The Tongue - Edition #36: Visiting

December 31st, 2008

The Tongue – Edition #36: Visiting

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.

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.

I just thought I would revisit this series. It's good to return to good habits. I haven't been faithful in having my quiet times. I will get better.

The Tongue - Edition #35: Loving Without Reason

June 27th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #35: Loving Without Reason

John 15:1-27
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.”

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’”

“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.”

Starting out with verse 10:

John 15:10 if:
ean
eh-an'
A conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty: - before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-) soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, [who-] so (-ever).

It’s conditional. If you do this, then this will happen. If you obey my commands, then you remain in my love. It seems to hinge all upon the “if”. It all falls back on me. What does this have to do with the tongue? Well, I’ll get there.

John 15:12 command:
entolē
en-tol-ay'
Injunction, that is, an authoritative prescription: - commandment, precept.

Now, I don’t like taking medicine. I don’t. If I can’t skip taking a pill, I’d much rather do so. But antibiotics shouldn’t be played around with, because the disease can come back with a vengeance if the medication isn’t taken to completion.

Injunction (noun):

• The act or an instance of enjoining; a command, directive, or order.


• A court order prohibiting a party from a specific course of action.

An injunction is an even more serious matter. Jesus is prohibiting me from not loving everyone. He’s giving me a court order to love everyone I come in contact with, in fact, everyone I don’t even come contact with, he wants me love. And, he wants me to love them as he loved them, to the point of where I lay my life down for them, should it have to come down to that. What does this have to do with the tongue? Well, I’m still getting there.

John 15:22 excuse:
prophasis
prof'-as-is
An outward showing, that is, pretext: - cloke, colour, pretence, show.

Now I have to account for my sin. I have to show God my heart. I have no excuses anymore. There is no excuse.

John 15:25 without reason:
dōrean
do-reh-an'
Gratuitously (literally or figuratively): - without a cause, freely, for naught, in vain.

When I don’t keep God’s command, then it is like I am fulfilling the opposite: hating him freely. Or, worshipping him in vain, maybe? And just what does this have to do with the tongue? Everything, it has everything to do with the tongue.

1st Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.

Galatians 5:13-15
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

2nd John 1:6
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

It’s interesting; yesterday, I learned that walking and living are parallels in a sense biblically. Walking in obedience and living in obedience can be one and the same. If I live in love and speak in love, and the command is to love each other Christ loves me, and I have no excuse to not love anyone, at what point should I hold back? The question answers itself. There is no point to hold back. Anyway, Johnny Out.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Tongue - Edition #27: Shriek of Anguish

May 6th, 2006

When I was a child, I idolized Superman. He was, in a sense, my hero. I really thought he was cool. He could do everything and he thought of others before himself. I thought he was a good role model. I wanted to be like him. I can now see me mortality. The nurse was wrong. She made a mistake, as mistakes happen, and that’s OK. My vertebrae, for the most part, are fine. I do have a slightly bulging disk, but it wouldn’t be causing the problems that I am having. The main concern that the doctor is looking into is in fact MS, or multiple sclerosis. I was in pretty much denial for most of yesterday, but now is it really setting in on how it doesn’t have a cure. The tests this doctor has put me through that I have failed puzzle me, such as squeezing his fingers and not being able to. I thought I was doing a good job and he kept saying to squeeze them… and I was squeezing them. Hey, my muscles were giving it all they got! God has truly humbled me.

The Tongue – Edition #27: Shriek of Anguish

Exodus 22:22-24
“Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.”

Exodus 22:23 cry out:
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).

Habakkuk 1:2-4
How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Habakkuk 1:2 cry out:
zâ‛aq
zaw-ak'
A primitive root; to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly: - assemble, call (together), (make a) cry (out), come with such a company, gather (together), cause to be proclaimed.

