It’s a Boy!

            Becoming a parent is one of the most intimidating experiences I have encountered to date.  There is so much responsibility needed for the proper care of a child.  We found out back in July that Kayla was pregnant…our first child was officially being formed!  Last Monday we found out that the baby is a boy.  This news came with much relief on my part because I grew up in a house full of boys (God bless our saintly mother) and knew somewhat how to handle them.  Of course, if he does half the things my brothers and I did, then Kayla will be bound for the crazy house as I am sure we almost did with my blessed mom. 

            It has been said before that one of the most important mission fields is your own home.  I am blessed to have parents and grandparents that prayed regularly about us growing up to find the LORD and find a mate that would help us get to heaven.  Saturday, October 29 marks the final answer to those prayers as Daniel marries Amber Wiginton.  Amber has amazing parents that prayed the same prayers for her.  My prayer for our baby boy is that he too grows up to find his heavenly father, trust in his son Jesus, and be sealed by his Holy Spirit so that we will one day all be reunited in eternal heaven. 

The most intimidating thing about becoming a parent is the responsibility of training children up in the way of the LORD.  This is so nerve-racking because I am certainly not a perfect person.  How am I qualified to help someone figure out Christianity when I do not even have it figured out myself?  Thankfully there is a loving father who teaches and guides his children on how to be better parents, not perfect parents.  The saying stands true in parenthood as it does anywhere else, “Practice what you preach.” 

To lead by example is what God the Father does for us through his son.  Jesus was the perfect example of a servant leader.  This type of leader certainly does not allow people to trample on him, but rather takes a stand for the truth and is willing to be killed for it.  That is the type of leadership I strive for and the kind I pray can be passed on and lived out better than I ever could.

I Can Depend on You

            At the Arnold Youth Retreat in Bloomfield, MO, Andy McDonald had everyone take a favorite song and rewrite it in their own words for one of the activities.  The song entitled “I Can Depend on You” written by Pat Moon in 2002 is very encouraging.  The song gains inspiration in part from Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (ESV).  I reworded the song like this:

            1.  When I’m in an airplane looking out over the puffy white clouds, Lord, I find you.  When I snorkel in the clear blue Caribbean, there you stand.  From snowboarding in the Colorado Rockies to fishing in the deep Atlantic Ocean, you made them, Lord they are yours to command.

            2.  On the warm sunny beach, Lord, I find you.  And in the starry moon-lit night there you stand.  Every sun, moon, star, and solar system…the universe brags on your brilliance because they fit in the palm of your hand.

            3.  In the innocence and mouths of babes, Lord, I find you.  And by your Spirit and Son, there you stand.  You sent your Son at such cost and left your Spirit to seek the lost, such love deserves nothing less than my all.

            Chorus: I can depend on you, Lord.  I can depend on you.  No matter how high or low, far or near I go, Lord I can always depend on you.

            This was a fulfilling exercise that helped bring the words of a song into focus and reshape them to relate to personal experiences.  God can be seen all around if we will just open our eyes to his glory.  In the visible attributes obvious all around and throughout history, the fact that God is dependable screams to humanity.  “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19–20).  Strive for the point where you say, “I can depend on you, Lord.”

Hatred, Love, and Everything in Between

            Hate is a strong word.  The words “I hate you” should never come out of the mouth of Christians.  Children ought to associate the use of that phrase with a mouth full of soap or a swat on the rear-end.  How can a Christian possibly fulfill the great commission of Christ with hate for another human dwelling in their heart?  The natural opposite of hate is love.  One simply cannot uphold these opposites and still follow Christ.  It is with this in mind that Solomon wrote.

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin. The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin. Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool” (Proverbs 10:12–18, ESV).

            Hatred infects the heart like a cancer.  The only thing in this world we ought to hate is sin.  No matter what evil someone has done against another, Christians are called to love instead of hate.  Jesus even said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:43–45).  The ironic thing about this statement from his Sermon on the Mount is that nowhere in the scriptures is the command to “hate your enemy.”  Leviticus 19:18 commands us to love neighbors, but the concept of hating enemies was fashioned only in the minds of people, never from the mouth of God.

            Peter quotes this Proverb when he too emphasized the importance of love, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).  Much more can be said for the wisdom between this inclusion of hatred, but the bottom line is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

How Will You Be Remembered?

            Sunday, September 25^th, a great warrior in the kingdom of God headed to Paradise.  Brother Neale Pryor will be remembered by countless people for many different reasons.  The Proverbs writer talks about two different perspectives of how someone’s life may be remembered, “Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” (Proverbs 10:6–11, ESV).

