Category: Musings

Just random things I’m thinking about . . .

New Facebook Page!

Hi All,

Don’t forget to like our new Facebook page if you haven’t already.

Our old Facebook page is still active; however, I’m unable to log into it or regain access to it. I tried logging in the other day, but I was unable to do so. Then I tried resetting the password. When I did that, they sent an email to the original email address that I used to sign up for the Facebook page. However, I hadn’t signed into that email address for so long that I had to reset that password as well. But when I tried to do that, Gmail wouldn’t allow me to reset that password because they didn’t recognize the device I was using. So after trying for about two hours, I gave up and created a new Facebook page for the site.

Ugh. Technology.

Updates to the Website

Hi Everyone.

I hope you’re doing well during this crazy COVID-19 worldwide shutdown.

I’m a teacher so I’ve been home. A lot. It’s hard on a person’s psyche to never leave the house. But it couldn’t have come at a better time for us. We have a new puppy. And that feels like a full-time job.

More importantly, our 11-year old daughter was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Talk about a full-time job–shots, CGMs, pumps, blood sugar levels, lows, highs, carbs, insulin, sleepless nights, exercise, sleep, insurance, doctors . . . you get the idea.

In God’s typical fashion, He’s testing us, but also giving us everything we need to handle the trial.

I’ve also taken this time to resurrect this site a bit. God has been nudging me for years to get it going, so I’m trying.

I’ve met Nick Phelps, an amazing fellow Christian who’s agreed to help out with certain facets of the site.

I’ve started going through my stored content (I have quite a bit–testimonies, poems, articles, etc.) and posting it. Hopefully you’re enjoying the “new” content.

Lastly, I’ve updated all the Bible book outlines on the site. I’ve revamped them a little to make the styling more consistent. I’ve added a PDF version of every outline. And I’ve also added a downloadable PDF pamphlet of all the outlines. Yes. All 200 pages in one quick download.

So while this COVID-19 stuff sucks, God has whispered to me in his consistent yet patient way to somehow attempt to make a difference. And I believe this site has made a difference to many and will continue to do so into the future.

Do I think this COVID-19 virus is the end of the world? No. Do I think there’s a massive government conspiracy to rob us all of our freedom? No. Do I think Covid-19 is real? Yes. Do I think our doctors and scientists are doing the best they can to save lives? Yes.

Our role as Christians is not to spread misinformation or panic. It’s not to listen to or create conspiracy theories. It’s not to call our government stupid. Our role is the same as it’s always been. To pray. To love others. To listen to God’s voice. To do what he tells us to do. To stay calm. To trust Him. To be a rock in the midst of a raging sea.

We can continue to make a difference during this time. I pray that God will make His will known to you as you discover your purpose during this time.

Comment Guidelines

Comment Guidelines Rationale

We adopted WordPress a few years back in order to streamline the implementation of new content. We also hoped that productive conversations would develop and that the site would become more interactive.

This occurred and then, a couple years ago, Tim passed away. Tim wrote the articles, moderated the more theologically difficult comment conversations and answered the tough questions. Without Tim, the comment conversations spiraled a bit out of control. Authoritative voices arose (and continue to arise) that, at times, did not necessarily agree with Scripture. People started posting phone numbers, email addresses, asking for help with all sorts of deeply personal problems that I’m not qualified to answer . . . In short, I couldn’t keep up.

Because our original intent was simply to share the good news of Jesus Christ to the world and to be a light in a dark place, and not to be a public forum in need of constant moderation, I have decided to curb the comment conversations and simply focus on the content of the site. I still have articles from Tim to post, as well as a myriad of poems and testimonies.

I have also teamed up with a trusted friend from my church who is helping me restore a bit of order to the comment conversations. He may also help answer questions from time to time. He has been a great help to me as we discuss the future of the site. His name is Nathan.

We will still allow comments on the site, but all comments must adhere to the following guidelines. We hope this doesn’t upset anyone and hopefully it will serve to remove any distractions from the Good News we’re attempting to share.

Comment Guidelines

  • Comments are limited to 1,000 characters.
  • Discussion relevant to the content is encouraged. Do you agree? Disagree? Do you have a question about the content?
  • Comments are limited to 300 characters. Multiple comments posted in order to circumvent the 300 character limit are treated as spam.
  • Comments with links are automatically treated as spam.
  • If you want to post a link, submit a request here.
  • Do not post email addresses or phone numbers.
  • Do not ask for help regarding personal issues.
  • Do not give personal advice or act as a counselor.
  • Do not endorse or link to authors, preachers, videos, books, etc.
  • Be nice.
  • Keep in mind that you can subscribe to the comment conversations.
  • Questions? Post a comment or contact me and we’ll do our best to respond.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:6 (ESV)

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
Colossians 3:8 (ESV)

Sorry for the Delay in Posts . . .

I want to make a commitment to our readers to begin posting material on a more regular basis. I’m behind (literally a year or two behind) in posting submissions (articles, testimonies, poems). I’m trying to start keeping up with our current batch of submissions while digging into the archives and posting old submissions as well.

Recently my computer was in the shop so I didn’t post anything for quite some time. Hopefully I will keep up on things now.

In His service,

Eric

The Verse that Saved my Week

The verse that saved my week.

The verse that saved my week rang loud and strong from the Craig’s lips last Sunday.

3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3,4 (ESV)

Every Thursday morning I meet with my administrators. Every Thursday morning I dread it. Every Thursday morning I sit, listen, nod, and hold all my negative thoughts inside.

This last Thursday, I read these verses before the meeting.

What a difference.

In the meeting, I actually listened with an open mind. We even had a short conversation about things unrelated to work. I looked for ways to be a blessing.

Not only did the meeting seem almost enjoyable, the rest of my day did too.

As you can see, I’m a slow learner, but I’m starting to catch on to some of the basics.

Christianity in a Nutshell – Proverbs 27:7

Proverbs 27:7 – Christianity in a nutshell. Do you agree?

7 One who is full loathes honey,
but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
Proverbs 27:7 (ESV)

For one full of God and His Word, sin appears disgusting. For those starving for His love, even the most vile cesspool might look inviting.

Godly Grief

Sin should appall us and produce godly grief leading to repentance.

As I read II Corinthians 7 the other night, the term “godly grief,” really caught me off guard. I find myself grieving, often, over things like my working conditions, failures I’ve experienced, the disappearance of my cat, my own state of mind . . . but my grief can hardly be categorized at “godly.” See what Paul says.

8 For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it – though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while.
9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
II Corinthians 7:8-10 (ESV)

I sat still and thought about it for a while. Do I feel grief when I’ve said or done something that might mislead another? Do I grieve when I sin? Do I feel sorrow when I let Jesus down, when I displease Him?

Sin should appall us and produce godly grief leading to repentance. Worldly grief results from loss of earthly possessions or disappointments unrelated to God or His Son. We need to learn to throw off worldly sorrows; we are not of this world. The things that the world finds important we should regard as unnecessary, trivial, futile. If events unrelated to God produce grief in us, we should be wary, as Paul warns us that worldly grief produces death.

What grieves you?