Hey, it's the 25th Anniversary of being Minnesota State Curling Junior Champions!

I was just reminiscing here tonight, and realized that I am coming up on a major milestone. No lie, 25 years ago this next January I, along with 3 other good high school friends, won the coveted State Junior Curling Championship of Minnesota! Here's proof (look at 1982). What, never heard of the 2nd fastest game on ice ever? I'll pray for you.

What a great thought...

I'm taking a class in The History of Christian Preaching, so if you are a reader of this blog, you will find I will be dropping a few of my new friends quotes here and there. I came across this one, and I think it is profound, especially as we worry about all the things we are trying to do for God in our lifetime. If you trust in the absolute sovereignty of God, then Thomas Fuller's 17th Century quote gives you complete comfort:

"God’s children are immortal while their Father has anything for them to do on earth.”

Dude, for a heart like this!

“I need more grief, I plainly need more of it. I am far from that which I ought to have. I can sin much! I cannot repent much. My dryness! My dryness! Woe unto me! Would that I had such grief, or even more! But of myself I cannot obtain it. I am parched, I am parched like a potsherd [pottery fragment]. Woe is me! Thou, O Lord, O Lord, a fountain of tears. Give me a molten heart.”

~Lancelot Andrewes, from his devotional, Private Devotions.

Simply put, let's VOTE out cats

Why do we have cats? I have no idea what it is about them, but they simply HATE me! Every cat I have ever known has hated me with a passion. They hiss at me. Try to bite me. Purposefully look at me in a most disrespectful "I hate you, scumball" glance. Won't come and play, but just mock me with those "YOU go and get the ball, stupid" look when I throw it for them.

One of my very first memories in life is having my arms completly scratched up by a mad cat who didn't like me playing with it. To this day, I still have no idea what is wrong with the game "Pull the Cat's Tail Really, Really Hard." Why can't we all pass a UN resolution to just simply rid the entire planet of the things... I mean, if we live in such a civil society that we can vote out Pluto as a planet, create a coffeemaker that grinds AND brews our coffee, couldn't we figure out a way to have a catless society?

The best post EVER on the internet is from my friend Rebekah. Someone has to go to the powers that be and make this happen. We need an international relief effort to rid ourselves of this cancer.

I have the same problem in our neighborhood that Rebekah has. Cats everywhere. Breeding to make more cats. Thinking they own the place, especially all of my potted plants as their personal Port-a-Potty. Fighting with one another in the streets at 200dbs this past summer on a bi-weekly basis...(I'm serious, it's LOUD at 2am! I thought someone was being mugged in front of my house).

For all of those who love cats, let me just say this: your cat is fine - it's the rest of the entire world that I would like to root them out of. Yours are neat, playful and fun. The rest are pure evil.

I sure wish someone would have told me this when I had youngens!

My response to Andy

Andy (and all),

I now know why I am considering becoming Amish...

Whatever happened to just the old "family camping trip?" Or going fishing? Or talking with a group of friends? Or going hunting? Why is our vast prosperity leading us into more and more need for elaborate escapes from the realities of life?

I say this as I personally struggle with engaging in and understanding our current American culture so I might win some. I struggle with this. I own a larger home than my parents ever did, enjoy perks of living in the 21C (like the personal computer I am typing on now - and it's fast too, God forbid I would have to wait 1 extra second per web page...) and am remodeling my basement for a place for family and friend hangouts. I take a swing at our consumerism culture and find my self hitting myself square in the nose... I hate and love our American choices.

I think this is why I have fallen in love with fly fishing as of late. Its me, a river, a trout, and deciding who is smarter (I won't tell you who normally wins...) However, even as I went to a midwest fly fishing expo this spring, you can spend literally thousands of dollars on gear, trips, training, etc. Sigh... I thought this was to escape all of this, and yet there it is again.

I think part of it is that we are so stressed out living the incredibly fast paced life we live (mostly due to our consumerism and technology) that we will pay ANYTHING just for some rest (or what we percieve to be rest.) For instance, I bought a really nice chair to put in my bedroom a year ago SO THAT I would have a niche in the corner to read my Bible and pray. Not that this is wrong - I think it was a good decision - but it highlights the whole issue. I have in my wallet a card that goes behind my credit card that says: GOD HAS MADE ME A STEWARD OF HIS RESOURCES. Good reminder every time I pull that puppy out.