Habakkuk 1:2 save:
yâsha‛
yaw-shah'
A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor: - X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

Jenny is in despair because MS doesn’t have a cure. I was, like I said, pretty much in denial about it most of yesterday. And why not, I am now on three different pain medications (and yet I still hurt). We celebrated my son’s birthday today… it was enjoyable, but I ended up getting a lot of attention from family that I really didn’t want. I guess that is OK. I really wanted the focus to be on my son and not the spotlight to be on me, but again, I am pretty doped up right now. And so, here’s this situation. I’m in this pain. The doctor knows I am in pain. God knows I am in pain. I know I am in pain. How long, O LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “I’m in pain!” but you do not help? Now, the changes are truly mine… but, I this is how I feel sometimes. And it is OK to be frustrated with God. It is how we deal with that frustration that develops character. It’s any challenging situation, really, that develops character. So, what do I do?

Hebrews 5:7-10
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Christ learned obedience. That is a shocking thing to a lot of people. It doesn’t say that Christ sinned and that is not what I am saying, but it says that Christ learned to be obedient. I think this has to do with him being twelve

Hebrews 5:8 learn:
manthanō
man-than'-o
Prolonged from a primary verb, another form of which, matheō, is used as an alternate in certain tenses; to learn (in any way): - learn, understand.

Hebrews 5:8 obedience:
hupakoē
hoop-ak-o-ay'
Attentive hearkening, that is, (by implication) compliance or submission: - obedience, (make) obedient, obey (-ing).

Luke 2:41-52
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father's house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:51 obedient:
hupotassō
hoop-ot-as'-so
To subordinate; reflexively to obey: - be under obedience (obedient), put under, subdue unto, (be, make) subject (to, unto), be (put) in subjection (to, under), submit self unto.

And this is really the obedience that I need to have. When it all comes down, it is OK to cry out and it is good to put my petitions before God, but I still have to remain obedient to him. Christ became obedient to his parents, at least it says here at the age of twelve. I know it can at a later age for me, for God and my parents, but at least it came. And doubts come and go, we cry out, but that doesn’t mean we stop being obedient. I am tired. My son has had three birthday parties today… my body hurts… and I am groggy. I appreciate your prayers and kind words. I love you all. Johnny Out.

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

The Tongue - Edition #26: Protected Lips

May 4th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #26: Protected Lips

I had restless sleep last night, if you want to call it sleep. I tossed and turned… my body ached and my eyes are opened and I just couldn’t sleep at all. And I was tired as all get out. I just don’t know what happened. I couldn’t really focus on too much. I could relate to the thoughts of Homer Simpson… you know, lights on – nothing going on. And so, since I hadn’t been outside since Sunday, I decided to go for a walk… slow as I am these days. And my brain started clicking a little, so when I finally made it back in, I worked a little on the computer. I then tried to go to bed again, with ill results. When the newspaper hit our window at 4:45 AM, I got up, read a little in the paper, made breakfast for my wife and I, set out the comics for her, which she likes and helped her get ready for work. With a full stomach, I actually thought I could get some sleep, but that attempt failed. But this morning, right before my wife left for work, I had a little revelation. Now, it started rather strange, and it may have been something you’ve heard before (at least the end part)… but here it goes: as I was getting comfortable in bed, I began to thing about the wonderful feeling you get when you take your shoes and socks off and rub them on a nice cool plush carpet when it is hot outside. I thought how the feeling is unique. I then thought how unique feeling it is of a parent to a child. The feeling of when my son is in someone else’s arms and he reaches for me, how he could have anyone, but he wants me. And the parallel or revelation that needs to be made here is that the arms are the world, the son is me, and the person I am reaching to is God. That is what needs to happen on a continual basis. A child-like heart…

Proverbs 14:1-12
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him. A fool's talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest. A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies. The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning. Stay away from a foolish man, for you will not find knowledge on his lips. The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright. Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

I must say, these aren’t going to be terribly long these days… but it really shouldn’t be about quantity. I do enjoy my quiet times and I have fun putting together. It really is a blast for me.

Johnny’s Bible Mad Lib:
There [H1870] which seems [H3477] to a [H376], But (in the) [H319] [H1870] [H4194].

