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Look for Wisdom: Find God – Proverbs 2
Much of the book of Proverbs is a reminder of the importance of seeking after wisdom in life. It is basically a book of good advice. But in chapter 2, the writer says that if we look for wisdom, we will also “find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5). God is described as the source of all wisdom, and “from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). God has given us the benefit of his wisdom in the Bible. In it, we have documentation of his dealings with individuals and groups of people called to a very specific task, to stand for or represent God on the earth. As…
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Do Not Go Along with the Crowd – Proverbs 1
The middle part of Proverbs Chapter One is a warning to stay away from troublemakers. Now you would think that this would be obvious, but every generation, and really every one of us, has to learn this lesson. Hopefully we won’t have to learn it the hard way. The writer says of those who cause trouble, “Do not go along with them, do not set foot in their paths” (Proverbs 1:15). This is very similar to the first Psalm which warns us not to “walk… with the wicked” (Psalms 1:1). So, what kind of trouble are these troublemakers causing here in this first chapter of Proverbs? They want to “lie…
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Breaking the Chains… or Not
Are you raging against God? Have you had it up to your eyeballs with God trying to run your life? Are you looking for a way to get God out of your life forever? If so, you have a lot in common with those described at the beginning of Psalm 2. The people here were rebelling against God and his anointed king, David. They were mad as hell. They weren’t going to take it any more. “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles,” they said. How does God respond to all this fist-shaking? He laughs. Disclaimer: Please note that I might earn commissions from products sold or…
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Don’t throw away your shield
In his descriptions of the first century AD German tribesmen, the Roman general Tacitus wrote that it was a disgrace to throw away one’s shield. He was referring to deserting soldiers, who dropped their heavy shields and ran away from the battlefield in fear. His observation has meaningful application to the realm of faith as well. Disclaimer: Please note that I might earn commissions from products sold or ads displayed on this site. Build your online business with HomeFreeMedia:
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Walking in the Dark
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…. My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?'” – Psalm 42:2-3 (NIV) Have you ever felt like asking, “Where is my God?” Even those of us who have experienced great joy and delight in the presence of God will sometimes go through dark nights when God seems distant, or even absent altogether. It sometimes feels like God disappears just when we need him the most, when we are at our weakest and most needy. How do we reconcile this with the concept of a loving, caring Father in…
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Weight of Glory
While Canadian winters are known for their shortened days and darkness, what I love the most about a crisp winter's day is the quality of the sun's light when it does deign to shine. There is a blue, piercing quality to the light of winter that doesn't exist at any other time of the year. It is a purer, truer light that shines on a sunny December morning.
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The Hot Coal of Immortality
Seventeenth century poet and cleric John Donne is one of my favourite writers. Because of his unique perspective, writing four hundred years ago, his poems, prose, and sermons are are adorned with insightful metaphors that delight and challenge the modern reader. The delight is in the insight; the challenge is in deciphering the archaic spelling and cultural references. Donne was a contemporary of Shakespeare, and I am often thankful for the explanatory notes that accompany his writings.
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Sailing Through the Storm 2
My son-in-law Darren is a sailing enthusiast. The combination of the wildness of the wind and the discipline of navigation suits him, as he is both an outdoorsman and an engineer. He has learned to manoeuvre his craft under all sorts of conditions, including unfavourable ones.
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Sailing Through the Storm 1
While vacationing in Florida, a friend of mine decided to try his hand at deep-sea fishing. He rose early in the morning to board a boat that had been specially outfitted to give tourists the thrill of a lifetime - the challenge of landing a huge trophy fish from the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The passengers were giddy with anticipation as salt spray flew out of the sunrise into their eager faces. It wasn't long, however, before quite different feelings were stirring within them.
