October 23, 2008 6:35 AM
Johnbob wrote:
Wasn't sure if I am breaking protocol, but I thought I would go ahead and post. First, this is a great blog for many reasons which I won't go into now, but suffice it to say that has been very helpful, though I only know Rich (who invited me to post). Anyway, on to Prov 23 - I think that v. 17 & 18 sum up most of it regarding not envying sinners and clinging onto the hope that will never be cut off. I say that because most of the other verses speak about worldly desires - such as gluttony, lust, wine, etc. The depiction of the effects of wine (and alcohol and drugs?) is comical and even embarassing - but bottom line is that it is a poison to those who are ensnared by it. I also like v 23, which says "Buy the truth... get wisdom..." - Sounds like I need to reconfigure my investment strategy... especially given the economy anyway. Well, I have to go - thanks for letting me post. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 7:45 AM
rik wrote:
6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
This used to be me, I am still quite froogle, but my wife has shown me how to feed and give food to those in need or friends (or strangers, or acquaintances or...). She is a wonderful host, her gift is to serve and when she does it she finds joy. Last night she volunteered to do the teen breakfast after the lock in Friday night, Oct 31 (rich, do you want to ask Richie if he would like to go, there will be music, a haunted house, all kinds of snacks, Zack is going. Jo, are the twins going?). the breakfast is Sat morning at 0700, Nov 1st. she spent last night planning, thinking of everything, she is awesome! we could use some help, one other couple to assist in prep and cooking, any takers? There is a great feeling then one serves, it truly takes your mind off yourself, its a wondrous thing. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 8:15 PM
joe wrote:
Haaa! Sounds like rik is falling in love with the wife all over again...
The twins said they are planning on being there - not sure the time. They also said something about "hacking" Zach's gaming stuff - or something. Apparently my boys and Zach have established some kind of relationship. The term "hacking" concerned me for a moment but I decided to leave their relationship up to them in view of them having a pretty good reputation for establishing "real" friendships. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 7:54 AM
rik wrote:
I did the test to use the Subscribe to this blog option. I did not realize it would send you a email when someone adds a post. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 8:22 AM
Sam wrote:
Good morning Johnbob. Welcome aboard. Will have to meet you soon in person. If you know Rich, ya can't be all that bad!
Most of you know my son is in a drug rehabilitation program (he is 32) in Memphis, Tennessee. For MANY years he has saddened my heart because of his thievery, lying, drinking, drug use and sales. After reading today's proverbs I realize that this is precisely what I need to say to him. A bit ago he sent me a letter, opening up to me for the first time ever, about how he fealt 'overpowered' by my strict (military) methods of raising my children. (Of course, I was not a Disciple back then, and I know I made a LOT of mistakes with my kids.) Anyway, in his letter, he also stated that he has accepted Jesus as his Savior (hallelujah!). Although I am not sure if he is sincere, I can only pray that his is. AND, I plan to send to him this entire chapter and it might help him to see that I love him and want to provide this wisdom for him. I desire so much to see him clean, straight, and a true Disciple of Jesus. Please pray (he's on the prayer list under August 2007). (PS--Johnbob, we put our prayer requests under August 2007----you are more than welcome to add some yourself). Reply to this
October 23, 2008 8:49 PM
joe wrote:
We watch your fight to be pleasing to the Father and serve your brothers Mac. Father tells us that those of us who have fallen the farthest have the ability to love the most - because more has been forgiven. I am really looking forward to the day when you see your son's love for the Father surpass your own. Won't that be a wonderful day. Together we can see just how, wide and deep our Fathers love is for us huh? Please fight to stay positive and fight to believe your son. I'm confident that that the demons he battles is unrelenting but can not stand up against "faith" and hope. I'm confident it will really help him with his battle. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 8:52 PM
joe wrote:
We fight to stay positive and fight to believe our children. They need it to know that we will never give up on them. They need to know they are not alone in this battle, even when there is no one around. It is "power" knowing that your earthly father believes in you - no matter what.
I'm confident that the demons your son and my oldest son battles, as unrelenting as they are, will not be able to stand up against the power of our genuine "faith". My son has backslid into the hands of promiscuous women. He is spiraling down. We all know of this trap. Please pray for my son DJ as I will your son. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 9:28 AM
Rich wrote:
Johnbob - welcome. I am very glad you decided to take a look and to blog. The guys in this blog are great. I guarantee that you will learn and grow if you read what all have to say. There is a great deal of wisdom in the what is shared here.
Mac (i.e. Sam) - thanks for sharing about your son. After my son said what he did in church two Sundays ago, I prayed for his sincerity. In my prayers I came to the conclusion that when someone professes a faith in Jesus (out loud before others) I believe that God begins working on their heart and that God "arranges" things in their life to bring them to true discipleship. As I said some time ago, I was baptized in 1985. I distinctly remember sitting in my apartment living room in November of 1980 asking God to please help me. This was after some older gentleman, who I never met before or saw after, asked me if I believed in Jesus after playing a round of golf together. We were paired together randomly (at least that is what I thought at the time). Soon after I spoke to God that night, I met another person (the woman I am now married to) who shared more with me about Jesus. BJ was not a true disciple at the time either, but she knew much more about Christianity than I did. After talking with her, I told her and then told a couple of other people that I wanted to be saved. From that point forward (now looking back at it all), God started working in ways I still find difficult to understand. But that I believe is God's way. My guess is that each of us has a similar story.
