Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Sermon Songs: Revelation 22:1-5

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

We are longing for the Garden, Living Water flowing through
Bright as crystal in this Eden, Life with God for me and you
We are longing, We are thirsting, We yearn for Christ to return

In this Garden – the Tree of Life, No more death, disease, aging
No more curse, no more cosmic strife, No more pain, sorrow, weeping
We are longing, We are thirsting, We yearn for Christ to return

In this Garden reigns the good King, Evil gone – there is no night
We will serve Him, His praise we’ll sing, Dwelling in His brilliant light
We are longing, We are thirsting, We yearn for Christ to return

In this Garden – His name bearing, Forever we’ll see His face
Close communion ever growing, Behold God’s amazing grace
We are longing, We are thirsting, We yearn for Christ to return

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Gentle Marriage

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

Gentle-Way

[Wives:] But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle (meek) and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. – I Peter 3:4 ESV (Other Translations)

 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding (considerate) way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. – I Peter 3:7 ESV (Other Translations)

 Wives are to have a gentle and quiet spirit that comes out in their words and actions.  But husbands too must be gentle if they are to be considerate of their wives and honor them.  In whatever way women are the weaker vessel, it requires husbands then to be gentle with them.

And husbands and wives, like all people, can be weak and bruised and weary from the trials and struggles of this world.  And so they need to be gentle with each other.

This is the great test of gentleness.  It is easy to put on show in public, but what are we like at home?  Are we gentle with each other, or are we harsh, brawling, loud, or manipulative?

Every marriage would improve greatly if gentleness ruled in our homes.  God calls us to grow in gentleness.

If you are married, are you gentle with your spouse?

Does gentleness rule in your home?

How might you need to be more gentle toward your spouse this week?

Q&A#7: The Word of God

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#7
Q: How did we receive the Word of God?
A: We received the Word of God through holy men who wrote as they were led by the Holy Spirit.

Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  – II Peter 1:20-21 (ESV)

For Further Reflection
Read Acts 1:15-17 & 4:23-26

Gentle Words

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

Gentle-Way

A soft (gentle) answer turns away wrath (anger), but a harsh (grievous) word stirs up anger (wrath).  – Proverbs 15:1 ESV (Other Translations)

A gentle (soothing, wholesome, healing) tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness (devious) in it breaks the spirit. – Proverb 15:4 ESV (Other Translations)

We see here the power of words.  Gentle words can diffuse an angry conflict and bring healing and life to the hurting.  Harsh words can stir up conflict and break the spirit of the bruised and battered. God calls us to turn from harsh words and grow in gentleness.

Do your words tend to be gentle or harsh?

What situations tend to stir up harsh words from you?

Ask God to help your words become more gentle.

A Gentle Life

On By BrianIn Virtue of Gentleness

Gentle-Way

To speak evil of (malign, slander) no one, to avoid quarreling (brawling, be peaceable), to be gentle (considerate, kind), and to show perfect courtesy (meekness, consideration, gentleness) toward all people.
– Titus 3:2 ESV (Other Translations)

 The word “gentle” is also translated “considerate” or “kind.”  A gentle person considers the needs and feelings of others.  A gentle person, in consideration of the other person, is then kind towards them instead of mean.

Other characteristics in the verse all relate to gentleness too.  A gentle person doesn’t attack others with her words.  She doesn’t speak evil of people, slandering and maligning them.  She doesn’t fight with others, quarreling or brawling.  A gentle person is courteous, considerate, and polite towards others.

Are you gentle like this with others in your speech and actions?

At work? At school?  Driving in your car?  On Facebook?

How well does this verse describe your life?

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

IMG_5800

Presque Isle River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Sermon Songs: Revelation 21:9-27

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

Behold the Lamb’s glorious Bride, The Lord’s Holy City
The people for whom Jesus died, Arrayed with God’s glory
Dwelling in God’s brilliant presence, In loving unity
Forever in God’s remembrance, With radiant beauty

Behold our God’s new dwelling place, Ablaze with His glory
Home of the redeemed human race, The great holy city
The nations bring their glory in, The gates open always
There’ll be no wickedness or sin, In these glorious days

To the tune of “We Sing the Greatness of Our God”