Prepare Your Heart – Advent Week 2

Continue preparing your heart for wisdom by reading the thoughts over at Proverbial Thought!

It is now the second week of Advent! (See last week’s devotional thought here.)

Again, Advent is a time to remember our Lord’s first coming as we look forward to His imminent return.

So, let us prepare hearts for encountering the Lord!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14, ESV

It is important for us to remember that God’s people, the Israelites, those who painstakingly preserved the written Word of God and pursued righteousness, failed to recognize Him when he came to them quite literally in the flesh.

Jesus said just three chapters later, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him” (John 4:23). Our culture today is largely spiritually dull, even in many churches.

Ask yourself, “Would I recognize God if He approached me today?” Seek His face in prayer, Bible reading, and the fellowship of believers. Ask God to reveal Himself to you. Too many missed Him the first time around. Seek the living Lord!

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 12/07/2014

Change your understanding and find wisdom at Proverbial Thought!

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2, ESV

 

you          me

Let us change,             and
(written with Kendra Page)

 

Let us change the world,

you and me,

with the help of God

for His Glory.

Let us change a life,

you and me,

by sharing His Love

with somebody.

Let us change our hearts,

you and me,

and focus back on the One

Who set us free

Let us change our thoughts,

you and me,

and rid them of anger, lust,

envy and greed.

Let us change our actions,

you and me,

by standing strong for God,

not being lazy.

Let us change our minds,

you and me,

by realizing God

is all we need.

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

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 11/30/2014

A little birdie told me to tell you to find some wisdom at Proverbial Thought!

I remember seven years ago, I was sitting on Arizona State University’s main campus waiting for some friends to get out of class. We were going to meet up for a quick dinner (I was not a student, but they were … in fact, I was practically homeless at the time!), and then go to the weekly Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) meeting. I was sitting in the middle of the watery area near the Union reading my Bible, specifically Matthew 26 (verses 25-27, in the NIV):

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Immediately after reading this, I looked up to see a bird flying overhead, performing all sorts of aerial acrobatics.

Then this poem came into my head.

It is rather fitting considering we just celebrated Thanksgiving in the good ol’ USA, as it is a reminder to focus on how God provides for us.

O birdie

O birdie in the air,
flying to and fro and everywhere,
what is it that you think about?
Do you worry about the clouds?
Is God a concern of yours?
That He is your real food source?
Do you contemplate people?
Do you wonder if they are real?
If God made you, then He made them,
so do you think about heaven?
Of all the cares that you have,
is it where you get your next bath,
or just maybe … perhaps …
that this world will not last?
But why should you care about that?
Do you know God controls your path?
O birdie flying oh so free,
Will you please share your thoughts with me?

How to Fix the Fergusons of the World In 12 Difficult Steps

Instead of writing my own, I submit Anthony’s thoughts. He did this pretty well.

Daniel

Anthony Baker's avatarThe Recovering Legalist

My Confession

Let me begin by confessing that I am not a person of “color,” at least not in the politically-correct use of the term. This is important to recognize up front because, according to many, my color (or lack thereof) disqualifies me from commenting on racial issues (unless I’m willing to confess any bigotries).

However, even though I am “white” (regardless of the fact that my shading is tinted by several hues on the palate of history), I would like to suggest some steps that could lead to true reconciliation and sustainable peace, not only in Ferguson, Missouri, but in all areas suffering from racial tensions, gang violence, urban decay, poor leadership, and civil unrest.

The Qualifier

Now, let it be known that the following suggestions will only work in a nation that supports the rule of law, condemns mob violence, and understands that there is a Higher Standard…

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The Undeniable Religious Underpinnings of an American Holiday

Anthony Baker's avatarThe Recovering Legalist

No Arguments

I don’t want to get into any arguments this Thanksgiving, believe me. I only look forward to meeting with family, eating turkey, along with every imaginable kind of casserole, then later flopping prostrate onto some flat surface to nap through the mythical effects of tryptophan and marshmallows. But just as with so many other things in this modern life, there are those who want to make a case against Thanksgiving, at least the religious underpinnings it brings to the dinner table.  Like as with Christmas, there will inevitably be those who want to keep God out of Thanksgiving.

There has been so much debate over the level of influence religion (specifically Christianity) had in the founding of our great nation, the United States of America. Many have argued that our forefathers wanted nothing more than a completely secular society void of anything sacred. Others have argued that our…

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Thankful for the Savior

Jesse Walker's avatarThe Unwinding Path

It is so, incredibly appropriate that Thanksgiving begins the Christmas season. Unfortunately too many people are caught up in the materialism of “doorbuster savings” and getting the newest electronic gismo (that will be outdated by the time they get it home), that they fail to take time to be truly thankful. The truth is, if you have a roof over your head, food and clean water you are better off than most of the people in the world.

This Thanksgiving, be sure to start off the Christmas season right by really setting everything aside, and being thankful for everything God has done for you.

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Enter His gates with thanksgiving…

Jesse Walker's avatarThe Unwinding Path

The Psalmist says “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise.” Some scholars have deemed this “The protocol of heaven,” that is to say, that if one were visiting royalty in another country (England for example) there is a protocol for what you do and say when meeting with them. It is similar when meeting with God Almighty. Similar, but not the same. Why, because God generally meets you where YOU are. He is wonderfully personal and too many people don’t understand that. He wants to meet with YOU, He wants to talk to YOU! You don’t need to go to a pastor or priest in order to hear the voice of God. There is one simple thing that you must do – be real with God.

God knows your heart anyway so why try to hide anything? He knows your thoughts, fears, worries, concerns, hopes, pride, and…

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What you need to know about Church

Remember to check out the thoughts on wisdom over at Proverbial Thought!

While checking out other sites, here is another one.

I had considered writing a blog about the Church for some time. I like Jesse’s so much, I am simply going to use his for my weekly posting! It is like stealing, but I am directing you straight to his blog. WE BOTH WIN!
Seriously, though, go read it. Good stuff. (I will reblog another one of his later this week, but SHHH!)

Daniel

Jesse Walker's avatarThe Unwinding Path

There is truth in this post that is going to be very hard for many people to take. So if you are going to read this, please read it all the way through or don’t read it at all.

If you have felt frustrated, held back, or like your gifts and talents are unappreciated in church you need to read this!

Whereas the politics of church organizations have hurt so many, I thought it wise to bring some clarity to what church is really about.

I’m an ordained minister, and as such, I know that it is not a full-time job, it’s a life long calling. However, that in no way means that it is the job at which I make money and support a family. On the contrary, I have a job in the secular world and do not get paid for the ministry I do (Freely you have…

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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 11/23/2014

Do not lose sleep over foolish choices, and get a taste of wisdom from Proverbial Thought!

Whether it is the book of Ecclesiastes or Proverbs chapter 6 or many other passages, the Bible talks a lot about what distracts us and takes up our time. These things cost us rest and sleep.

The poem today was written after a few days not being able to sleep inside a building. I was tired, but I had been kept busy during my days.

When I was able to get back to … not even a bed, but a futon that had recently been acquired from others by a friend I was staying with, I was ready to fall fast asleep. Instead, I wrote this poem for God.

He is always worth a little less sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

losing sleep

people lose sleep for various reasons

whether for work or for recreation

to read a good book or be with a person

but if i am losing sleep for anything

whether for all that mentioned or nothing

as long as i lose sleep seeking my King

if i can lose sleep for things here on earth

i should be able to for Him Who deserves

the very Creator in Whom i find my worth