Category Archives: Walk with Jesus

Spiritfire, Proverbs 20:1 A Better Brawler

“Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;
whoever is led astray by them is not wise.”

As soon as we opened the door on this one, we knew it was talking about another bad seed like 19:24, 28 and so many more. We were immediately given a window view into Folly’s house and we witnessed the lot of those who succumb to the drink. Abused wives, beaten kids, lost jobs, lost souls, our hearts were heavy as Betsy and I explained this Proverb to our kids.

Substance abuse has overtaken so many. The overdose of various drugs takes the lives of the users and destroys their families. “Led astray” is too gentle a way of putting it.

We couldn’t focus on the darkness for long and began looking for Jesus. Over the years I have had the honor of leading worship for different groups like Celebrate Recovery, drug rehabilitation centers, and prison ministries. In much the same way as this Proverb revealed the darkness, each opportunity to praise Jesus revealed His Light.

I learned people become dependent on whatever substance they are addicted to. What do they receive from such a reliance? Pain, misery, and darkness. I have heard everyone’s addicted to something. Changing one’s addiction from drugs to Jesus is like changing from darkness to Light. What do they receive from such a reliance?

You tell me.

I’ve heard stories of families restored, lives healed, and hope returned as the Holy Spirit moves. Turns out the Love of Jesus is a better brawler than beer, and His blood is better than wine.

Spiritfire: Proverbs 19:27, “Mirror, mirror on the wall”

“Stop listening to instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”

As we looked at this proverb to explore the wisdom it taught, we were surprised to see a mirror reflection of proverb 19:20. Much like the multiples of 9, you see the reflection as you pass from 45 to 54, the following numbers follow the pattern. And like that pattern, the two proverbs mirror each other in form and meaning. If you stop listening, not only will you not be “counted among the wise”, you will be counted among a different group, the fools. You will stray and be lost to the discernment from the advice you could have gained. This “Core” proverb revealed the price of disobedience by looking at the other side of the apple, the dark side of the moon.

We then looked again for how Jesus fulfilled this proverb. He is the Word, John 1, there is no greater knowledge than knowing Him. He is Way, John 14:6, and as we follow Him, we will not stray. And just as Jesus submitted to the Father and became the “source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him”, Hebrews 5:9, if He didn’t, then there would be no salvation and we would all be lost doomed to stray in the darkness for He is the Light of the world, John 8:12.

My kids met a man the other day who questioned them about Jesus. He asked, “Why don’t you believe in a god that has a cooler name?” As my kids see first hand how Jesus fulfilled all wisdom, was the new Adam that opened the way for us to be new creations and provided salvation for all who obey Him, they truly understood Acts 4:12. For when it comes to names:

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Spiritfire: Proverbs 19:26, Wild Loving

“Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother
is a child who brings shame and disgrace.”

When we opened this treasure chest we were immediately confronted with a seed that would grow to become a poisonous vine whose fruit destroys families. Luke 15:11–32, is the fullest example and explanation of this Proverb. In those verses, Jesus told us of a son who did exactly what the proverb foretold. He took his inheritance and spent it on ‘wild living’ bringing shame and disgrace on his father who in turn took the opportunity to give his son something worth much more than a material inheritance. As has already been said, his material inheritance was spent on ‘wild living’, but this other kind of inheritance from his father was of a spiritual nature- love and forgiveness. It couldn’t be spent in such a way on such things.

We then began to see Jesus, the Son and “heir of all things” Hebrews 1:2, who took the riches of God and lavished them on us, Ephesians 1:7-10. This proverb, as fulfilled by Jesus, exposed the building blocks of the Kingdom of God. In so doing, Jesus didn’t bring shame and disgrace but was “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being”, Hebrews 1:3.

Jesus fulfilled this proverb and his own parable not by ‘wild living’, but by wild loving.

Spiritfire: Proverbs 19:20, “The Core”

“Listen to advice and accept discipline,
and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”

During Spiritfire, our family devotion time with God, we have been creating names for the different proverbs to help us classify the type of wisdom within them. I know I’ve already shared some: “Coin” proverbs, “This and More” proverbs, “If-Then”, etc. Even though some proverbs defy it, we’ve found that by placing them in their correct classification it can help us to better learn from them. Proverbs 19:20, for my family, has been placed among the “Core” proverbs. These proverbs tap directly into the theme of wisdom and knowledge taught from chapter 1:1-7.

One of the rules I have given my kids when eating apples is, “You’re not finished with your apple till I can see the core.” This rule has needed refinement over the years due to the creative ways my kids will eat one spot to the core leaving the rest of the apple untouched, but they understood the point. The “Apple-core Rule” has become a template for the type of kids I want them to become. You will learn the accurate meaning/character of something/someone when you get to the core.

