Proverbs Chapter 6

In the middle of warnings to about the bad results of taking responsibility for someone else's debt and of committing adultery is a warning against just plain being a "low-down, no good, dirty rotten, yellow-bellied varmint." (That would be from the old FFG translation - "Festus From Gunsmoke" translation. Talk to someone who's over 50 if you are confused by this.)

But what really stuck out for me is the list of seven things the Lord hates at the end of that section.

There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him:
         haughty eyes,  (pride & arrogance)
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
         a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
         a false witness who pours out lies
        and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

The surprising thing is that three of those seven things come from our mouths - and lying is in there TWICE !

In a day and age when lying is commonplace - and seemingly expected both from those in public office and private business - it is good to be reminded that God is really not 'ok' with 'putting your own spin on' something. Maybe it's because one of His most basic characteristics is truthfulness and it was Satan's lies that led to Adam and Eve's downfall (which, of course, led to every problem in the world today).

Please leave your comments about the passage that stood out for you.

Thanks,
Pastor David

Proverbs Chapter 5

Most of the chapters of the book of Proverbs are filled with short, wise sayings that normally only a couple of verses long. Many times there will not be a central theme, just a collection of wise sayings. Chapters four and five, however, have a different format. Both are focused on a central theme from start to finish. Chapter four highlighted the supreme value of attaining wisdom - finding out what God would have you do in everyday situations. Chapter five's focus is on one of those situations: Marriage.

Drink water from your own cistern,
    running water from your own well.

For me, verse fifteen above (from the NIV 1984 translation) sums up the message of the chapter with a catchy metaphor.  That message is simple: Remain 100% faithful to your spouse. Great blessings will result from such faithfulness. Anything less will bring big trouble for everyone involved.

God will bless your reading,
Pastor David

Proverbs Chapter 4

When I began this exercise of reading a chapter of Proverbs each day, I said that the book of Proverbs is God's 'book of everyday wisdom.' And I defined "wisdom" as having two parts: 1) Knowing what God wants you to do and 2) Doing it!  All of Chapter 4 highlights the supreme value of wisdom, but verse seven sums it up:

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Good motivation to keep on reading a chapter a day from God's book of everyday wisdom.

God will bless your reading,
Pastor David

Proverbs Chapter 3

God                                        Your own understanding

There are a lot of great proverbs (brief words of wisdom) in this chapter. Please leave a comment below about with one stuck out for you. Here's a summary of what I said about my favorite in the sermon message from yesterday...

If the government made it illegal to have a Bible, and someone came in here right now to confiscate all of them... and I had only time to memorize proverb from Chapter 3 before they scooped up my Bible it would be this one:

Trust in the Lord with all you heart - and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

It seems to me that we have two basic choices of what to lean on -
       1) God or
       2) something else.

To lean on God is to lean on a solid stone wall. To lean on your own understanding is to lean on, for example, a banner pole. It's good for holding up some stuff - like banners - but not your life.

God gave us the ability to reason, and it is good for lots of things. But when our reason conflicts with what God says (and it seems to quite often), our own understanding will topple like a banner pole when you or I lean on it.

Here's just one example of when we need to "Trust God with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding":

"Our own understanding" tells us that being disciplined means God doesn't love you - or that disciplining your child is not being loving. But God says....like He did in our chapter today, discipline means Love. Trust God when He says that.

This proverb is so important that I think we need to tatoo it onto our brains. Memorize it. We already have a memory verse for February, but I think now we have one for March.

Where do you need to trust God this week?  Don't forget what happens when you lean on your own understanding (the banner pole) and what happens when you lean on God (the rock-solid wall).   Amen.

Proverbs Chapter 2

If there was any doubt about the source of wisdom after reading Chapter 1, Chapter 2 puts that doubt to rest:

For the Lord gives wisdom,
    and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Thankfully, God doesn't keep His wisdom to Himself. He has made it available for us all in His Word -
especially here in His "Book of Everyday Wisdom," the Proverbs.

God will bless your reading,
Pastor David

Proverbs Chapter 1

The opening verses of the book of Proverbs give a great summary of their purpose:

For attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

If it sounds like a pretty important book, it is! That's why I suggested that we get into the
habit of reading a chapter each day.

The first actual proverb ("wise saying") tells us the foundation of real wisdom:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

In other words, there can be no true wisdom apart from trust in God.

God bless your reading,

Pastor David

Proverbs Chapter 31

Recently in both our Mom's and Women's study groups we went through a study entitled: Unglued: Making wise choices in the midst of raw emotions. The study was led by a woman named Lysa Terkeurst. Lysa is the president of Proverbs 31 Ministries which seeks to help women become more like the wise woman described in Proverbs chapter 31. Of all the desirable characteristics listed, the most important one is found in the second-to-last verse:  a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  Doing what God has called us to do - whether it be as husband or wife or single person - must start with fear, love and trust in God. And that foundation is a gift given by God.

Proverbs Chapter 30

In my Bible I have brackets drawn around verses 7-9 (the result of a previous reading of the chapter) with this note written in pen:  "Great Wisdom."

