9-13-2019 – A Word to the Wise – There are many things I am just not good at doing. Take woodworking I took a special class in how to make dovetail joints. I suspect I have tried to make hundreds. They are all either outright failures or so poor that I had to cut them off and make another type of joint.

Many times in my past I have had to do auto mechanic repairs. Just as many times I have had to seek information from others as how to correct my mistakes.

Counseling, however is different. In my middle teens my mother taught me how to counsel. The answer, then and now; is always ask the Lord.

For those who wish to give advice, then give heed. The only way to know what to say to someone dealing with difficult problems is to while you’re listening, you are asking the Lord what is the root problem. Give me insight and wisdom in this matter. What do I say?

Many, many times the answer has nothing to do with the problem being presented.

The key to counseling is given in James 1; “If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask the Lord. It is that simple. Not a psychology teacher, Not a psychology book, lecturer, or expert. Just ask the Lord.

9-12-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Part 2

What, one may wonder is just how are temptations related to being a warrior? A lot. You see the Lord led the Israelites into the wilderness as soon as they were free. Its purpose was to train and to test. The two go hand in hand. One cannot be a warrior without the acceptance of the Lord.

That acceptance is rooted in discipline, brought out in training. Here the focus is on obedience without complaint. We are tested to the breaking point to determine our weaknesses. Our chief compass should be the fear of the Lord. That fear is much like the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites in the wilderness.

It is here when the phrase ‘many are called, but few chosen,’ takes on its unique meaning for our lives. The Lord sifts out the chaff. Three hundred out of thirty-two thousand, is about the average degree of success. Tenacity, fearlessness, commitment, obedience are the qualities which determine success or failure, and the qualities prized by the Lord. Sinlessness is not the determining factor. Rather ones tenacity.

Is there a second chance if one fails the first time? I believe so. Looking at the life of King Saul ones sees a twofold opportunity before rejection. The problem is if we do not set aside the root sins in our lives all the second chance will do is bring about failure.

Now let us turn to warfare and understand what it is really all about. For those who decide that they are meant to be warriors in God’s army then how are things different? It does not take a fool to perceive that one’s behavior on the battlefield is different than ones behavior sitting in church Sunday morning.

The passage “as far as possible live in peace with all men,” does not apply to the battlefield. Turning the other cheek and, do unto others as you wish them do to you are principles not practiced at the gates of hell.

If one is to march into the very depth of hell to rescue the perishing then he best armor himself with the best fire protection he can find. He best be ready to use every weapon in God’s armory. He best be ready to trade blow for blow with a fierce enemy who shows no quarter.

I have known police officers who were not able to confront the evil doer. Though armed with the best weapon and the best training they were unwilling to use it against the evil doer. They had no business being on the front lines facing a determined enemy.

I have known many a preacher who was so full of loving kindness, peace, and joy that they could not find the sword of the spirit to challenge the evil doer. These are not bad people. In fact they are good men, just not warriors.

As warriors there are certain principles important to understand, particularly as to combat in the spiritual arena. First combat is not continuous. There are breaks. There are times one spends on the mountain top with the Lord. There are other times when engaged in fierce trials.

If all of life were trials without an absorbing time we would learn nothing at all. It is natural God having given one their hearts desire that they then feel a letdown.

One feels a letdown or separation from God after intimacy with God. During this period one feels they have nothing of great importance to commune with Him about.

This is the time for the permanent growth to take root and growth occurs. Here one likely experiences a sense of disappointment unless you fix firmly in your mind the fact that real spiritual growth is slow.

Separate your growth from your emotions. Go back and see how much of what you did was on faith and how much was on fear. How much was real trust and how much was really a nothing to lose bargain. How much was received with a deserving feeling and how much was real gratitude. You will be humbled if you do this sincerely. Out of this comes pure humility which is the essence of true spiritual growth.

We experience God in the deep emotional experiences of life. Then after the emotional is pasted we examine our hearts to separate the facts from the emotions because only after the emotion is past can we be truly objective.

Always establish the spiritual growth after you have walked close to God or through any crisis. Otherwise your growth may finally be lost in the tangle of emotions experienced and become just another emotional pattern in your life instead of another link in the chain of growth required to meet God.

9-12-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Part 2

What, one may wonder is just how are temptations related to being a warrior? A lot. You see the Lord led the Israelites into the wilderness as soon as they were free. Its purpose was to train and to test. The two go hand in hand. One cannot be a warrior without the acceptance of the Lord.

That acceptance is rooted in discipline, brought out in training. Here the focus is on obedience without complaint. We are tested to the breaking point to determine our weaknesses. Our chief compass should be the fear of the Lord. That fear is much like the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites in the wilderness.

It is here when the phrase ‘many are called, but few chosen,’ takes on its unique meaning for our lives. The Lord sifts out the chaff. Three hundred out of thirty-two thousand, is about the average degree of success. Tenacity, fearlessness, commitment, obedience are the qualities which determine success or failure, and the qualities prized by the Lord. Sinlessness is not the determining factor. Rather ones tenacity.

Is there a second chance if one fails the first time? I believe so. Looking at the life of King Saul ones sees a twofold opportunity before rejection. The problem is if we do not set aside the root sins in our lives all the second chance will do is bring about failure.