            It can be said without a doubt that brother Pryor had blessings on his head while he journeyed through life.  As the Proverb says, our memory of him is a blessing as well due to his righteous life.  Even while he is in eternal rest, his memory inspires and convicts people to be better.  His name will be cherished in the years to come because of his character, example, and role he played in the life of the church and the world by showing others Christ.  His wisdom was evident with his diligent pursuit of God’s commands.  He shared those instructions with others in the classroom, from the pulpit, and with personal relationships speaking with grace and truth.  He certainly walked with integrity and because of that people trusted him.  He was not one to stir the pot of discord, but had a mouth of righteousness which was a “fountain of life” for all who were around him. 

            The passing of loved ones makes people consider how they themselves will be remembered.  The Proverb above has an inclusio “…the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”  When something is concealed it is covered completely or overwhelmed by something.  This is the idea here, that the mouth of the wicked is overwhelmed with violence.  There are two ways people can be remembered by: righteousness or wickedness.  Brother Pryor is remembered in righteousness.  How will you be remembered?

Which Son are You?

            A method used by Solomon in some of his proverbs included what modern commentators call an inclusio.  This technique mentions similar things at the beginning and ending of the proverb.  There is a theme between these two verses that are sealed by these book-ends.  Proverbs 10:1-5 uses this technique with the theme of a prospering family between the inclusio of a wise/prudent son and a foolish/shameful son in verses 1 & 5. 

Hear the wisdom, “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death. The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”  Notice with each positive statement there is an adverse statement to accompany it.  Both types of sons play a part in the make-up of a family.

Godly children desire to please their parents.  Sometimes their actions may say otherwise, but they generally seek to please.  On the other hand, there are children who have no delight in making their parents proud and their actions and words speak loudly about their lack of desire.  These verses have much in common with the child who shows honor to his family and that family prospering as a result.  Not only prospering financially, but also medically.  Righteousness delivers from both death and hunger!  This reality makes one consider how raising children plays into the well-being of the family.

There are many get-rich-quick schemes out their and pills that claim to melt the weight off an unhealthy body, but Solomon enlightens us with true wisdom.  Live righteously and work diligently to bring wealth and health to you and your family.  The problem Satan poses is an alleged “quicker” way to get what we want.  Remember his deception from the very beginning though.  Anything worth having will not require you to risk your soul and will very likely take time.  Which son are you?

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Folly’s Appeal

Just as the proverbs writer personifies wisdom throughout the book, so is folly embodied with character that brings it to life.  The NRSV translates Proverbs 9:13a, “The foolish woman is loud...”  The Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon translates the Hebrew phrase as, “the woman Stupidity.”  These descriptions do not sound anything like what someone would be attracted to, but we forget, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, ESV).  Stupidity, or folly, has a certain appeal of which you better beware. 

“The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, ‘Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!’ And to him who lacks sense she says, ‘Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.’ But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol” (Proverbs 9:13–18).

It is somewhat humorous when someone forgets to silence their phone before going into a meeting (unless that someone is you) and the phone inevitably rings.  Some phones may even notify you with a creepy voice letting you know it is your turn now in a game with which you are involved.  When the room is silent, or the presenter is speaking, and the phone sounds everyone looks around to find the culprit of the loud noise.  It has done its job and drawn your attention to it.  This is exactly what folly does in our lives.  She grabs our attention in order to steal us away from her adversary wisdom.  There is no doubt that the devil is behind this scheme.

          Jesus said plainly, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13–14).  As you go out, do not allow foolishness to distract you from your path.  Folly will look good, but keep your eyes focused on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

How to Solve Economic Problems--Prezintation

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Guatemala Campaign July 2011—Part 4

Day 8, Thursday, July 14, was the day before we left Puerto Barrios and we partly used it visiting the Racancojs.  They shared a meal with us.  We also visited a sweet lady that is in her late 90s that Paul has known for many years.  Marito did the pleasure of taking us to a Guatemalan supermarket where an unspeakable amount of local coffee grounds were bought.  We also got to go to their local mall which was very similar to ours minus the security guards packing AK-47s!  It made me feel safe for sure knowing they were justice’s side.

            That night at worship Mario spoke on the word of God being planted in our hearts and how that should convict us.  Six men responded to his talk seeking restoration and rededication.  Afterward we all circled around and sang a song for our departure.

On Friday, we caught the 10 AM double-decker bus out of Puerto Barrios and arrived in Guatemala City about 3:45 PM.  We checked into our hotel and were able to explore a little before supper time.  Saturday, Marito’s plane to Spain left early so a few of us woke-up to have breakfast with him and say goodbye.  Our plane back to the States left at 11:30 AM and we got to Houston on-time and our flight was cancelled 5 minutes before we were scheduled to board.  We could not get another flight until the next day which flew into Memphis.  Paul’s friend Roy was kind enough to pick us up and drive us back to Searcy in his large van.  We arrived in Searcy about 3:00 PM in time for a little rest before worship that night.

The trip was a fulfilling and enlightening experience for all of us.  Paul and Linda Miller did a terrific job organizing the trip arrangements and coordinating with Mario about our time in Puerto Barrios.  We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with our brothers and sisters in Guatemala.

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