Morning Musing: Proverbs 22:24-25

“Don’t make friends with an angry person, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter)

You’ve probably heard before the idea that bad company corrupts good character. Paul said that. Your parents probably quoted it when you were hanging out with a crowd they didn’t like. You may have said it to your kids. The fact is, the friends you keep will determine the direction and quality of your life. So, what kind of friends are you keeping? 

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Morning Musing: Hebrews 12:5-6

“And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord’s discipline lightly or lose heart when you are reproved by him, for the Lord disciplines the one he loves and punishes every son he receives.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter

“This is for your own good.” Ever hear some version of that when you were growing up? I honestly can’t remember if I did or not. Usually the one hearing it is doing so in the context of an adult (most often a parent) forcing them to do, or perhaps doing to them, something they don’t like. It may be technically true in the moment—and even in a longer term sense—but it doesn’t make whatever it is that’s happening any easier to experience. 

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Morning Musing: Isaiah 62:1

“I will not keep silent because of Zion, and I will not keep still because of Jerusalem, until her righteousness shines like a bright light and her salvation, like a flaming torch.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter

Do you know who the most impatient person in the world is? A four-year-old with something to say. I think we all know that feeling of having a message burning in our chest and needing so badly to get it out that we almost can’t stand it. As frustrating as it can be living with someone like that, we can all admit that it’s a miserable feeling. Do you know who else has that feeling beyond young kids who haven’t learned well how to evaluate the actual importance of what they have to say? God. 

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Morning Musing: Hebrews 12:2-3

“keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up.” (CSB – Read the chapter

Have you ever had somebody do something for you that went way over the top? How did you feel toward them afterwards? You were grateful to be sure, but did you feel a sense of duty toward them? There’s a chance the greater the thing that was done for you, the deeper the sense of duty toward the doer went. And perhaps you managed to work yourself out from under that weight of duty, but you may not have. You may still have someone you feel like you need to serve because of the pressing sense of dutiful gratitude you have for them. 

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Morning Musing: Psalm 8:1

“Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your name throughout the earth! You have covered the heavens with your majesty.”‬‬ (CSB – Read the chapter

Last night my family and I got the chance to take in the truth of these words in a way it may be a very long time—or ever—before we get to again. We saw the majesty of the Lord through the splendor of creation. It was one of those moments where nature boasts loudly of the fingerprints of God, but which only those with the eyes to see will truly appreciate.  The pictures you see here were all taken by my good friend and excellent photographer, Heather Perry.

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