Now let us turn to warfare and understand what it is really all about. For those who decide that they are meant to be warriors in God’s army then how are things different? It does not take a fool to perceive that one’s behavior on the battlefield is different than ones behavior sitting in church Sunday morning.

The passage “as far as possible live in peace with all men,” does not apply to the battlefield. Turning the other cheek and, do unto others as you wish them do to you are principles not practiced at the gates of hell.

If one is to march into the very depth of hell to rescue the perishing then he best armor himself with the best fire protection he can find. He best be ready to use every weapon in God’s armory. He best be ready to trade blow for blow with a fierce enemy who shows no quarter.

I have known police officers who were not able to confront the evil doer. Though armed with the best weapon and the best training they were unwilling to use it against the evil doer. They had no business being on the front lines facing a determined enemy.

I have known many a preacher who was so full of loving kindness, peace, and joy that they could not find the sword of the spirit to challenge the evil doer. These are not bad people. In fact they are good men, just not warriors.

As warriors there are certain principles important to understand, particularly as to combat in the spiritual arena. First combat is not continuous. There are breaks. There are times one spends on the mountain top with the Lord. There are other times when engaged in fierce trials.

If all of life were trials without an absorbing time we would learn nothing at all. It is natural God having given one their hearts desire that they then feel a letdown.

One feels a letdown or separation from God after intimacy with God. During this period one feels they have nothing of great importance to commune with Him about.

This is the time for the permanent growth to take root and growth occurs. Here one likely experiences a sense of disappointment unless you fix firmly in your mind the fact that real spiritual growth is slow.

Separate your growth from your emotions. Go back and see how much of what you did was on faith and how much was on fear. How much was real trust and how much was really a nothing to lose bargain. How much was received with a deserving feeling and how much was real gratitude. You will be humbled if you do this sincerely. Out of this comes pure humility which is the essence of true spiritual growth.

We experience God in the deep emotional experiences of life. Then after the emotional is pasted we examine our hearts to separate the facts from the emotions because only after the emotion is past can we be truly objective.

Always establish the spiritual growth after you have walked close to God or through any crisis. Otherwise your growth may finally be lost in the tangle of emotions experienced and become just another emotional pattern in your life instead of another link in the chain of growth required to meet God.

9-11-2019 – A Word to the Wise – This will be a two part examination of spiritual warfare.

s evident in scripture that the Lord is going to use the wilderness experiences of our lives as training ground. This is an all-volunteer army, there are no draftees. The training is grueling, the conditions harsh, and forbidding.

Beware that Satan induces godly men to attack with scriptural principals the godly person. Satan challenges moral integrity and intellectual ability.

The Lord’s warriors are to fight until the enemy was annihilated, and this was to be done in close quarter engagements that utterly terrified the enemy.

The most dangerous time on the battlefield for the winner of an encounter is right after the battle is his.

How often it is we believe we have won battle to find ourselves faced with the most intense temptations brought on by our pride. Addicts will tell you right after they get a chip indicating successful abstinence comes their strongest temptations.

In like manner, in Joshua’s’ day the defenders of Ai had just driven off the last Jewish attackers. Flush with success they failed to see the ambush behind them. Satan had just killed the Son of Man, and now the kingdom of God comes with much power. Every loss holds the kernel of success. Every win the possibility of defeat.

Why this failure out of success? Because the chief temptation the root sin of all sins is the sin of pride. This sin always insures failure. We look around filled with the first blush of success. Perhaps we have just received and unexpected check. Maybe we have just performed our very best on the sports field. Perhaps there is a standing applause for outstanding accomplishment. Drunk with pride we turn around to find it all swept away in the blink of an eye. Just an accident?

No, for Satan knows we are most vulnerable at these times and lays his ambush. So what do we do? Refuse all praise? Negate every success? Torment ourselves and others with admonitions of failures? No. We need to learn what our temptations are all about.

Knowing the temptations are coming the Lord channels us into hardship which deemphasizes the value of the physical, or emotional. The battleground is of God’s own choosing. The wilderness like it was for Moses, like it was for Jesus like it is for us is the best battleground.

Surrounded with the terror of the wild beast of life, and being alone one is ready for the final test, or as is known in military terms, ‘hell week.’ That part of training which puts together all of the things learned to determine ones weaknesses.

However, we tend to want to we want to challenge the battlefield prepared by God. We want back the peace and comfort of our surroundings. God says these will lure us into failure in the coming battle. Clothe yourself instead in pain, and hardship it will armor you for the battle. To willingly immerse oneself in hardship, emotional agony, and indigence weakens and makes ineffective Satan’s charms.

Willingly seeking the wilderness makes Satan’s offer of opulence no lure. If one seeks physical hardship what can Satan offer? But the hardships are not the temptation only the prelude to temptation ready or not now comes the trials.

What is the first temptation? Turn these stones into bread. What may one ask does that mean? Simply misuse the authority that God grants you. Divert it to personal use.

To use God’s authority and power for one’s own use is a supreme violation. This is a temptation that every warrior faces at one time or another. Moses faced it when he killed the Egyptian without the proper authority. He suffered forty years imprisonment for this lapse.