There is a fine, but very definate line, between ENJOYING things and experiences (1 Timothy 6:17) and WORSHIPPING things (Matthew 6:19-24). God help us all!

Help us, o guru of consumerism, Professor of Philosopy and stuff! What say you? As we rub the belly of this budda, what can you give to us to empower us? Heal our land and our habits!

I loved the description of the class. I'm sure it was life changing for those students, and a great reminder for you. However, American culture will quickly suck all the life out of their learning without the "eternal vigilance which is the price of freedom..."

Hope all is well with you out there in "fly over country." It is beautiful these days in MN. Will you be around at all this summer?

Take care, my friend,

Trike

An email from my friend Andy

Steve, Stan, and other friends at Hope,

When I was at Bethel, I started developing a course to go look at consumerism in Las vegas and Los Angeles, and once I got to Creighton I kept working on that plan and now I've completed my first version of that class, so I thought I'd tell you a little about the 18 day class. (I sent parts of this to other friends too)

The class was on how business and development affect culture and society, focusing on Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with a camping trip to Grand Canyon and later to Joshua tree national park. Issues we focused on were how business transforms and affects our values, and our vision of what the good life is; how development makes the quality of life better or worse for people in terms of new places to live and play, and the resulting sprawl, traffic issues, and ways to deal with that (public transport, smart growth, etc). We also thought about water issues, since we spent a lot of time in the southwest. Environmental issues were considered also.

We visited with city leaders in Las Vegas, LA, Boulder City Nevada and Ventura California. We visted companies in the LV and LA areas, talked with CFOs, managers, workers, a showgirl, an artist, a film critic, a hollywood historian, a biologist working on preserving wetlands fromdevelopment, a farmer near LA, firefighters, and a lot of other people.

Our focus was to consider consumerism, hyperreality creation and the commodification of values.

Consumerism: how people are encouraged to find their identity through consuming things: Vegas entertainment, Vegas commodities (Gucci Bags at Ceasars or Wynn Casino, purchasing bigger houses, ferrarris, hummers, LA hollywood consumerism, the materialism at Santa monica, Newport beach, etc...) Shopping centers are temples to this religion... Happiness comes through the act of consumption-- at restaurants, movies, bars, stores, taxis, etc etc...

Hyperreality: virtual realities which we create which are 'better' than reality: TV and Movies which present idealized realities which don't actually exist, edited versions of reality through the news, etc., cleaned up versions of reality like the 'grand canyon experience' on the disneyland railroad, or The Venetian casino, where the canals are filtered and chlorinated and the ceilings always have blue sunny skies with beautiful fluffy white clouds..much nicer than the original Venice, which is fairly dirty and has gross canal water.... and there are simulacrum as well-- realities which purport to be representations of another reality, but which actually have no real original-- like Cartoonland at Disneyland, where they have recreated a city which is based on fantasy (cartoon) or Excaliber casino, which is a replica of King Aurthurs Court-- something which previously only existed in legend and lore. Or consider the life of Celine Dion: Living in a Mansion on the artificial lake in the desert called "Las Vegas Lake" (as unnatural as a Sahara Sea or Death Valley Swim park) she is helicoptered daily to her workplace: a Roman Colloseum at Ceasars Palace, where she has a replica of part of her house so that when her son comes with her to work he won't feel like he isn't at home. Celine's life is a world of hyperreality, where experience is fantasy and the true reality is covered over in fiction.