H1870
derek
deh'-rek
A road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever].

H3477
yâshâr
yaw-shawr'
Straight (literally or figuratively): - convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet (-est), + pleased well right (-eous), straight, (most) upright (-ly, -ness).

H376
'îysh
eesh
A man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation.) : - also, another, any (man), a certain, + champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, [foot-, husband-] man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man [-kind], + none, one, people, person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso (-ever), worthy.

H319
'achărîyth
akh-ar-eeth'
The last or end, hence the future; also posterity: - (last, latter) end (time), hinder (utter) -most, length, posterity, remnant, residue, reward.

H1870
derek
deh'-rek
A road (as trodden); figuratively a course of life or mode of action, often adverbially: - along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, [east-] ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, [high-] [path-] way [-side], whither [-soever].

H4194
mâveth
maw'-veth
Death (natural or violent); concretely the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively pestilence, ruin: - (be) dead ([-ly]), death, die (-d).

Johnny’s Bible Mad Lib:
There’s an entity away which seems convenient to a person, but in the future the journey will lead to ruin.

Psalm 62:7
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Refuge:
machăseh machseh
makh-as-eh', makh-seh'
A shelter (literally or figuratively): - hope, (place of) refuge, shelter, trust.

God is my refuge, my hope, my shelter, and my trust. Johnny Out. Oh, and have fun with the “Mad Lib.” I just wanted to put a different spin on things… kind of shake things up… again, Johnny Out.

The Tongue - Edition #25: Ruining Those Who Listen

May 2nd, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #25: Ruining Those Who Listen

2nd Timothy 2:11-17
Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene.

“Their teaching will spread like gangrene” this really freaks me out. I mean, it’s like cancer… you can’t do all that much about it… I mean, there is stuff you can do, but there is much pain involved, but on the global scale, it’s going to keep on going. Can you cure everyone’s cancer at the same time? Only God can do that.

2nd Timothy 2:17 Gangrene:
gaggraina
gang'-grahee-nah
From γραίνω grainō (to gnaw); an ulcer (“gangrene”): - canker.

Gangrene (noun):

1. Death and decay of body tissue, often occurring in a limb, caused by insufficient blood supply and usually following injury or disease.

“Their teaching will spread like a virus” I wanted to take that liberty and use that simile. Viruses spread quicker and faster than anything… the flu, when it hits the states, its everywhere in days. But gangrene is a good analogy, “lack of blood” because it is the blood of Christ that saves… if the lack of blood spreads out among Gods people, his people can fall away from Christ… like a limb. And it would be all from the mouth. It would all be from godless chatter. That was weird, I was going to go the virus route, and the gangrene won me over… now that is cool. Johnny Out.

The Tongue - Edition #24: Insults, Sin, and Reckless Words - Repost with additions

May 1st, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #24: Insults, Sin, and Reckless Words – Repost with additions

Proverbs 12:13-23
An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. 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. A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

Prudent (adj.):

1. Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense.


2. Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident.


3. Careful about one's conduct; circumspect.

It’s good to know that a lie only lasts but a moment. I went to Best Buy today after church… my heart yearned to reach out… but circumstance really got in the way. Oh my goodness, was it so hard to get the rig-a-ma-roo out of the way. But it was fun to even entertain the idea for just a little bit in my mind. There was this family looking at cameras while we were there, and I wanted to invite them, but my son desired attention at that moment. And then the opportunity was gone for the family was gone. I guess it is important to ask when the thought hits and not a second longer. I’ve had a quiet time every day this year, which is now 120 days in… this is actually just a two days short of 1/3 of the year into 2006… which is impressive to say the least. Last year (my best year on record), I had already missed 4 by this time.

