Hint: Idiots NEVER ask for wisdom!
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/jas.1.5.NASB
Month: June 2018
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Father’s Day
Dad, Pop, Pa & Old man.
What do you think of when you hear these words? Fatherhood (and manhood) have been under attack for some time.
There is overwhelming evidence proving kids are better off in a home with their parents as opposed to a single parent home. Dads are important. When the Black community traded in the Father for Uncle Sam and his welfare/Section 8/free health care – we got gangs, promiscuity, violence and chronic poverty. Rich Uncle Sam can’t give kids enough money to make up for losing their not so rich Dad.
Watch any sitcom or commercial. They usually portray the Dad as bumbling, clueless or hopelessly uncool.
In a mad rush to reject God the Father, human fatherhood has suffered as well. Academia and pop culture seem determined to redefine fatherhood to be unnecessary and manhood to be fluid.
We fathers must strive to show the World a glimpse of our Eternal Father. That is my goal with my 6 kids and also my dozens of Sunday School kids.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not about who is right or wrong. It’s not about keeping score. No one wants to sabotage a relationship. If you refuse to release Christ’s Forgiveness for others then you choose to poison your relationship with whomever. Parents, spouse , friend or coworker, the long term prognosis is poisoned communication and lack of trust.
You can ask for forgiveness and you can choose to grant forgiveness. It isn’t about being wrong or letting the other person off the book – it’s about giving God room to heal the hurt.
We struggle with the friend or family member who hurt us because we have higher expectations for them.
When a parent, coach or pastor betrays us, we often struggle with the God who put them in our life as much as the actual person.
Guess what? When we let them down they have the exact same struggle. Let’s humble ourselves and show one another mercy!
No. It isn’t easy but if it makes Jesus proud of me, I strive to release forgiveness.
Cryptocurrency heist
John McAfee Says He’s Releasing a Physical Cryptocurrency
A sobering look at the F-35 stealth fighter jet from a historical perspective.
Humble yourself or be humbled!
2 Chronicles 33:9
But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.
Manasseh started reigning as teenager, he was more perverse than heathens.
Think of today’s young pop stars, athletes and social media celebrities.
Men need to learn at EARLY AGE how to humble themselves. How many lonely guys talk incessantly about their favorite subject: I, ME, MYSELF?
Humble men make better bosses, husbands and fathers. God wants men who think in terms of What is right, not What is best for me? The opposite of humble is narcissist, not arrogant.
If you are always thinking of yourself, your perception is instantly limited. You have tunnel vision. God can’t use you very effectively. Your wife won’t trust fully trust you. Your kids won’t take you seriously. Coworkers won’t like you. People find narcissists tiring. “Me, me, me.” and “Mine, mine, mine.” gets old fast.
Who wants a supervisor that puts his career ahead of the team?
Who wants a husband who puts his expensive hobby ahead of the family finances?
Worst, Satan finds it easy to mislead you. Manasseh did what felt good to him. He did whatever made him popular.
Jesus was humble, it wasn’t that He thought less of himself. Jesus simply spent less time thinking of Himself. He was focused on saving Us from ourselves.
Many kids raised themselves because their parents were selfish kids themselves.
Break the cycle! Be like Jesus, teach your kids to be like Him.
Testimony part 2
1992
Two young teens pointed a 10 gauge shotgun at me. The barrel seemed huge. My heart sank. It was payday, my entire paycheck was in my wallet. My gymbag contained my wallet, boombox, headphones and recent purchases. I dropped my belongings and hurried home to call 911.
My first and only ride in a police car
We drove around the hill I lived on searching for the teen robbers. The officers told me the teens had pistol whipped their previous victims. I thanked God that I wasnt harmed. After awhile the officers decided to take home. They were pessimistic about catching the youthful muggers. i prayed, “Lord please let me get my stuff back!”
As we turned onto my street a surprising tableau unfolded. My brothers, cousin and dozens of enraged neighbors were beating on 2 kids – my robbers!
The police had to rescue the bedraggled youth. They didnt have their weapons or ill gotten loot. Clearly they hoped evade the police by blending in. No such luck.
I was glad they were off the streets but heartbroken – they remained stonily silent about the stolen goods.
My brothers and cousin assured me they had extracted ‘street justice’ in beating the misguided boys. Sadly, they were trying to EARN their way into a local gang. Fatherless, they were already weed heads and alcoholics at age 14!
My anger turned to sorrow at their godless lives. I prayed for them and went to bed. Penniless.
The next morning
I awakened to God’s voice: “Get up!”
Fully awake, I answered as my mother taught many years ago: “Yes Lord?”
Step by step, He guided me off my street into a stand of ‘woods’ between streets. Under bushes, He led me to my gym bag. My belongings were all accounted for. Despite the soft rain my boombox and wallet remained dry. Every dollar was there.
God is awesome!
James M Craig 