COMMODIFICATION of values: the ways in which business finds ways to associate commodities with your values, so that to maintain those values, you must purchase commodities. For example: purchasing a $69 pass to Disneyland for each of your kids plus yourself becomes an essential part of the american family experience (plus the hotel stay, and really good parents will also provide the park-hopper pass so that the california park can also be experienced, etc etc) and when you are that close to Hollywood, a good parent would pay $50 more for a universal studios pass un in Burbank. To be entertained you NEED to lose money on the floor in Vegas, preferably at one of the nicer places, where you can have a "real vegas experience" in the standard 700 sq foot rooms. THis is entertainment, and now that Vegas has been dubbed the American City, this is an essential AMerican experience-- it is, in fact, an essential experience for anyone who wants to understand America, which is why it is filled with foreigners trying to understand America better. (It is, of course, the American which the 911 terrorists were fighting against-- an america of cheap easy sex without penalty, lavish opulence, no spiritual concern in the midst of total materialistic pleasure) In LA, it is essential to buy breast implants to be beautiful, the latest styles feel fit to be seen on the street, cars and gasoline to go to work, buy food, get home, see friends-- any movement at all requires purchasing a vehicle and gasoline, at the very least--- And then simply providing a house for your family where your two kids get their own room will likely cost well over 500,000...

So, thats a bit of what the class was about. It went well, and I look forward to doing it again next year. I think I will have them read: The Walmart Effect, The Tipping Point, Fast Food Nation and parts of THe World Is Flat, among other things.

I think that as Christians we often don't realize the ways in which our consumer culture affects our values. This class helped me think more seriously about that.

Hope your summer is going well so far. I'd love to hear from you, and hope to visit sometime this summer.

Andy

Happy Birthday to me!

Last night, Cor and I had a great opportunity to hang out with about 25 people from Macalaster College who love Jesus Christ. We were invited to come and share at the MCF (Mac Christian Fellowship) and it was great to see such a great turnout at a school that has prided itself in the past when it departed from it's Christian and Presbyterian roots in the 70's. Way to go, God!

Cor started the evening by asking for everyone's name, their major, and to share when it was that they started to take God seriously. Great questions, and it opened up some students to sharing some cool things about their lives and spiritual journeys with Jesus.

I didn't even realize it until my friend Leonard emailed me about 5 minutes ago this morning to remind me that it was today, at 6:30am in a shower stall on the fourth floor of Frontier Hall way back in 1983 that Jesus Christ became relevent to me. So, today marks my 23rd "spiritual birthday". You think I would know something by now... God is just too good and patient to be my friend.

I am very aware that not everyone has a "date" or time that they can say that is when they decided to follow Jesus. When did I fal in love with Carole? When did I decide to go to the U of M? When did we decide to have children. Most decisions are a long pattern at first questioining and then a series of processes, and when the exact decision is made is most likely over a long period of time of working through the issues. Most people that I have known have come to know and love Jesus Christ in this way.

However, I don't do things the way most people do... I pretty much had my questioning, processing and decision time all wrapped up into that 45 minute shower that morning. I know this: I went into that shower with serious angst regarding my uncertainty about where I stood with Jesus, and I left knowiwng that I had settled the issue.

Too bad I have become a Baptist in my theology of baptism...otherwise that shower might have counted!

On another note, it is my wife's birthday (physical) today! Kinda cool that on the day when I was born again into the kingdom, she was celebrating her birthday into the world. I love you, babe, and am so blessed to be your "main sqeeze" [anyone under 30, do a google search on what that means]. By the way, we are WAY past the time when we are counting the number of candles on the cake!! Happy Birthday, baby!

Trike

I know this is a spoof...

...but it is just too hilarious! Especially the line that explains the features of this game, "With network play enabled, you can steal members from other churches and earn points just like you saved them yourself." The description to this game is below. Perhaps we should go into the gaming business with church! Why not - to many Mega Church pastors, isn't really a game anyway?

Here's the description:

Features
Imagine if you could create the church you wanted, any way you wanted.
Put together a worship service exactly the way YOU want: hymns, no hymns, drums, no drums. Are you from Wisconsin, start Polka Mass! Start a building campaign, ask for donations.
Be the next Joel Osteen as you play Mega Church.
Amazon.com Sales Rank: #378 in Computer & Video Games (See Top Sellers in Computer & Video Games)
Yesterday: #131 in Computer & Video Games
Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
ASIN: B000B659FE
Dimensions: 5.40 inches x 1.50 inches x 7.50 inches
Date first available at Amazon: August 24, 2005
Average Customer Review: Based on 9 reviews. Write a review.

