Advice Study - Edition #2: Folly Ball (It's a New Sport!)

May 29th, 2006

Happy Memorial Day!
Advice Study – Edition #2: Folly Ball (It’s a New Sport!)

Proverbs 15:21-23
Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. A man finds joy in giving an apt reply - and how good is a timely word!

Apt (adj.):

• Exactly suitable; appropriate.


• Having a natural tendency; inclined.


• Quick to learn or understand.

Proverbs 15:23 reply:
ma‛ăneh
mah-an-eh'
A reply (favorable or contradictory): - answer, X himself.

Proverbs 15:22 counsel:
sôd
sode
A session, that is, company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication intimacy, consultation, a secret: - assembly, counsel, inward, secret (counsel).

Proverbs 15:22 advisers:
yâ‛ats
yaw-ats'
A primitive root; to advise; reflexively to deliberate or resolve: - advertise, take advice, advise (well), consult, (give take) counsel (-lor), determine, devise, guide, purpose.

Proverbs 15:21 folly:
'ivveleth
iv-veh'-leth
Silliness: - folly, foolishly (-ness).

Proverbs 15:21 delights:
śimchâh
sim-khaw'
Blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival): - X exceeding (-ly), gladness, joy (-fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice (-ing).

Proverbs 15:21 lacks:
châsêr
khaw-sare'
Lacking; hence without: - destitute, fail, lack, have need, void, want.

Proverbs 15:21 judgment:
lêb
labe
The heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything: - + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag [-eous], friend [-ly], ([broken-], [hard-], [merry-], [stiff-], [stout-], double) heart ([-ed]), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind (-ed), X regard ([-ed)], X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom.

Now, I guess I could call these like “Cliff Notes” but really, I did this all while sitting down… do no-where near a cliff. Today, I will go ahead and resume sending out my Quiet Times or daily devotionals; however you want to call them. Should you wish, you can always check out the previous editions… always available.

2nd Timothy 3:1-9
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth - men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Folly (noun):

• A lack of good sense, understanding, or foresight.

Advice (noun):

• Opinion about what could or should be done about a situation or problem; counsel.


• Recommendation regarding a decision or course of conduct.

Getting advice is good sense. The bible says that it is a good thing to do. It says that it assures success. It doesn’t say that I have to listen to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that crosses my path that I should ask, and place every word they say into practice… the definition above says that advice is “an opinion” and should simply be left at that. But if that opinion is then opened and the bible speaks… that is a different matter… more studies to follow… do I want to be one God to look at me as one of a lack of good sense and foresight? Granted, I am known as a pretty strange guy, a funny, weird, entertaining to say the least, good at parties… is that my folly? Am I a fool? Maybe I am. I don’t get advice enough. I just don’t, and that is my folly. Johnny Out.

A Demonic Study

May 27th, 2006 (and May 28th)

A Demonic Study

Daemon:

1. Mythological being that is part-god and part-human


2. A guardian spirit


3. A demon

Matthew 8:28 demon: G1139
daimonizomai
dahee-mon-id'-zom-ahee
To be exercised by a daemon: - have a (be vexed with, be possessed with) devil (-s).

Matthew 8:31 demon: G1142
daimōn
dah'ee-mown
(to distribute fortunes); a demon or super natural spirit (of a bad nature): - devil.

Deuteronomy 32:17 & Psalm 106:37 demon:
shêd
shade
A daemon (as malignant): - devil.

Matthew 7:22 demon: G1140
daimonion
dahee-mon'-ee-on
A daemonic being; by extension a deity: - devil, god.

I just don’t understand how someone can see how a devil or demon can be considered a guardian spirit? I guess it has to go down to the dominos… (I guess it is an if/then sort of thing)

Domino #1: I don’t know
Domino #2: no idea
Domino #3: empty

OK, I was going to try this whole thing… I was going to try and figure it all out… but I just can’t understand how a demon can also be a guardian spirit. I mean, look at Mark 3…

Mark 3:23-26
So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.”

I mean, why would Satan protect people from bad things? It is not his nature… a guardian is one that guards, watches over, or protects… if a demon spirit is one who does this, how can be possible, unless it for ulterior motives.

1st Kings 17:20-39
So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire - he is God.”

Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” So they took the bull given them and prepared it.
Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “O Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

“Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD - he is God! The LORD - he is God!”

My point with all this… Satan could have done something here. He has no real power, at least no GOOD power. That is the real point. God guards and Satan stinks. There you go, Johnny Out.

Friendship - Edition #12: What do I owe my friend?

May 26th, 2006

Happy Friend’s Day!!!
Friendship – Edition #12: What do I owe my friend?

Romans 13:1-14
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Loving each other is the fulfillment of the law. And the difficult thing I find is respecting the things of my friends and loved ones, the things they do, that I don’t like. Whether it is a sport like Turtle Wrestling (I just made that up, watch for a video game to come out in two years, I’m sure) or I don’t know, just the little things that normally would get under my skin, I have to find that I have to respect them for their point of view. I find that respect is probably the hardest lesson learned, at least when it when goes down to the heart… if I can learn to respect “from the heart” and love from the heart… then good things. Johnny Out

Advice Study: - Edition #1: Hearing a Voice

May 25th, 2006

Advice Study – Edition #1: Hearing a Voice

You know, things can really get out perspective when you things. Consider a tired hunter out who is in the wild. He stumbles into a camp and says “Am I glad to see you! I’ve been lost for three days!” The other hunter mutters. “Don’t get too excited, friend, I’ve been lost for three weeks.” But anyway, a friend of mine called and challenged about getting advice shortly after I had a medical procedure. I appreciate his heart.

Proverbs 27:5-6
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Proverbs 27:6 friend:
'âhab 'âhêb
aw-hab', aw-habe'
A primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise): - (be-) love (-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.

I call him friend, even though he has been distant from me lately. I’m not sure why. He could be angry. He could be busy. I really don’t know. I’m simply speculating. The problem with speculation is that you can draw up false ideas in your head and create all sorts of complex problems that really don’t exist and get all sorts of stressed out. And with my current health problems, I’m really trying to not freak out about it, even though the outlook isn’t so great. It is, like I said, speculation, based on facts (that is, my health).

Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I would say it is true, I am not in the habit of getting advice when I do things. When it came to the Lumbar Puncture, the nurse was telling the doctor that she would not be able to schedule it until June, and then the Doctor told her that he wanted to see me before then and rearranged his schedule to create a timeslot so that I could be seen the day before my son’s birthday party. My friend didn’t think that was good, to have the medical procedure done before the party. And maybe he is right, I might have been able to negotiate something to where I could have had the procedure done on, say the 12th, or a different date… I don’t know. I do know, the urgency of the Doctor concerned me.

Proverbs 12:14-16
From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him. The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

Now, seriously, I didn’t know what prudent meant… dictionary.com:

Prudent (adj.):

1. Careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment.


2. Showing wise self-restraint in speech and behavior especially in preserving prudent silence.

I guess, then, I am a scholar in self-restraint in this area. Although, advice isn’t one that I have focused so much as much as other things, to be honest. I have put much effort in my relationship with God, quiet times, studies, purity, relationships, a lot of character issues, and to honest, I’ve had plenty to choose from… I’ve figured to start with Quiet Times first… get in the bible and then start knocking the rest, you know… and that has helped a TON.

The Tongue - Edition #33: Am I Listening?

May 22nd, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #33: Am I Listening?

You know… the bible talks a lot about understanding, and I agree, understanding is a good thing. It is good to understand this and that and the other. But sometimes, I think I really don’t need to understand everything. I really don’t. Why does this or that happen to me? Why do I really need to know that? Is that really important? These days, all I want to know from God is the simplicity of it all; can you show me where the blessing is? That’s what I’m asking God these days. Just a thought or two… anyway…

Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: “How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

Proverbs 8:1-21
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

(Additions May 23rd, 2006)

Wisdom calls to me, God raises his voice. He wants me to hear him. So the question is this: am I listening? I have thought a lot about things over the last few months. It is really good to have all sorts of great things such as: wisdom, understanding, love, friends, family, possessions… the list can really go on. The bible, and I agree, says that love is most important. It will take care of friends and family. I know, wisdom and understanding, they are important… I desire them, but I don’t know if burden of having them is good. I mean, when you have nothing, then there isn’t much responsibility. But when you’re a CEO of a huge company… and all the stockholders are looking at you to make them rich… then it is your head in a noose every day. When the stocks go up, you are a hero. When the stocks go down, you have to answer some questions. And if you are answering questions more often than playing the hero, you’ll be ridiculed and loose your job.

Luke 14:28-30
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’”

How do I look at myself? I mean, do I listen? With wisdom, I would count the costs. To have wisdom, I have to listen and understand.

Romans 12:9-18
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Now, there is a lot of tricky things here, which honestly, I just understand this puzzle. “Don’t lack in zeal” and yet we can mourn. How can we be a zealous mourner? I just can’t imagine someone excitingly sad. I don’t know… just a strange thought. I guess I just… maybe it’s me being tired. I don’t know.

The order of things:

1. God/Wisdom calls out


2. I listen

How do I respond?

1. With zeal and rejoicing

And why with rejoicing? Well, I always remember this: when God talks, it is always a good thing. When God talks, it is time to rejoice.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

It’s the peace of God that is the final part of this puzzle. I am not all that sure about the zealous mourner, but the peace of God part, I feel pretty about that.

The order of things:

1. God talks


2. I listen


3. I rejoice

Anyway… this helped my out a bit. Maybe you, maybe not. Johnny Out.

The Weakly Strongman

May 20th, 2006

The Weakly Strongman

Recently, I had a friend share in an email about strength. Well, it wasn’t directly about strength, it was more about focus, and the mere question of “why me?” When I think of that of question, that question becomes a question of my own strength. It is a reflection of how I am doing spiritually, yes, and shows the phase of moon I may be in, per se (like a full moon, I would be strong – as an example, whereas a moon that is waning is getting weaker spiritually – just a poetic example or a metaphor). No one is strong every single moment except God himself. I most likely will resume the tongue study tomorrow or whenever, but I really wanted to study this out since it was itching in my mind.

Judges 16:17-22
So he told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.”

When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. Having put him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him.

Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!”

He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I'll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the LORD had left him.

Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding in the prison. But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved.

Matthew 26:36-46
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

1st Corinthians 8:9-13
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

2nd Corinthians 12:7-10
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Judges 16:17 strength:
kôach kôach
ko'-akh, ko'-akh
From an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard: - ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power (-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

Judges 16:17 weak:
châlâh
khaw-law'
Properly to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat: - beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, X pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit (X supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded.

Matthew 26:41 and 1st Corinthians 8:10 weak:
asthenēs
as-then-ace'
Strengthless (in various applications, literally, or figuratively and morally): - more feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, weak (-er, -ness, thing).

(Additions made on May 21st, 2006)

1st Corinthians 8:9,11 & 12 & 2nd Corinthians 12:10 weak:
astheneō
as-then-eh'-o
From G772; to be feeble (in any sense): - be diseased, impotent folk (man), (be) sick, (be, be made) weak.

2nd Corinthians 12:10 strong:
dunatos
doo-nat-os'
From G1410; powerful or capable (literally or figuratively); neuter possible: - able, could, (that is) mighty (man), possible, power, strong.

OK, so my thoughts on all this. I have some crazy thoughts on these things, so bear with me, maybe it will make sense, maybe it won’t. I don’t know. First off, Samson, the dude wasn’t really the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I guess he got OK. I mean, Delilah betrayed his trust twice, and he continued to trust her. I don’t if it was written before Samson’s time that to love someone is to always to trust in them, as it is today… but that is the example of Samson (just a side there) but anyway, and Delilah cuts his hair and Samson looses his strength and becomes weak. And Samson becomes strong once more in one final blow to the Philistines… but he wasn’t strong every moment of his life. And strength in Hebrew is “the force.” So, as a Christian, I can use the force. I can be a Christian Jedi. And what is wrong with that? But when I become weak in Hebrew, I become afflicted, wounded or sick. And when I think about it, when I am doing well, it’s like “the force is with me” and when I am not doing so well, it is like I’m a “dog licking my wounds.” It makes sense. Maybe I shouldn’t cut my hair.