Proverbs 19:20, along with others like 19:11, reveal keys for attaining the vast treasures of the fear of the Lord. By listening to advice, we shortcut the pain of learning by experience alone. By accepting discipline and living in obedience to it, we learn discernment and humility as we often need to be taught the difference between right and wrong. The result of these dual crucibles is the whole point of why Proverbs was written: to be “counted among the wise”.

Hebrews 5:8-10 reveals how this proverb was fulfilled through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, achieving for Him perfection so that He became, “the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him”. This “Core” proverb revealed the very heart of God.

Thoughts on the Temporary Reign of a Moment

The question I have is, how will this moment’s disruption against humanity achieve for it eternity?

Is it just thrashing against its bonds and since we are time-based creatures, we are in its path?

Or are we doorways to eternity and by hijacking us it gets a taste?

By its deception, does it make us believe a moment lasts forever?

Does it consume a bit of our soul?

How does it get what it wants?

Only if we succumb to the bonds and become enslaved does it triumph. For us, singing a devout song of worship sets us free for we use time itself to praise the Timeless One.

We change the shackles of a moment to peer into His eternal presence, Oh Joy to the world indeed!

Jesus Finished It

Patience when action is demanded.
Humor when rage bubbles over.
Love conquers more than pride.

There is no common sense of decency, or common sense in general, outside of community.

There once was a guy I knew who continually verbally abused his wife. Since we both worked at the same place I tried to help in any way I could to lighten his workload. I had hoped it would lessen his stress level and possibly improve things for his marriage. He was thankful, but then came the day when he began to say bad things about my wife since she also worked at the same place. I was angry and felt betrayed. Never has my wife done anything to deserve such treatment. And never would I, as a man, treat a woman in such a way. So I called him out on it and demanded that he apologize. What I had thought to be an open-and-shut case turned out to be grounds for war. Not only did he not apologize, he began to verbally attack and threaten me.

In my eyes, he showed himself to be a coward and a fool, but in his, he was somehow standing up for himself and his behavior. It quickly became apparent to me that he wanted to fight, and everything in me wanted to oblige him then and there, but something stopped me. The fact that I didn’t want to go to jail, and some small level of concern for the guy dominated over my temper. We argued for a bit then parted ways. After a while, I called to meet with him again to work the issue out. I asked God for guidance as the guy began to spread bad word about me to others at our workplace.

I tried to explain myself again to him, but again it failed to sink into his mind. To my knowledge, no one else stood up for his wife or against his treatment of women. I know I didn’t do things perfectly, but at least I tried. Still, years later, I wish I would have fought him back when I was healthy, but I still hope my attempt at mercy and grace showed him a better way.

I did find out he eventually got fired, though I’ve no knowledge if he ever learned to treat his wife any better.

I learned there is no common understanding between people by which we can hold each other accountable. Some are just mean no matter what. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Plus, I really have to be able to sleep.

Why am I writing this? People need to learn how to handle conflict better. There is a better way. I am not even close to perfect, but there is One who is. Look to Jesus. Leave your unfinished thoughts/desires unfinished. Jesus finished it all for us.

John 19:28-30

Following the Signs

On one of my excursions to my woods, I found a feather. It was a beautiful feather and was rather huge. Filled with stripes, it had a quill that could easily have been made into a pen. At the time, I hadn’t seen that kind of feather before. I imagined it was a huge bird of prey like one of the Red-tailed Hawks that would circle high above calling out its kree. It filled me with mystery and excitement to think that maybe it had landed somewhere nearby.

I didn’t find any other sign of it that day, but I had a mission: keep my eyes peeled to the sky and on the ground for any clues. Occasionally I would find another feather, usually one a day or so. It was almost like whatever it was wanted to be found, so I searched. Then came the day when I picked up the last feather, I was done with clues, I was done with the mystery. I wanted to see this creature and holding aloft that final feather I confided to God I was going to find it that day.

It was weird because after I made that proclamation I found more feathers. I guessed or rather was lead somehow to a particular part of middle-aged and younger trees that had some space at their feet. At this point, or perhaps at the first description of the feather, I’m sure some of the hunters knew what it was. I had no clue, but I walked as quietly as I could. I felt the forest take on an eerie silence, the kind that happens before a cougar springs on its prey, so I froze. I stood still, but as my eyes slowly looked around me, the forest seemed to move. At first, I thought it was the trees like in a Tolkien book. Everything was still so quiet, and the movement wasn’t continual, more like it was taking steps and then it would stop. I didn’t breathe.