Product Description
Pastor a simulated church and create your own Christian empire
Build a church from the ground up
Hire and fire staff
Deal with idiots, naive volunteers, and denominational egos
Attract fickle unchurched people with Bingo, revival meetings or fasting--it is all up to you!
Select a pre-loaded community
Xurban or suburban church plant (for those who want it easy or just starting out)
Or pastor an inner-city, multi-ethnic 80 year old church with 50 members and $1 million mortgage debt (for those who really want a challenge)
Choose a denomination (Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal plus many more obscure factions)
Or load a brand new emergent plug-in
Take weekly offerings and go over budget
Start your own radio or cable-access show
Attend the latest conference to hone your skills
Implement the latest ministry fad
Review weekly attendance and giving records
Earn points with God by winning souls for Christ
With network play enabled, you can steal members from other churches and earn points just like you saved them yourself.
The possibilities are endless! To grow your church, work on all the strategic variables,

Write a mission statement
Choose a logo
Get a billboard
Hire a professional musician
Buy plasma television for your PowerPoint presentations
Prayer, study and preparation get thrown in there too--and the mysterious (or fickle) will of God! Deal with real-life scenarios including,

Troublesome board members
Elderly donor who wants to buy a new organ
A son starts using drugs
Your trusted deacon sleeps with your secretary
The city starts a construction in front of your building
Offering stolen
Denominations and Bible colleges use it to prepare potential church planters or associate pastors. It is better than an internship!

Do it all without a degree, license or even the Bible! Just like Joel Osteen

Proverbs 23 to 31

I really enjoyed this "doing a book of the Bible together" thing. It was fun, and I plan to do another book together in May. Anyway, I had a bunch going on here at the end of the month and didn't get my postings in. Here's my verses from Proverbs 23-31:

4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. (Proverbs 23:4, NIV).

29 Do not say, “I’ll do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.” (Proverbs 24:29, NIV).

9 If you argue your case with a neighbour, do not betray another man’s confidence, 10 or he who hears it may shame you and you will never lose your bad reputation. (Proverbs 25:9, 10, NIV).

7 Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. 9 Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand is a proverb in the mouth of a fool. (Proverbs 26:7 and 9, NIV).

14 If a man loudly blesses his neighbour early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. (Proverbs 27:14, NIV).

14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. (Proverbs 28:14, NIV).

11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. (Proverbs 29:11, NIV).

7 “Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:7-9, NIV).

8 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8, 9, NIV).

Hoping to become wise by living according to his word,
Trike

Jesus on a Tortilla Chip? Only in America

Check this out, if you need a laugh (but you have to do it soon - as the auction ends this next Friday and will only be posted for 30 more days)

Proverbs 22 - keeping your name

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. (Proverbs 22:1, NIV).

In this age of "do whatever it takes to get ahead" very little is mentioned anymore about the value of your word, or keeping your name honorable. What am I doing right now to keep my "name" honorable for generations to come, so my great, great grandchildren have something honorable to look upon with a good memory? O Lord, you are the only one who can keep my name good, and you do it for the glory of Your Name!

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalms 23:1-3, NIV).

Trike

Proverbs 21 - Marital Discord

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. (Proverbs 21:9, NIV).

I'm sure this one could go both ways, husband or wife, but I couldn't resist the picture.

Trike

PS - this passage is NOT my experience. I am married to a wonderful, loving, kind, beautiful, caring and godly woman. (Is that how you wanted me to write that, honey?)

Proverbs 20 - the wisdom it takes to counsel others

The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. (Proverbs 20:5, NIV).

Lord, give me the wisdom, patience, and courage to be a friend to those who are needing me to "dive deep" with them. Lord, give others the same as they dive into my "deep waters" to help me become more like You. It will be painful, but the reward of You is worth it!"

Trike

Proverbs 19 - Disciplining children

Yes, I am back... for those of you who were following this daily, I apologize for the weeklong silence - we took a needed R and R trip to San Diego with the Chmieleski family. And it was wonderful! I really enjoyed hanging out, playing cards, swimming in the pool (ocean was about 33° F!) and going to Sea World. My kids favorite was a night at Dave and Busters, an INCREDIBLE video arcade that has all the latest and greatest games. Good times, and good memories.