OK – This stuff is new… everything above was from 4/30/06. I have a good friend that I talk to on the phone on occasion, actually, I’ve talked to him a few times this week… a really great guy. And he has encouraged me a good deal… I am going to post my CR journal online here, maybe a bit edited, I am not sure… I need to be wise in how I do it… but I still think it is good to revisit it. I know it has been a long time since I have read it. I did a random search for a definition of a word…

Cordial (adj.):

1. Warm and sincere; friendly.

This scripture in Proverbs… 11 verses… all about how one should conduct his speech. And it brings my mind back to a message just a week ago yesterday. Todd had said that when a fig tree has leaves, it should have fruit. I do wonder if someone had come earlier and picked the fruit ahead of Jesus, being the unfortunate for the tree. But alas, the tree had leaves, and not fruit… and thus was useless.

Matthew 21:18-22
Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

I guess the only fruit it had left in it at that point was warmth for the winter. The whole “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” My wife and I were talking about that yesterday… I told her, I don’t know what that is, but I don’t want to find out. It don’t sound pleasant. Only two books use the combo “weeping and gnashing”, Matthew and Luke, for a combined seven times (a perfect number).

The “fruit of his lips” keeps popping in my head. So what is fruit?

Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

This could cause another study completely just on the fruit of the lips, being the fruit of the spirit. But what I would like to do is do a simple rewording of this first verse listed above. The fruit of the lips is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It does put a spin on things. I can be quick tempered at times… and when I say “at-times”, I mean quite often. I’m not as quick as I used to be, but I still do have my moments. This is what the bible says about love.

1st Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

This is what the bible says about joy:

Philippians 2:1-4
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

This is what the bible says about peace:

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

This is what the bible says about patience:

Proverbs 19:11
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

James 5:7-11
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

This is what the bible says about kindness:

Zechariah 1:12-13
Then the angel of the LORD said, “LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?” So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me.

Also, the book of Ruth is a very good example of just what kindness is all about. This is what the bible says about goodness:

Psalm 69:13-16
But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

This is what the bible says about faithfulness:

3rd John 1:2-4
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

This is what the bible says about gentleness:

Ephesians 4:1-6
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

2nd Corinthians 10:1
By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you…

And this is what the bible says about self-control:

Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

1st Thessalonians 5:4-11
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

So, with all these things in mind, going back to the thought: “The fruit of the lips is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Love is the center-piece in all this, at least that is what I get from 1st Corinthians. To have fruitful joy, there has to be a like-mindedness with God. Peacemakers are the sons of God… which is an amazing blessing. I would guess to be a peacemaker is to simply forgive others and to teach others how to forgive, which isn’t the easiest of tasks. Patience is looking over an offense to the greater good ahead. It’s also knowing that tomorrow is another day. Just because today sucks, doesn’t guarantee tomorrow will. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring for us, specifically, so we should be patient and humble about the matter, rejoicing in what God has given us today. Again, not the easiest thing to do but that is why it is called patience. Even though God was angry with Jerusalem, he still was able to speak “kind and comforting words.” And that, I would say is what the heart of kindness is… a commitment to do the good things even when everyone else has failed in there commitment. Ruth stayed with Naomi through thick and thin and it was considered kindness. Boaz calls Ruth kind by her deeds. Naomi calls Boaz kind by his deeds. And then their speech backs it up. Goodness is there to help cover up inequities. The later part of that verse, “in your great mercy”: I just see great as a step up from good. It’s not good, it’s great. Out of the goodness of your mouth, help me out, God. Just say the words, and it’s a done deal. And that’s all that needs to happen. That needs to be my heart, my attitude, and my mouth. The faithfulness of others… is the hot topic these days? In many cases, it is. We like to hear how other Christians that we haven’t seen in a while are doing… and it’s a good thing. It’s a heart warmer, for the most part, that is, if the news is well. I know I get fired up to hear my friends are walking right. Gentleness of the lips, now this is a doozy because it entitles meekness, humbleness, as well as the title itself of being gentle. And really, who gets excited about being meek in this day and age? But if you look at the definition, do I need to list anything else?