King Saul choosing to offer sacrifices because Samuel is late thus transgressing the lines of authority drawn by the Lord is another example. David choosing to number the people when the Lord told him not to. All of these are examples of men choosing to misuse either the power or authority granted by God

We have the same choices today. Every man faces this temptation to misuse authority to acquire something for himself in his marriage. How often does the man remind the woman she is subject to him in order to dominate the woman? God gave the authority to man to protect the woman not to control, dominate, or enslave her.

Every police officer who steps outside the law to make an arrest crosses the line of improper use of authority and eventually it will come back to haunt him.

The same is true of the military. I had an uncle who was a tank commander during World War II. He was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. He admitted much later in life that he had murdered an innocent civilian, while in uniform, in a combat zone and he could never forgive himself. He died an alcoholic, alone in a Veterans hospital. He died with no one’s regret.

The Lord allows no allowance or latitude when it comes to misuse of authority. One just does not do it without paying a great price.

The second temptation has to do with the object of our worship. We are surrounded with those things that belong to God. Yet we constantly take those things and justify using them as we wish whether that be the material, emotional or spiritual.

We are given time and we assume it is to use as we wish. We are given material things and we assume it is to satisfy our desires. We are given emotional fortitude and we assume it is to use it for our lust. The warrior needs all of these supplies for battle, but often consumes them before the first skirmish.

The third temptation is fearfulness usually exhibited in wanting to give up, runaway, perhaps hide; maybe immerse oneself in the futility of life or waste one’s life on the immaterial. The temptation is to throw yourself down; solve problems your own way. Force the Lord to act in one’s behalf.

Satan lays the ground work for battle by bringing severe physical, emotional and spiritual hardship. These are the tactics he used with Job, or the challenges thrown at the feet of Jesus.

Jesus and Job were taken from indigence to a hope of opulence. He does the same for us. One extreme and another to upset our balance.

It is our task to perceive why the Lord acts in the manner that he does. The Lord delivers His people from bondage in Egypt and immediately leads them into the wilderness, why? To prepare them for warfare. To provide a safe arena for training. To enhance and shorten the learning period. To provide them the weapons necessary for battle. To cause them to fear Him more than any other challenge of life.

What did they do? Complain, fornicate, resist, rebel, idolize, curse and swear and they had not even seen combat yet. All they had endured was but the prelude to the battle.

Rarely are the temptations perceived for what they are. Our tendency is to consider Satan everywhere behind every tree. Most of our daily temptations arise out of our lust. They are much different from that once in a life time situation where we are confronted with life altering decisions. Often these temptations come early in life and reoccur as we fail.

9-11-2019 – A Word to the Wise – This will be a two part examination of spiritual warfare.

s evident in scripture that the Lord is going to use the wilderness experiences of our lives as training ground. This is an all-volunteer army, there are no draftees. The training is grueling, the conditions harsh, and forbidding.

Beware that Satan induces godly men to attack with scriptural principals the godly person. Satan challenges moral integrity and intellectual ability.

The Lord’s warriors are to fight until the enemy was annihilated, and this was to be done in close quarter engagements that utterly terrified the enemy.

The most dangerous time on the battlefield for the winner of an encounter is right after the battle is his.

How often it is we believe we have won battle to find ourselves faced with the most intense temptations brought on by our pride. Addicts will tell you right after they get a chip indicating successful abstinence comes their strongest temptations.

In like manner, in Joshua’s’ day the defenders of Ai had just driven off the last Jewish attackers. Flush with success they failed to see the ambush behind them. Satan had just killed the Son of Man, and now the kingdom of God comes with much power. Every loss holds the kernel of success. Every win the possibility of defeat.

Why this failure out of success? Because the chief temptation the root sin of all sins is the sin of pride. This sin always insures failure. We look around filled with the first blush of success. Perhaps we have just received and unexpected check. Maybe we have just performed our very best on the sports field. Perhaps there is a standing applause for outstanding accomplishment. Drunk with pride we turn around to find it all swept away in the blink of an eye. Just an accident?

No, for Satan knows we are most vulnerable at these times and lays his ambush. So what do we do? Refuse all praise? Negate every success? Torment ourselves and others with admonitions of failures? No. We need to learn what our temptations are all about.

Knowing the temptations are coming the Lord channels us into hardship which deemphasizes the value of the physical, or emotional. The battleground is of God’s own choosing. The wilderness like it was for Moses, like it was for Jesus like it is for us is the best battleground.

Surrounded with the terror of the wild beast of life, and being alone one is ready for the final test, or as is known in military terms, ‘hell week.’ That part of training which puts together all of the things learned to determine ones weaknesses.

However, we tend to want to we want to challenge the battlefield prepared by God. We want back the peace and comfort of our surroundings. God says these will lure us into failure in the coming battle. Clothe yourself instead in pain, and hardship it will armor you for the battle. To willingly immerse oneself in hardship, emotional agony, and indigence weakens and makes ineffective Satan’s charms.

Willingly seeking the wilderness makes Satan’s offer of opulence no lure. If one seeks physical hardship what can Satan offer? But the hardships are not the temptation only the prelude to temptation ready or not now comes the trials.