I’m going to skip the story of Christ and save that one for last…

So, how weak am I? Well, I’m still not going to win any arm wrestling matches these days. It is interesting the use of the word weak in the bible. Especially the word used by Christ. Paul was concerned for those with a weak conscience. It’s good to build others up and not tear them down. How discouraging for someone who struggles with a past religion of sacrifices of certain animals to see a friend eating prior sacrificial meat? I mean it wouldn’t make sense for me to go to a country that worships cows and serve steaks and hamburgers, you know? Well, it would be a good way be shot on site, I guess. But, should I do something like that, I take someone who is weak or sick, and I make him weaker or even sicker, according to the Greek. I take the person, and I actually make him worse. That doesn’t sound warm and fuzzy. I guess it is truly good on how I exercise my freedom.

Actually, I am going to combine the 2nd Corinthians and the Matthew story together, because, in mind, they really do fit. Paul has this thorn right, it’s in his side, and God won’t take it away. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Remember this, if you haven’t already. And then, remember this: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Strength and power, at least according to the bible, according to God and the writings of 1st Corinthians, are generated from weakness. And Jesus heads out to the garden to pray. He takes a couple of dudes, his buddies with him, and he wants them to pray with him, but close by. When he returns, the kicker of all kickers… he says “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Now, I’m not sure… but I’m thinking, it’s like this. He’s saying be watchful, watch me, pay attention, learn from me NOW. And if you pray earnestly like this, you will not fall into temptation later in life because you will know how to do it when your struggles come. Watch for troubling times and pray when they come so that you will not fall into temptation. “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” God is willing, but am I? How many times will I pray? It took Jesus three. He was weak… he was tempted, but he didn’t give in. He was weak, but he got strength from God. He was refreshed and then went on to the cross. How many prayers will it take for me to be refreshed? Am I weak, am I strong, am I helping others get stronger or weaker?

Friendship - Edition #11: The Friendly Shepherd

May 19th, 2006

Happy Friend’s Day!!!
Friendship – Edition #11: The Friendly Shepherd

Wow, what a week! I have learned I do not have MS, which is a good thing. We don’t know what I have, which is puzzling to the doctor… he wants to send me to the medical school and that can take 6 to 8 months. Some good news is that I am able to drive again, which I wasn’t able to do for about two and a half weeks. I would like to ask that you pray for me to get in there, to the medical school so the doctors can see me and make an accurate diagnosis. Just pray that they get me in there quickly. Yesterday, my family and I were able to see some friends become engaged. That was simply awesome! He proposed and she said YES! Or, if it was Old Testament, it would be: Hallelujah!!

Psalm 23:1-6
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I really needed to just look at this today. I started my thoughts rather early, and then things happened, and here it is, late… and the day didn’t go like it started. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at Psalm 23. It’s been a while since I’ve read the book “A Shepherd looks at Psalm 23” as well, but it’s a great book, for those who don’t have it. The Author of that book, Phillip Keller, passed away, I think it was back in 2001, but I’m not 100% sure. I really wrestled with God today. I probably cried more today than I have in quite some time. I simply asked God where his power is at, because I’m not seeing it. I mean, if he heals, why have I had this pain for almost a year and a half? I then continued to yell (in my car, mind you) where is your POWER? WHERE – IS – IT?!

I pictured myself in the classic facial expression of Luke Skywalker squirming away from Darth Vader going “no… no… it can’t be true…” I did come to my senses. I thought about the thorn in Paul’s side that was never removed… and of course, if God answered in the way that we as people wanted, then no one would ever die, and there would be people over 2000 years old right now. Talk about overcrowding issues? So, I still have to think with some logic.

Psalm 23:1 want:
châsêr
khaw-sare'
A primitive root; to lack; by implication to fail, want, lessen: - be abated, bereave, decrease, (cause to) fail, (have) lack, make lower, want.

Psalm 23:3 restores:
shûb
shoob
A primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbially again: - ([break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep]) X again, (cause to) answer (+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call [to mind], carry again (back), cease, X certainly, come again (back) X consider, + continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back, fetch home again, X fro, get [oneself] (back) again, X give (again), go again (back, home), [go] out, hinder, let, [see] more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), X repent, requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, + say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, X surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.

Psalm 23:3 soul:
nephesh
neh'-fesh
Properly a breathing creature, that is, animal or (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental): - any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead (-ly), desire, X [dis-] contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart (-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortality, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it.

Psalm 23:4 shadow of death:
tsalmâveth
tsal-maw'-veth
Shade of death, that is, the grave (figuratively calamity): - shadow of death.

Psalm 23:4 fear:
yârê'
yaw-ray'
A primitive root; to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten: - affright, be (make) afraid, dread (-ful), (put in) fear (-ful, -fully, -ing). (be had in) reverence (-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).



Psalm 23:4 evil:
ra‛ râ‛âh
rah, raw-aw'
Bad or (as noun) evil (naturally or morally). This includes the second (feminine) form; as adjective or noun: - adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease (-ure), distress, evil ([-favouredness], man, thing), + exceedingly, X great, grief (-vous), harm, heavy, hurt (-ful), ill (favoured), + mark, mischief, (-vous), misery, naught (-ty), noisome, + not please, sad (-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked (-ly, -ness, one), worse (-st) wretchedness, wrong. [Including feminine ra’ah; as adjective or noun.]

Calamity (noun):

1. An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster.


2. Dire distress resulting from loss or tragedy.

Psalm 23:1-6
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through a horrendous calamity, I will not fear the affliction, for you, God, are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Matthew 18:1-14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

“Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”

“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

You know, I have a son. He loves me to no end. He loves to play with me, with his toys, and he likes to grab my finger and walk around. When he gets scared, he turns to me for comfort. When he does something cool, he wants to share his joy with me. I love him. I love him with everything I’ve got. Maybe I love him too much. But I know God loves me in ways that I cannot even fathom. I know that my dad loves me in ways he cannot express. And that’s OK. I know he loves me. With Psalm 23, I have to be honest, though, I am afraid of the affliction. I think I need God’s shepherding. To have some time to reflect and get good relationship with him. And I seriously need “restore” my soul, or just get a refill. Something. One thing is for sure, I need to make sure I get these emails out… because, if I don’t, then bad things. Again, pray for me. Johnny Out.