Meek (adj.):

1. Showing patience and humility; gentle.


2. Easily imposed on; submissive.

Meek is being humble and being gentle. It is simply being submissive. And having a submissive tongue in the United States? You can look hard, long, and wide… and it may come down to the whole Abraham trying to spare the town of Sodom. Is there any meekness anymore? Actually, I think so, but it is really a rare to find. And as for self-control, without it, I have no defense. A city without a wall. A country without an military. Having self-control is being alert and ready. It’s putting on faith and love, so when an attack should come, I simply defend with? FAITH AND LOVE! Hope is always on my mind (helmet). And should I need to respond, I have the bible at the ready (it’s the sword). OK, so this has been a lengthy study for today (and some of it was yesterday’s), so I have really learned a lot… it’s been rather exciting, actually. But alas, Johnny Out.

Prophesy and Tongues

And I'm still waiting, Johnny Ray, for my response to this - why use 1st Corinthians 11 as our “example”, when: 1) we don't speak in tongues or prophesy anymore and: 2) Acts 2:42 tells us exactly what we are supposed to do.

1st Corinthians 11:2-16
I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.

Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head - it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. For this reason, and because of the angels, the woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head.

In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God. Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice - nor do the churches of God.

Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Johnny: Well, I am not at all too sure to make of this passage in 1st Corinthians. I’ve read it a number of times… and don’t know what to think of it. We are a society who speak in tongues. Not in the way of the bible, where the Holy Spirit spoke in place, but where education steps in and helps us. If you go to the Greek (and Lloyd can back me up here, I am sure) you will see that tongue would be translated into languages. If I spoke in many tongues, I could speak English, French, Spanish, German, etc. As it is, I speak Baseball, Football, Basketball… and Jive… (that’s a little humor to lighten the evening… at least I get it). But even when we look at Acts 2, and I agree with you, Acts 2 does tell us what we need to know… I don’t see a society devoted to such things as teaching, breaking of bread, and fellowship. I saw today a car loaded with religious bumper stickers speeding down the highway going 70 in a 60. I can’t say I have everything right, but I don’t speed. I know they were speeding, because I had my cruise control on at 60. I at least have my conviction to obey the law as best as I can. There as so many laws out there… you can only do so much. Some states still have it on the books that you have to honk your horn at each intersection before going through it… did you know that? Craziness. But as far as prophesy as the like, consider the very same chapter, but just an earlier verse.

Acts 2:17-21
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Johnny: I find this quite scary. For many reasons… but scary none-the-less. I do think it is good to go out and shake things up. I think it is good to go and share your faith with neighbors and such. I really wanted to share with peeps at the Best Buy today. I was fired up and ready to go share my faith. I’m still itching to go… but alas, I will have to hold off until tomorrow. Goodness, it is after 1 AM… my leg is still hurting, which is why I am still up… but I am exhausted… maybe I will be able to get some sleep now. I hope I addressed your question, Erik. If not… address the point that I miscued on, and I shall try again. And thanks for you patience.

The Tongue - Edition #23: Insults, Sin, and Reckless Words

April 30th, 2006

The Tongue – Edition #23: Insults, Sin, and Reckless Words

Proverbs 12:13-23
An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble. 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. A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.

Prudent (adj.):

1. Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense.


2. Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident.


3. Careful about one's conduct; circumspect.

It’s good to know that a lie only lasts but a moment. I went to Best Buy today after church… my heart yearned to reach out… but circumstance really got in the way. Oh my goodness, was it so hard to get the rig-a-ma-roo out of the way. But it was fun to even entertain the idea for just a little bit in my mind. There was this family looking at cameras while we were there, and I wanted to invite them, but my son desired attention at that moment. And then the opportunity was gone for the family was gone. I guess it is important to ask when the thought hits and not a second longer. I’ve had a quiet time every day this year, which is now 120 days in… this is actually just a two days short of 1/3 of the year into 2006… which is impressive to say the least. Last year (my best year on record), I had already missed 4 by this time. Well, my wife says I should be getting to bed, so by.