Courtesy of http://jesusneedsnewpr.blogspot.com

I read the book of Proverbs every morning once I get to work. I keep getting this notion that I should memorize the entire book. There is a ton of good stuff in that book. There is also a lot of weird stuff as well. I think the book of Proverbs has an answer for everything. Everything. I think somebody asked the author a whole bunch of questions and as he walked away to pen the answers to the questions, he said this, “If there was a problem yo I’ll solve it. Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it.” And that’s how the book of Proverbs came about.

Simply put the first part of the book states if you read these words, study them, and decipher the riddles, you gain knowledge and wisdom. Lord knows I need more of both of those. Then these words come into play just 7 verses in.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

There is no need for me to try to add to this because I would only come up short. But what the hay. How do we fear the Lord? Are you afraid of God? I am. Seriously. I truly fear disobeying Him. I’ll admit there are times when I must not fear Him because I end up sinning. But then I begin to fear His punishment. This fear has lead to me to knowing and understanding the relationship between God and man.

Would I consider myself wise? Heck no! The knowledge I have gained allows me to see the bigger picture while looking through the eyes of cancer, death, pain, and all those atrocious circumstances that no one seems to have control over. I don’t have answers. I don’t think God ever said He would provide answers. He just said He would provide knowledge and understanding. But only if we fear the Lord.

I don’t but I also don’t frequent Christian bookstores either. Whatever the “world” has that gains popularity, it seems like someone in the Christian community feels obligated to tap into that success but with a “safe” label. Does anybody else who frequented the 90’s find the statement “the Christian alternative to Twitter” amusing? I remember when something was alternative, that meant it was bad.

Why does this happen?

I know I am not the first to blog on either of these two sucky ideas. It just bothers me. Here is my opinion on why this kinda of thing happens:

Money. Someone feels if they gain the trust of the Christian culture and offer the same product the world uses but without all the “questionable” content, then they can get rich. It has nothing to do with being wary of Satan’s trap.

That’s the question. I have been to the University of Dave Ramsey. I couldn’t tell you if I graduated though. I walked away from Dave’s advice with hope but also a lot of questions. I agreed with the majority of his ideology but also disagreed with some.

With me preparing and switching gears into a missional lifestyle that will be fully supported by others, I have thought long and hard about finances. First of all it’s stressful. I hate this talk. I am naturally a free spirit and come to the table with the notion that “God will take care of us”. Of course, through financial mistakes I have made, I’ve learned I must be smart with the money God has entrusted me with.

I don’t think we (me personally) need to worrying about saving. If we have the ability to save, great. I know most people would say it would be foolish to not save. I feel like I should take a chance with the hand I’m dealt. My gut tells me to go all in. I feel we are blessed if all we have is just what we need. I hope to never officially “retire”. I hope I am serving in this capacity until I’m dead. With that in mind, what would be the point of saving? Our money will either pay bills or be used to influence others for the cause of Christ.

How much stock do you put into this portion of scripture? “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

(If you know of any portion of scripture that supports the American idea of “saving”, please let me know. Seriously!)

I want to blog. I truly do. It’s just the more I think I have something say to more I feel God telling me to shut up. Oh really, you don’t think God would say that? Heck, my God would crane kick me in the nuts Mr. Miyagi style, to get my attention. I would compare my relationship with God to the relationship between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel-son.

Have you ever noticed relationships like that? Like what? Let’s say you have three people. They all know each other. They all are friends. Surely you can insert yourself into this triangle of friendship. You have two friends, right? Maybe you are lucky and you have octaganol friendship. Have you noticed how two of those friends have this deeper connection? These two just seem like they have known each other since apple juice and graham cracker time.

Have you noticed friendships like that between God? If people were to look at you and God, would they be jealous of the friendship?

I believe each person has the ability to have a unique relationship with the father. I don’t believe God ever plays favorites. Those relationships that seem to be so BFF between someone and God are only because that someone “asked God to dance”. There is conversation. There is trust. It’s constant.

The words of Mr. Miyagi to Daniel-son: “We make sacred pact. I promise teach karate to you, you promise learn. I say, you do, no questions.”

Jesus’ words to Cody-son: “It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.”

I haven’t attempted to blog lately because my mind is running circles. I can’t come up with complete thought processes. So I have been coming up short. This weekend I sat under a tree, deer hunting. Something about the stillness of a cool morning and late evening is euphoric. It’s so easy to listen and hear God without any other distractions, other than 50 turkeys running 10 yards in front of me. Here were some of my thoughts that I would love to blog about but keep coming up short. It’s my Treestand Theology.

- I am always bad. I may do good deeds but I usually come up short in light of God’s plan.

- God is always good.

- God is just. Since He is just he has the right to punish but buT bUT BUT He has the ability to bless inspite.

- God wants to use me and you. Why? I have no idea.

- God wants me to question, study, and share His truths.

I saw a bobcat for the first time in the wild. It was dark. She was moving. I pulled. I shot. I came up short. I have wanted to kill a bobcat for a long time. Now I am thinking, if my life had been or was more aligned with God’s plan, would He have allowed me to bag that cat?

Job 33:2 I am about to open my mouth;
my words are on the tip of my tongue.

I think this is one of those times were God is testing me to keep my tongue in my head. So instead of offering any opinionated lashing, I’ll let you stew on this gem of a video.

Job 15:2 “Would a wise man answer with empty notions
or fill his belly with the hot east wind?

3 Would he argue with useless words,
with speeches that have no value?

4 But you even undermine piety
and hinder devotion to God.

5 Your sin prompts your mouth;
you adopt the tongue of the crafty.

6 Your own mouth condemns you, not mine;
your own lips testify against you.

It’s down to this
I’ve got to make this life make sense
Can anyone do what I’ve done
I missed life
I missed the colours of the world
Can anyone go where I am

These are the first few lines of “Away From the Sun” by 3 Doors Down. As I was listening I thought to myself, “There have been many times when I thought life doesn’t make sense.” It still happens. Then I realized the only time life makes sense is when I am serving others.

Joshua 24:14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt (I think we can safely throw away materialism as well), and serve the Lord.