I am caught up on my Proverbs reading, and will be catching up here online with you all as quickly as I can. From Proverbs 19, verse 18 hit me:

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. (Proverbs 19:18, NIV).

I know there has been a lot written about disciplining children, and it is not my intention to enter into a wild discussion about spanking here. However, biblically, disciplining and punishing children FOR THEIR GOOD is a common theme. Never is abusing, beating, or excessively carrying out anger condoned. Never is punishing a child because you are angry and need to lash out at them acceptable.

However, it is also not okay biblically to simply "reason" with a child. Children are not "reasonable" in the sense that you can rationally communicate truth to them. They need clear, loving, and certain boundaries. One thing my principal told me when I was an eighth grade teacher I have never forgotten. He said, "It is not the severity of the punishment, it is the certainty of it." That has been my philosophy with my kids since then. Kids do not need severity, but loving, certain, clear boundaries.

This proverb even goes so far as to say that if you don't provide these boundaries, you are contributing to him or her becoming a fool, and you become a "willing party to his death." Wow!

Trike

Proverbs 18 - Pride

Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12, NIV).

I fully believe that God has designed the human heart to run most effectively and sufficiently on Him. He is the one who is our "gas" for our tanks. He is the one who will satify the deepest longings of our hearts. He is the one who we were designed to worship - and not just for his own purposes. No, we are most satisfied and happy in life when we are in a dependent, loving, worshipful relationship with God. He gets the glory! We get the joy! Simple, yet incredibly important point that I need to remind myself of every day.

The pastor of the church where Hope was born, John Piper, has written very effectively about this. My favorite of all of his books is one of his first - "The Supremacy of God in Preaching". The title makes it sound like it is a book about preaching, but it is not at all really. It is a book about God, and how he desires to be the center of our lives. This desire of God to be glorified and our desire to be satisfied ARE NOT in conflict - they are beautifully harmonious.

However, each one of us is also hardwired by the great fall of our ancient ancestors (Adam and Eve) into thinking we can become self-suffient. We say to God, "No thanks, I've got it taken care of - I can fill myself up with accomplishments, family, sex, TV, March Madness, porn, and a whole host of other things. The god I have created in my own image is much better than the real deal because I am in control of this one."

The reality is, however, this "god" NEVER satisfies. As much as I struggle with all the things in life that I try to substitute for God, I know (and I am convinced all people do) that it never satisfies. Mick Jagger sings it. You can hear it on any secular love song, or especially any country song. The Beatles said, "All we need is love" and then they broke up. [Little Larry Norman quote there for anyone paying attention.]

Piper says in his book, The Supremacy of God in Preaching

We take the mirror of God's image, which was intended to reflect his glory in the world, and turn our backs to the light, and fall in love with the countours of our own dark shadow, trying desparately to convince ourselves (with technological advances or management skills or athletic prowess or academic achievements or sexual exploits or counterculture hair styles) that the dark shadow of the iimage on the ground in front of us is really glorious and satisfying. And in our proud love affair with ourselves, we pour contempt (whether we know it or not!) on the worth of God's glory.

My we learn to be humble, get honor and give God glory.

Trike

PS - I'm hoping to be able to blog in San Deigo as part of a family R and R trip - but if not, I'll post a bunch when I get back next Thursday. Peace out, for his glory and our joy!

Proverbs 16 & 17 - a two for one day!

Been insanely busy here as we are preparing to go to San Diego as a family with the whole Chmieleski clan. This is going to be a great time of connecting as pastoral families, and to get some R&R in light of the recent events at Hope. We are all pumped to be going.

Anyway, here's the two proverbs that impacted me and that I am working on memorizing/meditating:

4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends--even the wicked for a day of disaster. (Proverbs 16:4, NIV).

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent--the LORD detests them both. (Proverbs 17:15, NIV).

God is just. He allows nothing to pass by that will not receive his justice - nothing. In fact, that's why the cross is so scandelous to some - God HAD to pour out his wrath upon Jesus (Romans 3:15) in order for his justice to be satisfied. No, this is not "divine child abuse" because the son willingly laid down his life (John 10:18). These proverbs encourage me to know that God is just - he will punish all sins, including mine! That is why Jesus Christ is so very, very precious to me.

