, ESV)
Put another way, do they look at your life and say “Really?! That’s a Christ follower?” And they want to stay away from God because of your example?
Or do you go around sharing the good news of Christ as you live out His commands of love and sacrifice? Do those outside the Church look at your example of love and light and think, “Really?! This kind of thing is true? Tell me more!”
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
2 Corinthians 13:5-6, ESV
Resolutely Seeking Righteousness
Seek wisdom and get a taste through the words shared at Proverbial Thought!
For the past week and a half I have been talking about why I do not like New Year’s Resolutions.
Here are some reasons why:
1. Resolutions are more like wishes personal wishes for the future. If you really want to stick to your desired goal, it is better to write out specifically what you ultimately want to achieve, sub-goals for marking progress and getting encouragement to continue, and have a support team.
2. We tend to approach resolutions more as guidelines for looking responsible than actually being responsible with our lives.
3. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3, ESV)
Why is number three Proverbs 16:3?
Because, along with my first two reasons, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) We are always trying to do things we think are best for us, but we do not always seek God’s will for our decisions. Perhaps we fail at so many resolutions because we were trying to do something that either God has not ordained or in a way He has not ordained.
[“ordained” simply means sanctioned, permitted, or established]
Therefore, whether the resolution is to lose weight, change diet, quit smoking/drinking/some addiction, or anything of importance, it is best to seek God first. In fact, one of my favorite passages to quote about just about anything will help with this, as well:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
And I couple it with this:
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17
Whatever plans you have for this year, remember to always put Christ first. Seek out the will of the Father, act on His will, and always give thanks no matter the circumstances or results!
HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY!
Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 01/05/2014
Resolve to discover wisdom, and find some wisdom at Proverbial Thought!
As I have discussed, I am not big on making New Year’s resolutions. I much prefer setting goals and meeting them.
That being said, here is today’s poem, inspired by this passage:
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Luke 9:51, ESV
New Resolution
a new year has come around once again
and i see where i have fallen short
people are setting new resolutions
that last two weeks or one or two more
these resolutions do not make much sense
if they can barely get past the start
as Jesus resolutely turned His face
toward Jerusalem where He would die
i resolutely declare every day
i shall turn my face to His sacrifice
because Jesus resolved to take my place
giving my life to Him is worth the price
a simple man of God
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!
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