Here are the verses:

Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die:

    1) Keep falsehood and lies far from me;

    2) give me neither poverty nor riches,
        but give me only my daily bread.

       Otherwise I may have too much and disown you
           and say, "Who is the Lord?"
       Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.

To which I must repeat:  "Great Wisdom."

Please leave a comment about the verse(s) that stood out for you from this chapter.

God bless your reading,
Pastor David

p.s. I added the numbers, they are not in the original text.

Proverbs 29

It seems that a lot of attention is being paid - and rightly so - to those who lead our country. It's important to keep track of what our leaders are doing, because of this principle that shows up over and over again in the Bible:

        "As go the leaders... so go the people."

For example, if the leader seeks God, the people will tend to also seek God. If the leader is 'godless', the people will tend to become that way as well.

The proverb from chapter 29 that I chose for today says basically the same:

"If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked."

The officials take their lead from the one who rules. If he listens to lies, then they will line up to feed him lies, and in the process become nothing but liars.

Take time out right now to pray for our leaders (and for 'the people') to listen to God and not to lies.

God bless your reading,
Pastor David

Proverbs Chapter 28

Almost every time I read a chapter of Proverbs there is something different that stands out from the last time I read it. Today there were a couple of verses that stood out for me from Chapter 28. Verses 9 and 13:

 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law,
    even his prayers are detestable.

 He who conceals his sins does not prosper,
    but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

The first verse gives us a great reason to humble ourselves and confess our sins at the start of our prayers. The second verse reminds us that confessing is, as the old saying goes, "Good for the soul."

Please leave your comments about the verse or verses from Chapter 28 that struck you today.

God bless your reading,

Pastor David

Proverbs Chapter 27

For those of you who started reading Proverbs on the 27th, here's the verse that seemed to hit home for me when I read chapter 27:

He who is full loathes honey,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

It seems to me the first part of that verse describes those of us who live in the U.S.  We have so much stuff, (we are so 'full') that we don't even appreciate the "sweet" things God gives us on a daily basis. On the other hand, those people who have so little appreciate the "bitter" things we wouldn't even consider eating.

The season of Lent is just around the corner (Ash Wednesday is February 13). It may be a great time for some kind of 'fasting' that will help us to have a greater appreciation for the abundance God has blessed us with - and maybe to share from that abundance with those who have little.

Please leave a comment about the passage from chapter 27 that stuck out for you.

God bless your reading,
Pastor David

Proverbs - A Chapter A Day

In yesterday's sermon I said that I wanted to challenge each of us to make 2013 the year that we dedicate ourselves to

 "keeping the darkness at bay by doing the small, everyday things the way God wants,"

           - in other words: Using Wisdom in our everyday activities, words and attitudes.

Right in the middle of God's Library (the Bible) is a book that has been called The Book of Everyday Wisdom - the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs has 31 chapters, so it is perfect for reading one chapter a day each month (at least for 7 of the 12 months).  I invited everyone to read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. For example, read Proverbs 27 on January 27th. Read Proverbs 28 on January 28th, etc...

As you read, you will discover that most of the chapters of Proverbs contain many short, one or two verse "wise sayings" designed to help you make godly choices in everyday situations.Since these "proverbs" or "bits of wisdom" were written close to 3000 years ago, there will naturally be some references that we won't understand. (Much like the people 3000 years ago - or even people 30 years ago - would not understand a reference we might make to "Facebooking" or "Googling".) As you read I'd suggest not worrying about those verses that you don't understand, just focus on the vast majority of verses that are self-explanatory.

I also promised to write a blog entry each day to let you know which of the everyday bits of wisdom jumped out at me - and gave the invitation to add a comment about the proverb that 'stuck out' for you.

Let's get reading...

Pastor David

A Letter From Jade Dols...

Hey guys!

 

Here is my October Newsletter.  Life has changed pretty dramatically these past few months, so this newsletter gives you an overview of what that looks like. If you would like to learn more about any of the issues (prostitution, persecution, asylum seekers/refugees, or simply being friends with your neighbors), please let me know.  I would love to chat or Skype with you.

 

I really want to encourage you to learn more about the persecuted church around the world. This issue is SO close to my heart.  It is something that I have been interested in for quite some time, but it always seemed so far away that it was almost surreal.  Now this reality has been brought near as I join hands with Pakistani brothers and sisters through prayer, worship, tears, fears, and breaking of bread.  Something changes when you see the face behind the story.  These are our fellow brothers and sisters in desperate need of prayer, friendship, encouragement, resources, and financial support.  If you would like to get involved in their lives in any of these ways I can help you do that (thanks to technology you can talk with them face-to-face!). 

There are 2 non-profits that I have been partnering with, Life Raft International and In Search of Sanuk that are very reputable.  They are small organizations that emphasize relationship and a holistic approach to helping these families. Life Raft is the organization that is currently helping my families.