What is the first temptation? Turn these stones into bread. What may one ask does that mean? Simply misuse the authority that God grants you. Divert it to personal use.

To use God’s authority and power for one’s own use is a supreme violation. This is a temptation that every warrior faces at one time or another. Moses faced it when he killed the Egyptian without the proper authority. He suffered forty years imprisonment for this lapse.

King Saul choosing to offer sacrifices because Samuel is late thus transgressing the lines of authority drawn by the Lord is another example. David choosing to number the people when the Lord told him not to. All of these are examples of men choosing to misuse either the power or authority granted by God

We have the same choices today. Every man faces this temptation to misuse authority to acquire something for himself in his marriage. How often does the man remind the woman she is subject to him in order to dominate the woman? God gave the authority to man to protect the woman not to control, dominate, or enslave her.

Every police officer who steps outside the law to make an arrest crosses the line of improper use of authority and eventually it will come back to haunt him.

The same is true of the military. I had an uncle who was a tank commander during World War II. He was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge. He admitted much later in life that he had murdered an innocent civilian, while in uniform, in a combat zone and he could never forgive himself. He died an alcoholic, alone in a Veterans hospital. He died with no one’s regret.

The Lord allows no allowance or latitude when it comes to misuse of authority. One just does not do it without paying a great price.

The second temptation has to do with the object of our worship. We are surrounded with those things that belong to God. Yet we constantly take those things and justify using them as we wish whether that be the material, emotional or spiritual.

We are given time and we assume it is to use as we wish. We are given material things and we assume it is to satisfy our desires. We are given emotional fortitude and we assume it is to use it for our lust. The warrior needs all of these supplies for battle, but often consumes them before the first skirmish.

The third temptation is fearfulness usually exhibited in wanting to give up, runaway, perhaps hide; maybe immerse oneself in the futility of life or waste one’s life on the immaterial. The temptation is to throw yourself down; solve problems your own way. Force the Lord to act in one’s behalf.

Satan lays the ground work for battle by bringing severe physical, emotional and spiritual hardship. These are the tactics he used with Job, or the challenges thrown at the feet of Jesus.

Jesus and Job were taken from indigence to a hope of opulence. He does the same for us. One extreme and another to upset our balance.

It is our task to perceive why the Lord acts in the manner that he does. The Lord delivers His people from bondage in Egypt and immediately leads them into the wilderness, why? To prepare them for warfare. To provide a safe arena for training. To enhance and shorten the learning period. To provide them the weapons necessary for battle. To cause them to fear Him more than any other challenge of life.

What did they do? Complain, fornicate, resist, rebel, idolize, curse and swear and they had not even seen combat yet. All they had endured was but the prelude to the battle.

Rarely are the temptations perceived for what they are. Our tendency is to consider Satan everywhere behind every tree. Most of our daily temptations arise out of our lust. They are much different from that once in a life time situation where we are confronted with life altering decisions. Often these temptations come early in life and reoccur as we fail.

9-9-2019 – A Word to the Wise – RESPECT
You cannot teach a child respect, unless you first have a respect for the child.
Attitude and emotions speak an unmistakable language which no amount of
lecturing can disqualify. A child comprehends the behavior and
attitude of respect for another by experiencing it first for another. Young people are
failing to develop the proper self-respect and respect for others mainly because of
the warped and inconsistent teaching they are receiving. Too often we ask them to
respect us on the basis of an adult parent-teacher. This is no basis at all.
All human beings are worthy of respect.
A child’s capacity to respect is developed by a careful and consistent guidance in
his sense of values. In other words, respect is a process of growth. We do not
demand respect in a child. We guide him in his development of it.
Many find it difficult to teach their children to respect their father because
he is an imperfect model of manhood. But respect is taught on a much deeper level
than this. A part of it is based on God’s authority. The rest of it is based on a
greater value than that of simple outward behavior. A child respects his parents
first because it is a commandment of God. When God gave this commandment he was not
ignorant of the parent who would be neglectful, or the one on the bar stool.
He knew all these failures in human beings when He gave his commandment.
No, man is worthy of respect because he is God’s creation.
This places the reason for respect with God, not man. He is endowed with the most
valuable of all gifts — a living soul. Though a child should be taught to appreciate
the good in his parent, it is not his good that makes him worthy of respect, but the
power of God. Too often in trying to teach respect, we only teach respect of persons
which of itself is sin. Respect is taught from early childhood and it is not based
on age, but humanity. You should not permit your child to speak to another child
insultingly any more than to you. Another child is a human being, a creation of God,
therefore, he is worthy of respect. Many try to apply it to the age or parents and
then wonder why it doesn’t take. Much harm is done to their whole adjustment to life
because you have taught them a false set of values. All that has been taught is really
a “respect of persons” rather than a “respect for persons”, a living soul, which is direct
from God Himself.