The Tongue - Edition #32: The Poor Judge

May 15th to 18th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #32: The Poor Judge

Well, I missed my quiet time on both Saturday and Sunday. I’m not sure what to say about it all, but I feel “OK” about it. I’m sick and my heart wasn’t like “I don’t want to have one.” In fact, I wanted to have to have them, but I also wanted to spend time with family. And so, I decided to spend time with family. I can’t see God being upset by that. When the needs presented themselves, Jesus tended to them, and rightfully so. Now, I received an email fairly recently about a company who is supporting the gay rights movement. The email is asking for the boycott of this company. I have mixed thoughts on the whole thing. I don’t support the idea of homosexuality, but to be honest, I don’t think the idea of a boycott is the right answer. I did a search on snopes.com and I couldn’t find a yes or no or anything for that matter on this whole issue. It must be a very new email and a very new issue and snopes has yet to post a response.

1st Corinthians 10:23-24
“Everything is permissible” - but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” - but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

What is strangely interesting about scripture is how people can twist it to make it what they want it to say for them. Using the above as an example: Those people are doing sinful acts – thus we should boycott them to teach them a lesson – It is a sacrifice for me, due to I now have to go out of my way to shop other places. This is justification, or simply justifying the action.

Justify (verb):

1. To prove or show to be just, right, or reasonable.


2. To show to have had a legally sufficient reason or cause.

I’ve been thinking this whole thing a lot.

Luke 6:20-22
Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.”

Luke 6:20 poor:
ptōchos
pto-khos'
(To crouch); a beggar (as cringing), that is, pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas G3993 properly means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed): - beggar (-ly), poor.

Now, I did some extra research on top of what I normally on this word, structurally on the meaning of it all… this “pto-khos'” not only means poor as in a beggar, but it’s like a frightfully poor. It’s the kind that the homeless are afraid of. It’s the kind of poor where you have no one to turn to. And Christ says that those who are in this kind of shape are blessed because, when all is dark, they do have a place to turn to, and that place is God. Now, with a topic like the poor, what in the world does that have to do with a boycott? Work with me and I’ll show you (at least what I am thinking, anyway).

Scenario:
I see an old homeless man on a street corner. I give him a whopping $20. That’s a generous thing.

Wrench #1:
I then find out that very man used to beat his wife senseless and on a daily basis, which led to him being homeless.

Question:
Does that take away the good thing I did? Should I be angry for giving to the poor in this fashion?

Wrench #2:
(Throw out #1, mind you) After giving him the money, I then find out that the guy lives a homosexual lifestyle.

Question:
Again, do I get angry? Does this cause me to not want to give to the needy? Do I even want to go back and take the money away from him?

Matthew 7:1-6
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.”

Matthew 7:1 judge:
krinō
kree'-no
Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: - avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

Matthew 7:2 measure:
metron
met'-ron
An apparently primary word; a measure (“metre”), literally or figuratively; by implication a limited portion (degree): - measure.

Now, Johnny’s rewrite: “Do not condemn, or you too will be condemned. For in the same way you sentence others, you too will be sentenced, and with the portion you use, it will be the same degree to you.” Heavy. I think the point in all this is that I need to take care myself. How can I take care of someone else’s problems when I can’t even take care of my own? It’s good to take care of the poor. It’s good to give the guy a $20. But the fact of the matter is, do I judge him for his lifestyle and his mistakes? If I do, then the same condemnation is going to come right back on me. I don’t approve of wife beating or the homosexual lifestyle, don’t think I do, but the point I am simply trying to stress, in my mind, anyway, is the boycott idea is judgmental at heart. There is a sense of anger behind it all. I don’t like tomatoes. I don’t boycott them, I simply don’t care for their taste. I do buy pizza and have ketchup, but I most likely will never again eat a raw tomato. I don’t like the Yankees. It’s nothing personal, well maybe it is, but I will never root for them in the game of baseball. I would like to go to Yankee stadium someday and cheer on whoever plays against them. As far as Yankee merchandise, I may never buy anything, but again, that isn’t really a boycott. I am not trying to change someone’s mind by my actions not rooting for the Yankees.

Boycott (verb):

1. To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion.

If something is going to change peoples minds, it has to start with love. Over the last couple of months, my mind has changed. It was with love from others that I learned a lot about God and prayer. And even though I have only begun to grasp just a sliver of understanding, which I really haven’t asked God for understand, I have learned that God is there and he is really happy (I just couldn’t think of the right word), and happy fits though. I mean, when my son does something new and cool, and then he turns to see me there, he quickly crawls over to me to rejoice with me and I can’t help but share in his joy. How can I not? And then God looks down on the world and sees people shunning others, not wanting to get along, condemning at every chance they get, and why do we do it? I’m not sure why we do it. 1st Peter 4:8 says “above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” And Proverbs 10:12 says “hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.” Well, I guess I am done for now. Johnny Out.

Friendship - Edition #10: The Joy of a Friend

May 12th, 2006

Happy Friend’s Day!!!
Friendship – Edition #10: The Joy of a Friend

I have been struggling again with depression. The IV Steroids are somewhat to blame, so say the side effects. Last night was really tough for me. I sat next to my wife and tried to talk and it was just really hard to get the words out what it was that I was feeling. I struggled with words and they did come out… and it wasn’t easy. I will say that through this whole ordeal, this whole journey and wherever it takes me and my family, that I can truly say that I am blessed. And that is a wonderful to thing to say. It is an amazing thing to say. I am surrounded by a group of friends whose outpouring of love is never-ending. I have family who come over on a daily basis to help with my son. The phone calls and emails never stop. A friend gave my wife a card yesterday with a little gift and it was very touching. It’s good to have friends in all kinds of places.

John 3:22-36
After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. (This was before John was put in prison.) An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan - the one you testified about - well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

“The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.”