Trike

Proverbs 15:17 - Proof that South Beach is better than Atkins...

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. ~ Proverbs 15:17

Seriously, great proverb! Read it last night before I went to bed at about 2am, so that's why the late post.

Trike

Proverbs 14 - The privitization of the heart

Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no-one else can share its joy. ~ Proverbs 14:10

In these recent days, I have given a lot of thought regarding the beauty, wonder and danger of our heart. Proverbs 4:23 tells us that we are to "Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." From it can come all kinds of things - beauty, wonder, love, creativity (as I sit here at Dunn Brothers typing this, there is a elderly man pouring his heart into a pencil sketch of a young girl [his grand-daughter?] - it is wonderful!), passion, and kindness. However, as I have seen all too frequently from myself and others, out of this same place, "the heart" as proverbs calls it, can come evil beyond belief, unbridled anger, lusts that would make Hugh Hefner blush, and bitterness and unforgiveness that will burn in hole in us and everyone around us if we let it.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to believe that bitterness and unforgiveness will ruin your social life, and your health. In fact, there is a whole organization called A Campaign for Forgiveness Research committed to the study and promotion of forgiveness for the enhancement of life and well-being here. This secular organization has promoted studies that show, among many other things, that "studies show that letting go of anger and resentment can reduce the severity of heart disease and, in some cases, even prolong the lives of cancer patients."

Why then, do we allow our "secret heart" to turn so black? Why then do we constantly return to the 'vomit' of dark thoughts, bitterness, lust and incredible selfishness? Is there any hope for our darkened hearts?

Yes there is, and it quite simple - Paul states in 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The answer is to allow the Spirit of God, through the Word of God to TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT and make it OBEDIENT TO CHRIST!! This requires a daily dose of God's word and prayer (a devotional life - what a concept!) that will free us from the bondage of the waywardness of our private hearts. Is there any dark parts of your (and my) heart that needs the light of Jesus to shine on it? Let it go... Let Jesus absolutely transform you... Simply confess it to him, and allow him to change you. Repeat this process as long as it takes to let it go and receive healing. Be diligent about your heart, because it WILL WANDER AWAY if you don't!

"O God of my heart, transform and change my private heart of darkness into a valley of flowering, obedient thoughts to You!"

Trike

Proverbs 13 - Hope

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. ~ Proverbs 13:12

Just think if we would have named the church Deferred Hope Community Church...sorry, it's late and I'm tired...

Proverbs 12 - Use thy tongue for good!

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. ~ Proverbs 12:18

To quote Spiderman's uncle, "With great power comes great responsibility..." Words have amazing power - to hurt or to heal.

Watch out for beautiful women who lack discretion... Proverbs 11

Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. ~ Proverbs 11:22

Women are a thing of beauty...those that lack discretion are dangerous...

Proverbs 10 - what do I delight in?

A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. ~ Proverbs 10:23

I have always felt that a great indicator of how I am doing with God is to ask, "What is it right now that would give me joy?" If the answer is something that is out of bounds of God's ways, then I am not doing well, and my heart needs work! If it is something like communing with him, or fly fishing so that I can enjoy God, or that I can enjoy my wife deeply through communication and friendship, then God is active. Ask yourself, what do I take pleasure in, what do I delight in?

Proverbs 9 - Do I handle people's criticism well?

“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. ~ Proverbs 9:7-9

One of the very hardest things about the Christian life is that I need to listen to the correction or rebukes of people around me. Now, I will be the first to admit, some people have very poor motives when they correct others: Revenge, Hatred, Arrogance, Concealment of their own faults, and, quite frankly, just plain old Meanness. However, I am instructed to look for the "kernal" of truth in what they say, no matter how small. What can I learn from this? What can benefit me for the future in what they are saying? Is this simply malicious, or is there something, ANYTHING, that I can take away.