9-9-2019 – A Word to the Wise – RESPECT
You cannot teach a child respect, unless you first have a respect for the child.
Attitude and emotions speak an unmistakable language which no amount of
lecturing can disqualify. A child comprehends the behavior and
attitude of respect for another by experiencing it first for another. Young people are
failing to develop the proper self-respect and respect for others mainly because of
the warped and inconsistent teaching they are receiving. Too often we ask them to
respect us on the basis of an adult parent-teacher. This is no basis at all.
All human beings are worthy of respect.
A child’s capacity to respect is developed by a careful and consistent guidance in
his sense of values. In other words, respect is a process of growth. We do not
demand respect in a child. We guide him in his development of it.
Many find it difficult to teach their children to respect their father because
he is an imperfect model of manhood. But respect is taught on a much deeper level
than this. A part of it is based on God’s authority. The rest of it is based on a
greater value than that of simple outward behavior. A child respects his parents
first because it is a commandment of God. When God gave this commandment he was not
ignorant of the parent who would be neglectful, or the one on the bar stool.
He knew all these failures in human beings when He gave his commandment.
No, man is worthy of respect because he is God’s creation.
This places the reason for respect with God, not man. He is endowed with the most
valuable of all gifts — a living soul. Though a child should be taught to appreciate
the good in his parent, it is not his good that makes him worthy of respect, but the
power of God. Too often in trying to teach respect, we only teach respect of persons
which of itself is sin. Respect is taught from early childhood and it is not based
on age, but humanity. You should not permit your child to speak to another child
insultingly any more than to you. Another child is a human being, a creation of God,
therefore, he is worthy of respect. Many try to apply it to the age or parents and
then wonder why it doesn’t take. Much harm is done to their whole adjustment to life
because you have taught them a false set of values. All that has been taught is really
a “respect of persons” rather than a “respect for persons”, a living soul, which is direct
from God Himself.

9-6-2019 – A Word to the Wise – What does a parent teach a child about self defense? What of living at peace with all men? What of not allowing yourself to be bullied? Young parents especially, and older ones as well face the dilemma because they must teach a child to prepare them for adulthood what is the right thing to teach.

The individual starts out totally defensiveness dependant on others for protection. So it is in the development of this attribute. The child must first learn to respect others, submissiveness, and obedience, gentleness, kindness, and patience. This is the beginning, the foundation. If the foundation is not correct then the building will not survive.

The child learns to be at peace with all men whatever the circumstance. Actually, they are compelled by dependence to learn peace at this stage. During this growing period they learn to take care and protect those younger and weaker. These skill are acquired as the care for siblings, and others they come in contact.

During this weak period they learn endurance in the face of adversity. They acquire a desire for survival skills and self-protection.

Jesus taught the importance of peace with all men, and placing the other person first, or self-sacrifice. This means acquiring the skill of not defending or justifying our behavior. It is clear cut we either think or act in a righteous manner, or we correct those qualities which do not meet the mark of good conduct.

Once these skill are ingrained in the child then comes the lessons and skills to defend and protect the helpless, weak and downtrodden. At every step character training is important one quality builds on another.

What do you teach assuming through exercise and training the others qualities are growing? First and foremost one must teach fearlessness in the face of the enemy. If the child has already been introduced to the Lord then he is taught to lean on the Lord for wisdom in dealing with such matters.

Thus the decision to stand and fight is backed up by a spirit of righteousness, reinforced by fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds. If one decides to fight they must understanding that there is no backing down or running away or quitting.

Now we understand the reason for the development of the other character qualities. One exercises all of the other opinions to reconcile the disturbance because once he decides to stand then there can be no retreat.

The child must be prepared to mentally and emotionally deal with defeat with the understanding that one battle does not make a war.

Once the decisions is in place then tactics become all important. The goal is to strike fear in the heart of the enemy. Nothing less can be accepted. The enemy must fear you and your God.

However, you must observe the laws of the land, and accept the consequences of your behavior. Understand the law. Defense of one’s self is acceptable. Defense of another is acceptable. Defense of one’s family is an obligation. Even the apostle Paul defended himself and others. (Acts 16)

Serious injury to another person unless one or another’s life is in danger is not acceptable. Killing another person should not even be considered unless one is under authority and obligation to do so. Given the choice one never seeks to kill the key word here is given the choice.

One never chooses to go to those places given to disturbances, bars, bad neighborhoods’, risky friends, ect. One must not put oneself in the way physical danger, it is not living peaceably.

The individual starts out totally defensiveness dependent on others for protection. So it is in the development of this attribute. The child must first learn to respect others, submissiveness, and obedience, gentleness, kindness, and patience. This is the beginning, the foundation. If the foundation is not correct then the building will not survive.

9-6-2019 – A Word to the Wise – What does a parent teach a child about self defense? What of living at peace with all men? What of not allowing yourself to be bullied? Young parents especially, and older ones as well face the dilemma because they must teach a child to prepare them for adulthood what is the right thing to teach.

The individual starts out totally defensiveness dependant on others for protection. So it is in the development of this attribute. The child must first learn to respect others, submissiveness, and obedience, gentleness, kindness, and patience. This is the beginning, the foundation. If the foundation is not correct then the building will not survive.

The child learns to be at peace with all men whatever the circumstance. Actually, they are compelled by dependence to learn peace at this stage. During this growing period they learn to take care and protect those younger and weaker. These skill are acquired as the care for siblings, and others they come in contact.