John 3:29 friend:
philos
fee'-los
Properly dear, that is, a friend; actively fond, that is, friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.): - friend.

John 3:29 joy:
chara
khar-ah'
Cheerfulness, that is, calm delight: - gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

John 3:29 mine:
plēroō
play-ro'-o
To make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

This one is very short today. But my idea is this: if I can’t get joy from hearing God’s word, maybe I can get joy from hearing someone’s voice, such as the voice of a friend. Get a little delight from a buddy, a friend, who can cheer you up when you are down. Galatians 6:2 does say to help carry each other’s burdens. The only way we can do that is to be there comforting each other. I just want to let you know that, I appreciate you all, your prayers, your thoughts, and your studies. Ladies, have a great Mother’s Day on the 14th, should I not catch you prior, and, of course, Johnny Out.

The Tongue - Edition #31: Pray and Petition

May 11th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #31: Pray and Petition

Goodness, I am tired. Today is the last of the three days of IV steroids. A friend of mine took me this morning, for which I am very grateful. It was good to spend time with friends, just to hang out and chill and whatnot. It’s good to not have to worry about what people think of you, wondering if they are judging you, and all the superficial things that go with that. It is just comforting. Mother’s Day is coming up on the 14th, for those of you who may have slipped from your mind. It keeps slipping from mine.

Petition (noun):

1. A formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority.


2. Reverent prayer to God.

Pray (verb): (now this is from the Devil’s dictionary, so do be cautious)

1. To ask that the laws of the universe be voided on behalf of a single person to be confessedly unworthy.

1st Chronicles 16:1-36
They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God. After David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD. Then he gave a loaf of bread, a cake of dates and a cake of raisins to each Israelite man and woman.

He appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to make petition, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel: Asaph was the chief, Zechariah second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-Edom and Jeiel. They were to play the lyres and harps, Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God.

That day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this psalm of thanks to the LORD: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, O descendants of Israel his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.” When they were but few in number, few indeed, and strangers in it, they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. He allowed no man to oppress them; for their sake he rebuked kings: “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness. Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them! Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Cry out, “Save us, O God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise.” Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said “Amen” and “Praise the LORD.”

1st Chronicles 16:4 petition:
zâkar
zaw-kar'
A primitive root; properly to mark (so as to be recognized), that is, to remember; by implication to mention; also (as denominative from H2145) to be male: - X burn [incense], X earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record (-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, X still, think on, X well.

Now, I’ll be the first to say, I don’t know how that got from here to petition… but somehow they did. And it is Old Testament and trusted, so I don’t know if I am going to be one to necessarily question it, but I think it may be of something deeper.

A different definition (and this is why it is good to research, and then research again.):

Petition (noun):

1. A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in authority.

This type of petition was more for the documentation type. It was for the remembrance type, to instill and to keep records. The Levites did the praying, and rightfully so. But David wanted them to also keep records so that the history wouldn’t be quickly forgotten. As we know, as time does pass, history does gloss over things. They banged on double tinklers and played harps. It was the custom of the day. Now, if you want to read a discouraging verse after all this stuff, check this out:

1st Chronicles 16:36 Amen:
'âmên
aw-mane'
Sure; abstractly faithfulness; adverbially truly: - Amen, so be it, truth.

So, let’s pretend you’re up there, you do this huge sermon and pray your heart out, you talk about what all that God’s people have been through to get to the Promised Land, and then they respond, “Sure. Praise the Lord.” I don’t know… I would want an explanation point at the end of that sentence. I guess that’s just me. In fact, “So be it. Praise the Lord.” or “Truth. Praise the Lord.” I don’t know. The period simply throws me off. And maybe that’s why the Israelites struggled so much in the desert. I’m sure there is more than just one reason and it really goes down to the heart of the matter. They get this great stuff, it’s like the great commission, sing to God, proclaim his salvation day end and day out. Declare his glory among the nations, to everyone. I mean, didn’t Christ himself say this in Matthew? And the Israelites go: “Sure. Praise the Lord.”

Luke 17:5
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

Luke 17:5 increase:
prostithēmi
pros-tith'-ay-mee
To place additionally, that is, lay beside, annex, repeat: - add, again, give more, increase, lay unto, proceed further, speak to any more.

Luke 17:5 faith:
pistis
pis'-tis
Persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.

Lord, give me more moral conviction, more reliance upon Christ for salvation and truth itself. Increase my faith. Johnny Out.

The Tongue - Edition #30: Quarreling Aside

May 10th, 2006

Today is Mackenzie’s 1st Birthday!
The Tongue – Edition #30: Quarreling Aside

(First some good chain mail that I verified is true from Snopes.com)
Some good advice, and you may know this already, but it is good to hear it again.

A 36 year old woman had an accident and totaled her car. A resident of Kilgore, Texas, she was traveling between Gladewater & Kilgore. It was raining, though not excessive, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air.

She was not seriously injured but very stunned at the sudden occurrence!

When she explained to the highway patrolman what had happened he told her something that every driver should know: NEVER DRIVE IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR CRUISE CONTROL ON. She had thought she was being cautious by setting the cruise control and maintaining a safe consistent speed in the rain. But the highway patrolman told her that if the cruise control is on and your car begins to hydroplane - your tires loose contact with the pavement and car will accelerate to a higher rate of speed and take off like an airplane. She told the patrolman that was exactly what had occurred.

We all know you have little or no control over a car when it begins to hydroplane. You are at the mercy of the Good Lord. The highway patrol estimated her car was actually traveling through the air at 10 to 15 miles per hour faster than the speed set on the cruise control.

The patrolman said this warning should be listed, on the driver’s seat sun-visor: NEVER USE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR ICY along with the airbag warning.

We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry. The only person the accident victim found, who knew this (besides the patrolman), was a man who had had a similar accident, totaled his car and sustained severe injuries.

OK, that is it for the service announcement. I actually didn’t know that it was bad to not have the cruise on during rain. Oops. Of course, when it is pouring down rain, I don’t have it on anyway, but it is good to know. Now, the medical treatment that I am going through is doing me well. I have much more energy. I am able to walk and function a lot better and have less pain. I have done some research on what it is that I am going through. If you are interested in seeing the exact link, you can check it out at: http://quitetimes4me.blogspot.com/2006/05/multiple-sclerosis.html or go to webMD.com and check it out there yourself, should you choose.