That, to me, is the difference between someone who is a mocker and someone who is trying to become more like Christ. As one of the leaders at Hope, I take a certain amount of hits. It is a LOT less than most pastors I know, but they are still there. Each time this happens, I need to ask myself what element of this is true, and what else is going on in our relationship that would precipitate something like this. "O God, make me a wise man who "will become wiser still, and who will take correction as a gift from You!"

Trike

Proverbs 8 - The arrogance of wisdom

But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” ~ Proverbs 8:36

If you stop and think about it, it is quite an amazing thing for "widsom" to claim that "she" is the only way to life. That if you spurn her as your first lover, you are in fact relegated to becoming a fool, someone whose life is leading only to the pathways of death. This it TOTALLY TRUE, since God is the author of wisdom from infinity past (see the rest of chapter 8 for this insight.) Interesting thought... and great verse..."wisdom" is totally justified in it's boastfulness then. [not like the picture!]

Take it easy there, Big Boy! - lessons from Proverbs 7

With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. ~ Proverbs 7:21-23

This is a little note to all the men out there, most specifically, ME! Sex is not something that God designed for us to be out of balance on. It is not something he created in order for us to abuse women. This can happen passively by "secret lusts" or thoughts of fantasy or it can take place actively by taking advantage of women sexually without the bounds of marriage. It is a TRAP, gentlemen! Do not get DUPED! Sex is an absolutely wonderful, worshipful thing when it is done in the boundry of a loving, godly, safe, adventurous marriage relationship.

I need to hear this every single day. The testosterone in my body, my culture, and my own worldly desires keep screaming at me that the girl on the magazine cover or the woman I see walking down the street is something to be "conquered." She is someone's daughter, someone's baby, someone's little girl on her daddy's knee - and perhaps someone else's wife (or wife to be!). She is ultimately God's daughter.

Any other lies I (or we) tell ourselves that our lust is "okay" or that it is "not that bad" does not consider how very dangerous this whole area can be to our very lives, especially our lives with God. Guys, this can wipe us out. It can take us out of the game. It can quite literally ruin our lives. When we bow down at the alter of lust we fail to seek the One who really satisfies and we settle for a little hor dourve instead of the banquet feast God has for us.

All that to say to us men: Spring is coming - Guard your hearts!

Trike

Proverbs 6

Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? ~ Proverbs 6:27

Simple verse...Simple to interpret in context.... We all need to quit farting around with sin - especially the sin of lust! You can not play with this fire and not get burned. I NEED to constantly be reminded of this, so Proverbs 6:27 is the winner for today. Nuff said...

Day Five - Are we wise yet?

Today was a great day of worship at Hope, and then having a few people over for lunch. Been a bit busy, so I think I will just give you the verse that hit me today, and give you more tomorrow.

For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. ~ Proverbs 5:21

See ya tomorrow,

Trike

Day Four of our March to Wisdom

Once again, I hit a chapter that I have been ministered to for many years. The following passages have meant a lot to me in the past, and especially verse 23:

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7, NIV).

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. (Proverbs 4:18, 19, NIV).

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. (Proverbs 4:25, NIV).

Proverbs 4:23 has been one of the most important verses in my life. It kept me from several bad moves in my realationship with women in my college years. It kept me from allowing my "urges" to drive me instead of my God given "passion", which I think is so important for this current generation to also think about.

Since I have already memorized those verses, I needed to look for something new, and, once again, was pleased to find vr. 26

26 Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. ~ Proverbs 4:26

I am at a point in my life where I need to constantly decide to chose between what is "good" and what is "best", especially in my role at Hope and with outside minsitry opportunities. There are just so many things one can give themselves too, but only some are "firm."

Also, this is a great verse to think about when it comes to being enticed by sinful urges. The footnote in the NIV says that the verse could also read, "Consider the paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm." I need to seek wisdom daily for good decisions to not give myself to sinful urges or to settling for what is good as opposed to best. "Father, make this happen by your Spirit, for your glory and for my joy!"

Trike

Day three - Proverbs 3

Well, today the Lord did a cool thing. I really enjoyed all of Proverbs 3, but some of the verses that really impacted me I have already memorized:

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7, NIV).

9 Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9, 10, NIV).

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. 28 Do not say to your neighbour, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”--when you now have it with you. (Proverbs 3:27, 28, NIV).