During this weak period they learn endurance in the face of adversity. They acquire a desire for survival skills and self-protection.

Jesus taught the importance of peace with all men, and placing the other person first, or self-sacrifice. This means acquiring the skill of not defending or justifying our behavior. It is clear cut we either think or act in a righteous manner, or we correct those qualities which do not meet the mark of good conduct.

Once these skill are ingrained in the child then comes the lessons and skills to defend and protect the helpless, weak and downtrodden. At every step character training is important one quality builds on another.

What do you teach assuming through exercise and training the others qualities are growing? First and foremost one must teach fearlessness in the face of the enemy. If the child has already been introduced to the Lord then he is taught to lean on the Lord for wisdom in dealing with such matters.

Thus the decision to stand and fight is backed up by a spirit of righteousness, reinforced by fearlessness in the face of overwhelming odds. If one decides to fight they must understanding that there is no backing down or running away or quitting.

Now we understand the reason for the development of the other character qualities. One exercises all of the other opinions to reconcile the disturbance because once he decides to stand then there can be no retreat.

The child must be prepared to mentally and emotionally deal with defeat with the understanding that one battle does not make a war.

Once the decisions is in place then tactics become all important. The goal is to strike fear in the heart of the enemy. Nothing less can be accepted. The enemy must fear you and your God.

However, you must observe the laws of the land, and accept the consequences of your behavior. Understand the law. Defense of one’s self is acceptable. Defense of another is acceptable. Defense of one’s family is an obligation. Even the apostle Paul defended himself and others. (Acts 16)

Serious injury to another person unless one or another’s life is in danger is not acceptable. Killing another person should not even be considered unless one is under authority and obligation to do so. Given the choice one never seeks to kill the key word here is given the choice.

One never chooses to go to those places given to disturbances, bars, bad neighborhoods’, risky friends, ect. One must not put oneself in the way physical danger, it is not living peaceably.

The individual starts out totally defensiveness dependent on others for protection. So it is in the development of this attribute. The child must first learn to respect others, submissiveness, and obedience, gentleness, kindness, and patience. This is the beginning, the foundation. If the foundation is not correct then the building will not survive.

8-31-2019 – A Word to the Wise – There are some passages which tend to trouble the reader. Look at the following example; (NIV) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Is this passage saying a person is duty bound to give his material possessions to anyone who asks?

When a person realizes that Jesus is speaking in Hebrew to his audience and one back translates this verse into Hebrew one becomes aware of a meaning that tends to be missed with our English translations.

Understanding the language of the time frequently helps us interpret difficult passages. In this circumstance realizing the Hebrew language frequently uses different types of parallelism to express a point helps us acquire further insight into the meaning of the passage.

Add to this an understanding of the Hebrew translation further adds to a deeper understanding of what is being taught by Jesus.

Thus a type of Hebrew parallelism is being employed by Jesus. That is expressing the same thought twice using different terms.

The term ask of the first part of the sentence is a connected with borrow in the second.

In the Hebrew a distinction is made between borrowing an object which is to be returned and borrowing a grain and the like and thus the product amount is to be returned.

Jesus is using the term ask to mean borrow in the first sense and borrowing the second time in the second sense.

8-31-2019 – A Word to the Wise – There are some passages which tend to trouble the reader. Look at the following example; (NIV) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Is this passage saying a person is duty bound to give his material possessions to anyone who asks?

When a person realizes that Jesus is speaking in Hebrew to his audience and one back translates this verse into Hebrew one becomes aware of a meaning that tends to be missed with our English translations.

Understanding the language of the time frequently helps us interpret difficult passages. In this circumstance realizing the Hebrew language frequently uses different types of parallelism to express a point helps us acquire further insight into the meaning of the passage.

Add to this an understanding of the Hebrew translation further adds to a deeper understanding of what is being taught by Jesus.

Thus a type of Hebrew parallelism is being employed by Jesus. That is expressing the same thought twice using different terms.

The term ask of the first part of the sentence is a connected with borrow in the second.

In the Hebrew a distinction is made between borrowing an object which is to be returned and borrowing a grain and the like and thus the product amount is to be returned.

Jesus is using the term ask to mean borrow in the first sense and borrowing the second time in the second sense.

8-24-2019 – A Word to the Wise – THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING

Man has seemingly conquered many things, plants, animals, water, air, the moon, space, even the sun has been brought under the subjection of man. The strides in sciences and medicine are unbelievable yet with this great amount of knowledge man still suffers. More specifically the question that faces us is why Christians must suffer.

God is all mighty so why can he not prevent suffering in reality the question is not if he is able rather why suffering?

For the Christian there are four sources of suffering; himself, other men, Satan, and the Lord.

First and for most man suffers because of himself. The cause may be fear, ignorance, hate or the inability to cope with problems. For instance if man goes out and drives recklessly hits a bridge abutment an ends up in the hospital with a broken back its immediately apparent that he causes his own suffering and he alone holds the key to prevention.

One can say the same the same thing for the person eaten up with envy and greed. Eventually he ends up with heart trouble, or bone disease, and all kinds of problems. Once again the person is in charge and if he stops the suffering ceases. The man is the source of his sufferi8ng.