The best you can do, I strongly believe, is to pray to God that he stays actively involved in your son's life and that your son learns over time to see God's hand in his life. That will be my prayer for your son from this point forward.
Verse 18: "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." I believe this is the great message of God. There is HOPE for us all. And our hope is so much greater than anything the world has to offer. The HOPE we live for, the HOPE we pray about everyday, the HOPE we read and blog to hold onto everyday, is of course the HOPE of living eternally with God. That is so awesome. And I believe that God wants us to use the hope we have in heaven about which we should be very secure to have use as a base (a solid foundation) to have hope is other promises from God. The Bible is full of so many promises from God to us. We can have HOPE that God really hears our prayers and that God really loves us hear and now and that God forgives us and helps us and on and on.
My hope has "felt" cut off from time to time, but I have to tell myself that "feelings" are not always in line with reality. Feelings can mislead. The promises of God are real and solid. They will NEVER be cut off. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 8:25 PM
joe wrote:
Wow - I really needed that Rich. Our Father tells us when we return, to strengthen your brothers. Thank you for fighting through your valley and giving us, me, powerful words of encouragement. It's been a really hard day for me today. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 9:04 PM
joe wrote:
v. 27 A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well. 28 She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful.
Ironic, that this food was given to me today. Not really sure how to combat the evil spirit of lust other then setting up road blocks and praying. I wish I had more practical specifics that I could share with my boys. Reply to this
October 23, 2008 9:36 PM
rik wrote:
I would like to hear everyones conversion stories. Rich shared most of his today (the rest is history, I would like theat part of the story also). My suggestion is this: every day some one share there conversion story, If you open the blog and there is a conversion story already there try again tomorrow. this will give us an encouraging story just about every day for a week or so. I suggest this because if everyone posts there conversion story tomorrow we will be overloaded with encouragement in one day and not have any to spread throughout the rest of the week (it is a lot to read in one day also). But do not worry, there will be no punishment for two people telling there c-story on the same day.
some time in Nov,Dec lets try to find a Saturday morning to get together as a whole and do this verbally! what say You? I suggest Nov 15 at 9 am at Barns and Noble 2952 Cobb Pkwy. Atlanta, GA 30339 770-953-0966
(think the splits the difference for the parties furthest away) Reply to this
Wasn't sure if I am breaking protocol, but I thought I would go ahead and post. First, this is a great blog for many reasons which I won't go into now, but suffice it to say that has been very helpful, though I only know Rich (who invited me to post). Anyway, on to Prov 23 - I think that v. 17 & 18 sum up most of it regarding not envying sinners and clinging onto the hope that will never be cut off. I say that because most of the other verses speak about worldly desires - such as gluttony, lust, wine, etc. The depiction of the effects of wine (and alcohol and drugs?) is comical and even embarassing - but bottom line is that it is a poison to those who are ensnared by it. I also like v 23, which says "Buy the truth... get wisdom..." - Sounds like I need to reconfigure my investment strategy... especially given the economy anyway. Well, I have to go - thanks for letting me post.
Reply to this
6 Do not eat the food of a stingy man, do not crave his delicacies; 7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.
This used to be me, I am still quite froogle, but my wife has shown me how to feed and give food to those in need or friends (or strangers, or acquaintances or...). She is a wonderful host, her gift is to serve and when she does it she finds joy. Last night she volunteered to do the teen breakfast after the lock in Friday night, Oct 31 (rich, do you want to ask Richie if he would like to go, there will be music, a haunted house, all kinds of snacks, Zack is going. Jo, are the twins going?). the breakfast is Sat morning at 0700, Nov 1st. she spent last night planning, thinking of everything, she is awesome!
we could use some help, one other couple to assist in prep and cooking, any takers? There is a great feeling then one serves, it truly takes your mind off yourself, its a wondrous thing.
Reply to this
Haaa! Sounds like rik is falling in love with the wife all over again...
The twins said they are planning on being there - not sure the time. They also said something about "hacking" Zach's gaming stuff - or something. Apparently my boys and Zach have established some kind of relationship. The term "hacking" concerned me for a moment but I decided to leave their relationship up to them in view of them having a pretty good reputation for establishing "real" friendships.
Reply to this
I did the test to use the Subscribe to this blog option. I did not realize it would send you a email when someone adds a post.
Reply to this
I may not work. when Johnbob posted it did not send me a email so???
Reply to this
Good morning Johnbob. Welcome aboard. Will have to meet you soon in person. If you know Rich, ya can't be all that bad!