Such great wisdom to live by! However, this time through Proverbs 3, verse 34 hit me:

He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34, NIV)

Wow! I was hit once again how God really dislikes pride and arrogance in our lives. He loathes those who are proud, and especially those who mock those are correcting us. This passage actually says that God "mocks" those who are mockers. Amazing... Reminds me to keep my heart humble, or God will do it for me!

See you tommorow for Ch. 4,

Trike

Proverbs 2 - Day TWO

Well, I've gotta confess, the proverb that God really put on my heart was actually 5 verses long (gulp - remember, I am committing myself to memorize these things... and I don't even remember where I put my car keys today!). Anyway, here is today's for me:

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. ~ Proverbs 2:1-5

After reading that passage I have two instant reactions:
1. I get fired up! Such a great thing to pursue! Such a challenge! Do I really WANT to know and fear God THAT bad? Am I willing to forgo all else to find the "pearl of great price" (Matthew 13:45-46)?
2. I feel so lazy! I am so easily satisfied with how far I have come, with the knowledge and blessings that have come from knowing Jesus Christ as I already do. Yet, I want so much more. I want to know him and fear him and love him with more and more of my heart. I want him to daily influence and intervene in my daily existence from the mondane to the magnificient.

I'd love to hear what God is teaching you this day. Yesterday's comments were great!

Trike

Day ONE of March to Wisdom

Hey, glad to have you along for the ride of our March through Proverbs - I know, it's corny, but hey, it works for me.

Anyway, feel free to post your own insights into Proverbs or just what God hit you with during this month. Posts will be made daily by me with the verse that impacted me during my reading of Proverbs, and with the verse that I am working on memorizing for today. 31 verses of Proverbs in 31 days... I used to be able to do this in the 'old' days - let's hope it is still there...

So, for the first chapter of Proverbs, God spoke to me about making sure I keep my heart open to hear his voice when he rebukes me. In this proverb, "wisdom" is personified and says:

"If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you."
Proverbs 1:23

Am I purposefully, non-defensively listening when I get corrected by others, or the Spirit of God? Am I asking intensely, "God, is this true? Does this person have my best in mind... Is this a word from you? Are you trying to show me something through this rebuke?" Or, if it is just a thought that has come, do I ask, "Is this thought that has come into my mind from you, or is just something that has flown through, brought on by the enemy or my perfectionist tendencies? Does this point me to Jesus, or away from him?"

In other words, do I listen with my heart as hard things are said to me. This does not mean that everyone who says something against me needs to be given a "You're right!" immediately. No, sometimes people say things that are not accurate, or vengeful to us. As a leader, sometimes this is the case. However, what is the "kernal" of truth in what is being said? Am I looking for that like treasure to form me more and more to be like Jesus?

If so, then God promises to "pour out" the heart of wisdom to me, and make the thoughts of wisdom know to me! Very cool!

I'd love to hear what God is speaking to you about Proverbs one. Add your proverb and thoughts in the comments section.

Are you up to the March to Wisdom challenge?

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
~ Proverbs 1:1-6

Proverbs is an incredible book of Scripture. It is filled with the sayings of the wise - principles that, if followed, lead to knowing Christ better, and living a life of integrity. However, it is not a book of promises - in other words, if you do these things you will get rich, or get your health back, etc. It is a gift for us to know how to live life successfully in this murky world.

This March, I would like to challenge our entire church (anyone else who surfs onto this blog) to do something - join me on a “March to Wisdom.” I am going to be reading the book of Proverbs one chapter per day, and would invite everyone (men, women and children) at Hope to join in with me if you would like to. There are 31 chapters of Proverbs and 31 days in March. Perfect! 1 Chapter per day.

After you have read a chapter, I would ask you to pick out one proverb and then either memorize it, put it on a card to meditate on, or just write it in a journal. I’ll be memorizing 31 proverbs and posting my “Journey through Proverbs” online on my blog - www.stevetreichler.blogspot.com. I would invite you all to add your proverb of the day to the comment section each day as well, adding any comments how your proverb has ministered to you.

Seeking wisdom with you this March,
Trike