Digging in Deeper: Psalm 78:5-7

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“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter)

What are you teaching your children? Because the fact is, you are teaching them something. Every single thing you do is teaching them to look at and interact with the world in a certain way. Everything. From the way you dress to how you talk to them to how to talk to their mother to the work you do to your attitude about that work to the kind of hobbies you have to how much time you spend with that hobby to all the rest. The real question is not whether we are teaching our children, but if we are teaching them by intention or by accident. 

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Morning Musing: Psalm 30:5

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“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter)

Have you ever had something done to you that made you mad and you stayed mad for a good long while? It was bad enough that you just stewed over it…for days…weeks even? Or maybe flip that situation around: Have you ever done something that made someone else mad and they stayed mad at you for a long time? Have you ever felt like this other person was God? It’s awful living with someone who’s made at you. Fortunately, anger has a shelf life. Let me explain what I mean. 

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Digging in Deeper: Proverbs 18:1

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“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.”‬‬ (ESV) 

“I just need some time to myself.” Have you ever heard something like that before? If you’ve been through the preteen and teenage years the better question might be how many times do you hear that per day. Have you ever said it yourself (other than when you were a teenager)? What prompts such a declaration? Often it comes because we’ve had a bad day and want to be alone so we can lick our wounds in private. And, that’s okay. Being by ourselves isn’t a bad thing. Being isolated, on the other hand, is a problem. 

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Morning Musing: Romans 1:11-12

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“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”‬‬ (ESV – Read the chapter)

Have you ever tried to do a job for two people all by yourself? That’s no easy feat. Depending on the exact nature of the task, it may be impossible. The fact is, life was not meant to be done alone. Even if we happen to be physically capable enough to handle most of it, relationally and emotionally we’re going to run into trouble. Life is better with company.

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The Problem with Pleasure

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This week we begin looking together at some of the places in which we seek meaning for our lives. One of the biggest areas is in pleasure of one kind or another. The allure of pleasure–you pick your pleasure–is obvious. It feels good. Who wouldn’t want that? But, the question we have to face down is this: Does it deliver on its promise? Keep reading as our series, Finding Meaning, continues.

The Problem with Pleasure

There are some things people enjoy that require…training to be able to actually enjoy.  Fine art is one of those.  I haven’t quite developed enough of a taste for it to be able to enjoy it as thoroughly as others do who have.  There are folks who can go to an art museum and have their spirits fed simply by what they see there.  I can’t do that.  I have, however, had the opportunity to develop a taste for classical music.  While I don’t do it all that often—I mostly listen to news, commentary, and preaching—I genuinely enjoy listening to classical music and from multiple different genres (did you know there were multiple genres of classical music?).  There are some pieces that feed my spirit in a way few other things in this world do. 

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