1st Corinthians 3:1-23
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly - mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future - all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

1st Corinthians 3:1 worldly:
sarkikos
sar-kee-kos'
Pertaining to flesh, that is, (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate: - carnal, fleshly.

1st Corinthians 3:1 infants:
nēpios
nay'-pee-os
From an obsolete particle ne; implying negation; not speaking, that is, an infant (minor); figuratively a simple minded person, an immature Christian: - babe, child (+ -ish).

1st Corinthians 3:2 solid food:
brōma
bro'-mah
Food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonial) articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law: - meat, victuals.

1st Corinthians 3:3 jealousy:
zēlos
dzay'-los
Properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice): - emulation, envy (-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal.

1st Corinthians 3:3 quarreling:
eris
er'-is
Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling: - contention, debate, strife, variance.

1st Corinthians 3:18 wise:
sophos
sof-os'
Akin to σαφής saphēs (clear); wise (in a most general application): - wise. Compare to phronimos.

phronimos
fron'-ee-mos
thoughtful, that is, sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while sof-os' denotes practical skill or acumen; and soon-et'-os indicates rather intelligence or mental acquirement); in a bad sense conceited (also in the comparative): - wise (-r).

Idle debate; is that what we all tend to special in? We bicker and argue over the littlest of things. Whether it is what is for dinner or what to watch on TV or this or that or the other… we can quarrel about something. I feel I am getting a bit better that this. Holding my tongue isn’t the easiest practice in the world. I mean, how easy is it to be told by someone you’re wrong? Politicians can’t stand it. Lawyers make a living out of proving to people that they are right and in fact not wrong even when they know they are in fact wrong. Scientists walk into a lab trying to prove a theory that in some cases that they think they cannot prove. It is all in the heat and glory of debate.

Anger (noun):

1. A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility.

Debate (verb):

1. To deliberate on; consider.


2. To dispute or argue about.


3. To discuss or argue (a question, for example) formally.

Malevolent (adj.):

1. Having or exhibiting ill will; wishing harm to others; malicious.


2. Having an evil or harmful influence.

Immature (adj.):

1. Not fully grown or developed.


2. Marked by or suggesting a lack of normal maturity.

Wise (adj.):

1. Having or prompted by wisdom or discernment.


2. Marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters.


3. Evidencing the possession of inside information.


4. Carefully considered.

1st Corinthians 8:1
We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Knowledge makes us proud. It fills us with pride. But love edifies. Love gives us morals and spiritual improvements. It gives me maturity. Love is constructive and confirming. Love is encouraging. And to be honest with you, I simply got all that from just this last scripture, in 1st Corinthians 8 verse 1, with the thanks of the e-Sword and the dictionary.com. Don’t use me as a second hand bible, but look in it yourself. Convictions are built first hand. I had to learn that on my own. Faith can be borrowed, but not stolen. I love you all, and hope to hear from you soon. Johnny Out.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis:

Treating MS with IV Steroids

Medications such as Solu-Medrol and Decadron are potent steroids that ease inflammation and are often used to treat an acute attack of multiple sclerosis.

During an acute attack of multiple sclerosis -- also called exacerbations or relapses -- there is a distinct increase in the severity of symptoms. The onset of the attack may take several days or weeks. New symptoms may appear, or your existing symptoms (such as numbness, tingling, slurred speech, or blurred vision) may flare up or worsen.

When attacks occur, you may receive Solu-Medrol or Decadron at a treatment center each day for one to five days, depending on your treatment plan.

What Can I Expect the Day of Treatment?

Plan to be at the medical center for about one hour on the day(s) of your treatment. You may receive blood tests before the treatment to monitor your complete blood count, sodium, and potassium levels.

The nurse will also check your blood pressure and pulse before and after the treatment. The medication is given by intravenous drip for 30 to 45 minutes or injected directly into a vein.

After the treatment, you can return to your normal daily activities, including driving.

Patients generally receive a one- to five-day course of intravenous treatment. Following the intravenous treatments, you will be asked to take an oral form of a steroid called prednisone. Your nurse will give you a written schedule of when and how often to take the medication.

You may also be given a prescription for a medication to reduce stomach irritation.

Are There Side Effects?

Not everyone experiences side effects from IV steroid treatment, but the most common are:

1. Stomach irritation, such as indigestion and heartburn


2. Increased energy


3. Rapid heartbeat


4. Flushing of the face, neck or chest


5. Feeling warm or cool


6. Retaining fluid (avoid table salt and salty foods)


7. Mood changes (euphoria, irritability, nervousness, restlessness) or mood swings


8. Metallic taste in the mouth


9. Insomnia


10. Nausea

Long-term side effects of steroids may include:

1. Bone-thinning osteoporosis


2. Stomach ulcers


3. Cataracts


4. Weight gain


5. Acne


6. Diabetes

Since steroid use can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, it is beneficial to include more dairy products into your diet while on this therapy. You can also talk with your doctor about calcium supplements with vitamin D.

The Tongue - Edition #29: Lonely Tears

May 8th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #29: Lonely Tears

Deuteronomy 22:25-27
But if out in the country a man happens to meet a girl pledged to be married and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die. Do nothing to the girl; she has committed no sin deserving death. This case is like that of someone who attacks and murders his neighbor, for the man found the girl out in the country, and though the betrothed girl screamed, there was no one to rescue her.

(This is from a “Newberg Report” following the Yankee series)
Let me explain something to you, Rangers fan, because you’re probably too naïve to understand.

Dale Scott is supposed to give Jason Giambi calls on borderline pitches that your team is not ever going to get. He’s just doing his job.

Chad Fairchild is supposed to call Johnny Damon safe at first on a play like that. Since Kameron Loe doesn’t play for the Yankees, there’s an unwritten rule that he has to beat any Yankee player to the bag by two steps.

Kudos to Fairchild, who in just his second year in the big leagues, he gets it.

The Rangers’ highest-paid players in 2006 are Phil Nevin and Kevin Millwood. Neither makes as much as the 10th highest-paid Yankee.