Most of you know my son is in a drug rehabilitation program (he is 32) in Memphis, Tennessee. For MANY years he has saddened my heart because of his thievery, lying, drinking, drug use and sales. After reading today's proverbs I realize that this is precisely what I need to say to him. A bit ago he sent me a letter, opening up to me for the first time ever, about how he fealt 'overpowered' by my strict (military) methods of raising my children. (Of course, I was not a Disciple back then, and I know I made a LOT of mistakes with my kids.) Anyway, in his letter, he also stated that he has accepted Jesus as his Savior (hallelujah!). Although I am not sure if he is sincere, I can only pray that his is. AND, I plan to send to him this entire chapter and it might help him to see that I love him and want to provide this wisdom for him. I desire so much to see him clean, straight, and a true Disciple of Jesus. Please pray (he's on the prayer list under August 2007). (PS--Johnbob, we put our prayer requests under August 2007----you are more than welcome to add some yourself).
Reply to this
We watch your fight to be pleasing to the Father and serve your brothers Mac.
Father tells us that those of us who have fallen the farthest have the ability to love the most - because more has been forgiven.
I am really looking forward to the day when you see your son's love for the Father surpass your own.
Won't that be a wonderful day. Together we can see just how, wide and deep our Fathers love is for us huh?
Please fight to stay positive and fight to believe your son. I'm confident that that the demons he battles is unrelenting but can not stand up against "faith" and hope.
I'm confident it will really help him with his battle.
Reply to this
We fight to stay positive and fight to believe our children. They need it to know that we will never give up on them. They need to know they are not alone in this battle, even when there is no one around. It is "power" knowing that your earthly father believes in you - no matter what.
I'm confident that the demons your son and my oldest son battles, as unrelenting as they are, will not be able to stand up against the power of our genuine "faith".
My son has backslid into the hands of promiscuous women. He is spiraling down. We all know of this trap. Please pray for my son DJ as I will your son.
Reply to this
Johnbob - welcome. I am very glad you decided to take a look and to blog. The guys in this blog are great. I guarantee that you will learn and grow if you read what all have to say. There is a great deal of wisdom in the what is shared here.
Mac (i.e. Sam) - thanks for sharing about your son. After my son said what he did in church two Sundays ago, I prayed for his sincerity. In my prayers I came to the conclusion that when someone professes a faith in Jesus (out loud before others) I believe that God begins working on their heart and that God "arranges" things in their life to bring them to true discipleship. As I said some time ago, I was baptized in 1985. I distinctly remember sitting in my apartment living room in November of 1980 asking God to please help me. This was after some older gentleman, who I never met before or saw after, asked me if I believed in Jesus after playing a round of golf together. We were paired together randomly (at least that is what I thought at the time). Soon after I spoke to God that night, I met another person (the woman I am now married to) who shared more with me about Jesus. BJ was not a true disciple at the time either, but she knew much more about Christianity than I did. After talking with her, I told her and then told a couple of other people that I wanted to be saved. From that point forward (now looking back at it all), God started working in ways I still find difficult to understand. But that I believe is God's way. My guess is that each of us has a similar story.
The best you can do, I strongly believe, is to pray to God that he stays actively involved in your son's life and that your son learns over time to see God's hand in his life. That will be my prayer for your son from this point forward.
Verse 18: "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." I believe this is the great message of God. There is HOPE for us all. And our hope is so much greater than anything the world has to offer. The HOPE we live for, the HOPE we pray about everyday, the HOPE we read and blog to hold onto everyday, is of course the HOPE of living eternally with God. That is so awesome. And I believe that God wants us to use the hope we have in heaven about which we should be very secure to have use as a base (a solid foundation) to have hope is other promises from God. The Bible is full of so many promises from God to us. We can have HOPE that God really hears our prayers and that God really loves us hear and now and that God forgives us and helps us and on and on.
My hope has "felt" cut off from time to time, but I have to tell myself that "feelings" are not always in line with reality. Feelings can mislead. The promises of God are real and solid. They will NEVER be cut off.
Reply to this
Wow - I really needed that Rich. Our Father tells us when we return, to strengthen your brothers. Thank you for fighting through your valley and giving us, me, powerful words of encouragement. It's been a really hard day for me today.
Reply to this
v. 27 A prostitute is a dangerous trap; a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well. 28 She hides and waits like a robber, eager to make more men unfaithful.
Ironic, that this food was given to me today. Not really sure how to combat the evil spirit of lust other then setting up road blocks and praying. I wish I had more practical specifics that I could share with my boys.
Reply to this
I would like to hear everyones conversion stories. Rich shared most of his today (the rest is history, I would like theat part of the story also). My suggestion is this: every day some one share there conversion story, If you open the blog and there is a conversion story already there try again tomorrow. this will give us an encouraging story just about every day for a week or so. I suggest this because if everyone posts there conversion story tomorrow we will be overloaded with encouragement in one day and not have any to spread throughout the rest of the week (it is a lot to read in one day also). But do not worry, there will be no punishment for two people telling there c-story on the same day.
some time in Nov,Dec lets try to find a Saturday morning to get together as a whole and do this verbally! what say You? I suggest Nov 15 at 9 am at
Barns and Noble
2952 Cobb Pkwy.
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-953-0966
(think the splits the difference for the parties furthest away)
Reply to this