As I watched I saw movement again far ahead of me, my eyes strained to get a glimpse but I couldn’t make anything out. It still looked like trees moving, but only the trunks, and I heard a shuffle right behind me. I was so scared and so excited, and then like in the movie Harry and the Hendersons at the end when you finally see all the sasquatches, I saw them. Turkeys, dozens of them all around me. Some were only a few strides away, some were a few yards. It was like my stillness was a cue for them to resume searching the ground for food because they did as if I wasn’t even there. I stood still as a couple drew closer to me. They were close enough I could see their feathers, and sure enough, they matched the ones I had in my hand. It was beautiful. Finally, I had seen them and had the answers that I sought.

I couldn’t remain still any longer, so I began to move and walk toward the couple. They looked at me, turned, and started to walk away. I was surprised they were so calm. I was used to pheasants and deer freaking out at the first noise. So, of course, I pushed it a little and pursued them. They began to get faster, so I did too. Then it wasn’t just the ones in front of me that were moving, they all began to move and quickly. The silence was broken as the turkeys ran through the woods. Those running turkeys looked hilarious to me and I had some difficulty trying to keep up without tripping because of laughing. It seemed they knew where they were going because they all headed in the same direction. I followed too curious not to. Then I saw it, the open field. As soon as the turkeys broke free from the trees they were off in the craziest looking run/take off/flight I’d ever seen. Some tried taking off early and crashed through branches. I almost felt bad, but it was too much fun.

Thinking back on that experience, I can’t help but reflect on God and how He leads us sometimes with subtle hints. He likes to awaken our curiosity. Sometimes He even likes to lead us on wild turkey chases full of prophecy and revelation like during an in-depth Bible study. Though the Pope warns against curiosity, and with good reason, as an unhealthy direction and desire lead many not to find turkeys but lions seeking to devour them, I also find that God enjoys it when we are curious about Him. When our thoughts are so focused, distractions are powerless. When our eyes and ears strain to hear and see Him, everything else fades. When like those who searched for Jesus on the day of His birth, even the barrier of an obsessed king wasn’t enough to stop them.

“Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Psalm 37:4

Enjoy God everyone! Breathe in the adventure He is leading you on. God be with you as you follow Christ, His son. And may His Spirit guide you into all truth for only He satisfies.

The Pattern Fulfilled

Religion is a pattern of how to live life. Most patterns are based on an ethic, on morals defined by its leader. Adherence to those morals requires obedience from those who follow. If you are not living according to the pattern then you are not a follower. Many believe punishment awaits those who fail to measure up, or reward/enlightenment for those who do.

Communities of followers gather together to make living according to the pattern possible. Leaders are trained to teach the pattern and remind followers how to live accordingly in an ever-changing world that holds to a sometimes drastically different pattern based on wants and desires.

Outside forces try to make followers abandon the course and inside forces inspire rebellion. How closely you guard yourself against these forces equals the quality of your faith.

Then there’s Jesus. The One who completely fulfilled the pattern. Without Him the best we have is a reincarnation/another chance to try to be better, to live better, to match up to the pattern. With Him, we are brought further than we could ever accomplish on our own. His love and sacrifice beats all.

I have a friend who thought he could do better than Jesus and made his own religion free of hypocrites. But that’s the best we can do. Jesus gives grace to all, even to those who fail. My friend’s religion offered no hope, no salvation to any but himself, that is until he will fail his own pattern. Grace is a hard concept for the self-righteous.

A few days ago, my wife got into a car accident with a young Muslim man. Immediately he checked to see if she was ok. She was, and then he proceeded to speak to her about his faith. He believed God had a reason for their accident. Later, he told us both of the good deeds he has done: taking care of the poor and other deeds of justice, etc. of which I’m sure his treatment of my wife was included. He was very kind and considerate, much more so than many of our own faith.

I could see his passion for Islam and hear of his obedience to the pattern it taught. As he spoke I thought, “Wait a minute, isn’t he supposed to want to chop off the heads of infidels and enslave women?” Here was a young man doing his best to make the grade. I pray for the chance to help him know Jesus as Lord and Savior and be filled with the Holy Spirit, for without the salvation freely given by Jesus, he will continue to run a doomed race he can’t ever finish.

Religion is a pattern of how to live life. All without Jesus are left living the best they can with hopes that in the end, it will be enough. They will keep jumping that pile of sticks till they can’t do it anymore. Then they will be left with nothing, cast out and away from their god.

Who can know it?

A tree is a tree,
and a rock is a rock,
but the heart of man
who can know it except God?

Before Him nothing is hidden,
before His eyes, everything is uncovered.

Who will go for us?
Who will represent our inability,
our weakness in the Light of Truth?

Only the Great High Priest!
Only the One who walked this earth,
tasted death for us all,
conquered its power,
and ascended into heaven.

He knows us completely,
and He loves us.
How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?

Announced by the Lord,
Confirmed by those who heard Him,
and Testified by God.

When He speaks, may my heart never harden.
Where He leads, may I follow.

Hebrews 4:13

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”