I freaking’ hate the Yankees. But it’s really sad that you don’t understand that they have earned the right to be treated like the unique team that their TV/radio deal dictates they should be.

If you have the chance to pay for one their 25 cab fares tonight, you should. It’s probably the law. They are the Yankees.

Jamey

Now, I added the Newberg Report for one simple reason… that reason is this: reputation. Reputation gets one person “more” than another. I am not sure why that is. In baseball, the Yankees get better calls than other teams by reputation. In basketball, it generally would go to the Lakers. In football, I guess the Cowboys. In the Christian world, it would go to the: well, now that’s the tricky part, right? Who needs rescuing? I think we all do, in fact, I know we all do. I know I do. I met a lady today who said she would come to international Sunday, which I am excited. I can’t think straight, I can’t type straight, I can’t talk straight, and somehow God has blessed me in this way to meet her. Amen. I planted a seed. I may end up in the hospital tomorrow evening. I don’t know. God is rescuing. God could hear her scream when no one else could.

Deuteronomy 22:27 screamed:
tsâ‛aq
tsaw-ak'
A primitive root; to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly): - X at all, call together, cry (out), gather (selves) (together).

May 9th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #29: Lonely Tears (continued)

I am just going to pick up where I left off… I figured, why not. I did go have my steroids IV done today. It was an interesting experience to say the least. I still have the IV in my arm. My body is shaking quite a bit. I can’t control it. I will say that my faith is a bit shaken as well. I am trying to rely on God, but I am feeling overwhelmed at the moment. I don’t know if I am blaming God for all of this, I don’t think that I am… I can just say that it is a lack of understanding on my part. I simply don’t understand. And does that make me like the woman raped by the guy who screams though no one hears? I don’t know. It has felt like that at times. A friend shared with me this Psalm today.

Psalm 38:1-22
O LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception. I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth; I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. I wait for you, O LORD; you will answer, O Lord my God. For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips.” For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.

Psalm 3:2 Selah:
seh'-law
Suspension (of music), that is, pause: - Selah.

In case you are wondering, I have wanted for a while just what in the world that meant. SELAH! I’ve had two calls from friends and I am in much better spirits now. Both calls were “out of the blue”, per se, well, one was more expected than the other, but both were very much appreciated. And in time of need, it is good to have friends. I mean, it is good to have friends who love you. And like the title of this “Lonely Tears,” I don’t have to be lonely. I can choose to be, but I don’t have to be.

Now my other friend called to encourage me in a different way. And that I will share for another time. I, of course, took notes and will share in detail on that.

I do know that I have been bouncing around in thought, and I appreciate the patience that everyone has given. Going back to reputation, I don’t know if I made that point clear. With the whole reputation thing, in the sports world, when it comes to reputation, the borderline calls are given to those who have a reputation for making them. In the Christian world, wouldn’t it be great to be known for rescuing those who are on the border of falling into the depths of hell? But the question is, who has a reputation for doing that in today’s age? I don’t. And that is a shame to say that. And it is strange to say that I, earlier, was struggling with my faith, and now, two phone calls later, am fired up to face the world head on, with my “earthquake pills” (inside joke – see Wiley Coyote and Road Runner and then email me for details) and my bible. Johnny Out.

The Tongue - Edition #28: I Have Chosen

May 7th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #28: I Have Chosen

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless.”
Mother Teresa

I just really love that quote. I can’t say that I know anything about Mother Teresa… in fact; I don’t know anything about her at all, except that I know she was old once, based on pictures I’ve seen of her… but she has some really good quotes.

Here are two words in which I am going to give careful look at in future study:

Sanctify (verb):

1. To set apart for sacred use; consecrate.


2. To make holy; purify.


3. To give religious sanction to, as with an oath or vow.


4. To give social or moral sanction to.


5. To make productive of holiness or spiritual blessing.

Justify (verb):

1. To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid.


2. To declare free of blame; absolve.


3. To free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin. Used of God.

Judges 10:11-14
The LORD replied, “When the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites and the Maonites oppressed you and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!”

Judges 10:14 gods:
'ĕlôhîym
el-o-heem'
Gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

Joshua 14:10-12
“Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Judges 6:14
The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

Judges 6:14 sending:
shâlach
shaw-lakh'
A primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications): - X any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).

Now, some of these are a bit scary… am I not forsaking you? I am not pushing you away? I saw those two and really shuddered. But then I looked at “sow” and “stretch out” and that really made me think. And what would it be like if God came to me and asked “Am I not sending you? Am I not trying to sow this great land with you and your humble heart?”

Judges 6:14 strength:
kôach
ko'-akh
From an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard: - ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power (-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

So, God says for Gideon to go in the strength he has. Interesting. And Gideon saves Israel. But check this out:

Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

And it is the “with all your strength” part that catches my ear right now. I mean, my strength is failing me. I can’t squeeze my wife’s finger well. My son can probably beat me up a heck of a lot better than I can spank him, and he turns one this coming Wednesday.

Deuteronomy 6:5 strength:
meh-ode'
Properly vehemence, that is, (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated): - diligently, especially, exceeding (-ly), far, fast, good, great (-ly), X louder and louder, might (-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very (+ much, sore), well.

Joshua 14:11 strong:
châzâq
khaw-zawk'
Strong (usually in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent): - harder, hottest, + impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff [-hearted], strong (-er).

Now, I have searched for scriptures that aren’t there… or I can’t find them, anyway. My head isn’t where it is supposed to be. And Judges 6:14, I searched for that scripture twice… I mean, I already had it, and then I searched for it again. How weird is that? But my thought is this, even though a little noise is like a huge pounding in my head right now (and it’s not a headache – it’s my ears are doing some strange things, echo things), strength isn’t always in muscle. And that is a good thing, because a garden slug could take me out right now. Everyone has strength in a spiritual sense. And we determine our own strength. God says in Judges for Gideon to go in the “strength that he has.” And Gideon didn’t think he had squat in the strength department. God surprised Gideon. Gideon surprised Gideon, I am sure. Deuteronomy says to love the Lord with all your strength. Now, Joshua, that dude had been loving him for a long time. And when the Hebrew says “in a bad sense,” I think that strong is used in an almost a “stiff-necked” type usage. But I am a novice to say the least in Hebrew. But if I am stiff-necked in loving my God, being sold-out and devoted to God, then I’m alright with that. And that’s how I see this scripture in Joshua. My head is really scattered and messed up, so I hope the words here are clear… if not, please email me back, and hopefully I can make some sense in it all. I love you all. I go in for a steroids IV tomorrow. Johnny Out.

