Wisdom (Part 3)

Main Passage: Proverbs 3:5-10

Part 3: "Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs 3:9-10

I don't know about you but I want my barns to be overflowing and my vats to brim over!

After Thanksgiving Post

Hello blog readers! It's been a week since my last post. I thought I would disconnect a little from the wired world during my time off. Anyway, let's get right to it. We had a great trip to the Gulf Coast to visit my family for the Thanksgiving Holidays. And yes, the minivan made it loaded down with car top and all. I know. I am not as cool as I used to be or at least thought I was. I will sum up our trip in four words: food, fishing, football, and family.

Here are my top 5 highlights and top 5 lowlights:

Highlights

1. No cavities...This was our annual trip to Mobile, AL to see THE DENTIST, Dr. Jason Howes (my little brother). This was the first time in years that he has not strapped me into his chair to torture me. Since we had extra time, he made a cool mold of Jessie's foot.

2. Jason brought his sweet 21 foot Boston Whaler to Gport and on Thanksgiving morning, we took the kids fishing. This was Julia first fishing trip. She caught 4 fish in an hour, then we dropped her off at my parent's neighbor's pier on Bayou Bernard.

3. Friday morning, my dad, brother and I went fishing together. We caught well over 100 fish in the two days. On Friday night, we had a good ole fish fry.

4. It was great to see my family. There is nothing that brings the Howes' family together like good food. Of course, it was all great. But my favorite was Aunt Sissy sweet potato pie.

5. Grayson Rams upsetting Two-time Defending 5A State Champion Lowndes. I got updates all night on the score of the games from various peeps. I heard the rally towels were a big hit, but I have yet to see one.

Lowlights

1. The brutal bumper to bumper traffic and 9 hour road trip home Sunday. As we were driving through Alabama, I saw several crimson bumper stickers and flags that had a big "S" with "The Coach" written under it. I almost threw up.

2. I have to confess that I gained 5 pounds. Like I said. The food was great and everything at my parent's house revolves around the food.

3. LSU losing to Arkansas ...disgraceful. I almost punched a guy for yelling GEAUX HOGS. Now is probably a good time to go ahead and become a Georgia Bulldog...or maybe NOW is not a good time?

4. Missing worship on Sunday at Graystone. I've heard from several people that Dustin did a great job preaching. I have not heard about the rest of the service. Hopefully, "Kyle and the band (not official name)" did not lay an egg in my absence.

5. Not being able to assemble my old buddies for a reunion of the Turkey Bowl Dunk Basketball Classic. This was a long shot anyway since we are getting old, and everyone has gone their separate ways. I guess I could have gone and shot a few nostalgic hoops in Jamie Graves' parent's driveway.

Quiet Time Plan for December

Well, not sure if any of that was thought provoking and inspiring? But you do know that according to Jennifer, no one reads this blog, and it only serves as my personal journal. I do have a challenge for you as we start the month of December. If you do not have a quiet time plan, you can join my Men's Small Group as we study through the Book of Proverbs. We are going to read and study a chapter a day beginning today with Proverbs 1. Basically, whatever day of the month it is, that is the chapter we are reading. I will be posting some of my thoughts and insights over the month.

Clone Your Pastor

Last night, I ran across this old video online. Check out the not-so-incredible acting skills. I think we need to keep our day jobs.


Clone Your Pastor. from Graystone Church on Vimeo.

Also, the idea of a 3rd service at 5 PM didn't really fly.

Taking the Plunge

Last night, in the cold waters of Kenny Roger's (not the singer) unheated swimming pool with the support of friends and family, Steve Sexton and Brian Evans made public professions of their faith in Jesus Christ through baptism. It was a special event that I will never forget. Our Men's Small Group truly is living out Matthew 28:19-20 and 2 Timothy 2:2.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts are due tomorrow.

This is a great opportunity for you and your family to share the love of Jesus Christ with needy kids around the world. Even if you don't attend Graystone, you can drop your shoe box gifts off at the church.

Wisdom (Part 2)

Every morning before the kids catch the school bus, our family reads a daily devotion and prays together. It has been a interesting "coincidence" that this week's readings in my son's devotional book have been about not believing the lies of Satan. It's an interesting "coincidence", because last Sunday I preached how Satan is the father of lies and how we are in a daily battle of good verses evil. Well, the devotional readings this week have encouraged us to seek wisdom from God and His word and not look for guidance from astrology, horoscopes and fortune tellers.

Part 2: Proverbs 3:6-7 says, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."

Main Thoughts (Biblical Principles):
1. Do not trust your own opinion (Romans 12:16).
2. Have a holy fear of God. Live in reverence to Him.
3. Be obedient to God and His word.
4. Shun evil...give sin the Heisman (2 Timothy 2:22).

Results: God promises physical health and strength for those who live wisely according to His will.

Discussion: What do you think about the general promise of physical health for living a wise, godly lifestyle? This is a bit of a controversial topic in Christian circles. We do know that Job lived a righteous life and yet suffered affliction to his body.

Wisdom (Part 1)

Proverbs is a book of WISDOM. It gives us a plethora of practical instructions for every area of our lives. Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." One of my prayers over the years has been for God to "give me wisdom beyond my years". In my Men's Small Group, our quiet time Bible passage for yesterday was a classic, Proverbs 3:5-10. I want to spend the next few days sharing some insights on wisdom.

Part 1: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Main Thoughts (Biblical Principles):
1.Trust God with EVERY area of your life.
2. Trust God with ALL your heart (100%).
3. Do not trust your own understanding (Proverbs 14:12). You are not as smart as you think you are.
4. Seek God for wisdom through prayer, Bible Study, and godly counsel.
5. Acknowledge God (give glory to God) in EVERY AREA of your life.

Results: God will direct your paths. He will lead you to make wise decisions to fulfill His perfect will and plan your life.