It is my prayer you find wisdom, and perhaps you can find some help at Proverbial Thought!
The poem today is a prayer that was originally inspired by Proverbs 30:7-14. There is a mix of, well, everything else from God’s Word that is good and leads us toward holiness. I think it is rather appropriate for Father’s Day, as all fathers (all parents) should pray this!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
a simple prayer
O God
give me enough today
that i need not steal
O Lord
give me patience to stay
that i get through ordeals
O Savior
clean up my mouth and mind
that i not lie or lust
O Friend
clean out my heart and life
that i love and be just
O Father
hear my cry of despair
that my soul be made holy
O Daddy
hear my simple prayer
that my soul be filled with your peace
As I mentioned the other day, over the past weekend I officiated a wedding for some friends. Tuesday was my parents’ anniversary. Tomorrow (Friday) is our anniversary!
In honor of all of these marriage celebrations, here is an excerpt from the message I shared at my friends’ wedding this past weekend. It is slightly tweaked for their sake, and I did not include the bulk of the text, just the gospel part with chosen readings!
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:10-12
Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.
Song of Solomon 3:4
Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16
God also sought a virtuous one to trust and “do Him good”. Romans chapter three tells us that there has never been anyone who was able to perfectly live up to God’s standard of holiness and goodness.
Therefore, God did not wait to find a perfect companion. He came Himself, in the Person of His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, to live the perfect life of obedience and faithfulness. Jesus then died a horrific death on a cross to bring about the forgiveness of sins for all who believe.
Those who believe become members of His Church, the Bride of Christ worth more than all the riches of the world, to live with Him as that perfect companion for all eternity. At Jesus’ return, he will bring His Bride to Him at the Wedding Banquet! He will be our God, and we will be His People!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses …” (Hebrew 12:1, ESV)
The context of Hebrews chapter 12 is that the Preacher has just finished going through the “Hall of Faith” of all (from our Old Testament) who were considered righteous for their faith in God. This is the immediate meaning of “so great a cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. This verse can also be taken as a call to a holy life to share the gospel.
Photo courtesy of Jackie Moore
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely …”
I have seen many street preachers in my life. Some were okay, some were downright mean, and a few have been great. This past weekend I helped bring two friends together in marriage in New Orleans, LA.
After the ceremony and reception there was an after party on Bourbon Street. Immediately outside our venue were some street preachers from a local church.
I liked them because of their difference. They did not merely condemn those partaking in Bourbon Street’s offerings. Instead, they called others to follow their example of following Christ by laying aside every weight and sin which can cause someone to stumble.
Were they perfect?
No, but at least they were trying to fulfill our calling to take the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20).
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV
We are surrounded by many witnesses: those who have gone before and call us to continue, the angels who minister to us as we minister to others, and watchful world. We may stumble, and they may use it against us, but this is why we strive to lay aside every weight and sin which so easily causes us to stumble. Then we can run for the glory of God, bringing the lost to Him!
Have a devoted love to wisdom and read the thoughts at Proverbial Thought!
Please join me in celebrating with my friends, Dr. and Mrs. Steven & Amanda Churchill! Yesterday they blessed me with the opportunity to join their lives together in holy matrimony! (It was also my first time in New Orleans, LA!)
Now that we have adequately praised God for love and covenants, please note that the poem has absolutely nothing to do with their relationship! It was simply next in the line up!
There has been a systemic problem in the Western Church for a while, one that is gradually (and thankfully) being approached once again with fervor!
There is a rampant biblical and theological illiteracy amongst the faithful in our culture. We have been creating a people blind and deaf to the things of God, giving them instead a steady diet of fluff and half-truths.
Fortunately for us, God always has a faithful remnant whom He empowers to lead in strength and wisdom. May we be such a people as we await His return!
blind and deaf
what is the church
have we become
as blind and deaf
as everyone
whom we try
to lead to Him
Who can heal us
and forgive sin
what do we have
that is different
from this world
and all in it
are we merely
the blind leading
the blind all while
we are screaming
to a whole world
who cannot hear
and we ourselves
cannot bear
to face the truth
that we are blind
that we are deaf
and lack insight
from God above
about our state
that looks just like
a world depraved
we must stop
our calling out
to those who are
wandering about
but see ourselves
in the light of truth
misguided
and destitute
then our Lord will
send us to them
that we might lead
them straight to Him
then the blind and deaf
will see and hear
and Jesus will wipe
all of our tears
Your soul deserves to be fed wisdom, so head over to Proverbial Thought!
It is time for another song! As much as I like this song, I cannot fully stand behind it. I disagree with part of its main point!
I do not care for the fact that there is no direct mention of God/Jesus anywhere in the song, but I can let that go knowing so many of their other songs do. I will look at this as an opportunity to get into secular radio stations to pique the interest of someone who may not believe in God, yet. That being said …
The song is Plumb’s “Don’t Deserve You”, which I find an excellently orchestrated song and one I would suggest many people listen to.
My issue is specifically with one (repeated often) line, “I don’t deserve your love …”
Here is my issue with it: If God created you, then He has declared you worthy of His love. Every single person on this planet not only deserves His love, but, as the song says, “You give it to me, anyway.”
I think that is one of the hardest things for us to fight in our world: convincing others that they can and should be loved. I think singing about it like this can be detrimental. However, putting these lyrics to music could be the very thing that helps some people repent of this thinking and turn to God and His love. This is why I still like the song! (The thing we do not deserve is His grace, but that is the very reason it is grace! It is giving something undeserved!)
May you grow in the love of Christ and come to understand how vast His love truly is for us!
Plumb – Don’t Deserve You
You’re the first face that I see
And the last thing I think about
You’re the reason that I’m alive
You’re what I can’t live without
You’re what I can’t live without
You never give up
When I’m falling apart
Your arms are always open wide
And you’re quick to forgive
When I make a mistake
You love me in the blink of an eye
[Chorus]
I don’t deserve your love
But you give it to me anyway
Can’t get enough
You’re everything I need
And when I walk away
You take off running and come right after me
It’s what you do
And I don’t deserve you
You’re the light inside my eyes
You give me a reason to keep trying
You give me more than I could dream
And you bring me to my knees
You bring me to my knees
Your heart is gold and how am I the one
That you’ve chosen to love
I still can’t believe that you’re right next to me
After all that I’ve done
[Chorus]
I don’t deserve a chance like this
I don’t deserve a love that gives me everything
You’re everything I want
I know many people going through various things in life at the moment. The poem today I wrote almost seven years ago for a friend going through some trials.
Perhaps, if you are going through something, you will be blessed by it.
a prayer for my sister in Christ
Lord, i lift up my sister into Your hands!
Calm her spirit, clear her mind,
guide her steps, and lead her life!
Reveal your will and show your Face.
Cover my sister in your grace!
Thank You, our gracious Father,
for being our loving Savior!
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!
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.3 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.4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,5 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,6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.8 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
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.
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)!
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!
a simple man of God 