Just as man is a source of suffering for self he is also the source of suffering for others. This is can be seen in the problems plaguing our society, be it wars, human slavery, drugs, or other chemicals. Life can be brutal whether for the small child left homeless, or the battle over an insignificant piece of land or property.

So two great sources of suffering is man for himself, or for others.

But the third source of suffering comes from the evil one. Only a cursory reading of the book of Job educates us about the task of Satan to test and destroy us. I do not need to educate about him and the multitude of ways he wrings the very life and breath from us.

But the fourth source of suffering is our God. This is the true purpose of this lesson. Why does he cause his children to suffer? There are two main reasons.

The discipline of the Lord is a necessary part of his children’s existence. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the chastisement of God is for our own good and reveals that we are indeed children of his. Paul extends this conversation by telling us that if we suffer with him we will live with him. Why? Because suffering purifies us of the tendency to submit to fleshly desires which are so strong within us.

Are we to good to suffer? One may say when I became a Christian I thought it was a passport to an easy life. Hardly we see Jesus who made himself a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, are we better than he? I think not. At this point we are reminded of Hebrews 5:8 “Though he were a son yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” We are sons and like him we will suffer.

But the second reason we must suffer is because it is a means of testing. This is seen explicitly in the example of Abram and his son. One does not take lightly the thought of Abram offering his own son as a sacrifice. I imagined he suffered great mental anguish as they approached that mountain. However, there is no other way to know our own strength and weakness. Peter sums it up when he says “the trial of your faith being much more precious than that of gold that perishes though he be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

Thus we see Christians suffering, some by our own hand or of others, or the evil one, or to purify us to holiness. But in all of this we find a reason for hope.

Finally, in a round about way we might have answered the accusations of the critic who says “that if there is a God he would not let man suffer so much.” Jesus sums it up when speaking to Ananias about Paul, he says “for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” In just the same way so we suffer for Christ sake.

8-24-2019 – A Word to the Wise – THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING

Man has seemingly conquered many things, plants, animals, water, air, the moon, space, even the sun has been brought under the subjection of man. The strides in sciences and medicine are unbelievable yet with this great amount of knowledge man still suffers. More specifically the question that faces us is why Christians must suffer.

God is all mighty so why can he not prevent suffering in reality the question is not if he is able rather why suffering?

For the Christian there are four sources of suffering; himself, other men, Satan, and the Lord.

First and for most man suffers because of himself. The cause may be fear, ignorance, hate or the inability to cope with problems. For instance if man goes out and drives recklessly hits a bridge abutment an ends up in the hospital with a broken back its immediately apparent that he causes his own suffering and he alone holds the key to prevention.

One can say the same the same thing for the person eaten up with envy and greed. Eventually he ends up with heart trouble, or bone disease, and all kinds of problems. Once again the person is in charge and if he stops the suffering ceases. The man is the source of his sufferi8ng.

Just as man is a source of suffering for self he is also the source of suffering for others. This is can be seen in the problems plaguing our society, be it wars, human slavery, drugs, or other chemicals. Life can be brutal whether for the small child left homeless, or the battle over an insignificant piece of land or property.

So two great sources of suffering is man for himself, or for others.

But the third source of suffering comes from the evil one. Only a cursory reading of the book of Job educates us about the task of Satan to test and destroy us. I do not need to educate about him and the multitude of ways he wrings the very life and breath from us.

But the fourth source of suffering is our God. This is the true purpose of this lesson. Why does he cause his children to suffer? There are two main reasons.

The discipline of the Lord is a necessary part of his children’s existence. The writer of Hebrews tells us that the chastisement of God is for our own good and reveals that we are indeed children of his. Paul extends this conversation by telling us that if we suffer with him we will live with him. Why? Because suffering purifies us of the tendency to submit to fleshly desires which are so strong within us.

Are we to good to suffer? One may say when I became a Christian I thought it was a passport to an easy life. Hardly we see Jesus who made himself a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, are we better than he? I think not. At this point we are reminded of Hebrews 5:8 “Though he were a son yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered.” We are sons and like him we will suffer.

But the second reason we must suffer is because it is a means of testing. This is seen explicitly in the example of Abram and his son. One does not take lightly the thought of Abram offering his own son as a sacrifice. I imagined he suffered great mental anguish as they approached that mountain. However, there is no other way to know our own strength and weakness. Peter sums it up when he says “the trial of your faith being much more precious than that of gold that perishes though he be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

Thus we see Christians suffering, some by our own hand or of others, or the evil one, or to purify us to holiness. But in all of this we find a reason for hope.

Finally, in a round about way we might have answered the accusations of the critic who says “that if there is a God he would not let man suffer so much.” Jesus sums it up when speaking to Ananias about Paul, he says “for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” In just the same way so we suffer for Christ sake.

8-21-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Have you ever wondered what the pearl of great price Jesus refers to in Matthew 13:45? Jesus says that it is something for which a man will sell everything that he owns to purchase.

I have pondered for many years the answer Jesus hides in this parable. The parable just before it speaks of a man finding a treasure in a field and going and buying that field with all that he had.