How do I come up with my Quiet Times?

How do I come up with my Quiet Times?

Originally, I started recording my consistency back in 2003. I wanted to read the bible all the way through in a year, and see how many quiet times I had on a weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. As it stood, I ended up the year with a percentage of just over 18%. That’s 66 quiet times (oh – an imperfect number – OUCH!). And that motivated me to change the way I looked at things. I booted the idea of the bible in a year and just focused on consistency and my spiritual needs. Why read a chapter in the bible that may or may not help me when I know I am struggling in an area that I need work in? Over the last few years, my quiet times have changed and grown. I have started using new things and dropped other things, mostly resources.

As far as the resources, I have used a number of types of books and online resources. Today, I generally use mostly online resources, simply because they are faster. I do still like to sit down and read a book on occasion, but when it comes to my quiet times, I use the online resources. I do extras outside my quiet times, and for those I read books for extra studies. The online resources I find most useful would be the E-Sword, which is software I downloaded months ago and recently just started using. It has the Hebrew and Greek translation and you can search the bible throughout to find the similar words to do continued research. It is very interesting and I am only a novice to it and look forward to continued study with it. I also use the online dictionary to give an added feature to my studies so that I can get an added insight to just what is being said within the scripture. I was once tested as a child and found to be a genius. Whether I am a genius or not, I really don’t know, but that is what the test said, but still, I find that looking up definitions is helpful to grasp a better understanding. I need the understanding, because, to be honest, I really don’t understand a lot of the time. I have a mathematical mind… I think in terms on: if this – then this. And with definitions, I tend to grasp that a little better. The Greek and Hebrew plus the definitions really paint that picture for me.

Another thing that helps a tremendous amount and I stress abundantly, more so than anything, is that a quiet time has to be fun. In 2003, actually, before then, even, I would have a quiet time, and I would scrape and pull myself through it. I didn’t like to have them. I didn’t. And it was the horrendous numbers of 2003 that started to change all that. At the end of 2003, as I started to see where I was at, I knew there would need to be a change. And so in 2004 I tried a different approach. I repeated that approach in 2005, but changed things somewhere along the way… and change isn’t bad, I don’t guess. The three main important things in a quiet time are this: learn about God, learn about yourself, and have fun while doing so, because if you don’t enjoy your quiet time, at least once in a while, you may not come back to have another.

So, what are some good resources I have found? Well, I’ve found that there are more resources than brain cells… at least in my head. So that’s why God gave us the “favorite’s feature” on the internet. I use www.ibs.org/niv/ everyday for my quiet time. Dictionary.com is another resource. I use it for all my definitions… well, not all of them. When I want to see how Satan would define something, I would go to thedevilsdictionary.com to get a perspective from that viewpoint. I don’t play in his dictionary often. But when I go, it is quite interesting. I do think that word choice is very interesting. Have you ever considered the words used in a conversation? Are words used by chance? The bible says that from the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The bible also says to write its words on your heart. Thus, whatever is written on your heart will come out of your mouth. That was a bit of a revelation for me and made me think a bit. My wife introduced me to the blue letter bible, but I really couldn’t understand it at all… and then I found the E-Sword software and downloaded that and find that very user friendly. However, blue letter does have quite a bit of commentary which I know a lot of people find very useful. Maybe someday I will start utilizing that… however I am still fascinated with the Greek and Hebrew right now. When I start to calm down and get used to these new toys, then I will maybe start to venture out a little more.

Sometime back in August of 2005, I created a web log, also known as a blog. I created as an accountability tool because I needed people to check in on me to see that I was having them. I then started emailing them out. And some interesting things happened as a result of it all. It encouraged people. It helped my wife when she struggled. It helped in my times of struggles, because when I struggled, people would email me back. And when I was down and simply didn’t email out, people would email me to check in on me. People do care. And in today’s world, there is another type of people: email people. Some people like to read mail. Some people like to read books. And some people like to read emails. There are all types of audiences out there… some Christians are suited for different types of harvests. The harvest is plenty but the workers are few. I have traveled up and down Oklahoma and Texas and even into Kansas and Arkansas. You have Corn, Cotton, and all sorts of stuff to harvest around here. Some people are better suited to harvest things than others. In fact, many groups travel the up and down the Great Plains harvesting specific things. Some harvest just the cotton. Others harvest just the wheat. And others still the corn. It is important to find the facet that fits us and exploit that to the greatest.

When I have my quiet time, I use that time to focus on growth. God wants me to grow. He wants me to mature. No more milk, but food. Should I look at the word and walk away forgetting what I looked at? By no means… for that would be useless. Heck, that’s what my boy James says! And that’s why I focus on a series. I use titles to keep me focused. It gives me something to look forward to everyday. And on Friday’s, since I found that the meaning of Friday is “friend’s day” I use that to focus on building friendships and how I can be a better friend. I think that will be one that will be a series that will go on till the day God calls me. It just fits. But, the series wouldn’t have happened with out the blog, the emails wouldn’t have happened without the blog… my quiet times wouldn’t have gotten deeper… well, I really don’t know if these things would have or have not happened… I just know the order they did and why. And now my son can look back and see how I did progress spiritually when he was just an infant. He can see my struggles, my worries, my hopes, and my pains. And so can my friends. Christ himself shared his deepest stuff with the twelve. And he called them friends. I ask you, should we be any different? The friendship needs to be profound in quality and beyond what is superficial or obvious. The devils dictionary defines friendship as a ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul. My quiet time is me being a friend to God, God being a friend to me, as he always has been, and me sharing that friendship with everyone else. The devil wants me to be a fair weather friend. God doesn’t want me to give him that victory. But it’s my decision.