Pro 15.33
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom;
& before honor is humility.”
Proud
4 of 47 “…Give ear; be not PROUD: for the LORD hath spoken”(Jer 13.15)
Job 40.11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is PROUD, and abase him.
“When he thought about Father, he thought about heaven!”
– Albert Barr, sermon, 6/16/1991
BIRCH and SPRUCE [1]
The birch tree gracefully dropped its leaves.
Its neighboring spruce said, “I’ll hold these”
Holds them as decorations briefly seen
Golden fragments clinging to evergreen.
– eab, 9/24/06
So you’re planning on getting married (or just got married). As a man happily married for 58+ yrs, I highly recommend this holy state – best “state” on earth. But I’m going to warn you. The devil hates few things worse than a happy, pure marriage. He’ll fight you. He’ll point out her peculiarities & temp you to be galled by them. The devil will show you his oddities (“Why would anyone like ___”) & temp you to be impatient. Pray for each other. Forgive (without being asked) your love’s “stupid” actions/words. Know that satan is out to ruin your happy home but he can’t unless you let him. DON’T. – 9/26/19
“Fasting becomes a ‘hunger strike’ against God.”
– Albert Barr, sermon, 6/22/1997
Only God deserves 100%, unquestioned loyalty. No church, no government earns this. “My bishop – my superintendent – my governor – my senator – my president – – – right or wrong.” IS wrong! God warrants 100% devotion – He is 100% right. No man is. Pray & Think seriously about who you “support.” – 9/26/19
1Th 5.24
“Faithful is he that calleth you,
who also will do it.”
“We are destined eternally to spend eternity
where our treasures are.”
– Daryl D Hausman, sermon, 6/15/’95
God has called us all to witness. It may be with words or non-verbally. It may be via a difficult to learn language of another continent or in the vernacular of your native Appalachian or Rocky Mt. valley. It is not just a “preacher thing.” Witnessing may come when least expected, even in what is, for you, a crisis hour. And – witnessing is not telling Bill he should not smoke (he already senses that) but rather in words (or non-verbally) letting him glimpse the joy Jesus has given you. – 9/26/19
“Prayer is like work – it moves something.”
– Tillman Harris
[1] Written after Martha noticed leaves on the way to church (Murie Lane, N Pole, AK) with Andrew/Vonnie and family.