There are not many things in life worth selling all one owns to buy it, or is there? I know many a soul who sell all they own and much not owned to buy drugs, alcohol, sex, or a host of other things. Cheap things without any true value. When purchased they bring no satisfaction, nor peace or joy.

Yet Jesus, says that there is something worth selling all ones worldly possessions, what is it?

I have no doubt that the Pearl of Great Price that for which I would sell everything is friendship with the Lord.

Do you have any idea what it would be like to be considered a friend of the Lord. This is a position held by very few in scripture. Abraham, Enoch, Elijah, Job, Daniel, David, Peter, James, and John, and Paul. The list indeed is short. The price is tremendous. We can only guess at the tremendous stress these men of God endured.

Yet, the reward makes the price but a small matter. Many think of heaven or even the grace of the Lord as a great prize, and yet this matter of friendship, the Lord having affection for us. Not just love. But to think that when He hears our voice, or beholds are presence, it brings the Lord great satisfaction.

This admiration is reflected in the reply the Lord gives to Satan when He says; “have you considered my servant Job…”

What feelings do you think were aroused in Job when he is writing his story down for posterity, as Job pens the words that reflect the heavenly conversation? “Have you considered my servant Job”?

True, a person may consider many things priceless, yet for a few, friendship with the Lord is the pearl of great price.

8-21-2019 – A Word to the Wise – Have you ever wondered what the pearl of great price Jesus refers to in Matthew 13:45? Jesus says that it is something for which a man will sell everything that he owns to purchase.

I have pondered for many years the answer Jesus hides in this parable. The parable just before it speaks of a man finding a treasure in a field and going and buying that field with all that he had.

There are not many things in life worth selling all one owns to buy it, or is there? I know many a soul who sell all they own and much not owned to buy drugs, alcohol, sex, or a host of other things. Cheap things without any true value. When purchased they bring no satisfaction, nor peace or joy.

Yet Jesus, says that there is something worth selling all ones worldly possessions, what is it?

I have no doubt that the Pearl of Great Price that for which I would sell everything is friendship with the Lord.

Do you have any idea what it would be like to be considered a friend of the Lord. This is a position held by very few in scripture. Abraham, Enoch, Elijah, Job, Daniel, David, Peter, James, and John, and Paul. The list indeed is short. The price is tremendous. We can only guess at the tremendous stress these men of God endured.

Yet, the reward makes the price but a small matter. Many think of heaven or even the grace of the Lord as a great prize, and yet this matter of friendship, the Lord having affection for us. Not just love. But to think that when He hears our voice, or beholds are presence, it brings the Lord great satisfaction.

This admiration is reflected in the reply the Lord gives to Satan when He says; “have you considered my servant Job…”

What feelings do you think were aroused in Job when he is writing his story down for posterity, as Job pens the words that reflect the heavenly conversation? “Have you considered my servant Job”?

True, a person may consider many thing priceless, yet for a few, friendship with the Lord is the pearl of great price.

8-20-2019 – A Word to the Wise – A sense of gratitude is one trait that seems to be absent in our society. Yet it is a cure for a host of our diseases. But it was a plague in the days of our Lord as well. Time and again we see Jesus healing all manner of ills but rarely do we hear expresses of appreciation.

It is an oddity of scripture that there is not a biblical example where a woman fails to praise the Lord for her healing! Amazingly, lepers, demon possessed, withered hands, palsy, you name it, man is afflicted with it, but that affliction and healing so often did not merit a simple thank you. The chief illness is a lack of appreciation.
It is imperative that we list as many as we are able, that have contributed to our well-being from birth to the present. Yes and while you are working on the list do not forget all of those dirty, stinking diapers someone had to change.

8-20-2019 – A Word to the Wise – A sense of gratitude is one trait that seems to be absent in our society. Yet it is a cure for a host of our diseases. But it was a plague in the days of our Lord as well. Time and again we see Jesus healing all manner of ills but rarely do we hear expresses of appreciation.

It is an oddity of scripture that there is not a biblical example where a woman fails to praise the Lord for her healing! Amazingly, lepers, demon possessed, withered hands, palsy, you name it, man is afflicted with it, but that affliction and healing so often did not merit a simple thank you. The chief illness is a lack of appreciation.
It is imperative that we list as many as we are able, that have contributed to our well-being from birth to the present. Yes and while you are working on the list do not forget all of those dirty, stinking diapers someone had to change.

8-19-2019 – A Word to the Wise

On prayer
We need to take care in what we pray for. We tend to ask the Lord to make bad people good, to ignore a person’s character and somehow reform them when they do not desire reformation. How often have you heard someone ask God to make an individual wise? When you ask God to give wisdom to an evil person you are asking for the Lord to make them craftier in their wickedness.
Often we hear one begging the Lord to heal a person yet never that the person grow in their adversity! Yes character building comes from adversity not from peace and contentment. When that process is complete then it is time to implore the Lord to heal. Not before. Before only condemns the person to further trials. Our prayer life needs to reflect godly wisdom, not human purpose, or desire. Lord, accompany us in our trials, and suffering cleansing your child from all forms of impurity.
Life is filled with sadness. One could make a victory of these experiences turning life into inner triumph or could ignore the challenge and simple vegetate. Any attempt to restore ones inner strength has to show some future goal.