 

Oh yes, and I'll be back in MN this December!  I fly in on the 18th, then out to CA on January 15th before returning back to Bangkok on the 23rd.  I would love to hang out with you while in town.  Let me know if you would like to get together during that time. 

 

Also, I do not have a vehicle when I return.  If you have an extra one laying around that you wouldn't mind lending out, let me know! I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Above all, thank you so much for your support. It comforts my heart and strengthens me knowing that I'm not in this alone, but that I have an army of people behind me.  Please continue to pray. I need it more than ever.  Things have been pretty overwhelming as I go deeper in relationship with the bar girls and refugees.  I am seeing, hearing, and experiencing so many new things; things that are difficult to understand and process. Through all of this I need to see what the Father is seeing, and do what He is doing.  Being moved by emotion can be a dangerous thing.  At the same time I want to remain sensitive to those emotions, never hardened in heart.

 

Thank you so much.  I love you dearly.

Jade 

 

 

You're Invited!

Dedication Sunday, October 28 @ 4pm

Please join us for our special celebration. We will have lots of music - including "guest appearances" from a couple of musicians who have served us in the past, Susan Johnson and Shawn Urban.

You're invited to our...

 

...for Living Word Lutheran Church at our new building.

This Saturday, October 20th, 2012 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

 

Stop in, look around, say hello, and have some refreshments with us!

 

What Are You Looking Forward To Most ... ?

What are you looking forward to most about being in our new building ?

That's actually a question I posed to our Mission and Ministry team awhile ago. They turned the question back to me, so here's my answer:

There are many things that we will be able to do in a building that we own as opposed to one we rent. One of the positive things I've already seen is how people have been working together to make the building happen. Working together always tends to bring people closer together as we get to know each other better.

But as for when the building is actually done, the thing I am looking forward to most is this: Not having to find other places to hold weddings and funerals.

That may not seem like a big thing, but if you've gotten married or had a loved one die during the time we've been at Prairie Meadows, you know it really is a big deal. The other churches in the area have been very accommodating in letting us use their facilities when a couple is getting married or when someone dies. But I've seen how needing to find another church facility puts an undo hardship on families at a time when they really don't need another burden - especially with funerals.

So it was with great joy that I was able to say, "Yes, it will!" when Kim Arends asked me if the building would be ready in time to host a wedding (and reception) for her and her fiancé John on October 13.

Please, click on "comments" below and share with us what you are looking forward to most. 
Thanks, and God bless.
Pastor David

VBS: The First Event At Our New Building !

Last Saturday we 'initiated' our new building with a one-day vacation Bible school. We had a great time learning about 'God's Amazing Creation'. We learned new songs (and some new hand motions for old songs), played some kickball (kids whooped the adults!), made some neat stuff (like Alka-Seltzer powered rockets), did a 3-minute service project (filled a 5# pail with rocks) even tossed some eggs at Pastor Dave (unfortunately no pics of that). Thank God for all the kids who attended, the parents and grandparents who brought them, the folks who helped and Mona Hjelle for organizing it all!

August 9 - Painting and Siding

Our volunteer paint crew began work on the ceiling this evening. Shown here are Phil Iverson, Larry Hultgren, Jamie Iverson, Gracie Geer and Pastor David. Several more people came to help after these pictures were taken, and the crew was able to finish the first coat on the ceiling in the big room!  In the last couple of pictures Jason Miller and Fred Asche are shown putting the siding on the north side of the building.

Another "paint & side" work day is scheduled this Saturday, August 11. Please join us if you can.

August 2 - Softball Season Ends

Our Living Word church-league softball team's venture into the Gold League came to an end tonight. We won one game (Not sure how many we lost - who's counting?).
We had a great group of guys who had fun and showed lots of heart and dedication. Pictured are the guys who played in our final game of the season.

Back Row:  Jason M.,  Bryson,  Paul,  Mike,  Jason O.,  Nate
Front Row:  Kevin,  Bo,  Pastor David,  Chase,  Brandon

July 26 - Lots of new stuff

I've been out of town on vacation for a couple of weeks, so there's lots of new stuff for this update:

+ Interior walls have been completed

+ Ceiling has drywall has been hung

+ Aprons have been poured in front of each entrance

+ Windows have been installed

You can see all of these developments in the pictures below.

The next work to be completed will be drywall on the interior walls.

July 11- Roof Finished. Inside Walls Going Up

Our volunteers finished putting the steel roofing on the south roof this past Saturday. More volunteers are putting up interior walls on the east end of the building tonight. Most of the black dirt for the lawn has been filled in around the building.

June 30 - The North Roof is Finished

On Saturday Jason Miller, Vern Samuelson, Bryson Wachter, Brent Sawatzky, Pastor Dave and Kevin Welsh put the metal roofing on the north side of the building. You can't tell it from the photos, but the color is a Charcoal Gray. 

June 28 - Electricity and Water

Workers from Thein Well began drilling the well.  The guys from Electrical Plus have the transformer installed and electricity into the building

June 27 - We start work on the roof

Most of the contractor work on the building is completed. Today Living Word members and friends began work on the roof.